Roadside guides you can use.
Short driver-focused walkthroughs of the breakdown jobs every San Antonio driver should know. Each guide comes with step-by-step instructions and a clear line on when to stop and call a tow.
What roadside fixes can you handle yourself?
Change a flat tire on the side of the road
The difference between a 20-minute shoulder stop and an hour on the phone with a tow company is knowing where the spare and jack live before you need them.
What to do when stuck in sand or mud
San Antonio's low-water crossings and Hill Country ranch roads flood fast and swallow vehicles whole. The first thing to do is stop making it worse.
Prepare your vehicle for a tow
A few minutes of prep before the tow truck arrives saves time, avoids damage, and makes the whole call go faster.
Car will not start - what to check first
Before calling for a tow, there are five things to check. Most of the time the car is fine and you just need a boost, a fuse, or a key that actually talks to the transponder.
Flatbed vs wheel-lift towing: which is safer?
Both are legitimate tow methods, but the wrong one can wreck your car. Here is the plain-English answer to which method belongs on which vehicle, and when you should refuse a wheel-lift even if the operator says it is fine.
Can a tow truck refuse to take my car in Texas?
Yes - but only in specific situations defined by Texas law and tow-operator policy. Here is exactly when an operator can walk away, what your rights are, and what to do if you are refused service in San Antonio.
How to verify a San Antonio tow company is licensed
Anyone can buy a flatbed and a phone number. Verifying a tow operator's TDLR license, USDOT number, and insurance takes 5 minutes and protects you from the predatory operators that make local news every year.
When should you stop and call a tow truck?
Six signs that the problem is past DIY. Turn the system off and pick up the phone - running a system with these issues turns cheap repairs into expensive replacements.
- You are on the shoulder of a busy freeway
I-35, I-37, and Loop 410 shoulders are among the most dangerous places to stand in San Antonio. Stay in the vehicle with seatbelts on and call for a tow.
- The vehicle was in any collision
Even light collisions can damage suspension, brakes, or the steering rack in ways you cannot see. Drive it after an accident only if law enforcement clears the scene and the vehicle is visibly intact.
- Ignition or dashboard is smoking
Electrical fires can progress from smoke to flames in under a minute. Pull over if you can, turn the engine off, get out, and call 911 plus a tow.
- Smoke or steam from under the hood
Overheating or a serious oil/coolant leak. Continuing to drive can cause a seized engine - a $4,000+ repair. Pull over safely and call for a tow.
- Vehicle is AWD, 4WD, or electric and the drive wheels will not spin freely
Dragging an AWD or EV on a wheel lift destroys the drivetrain. Always flatbed - no exceptions. Tell the dispatcher your make and model when you call.
- Water is over the road or your vehicle stalled in a low-water crossing
San Antonio's low-water crossings flood fast and have swept vehicles away with people inside. Do not try to restart or drive through standing water. Get to high ground, call 911 if the water is rising, and flatbed out once it is safe.
What towing laws and safety resources are available?
City of San Antonio Vehicle Impound Facility
The city's vehicle impound facility for SAPD-ordered tows, at 3625 Growdon Rd, San Antonio, TX 78227, (210) 881-8440. Operated by Alanis Wrecker Service under contract with SAPD. sa.gov lists it as open 24 hours - confirm current hours by phone. Search for a towed vehicle at search.autoreturn.com; unclaimed vehicles move toward auction after 30 days.
dps.texas.govTexas Department of Public Safety - Highway Patrol
For highway incidents and crash reporting in Texas. Call 911 for emergencies or contact the local DPS Highway Patrol office.
txdmv.govTexas DMV - Abandoned Vehicle Process
Texas DMV guidance on reporting and removing abandoned vehicles from private property.
tdlr.texas.govTDLR - Tow Trucks and Vehicle Storage Facilities
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation oversees tow trucks, operators, and vehicle storage facilities statewide, and sets the statewide maximum non-consent tow and storage fees a city ordinance may go below. Verify a license or file a complaint here.
Still stranded? Call dispatch.
If the guide didn't get you moving, call. The line takes calls around the clock.