Roadside guides you can use.
Practical, step-by-step walkthroughs for common breakdown situations Houston drivers may face. Every guide explains what to do and when it’s time to stop and call for a tow referral.
Which roadside problems can you fix on your own?
Change a flat tire on the side of the road
Knowing the spare and jack locations ahead of time can mean a 20-minute shoulder stop instead of spending an hour calling a tow company.
What to do when stuck in mud or high water
During heavy rain, low-lying streets, bayou crossings, and unpaved lots can quickly fill with mud and standing water. Start by not worsening the situation.
Prepare your vehicle for a tow
Preparing for a few minutes before the matched tow truck gets there reduces delays, helps prevent damage, and speeds up the call.
Car will not start - what to check first
Check five things before requesting a tow. In most cases, the vehicle is okay and only needs a jump, a fuse, or a key that properly communicates with the transponder.
Flatbed vs wheel-lift towing: which is safer?
Each is a valid towing method, but choosing incorrectly can seriously damage your car. This plain-English guide explains which vehicles require each method and when to reject a wheel-lift, even if the operator approves it.
Can a tow truck refuse to take my car in Texas?
Yes, though only under particular circumstances set by Texas law and operator policy. Learn when an operator may decline, which rights you have, and how to respond when service is refused in Houston.
How to verify a Houston tow company is licensed
A phone number and flatbed can be purchased by anyone. Spending 5 minutes confirming an operator’s TDLR license, insurance, and USDOT number helps shield you from predatory businesses that appear in local news each year.
At what point should you stop and contact a tow truck?
Six clues show it’s beyond DIY. Turn the system off and call, because running it with these problems can make cheap repairs become expensive replacements.
- You are on the shoulder of a busy freeway
Houston’s riskiest places to wait include shoulders on I-10, I-45, and Loop 610. Remain inside, keep seatbelts fastened, and call for a tow.
- The vehicle was in any collision
Damage to the brakes, steering rack, or suspension may be hidden even after a minor collision. Only drive after a crash when law enforcement has cleared the scene and you can see that the vehicle is intact.
- Ignition or dashboard is smoking
Smoke from an electrical fire can become flames in under a minute. If possible, pull over, shut off the engine, exit the vehicle, and call 911 and a tow.
- Smoke or steam from under the hood
A major oil or coolant leak, or overheating, may seize the engine if you keep driving, leading to a $4,000+ repair. Stop somewhere safe and call for a tow.
- The drive wheels won’t turn freely on an electric, AWD, or 4WD vehicle
Dragging an AWD or EV with a wheel lift can ruin its drivetrain. Use a flatbed every time, without exception, and give the dispatcher your make and model.
- Water, mud, or sand up to the door sills
Water-damaged electrics can ignite without warning. Don’t start the car. A matched operator can flatbed it off the terrain to a shop for proper assessment.
Which towing safety resources and laws can you consult?
City of Houston vehicle search: findmytowedcar.com
Use the license plate or VIN to locate a vehicle towed inside Houston city limits. The records are updated about 2 hours after the tow. Because Houston doesn’t operate one central city impound lot, the vehicle will be held by the licensed vehicle storage facility (VSF) that received it.
houstontx.govHouston Tow and Go (freeway assistance)
A working spare can be installed for a flat tire, or a stalled or disabled vehicle can be moved free from a Houston freeway to a safe location. Tollways and the Katy Freeway HOT lanes aren’t included, and law enforcement or Houston TranStar must authorize the tow.
harriscountyso.orgHarris County Sheriff - Towing Information
Harris County resources for non-city, unincorporated-area tows, including the lookup tool at findmytowedcar.org/harriscountytow.
tdlr.texas.govTDLR - Tow Trucks and Vehicle Storage Facilities
Across Texas, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation oversees licenses for tow operators and vehicle storage facilities, lists maximum non-consent towing and storage fees, provides license searches, and accepts complaints.
statutes.capitol.texas.govTowing and booting under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308
This state law covers tow-operator licensing, required signs for private-property towing, and the vehicle owner’s right to request a tow hearing.
txdmv.govTxDMV - salvage and nonrepairable titles
TxDMV instructions for the required salvage or nonrepairable title process after damage of that extent, including hurricane-flooded vehicles.
houstontx.govNon-consent tow rates in Houston Municipal Code Chapter 8
This city ordinance establishes the non-consent towing rate for vehicles towed within Houston’s city limits.
Still stranded? Call dispatch.
Still not moving after following the guide? Call anytime. The phone line is answered around the clock.