When to Call a Tow Truck: A Saudi Driver's Guide

You need a tow truck whenever starting or continuing to drive the car is unsafe or could make the damage worse: weak brakes or a sinking pedal, an overheating engine with steam, a red oil warning light, transmission failure, a crash with visible damage, or a car that will not start in a dangerous spot. The golden rule: if you doubt the car is safe to drive, call for a tow. A tow costs far less than a ruined engine or an accident.

This guide covers the situations that call for a tow truck, how to stay safe until it arrives, what to tell the provider, and how to avoid price surprises.

When do you need a tow truck? 8 clear situations

1. Weak brakes or a sinking pedal: do not risk driving. Read our guide to brake warning signs.
2. Engine overheating with steam or smoke: driving on can destroy the engine. See engine overheating causes.
3. Oil pressure light or another red warning light: stop immediately, and check dashboard warning lights.
4. The car will not start and a jump start did not work: towing to a workshop is the answer. Read car won't start.
5. Transmission failure or loss of drive: moving the car can make the damage worse.
6. A crash or obvious damage to the wheels, steering or suspension: the car is unfit to drive until a technician checks it.
7. A flat tire with no spare or no safe way to change it: especially on a highway. See tire care on Saudi roads.
8. A car stuck in sand, mud or a ditch: improvised pulling can damage the car or hurt people.

If you are not sure how serious the situation is, contact a technician or request offers. Deciding to tow is cheaper than guessing wrong.

Tow truck or on-site repair?

Not every problem needs towing. Some faults can be handled where you are:

• A flat battery only: a jump start or on-site replacement may be enough.
• A punctured tire: it may be changed or repaired on the spot if the location is safe.
• A minor fluid shortfall: may be handled before moving on to a deeper check.

If there is a safety risk, a brake, cooling, oil or transmission fault, or you do not know the cause, towing to a workshop is the better choice. The provider you chat with can advise whether an on-site fix is enough or you need a tow.

How to stay safe before the tow truck arrives

Your safety matters more than the car:

1. Switch on your hazard lights and move to the shoulder or a safe area away from traffic as far as possible.
2. Place a warning triangle behind the car at a suitable distance if you have one and it is safe to get out.
3. Get out and move away from the road, behind a barrier or away from the traffic lane, especially on highways. Never stand between the car and the lane.
4. Keep passengers, especially children, in a safe place away from traffic rather than inside a broken-down car on the roadway.
5. If there is a crash with injuries, call the emergency services first and follow the official authorities' instructions.
6. Photograph the car and the location for your records before loading.
7. Do not attempt to repair brake, fuel or electrical faults yourself at the roadside.

What to tell the provider when you request a tow

The more precise the information, the clearer and faster the offer:

• Your exact location: share it from the map and mention the road name, a nearby exit or a landmark.
• Vehicle type and model: small car, SUV or truck?
• The problem: does it start? Do the wheels turn? Do the brakes work?
• The car's situation: on level ground, in a tight parking spot or in sand?
• The destination: a specific workshop, or do you want a suggestion?
• Other details: a lowered or modified car, or a transmission that will not move.

Types of tow trucks: which suits your car?

• Flatbed: carries the whole car on a platform. It is usually the best choice for low cars, four-wheel-drive vehicles, luxury cars and damaged vehicles.
• Wheel-lift or hook: lifts part of the car and tows the rest. It can suit simple, short-distance cases.

Some cars should not be towed without being fully loaded. If you are unsure, ask the provider or check your owner's manual, and tell them your car's drive type.

How to avoid price surprises

Tow prices depend on distance, vehicle type, time, location and equipment, and there is no single fixed figure. So:

• Ask for the price before loading and agree what it includes.
• Compare more than one offer if the situation allows.
• Keep the request details and the chat as a record.
• Confirm the destination before moving, and check the car on delivery.

To help choose the destination workshop, read how to choose a trusted workshop.

After the tow truck arrives: loading and delivery

Before and during loading, these simple steps help protect you:

1. Take valuables and documents out of the car before it is loaded.
2. Photograph the car from every side and note the odometer reading to document its condition before transport.
3. Follow the provider's instructions on the gearbox, handbrake and key, since each car has its own requirements.
4. Confirm the destination and price before it moves.
5. Inspect the car on delivery and compare it with your photos, reporting any concern straight away.

Does insurance cover towing?

Policies differ, and some include roadside assistance or towing under specific conditions. Check your policy or contact your insurer to see what is covered, especially after a crash. If the service is not included, you can request a tow and compare provider offers.

Common mistakes when requesting a tow

• Giving an imprecise location: it delays arrival, so always share the location from the map.
• Not mentioning the vehicle type: the provider may arrive with unsuitable equipment for a low or four-wheel-drive car.
• Accepting a price without a clear agreement: ask what it includes.
• Trying to move the broken-down car yourself on a highway: it is safer to move away from the road and wait.

How WANNA helps you request a tow truck

The WANNA app offers towing and recovery service around the clock. You create a request, set your location and the problem, add photos and details, and verified providers send offers. You compare prices and ratings, chat directly with the provider before deciding, pay through the platform and track the order status. Once the car reaches the workshop, you can receive repair offers through the same app. Prices and arrival time vary by offer and location.

Tips to prepare before you need a tow

• Keep the app on your phone and your location services on.
• Carry a warning triangle, a reflective vest and a torch in the car.
• Know your car's drive type (front, rear or four-wheel).
• Follow a car maintenance schedule to reduce sudden breakdowns.
• Before long trips, use our road trip car checklist.

Conclusion

Call a tow truck when continuing to drive is dangerous or costly, and never gamble with brakes, temperature or oil. For minor faults an on-site fix may be enough. Download the WANNA app, request a tow and compare offers.