A breakdown does not always mean a tow truck. Many problems can be handled right where you stopped, whether that is a driveway in Las Lomas, a parking space downtown, or a shoulder along El Camino Real. Atascadero Towing connects you with licensed and insured local contractors who can take a look and get you moving if it is safe to do so.
If the problem is bigger than a quick fix, the same call can lead to a tow. You do not have to guess which one you need. Describe what happened, and the dispatcher will help sort it out.
Roadside help that can keep you from needing a tow
The most common roadside jobs are simple ones. A flat tire swapped for your spare, a little fuel, or a jump start can end the problem in one visit. Calling (805) 391-5157 gets you to a dispatcher who can tell you which kind of help fits your situation.
Here is how each of these usually works.
Flat tire change with your spare
If you have a usable spare, a roadside professional can mount it for you. This helps if you are not comfortable working beside traffic, if the ground is soft, or if the lug nuts will not budge. It is also useful on narrow roads where there is little room to work.
The spare needs to be in good shape and properly inflated. If the spare is flat, missing, or damaged too, a tow to a tire shop is the safer choice. The same is true if the tire came off the rim or the wheel is bent.
Fuel delivery
Running out of gas happens to careful drivers too, especially on a long drive across the county. A roadside contractor can bring fuel to you so you can drive to a station on your own. Tell the dispatcher which fuel your vehicle takes before anyone is sent.
If the car will not restart after you add fuel, there may be another problem. In that case, a tow is the next step.
Jump starts and other small fixes
A dead battery is often an easy fix. Summer afternoons in Atascadero commonly reach 95 to 100 degrees, and high heat can wear down a weak battery. A jump may get you going, but a battery that needs repeated jumps may need testing or replacement. Our jump start page covers that in more detail.
Other minor help can also get a vehicle moving again, depending on what the contractor finds when they arrive. If the fix would take more than a roadside visit, the contractor will tell you so.
When roadside help is not enough
Some situations call for a tow right away. A few signs that roadside help will not be enough: Call (805) 391-5157 to reach a local provider.
- The vehicle was in a collision or cannot safely be driven.
- The engine overheated, which can happen on the grades of U.S. 101 and Highway 41 in summer.
- Fluid is leaking, or the car will not steer or roll.
- The spare is unusable, or the wheel or axle is damaged.
For all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles, low-clearance and classic cars, most electric vehicles, and motorcycles, flatbed towing is generally recommended. Your owner's manual often says how your vehicle should be towed. If you are driving an RV, box truck or trailer, the dispatcher will ask for weight and length first so the equipment matches the job.
Staying safe while you wait
If you can, get fully off the road and turn on your hazard lights. Keep away from traffic. On a freeway shoulder, if you cannot get safely away from the car, stay inside with your seat belt on.
Highway 41 between Atascadero and Morro Bay is a winding two-lane road over the Santa Lucia Range with few safe places to pull over. Hillside and oak-woodland roads west of El Camino Real can have narrow shoulders too. If you can reach a wider spot or a parking area, do that before you call. Winter rain, from about November through March, can make those hillside roads slick and muddy.
Call 911 for any emergency or injury. After a collision, call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked. The California Highway Patrol handles collisions on U.S. 101 and State Route 41, and Atascadero Police respond on city streets.
What to have ready when you call
A few details help the dispatcher get the right help to you:
- Your exact location, such as cross streets, highway direction, or a nearby exit or landmark
- Your vehicle's year, make and model
- Whether it rolls and steers
- What happened, such as a flat, empty tank or dead battery
- Where you want the vehicle taken, if a tow is needed
The price depends on the vehicle, the distance, the type of hookup or truck needed, the road location, and the time of day. The dispatcher quotes the price on the phone before anyone is sent. Payment methods and hours vary by provider, so confirm them on the call.
Help around Atascadero
Roadside help is available in Atascadero, including Downtown Atascadero, Summit Hills, Woodridge, Vista Dorada and Asuncion. It also covers nearby Templeton, Paso Robles, Santa Margarita and Morro Bay, and the rest of San Luis Obispo County. That includes drivers stopped along U.S. 101, State Route 46 or State Route 58, including near the Cuesta Grade.
Weekend visitors heading to wine country or Lake Nacimiento sometimes get stuck far from home, and local help does not depend on knowing the area. Give the dispatcher a landmark or highway direction at (805) 391-5157, and they can work from there.
Check your coverage first
Many auto insurance policies, credit cards and motor-club memberships include roadside or towing coverage. It is worth a quick look before you pay out of pocket. If you plan to submit for reimbursement, ask for an itemized receipt.