What to do if your car breaks down on a Tampa highway
A calm, step-by-step plan for a breakdown on I-275, I-4, I-75 or the Selmon Expressway, from the first warning sign to the moment the tow truck arrives.
Brake problems: when it's not safe to keep driving
The brake warning signs that mean your car should be towed, not driven, to the mechanic.
Breaking down on a Tampa Bay bridge or causeway
What to do if your car breaks down on the Howard Frankland, Gandy or Courtney Campbell, where shoulders are narrow and traffic is fast.
Should you call a tow company or your insurance roadside plan?
How to decide between your insurance or membership roadside benefit and calling a local tow company directly.
Car breakdown with kids in the car: a calm plan
How to keep children safe, cool and calm during a roadside breakdown in Florida heat.
What to do if your car breaks down at night
How to stay visible and safe when your car breaks down after dark in Tampa, and what to tell the tow company.
Car broke down in a parking garage or tight lot? Read this first
Why height limits and tight ramps matter for a tow, and what to tell the tow company when your car is stuck in a garage.
Car overheating in the Florida heat: what to do right now
What to do the moment your temperature gauge climbs or you see steam, why you should never open a hot radiator, and when to call a tow.
My car stalled in a flooded street. What now?
Why you should never restart a car that stalled in water, how to get out safely, and why a flatbed tow is the right next step.
Car stuck in mud or sand? Stop spinning your wheels
Why flooring the gas makes it worse, what you can safely try, and when a winch-out is the right call.
Car won't start after sitting for days or weeks
Why cars that sit unused often won't start, what to check and how to keep the battery healthy while you travel.
Flatbed vs. wheel-lift towing: which one does your car need?
The difference between the two most common tow truck types, and how your vehicle's drivetrain decides which one is safer.
Florida's Move Over law, explained for everyday drivers
What Florida's Move Over law requires, including the 2024 change that covers disabled vehicles with hazard lights on.
How far can you drive on a spare (donut) tire?
What temporary spare tires are designed for, the usual limits, and why you should get to a tire shop soon.
How to change a flat tire safely (and when you shouldn't)
Step-by-step instructions to change a flat tire, plus the situations where it is safer to call for roadside help instead.
How to jump-start a car safely: the cable order matters
The correct order to connect jumper cables, the mistakes that cause sparks or damage, and when to stop trying.
Bought a car that doesn't run? How to move it
Moving a non-running car from a seller, auction or storage: what to arrange, what to ask and what the tow driver needs.
How to prepare your car before the tow truck arrives
A quick checklist so your tow goes smoothly: personal items, keys, photos, and where the car is going.
How to tell a tow truck exactly where you are
Simple ways to share your exact location on a Tampa highway or street so help reaches you faster.
Hurricane season in Tampa: how to get your car ready
A practical checklist to prepare your vehicle for hurricane season (June 1 to November 30), evacuations and flooded roads.
Ran out of gas? What to do (and what not to do)
How to handle running out of gas safely in Tampa, why you shouldn't walk along a highway, and how fuel delivery works.
The roadside emergency kit every Florida driver should carry
A practical list of what to keep in your car for breakdowns, flat tires, heat and storms in Tampa.
7 signs your car battery is dying
How to tell your car battery is getting weak before it leaves you stranded, and what to do when it finally dies.
Tire pressure in the Florida heat: what drivers should know
How heat affects your tires, how to check pressure the right way and why underinflated tires are more likely to fail.
Towing an electric or hybrid car: what to know
Why most electric vehicles need a flatbed, what the owner's manual says, and what to tell the tow company about your EV or hybrid.
Transporting a classic or project car without damage
What to tell the tow company before moving a classic, lowered or project car, and how to protect it during the trip.
What to do after a car accident in Tampa, step by step
A clear checklist for the minutes after a crash in Tampa: safety first, when to call 911, what to photograph, and how to get your car towed.
Where should your car go after an accident?
Home, body shop or insurance facility: how to decide where your car is towed after a crash and what to ask first.
Dashboard warning lights that mean stop driving now
Which dashboard lights mean pull over immediately, which ones mean get it checked soon, and when to call a tow.
Signs of transmission trouble and when to call a tow
Slipping gears, delays, burning smells and leaks: the transmission warning signs and why driving on can make repairs much worse.
Why won't my car start? The most common causes
Clicks, silence or cranking with no start: what each sound usually means and what you can check before calling for help.