The engine coughs, the dash lights up, and suddenly you are coasting to a stop on Lougheed Highway with traffic flying past. Or you turn the key in your building garage and nothing happens. Either way, your car broke down in Brentwood, Burnaby, and you need a plan. Here are seven things to do before the tow truck arrives, in the order that matters.
1. Get safe first
If you can, move to the right shoulder, a side street or a parking lot. Turn on your hazards straight away. If you are stuck in a live lane and cannot move, stay in the car with your seatbelt on and call for help. Never stand between your car and traffic. If anyone is hurt or the car is blocking a lane in a dangerous spot, call 911 first.
2. Work out exactly where you are
Look for the nearest cross street, a business sign or a SkyTrain station. In Brentwood that might be Lougheed and Willingdon, near Gilmore station or outside a big-box store on the north side of Lougheed. In a garage, note the building, the entrance and the level. A clear location is the biggest thing that speeds up a tow. We explain why in how long a tow takes in Brentwood.
3. Check the road conditions
If you are on or near Highway 1, a quick look at DriveBC shows closures and slowdowns. It helps you decide whether to wait where you are or get to a safer spot, and it lets you tell the tow company which way traffic is moving.
4. Figure out if it is a quick fix
Not every breakdown needs a tow. A car that clicks but will not start probably needs a battery boost. Keys locked inside? That is a lockout call. A flat with a good spare is a tire change. Our roadside assistance page covers all of these, and they usually cost much less than a tow.
5. If there was a crash, document it
Take photos of both cars, the damage, the plates and the scene. Swap names, phone numbers, licence and insurance details with the other driver. Then report the claim with ICBC claims. When you call for a tow, say it was a crash so the car goes where your claim needs it. Our ICBC towing page explains how that works, and emergency towing covers bigger incidents on busy roads.
6. Call a towing company and ask the right questions
Ask for the total price before they hook up, what truck they are sending, and where your car will go. If it is AWD, electric or in an underground garage, say so up front. Not sure who to trust? Our checklist for picking a towing company takes two minutes to read. Curious about what is a fair price? See our Brentwood tow cost guide.
7. Get your things ready while you wait
Grab your wallet, phone, keys, any medication and anything valuable from the car. Have your licence and registration handy. If you are in a garage, let your concierge know a truck is coming, and check our guide to underground parkade tows if the ceiling is low. Then keep your phone on untill the driver reaches you.
Common Brentwood breakdown spots
- Lougheed Highway between Gilmore and Willingdon, especially at rush hour.
- Willingdon Avenue near the Highway 1 interchange.
- Tower garages at Gilmore Place, SOLO District and Concord Brentwood, where cars sit for days.
- Shopping centre lots along the north side of Lougheed.
What not to do
- Do not try to push a car across Lougheed or Willingdon on your own.
- Do not accept a tow from a truck that just happens to stop by without being called.
- Do not leave valuables in the car when it goes on the truck.
- Do not sign anything before you know the total price and where the car is going.
Most of these mistakes happen because people feel rushed. Take a minute, follow the steps above, and you will make better choices for your car, your wallet and your safety.
When to call us
As soon as you are safe. We are open 24 hours and we tell you the price before we hook up. Call us and tell us where you are, or use the quote form on any page. You can see everything we tow on our towing services page, and you can read more about Rescue Towing if you want to know who is coming. Stay calm, stay safe, and we will be there to help as quick as we can.
One last tip: save our number in your phone today. The best time to find a towing company is before you need one, not on the side of the road at night in the rain, when everything feels urgant.