Think you need a tow? Often you don’t

When a car stops working, the first thing many people do is search for a tow truck. Often the car doesn’t need one. A dead battery, a flat tire, keys locked inside and an empty tank can usually be fixed right where the car is parked, and that is what a mobile roadside service is for. If you’re searching for a tow truck or roadside assistance in Mountain View, it’s worth working out which one your car actually needs.

We’re Axl Roadside, a mobile roadside service in Mountain View. We come to your vehicle at home, at work, in a parking lot or on the roadside. One thing up front: we don’t tow. If your car truly needs a tow, we’ll tell you so you can get one.

Do I actually need a tow?

Often, no. A tow is for a car that can’t be fixed where it sits. A car that won’t move isn’t the same as a car that’s broken in a way that needs a shop, and many common breakdowns are the first kind. A tow is often more than the problem calls for.

Three questions help sort it out. Did something hit the car, or did you hit something? Is anything leaking, smoking or making a new noise? Does the car still show some sign of life when you turn the key? If the answers are no, no and yes, the problem is often something a roadside visit can handle. These are rules of thumb, not a diagnosis, so if you’re unsure, call us and describe what’s happening.

Signs you probably don’t need a tow

You probably don’t need a tow when the trouble is a battery, a tire, a locked door or an empty tank, because each of those has a fix that comes to you.

The car clicks or does nothing when you turn the key

Clicking or nothing at all when you turn the key, along with dim dash lights, often points to a battery that has run down. When we arrive, we check the battery’s age and condition, try a jump start and watch how the car responds.

A fully drained battery is not necessarily a bad battery. Lights left on, a charging problem or an electrical fault can drain a good one, so a jump may be all the car needs. If the battery has failed, we can replace it on site. The service call covers the visit and the diagnosis, a replacement battery costs extra, and we tell you before we replace anything.

We handle jump starts and battery service for cars, SUVs, EVs, commercial vehicles and semi-trucks.

A flat tire with a nail in it

A nail or screw in the tire is often a puncture we can plug right where you’re parked, as long as the puncture is repairable. If the tire can’t be repaired, we can install your spare tire.

Keys locked inside the car

Being locked out is a problem with getting in, not with the car itself. We provide car lockout service, so the car can stay right where it is.

The fuel gauge is on empty

A car that has run out of fuel usually doesn’t need a tow. We deliver fuel to you.

Signs you probably do need a tow

You probably do need a tow when something is broken in a way that won’t get fixed at the curb. Any of these often means the car should go to a shop.

• You’ve been in a collision.
• Fluid is pouring out from under the car.
• You hear grinding or loud knocking.
• There’s smoke coming from the car, and you should stay well away from it.
• The engine overheats, and it happens again after it has cooled down.
• A wheel or the suspension looks visibly damaged.
• The engine runs, but the car won’t move when you put it in gear.

In those cases a roadside visit usually can’t fix the problem. If we see that a car needs a tow, we’ll say so plainly, so you know what to do next.

If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 911 first. If it’s safe to do so, get the car out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights.

What happens when Axl comes out?

We come to the car, look at what’s actually going on and tell you plainly what we find. If it’s a roadside fix, we do it right there. If it isn’t, we tell you the car needs a tow so you can get one, and we don’t tow it ourselves.

We don’t list prices on the website. When you call, we tell you the cost for your situation.

What should I have ready when I call?

To send someone out, we need four things.

• Your name
• Where you are
• The year, make and model of your vehicle
• A short description of the problem

We serve Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Redwood City, Atherton, Woodside and Portola Valley, from 7am to 8pm, seven days a week.

Not sure whether your car needs a tow?

Call or text (415) 712-4161, 7am to 8pm daily. Tell us what’s happening and we’ll tell you honestly whether it’s a roadside fix.