It is 5:40 on a Thursday. You are heading east on Forest Hill Blvd, the sky does its usual Florida trick and turns from blue to bucket in about four minutes, and then your dashboard lights up like a tiny holiday display.
The car coughs. The car slows. The car, with excellent comedic timing, rolls to a stop right where there is no shoulder worth mentioning.
Take a breath. Here is what to do next, in order.
What should I do when my car breaks down in Wellington?
Get the car as far out of traffic as you safely can, turn on your hazard lights, and call for help with your exact location. Then decide whether the problem is a quick fix (a dead battery, a flat, an empty tank, a locked door) or a tow. Special Lane Towing Services handles both, 24/7, at (561) 594-2405.
What are the first five minutes supposed to look like?
This part is serious, so no jokes. Go through these steps calmly and in this order.
- Keep your hands on the wheel and steer toward the right shoulder, a parking lot or a side street while the car is still rolling.
- Turn on your hazard lights as soon as the car starts to lose power.
- Put the car in park, set the parking brake and turn the engine off if it is still running.
- Keep your seat belt on until you know how safe your spot is.
- Call 911 first if you are in a live lane, hurt, or feel unsafe. Otherwise call a tow or roadside service.
- Give the dispatcher your road, the nearest cross street or mile marker, and which direction you were heading.
Should I stay in the car or get out?
It depends on where you stopped. On a quiet street or a parking lot, you can usually step out on the side away from traffic and wait somewhere safe. On a busy road with fast traffic and no room to stand, staying in the car with your seat belt on is often the safer choice. When in doubt, call 911 and tell them where you are.
Which problem do I have, and who fixes it?
Most roadside trouble falls into a few buckets. Here is a quick way to sort yours.
| What happened | Most likely fix | Our page |
|---|---|---|
| Clicks but will not start, or lights are dim | Jump start or battery help | Jump start and battery assistance |
| Flat tire with a good spare | Tire change on the spot | Tire change |
| Keys locked inside | Lockout service | Car lockout service |
| Out of gas or diesel | Fuel delivery | Fuel delivery |
| Stuck in mud, sand or a ditch | Winch-out recovery | Winch-out recovery |
| Engine trouble, accident damage or no spare | A tow to home or your mechanic | Sedan and SUV towing |
Not sure which row you are in? Call anyway. We would rather ask a few questions than send the wrong truck.
In Wellington and Palm Beach County
Special Lane Towing Services is based at 11576 Pierson Rd in Wellington, so help starts close to home. The roads people call us from most are the ones you already know: Forest Hill Blvd, Southern Blvd and State Road 7. We also cover Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Greenacres, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens and Boynton Beach. See the full list on our service areas page.
One more Florida thing worth knowing. Under Florida Statute 316.126, drivers must move over or slow down for disabled vehicles that show hazard lights or have people visibly present, and for tow trucks working on the roadside with amber lights flashing. So when you pull over with your hazards on, you are not just being polite. You are asking the law to help you out.
If the problem is bigger than a battery or a tire, we also tow sedans and SUVs, and our roadside services page lists everything we do on the spot.
What does roadside help cost?
These are our starting prices. The final quote depends on where you are, the vehicle and the situation, so call for an exact number before we roll.
| Service | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Light-duty towing | From $99 |
| Medium-duty towing | From $175 |
| Heavy-duty towing | From $475 |
| Battery jump start | From $65 |
| Tire change | From $75 |
| Lockout service | From $65 |
| Fuel delivery | From $65 plus fuel |
| Winch-out recovery | From $150 |
Frequently asked questions
Should I call a tow truck or roadside help first?
If the car can be fixed on the spot, such as a dead battery, a flat or an empty tank, roadside help is faster. If the car cannot be fixed on the spot, or if there was an accident, you need a tow. Call us and we will tell you which one it is.
What should I tell the dispatcher?
Your location, the make and model of the vehicle, what happened and whether you are in a safe spot. A nearby cross street or business name helps a lot.
Can you tow my car to my own mechanic?
Yes. Give us the address of the shop or your home and we take the vehicle there.
Do you work nights and weekends?
Yes. Special Lane Towing Services is open 24/7.
How do I get a price?
Call (561) 594-2405 or send the free quote form on our home page. Tell us your location and what is going on, and we will give you a clear quote.
Need help right now?
Call Special Lane Towing Services at (561) 594-2405. We are open 24/7 at Unit 22, 11576 Pierson Rd, Wellington, FL 33414. Yes, a tow company just taught you how to avoid needing a tow. We contain multitudes.