Minnesota Winter Roadside Assistance: Survive Cold Weather Breakdowns

Minnesota winters are brutal. When temperatures drop to -20°F and your car will not start in a Target parking lot at 10 PM, you need a plan. This guide prepares you for winter roadside emergencies in the Twin Cities.

Immediate Steps When Stranded in Cold

Your car broke down in freezing temperatures. Here is exactly what to do:

1. Stay in Your Vehicle

Your car provides shelter from wind and cold. Do not walk to find help unless you can clearly see a safe destination within a few hundred feet. People die every Minnesota winter attempting to walk for help.

2. Call for Help Immediately

Call (651) 371-6105 for emergency roadside assistance. Our dispatchers stay on the line with you until help arrives if you feel unsafe. We respond across the entire Twin Cities metro area.

3. Make Your Vehicle Visible

Turn on hazard lights. If you have flares or reflective triangles, place them behind your vehicle. In heavy snow, periodically clear snow from your exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

4. Run the Engine Sparingly

Run your engine and heater for 10-15 minutes each hour to conserve fuel. Crack a window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and make sure snow is not blocking your exhaust.

Common Winter Breakdown Causes

Dead Battery

Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity by up to 50%. If your battery is 3+ years old, Minnesota winters will kill it. Our jump start service gets you running, but consider a battery replacement if this happens repeatedly.

Frozen Fuel Lines

Water in fuel lines freezes and blocks fuel flow. Keep your tank above half-full in winter and use fuel additives. If frozen, you will need towing to a warm garage.

Stuck in Snow or Ice

Spinning tires digs you deeper. Our winching and recovery service extracts vehicles from snow banks, ditches, and icy shoulders. We carry the equipment for Minnesota conditions.

Flat Tires

Potholes hidden under snow shred tires. Cold air causes pressure drops, triggering TPMS warnings. Our technicians perform flat tire changes even in freezing conditions.

Essential Winter Car Kit

Every Minnesota driver should carry these items from November through March:

Our Winter Response Capabilities

Unlike national roadside plans that struggle in severe weather, MSP Towing & Recovery is built for Minnesota:

• 30-minute average response — maintained year-round, including blizzards
• Trucks equipped for ice and snow — chains, weight, 4WD capability
• Heavy-duty winches — extract vehicles from deep snow and ditches
• Experienced local drivers — who know Twin Cities roads in any conditions
• 24/7/365 availability — including Christmas Eve blizzards

Winter Breakdown Prevention

Avoid emergencies with these pre-winter preparations:

1. Test your battery — Replace if 3+ years old or showing weakness
2. Check coolant/antifreeze — Should protect to -30°F or colder
3. Inspect tires — Consider winter tires; check tread depth
4. Replace wiper blades — Use winter-specific blades
5. Keep fuel tank above half — Prevents fuel line freezing
6. Service your vehicle — Oil change, belt inspection, brake check

Even with preparation, breakdowns happen. Save our number (651) 371-6105 in your phone now — before you need it.