What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down in Twin Cities

Your car just stopped working. Maybe it is making strange noises, smoke is coming from the hood, or it simply will not start. Do not panic. This guide walks you through exactly what to do when you break down in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or anywhere in the Twin Cities metro.

1 Get to Safety

Your first priority is getting yourself and your vehicle to a safe position.

If Your Car Still Moves:

• Turn on hazard lights immediately
• Move to the right shoulder or nearest safe area
• Pull as far off the road as possible
• Aim for a parking lot, gas station, or wide shoulder
• Avoid stopping on curves, hills, or narrow shoulders

If Your Car Will Not Move:

• Turn on hazard lights
• Stay in your vehicle with doors locked on busy highways
• Keep seatbelt fastened (protection if hit from behind)
• If safe to exit, move to the passenger side away from traffic

2 Assess the Situation

Once safe, quickly determine what happened. This helps when you call for assistance.

3 Call for Help

Do not search around for a tow company while stranded. Call one trusted number that handles everything:

What to Tell the Dispatcher:

1. Your exact location — address, cross streets, highway mile markers, landmarks
2. Your vehicle — make, model, color, license plate
3. What happened — will not start, flat tire, accident, etc.
4. Where you want the vehicle — home, specific shop, or let us recommend
5. Your phone number — so the driver can contact you directly

Why call local instead of a national plan? We dispatch directly from nearby locations and average 30 minutes response times — often half the time of national services.

4 While Waiting for Help

In Minnesota winter conditions, run your engine periodically for heat, but crack a window and make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow.

5 When Help Arrives

Our driver will:

• Assess your vehicle and situation
• Confirm the service needed and pricing
• Perform roadside repair (jump, tire change, fuel, lockout) if possible
• Tow your vehicle to your chosen destination if repair is not possible

MSP Towing & Recovery technicians are background-checked professionals with the right equipment for any situation. Payment is collected after service is complete.

Our Twin Cities Coverage

We respond to breakdowns across the entire Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area — over 85 cities including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eagan, Burnsville, and all surrounding communities.