When Not to Drive After a Minor Repair: Criteria for Calling a Tow Instead | MyMechanic

The 60-second decision: drive or tow

  • Controllability: if steering pulls hard, brakes feel long/soft, or the car won’t track straight—stop and tow.
  • Warning lights: red (coolant, oil, brake) or flashing check engine → tow now; amber may allow a short, careful relocation.
  • Active leak or burning smell: fresh drips, steam, strong fuel or sulfur odour → tow.
  • Unsafe shoulder: narrow space, poor visibility, or fast traffic → stop DIY and request help.

  • Green: slow leak sealed, spare fitted properly, no vibration at walking pace—drive carefully to nearest safe stop.
  • Amber: minor vibration, uncertain jack point used, or poor lighting—move a short distance to safer light only.
  • Red: sidewall tear/bulge, bent rim, wheel won’t seat, missing locknut key, severe vibration, or pull—tow immediately.

  • Green: one clean jump, stable idle, no warnings—drive to a safer area for checks.
  • Amber: starts but lights pulse or screens reset—move only to a nearby safe stop.
  • Red: swollen/leaking battery, strong sulfur smell, repeated stalls after a jump, or charging light on while driving—tow.

Overheating and fluids: no gambling with heat

  • Green: brief temp rise then stable after cooling; no steam/leaks— move gently to a safer, brighter spot.
  • Amber: temp trending upward again—stop at first safe shoulder and reassess; likely tow.
  • Red: steam or visible coolant/oil/transmission/brake fluid leak, or brake feel changes—tow now.

Brakes and steering: non-negotiables

  • Green: firm pedal, straight tracking, normal effort.
  • Amber: mild vibration only under braking—limit driving and stop soon for inspection.
  • Red: long/soft pedal, warning light, steering suddenly heavy, or strong pull—do not continue; request a tow.

  • Green: cosmetic scuff, intact lights, no rubbing.
  • Amber: loose liner/trim near a tyre—secure temporarily only if safely clear of the wheel.
  • Red: rubbing or scraping that changes with speed, broken lamp/indicator at night or in rain, or fluid dripping—tow.

  • 20‑metre check at walking pace: any pull, grind, wobble → stop.
  • Gentle brake test from low speed: long travel or pull → stop.
  • Light check: hazards, brake lights, indicators, low beams—confirm visibility.

  • Dashboard: warnings, temperature, fuel.
  • Underbody/tyre: wetness, drip, tear, bulge, or bent rim.
  • Surroundings: wide shot with triangle and nearest sign/KM marker.
  • If towing: job card and tow truck plate before handover.

What to say when requesting a tow

  • “Post‑repair test failed: [steering pull/soft brake/overheat/vibration/leak]. Unsafe to continue.”
  • “Location: Highway [name], KM [].[], [direction], near [Exit/R&R/Toll]. SG plate [___], [make/model], [colour].”
  • “Passengers safe. Triangle placed. Photos ready.”

When a short relocation is acceptable

From an exposed shoulder to a nearby lay‑by, R&R, or petrol station at very low speed with hazards on; avoid lane changes and stop immediately if anything feels unstable.

Smart prevention for the next trip

  • Keep a locknut key, headlamp, gloves, triangle, and a jack base board on top of the boot.
  • Refresh jump pack, check spare tyre pressure quarterly, and glance at coolant reservoir and battery terminals before long drives.
  • Save a one‑line location script in notes for quick sharing.

  • Clear triage: prompts map symptoms to the right response—on‑site fix or tow.
  • Exact location: structured KM marker, direction, and landmark sharing for faster arrival.
  • End‑to‑end visibility: updates from dispatch to workshop handover, with practical guidance at each step.

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