A collision with another car, tree, or building can leave your car completely or partially not drivable. Obvious issues, such as a crushed car body or an engine that won't turn over, make it impossible to drive after an accident. But these aren't the only potential problems that warrant a tow. Call for a post-collision tow if you have:

• Wheel or tire damage. Flat or sliced tires, bent wheels, or misalignment can cause a secondary crash if you attempt to drive. If the problem extends beyond a simple tire change, you'll need a tow.
• A fluid leak. Any fluid leak could pose a serious safety hazard. Whether that leak is gas, oil, or brake fluid, don't drive your car. You need a tow truck to transport the car to the mechanic or collision center for you.
• A new engine light on. If your engine light suddenly turns on after the crash, let a tow truck driver take over.
• Missing or broken signals. You can't legally turn without signaling first. Beyond the legal issue, this is also a safety hazard. If the accident damaged the lights or signals, you can't drive it to the mechanic yourself.
• Loose parts. If anything is loose, rattling, or seems like it might fall off, call for a tow. A bumper or piece of metal could cause an accident if it falls off as you drive.
• Along with these issues, anything that impacts your ability to safely turn or brake requires a tow. If your car shakes, shimmies, smokes, or won't move in a straight line, don't drive it.

Your turn the key or press the ignition and nothing happens. Provided a jump doesn't start the battery, you'll likely need a tow. The top causes of breakdowns include:

• Transmission trouble. Age-related wear or failure to fix an existing issue can cause transmission failure. If your car makes strange sounds, has performance problems, or jerks out of gear, transmission trouble may result in a breakdown.
• Engine issues. Overheating, broken hoses, or damaged belts can result in a breakdown that requires a tow.
• Battery failure. While a jumpstart can recharge a low battery, it won't fix the problem in every case. If your battery is completely drained or another issue exists (such as a faulty or corroded connection) at fault, you may need a tow.
• No gas. Did you forget to put gas in the tank? If a gas station isn't nearby, and you don't have someone to bring you a container of the fuel, you'll need a tow.

Some breakdowns have no apparent cause - that is, unless you're a mechanic or have expert-level car knowledge. If the transmission works well, your car hasn't overheated, the battery is charged, and you remembered to fill the tank with gas, but the car still won't start, you'll need a tow.

A flat tire doesn't always require a tow. Even if you don't know how to change the tire, a roadside assistance service provider can help to remove and replace it (with your spare). But this doesn't mean every flat or damaged tire issue is fixable without additional help.

While some tire problems are the result of a collision or road hazard, others happen after time or wear. If you don't have a spare or the alignment is off, a tow is in order.

Do you need a tow? Contact Hix Wrecker Service, Inc., for more information.