The battery is the most common roadside failure
Dead and weak batteries are behind a huge share of roadside calls. Most of the time the car doesn't need a tow; it needs a jump and a test, or a new battery installed where it stopped. A tow just moves the car somewhere else to have the same thing done.
Roadside battery replacement brings the fix to the car: in a grocery store lot, at a gas station, in a parking garage, or on a safe stretch of shoulder.
+ 01 Stay safe
If you're stopped on the road
- Get as far off the road as you can, ideally off the highway or onto a wide shoulder
- Turn on your hazards if they work
- If traffic is fast and close, get out on the side away from traffic and wait behind a barrier
- Call with your location: road, direction, nearest exit or mile marker, or a cross street
- If the car is in a dangerous spot, call 911 or the highway patrol first
+ 02 When it's not the battery
If the test says otherwise
If the car died while driving, the alternator is a strong suspect, and a new battery would only get you so far. The tech tells you what the readings show. For alternators, belts and other roadside repairs, Mobile Auto Repair sends a mechanic.
Questions about roadside battery replacement
Can you work on the highway shoulder?
Where it's safe. On narrow shoulders with fast traffic, the tech may ask to meet you at the next exit if the car can be jumped and driven, or the car may need to be moved first.
Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
No. You pay for the service directly. If your coverage reimburses roadside service, keep the receipt.
How long will I wait?
It depends on location and time of day. Call the number on your city page for an arrival window.