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.

Tyre, wheel, and suspension: green, amber, red

• 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.

Battery and electrical: what the “quick start” didn’t solve

• 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.

Body, lights, and underbody: small-looking damage, big consequences

• 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.

Simple post-fix road test (only if safe)

• 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.

Photo and note checklist before deciding

• 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.

How MyMechanic helps SG drivers choose safely

• 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.

Frequently Asked Questions