If your car has broken down by the side of the road, then of course you need a tow truck to get it to a shop. However, it's not always mechanical failure that means you should call for towing services. There are other times when it's good to call for a tow or for services offered by a tow truck, even if your car is still in your driveway. Read on to learn about some of the situations in which you should call for a tow.

When the windscreen or any windows are broken

Some windscreen replacement companies will come to your location to replace this glass, but if there are none in your area or you prefer to use a nearby glass shop, you don't want to drive your car while it has any broken windows. A chip or crack can cause the window to shatter if you hit a bump or if it gets hit with any type of flying debris. You might also be pulled over and face a very expensive fine if you drive with a broken windscreen. Rather than risk this, it's better to have the car towed to a nearby shop.

When you know the battery is failing

If the battery of your car is very weak, you may be able to get the engine to turn over but you still don't want to drive your car this way. The battery of your car powers the computer that monitors the engine's temperature and need for coolant. It also operates the fan that keeps the engine cool and controls many parts of the braking and steering system. While a battery usually holds charge during a drive, it could die if your alternator (which constantly charges the battery) fails. If your car's battery were to fail while driving, parts could be damaged or shut down and your car could simply stop in the middle of the road. Remember that a towing service can often bring you a new battery and install it for you, so call them rather than trying to drive your car to a shop for a new one.

When you've let the paperwork expire

If you have a very old car that you are going to use as a trade-in at a dealership or are going to sell to a scrap yard, you may have let the registration and insurance expire. Don't risk driving even a short distance without proper paperwork and insurance; very often this leads to a steep fine if you are caught by the police, as well as marks on your driving record, and your car may also be impounded. Instead, have the car towed to the dealership or scrap yard for you.

If you're in any of these situations, look for towing services in your area.

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