Most of our customers call when something has already gone wrong. This page collects the things we wish more Ottawa drivers knew before that point. Use the guides below to prepare for winter, handle a breakdown, or sort out what to do after a collision in the Ottawa-Gatineau area.
Breakdowns happen everywhere. Some spots in Ottawa are riskier than others. The 417 stretch between Hunt Club Rd and Innes Rd sees heavy traffic at all hours. The 416 north of Manotick is dark and fast after sundown. Greenbank Rd through Barrhaven gets congested at school drop off and pick up.
On Ottawa side streets the rules change. If the vehicle is in a Barrhaven side street or Manotick parking lot, exit on the curb side only and stand away from moving traffic. Call (613) 619-4545 and stay near the vehicle if it is safe to do so.
Ottawa winters are hard on cars. Temperatures drop below minus 25 in January and February. Salt and slush wear down components. Most breakdowns we see between November and March are weather related.
If your battery is on its last leg, we offer battery replacement at your location. We can come to your driveway in Barrhaven or your office parking lot in Merivale and do the swap on the spot, no trip to a garage needed.
Short guides for the situations we get the most calls about. Each one links to the matching service page where we cover the work in more detail.
Common in Ottawa winters. A boost may be all you need. If the battery will not hold the charge after a boost, the battery itself needs swapping.
Pull over, hazards on, mount the spare if you have one and feel comfortable doing it. We bring a tech to handle the swap if you do not.
Stay near the vehicle, call dispatch, and stay calm. Our technicians use no damage entry tools to open the doors.
Right shoulder, hazards on, stay buckled inside. Tell dispatch the closest exit. Our fuel delivery vehicle can usually reach you in under an hour.
Call 911 first if anyone is hurt. Then call us. We handle vehicles that cannot roll, steer, or be towed with a standard hook.
Do not start the engine if you put gas in a diesel or diesel in a gas car. Call us and we drain the tank on site to avoid engine damage.
Property managers and homeowners in the greater Ottawa area can call us to tow vehicles left without permission. Bring proof of ownership.
We offer cash for end of life vehicles. The price includes the tow from your address. Have your ownership ready when you call.
Pricing comes down to three numbers. Distance from our Greenbank Rd yard to your vehicle, distance to the drop off location, and the type of equipment needed. A standard tow inside Barrhaven looks very different from a long haul to Toronto.
Flatbed tows cost more than hook tows because the equipment is more specialized. They are required for most luxury cars, AWD vehicles, motorcycles, and damaged vehicles. If you are not sure which type fits your car, ask on the call. Long haul work is covered on our long distance towing page.
Accidents in Ottawa happen most often at intersections like Greenbank Rd at Strandherd Dr, Hunt Club Rd at Riverside Dr, and the 417 at the Walkley Rd exit. Knowing what to do in the first 15 minutes makes a difference.
For full detail on what we do after a collision, see our accident recovery page. We coordinate with most major insurance companies and can tow to the body shop of your choice.
Our FAQ page covers the most common questions we hear from Ottawa drivers. For specific service questions, the matching service page will have more detail. For anything not covered, call dispatch or use the contact form.
If the breakdown already happened, skip the reading and call dispatch. We are open 24 hours a day.
