What to Do After a Breakdown in Winnipeg

Your car breaks down. Traffic is moving around you. Your heart rate goes up. What do you actually do next?

Most Winnipeg drivers know to call a tow truck — but there are several things that need to happen before that call, and a few things that can make a stressful situation much worse if handled wrong. This guide walks you through every step, in order.

Step 1: Get Off the Road Immediately

On Winnipeg's busier corridors — Portage Avenue, Pembina Highway, Bishop Grandin, the Perimeter Highway — staying in a travel lane is extremely dangerous. Even at low speed, use whatever momentum remains to clear the lane.

Step 2: Turn On Your Hazard Lights

This should happen within seconds of recognizing you have a problem — even before you've stopped. Hazard lights warn traffic behind you that something is wrong. In poor visibility conditions (Winnipeg winter storms, night driving, rain), they can be the difference between a minor incident and a serious collision.

If you have road flares or reflective triangles in your vehicle, set them out behind the car at 50–100 metres to give approaching traffic more warning time.

Step 3: Stay Inside Your Vehicle (Usually)

In most breakdowns, staying inside the vehicle with your seatbelt fastened is safer than standing on the shoulder. Vehicles are struck on roadsides every year by distracted or impaired drivers. Your car gives you a steel cage; the shoulder gives you nothing.

If you must exit — for example, to set out warning triangles — do so from the passenger side, away from traffic, and stay as far from the lane as possible.

Step 4: Assess the Problem Briefly

You don't need to diagnose your car to call for help, but a quick look gives the dispatcher useful information:

• Is a tire visibly flat?
• Is there steam or smoke from the hood?
• Is there a warning light on the dash?
• Did you hear a loud bang, grinding, or scraping?
• Did the car simply lose power and stop?

Don't open the hood if you see steam — a pressurized coolant system can burn. Don't try to change a tire on a busy highway shoulder unless you are well clear of traffic.

Step 5: Call for Help

When you call, have this information ready:

1. Your exact location — the nearest intersection, highway marker (km post), or landmark. If you're not sure, describe what you can see around you.
2. Your vehicle — make, model, year, and colour.
3. What happened — flat tire, won't start, overheating, accident, etc.
4. Your phone number — so the driver can call or text when they're close.

Step 6: While You Wait

The wait for a tow truck in Winnipeg is typically 15–30 minutes. Use that time wisely:

• Keep your hazard lights on the entire time
• Lock your doors, especially at night
• Stay on the phone with someone if you feel unsafe
• Don't accept rides from strangers
• Call your insurance company if required (some roadside plans want first notice before towing)
• Take photos of your vehicle's position and any damage before it's moved — you'll want these for insurance

In Winnipeg winters, keep warm. If your engine is off, put on any extra layers you have in the car. Never run your engine for heat if the exhaust pipe may be blocked by snow — carbon monoxide can build up inside the cabin.

Step 7: When the Tow Truck Arrives

A legitimate tow truck driver will:

• Identify themselves and confirm the company name you called
• Tell you where they're taking the vehicle before loading it
• Provide a written or verbal price before beginning

Tell the driver the destination — your home, your preferred mechanic, or a dealership. If you're not sure where to take it, your driver can suggest nearby shops.

Winnipeg-Specific Considerations

Winter breakdowns

Winnipeg winters are hard on vehicles. Batteries fail more often below -20°C, coolant systems are under extra stress, and tire pressure drops in the cold. If your car won't start on a winter morning, the most common culprits are a dead battery or a fuel system issue. A battery boost is often all it takes — Jets Towing offers mobile battery boost service starting from $55.

Highway breakdowns

If you break down on the Perimeter Highway (PTH 101) or on Trans-Canada (PTH 1) west of the city, stay with your vehicle. Shoulders can be narrow and traffic moves fast. Call for a tow and wait inside.

Parkades and underground lots

If your car breaks down inside a parkade, call the lot attendant first — they may have jump-start equipment on site. If not, Jets Towing can access most Winnipeg parkades and underground lots for battery boosts and lockout service.

Frequently Asked Questions