Sudden noises, lost power or overheating
If your vehicle starts making a noise it has never made, loses power, or the temperature gauge climbs, pull over and call. Continuing to drive in any of those three conditions is how a repair becomes a replacement — an overheating engine in particular can go from a hose to a head gasket in a couple of miles.
Any accident, even a minor one
After a collision it is worth having the vehicle looked at before it is driven, even if it seems to drive fine. Suspension geometry, cooling, and airbag and safety systems are not things you can assess from the driver seat, and a car that is subtly wrong is a risk to you and to everybody around you.
Warning lights that will not go out
A light that comes on and stays on — especially for the engine, the brakes, the oil pressure or the charging system — is the vehicle telling you it has stopped being able to protect itself. Brake and oil-pressure warnings in particular mean stop now, not at the next town.
Anything wrong with steering or brakes
If the steering has gone heavy or vague, or the brake pedal has gone soft or long, the vehicle should not be driven at all. There is no version of that problem that gets better over the next ten miles.
When you are not sure
If you are debating whether to risk it, that is usually the answer. Call and describe what is happening — we will tell you honestly whether it needs the deck or whether you are fine to drive it in, and we would rather talk you out of a tow you do not need than sell you one. Your safety comes first, so when in doubt, call (601) 755-8552.