What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down in Calgary (Step-by-Step)

A car breakdown never happens at a convenient time. It might be rush hour on Deerfoot Trail, a dark stretch of Stoney Trail at 11pm, or a residential street in the middle of a January snowstorm. Wherever it happens, the first few minutes matter — both for your safety and for getting the situation resolved as quickly as possible.

Most drivers have a vague plan: pull over, call someone. But the specifics — where to pull over, what to do while you wait, what to tell the dispatcher, when to stay in the car and when to get out — make a real difference, especially in Calgary where winter conditions can turn a minor breakdown into a genuinely dangerous situation.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do, in order, from the moment something goes wrong to the moment your car is in safe hands.

Step 1: Get Off the Road Safely

The moment you notice something is wrong — a warning light, a strange sound, a loss of power, a flat tire — your first priority is getting your vehicle out of active traffic as safely as possible.

What to do:

• Ease off the accelerator gradually. Don't brake hard unless there's an immediate hazard.
• Signal and move toward the right shoulder or the nearest safe pullout. On Calgary's ring roads and highways, this means the right shoulder. On city streets, aim for a side street, parking lot, or legal curb spot.
• If your car loses power completely and you can't steer easily, steer toward the right edge of the road and slow to a stop.
• If you can, get completely off the travelled portion of the road. Even on the shoulder, being partially in a travel lane is dangerous.

On Calgary's major roads specifically:

• On Deerfoot Trail or Stoney Trail, pull as far right onto the shoulder as possible — well clear of the driving lanes. These are high-speed roads and being close to traffic is a serious hazard.
• If you break down near an interchange, try to make it to the off-ramp and get onto surface streets if it's safe to do so.
• On 16th Avenue (Trans-Canada), Glenmore Trail, or Crowchild Trail, look for a right-turn lane, bus stop, or side street to pull into rather than stopping on the main roadway.

Step 2: Turn On Your Hazard Lights Immediately

The moment your car stops moving, turn on your hazard lights. This is the single most important thing you can do to communicate to other drivers that your vehicle is stationary.

Do this even before you've fully assessed what's wrong. It takes one second and significantly reduces the risk of another vehicle hitting yours — a risk that is higher than most people expect, particularly on high-speed roads or in low-visibility conditions.

In Calgary's winters, visibility can drop quickly during snowfall or blowing snow. Hazard lights are visible when taillights aren't. Keep them on for the entire time your vehicle is stopped.

Step 3: Make Your Vehicle More Visible (If Safe)

Once you're stopped and hazards are on, increasing your visibility further gives other drivers more time to react — especially at night or in poor weather.

If you have them:

• Place road flares or reflective triangles behind your vehicle, spaced out along the shoulder. In daylight, 30–50 metres behind the car. At night or in low visibility, further is better.
• Turn on your interior dome light at night — it makes your vehicle more visible as a stationary object and signals to passing drivers that someone is inside.

A Calgary-specific note: Many drivers keep a basic roadside emergency kit in their car year-round, but it matters most in winter. A kit with reflective triangles, a flashlight, a blanket, and a small shovel is worth having in your trunk from October through April. If you don't have flares or triangles, your hazard lights will have to do — which is fine, just stay aware.

Step 4: Assess Whether to Stay in the Car or Get Out

This is where Calgary's conditions create a real decision point that doesn't apply in the same way in warmer cities.

Stay in the car if:

• You're on a high-speed road (Deerfoot, Stoney, 16th Ave, Glenmore) and there's no safe barrier between you and traffic. Standing outside on a highway shoulder in traffic is more dangerous than staying inside.
• It's cold — anything below -10°C, being inside the car with it running (or with a blanket) is significantly safer than standing outside.
• Weather conditions are severe (blowing snow, ice fog, low visibility). Other drivers may not see you standing outside.
• You're in an area where you don't feel safe being outside alone.

Get out of the car if:

• There's smoke, fire, or the smell of burning coming from the engine — exit immediately and move well away from the vehicle.
• The car has been hit and you're at risk of being struck again. Get over the barrier if there is one.
• You've broken down in a parking lot, residential street, or other location well away from moving traffic.

If you stay in the car on a highway: Keep your seatbelt on. A stationary car on a highway shoulder is at real risk from distracted or impaired drivers — a seatbelt provides protection if you're struck from behind. Turn your wheel slightly to the right so that if the car is hit, it won't be pushed into traffic.

Step 5: Call for Help

Once you're safely stopped and visible, call for roadside assistance or a tow truck. The sooner you call, the sooner someone is dispatched and on a busy day in Calgary, dispatch times can be 30–60 minutes or longer.

What to have ready when you call:

• Your exact location. On highways, look for green kilometer marker signs on the right shoulder — these give dispatchers a precise location. On city streets, identify the nearest intersection or landmark. If you're not sure, your phone's GPS can give you coordinates or a street address.
• Your vehicle's make, model, year, and colour. This helps the driver identify your car when they arrive.
• A description of what happened. "The car just stopped and won't restart," "I heard a loud bang and now it won't drive," or "I have a flat tire" all give the dispatcher useful information.
• Whether the vehicle can roll freely. This determines whether a flatbed or wheel-lift tow truck is needed — and for AWD or 4WD vehicles, a flatbed is always required regardless of the situation.
• Whether you have anyone with you, especially children or passengers who may need accommodation.

Happy Protection members: Call the Happy Protection line directly for priority dispatch 24/7. Our team will ask the right questions, send the right truck, and give you a clear timeframe — without putting you on hold or routing you through a national call centre.

Step 6: While You Wait — Stay Safe and Stay Warm

The waiting period is where things go wrong if you're not prepared, particularly in a Calgary winter.

Safety while waiting:

• If you're inside the car, keep hazard lights on and stay aware of traffic behind you.
• If your car is running for heat, crack a window slightly and check that the exhaust pipe isn't blocked by snow. A blocked exhaust can allow carbon monoxide to build up inside the vehicle — a serious and silent risk. This is especially important after heavy snowfall or if you've ended up in a snowbank.
• If you're in the car and traffic is making you nervous, you can exit on the passenger side (away from traffic) and stand on the far side of your vehicle or beyond the guardrail if there is one.

In cold weather specifically:

• Calgary temperatures can drop below -20°C or colder in January and February. If your car won't run for heat, use any blankets, extra clothing, or an emergency sleeping bag from your kit. Physical warmth is a priority if the wait is going to be long.
• Tell the dispatcher it's cold and ask for an estimated arrival time. If wait times are very long and conditions are dangerous, ask whether they can escalate or advise on a nearby shelter option.
• Keep your phone battery conserved. Turn off unnecessary apps and reduce screen brightness if you're waiting for a return call from the tow company.

Step 7: When the Tow Truck Arrives

When the driver arrives, a few quick things will make the process go smoothly:

• Confirm the right type of truck was sent. If you drive an AWD or 4WD vehicle, verify that a flatbed was dispatched before the driver starts hooking up. Using a wheel-lift on an AWD vehicle can cause expensive drivetrain damage. (If you're not sure what type of drive your vehicle has, check the owner's manual or tell the dispatcher — they'll confirm.)
• Tell the driver about any damage or issues that might affect how the vehicle is loaded or towed. Broken suspension, seized brakes, or structural damage from a collision all affect the safest towing approach.
• Know where your vehicle is going. Have the name and address of a repair shop ready, or ask the driver to recommend a nearby shop if you don't have one. Make sure the driver knows the destination before they start.
• Get confirmation of the price before they begin. Reputable towing companies in Calgary provide upfront pricing. If a driver can't or won't give you a clear price before loading your vehicle, that's a red flag. Happy Protection members always know the cost before the truck arrives.

What Changes in a Calgary Winter

Calgary winters deserve their own section because conditions here genuinely change the breakdown experience in ways that matter.

Black ice and snow-covered shoulders: The shoulder of a Calgary highway in winter is often packed snow or ice, not clear pavement. Be cautious moving around your vehicle — it's easy to slip, and the surface may slope unexpectedly toward the ditch.

Frozen door locks and frozen fuel lines: If you're dealing with a car that won't start in extreme cold, the problem may be as simple as a frozen fuel line or a battery that's failed in the cold. Calgary winters are hard on batteries — a battery that's borderline in fall will often fail outright in January. Roadside battery boost service can resolve these situations without a tow.

Visibility for drivers: Blowing snow and ice fog in Calgary can reduce visibility to near zero on open stretches of road like Deerfoot heading south or the sections of Stoney Trail that pass through undeveloped areas. In these conditions, staying in your car with hazard lights on is almost always the right call — other drivers cannot see you until they're very close.

Longer wait times: Winter breakdowns happen to more people at the same time — snowstorms generate clusters of calls. Build in the expectation that wait times may be longer in January and February, and prepare accordingly.

Have a Plan Before You Need One

The worst time to figure out who to call is when you're already stranded. A few minutes of preparation now makes the whole experience significantly less stressful.

Save a roadside assistance number in your phone before you need it. Keep a basic emergency kit in your car through the winter months. Know what type of drivetrain your vehicle has so you can tell the dispatcher immediately. And if you drive regularly in Calgary — commuting, weekend trips, or hauling kids between activities — having a membership that covers you year-round removes the scramble entirely.

Happy Protection members get 24/7 access to towing, roadside assistance, battery boosts, tire changes, and fuel delivery across Calgary — with priority dispatch, transparent pricing, and a single number to call regardless of what goes wrong.

No Googling "tow truck Calgary" from the side of Deerfoot at midnight. No surprise fees when the truck arrives. Just one call, and help is on the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my car breaks down on Deerfoot Trail in Calgary?

‍Pull as far right onto the shoulder as possible, turn on your hazard lights immediately, and stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on. Deerfoot is a high-speed road — standing outside on the shoulder puts you at significant risk. Call for roadside assistance or a tow, give the dispatcher your exact kilometer marker location if you can find it, and wait inside the car until help arrives.

Should I stay in my car or get out when it breaks down?

‍On high-speed roads like Deerfoot, Stoney Trail, or Glenmore, stay in your car with your seatbelt on — it's safer than standing on the shoulder. In Calgary winters especially, staying inside also keeps you warm. Get out only if there's a fire, smoke, or a risk of being struck from behind with no protection. If you do exit, leave from the passenger side and move well away from traffic.

How long does roadside assistance take in Calgary?

‍In standard conditions, most Calgary roadside and towing companies aim for 30–60 minutes. During peak hours, major weather events, or high-demand periods in winter, wait times can be longer. Happy Protection members receive priority dispatch, which reduces typical wait times.

What if my car breaks down in a Calgary winter and it's extremely cold?

‍If your car will run, keep it on for heat but crack a window and check the exhaust isn't blocked by snow — a blocked exhaust can allow carbon monoxide to build up. If the car won't run, use blankets or extra clothing and conserve your phone battery. Tell the dispatcher you're in cold conditions so they can prioritize accordingly. If wait times are very long and conditions are dangerous, ask about nearby shelter options.

Do I need a flatbed tow truck or a regular tow truck?

‍It depends on your vehicle. If you drive an AWD or 4WD vehicle — which includes most SUVs and crossovers — you need a flatbed. Using a wheel-lift on an AWD vehicle can cause serious drivetrain damage. For standard front-wheel drive vehicles that are mechanically intact, a wheel-lift tow is typically fine. When in doubt, tell the dispatcher your vehicle's make, model, and year and let them confirm.

Does Happy Protection cover roadside assistance in Calgary?

‍Yes. Happy Protection's vehicle coverage includes 24/7 emergency towing, flatbed towing, roadside assistance, battery boosts, tire changes, and fuel delivery across Calgary — with transparent flat-rate pricing and priority dispatch for members.