Roadside Assistance in the Coachella Valley
Dead battery, flat tire, keys locked in the car or an empty tank. Call (760) 263-6756 and tell dispatch what happened and where you are.
Jump start
A dead battery is a common summer call in the desert, because heat shortens battery life. If the car clicks but will not start, or the lights are dim, it is usually the battery. Give dispatch your location and whether the engine makes any sound.
Flat tire
If you have a good spare, help can swap it. If the spare is flat or missing, say so on the call. Do not change a tire on the shoulder of the I-10. Wait in a safe spot and call.
Lockout
Tell dispatch the make, model and year, and whether a child or pet is inside. A person or pet locked in a hot car is an emergency, so call 911 first.
Fuel delivery
Say whether the car takes gasoline or diesel. Tell dispatch which one before the driver heads out, because the wrong fuel can wreck an engine.
What is not covered here
Ask on the call whether dispatch can handle your exact problem. If the car needs a tow after the fix fails, say so and a flatbed can follow.
Roadside help by problem
Questions
Short answers. For anything else, call and ask.
What roadside problems can dispatch help with?
Jump starts, flat tires, lockouts and fuel delivery are the usual calls. Describe the problem to dispatch and ask what can be done where you are.
Is it safe to change a tire on the I-10?
No. Move to a wide, safe spot off the traffic lanes if you can, stay away from the vehicle and call (760) 263-6756.
What if the jump does not work?
If the car still will not start, the battery or alternator may need replacing. Ask dispatch to send a flatbed and take it to a shop.