Safety
What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down on the Highway
November 11, 2025
No one wants to experience a car breakdown, especially on the highway, but it happens every day. Knowing what to do ahead of time can give you confidence in an unpredictable situation—whether you hit a road hazard and lose air fast, or something else takes your vehicle out of commission.
Quick guide: highway breakdown
Call 911 to report that you are broken down on the highway.
- The operator can help you reach Iowa’s Highway Helper program when it is available.
- If Highway Helper is not available for your time and location, request roadside assistance from a trusted local provider.
When trouble starts, avoid sudden braking or stopping in live lanes if you can help it. Ease off the accelerator, signal early, and move to the shoulder or a nearby safe spot. If you can reach an exit safely, that may be better than stopping on a curve or hill with poor visibility. Turn on your hazard lights, stay buckled if you remain in the vehicle in a high-traffic area (follow current safety guidance), and call for help with your location and direction of travel ready.
Roadside assistance you can count on
At CFI Tire Service, we provide roadside assistance in Council Bluffs, Glenwood, and surrounding areas. Whether you are dealing with a flat tire, a dead battery, or another issue, our team works to get you moving again.
- Flat tire repair and change
- Jump-starts and battery service
- Lockout assistance
- Fuel delivery
Serving Council Bluffs & Glenwood, IA
Whether you are on I-29, Highway 275, or a rural road near Glenwood, contact CFI Tire Service for fast, local help when you need it.
Originally published on the CFI Tire Service blog. View original URL