Car Broke Down in Parking Garage: How to Get Towed Out: Explained

> **Quick Answer:** Call a tow company and tell them immediately that you are in a parking garage. Clearance height, ramp angles, and tight turns rule out most standard tow trucks. You need a low-profile or flatbed with a winch, and the operator needs to know the garage's height restriction before they roll. Most garages run 6 to 7 feet of clearance. Standard tow trucks often top 8 feet.

## What Do I Do First When My Car Breaks Down Inside a Parking Garage?

Turn on your hazard lights and stay with the vehicle. Do not try to push the car down a ramp on your own since ramps can run 15 to 20 percent grade and a rolling car in a confined space is a serious injury risk.

Find out the garage's clearance height before you call anyone. It is usually posted on a sign at the entrance and sometimes on each level. Write it down or take a photo. When you call a tow company, give them this number in the first sentence of the conversation. Also tell them which level you are on, the nearest entrance, and whether there is an elevator large enough for a car (rare, but worth knowing).

If the garage is attached to a mall, airport, or hospital, find the property management office or a security guard. They often have a preferred tow vendor who already knows the structure and has the right equipment on hand.

## What Kind of Tow Truck Can Actually Fit in a Parking Garage?

A low-clearance flatbed or a wheel-lift truck with a low-profile boom is what you need. Standard integrated carriers and heavy-duty tow trucks are almost always too tall.

Specifically, look for a tow operator who carries a low-profile rotator or a flatbed with a hydraulic slide and winch. If the car cannot be driven or rolled at all, the truck needs a winch long enough to pull the vehicle to a level where it can be loaded. Some operators use a dolly system to move the car manually within the garage to a more accessible spot before loading.

When you call, ask directly: "Do you have a truck that fits under [X] feet and can handle a garage tow?" If they hesitate or say they will figure it out when they arrive, call someone else. The wrong truck showing up wastes 45 minutes and still cannot get your car out.

## How Much Does It Cost to Get Towed Out of a Parking Garage?

Expect to pay more than a standard street tow. A garage tow typically runs $100 to $250, depending on your city and how complicated the extraction is.

The premium comes from a few things: the operator needs specialized equipment, the job takes longer, and maneuvering in a tight structure is higher-skill work. If they need to winch the car through multiple levels, that adds time billed at the hourly labor rate, usually $75 to $125 per hour on top of the base hook fee. Get a firm quote before they start. Most reputable operators will give you one once they know the specifics.

If you have roadside assistance through your insurer or a membership plan, call them first. Some plans cover garage extractions, but the reimbursement cap may not cover the full cost of a specialty truck. Check [what State Farm roadside assistance actually covers](/does-state-farm-roadside-assistance-cover-towing/) before you assume you are fully protected, and factor in [what emergency roadside assistance costs without a membership](/how-
![tow truck loading car](/images/car-broke-down-in-parking-garage-how-to-get-towed-out/mid.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*
much-does-emergency-roadside-assistance-cost-without-membership/) if you are paying out of pocket.

## What If My Car Won't Roll at All and the Tow Truck Can't Reach It?

This is the hard case, but it is solvable. A locked-up wheel, a seized brake, or a broken axle means the car cannot be dragged onto a flatbed without causing more damage.

A skilled operator will use a go-jack or skates: small hydraulic dollies that slide under each wheel and allow the car to be moved in any direction manually. This lets them reposition the vehicle to a spot accessible for loading, even on an upper level. If you suspect a broken axle or seized drivetrain, tell the dispatcher. They need to send someone with the right gear. For more on how axle damage affects towing options, see [car axle broke while driving: can it be towed](/car-axle-broke-while-driving-can-it-be-towed/).

If the garage has a car elevator, ask the property manager to make it available. Some older urban garages, particularly in cities like Chicago or New York, have freight elevators large enough to lower a vehicle to street level, which makes the tow truck's job straightforward.


![roadside assistance highway](/images/car-broke-down-in-parking-garage-how-to-get-towed-out/bottom.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*

## Common Questions

**Q: Can I just wait for someone to jump start me in a parking garage?**
A: If a dead battery is the only issue and there is enough room for another vehicle to pull alongside, a jump start is fine. But the other car needs to fit in the space too, and the garage ceiling cannot block the hood access. If you are unsure what killed the battery, [a dead battery in extreme cold](/dead-battery-extreme-cold-weather-tow-or-jump-start/) or heat may point to a deeper problem worth diagnosing before you just jump and go.

**Q: Will a parking garage let a tow truck in?**
A: Most garages allow it, but you may need to notify the attendant or security first. Some facilities require you to sign a liability waiver before a tow truck enters. At gated garages, security can usually issue a temporary vehicle pass for the tow truck. Do not assume the driver can just pull in without coordination.

**Q: What if the garage management won't let a tow truck in?**
A: This is uncommon but happens. Ask the property manager to call their preferred towing vendor. If they refuse entirely, contact your roadside assistance provider and let them negotiate access. In a genuine breakdown, the garage has no legal basis to trap your vehicle.

**Q: How long does a parking garage tow usually take?**
A: Plan on 60 to 90 minutes from your call to the car being loaded. Finding a qualified operator takes longer than a standard street call, and the extraction itself is slower work. If you are in an airport garage or a busy downtown structure, add time for the truck to navigate traffic approaching the building.

**Q: Do I have to pay the parking garage fees while I wait for the tow?**
A: Usually yes, though some garages will waive or reduce fees if you explain you had a breakdown and show the tow receipt. Ask the attendant before you leave. Airport garages are the least flexible. Private garages run by a management company are more likely to work with you.

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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/car-broke-down-in-parking-garage-how-to-get-towed-out/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*