What is Car Recovery

Car recovery means moving a vehicle that cannot, or should not, be driven. That is the whole definition — but the words around it get used loosely, and knowing which service you actually need saves a phone call and sometimes a repair bill.

DK’s Recovery covers Sheffield and South Yorkshire 24 hours a day for breakdown recovery and vehicle recovery. Call 07867 860723.

Recovery, assistance, towing, transport

Four terms, often used as though they mean the same thing.

• Roadside assistance tries to fix the problem where the car is standing — a jump start, a wheel change, fuel, a door unlocked.
• Recovery moves the vehicle because it cannot be fixed there, or is not safe to drive even if it starts.
• Towing usually means pulling a vehicle along on its own wheels. It is one method of recovery, not a synonym for it.
• Vehicle transport is moving a car that is perfectly fine — a sale, a move, a track day, a classic that should not do the miles.

Most call-outs begin as assistance and become recovery only when the fault turns out to be something that cannot be sorted at the kerb.

The three ways a vehicle gets moved

Flatbed, or tilt-and-slide

The bed tilts to the ground and the whole vehicle is winched or driven onto it. Nothing touches the road on the journey, so it suits damaged cars, low or expensive ones, electric vehicles, and anything with a wheel that will not turn. It is the default for anything uncertain.

Spec lift, or wheel lift

Two wheels are lifted clear and two stay on the road. Quick, and fine for a straightforward manual car being moved a short distance — but only when the wheels left down are safe to roll.

Winching and skates

When a vehicle will not roll, steer or come out of gear, it has to be winched. Skates — small wheeled dollies — go under the locked wheels so it can be pulled aboard without dragging. This is the slow part of a difficult job, and it is what stops a recovery adding damage of its own.

Which cars must go on a flatbed

Worth knowing before someone hooks up your car:

• Electric and hybrid vehicles. Turning the driven wheels without the system live can damage the motor. Flatbed as standard.
• Most four-wheel drives. All four wheels generally need to be off the ground.
• Many automatics. Towing with the driven wheels turning can starve the gearbox of lubrication.
• Anything with collision damage, a seized wheel, broken suspension or a locked steering column.

If an operator wants to tow one of these on its own wheels, ask why.

When you need recovery rather than a repair

Some faults end the journey regardless of how the car feels. Overheating, an oil pressure warning, brakes that have gone soft or long, steering that has changed, a sudden knock or grinding, or any collision damage that could affect the wheels or suspension. In each case the car may still start and move, and moving it is the mistake.

What actually happens on a recovery job

You call and give the location, the vehicle and what has happened. You get a price and an arrival time. The operator arrives, makes the area safe, and decides how the vehicle has to be loaded based on its condition rather than what is quickest. It is secured — straps on the wheels, not the bodywork — and taken to the address you gave. You usually travel in the cab.

The awkward cases

No keys or locked in. Recoverable, but say so when you call, because a car that cannot come out of gear or off the steering lock needs skates.

Wrong fuel. If you have not started the engine, it is often a drain-and-go. If you have driven on it, the car needs recovering to a garage.

Motorcycles. Different straps and a different loading method — mention it so the right vehicle is sent.

Underground and multi-storey car parks. Height limits can rule out a flatbed entirely. Tell us the car park and the level.

Common questions

What is the difference between recovery and roadside assistance?

Roadside assistance tries to fix the car where it stands – a jump start, a wheel change, a fuel problem. Recovery moves the vehicle because it cannot be fixed there or is not safe to drive. Most call-outs start as the first and become the second only if needed.

Is towing the same as recovery?

Not quite. Towing usually means pulling a vehicle on its own wheels. Recovery covers the whole job, including loading a vehicle onto a flatbed, winching one that will not roll, and transporting a car that is perfectly driveable but needs moving.

Can any car be towed on its back wheels?

No. Many automatics, most four-wheel-drive vehicles and all electric cars should have their driven wheels off the ground, because turning the driven wheels without the engine running can damage the gearbox or motor. If in doubt it goes on a flatbed.

What happens if my car will not roll or steer?

The operator uses skates – small wheeled dollies placed under the locked wheels – or winches the vehicle onto a flatbed. It takes longer than a straightforward load and it is the correct approach. Dragging a car with a seized wheel causes more damage.

Do I have to travel with my car?

Usually you can, and in most cases there is room in the cab. Say when you call how many passengers there are, and whether there is a child seat or a dog, so the right vehicle is sent.

How long does a recovery job take?

The drive to you depends on where you are and what else is running. The load itself is usually ten to twenty minutes for a straightforward job, longer if the vehicle needs winching or skating, or if it is somewhere with awkward access.

Need a vehicle moved in Sheffield?

Tell us where it is, where it needs to go and what state it is in. Call 07867 860723 — 24 hours a day.