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Real Towing and Roadside Assistance Jobs
Here’s a look at our actual towing and roadside calls on Chicago’s North Side: what happened, how we helped and photos from the jobs.
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What happened—and what helped
These job accounts and photos come from Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance, owned and operated by Sergio Kestler. We distinguish the pickup from the delivery location where known and identify diagnoses only when confirmed. Each new request needs its own vehicle and access assessment.
BMW stopped near Southport and Fullerton
The completed job
The BMW shut off unexpectedly near Southport and Fullerton and would not restart. We handled the wheel-lift tow. We don’t have a confirmed diagnosis for that shutdown, so we won’t label it a battery or starter failure.
What to tell us in a similar situation
A car that stops while driving may need more than a jump start. Tell Rick’s what happened before it stopped, whether it cranks now and whether warning lights appeared. For towing, also describe the drivetrain, key availability and whether the car rolls and steers.
AWD Subaru overheating in Wrigleyville
The completed job
An AWD Subaru Outback overheated near Addison and Southport after a hole developed in a radiator hose connector. Rick’s transported the car using wheel-lift equipment with an appropriate setup for the all-wheel-drive vehicle.
What to tell us in a similar situation
An overheating vehicle and its drivetrain both matter when planning a tow. Report coolant loss or steam, stop driving when safe, and tell Rick’s that the vehicle is AWD before arranging transportation. This completed job does not establish compatibility for every AWD vehicle.
Work van delivered to a West Ridge repair facility
The completed job
This work van needed battery replacement and alternator repairs and could not stay running reliably. Rick’s transported it to a repair facility on Howard Street in West Ridge. West Ridge was the drop-off location. We don’t have the pickup location recorded for this job.
What to tell us in a similar situation
A replacement battery and an alternator repair solve different problems. A jump start or battery replacement alone is not a substitute for repairing a failed charging system. Describe repeated stalling and battery warning lights when discussing help.
Coolant line failure on North Hazel Street
The completed job
A coolant line burst near the 4400 block of North Hazel Street in Uptown. Rick’s towed the vehicle because continuing to drive risked further overheating or engine damage.
What to tell us in a similar situation
Tell Rick’s about a visible leak or steam and the exact place where the vehicle is stopped. Do not open a hot cooling system. Once safely parked, arranging appropriate transportation is preferable to continuing the trip with an overheating engine.
Dodge Journey alternator failure in Edgewater
The completed job
An alternator failure left this Dodge Journey unable to continue near Clark and Granville in Edgewater. We handled the wheel-lift tow.
What to tell us in a similar situation
A vehicle may start briefly with help yet still need repairs to stay running. Tell Rick’s whether it stopped while driving, needed repeated jumps, or displayed a battery warning. Those details help frame the service discussion without assuming that every no-start is a battery-only problem.
Toyota Camry delivered to a repair facility in Skokie
The completed job
Rick’s transported this Toyota Camry using wheel-lift equipment and delivered it to a repair facility in Skokie. Skokie was the destination. We don’t have a confirmed pickup location or breakdown diagnosis for this job.
What to tell us in a similar situation
For a repair-shop delivery, have the destination address ready along with pickup details. Let Rick’s know about shop access instructions, keys, drivetrain and whether the vehicle rolls and steers. Confirm vehicle compatibility and the proposed destination before the tow.
GMC Terrain: North Park pickup, Lincolnwood delivery
The GMC Terrain would not start near Foster and California even though the battery was reported to be fine. Rick’s transported it to Zeigler Buick GMC of Lincolnwood for warranty diagnosis of an apparent electrical problem.
This was a North Park pickup and a Lincolnwood repair destination. It is an example of why a no-start may call for towing rather than a jump start. See Lincolnwood service information and the no-start symptom guide.
Have a similar breakdown?
Tell us where the car is, what you drive and what happened. We’ll discuss the help available, arrival estimate and price.
Customer experiences
More real services from Rick’s
These owner-provided photos show actual towing, battery assistance and tire service. For these additional photos, job dates, exact pickup locations and causes were not recorded; one Wrigleyville street scene has an identifiable storefront.
For fictional mascot ads, see Bigfoot’s AI-created promotional videos. The service footage below is from actual work.
More photos from Rick’s service work
Browse our towing, tire service and battery assistance photos, including earlier work with the green tow truck. Select any photo to view a larger version. Dates and locations are not listed where they have not been confirmed.
Wheel-lift towing and dollies
Tire and wheel service
Battery and jump-start work
Earlier work with the green tow truck
Watch actual towing and roadside work
Short clips from Rick’s service archive show towing and portable battery equipment. The exact job dates, pickup addresses and causes are not established by these videos.
See more of Rick’s service work
Visit Rick’s YouTube channel for available service videos. Use the written service guides for vehicle-fit and pickup requirements; a video does not establish availability for your vehicle.
Before you call
Have your location, vehicle year, make and model ready. Mention a garage, alley or restricted entrance.
More help from Rick’s
For urgent help, call. A message does not confirm dispatch.
Talk to Rick’s
Call with your exact location and vehicle details to confirm service, availability and price.
