What should I do if my car breaks down near Durango?

Car trouble in or near Durango? Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

What should I do first when my car breaks down?

Your safety comes before the car. If the car still rolls, steer as far off the road as you can, ideally onto a wide shoulder, a pullout, or a parking lot. Then:

• Turn on your hazard lights.
• If you are stopped somewhere dangerous, such as a narrow shoulder or a blind curve, stay in the car with your seatbelt on.
• Call 911 if anyone is hurt, the car is blocking a lane, or you see smoke or fire.
• At night or in snow, keep the hazards on and use a flashlight instead of standing near traffic.

On US-160 and US-550 around Durango, shoulders can be narrow and cell service can drop out in the canyons, so call for help as soon as you have a signal.

Who do I call if my car will not move?

For a car that cannot be driven, check your roadside assistance first. It often comes with your auto insurance, an auto club membership, a newer car, or a rental agreement. Tell them where you want the car to go. If you want Ace AutoFix, give them our address: 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301. Then call us at (970) 317-2009 during business hours so we know your car is coming and what happened.

What should I write down before I call a shop?

A few notes make the diagnosis faster and clearer. Before you forget the details, write down:

• Any warning lights on the dash, such as the check engine, battery, oil, or temperature light. Our post on whether it is safe to drive with the check engine light on explains what a flashing light means.
• What the temperature gauge did before the car quit. Climbing on a long grade points toward the cooling system, covered in why cars overheat on US-550.
• Sounds, smells, smoke, or steam, and whether anything is dripping under the car.
• Whether the car cranks, clicks, or does nothing when you turn the key.

Snap a photo of the dash and anything under the car if it is safe to do so.

Next step: see our car diagnostics in Durango page. Ace AutoFix finds the cause first, then explains the repair before any work starts.

Will a shop take advantage of me because I am not from Durango?

Being stuck far from home is stressful, and it is fair to worry about that. At Ace AutoFix, we tell you what we found, what it costs, and what can wait, and nothing gets added without your OK. The price is labor and parts, with no supply, ordering, or disposal fees. One traveler headed to Salt Lake City wrote in a Google review that the team was "completely transparent about the costs and timeline from start to finish." If you want to compare, our post on getting a second opinion on a car repair in Durango walks through how.

What if my car breaks down on a weekend?

Ace AutoFix is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and closed Saturday and Sunday. If you break down on a weekend, get somewhere safe first, then call us or book online so we can plan for your car when the shop opens. To make a breakdown less likely on the next trip, our winter car kit for Durango and a pre-trip inspection are good places to start.

Who can fix my car after a breakdown in Durango?

Ace AutoFix is a locally owned shop at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We work on any brand of car and on gas or light-duty trucks, including battery and electrical problems, cooling system repair, and brake repair. We do not work on diesel vehicles. We send text and photo updates so you can see what we see.

Book with Ace AutoFix

Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Ace AutoFix is locally owned at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Cars and gas or light-duty trucks. No diesel.