Car Trouble on a Weekend in Jackson? What to Do

If you searched for a repair shop open on Saturday in Jackson, we want to be straight with you: The Garage is not open on weekends. We would rather tell you that up front than have you drive over and find the door locked. What we can do is help you make a plan so your car is first in line on Monday, and help you avoid weekend trouble in the first place.

• Get off the road if you can. Use a pullout, a parking lot, or the shoulder as far from traffic as possible. On Teton Pass and WY-22, turnouts are much safer than the shoulder of a curve.
• Turn on your hazard lights, and use reflective triangles or flares if you have them.
• Stay out of traffic. On a busy highway, it is often safer to wait off the road and away from the vehicle than inside it.
• In winter, keep warm and keep the tailpipe clear. If you run the engine for heat, make sure snow is not blocking the exhaust.
• Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if the car is stuck in a dangerous spot, or if you smell fuel or see smoke.

Some problems can wait until Monday. Some cannot.

Usually OK to drive gently, a short distance: a steady check engine light with no change in how the car runs, a small and slow oil seep, or an AC that stopped working.

Do not drive it: a flashing check engine light, a temperature gauge in the red or steam from the hood, grinding brakes or a soft pedal that sinks, a red oil pressure light, smoke, a burning smell, or a wheel that wobbles or clunks hard. Driving on these can turn a repair into a much bigger one, or put you in danger.

If you are not sure, play it safe and do not drive it. Our check engine light guide explains the difference between a steady and a flashing light.

If the car cannot be driven, call a tow company or the roadside assistance that comes with your insurance, auto club, or vehicle warranty, and ask them to take it to The Garage, 940 W Broadway, Jackson, WY 83001. Before you leave the car anywhere, take your valuables, write down the mileage and what happened, and keep your keys until you can arrange with us how to get them to the shop.

If the car is drivable, park it somewhere safe and legal for the rest of the weekend and bring it in when we open.

• Send a request any time through the contact form on our website. Tell us your name, phone number, vehicle, and what happened.
• Call (307) 249-8741 when we open at 8 AM Monday. Mention that the car broke down over the weekend.
• Tell us everything you noticed: lights on the dash, noises, smells, and when it started. Those details help us diagnose it faster.

We look at it, find the cause, and give you a free estimate before any repair starts.

A lot of weekend breakdowns can be caught during the week. If you are planning a weekend trip over Teton Pass to Victor or Driggs, out to a trailhead, or a long drive down to Alpine, call us early in the week and ask for a check before you go. Mention any warning lights, noises, or leaks you have noticed. We look at the things that fail on long grades and cold mornings:

• Brakes, which work hard coming down the pass. See our brake repair in Jackson Hole page.
• Battery and charging, the most common cold-morning no-start. Our car battery replacement page covers testing.
• Coolant, belts, and hoses, which get tested on the climb.
• Tires, for tread and pressure, especially before winter weather.

Before you leave, check the road conditions at wyoroad.info. The pass can close for weather or crashes. For full winter prep, see our winterization guide.

We work on all makes and models, from Subarus and Tacomas to diesel trucks and European SUVs. For everything we fix, see our car repair in Jackson Hole page.

Call (307) 249-8741, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, or send a request through our website any time. The Garage is at 940 W Broadway, Jackson, WY. Estimates are free.