How To Tow An All Wheel Drive Car Safely Without Causing Drivetrain Damage

Towing an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle requires strict adherence to manufacturer specifications, most commonly utilizing a flatbed tow truck to keep all four wheels elevated off the roadway. Because AWD systems feature complex center differentials, transfer cases, and viscous couplings that constantly distribute torque to every wheel, rotating only two wheels while the others spin on the ground will quickly generate extreme frictional heat and catastrophic mechanical failure.

Pre-Operation & Equipment Checklist

Proper preparation is the single most critical factor when moving an AWD vehicle. Unlike traditional rear-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive cars that can often be towed using standard two-wheel dollies or a traditional tow bar, AWD configurations demand specialized mechanical handling. Failing to verify transfer case neutralization procedures or utilizing incorrect rigging equipment will result in thousands of dollars in transmission and differential damage.

• Essential Gear, Tools, and Materials:
  
  
  • Flatbed tow truck (rollback carrier) with a winch and rated tie-down straps
  • Heavy-duty wheel dollies (if a flatbed is unavailable and permitted by the owner's manual)
  • Professional tire pressure gauge and portable air compressor
  • Heavy-duty wheel chocks and a low-profile floor jack
  • Vehicle owner's manual for model-specific neutral gear release procedures
• Prerequisite Knowledge and Standards:
  
  
  • Comprehensive understanding of the specific AWD type (e.g., permanent full-time AWD versus automatic slip-based AWD)
  • Knowledge of electronic parking brake manual release override locations
  • Familiarity with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) limits for the towing apparatus
• Estimated Budget and Time Benchmarks:
  
  
  • Professional flatbed towing service: $100 to $250+ depending on distance
  • DIY dolly rental and setup: $50 to $100
  • Time required for safe inspection, rigging, and loading: 30 to 45 minutes

Step-by-Step AWD Towing Procedures

Step 1: Consult the Owner Manual and Assess Drivetrain Limitations

Before touching any towing equipment, locate the specific emergency towing section in the vehicle owner's manual. Note whether the manufacturer explicitly mandates a flatbed trailer or if flat-towing (four wheels down behind an RV) is permissible with specific gear settings and auxiliary lube pumps. Identify the location of the neutral release lever or electronic parking brake service override if the vehicle lacks electrical power.

Warning: Never rely on general assumptions about AWD systems. While some modern crossovers can tolerate brief wheel-lift tows under specific low-speed thresholds, systems utilizing clutch-pack center differentials will permanently weld internal plates together if towed with two wheels rolling on the pavement.

Step 2: Prepare the Vehicle and Clear the Interior Path

Ensure the vehicle cabin is completely cleared of loose items that could shift during transit. Verify that all doors are fully closed and locked if necessary, though leaving the driver's window slightly rolled down is recommended to prevent accidental lockouts while the key fob is inside. Adjust tire pressures to uniform levels across all four corners to ensure even weight distribution during loading and securing.

Step 3: Position the Flatbed Rollback Carrier

Align the rollback flatbed tow truck directly in front of or behind the AWD vehicle, maintaining a straight approach angle to prevent lateral stress on the steering and suspension components. Engage the truck's parking brake, put the transmission in park, and deploy the stabilizing outriggers. Slowly lower the bed tilt deck and extend the winch cable toward the target vehicle.

Step 4: Attach Recovery Points and Neutralize the Drivetrain

Secure the winch cable to the manufacturer-approved factory tow hook or a structural frame tie-down point. Never wrap chains or cables around suspension control arms, steering linkages, or drive shafts. Shift the AWD vehicle transmission into Neutral (N). If the vehicle has a dead battery and electronic gear selectors, locate and engage the manual park release override mechanism, typically found beneath a console trim panel or accessible from underneath the vehicle.

Pro-Tip: If the vehicle must be towed on dollies because a flatbed is inaccessible, place the dollies under the rear wheels only if the manual explicitly states the rear axle can be fully disconnected, though placing dollies under all four wheels remains the safest non-flatbed alternative.

Step 5: Winch and Secure the Vehicle onto the Flatbed

Engage the winch slowly, guiding the vehicle up the inclined rollback bed at a steady, creeping pace. Monitor the alignment of the tires to ensure they track straight up the center of the deck. Once the vehicle reaches its final resting position on the flatbed, apply the vehicle's parking brake and shift the transmission back into Park (P).

Step 6: Install Professional Four-Point Wheel Straps

Anchor the vehicle to the bed using a professional four-point tie-down system. Attach heavy-duty nylon straps directly over the tread of each of the four tires rather than using frame-mounted chassis straps. This allows the vehicle's independent suspension to flex naturally during transport without slackening the tie-down straps. Tighten the ratchet binders evenly until the suspension compresses slightly, and attach safety chains as a secondary backup.

Comparison of AWD Towing Methods and Risk Factors

Common Towing Failures and Field Fixes

• Failure: The vehicle's electronic shifter refuses to move out of Park due to a completely dead 12V battery.
  
  
  • Root Cause: Shift-by-wire mechanisms require electrical current to release the transmission parking pawl solenoid.
  • Actionable Fix: Access the mechanical manual park release override using the instructions in the owner's manual (often requiring a screwdriver inserted into a hidden access port under the center console), or use a portable jump starter pack to temporarily energize the vehicle electrical system.
• Failure: The electronic parking brake is locked and will not disengage during loading.
  
  
  • Root Cause: Loss of system voltage or a fault in the electronic brake actuator motors.
  • Actionable Fix: Locate the electronic parking brake control module fuses, or use the emergency manual caliper retraction tool located in the vehicle's spare tire toolkit to manually wind back the rear brake pistons.
• Failure: The winch cable slips or damages the front bumper fascia during loading.
  
  
  • Root Cause: Improper attachment to cosmetic body panels instead of structural subframe recovery points.
  • Actionable Fix: Stop winching immediately. Inspect for structural tow eye receivers behind plastic pop-out bumper covers, or utilize a low-profile nylon bridle strap wrapped securely around structural suspension control arm mounting points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you tow an AWD car with two wheels on the ground?

No, you should never tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle with only two wheels on the ground unless explicitly authorized by the vehicle manufacturer's manual. Doing so forces the front and rear axles to rotate at different speeds while the center differential or transfer case attempts to reconcile the discrepancy, generating immense heat that will destroy internal components within miles.

Is flat towing an AWD car behind an RV safe?

Flat towing (four wheels down) is only safe if the specific AWD model is explicitly certified for recreational flat-towing in the owner's manual. Many modern AWD systems lack the ability to truly disengage the transmission from the drive wheels, requiring specialized auxiliary transmission oil pumps or complete driveshaft removal to prevent internal damage.

What should I do if my AWD car breaks down on the highway?

Pull safely onto the right shoulder, turn on your hazard lights, and set up reflective triangles or flares. When calling a towing company, explicitly inform the dispatcher that your vehicle is an All-Wheel-Drive model and emphasize that you require a flatbed rollback truck, refusing any standard wheel-lift tow truck sent in error.

Will towing an AWD car on a flatbed damage the alignment?

No, securing a vehicle to a flatbed using proper over-the-tire nylon strap systems does not harm the vehicle's steering geometry or wheel alignment. Because the straps hold the tires rather than yanking down on the rigid frame, the suspension absorbs normal transit vibrations safely.

Consult a certified towing professional or your vehicle manufacturer manual before attempting any emergency transport. Ensure your roadside assistance provider dispatches the correct equipment to protect your investment.