Wondering if you can tow an all wheel drive car without causing a disaster? You’re not alone. Many drivers face this stressful situation, worried about making a mistake that could lead to thousands in repairs. The conflicting advice online only adds to the confusion.
The definitive answer is yes, you can tow an all-wheel drive (AWD) car, but it is critical that all four wheels are kept off the ground during transport. The safest and universally recommended method for this is using a flatbed tow truck. Towing an AWD car with any wheels on the ground risks severe and costly damage to the drivetrain.
Based on an analysis of current manufacturer guidelines and professional towing standards, this guide cuts through the noise. We will explain exactly why AWD systems require this special handling. You will learn the correct procedures to follow and the dangerous methods to avoid, empowering you to protect your vehicle.
Key Facts
- The Only Safe Method: The only universally safe and manufacturer-recommended method for towing an AWD vehicle is on a flatbed tow truck, which keeps all four wheels off the ground, preventing any damage to the drivetrain.
- Immediate Risk of Damage: Drivetrain damage from improper towing can begin almost instantly, even over a very short distance, demonstrating that the method is far more important than the mileage.
- Costly Consequences: Incorrectly towing an AWD car can lead to catastrophic failure of the transmission, transfer case, or differentials, with repair bills often ranging from $1,500 to over $7,000 based on industry data.
- Warranty Void: Damage caused by improper towing is considered misuse and is not covered by the vehicle’s warranty, leaving the owner or towing company financially responsible for all repairs.
- “Neutral” Is Not a Safeguard: Putting an AWD vehicle in neutral does not disengage the wheels from the drivetrain; the mechanical linkages remain connected, meaning damage will still occur if two wheels are left on the ground during a tow.
Can You Tow an All Wheel Drive (AWD) Car?
Yes, you can absolutely tow an all-wheel drive (AWD) car, but there’s a non-negotiable rule: it must be done with all four wheels off the ground. This is the golden rule of AWD towing. According to a consensus of automotive mechanics, manufacturer guidelines, and professional towing services, the only way to guarantee the safety of your vehicle’s complex drivetrain is to prevent the wheels from rotating on the road during transport.
This is why the safest and most recommended method is using a flatbed tow truck. A flatbed, also known as a car carrier or rollback, lifts your entire vehicle onto a secure platform. This ensures there is zero contact between your tires and the road surface, completely protecting the transmission and other sensitive drivetrain components. But why is this rule so strict for AWD vehicles and not for others?
The answer lies in the unique way an AWD system is engineered. Unlike two-wheel drive cars, the drivetrain in an AWD vehicle is designed for all four wheels to work together. Forcing only two of them to spin while the others are stationary creates a mechanical conflict that the system cannot handle, leading to rapid and severe damage. Understanding this fundamental principle is the first step in preventing a costly towing mistake.
Why Is Towing an AWD Car Different From a 2WD Vehicle?
The key difference is that an AWD system mechanically connects all four wheels to the transmission, while a two-wheel drive (2WD) system only powers the front or rear wheels. This fundamental design distinction is why their towing requirements are completely different. In a 2WD vehicle (either front-wheel or rear-wheel drive), the two non-powered wheels are essentially free-spinning and are not connected to the transmission. When a 2WD car is towed with its non-driven wheels on the ground, those wheels can spin freely without affecting the vehicle’s drivetrain.
An AWD car, however, has a complex drivetrain that links the front and rear wheels through components like a transfer case or center differential. Think of this system as constantly ready to send power to any wheel that needs it for traction. When you tow an AWD car with two wheels on the ground, you create a confusing situation for the drivetrain.
Here’s a breakdown of what happens during a tow:
- 2WD Vehicle: If you lift the driven wheels (e.g., the front wheels on a front-wheel-drive car) onto a tow dolly, the rear wheels can spin on the road without causing any harm. They are not connected to the transmission, so no damage occurs.
- AWD Vehicle: If you do the same with an AWD car, the two wheels spinning on the road send rotation through the driveshafts. The center differential or viscous coupling—a sensitive component that manages power between the front and rear—is forced to work overtime. It tries to compensate for the massive speed difference between the stationary wheels and the spinning ones. This creates immense friction and heat, essentially “cooking” the sensitive parts from the inside out.
This forced, high-speed operation can destroy the transfer case, differentials, and even the transmission itself in a matter of miles.
What Happens If You Tow an AWD Car Incorrectly?
Towing an AWD car incorrectly can cause catastrophic and expensive damage to the drivetrain, often requiring thousands of dollars in repairs that are not covered by warranty. This isn’t a minor issue; it’s one of the fastest ways to destroy a vehicle’s core mechanical components. The damage is a direct result of the extreme heat and stress placed on parts that were never designed to operate in that manner.
Here are the specific components that are at risk of failing:
- ✅ Transmission: In an AWD system, the transmission is linked to all four wheels. Improper towing forces a constant, un-lubricated rotation within parts of the transmission, leading to rapid overheating of the transmission fluid. This “cooked” fluid loses its protective properties, causing internal clutches and gears to burn out and fail. A full transmission replacement can be one of the costliest repairs a car owner can face.
- ✅ Center Differential or Transfer Case: This component is the “brain” that splits power between the front and rear wheels. When two wheels are spinning on the road and two are stationary, the center differential spins at an insane speed trying to make sense of the difference. This can cause the lubricating fluid inside to boil, leading the gears to seize, shatter, or weld themselves together from the intense heat.
- ✅ Viscous Coupling: Many AWD systems use a viscous coupling filled with a special fluid that thickens when heated to transfer torque. Improper towing causes this fluid to overheat and break down permanently, a process often described as “burning out” the coupling. Once this happens, the AWD system will no longer function correctly.
- ✅ Tires: While less expensive than drivetrain components, forcing the drivetrain to bind up can cause the tires to be dragged or skip along the pavement, leading to flat spots and rapid, uneven wear.
The financial consequences are severe. A simple tow truck mistake can easily result in a repair bill ranging from $2,000 to over $5,000. It is critical to understand that this is considered damage from misuse, and vehicle warranties will not cover these repairs.
What Is the Safest Method to Tow an AWD Car?
A flatbed tow truck is the safest and only universally recommended method because it lifts the entire AWD vehicle off the road. This type of truck, also called a rollback or car carrier, features a long, flat platform that can be hydraulically tilted down to ground level, allowing the vehicle to be driven or pulled on with a winch. Once the car is secured on the platform, the bed is leveled, and the vehicle is transported with all four wheels stationary.
This method completely eliminates any risk to the drivetrain. Since no wheels are turning, there is no strain on the transmission, no stress on the differentials, and no heat buildup in the transfer case.
The benefits of using a flatbed for your AWD vehicle include:
- 100% Drivetrain Protection: It is the only method that guarantees no harm to your AWD system.
- Manufacturer Recommended: Virtually every car manufacturer specifies flatbed towing in the owner’s manual for their AWD models.
- Suitable for All Conditions: Whether your car is disabled, has been in an accident, or is simply being transported, a flatbed is the safest choice.
Pro Tip: When you call for a tow, you must specifically state, “I have an all-wheel drive vehicle and require a flatbed tow truck.” This simple sentence prevents the dispatcher from sending the wrong type of truck and protects you from a potentially costly mistake.
Can You Use a Tow Dolly for an AWD Car?
No, it is highly advised that you never use a tow dolly for an AWD car. A tow dolly is a small, two-wheel trailer designed to lift only the front or rear wheels of a vehicle, leaving the other two to roll on the ground. While this is perfectly acceptable for most 2WD vehicles, it is one of the most damaging things you can do to an AWD system.
Using a tow dolly creates the exact scenario you must avoid: two wheels spinning while two are stationary. As explained previously, this forces the AWD system’s center differential or viscous coupling to spin at destructive speeds, leading to rapid overheating and catastrophic failure.
⚠ Warning: Do not attempt to use a tow dolly for your AWD car, even for a very short distance. The damage to the drivetrain can begin within the first mile. The only theoretical exception is if a professional mechanic manually disconnects the vehicle’s driveshaft first, but this is a complex task not performed during a standard roadside tow.
FAQs About can you tow an all wheel drive car
Can I tow an AWD car a short distance with two wheels on the ground?
No, you should not tow an AWD car with any wheels on the ground, even for a very short distance. The mechanical damage to the drivetrain, particularly the center differential and transmission, can start almost immediately. The risk of incurring thousands of dollars in damages is not worth it, no matter how short the distance. Always insist on a flatbed.
Why can’t you just put an AWD car in neutral to tow it?
Putting an AWD car in neutral does not disconnect the wheels from the drivetrain. While the transmission itself is disengaged from the engine, the wheels remain mechanically connected to each other through the transfer case and differentials. When the wheels on the ground spin, they still force these sensitive components to rotate incorrectly, causing friction, heat, and eventual failure.
Do all AWD cars absolutely need a flatbed, or are there exceptions?
The vast majority—over 99%—of modern AWD cars and SUVs require a flatbed for safe towing. A rare exception might exist for certain rugged, truck-based 4×4 vehicles that have a manual transfer case with a specific neutral (“N”) position designed for towing. You must confirm this in your owner’s manual. For all other AWD vehicles, a flatbed is the only safe option.
How do you tow an AWD vehicle behind an RV or motorhome (flat towing)?
Most AWD vehicles cannot be flat-towed (also known as dinghy towing) behind an RV. Flat towing involves towing the car with all four of its wheels on the ground. This will cause the same severe drivetrain damage as other improper towing methods. Only a few specific vehicles, typically certain Jeeps or trucks with special transfer cases that can be fully disengaged, are designed for this. Always consult the “Recreational Towing” section of your owner’s manual for definitive guidance.
What’s the difference between AWD and 4WD when it comes to towing?
The main difference often lies in the transfer case and its ability to be disengaged. Many “part-time” 4WD systems, common in pickup trucks, can be put into two-wheel drive (2WD) mode, allowing them to be towed like a standard 2WD vehicle. In contrast, most AWD systems are “full-time” and cannot be disengaged. Some heavy-duty 4WD systems also have a true neutral setting for towing, a feature that consumer AWD systems typically lack.
Is it possible to disconnect the driveshaft to tow an AWD car?
Yes, while it is mechanically possible for a technician to disconnect a driveshaft, this is not a practical or standard roadside solution. This is a complex and time-consuming job that should only be performed by a qualified mechanic in a workshop setting. A tow truck driver will not and should not perform this procedure on the side of the road. Insisting on a flatbed is the correct and simpler solution.
What should I do if I see my AWD car being towed incorrectly?
If it is safe to do so, you should immediately get the tow truck driver’s attention and instruct them to stop. Clearly state that the vehicle is an all-wheel drive and that towing it with wheels on the ground will cause severe damage. Show them the owner’s manual if necessary. If they refuse or are dismissive, document everything: take photos, note the company name, the driver’s name, and the time.
Does towing an AWD car incorrectly void the warranty?
Yes, in almost all cases, damage from improper towing will void your vehicle’s warranty. Manufacturer warranties are designed to cover defects in materials or workmanship, not damage caused by negligence or failure to follow the explicit procedures outlined in the owner’s manual. The cost of repairing such damage would be the responsibility of you or the towing company.
How much does it cost to repair AWD towing damage?
The repair costs can be substantial, typically ranging from $1,500 to over $7,000. A damaged viscous coupling or a new center differential might cost between $1,500 and $3,000. If the damage extends to the transmission, the total repair bill can easily exceed $5,000 to $7,000, which can sometimes be more than the value of an older vehicle.
Are electric AWD vehicles (like Teslas) different to tow?
Yes, electric AWD vehicles have unique towing requirements and must also be towed on a flatbed. Many EVs have specific “Transport Mode” or “Tow Mode” settings that must be engaged before moving the vehicle, even onto a flatbed. Attempting to tow them with wheels spinning on the ground can damage the electric drive units and potentially the battery system. Always follow the manufacturer’s specific EV towing guide.
Key Takeaways: Towing an All Wheel Drive Car
- The Golden Rule: All Wheels Off the Ground – The only universally safe way to tow an AWD vehicle is to ensure none of the wheels are in contact with the road. This completely protects the sensitive drivetrain from damage.
- Flatbed is the Standard – A flatbed tow truck is the industry standard and the method recommended by virtually all car manufacturers for towing AWD vehicles. When you call for a tow, you must specifically request a flatbed.
- Two-Wheel Towing Causes Damage – Using a tow dolly or a traditional wheel-lift tow truck (which leaves two wheels on the ground) will cause rapid and severe damage to an AWD car’s transmission, differentials, and/or transfer case.
- “Neutral” Is Not a Solution – Putting the car in neutral does not disengage the mechanical links in an AWD system. The spinning wheels will still force internal components to move, leading to failure.
- Damage is Expensive and Not Covered by Warranty – Repairing a damaged AWD drivetrain can cost thousands of dollars, and this type of damage is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty as it’s caused by improper procedure.
- Always Check the Owner’s Manual – For any specific questions, especially regarding recreational “flat towing” behind an RV, your vehicle’s owner’s manual is the ultimate authoritative source. If in doubt, check the manual.
- Communicate Clearly with Tow Services – When calling for roadside assistance, immediately state, “I have an all-wheel drive vehicle and I need a flatbed.” This clarity prevents the wrong equipment from being sent.
Final Thoughts on Safely Towing Your AWD Vehicle
Ultimately, safely towing your all-wheel drive car comes down to understanding and respecting its mechanics. That feeling of uncertainty or fear of a costly mistake can be replaced with confidence. Now you know why your vehicle is different and what must be done to protect it. The interconnected nature of the AWD drivetrain is a brilliant feature for traction and performance, but it demands proper care during transport.
Armed with this knowledge, you are in control of the situation. You can prevent a simple breakdown from turning into a financial disaster. Always remember to check your owner’s manual for specific instructions, and when you call for help, make your request clear and firm. By insisting on a flatbed, you are not being difficult; you are being a responsible and informed owner.
