can you tow a car from the back

[AriannaLynn]

No, towing a car from its back wheels (a "dolly tow" or "tow-bar" method) is generally not safe for most modern vehicles with automatic transmissions. The primary risk is severe damage to the transmission. When the rear wheels are lifted and the front wheels are on the ground, the transmission's output shaft is spinning, but the engine isn't running to pump fluid for lubrication. This causes internal components to overheat and grind against each other, leading to catastrophic and expensive failure.

The correct method depends entirely on your vehicle's drivetrain (front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive) and transmission type. For most front-wheel-drive cars, the proper technique is a "flatbed tow" where all four wheels are off the ground. This is the only safe method for all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles. Some rear-wheel-drive vehicles can be towed with the rear wheels on the ground, but only if the driveshaft is disconnected, which is often impractical.

Vehicle Type	Safe Towing Method (with all four wheels down)	Safe Towing Method (with rear wheels lifted)	Risk of Transmission Damage from Incorrect Towing
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)	Not Recommended	Flatbed Tow Required	Very High
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)	Possible (if driveshaft disconnected)	Not Recommended	Very High
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)	Not Recommended	Flatbed Tow Required	Extremely High

Always consult your owner's manual for the manufacturer's specific towing instructions. When in doubt, hiring a professional flatbed towing service is the safest and most cost-effective choice to avoid thousands of dollars in transmission repairs. The small extra cost for a flatbed is negligible compared to replacing a transmission.

[StEzra]

I learned this the hard way. My old sedan is front-wheel drive, and I tried towing it from the back with a buddy's truck after the battery died. Big mistake. A few miles down the road, there was a horrible grinding noise. The mechanic said we fried the transmission because it wasn't getting lubricated with the engine off. The repair bill was more than the car was worth. Just spend the extra money for a flatbed truck. It's not worth the risk.

[LaMiguel]

As a rule, always use a flatbed tow truck. Towing from the back can destroy a car's transmission if it's not designed for it. The owner's manual has the final say. It will explicitly state if and how your specific model can be towed with two wheels on the ground. If the manual says "flatbed only," you must obey that instruction. Ignoring it is an invitation for a mechanical disaster. This is a non-negotiable safety and maintenance issue.

[OWyatt]

From a mechanical standpoint, the issue is lubrication. An automatic transmission relies on the engine running to pump fluid. When you tow a car with two wheels on the pavement, the transmission is being turned by the wheels without any lubrication. This creates immense friction and heat, quickly destroying internal gears and clutches. It's a surefire way to turn a simple tow job into a total transmission replacement. The design of the drivetrain dictates the correct procedure, not convenience.

[StKathryn]

My dad was a mechanic for 40 years, and his advice was simple: "When you call for a tow, just ask for a flatbed. It's the only way to be sure." He's seen too many people try to save a few bucks by dragging a car the wrong way, only to end up with a huge repair bill. It doesn't matter if it's front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive—if all four wheels are up on the flatbed, you can't go wrong. It's the one method that works for every car.