Tow trucks use specific techniques and equipment to safely move a car that's left in Park. The primary method involves lifting the drive wheels off the ground. For a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the tow truck will lift the front wheels using dollies or a flatbed, while for a rear-wheel-drive car, the rear wheels are lifted. This is crucial because towing a vehicle in Park with its drive wheels on the ground can cause severe damage to the transmission, as the parking pawl—a small metal pin that locks the transmission—is not designed for moving loads.
The safest and most common method is using a flatbed tow truck (or "rollback"). The entire vehicle is winched onto the flatbed, ensuring all four wheels are off the ground. This eliminates any risk of drivetrain damage. If a flatbed isn't available, a wheel-lift tow truck may be used with towing dollies. These are small trailers placed under the non-liftable wheels to keep them from rolling, effectively creating a makeshift flatbed situation.
It's critical for the tow truck operator to know your car's drivetrain configuration (FWD, RWD, AWD). All-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles are almost always required to be flatbed towed, as towing any wheels on the ground can damage the complex center differential. The best practice is to inform the operator of your vehicle's make, model, and drivetrain when you call for service.
| Towing Method | Best For | Key Consideration | Risk of Damage |
|---|
| Flatbed (All-Wheels-Up) | All vehicles, especially AWD/4WD | Safest method; no restrictions | Very Low |
| Wheel-Lift with Dollies | FWD or RWD when flatbed unavailable | Dollies must be used on non-lifted wheels | Low |
| Two-Wheel Lift (Dolly-Free) | Emergency short-distance only | Drive wheels MUST be off the ground | High if done incorrectly |
