What are the consequences of forcibly towing a car in P gear?
2 Answers
Damage to the locking mechanism of the P gear. Below are the relevant details: Locking the wheels: Both P gear and N gear can be used when parking, but they are different. When P gear is engaged, the locking mechanism inside the transmission can lock the transmission gears, which is equivalent to indirectly locking the wheels. Usage: If P gear is engaged, even without pulling the handbrake, the car cannot move. When N gear is engaged, there is no locking mechanism to lock the transmission gears, and the connection between the transmission and the wheels may also be disconnected, allowing the car to move freely. P gear is used when parking and turning off the engine, while N gear is used for short-term parking without turning off the engine.
Forcing a tow while the car is in Park can have severe consequences. The transmission's parking lock mechanism will be forcibly dragged, potentially causing internal damage to gears, clutches, or drive shafts, or even complete failure. I've seen many cases where owners ended up spending tens of thousands on repairs or a full transmission replacement—hardly worth the risk. Forced towing also poses safety hazards during the process, such as sudden wheel unlocking or loss of vehicle control. To avoid such losses, I recommend never forcing a tow when the car malfunctions. Instead, immediately contact professional towing services, which can correctly use flatbed towing or shift the transmission into neutral. Remember, automatic transmissions are highly precise components—proper maintenance can reduce unexpected issues.
