2G Towing help

[EazyLoc]

So I got a flat this morning on my way to work. Went to put spare tire on but could not get flat tire off the car. Seeing as I'm in ny and it's only 3 degrees out here I decided to get it towed. I know you have to put a awd on a flatbed. So when I called the tow service I told them I needed a flatbed cause my car is awd. After waiting about a hour someone finally arrived. But no flatbed. He told me that the flatbed was out of commission at the moment but he could still tow my car. He told me that as long as we didn't go far or fast my drivetrain will be alright. I called numerous places but there was no answer so I had no choice. He towed my car 2 miles at maybe 10mph. Could my drivetrain be screwed? If so how do I tell and is the company liable if damaged?

 

[EazyLoc]

just in case you need more info. Car was on and in neutral the whole time. Didn't here any sounds and tires were rolling

 

[hotrodssnova]

You will want to jack the car up so all 4 tires are off the ground and start the car and put it in gear. If all 4 move you dodged a bullet. The vc in the transmission is probably toast though. Rule NUMBER 1, never tow an awd with 2 wheels on the ground, EVER. States this in the owners manual also. I'm sure you have searched, and are looking for a bright spot, but that's a big no no.

 

[pauleyman]

I concur. VC may be toast
Center differential may be OK at those speeds but you may want to remove it and inspect the cross shaft.

 

[jbeaton9292]

You can do nothing about as far as blaming the company as you let them put it on and you signed the papers that right there said you were fine with how they were gonna tow it

 

[EazyLoc]

Didn't sign any papers. Didn't even get a receipt. I got the spare on the car now. I drove around and everything seems fine. Hope I dodged a bullet. @hotrodssnova when I get it on a lift should i wait to start car after it is lifted and do I just put it in gear or do I have to give it gas?

 

[mbyoung424]

Put it on a lift then start the car and put it in gear. If all four roll you may have dodged a bullet. I went through something similar and talked about it here.

As slow and short as this was the shaft speed differential inside the viscous coupling may not have been enough for it to overheat and burn up, but as others have posted your internals could already be damaged and just not showing it yet so you may have a ticking time bomb.

If you signed nothing and got no receipt you're probably SOL. Even if you used a CC and can prove you paid for the service it'd most likely be your word against his as to whether you said it was AWD or he said it won't harm it.

 

[Jerermy Baumgardner]

If ever in a pinch just pick the car up by the rear and unbolt the drive shaft and tie it up would take 15 min. Then tow it from the front.

 

[jbeaton9292]

Thats the shadiest tow company ive ever heard of no papers to sign and no recipt i have had many car towed and even when im not with the car where it is taken they have aomeone sign papers and leave recipt in the car

Some companies even take pictures of the car when they arive when its loaded and when they unload it so that if you claim they damaged the vehicle that they have all the proof they need

 

[jimsgsx]

Haste makes waste. So thats what that phrase means. Man thats rough.

 

[Chumpaumpalumpa]

If there is no flatbed, next time ask them to dolly it. Its better than flatbed because its usually cheaper and more readily available.

 

[buhay6]

tell me.....why didn't you not just get them to change your tire? tow companies do that you know. You had the spare right there with you, sure they more then likely would have had to use a hammer and hit the flat until it popped off but it still would have done less damage.