AWD Infiniti Towed -- Potential Damage?

[nycinfiniti]

Hi guys,

My 2009 AWD EX unfortunately got towed last night in New York due to some emergency utility work on the street I was parked on. After retrieving it from the tow pound, it occurred to me that with an all wheel drive car, the manual states that it may be towed only with a flat bed or dolly. Worried that my car would be undriveable, I approached my car at the tow pound with nervousness but it ended up running just fine on my way back home. I listened for anything weird but heard nothing out of the ordinary and felt no bizarre feedback from driving.

My question is: Does the fact that my car drove fine after the tow serve as indication that the City used a flatbed or dolly to move my car or could there be serious underlying transmission or AWD damage that I would want to get inspected immediately by a dealership?

Thanks!

[XIS]

can you find out for sure which way it was towed?

[nycinfiniti]

I tried but had no luck -- might try to call again today and see if I can get someone more knowledgable.

[blfstyk]

It's highly unlikely NYC would tow your AWD Infiniti without using a dolly, as that is standard equipment on all tow trucks these days. I've seen a lot of cars towed in San Francisco and if the car is AWD, they use the extra equipment. The drivers know/can tell which cars have AWD. I'm sure the City would be sued on a regular basis if they were damaging people's cars by towing them.

[jmann]

How would they know if an EX is AWD or not though?

[blfstyk]

I dunno. Since so many cars these days have AWD, and more EXs have it than not, they would probably err on the side of caution.

[EXceptional]

I've often thought that it might be a good idea to put a little decal on the Car, indicating that this vehicle is an all-wheel-drive car and that it should not be towed on its wheels.

For example >>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-AWD-Tow-Warni ... 0300252182

[blfstyk]

Thanks, that's a great find. I'm going to get a couple. Better than taking a chance the tow guys know their cars.

[Teknical]

I've seen stickers like that on Subarus an I'm getting one. I'm also getting a chrome AWD emblem badge to put on the back that will match the "EX-35". I don't know why they don't do that to begain with. And by the way I don't think there is any way whatsoever to tell if it is an AWD or not by looking at it. Someone please let me know if there is a way.

[googleman]

Are the towers accountable if they don't use a flatbed even with the sticker on? What happens when you are parked in a closed garage and they will need to tow you?

[EX-KAT-35]

When there is a will there is a way and when there is money at the end of the tunnel for a a design - its bound to happen.

I've seen cars being towed with for lack of a better word "skates".
Each wheel is strapped down to a little dolly-like platform... and away said car goes behind a regular tow truck.

[blfstyk]

It's my understanding that towing companies are liable for any damage they do to a car while towing it. You can be pretty sure they're not going to take any chances towing what might be an AWD and having to pay for damaging the powertrain. I say it's not something worth worrying about. I did get the stickers, though, in an abundance of caution.

[GenericM35]

I'm surprised nobody has said that they actually run the car's VIN before towing it. It doesn't matter if there's not a single distinguishing factor between an AWD and regular car or not. Even cars with AWD badges that have been ripped off still get the AWD treatment because of the VIN. You have nothing to worry about.

[XIS]

Doh!





thanks for the good info!

[GenericM35]

You're welcome I found out, because I was just as worried when my car got towed a month ago :P