Yes, an all-wheel-drive vehicle can be towed, but the plan must account for both axles. A carrier keeps all four tires off the road. A wheel lift may need dollies under the other axle when the vehicle manual and its condition allow that arrangement. The matched operator makes the final equipment call after checking the exact vehicle and its manual.
Why does all-wheel drive change the tow?
All-wheel drive changes the tow because both axles can receive engine or motor power. A basic wheel lift raises one axle and leaves the other axle rolling. That is the central issue an operator must resolve before moving an AWD vehicle.
The badge alone is not enough. Write down the year, make, model, trim, and drivetrain exactly as the manual or vehicle record shows them. Tell the operator whether the car starts, selects neutral, rolls, steers, and releases its parking brake. Visible wheel or suspension damage can rule out a setup that might otherwise fit.
Subaru gives a clear model-specific example. The official 2023 Outback Getting Started Guide says its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive sends power to all four wheels and identifies a flatbed as the best towing method. Subaru’s 2020 Legacy guide gives the same direction for that model year. Those two manuals support an Outback or Legacy answer, not a blanket rule for every AWD car.
Which equipment keeps an AWD vehicle’s wheels off the road?
A carrier supports the entire vehicle, while a wheel lift with dollies can support two wheels at each end. The operator must decide which arrangement fits the manual, vehicle condition, pickup space, and destination.
| Possible arrangement | What happens at the axles | What still needs confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier or rollback deck | All four tires rest on the deck | Loading angle, tie-down points, and the manual’s transport section |
| Wheel lift with dollies | One axle sits in the wheel lift and the other sits on dollies | Whether the manual permits the setup and whether every wheel can be supported safely |
| Wheel lift alone | One axle remains on the pavement | Whether the exact AWD system may roll that way, which cannot be assumed |
Wheel dollies are not the same as a small trailer used for recreational towing. In a professional wheel-lift setup, they support the wheels that the lift does not raise. That keeps those tires from rolling on the pavement. Their suitability and placement belong to the responding operator.
Our flatbed versus wheel-lift towing comparison shows how the two truck types differ. The flatbed towing service page explains what pickup details help when a carrier may be considered.
Is AWD the same towing question as four-wheel drive?
No, AWD and four-wheel drive should not be treated as interchangeable labels. Many AWD systems manage power without a driver-selected transfer-case position. A 4x4 pickup may have a separate transfer case and a neutral-tow feature with its own procedure.
That difference matters during intake. For an AWD crossover such as a 2023 Subaru Outback, read the Subaru towing section. For a 4x4 pickup, report the transfer-case controls and dashboard message as well as the transmission position. Do not copy a neutral-tow sequence from a different make, trim, or model year.
The separate guide to towing a pickup truck explains why the transfer case is the deciding detail on many 4x4 trucks. An AWD badge does not answer that pickup question.
What if the AWD vehicle will not roll or select neutral?
A non-rolling wheel changes loading before it changes transport. Tell the operator which wheel appears blocked and what the dashboard shows. Do not force the shifter, drag a locked tire, or try an online override written for another model.
The operator may consider skates, dollies, a winch, or a different loading position. Those are possible tools, not promised equipment. A car in a narrow Midtown garage can require a different approach from the same car in an open Cordova lot. Posted height and whether a truck can enter live on can a tow truck reach a Memphis parking garage. This page stays on the axles and what they require during the tow.
Describe these details during the first call:
- Which wheel will not turn, if you can identify it safely
- Whether the transmission display shows park, neutral, or no gear
- Whether the parking brake releases
- Whether one corner sits low or a wheel looks tilted
- Whether the car faces into a garage, curb, wall, or tight space
- Whether the manual shows an emergency transport or towing section
Can the owner put an AWD car into a towing mode?
Only use a towing or transport mode documented for the exact vehicle. Some cars have a named mode for loading. Others do not. A similarly named mode may serve a different purpose on another model.
Open the manual by model year and search for “emergency towing,” “transport,” and “roadside assistance.” Keep that section ready for the operator. If the car has lost low-voltage power, say so because an electronic shifter or parking brake may not respond.
Do not treat neutral as permission to roll an AWD vehicle with one axle on the road. Neutral describes the transmission selection. It does not, by itself, describe what every clutch, differential, motor, or axle in the AWD system will do.
What should you tell Quick Tow Memphis?
Tell the recorded line the exact vehicle and what prevents it from moving normally. The recorded line takes calls 24/7, takes the year/make/trim and AWD wording from the manual, and matches you with a local operator who contracts with you directly. The operator performs the tow and chooses the equipment after reviewing the vehicle and access.
Have this information ready:
- Year, make, model, trim, and AWD wording from the manual
- Current gear display and any drivetrain warning
- Whether the engine or main vehicle system powers on
- Whether all four wheels roll and point normally
- Visible damage, modifications, and low body parts
- Exact pickup position and intended destination
- Photos of the car and approach path, if safe to take
On I-40, I-55, or I-240, give the direction and nearest exit before discussing equipment. If the vehicle is across the state line in West Memphis or Southaven, identify the pickup state too. The recorded line takes calls 24/7, takes the year/make/trim and AWD wording from the manual, and matches you with a local operator who contracts with you directly. Call (901) 557-8700.
Can any AWD vehicle use a wheel lift with dollies?
No universal rule makes that setup correct for every AWD vehicle. The manual, damage, wheel condition, and working space still control the operator’s decision.
Does neutral make an AWD vehicle safe to tow on two wheels?
No. A neutral transmission display does not confirm that the AWD system permits one axle to roll. Read the exact model-year manual.
Should you identify AWD from a badge?
Use the manual, VIN-linked build record, or other owner documentation instead. Badges can be missing, added, or shared across trims.