Transmission Trouble? Have It Towed, Not Driven

It is a gamble. Slipping means the clutches inside are not holding, and each slip produces heat and wear. Some cars limp along for weeks; others stop engaging altogether on the next drive, sometimes in the middle of traffic. The longer it continues, the more likely a simple fix turns into a rebuild. If the slip is new, park the car and have it towed to a shop that can check the fluid and codes.

Towing a car with its drive wheels rolling on the pavement spins parts of the transmission while the engine is off, so the internal pump is not supplying lubrication. For AWD and 4x4 models, even two wheels rolling on the road can strain the drivetrain. We use flatbeds for every tow, so the whole car rides on the deck and nothing turns on the way.

No. We are a towing company and our drivers do not repair vehicles. We carry the car to a transmission specialist, your general mechanic or an independent partner. Whoever receives it tests it, explains what it found and gives you a written estimate before work starts. The shop also sets its own terms for the work it performs, so ask them directly about anything that comes with the repair.

The range is enormous, from a fluid service or a single solenoid to a complete replacement, so no honest number exists before diagnosis. We never quote repair prices. After a diagnosis, the shop hands you a written estimate, and you decide whether to proceed. The towing charge is separate and comes from our published card; the rates page lists hook-up and per-mile pricing.

Not always. A broken shifter cable, a failed brake-shift interlock, a bad range switch or very low fluid can each keep a car from engaging, and some of those are simple fixes. Either way, a car that won't move has to be carried. Tell the dispatcher it will not shift, and the driver will pull it onto the flatbed with the winch.

Yes. Transmission estimates can differ a lot, and plenty of owners want a second look before approving a rebuild. Once the first shop releases the car, we pick it up and deliver it to the next one. Let us know the hours of both shops so pickup and drop-off line up, and the dispatcher will quote the trip before the truck goes out.

If your car has a transmission dipstick, checking it the way the owner's manual describes is a quick way to spot low or burnt fluid. Many newer cars have sealed units with no dipstick, and those need a shop to check the level correctly. Low fluid almost always means a leak, so topping it off is only a short-term step before an inspection.