PriusChat friends - my 2016 V three (55k miles) was recently parked in a private lot and was towed about 6 or 7 miles to a tow lot. I believe a T-style tow truck was used with back wheels up and front wheels down (car was parked head in). I couldn’t get any answers from the lot employees when trying to ask how/which truck was used on the car. It seems to run alright but I’m concerned the transmission could have taken a beating and see towing front wheels down is highly not recommended in the manual. Any advice on what to watch out for or if a mechanic can diagnose would be great. Thanks!
I would not worry about if it drives ok and will lock a front wheel in Park. I doubt they towed it front wheels down. First the car would have been in Park which mechanically locks the front wheels via the transaxle. It would have to be in Neutral to roll the front wheels. You need the car on to get Neutral. Tow truck drivers will sometimes drag the car out of a spot so they can tow it with the back wheels down. This is only a few feet and hurts nothing except a little tire rubber. Slamming on the brakes is worse. Typically they pull the car completely onto their bed.
^That. When using a spectacle lift and the car's drive axle is not immediately accessible, they just drag it out into the lane, reposition the tow truck and then pick up the car again the correct way for transport. Almost universal procedure, but I'm sure you can find somebody who failed towing school. The nice guys squirt some dish detergent on your drive tires to make them slide a little easier for that first move.
They put the front tires on a 'dolly'; otherwise you could've followed the trail of rubber back to the tow yard and there would be flat spots on your two tires.
