Towing a Car That Will Not Come Out of Park

Yes—a car that will not shift out of Park can usually be transported. It does not always need to shift into Neutral first, but the operator must assess how to load it without dragging locked wheels or damaging the vehicle.

Do not force the shifter or attempt an unfamiliar release procedure. Tell the towing provider that the car is stuck in Park before equipment is dispatched. The vehicle’s design, which wheels can roll, and the space around it all affect the loading plan.

Stuck in Park, parking brake applied, and no power are different conditions

These conditions can occur together, but they are not interchangeable. You do not need to diagnose the cause before requesting help. Report what you can observe, including anything you cannot confirm.

The transmission will not leave Park

In a vehicle with a transmission Park position, Park uses a locking mechanism to restrain part of the drivetrain. If it will not release, wheels connected to that drivetrain may be unable to turn normally.

That is different from simply having an engine that will not start. Depending on the vehicle, a shifting problem may involve power, controls, an interlock, or a mechanical issue. A towing request does not require you to identify which one is responsible.

If the selector moves but the dashboard still displays “P,” report both observations. A moving selector does not necessarily confirm that Park has released.

The parking brake may still be applied

The parking brake is separate from transmission Park. Even if Neutral becomes available, an applied parking brake can still prevent wheels from rolling.

Electronic parking-brake operation varies by model, and loss of electrical power may affect whether it can release. Tell the provider whether you see a parking-brake indicator, know the brake is applied, or are unsure. Do not assume that putting the transmission in Neutral makes every wheel free to turn.

The vehicle may not power on

“No power” is useful information, but describe what that means: no dashboard lights, accessories working but no start, or a display that turns on while the vehicle remains unresponsive.

Electrical power may be needed for shifting, steering-lock release, or parking-brake controls. Restoring power does not guarantee that any of those functions will become available. Any power-restoration or release procedure must follow the manufacturer’s instructions rather than a generic internet workaround.

Why a flatbed alone does not solve locked-wheel loading

There are two separate questions: how will the vehicle be loaded, and how will it be transported? A flatbed can carry a vehicle with all its wheels off the road, but the vehicle must first reach the deck without being damaged.

If wheels cannot roll, ordinary rolling access onto the bed may not be possible. A winch provides pulling force; it does not make locked wheels turn. Pulling harder is not a substitute for a suitable loading method.

The operator needs to assess:

• Which wheels can roll and which are restrained.
• Whether the steering can be unlocked and positioned as needed.
• The manufacturer’s loading, towing, and attachment instructions.
• Ground clearance and the approach to the truck bed.
• Whether the truck and any loading aids can be positioned safely.

When you arrange transport with vehicle-specific handling, explain the Park issue as well as the destination. Requesting a flatbed without mentioning locked wheels leaves out an important part of the job.

Where wheel skates or dollies may help

Compatible wheel skates or dollies may allow an operator to move or load a vehicle whose wheels cannot turn. Broadly, these devices support or slide beneath affected tires so movement does not depend on the tires rolling normally.

They are not universal solutions. Suitability depends on the equipment’s intended use and capacity, the tire and wheel arrangement, the surface, the slope, available clearance, and the loading method. The operator also needs enough access to position them.

Loading aids should not be confused with equipment approved to support a vehicle during road transport. A device suitable for a short loading movement is not automatically suitable for travel. The provider must determine the appropriate equipment and follow vehicle and equipment instructions; mentioning skates or dollies does not guarantee their availability or suitability.

What not to do while deciding whether to request a tow

Do not force the shifter

Avoid pulling harder, striking the selector, or prying at shift controls. Resistance is not proof that additional force will solve the problem, and forcing controls can damage them.

If the normal shifting procedure does not work, stop and report that fact. You do not need to get the vehicle into Neutral before calling.

Do not follow a generic interlock-bypass procedure

A shift-lock override, a manual Park release, and a towing mode are not necessarily the same thing. Their availability and operating requirements differ by vehicle. Some procedures can allow immediate movement; others have conditions that must remain satisfied throughout loading.

Use only the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact vehicle. If those instructions are unclear or require access you cannot safely obtain, leave the procedure to the operator or a qualified service professional. Do not remove trim or pull an unidentified release cable based on another model’s instructions.

Do not release Park on a slope

Releasing Park can remove what is holding the vehicle in place. Do not attempt it on a slope to “get ready” for the truck, even if you expect the parking brake to hold.

Tell the operator about the incline before any release is attempted. The vehicle needs to be secured against unintended movement as part of a controlled loading plan.

Do not drag locked wheels to improve access

Do not use another vehicle to pull the car out of a parking space or drag it toward the street. Locked-wheel dragging can damage tires and vehicle components, while improvised pulling points may not be suitable for the load.

A difficult parking position is information for the towing provider—not something you must fix first.

The details to report before equipment is dispatched

This checklist gives the provider useful facts without asking you to troubleshoot the car:

• Make, model, and year: Include the drivetrain or powertrain type if known, such as all-wheel drive, hybrid, or electric.
• Power availability: Do the dashboard and accessories turn on? Does the engine start, or does the vehicle enter its normal ready state?
• Key access: Is the key or fob available, and can the cabin be opened?
• Displayed messages: Share the exact wording or a clear photo of warnings and the displayed gear position.
• Parking-brake status: Applied, released, or unknown; mention an electronic brake if known.
• Slope: Is the vehicle on level ground, an inclined driveway, or a garage ramp? Which direction is it facing?
• Clearance: Note low bodywork, a low garage entrance, overhead obstructions, or tight space around the tires.
• Obstacles: Mention walls, curbs, parked cars, wheel stops, gates, and anything blocking access from the front or rear.

Also report whether steering responds normally, if you already know. Do not test it by pushing or moving the vehicle. Photos taken from a safe position can help show the approach and surrounding space, but they do not replace an on-site assessment.

How to describe the request clearly

A useful opening is: “The vehicle will not shift out of Park. I need transport, and it may need locked-wheel loading arrangements.” Follow that with the checklist details. If something is unknown, say so rather than guessing.

Hook Em' Up Towing is available 24/7 in Nashville at (615) 756-5330. You can also share the vehicle details and access constraints so the loading requirements can be assessed. Make clear that Park has not released before dispatch—not only after the truck reaches the vehicle.