Prepare your vehicle for a tow
A few minutes of prep before the tow truck arrives saves time, avoids damage, and makes the whole call go faster.
What you'll learn
- What to take out of the car before it goes on the flatbed
- Whether to disconnect the battery (usually no - but sometimes yes)
- Why photographing the vehicle beforehand protects you
- What transport mode is and when your EV needs it
Step by step
- Remove valuables, registration, and any loose items inside the cabin.
- Photograph all four sides of the car before loading. Save the photos.
- If the car has an alarm, turn it off or disable motion sensing.
- For EVs: engage transport mode per your owner's manual.
- Note any pre-existing damage and point it out to the driver.
- Leave fuel in the tank unless the driver tells you otherwise.
Safety note
Photos before the tow protect both you and the driver. We photograph every load too - standard procedure - but your photos back up the story.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Towing and roadside help across Los Angeles County. The line takes calls 24/7.
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