Towing a Car With the Handbrake On: What Can Go Wrong?
Towing a vehicle with the handbrake engaged can place extra stress on the tyres, brakes and other components, especially if the locked wheels are dragged instead of rotating freely. If the handbrake will not release, tell the operator before arranging a towing service so suitable loading equipment can be prepared.
A stuck manual or electronic handbrake does not always prevent the vehicle from being transported, but it can change the towing method required. Providing accurate details when requesting a towing quote can help avoid delays and reduce the risk of unnecessary damage during loading.
Can You Tow a Car With Handbrake On?
Leaving the handbrake engaged can create problems when a vehicle needs to be moved or loaded. If the locked wheels cannot rotate normally, arranging a professional towing service can help ensure the vehicle is moved with suitable equipment instead of being dragged.
So, what happens if you tow car with handbrake on? If the locked wheels are dragged along the road, the tyres, brakes and related components may be damaged. However, a vehicle can sometimes be transported without releasing the handbrake when suitable equipment keeps the locked wheels completely off the road.
Understanding how manual and electronic parking brakes work can help you provide the right information before the tow truck arrives and avoid trying to force the vehicle to move.
What Happens If the Handbrake Stays On During Towing?
The effects depend on how far the vehicle moves and whether the locked wheels remain in contact with the road.
Dragging a car only a very short distance may have different consequences from towing it several kilometres with locked wheels. Even so, deliberately dragging locked tyres should be avoided where suitable loading equipment is available.
| Situation | Possible Result | Better Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Rear wheels locked and dragged | Tyre flat spots or damage | Use dollies, skates or lift the wheels |
| Handbrake partly engaged | Brake overheating and increased wear | Release the brake before movement |
| Electronic brake will not release | Vehicle may not roll normally | Check manufacturer procedure |
| Car loaded onto a flatbed | Locked wheels can complicate loading | Use suitable loading equipment |
| Locked wheels kept off the road | Less risk of tyre dragging | Transport with appropriate equipment |
Providing accurate information about the parking brake allows the towing operator to choose a loading method before arriving.
1. Tyres Can Develop Flat Spots
One of the most immediate problems is tyre damage.
If a locked wheel is dragged across the road instead of rotating, the same part of the tyre remains in contact with the surface. Friction can wear that area heavily and may create a noticeable flat spot.
A badly flat-spotted tyre can cause vibration after the vehicle returns to the road. In more serious cases, the tyre may require replacement.
2. The Parking Brake Can Overheat
A handbrake that is partly released can be particularly problematic because the wheels may still rotate while the brakes remain applied.
This creates continuous friction between the braking surfaces. Heat can build up quickly, particularly if the vehicle is being moved for more than a very short distance.
Excessive heat may affect:
- Brake pads or shoes
- Brake discs or drums
- Parking brake components
- Cables
- Springs and adjusters
If there is a strong burning smell or unusual heat around a wheel after the vehicle has been moved, the braking system should be inspected before normal driving resumes.
3. Brake Components May Be Damaged
Understanding what happens if you tow car with handbrake on also means considering what is happening inside the braking system.
Traditional parking brakes commonly use cables and mechanical components to hold the rear brakes. Pulling a vehicle against that resistance can place additional load on parts that were designed to keep the vehicle stationary rather than allow continuous movement.
The amount of damage depends on the vehicle, how firmly the handbrake is applied and how the car is moved.
4. The Vehicle May Be Difficult to Load
A tow truck does not always need the vehicle to start, but it helps when the wheels can roll freely.
When the parking brake is locked, the operator may need to use additional equipment to move the vehicle onto the truck without dragging the tyres.
This can include:
- Wheel skates
- Dollies
- A winch
- Alternative loading angles
- Equipment designed for non-rolling vehicles
Tell the towing provider about the locked handbrake during the initial call rather than waiting until the truck arrives.
How to Tow a Car With Handbrake On Safely
If you are wondering how to tow a car with handbrake on, the safest approach is not to try pulling the vehicle yourself.
Explain that the parking brake is engaged and cannot be released. The towing operator can then determine whether the locked wheels need to be lifted, placed on skates or transported using another suitable method.
Before collection, provide:
- Vehicle make and model
- Whether the handbrake is manual or electronic
- Whether the vehicle starts
- Whether it can enter neutral
- Which wheels appear locked
- Whether the steering moves normally
- Whether the 12-volt battery has power
- Exact pickup location
- Any access restrictions
These details are particularly useful when the vehicle is parked in a garage, basement or other area where access is limited.
Manual Handbrakes and Towing
A traditional handbrake generally uses a lever or pedal connected mechanically to the parking brake system.
Sometimes a handbrake remains engaged because the driver has forgotten to release it. In other cases, the mechanism may be stuck because of a seized cable, brake fault or long period of storage.
Do not repeatedly force a handbrake lever if it will not release normally. Applying excessive force may damage the mechanism without freeing the wheels.
If the vehicle cannot roll after the handbrake is released, another brake or wheel problem may be causing the issue. In this situation, tilt tray towing may provide a more suitable way to load and transport a vehicle that cannot roll normally.
How to Tow a Car With Electronic Handbrake
Knowing how to tow a car with electronic handbrake can be more complicated because electronic parking brake systems vary between manufacturers.
Instead of a mechanical cable operated directly by a lever, an electronic parking brake uses electrically controlled components to apply or release the brake. Some vehicles need electrical power and a specific sequence before the parking brake will disengage.
Depending on the model, releasing it may require:
- Switching the ignition on
- Pressing the brake pedal
- Operating the parking brake switch
- Selecting a particular transmission mode
- Using a manufacturer service or transport mode
- Following an emergency release procedure
Always check the owner’s manual for the specific vehicle.
Do not assume that disconnecting components or manually forcing the parking brake mechanism is safe. Incorrect procedures can create additional faults or damage.
What If the Battery Is Flat and the Electronic Handbrake Is On?
If a flat battery is preventing an electronic handbrake from releasing, roadside assistance may help determine whether the vehicle can be powered before towing.
Even an electric vehicle with charge remaining in its high-voltage traction battery may rely on the smaller 12-volt system for controls, locks and parking brake functions.
Tell the operator if:
- Nothing happens when the ignition is switched on
- The electronic parking brake switch does not respond
- The dashboard is completely blank
- The vehicle cannot enter neutral
- One or more wheels remain locked
Electronic parking brakes use electrically controlled components instead of a traditional handbrake lever. Because release procedures can vary between vehicles, following the manufacturer’s instructions and understanding how an electronic parking brake works can help avoid incorrect handling before towing.
Can a Tow Truck Move a Car With Locked Rear Wheels?
Yes, suitable towing equipment can often move a vehicle even when its rear wheels cannot rotate normally.
The operator may use wheel skates or dollies so the locked tyres do not need to slide across the ground. A winch may then be used to control movement onto a tilt tray or flatbed.
This is very different from simply dragging the vehicle. The aim is to manage the locked wheels while limiting unnecessary stress on tyres and braking components.
Does the Type of Tow Truck Matter?
Yes. The towing method makes a major difference when the parking brake cannot be released.
A or tilt tray allows the entire vehicle to be transported with its wheels off the road. However, the car still has to be loaded onto the tray, so locked wheels must be accounted for during loading.
Other towing arrangements may lift one end of the vehicle while another set of wheels remains on the road. Whether that method is suitable depends on which wheels are locked, the drivetrain and the manufacturer’s towing requirements.
Handbrake Position and Front-Wheel-Drive Cars
Many traditional parking brakes act on the rear wheels.
On a front-wheel-drive vehicle, this means the parking brake may lock the wheels that are not normally driven by the engine. That does not make it safe to drag them during towing.
If the rear wheels must remain on the road, the handbrake generally needs to be released or the wheels supported using suitable equipment.
What About Rear-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive?
Rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles require additional consideration because their drivetrains can be affected by the way the wheels rotate during towing.
For some vehicles, allowing certain wheels to turn while others remain stationary can create drivetrain problems. Manufacturer towing instructions should therefore be checked rather than choosing a towing method based only on which wheels the handbrake locks.
For AWD, 4WD, electric and performance vehicles, full vehicle transport may be preferred depending on the manufacturer’s instructions and vehicle condition.
What to Do If the Handbrake Will Not Release
Do not panic if the handbrake remains stuck when the tow truck is on the way.
Instead, collect useful information about the vehicle and avoid repeatedly trying to force the mechanism.
Before the operator arrives:
- Try the normal release procedure once
- Check whether the vehicle has electrical power
- Look for parking brake warning messages
- Check the owner’s manual
- Confirm whether the transmission enters neutral
- Tell the operator which wheels appear locked
- Keep the keys available
- Do not drag or push the car forcibly
These steps help the operator understand what equipment may be required.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When considering what happens if you tow car with handbrake on, many of the biggest problems come from trying to move the vehicle before suitable equipment arrives.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Dragging locked tyres along the road
- Forcing an electronic parking brake release
- Assuming neutral automatically releases the parking brake
- Towing an AWD vehicle without checking manufacturer instructions
- Trying to push a vehicle with locked wheels
- Ignoring a burning smell after the car has been moved
- Failing to tell the operator that the handbrake is stuck
- Assuming every electronic handbrake works the same way
A few accurate details before dispatch can prevent many loading problems.
