Will towing a car put miles on it?
It’s a fair question. You see your car being dragged down the motorway behind a truck and you think: will towing a car put miles on it? After all, you’re not driving – so surely the odometer stays put… right?
Well, yes and no. The answer depends on how your car is built, how it’s being towed, and even what kind of dashboard you’ve got. Let’s untangle it.
The short answer: Sometimes, but not always
For most modern cars, towing won’t add miles – especially if the car is being lifted fully off the ground, as it is with a flatbed truck. In that case, the wheels aren’t turning, and the mileage counter isn’t ticking over. Simple.
However, if your car is being towed with the driven wheels on the ground – say, a front-wheel-drive car being pulled with the front wheels rolling – it might add mileage. That’s where things get interesting.
Mechanical vs Digital odometers
Let’s talk tech. If your car has an older, mechanical odometer, it’s more likely to log mileage based on wheel rotation. In that case, yes – towing it with the wheels turning can sneak a few miles onto the clock.
On the other hand, modern vehicles almost always use digital odometers. These usually rely on data from the car’s onboard computer, and the system often needs the ignition to be on to track miles. So, unless the key’s turned or the car’s in a diagnostic mode, towing won’t register any extra miles.
Type of tow makes all the difference
When people ask “will towing a car put miles on it?”, they often don’t realise that not all tows are equal. Here’s the breakdown:
- Flatbed towing (where the car sits entirely on a platform): No, it won’t put miles on the car.
- Dolly towing (only the front or rear wheels lifted): Possibly, especially if it’s a mechanical odometer and the rolling wheels are connected to the drivetrain.
- Flat towing (all four wheels on the road, usually behind a motorhome): More likely to add miles, depending on the car.
And it’s not just about milage – towing the wrong way can actually damage your transmission if it’s not done properly. Especially with automatics or electric vehicles, towing without lifting the drive wheels is a quick route to an expensive bill.
So, how can you avoid unwanted mileage?
Simple: if mileage matters (for resale, leasing limits, or just peace of mind), request a flatbed. Most professional recovery firms in Swansea will use one by default, especially for longer distances or when dealing with newer cars.
Also, check your owner’s manual. Some vehicles are explicitly not meant to be towed on their wheels at all.
Final thoughts
Will towing a car put miles on it? In most cases today – no. But if your car’s got a mechanical odometer, or it’s towed improperly, then yes, it might sneak a few on. It’s one of those little-known quirks of vehicle ownership that only pops up when something goes wrong.
And now? You know exactly what to ask before your car gets hitched up.