If you’ve never had your car towed before, it’s natural to feel a little uneasy about it. Handing your vehicle over to a tow truck driver and watching it get hauled down the road isn’t exactly a comfortable experience — especially if it’s a car you care about. Over the years, a lot of myths have built up around towing and vehicle damage, and some of them are stopping Atlanta drivers from calling for help when they actually need it.
Let’s clear up the most common ones.
Myth #1: Towing Always Damages Your Car
This is probably the most widespread myth, and it’s simply not true when the job is done correctly. Professional tow truck operators are trained to secure and transport vehicles without causing damage. The right equipment, properly used, protects your tires, drivetrain, undercarriage, and body throughout the entire process. Damage from towing is almost always the result of using the wrong type of tow truck for the vehicle, improper securing, or an inexperienced operator — not towing itself.
Myth #2: Any Tow Truck Can Tow Any Vehicle
This one is where a lot of preventable damage actually happens. Different vehicles require different towing methods. An AWD or 4WD vehicle towed with all four wheels on the ground, for example, can suffer serious drivetrain damage because the wheels aren’t meant to spin freely without the engine running. A luxury vehicle with low ground clearance needs a flatbed to avoid scraping the undercarriage during loading. A motorcycle needs specialized straps and dollies, not a standard hook. A professional Atlanta towing company will always match the right truck and method to your specific vehicle before anything gets hooked up.
Myth #3: Flatbed Towing Is Only for Exotic or Luxury Cars
Flatbed towing is actually the safest option for a wide range of vehicles — not just high-end ones. Because the vehicle sits completely off the ground during transport, there’s zero wear on the tires, transmission, or drivetrain. It’s the preferred method for AWD and 4WD vehicles, severely damaged cars, and any vehicle where wheel-lift towing could cause additional stress. It’s not a luxury upgrade — it’s just the right tool for certain jobs.
Myth #4: Wheel-Lift Towing Will Ruin Your Transmission
Wheel-lift towing, done correctly on the right vehicle, does not damage your transmission. The key phrase there is “the right vehicle.” For a standard front-wheel-drive car, lifting the drive wheels off the ground during transport means the transmission isn’t engaged and no damage occurs. Problems only arise when wheel-lift towing is used on a vehicle it isn’t suited for — like an AWD car — without proper precautions. A knowledgeable tow truck operator will know the difference before they ever lift a wheel.
Myth #5: You Should Try to Drive It Rather Than Risk a Tow
This one might be the most damaging myth of all — literally. Drivers who keep pushing a car that’s overheating, making grinding noises, or barely shifting in hopes of avoiding a tow often end up with far more serious (and expensive) damage than the original problem would have caused. A tow is almost always cheaper than the cost of driving a compromised vehicle further and making the underlying issue worse. If your car is telling you something is wrong, getting it towed to a shop is the safer and smarter financial decision.
Myth #6: All Towing Companies Are the Same
Unfortunately, not every towing company operates with the same level of care or professionalism. Choosing a reputable, local Atlanta towing company matters. Look for one that uses proper equipment for your vehicle type, communicates pricing upfront, and has a track record of handling vehicles without damage. A company that rushes the job or uses the wrong truck to save time isn’t doing you any favors — even if they show up fast.
The Bottom Line
Towing doesn’t damage cars. Improper towing does. When you work with a professional towing company that uses the right equipment and knows what they’re doing, your vehicle gets from point A to point B in the same condition it left in — no shortcuts, no surprises.
Need a tow truck in Metro Atlanta? A+ Quality Atlanta Towing Company backs every job with a damage-free transport guarantee. We match the right truck to your vehicle every time and always confirm pricing before we start. Call (470) 805-2240 — we’re available day or night, wherever you’re stranded in Atlanta.