Tip #84: Almost every Subaru is all-wheel drive, so assume flatbed
Nearly every Subaru sold in the US is all-wheel drive, so the safe assumption is a flatbed. Say Subaru and the model when you call, and check the owner's manual for its towing guidance.
Tip #84 in one line
Nearly every Subaru sold in the US is all-wheel drive, so the safe assumption is a flatbed. Say Subaru and the model when you call, and check the owner's manual for its towing guidance.
Stuck right now? Skip the reading and call.
Call nowWhy Subaru drivers should say the brand first
Subaru builds all-wheel drive into almost its entire lineup: the Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Ascent, Legacy, WRX and Solterra. The BRZ sports coupe is the familiar exception, and it is low enough that a flatbed is the right truck for it anyway. So for a Subaru, the answer is simple: a flatbed, with all four wheels off the road.
Subaru's owner's manuals say how the cars should be towed. If you only remember one thing, remember that two wheels rolling on the road can damage an all-wheel-drive drivetrain within a short distance. That repair costs far more than the difference between trucks.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowWhat to tell the dispatcher
When you call (908) 444-0129, say Subaru, the model and the year, then the location, whether the car rolls and steers, and where it is going. The dispatcher sends a flatbed and gives you the price before the truck rolls: a flat hook fee plus a per-mile rate. You choose the destination, whether that is the dealer, your own mechanic or home.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowTires matter on all-wheel drive
Subaru, like other all-wheel-drive makers, asks owners to keep the tires closely matched in size and wear. A single mismatched tire, such as a spare of a different size or one new tire among three worn ones, can strain the drivetrain over time. Check the owner's manual before replacing a single tire, and rotate on the schedule it gives.
That also changes what happens with a flat. If your Subaru has a compact spare, it is meant for a short distance at reduced speed, per the manual. A flat tire change gets you moving; plan to have the full-size tire repaired or replaced soon.
Many Subaru breakdowns are not breakdowns at all: a drained battery after a cold night, a flat, or keys locked in the cargo area. Our roadside assistance handles those at one flat price each, and a tow is booked on the same call if needed.
Subaru owners in hilly or snowy parts of North Jersey tend to trust the all-wheel drive to get them anywhere, and usually it does. It does not help a car that has slid off the pavement onto soft ground. If the car is stuck in mud, snow or a ditch, spinning the wheels usually digs it in deeper. Stop, stay with the car if it is safe, and ask for a winch-out. The driver pulls it back to firm ground, and if nothing is damaged you drive away.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowMore on vehicle types
Keep reading, or go back to every post on the blog.
- EV towing in New Jersey: what electric car owners need to know
- Motorcycle towing done right: what riders should expect
- Tip #26: An all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive car belongs on a flatbed
- Tip #27: Never let anyone tow an electric car with its drive wheels on the ground
- Tip #28: Tell the dispatcher your car sits low before the truck is sent
- Tip #29: Know where your motorcycle can be strapped before it needs a tow
- Tip #30: Your car may be all-wheel drive even if it does not look like it
- Tip #31: Close and latch a convertible top before the car is towed
- All posts
Need towing and roadside assistance right now? One call, truck on the way.
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