KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Every Tesla rides on a flatbed with all four tires off the road.
- Tow Mode only allows a short, slow roll, enough to leave a stall or climb onto the deck.
- A Tesla with no 12-volt power needs that battery supported before anything else.
- Unplug the car from any stall charger before the driver arrives.
- You agree the price by phone before the Tesla is winched onto the deck.
Tesla towing on River Drive: why all four wheels come off the road
Tesla's own manual says the car must be transported with all four tires off the ground, so every River Drive Tesla tow uses a flatbed. The Model 3 transporter instructions warn that spinning wheels can cause significant damage and overheating. That rules out a wheel-lift, even for a short trip. Our River Drive flatbed service supplies the deck, and our Bridgeport Tesla page covers the same rule across the area.
The manual does allow dollies under the wheels for short distances, and it limits a car rolling in Tow Mode to walking speed over a few metres. We use those allowances only to get the car out of a tight parking spot and onto the deck. If you are comparing towing methods for any EV, our flatbed vs wheel-lift guide explains the reasoning, and Zip Towing's home page lists every service we run.
Tesla towing on River Drive from a condo parking stall
A Tesla parked below a River Drive building is moved out of its stall in Tow Mode or on wheel dollies, then brought up the ramp to the flatbed waiting on the street. Tow Mode is found under Controls, Service, Towing, and it needs a key detected, the car in Park, the brake pedal held and low-voltage power. If the screen still works, you can switch it on yourself while the driver watches. Our River Drive underground towing page explains how the ramp part works, and our Tait Tesla towing page covers driveway pickups next door.
If your stall has a charger, unplug the car before we arrive, since Tow Mode will not engage with a charger connected. Clear bikes or storage boxes from the front of the stall too, because the dollies need room at each wheel. For a car that only shows a low-battery warning, ask whether a 24 hour roadside visit on River Drive might be enough, or contact us to talk it through.
- Unplug any stall charger
- Have the key card or phone key on hand
- Clear space in front of and beside the car
- Tell us the parkade level, stall and posted clearance
Tesla towing on River Drive when the 12-volt battery is dead
A Tesla with a flat low-voltage battery won't unlock, open its charge port or enter Tow Mode, so that battery is supported before the car is moved. The manual describes opening the hood and connecting external power to the low-voltage battery. It also warns that the windows drop slightly when a door opens, so power goes on before anyone opens a door. Our River Drive battery boost crew and our Bridgeport battery service both carry the right supply.
Once the screen wakes, the car can often be driven to a service appointment rather than towed, if the main battery has charge. If it doesn't, we set Tow Mode and load it. Tell us which model you have, because the steps differ slightly, and keep our Tesla towing in Bridgeport page open if you want to read along. If the car is parked on the street rather than below ground, our River Drive flatbed crew can load it right at the curb.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which model and year | Tow points, Tow Mode steps and deck length differ |
| Does the screen turn on | No screen means low-voltage power comes first |
| Is it plugged into a charger | Tow Mode will not engage while connected |
| Where is the key | Tow Mode needs a key detected |
| Any crash damage | A damaged EV is handled as energized |
Tesla towing on River Drive for Model X and Cybertruck
Bigger Teslas need a bigger deck. The Cybertruck transport guide asks for a flatbed at least 6.5 metres long, with the truck's capacity matching the vehicle's weight rating, and eight-point tie-downs through the wheels. It also says to treat the vehicle as energized after a collision. Tell us the model so we send a truck that fits, and see our accident towing on River Drive page if there has been a crash. The same deck rules apply to Tesla tows in Tait and the rest of Bridgeport.
A long deck takes more curb space, so River Drive staging matters. Let us know if the street outside your building is lined with parked cars, and whether a loading zone or wider stretch is nearby. Tesla also lists tire skates or dollies as a last resort for heavy models, so we plan the exit from the parkade carefully. Our Bridgeport flatbed page covers deck sizes, and our about page explains how we prepare.
Tesla towing on River Drive: where the car goes next
Most River Drive Teslas go to a Tesla service location or an approved collision centre, and you choose the destination. If you want the tow arranged through Tesla Roadside Assistance, call them first, because Tesla's manual says it is not responsible for services it did not dispatch. If you call us directly, give the destination and appointment details and we will load and deliver to match, as with every tow from River Drive. Our ICBC and BCAA coverage guide helps if you are checking what your plan pays.
For a Tesla going out of town, such as after a sale or a move, ask about long distance hauling. A flat tire on a Tesla can sometimes be handled in place by mobile tire change on River Drive, if a suitable spare or replacement is available.
Tesla Towing on River Drive: questions drivers ask
Can a Tesla be towed with two wheels on the ground?
No. Tesla's instructions call for all four tires off the ground, so we carry every Tesla on a flatbed.
My Tesla is dead in my River Drive parkade. Can it still be moved?
Yes. We support the low-voltage battery so the car can enter Tow Mode, or we use dollies, then bring it up to the flatbed on the street.
Do I need to be there for Tesla towing on River Drive?
Usually yes, or someone with the key card or phone key. Tow Mode needs a key detected, and the gate needs to be opened.
How much does Tesla towing on River Drive cost?
It depends on the model, where it is parked and the destination. You get the price on the phone before the car is set in Tow Mode or loaded.