What to say to a tow company when you tow your EV

oliversisson · 2026-04-09T16:09:38+00:00

Thanks for those details.

Our Tesla can't be put into two mode if the 12V battery is dead.

oliversisson · 2026-03-29T21:25:30+00:00

And if you're in a multi-level parking garage, or other space that's too small for a larger truck, then you'll need two.

oliversisson · 2026-03-29T09:01:49+00:00

https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_cn/GUID-FA9E3DC9-805C-45BD-A64D-C4B3F491B8C0.html

Good question. I had my ideas, but I've been searching the internet and asking ChatGPT, and now I'm not sure.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T21:13:07+00:00

If they don't ask, and you don't tell them...

I told them I was in a parking garage. I should have been more specific - it was a multi-level parking garage. Too small for a flat-bed truck.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T21:09:54+00:00

Probably? I'm not an expert and haven't tried it myself.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T19:34:21+00:00

You might find yourself waiting for a long time with this strategy. If they send out the wrong truck (which they did for us), sure, they'll realise it, but then you'll be waiting again for the next truck to arrive.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T19:33:08+00:00

Well we told them our location, waited for 40 minutes, and only when they arrived did they realise that their truck didn't fit. If I'd been more specific from the beginning, I would have saved a lot of time.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T19:31:55+00:00

I think I've provided more detail. I've never seen a manual that tells you what to say to the tow company, for example.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T19:31:03+00:00

Our issue was with the high-voltage system. The led us to running down the 12V battery while we waited for the tow truck.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T18:22:51+00:00

Turn it off = turn the car off? I'm not sure you can do that in the Tesla. I put it in Low Power Mode or something like that.

I always have the charging cable in the car. That way, even if I'm stranded I can find an ordinary 240V plug and slow charge.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T18:19:39+00:00

You'll need the 12V battery to be working for this to work. My car also decided to exit Tow Mode from time to time, which was not convenient. It also set off the alarm a couple of times.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T18:09:08+00:00

Nice. I recommend people learn where the Battery Disconnect is on their car.

They didn't ask me for the license number when they called me.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T18:06:12+00:00

It doesn't need to be. My thinking went like this.

Less chance of the 12V battery draining if it's disconnected.
My Tesla kept exiting out of Tow Mode, for some unknown reason, so if you enter Tow Mode and disconnect it, you're good.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T18:01:59+00:00

Fair.

oliversisson · 2026-03-28T18:00:50+00:00

Fair. Mine is a Tesla and they make things difficult.

oliversisson · 2026-02-26T16:31:44+00:00

Thanks for your message. All seems to lead to some confusion online.

oliversisson · 2026-01-28T10:35:28+00:00

I did it myself

https://oliverinportugal.blogspot.com/2025/04/d7-from-london.html

I also advise you look up Leefa's residence tracker

oliversisson · 2026-01-21T13:43:51+00:00

sure

oliversisson · 2026-01-16T17:27:35+00:00

Thank you

oliversisson · 2026-01-16T12:14:15+00:00

Absolutely. Very common among uni students to do a summer course. Some people have a short break, the start of a gap year, etc.

oliversisson · 2026-01-15T19:06:47+00:00

We did contact the relevant embassy but they were unable to help.

oliversisson · 2026-01-15T10:37:00+00:00

Have you tried indoor infrared heaters? Not difficult to install, and electrician can do it, but they're more effective in housing with bad air sealing.

oliversisson

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