So I went to go drive my car and it wasn't there because it got towed, and not on a flatbed. I searched on the possible effects it would have on the car, but the manual says use only a flatbed and some others are saying that the only problem is for clearance. If anyone can shed some light on the effects of not using a flatbed please let me know. Thanks for your input.

 

Looking in the shop manual, at the design of the diff, I don't think towing will hurt it. Normally the diff isn't the issue anyway, it's the tranny. Automatics for instance can't be towed far on the driving wheels because the oil pump doesn't run so, it's running dry inside.

I'm not clear if the S2K has any issues with the diff driving the output shaft on the tranny. I haven't read that far in the shop manual yet.

Do you know how far they towed it? Did they pick up the back or front? They may have found it easier to pick up the back in which case, I doubt there's any issue.

 

I don't think it will hurt the diff.. just hope it was taken out of gear. this would be the same as costing in neutral. the main reason honda suggests a flatbed is to prevent bottoming out.

 

My owners manual MY00 states:
In Bold Capitals

Flatbed Only!

Service manual states:
(in the chapter about the rear diff)

Do not tow the vehicle with the rear wheels on the ground.

If the wheels power the Torsen diff the forces are coming from the other direction.
The wheels drive the side gears drive the planetary gears drive the housing drive the ring drive the pinion.
That is, as mentioned, the same as driving down a hill with no throttle.
How high are most hills?

How far did it get towed?