Toyota Camry Owner's Manual (2023): If your vehicle needs to be towed

If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service, using a wheel-lift type truck or flatbed truck.

Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/ provincial and local laws.

2WD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck from the front, the vehicle's rear wheels and axles must be in good conditions.

If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flatbed truck.

AWD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck, use a towing dolly.

WARNING

Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

â– When towing the vehicle

2WD models

Be sure to transport the vehicle with the front wheels raised or with all four wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is towed with the front wheels contacting the ground, the drivetrain and related parts may be damaged.

AWD models

Be sure to transport the vehicle with all four wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is towed with the tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain or related parts may be damaged, the vehicle may fly off the truck.

â– While towing

• When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place excessive stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eyelets, cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit people, and cause serious damage.
• Vehicles without a smart key system: Do not turn the engine switch to the "LOCK" position. There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be operated.

NOTICE

â– To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck

• Vehicles without a smart key system: Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the engine switch is in the "LOCK" position or the key is removed.

  The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight.

• When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the vehicle could be damaged while being towed.

â– To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck

Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.

â– To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing

Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.

Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing

The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before towing.

• The engine is running but the vehicle does not move.
• The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.

Towing with a wheel-lift type truck

From the front (2WD models)

Release the parking brake.

Vehicles with electric parking brake: Turn automatic mode off.

From the front (AWD models)

Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.

From the rear

Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.

NOTICE

â– Towing with a sling-type truck

Do not tow with a sling-type truck to prevent body damage.

• 2WD models

• AWD models

Using a flatbed truck

When using a flat-bed truck to transport the vehicle, use tire strapping belts. Refer to the owner's manual of the flat-bed truck for the tire strapping method.

Vehicles without a smart key system

In order to suppress vehicle movement during transportation, set the parking brake and turn the engine switch to the "LOCK" position.

Vehicles with a smart key system

In order to suppress vehicle movement during transportation, set the parking brake and turn the engine switch off.

Emergency towing

A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The vehicle's wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in good condition.

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