Quote:
Originally Posted by nazali
I did do some googling though
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That 2nd quote is incorrect, sometimes.
Towing AWD (not 4x4), not flat towing (all 4 tires on the ground and moving) will cause damage. Maybe not immediate and noticeable. But it will surely take life off the internals in the AWD controlling unit; be that a unit tied to the transmission of the front/rear differential. The vast majority of modern AWD's use a clutch based system. That system relies on fluid pressure to engage and vary that clutch making sure the front and rear wheels are rotating at equal speeds. When you do not have power to the 'tcase' and the front or rear wheels are not turning the clutches will eat themselves. Travel far enough and the friction material is gone, leaving only the steel backing. That backing will fuse, lock the input/output shafts and lockup. Destroying the bearing/case.
You can not tow AWD with 2 wheels immobile and not cause some reduction of life or damage.
The exception is if they pull the driveshaft ... no one will ever do that.
4x4 you can put the tcase in neutral and tow with the front wheel up. No damage.
Far as accountability, that will vary by tow company and local regulations. A lawyer is the answer to that time/question.