Avoid Getting Towed
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 261
From:
Avoid Getting Towed
I understand that when you get towed, most of the time for us the a hole towing needs to break into the car and release the parking break if you backed in and he will do just that. This is an idea that may or may not work.
Is it possible to take off the door panels and disconnect or remove the linkage inside the door that locks and unlocks so the only way to open the door is electronically (via key). This may or may not be the case with our cars and maybe there is not even a linkage inside the door that does this, but this would also help with getting broken into.
Thank you for you all replies
Is it possible to take off the door panels and disconnect or remove the linkage inside the door that locks and unlocks so the only way to open the door is electronically (via key). This may or may not be the case with our cars and maybe there is not even a linkage inside the door that does this, but this would also help with getting broken into.
Thank you for you all replies
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 300
From: Fredericksburg, Virginia
RE: Avoid Getting Towed
ORIGINAL: slySTANGguy
I understand that when you get towed, most of the time for us the a hole towing needs to break into the car and release the parking break if you backed in and he will do just that. This is an idea that may or may not work.
Is it possible to take off the door panels and disconnect or remove the linkage inside the door that locks and unlocks so the only way to open the door is electronically (via key). This may or may not be the case with our cars and maybe there is not even a linkage inside the door that does this, but this would also help with getting broken into.
Thank you for you all replies
I understand that when you get towed, most of the time for us the a hole towing needs to break into the car and release the parking break if you backed in and he will do just that. This is an idea that may or may not work.
Is it possible to take off the door panels and disconnect or remove the linkage inside the door that locks and unlocks so the only way to open the door is electronically (via key). This may or may not be the case with our cars and maybe there is not even a linkage inside the door that does this, but this would also help with getting broken into.
Thank you for you all replies
(1) Breaking in a releasing the parking break will do nothing for the rear wheels of an automatic.
(2) Most, if not all, the tow trucks our here are the flatbed variety, and they will just haul your car up on the bed with the wheels screeching all the way.
(3) Even the old school tow trucks would just pull you out of the space far enough to hook your rear and tow you away. No break-in needed.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 156
From:
RE: Avoid Getting Towed
^^Yep. The repo guys around here have those hot shots or w/e. (a 1 ton with a two wheel lift under the bumper). You see the guys back up to a car, grab it, and pull it out of the spot. They pull slow so the tires dont screech to loud. Then they drop the car, drive around to the back end, pick and go. All of this in about 90 seconds.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 456
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
RE: Avoid Getting Towed
As above, I don't think your e-brake will stop you from getting towed. However, in an answer to your question... I did some work inside a door on my old Mercury Villager minivan, and I think that there were two linkages. One went from the electric locks motor to the lock, and the other from the manual switch to the lock. So you might be able to disconnect the door handle from the locking mechanism and leave the electric part attached. However, I've never had one of my door panels off so I can't say for sure.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 960
From: Kansas City
RE: Avoid Getting Towed
A car can be towed no matter what. Like others said, they will drag it up on the flat bed if they have to. There are even trucks out there with the ability to pull up beside the car and, like a crane, lift it up on the truck. So even parallel parked, you can get towed.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,278
From: Gainesville, FL
RE: Avoid Getting Towed
ORIGINAL: Burnsy
well...you would still need a "linkage" regardless...that electronic signal from the key just activates it, there has to be a mechanical way for it to open the lock.
well...you would still need a "linkage" regardless...that electronic signal from the key just activates it, there has to be a mechanical way for it to open the lock.
You could remove all the linkage.