A car that slid off a soft shoulder, got stuck in sand or snow, or dropped a wheel into a ditch is not necessarily damaged. Often it just needs a controlled pull back onto firm ground. With an EV, that pull needs extra care because the battery pack sits low under the floor, the vehicle is heavy, and some cars have specific tow eye positions and limits on how they may be pulled.
Winch-out and recovery jobs vary a great deal, so dispatch asks questions and may ask for photos before we send the right equipment.
- 01
Describe or send photos
Where is the car, what surface, how far off the road, and is anything touching the underside?
- 02
We plan the pull
We confirm the recovery points for your model and bring equipment suited to the weight and terrain.
- 03
Pull, inspect, advise
Controlled recovery, then a visual check for damage. If anything looks wrong, we arrange a flatbed.
What we recover from
- Wheels dropped off a parking-lot curb or concrete parking stop.
- Soft shoulders, wet grass, mud and dirt lots.
- Beach sand and desert washouts.
- Snow, slush and icy driveways where traction is gone.
- Shallow ditches where the car is upright and accessible.
Deep ravines, rollovers, water submersion and vehicles in unsafe locations need specialist heavy recovery and emergency services. In those cases call 911 first.
Protecting the battery pack
An EV's battery enclosure is strong, but it is not designed to be dragged across rocks or curbs. A careless pull can scrape or dent the pack housing, coolant lines or underbody panels. We attach only to the recovery points your manufacturer specifies, usually a screw-in tow eye stored with the spare-tire tools or in the front trunk, and pull in a direction that lifts the car over obstacles rather than through them. Where needed, we use boards or ramps to bridge a curb.
After the recovery
Once the car is on firm ground, we look underneath for visible damage, check tires and wheels, and watch for warning messages when the car powers up. If the battery enclosure is visibly damaged, if any fluid is leaking, or if the car shows a high-voltage warning, we will advise against driving and arrange a flatbed through our towing partners.
Even if everything looks fine, mention the incident to your service center at the next visit and ask them to inspect the underside.
Avoiding the next one
Traction and ground clearance on EVs can surprise owners. The instant torque that makes EVs quick can spin wheels on loose surfaces, and low-slung aero designs scrape on curbs. If you are stuck, avoid spinning the wheels repeatedly; it digs the car in deeper and can overheat components. Use any snow or off-road mode the car provides, and if you cannot move after a few gentle attempts, stop and call.
What to tell dispatch
- Exact location, including whether it is a public road, private lot, beach or trail.
- Surface: sand, mud, snow, ice, grass or gravel.
- Which wheels are stuck and whether the car is level or leaning.
- Whether anything is touching the underside, such as a curb, rock or berm.
- Whether the car powers on normally and shows any warnings.
- Photos from a few angles if you can take them safely.
Beach, trail and private land access
Some beaches, parks and private properties restrict vehicle access or require permits for recovery vehicles. If you are stuck in one of these places, find out whether a ranger, park office or landowner needs to be informed. We will not drive onto restricted land without permission, and some locations are only reachable by specialist off-road recovery operators.
Where we cannot reach the car safely, we will tell you and help you find an alternative rather than attempting a risky recovery that could damage the car or put anyone in danger.
Snow and ice
On snow and ice, traction aids, gentle throttle and the car's winter mode can often free a lightly stuck vehicle. If the car has slid into a snowbank, clear snow from around the exhaust-free underside and wheels before any pull, and make sure the path ahead is clear so the car does not slide again once it moves.
After the car is free
Once the car is back on firm ground, we check the tires, wheels and underside for obvious damage and confirm the car drives normally at low speed. If anything looks or feels wrong, such as a new vibration, a warning light or a scraping sound, we will recommend an inspection before highway driving and can arrange a flatbed if needed.
Winch-out service costs $200. Dispatch may ask for photos to assess access, terrain and whether recovery can be performed safely. If the car also needs a charge after a long wait in the cold, a mobile charge is $175.
Full pricing