Ok Guys,

I really need your help as I am freaking out right now. I got stuck in a snow storm today and had to get my car towed. The car was stuck horizontilly up against a snow bank. When the tow guy came he put a metal hook on the tow loop on the back of my back bumper. (winch?) He pulled my car out sideways about 10 feet. (the wheels did not move forward or backward more than 5 feet.) more or less the car was just dragged and I heard loud noises coming, I don't know it this was just the tires grinding up against the pavement. The entire time the car was in park but the parking brake was off. I asked if I should put the car in nuetral and he yelled at me. I am scared that there may have been some damage done. I couldn't drive in the snow so I had a flatbed come take me home. I explained to him what happened and he said that there may or may have not been damage done to the transmission. and that the car should always be in neutral when any type of towing is done. What type of problems could have been caused, if any? and do these problems arise right away?...or 6 months or a year down the line?. I am so upset and just sat on the side of the road for 5 hours between the two trucks. but I don't know if I should go to the dealer and have them charge be $400 to "diagnose" or "road test" geez I hate the dealer.

2000 slk 230, with 80,000 miles.

-George

 

Start it up, and see if it drives, put it in park and see if it holds.
there you go
All that can happen is the park pawl can get broken off.

Bazzle

 

what's a park pawl?

 

A bit of metal about the size of a can opener blade that detents on a trans shaft to stop it turning.

Try Google

Bazzle