If you’re stuck in a Meijer parking lot in Kalamazoo, stranded at Western Michigan University, or broken down on US-131 with a car that won’t start, you might be wondering: will a dead battery stop my car from being towed?
This is one of the most common concerns we hear from drivers across Southwest Michigan, especially during those brutal winter months when batteries fail without warning. As the trusted team behind Zielke Towing and Tire, we tow hundreds of non-running vehicles every month, and we want to put your mind at ease.
So can you tow a car with a dead battery? Absolutely yes – and it’s actually one of our most common calls.
Dead Battery Won’t Stop Zielke Towing Service
A dead battery will absolutely not prevent your car from being safely towed. Zielke Towing doesn’t require your vehicle to run, start, or have any electrical power whatsoever.
Whether your battery completely died, your alternator failed, or your electrical system is completely shot, we can still safely load and transport your vehicle using our professional towing equipment.
That’s because modern towing methods – both flatbed and wheel-lift – rely on mechanical systems, not your car’s electrical power.
Your dead battery won’t stop professional towing service from getting you off the road and to safety.
Want to understand our towing methods? Visit our towing capabilities page.
When Dead Batteries Actually Make Towing Easier
Here’s something most people don’t realize: do you know what happens when you tow a car that won’t start? In many cases, it’s actually simpler than towing a running vehicle.
With a dead battery, your car’s systems are:
- Parking brake disengaged (in most vehicles, electronic parking brakes release when power fails)
- Transmission unlocked (many modern cars automatically shift to neutral when dead)
- Steering unlocked (power steering doesn’t affect wheel movement during towing)
- No electrical interference (no alarms, lights, or electronic systems to worry about)
The main thing we need to check is whether your vehicle is in park, neutral, or has the parking brake engaged – and we handle all of that during our pre-tow inspection.
Why a Dead Battery Doesn’t Prevent Safe Towing
Professional towing companies like ours understand vehicle mechanics. We know exactly how to safely handle non-running vehicles, whether the issue is a dead battery, engine failure, or complete electrical system breakdown.
Here’s how we safely tow cars with dead batteries:
For most vehicles: We use wheel-lift towing to lift the drive wheels off the ground For all-wheel drive or luxury vehicles: We use flatbed towing to completely protect your vehicle For manual transmissions: We ensure the car is in neutral regardless of battery status For automatic transmissions: We follow manufacturer guidelines for safe towing procedures
Learn more about our different towing methods
You May Also Wonder About These Dead Battery Issues:
In addition to towing concerns, customers often ask about:
- Whether we can jump-start their car instead of towing
- If a dead battery affects their insurance coverage
- What happens if their car alarm goes off during towing
- Whether electronic parking brakes create towing problems
If these sound like your concerns, here’s information about our battery services and jump-start help.
How We Handle Cars That Won’t Start
Unlike towing companies that might struggle with non-running vehicles, we have specific procedures for dead battery situations:
Safety first – We position our truck to protect you and traffic on busy roads like I-94 or Red Arrow Highway Vehicle assessment – We check transmission position, parking brake, and steering lock status Proper equipment selection – Flatbed for delicate vehicles, wheel-lift for standard cars Secure loading – Professional tie-downs that don’t rely on your car’s electrical system Documentation – We note your vehicle’s non-running condition for insurance purposes
We’ve been safely towing non-running vehicles across Southwest Michigan with zero issues from proper dead battery procedures.
Maybe we can help without towing? Learn more about our jump-start services
Ready for Professional Dead Battery Help?
If your car won’t start and you need reliable service, don’t worry about whether we can handle a dead battery situation.
Our dead battery towing is:
- Available 24/7 for emergencies across Southwest Michigan
- Safe for any vehicle regardless of electrical system status
- Properly insured for non-running vehicle transport
- Experienced with all makes from basic cars to luxury vehicles
We’ve been safely towing cars with dead batteries in Southwest Michigan since our founding, with hundreds of satisfied customers who needed help when their vehicles wouldn’t start.
Need help right now? Call us at (269) 925-9573
Service Areas for Dead Battery Emergencies
We handle dead battery towing throughout Southwest Michigan, including:
Kalamazoo – WMU campus, downtown, and all of Kalamazoo County Benton Harbor – Harbor area and throughout Berrien County Saint Joseph – Twin cities area and Lake Michigan communities Paw Paw – Van Buren County and surrounding areas Coloma – Additional Berrien County coverage
Whether your battery died at home, work, or on the highway, we’ll get there fast and handle your non-running vehicle safely.
Battery Died and Need Help Now?
Don’t sit in a cold car wondering if we can help. Call our emergency line at (269) 925-9573 and we’ll dispatch the right equipment for your dead battery situation.
Our dispatcher will ask:
- Your exact location in Southwest Michigan
- What happened when your car died
- Whether you’ve tried jump-starting
- What type of vehicle you’re driving
We might be able to get you running with a jump-start service instead of towing!
See our full emergency services: Contact us now
Car won’t start? Call (269) 925-9573 – we handle dead batteries 24/7.
More Questions About Non-Running Vehicle Service:
What other roadside services do you provide?
Can you jump-start my car instead of towing?
Do you provide battery replacement services?
Don’t let a dead battery leave you stranded. Trust Southwest Michigan’s experienced towing team to safely handle your non-running vehicle.
Call (269) 925-9573 now for immediate help with dead battery emergencies.
