BYD Seal Towing Guide: Why Flatbed Is the Only Safe Option?

The BYD Seal must only be towed using a flatbed truck with all four wheels off the ground. Conventional towing with drive wheels on the road will damage the Seal's high-voltage components, void warranty coverage, and cause loss of ADAS sensor calibration. BYD's owner's manual explicitly warns against rope, chain, or dolly towing for this vehicle. If you break down, call BYD Roadside Assistance on 1800 270 711 and request a flatbed.

Quick Stats: BYD Seal Towing at a Glance

• Only safe method: Flatbed with all four wheels lifted
• Rope or chain towing: Prohibited by BYD
• Risk of wheel-down towing: High-voltage component damage and ADAS sensor miscalibration
• EPB Trailer Mode: Must be activated before flatbed loading
• Maximum emergency tow speed (hook only): 5 km/h
• BYD Roadside Assistance: 1800 270 711 (24/7, Australia-wide)
• Trailer towing capacity: Not rated for towing other vehicles or heavy trailers

Why the BYD Seal Cannot Be Towed With Wheels Down?

Unlike petrol cars, where you can sometimes tow with just the rear wheels lifted, the BYD Seal uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor connected directly to its drive axle. When drive wheels spin on the road without the motor system being active, they force the motor to rotate and generate uncontrolled electrical energy. This back-feeds into the high-voltage battery and power electronics system without any thermal management, which can permanently damage components worth thousands of dollars.

The BYD Seal owner's manual states clearly that leaving a single front or rear wheel on the ground during towing can damage high-voltage components. It also warns that towing in power-up mode with wheels on the road causes loss of driver assistance system sensor calibration. Once ADAS sensors lose calibration, features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist require dealer-level recalibration to function again.

What Conventional Towing Actually Damages?

This damage is not covered under BYD's standard warranty if improper towing methods are used. Always insist on a flatbed, even if a regular tow truck arrives first.

How to Request a Flatbed from BYD Roadside Assistance?

BYD Australia launched a comprehensive 24/7 Roadside Assistance Program in partnership with Australian Motoring Services (AMS), the joint venture behind NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, and RACT. All new BYD vehicles purchased from 22 July 2025 onwards receive 12 months of complimentary coverage, with annual renewal options.

To request a flatbed:

1. Call 1800 270 711 from anywhere in Australia, any time
2. Specify "electric vehicle" and request a flatbed explicitly
3. Confirm your VIN and membership status
4. Stay with your vehicle if safe to do so (unattended callouts may require a second dispatch)

If your complimentary membership has expired, you can still call the number and request assistance at your own cost. Alternatively, contact your state motoring club directly and emphasise that the BYD Seal requires flatbed-only transport.

"Can I just call any tow company?"

You can, but you must verify they will send a flatbed, not a hook-and-chain or wheel-lift truck. Many general tow operators default to two-wheel-lift rigs, which are dangerous for EVs. If a non-flatbed truck is the only option in an emergency, see the dolly section below.

Preparing Your BYD Seal for Flatbed Loading

Before the flatbed arrives, there are specific steps from the Seal's manual that protect both you and the vehicle:

1. Shift into Park (P) and engage the electronic parking brake
2. Power off the vehicle and turn on hazard warning lights
3. Activate EPB Trailer Mode (see next section) so the parking brake releases for loading
4. Install the tow eye if the flatbed operator needs a winch point: press open the tow eye cover on the front bumper and screw in the supplied tow eye from your in-vehicle tool kit

The manual recommends using professional tie-down straps and tensioners with the over-the-wheel method. Do not route straps through the wheels or attach them to the chassis, suspension, or body parts, as this can cause structural damage.

EPB Trailer Mode: How to Activate It Before Loading

When you power off the BYD Seal, the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) automatically engages. This locks the wheels and prevents the vehicle from rolling onto a flatbed. The EPB Trailer Mode disables this automatic lock so the vehicle can be pushed or winched onto the trailer.

To activate EPB Trailer Mode on the BYD Seal:

1. Keep the vehicle in Park (P)
2. Press and hold the brake pedal
3. Ensure the charging connector is not plugged in
4. Navigate to the infotainment touchscreen and enable EPB Trailer Mode

If all conditions are met, the EPB releases and the vehicle can be moved freely. The mode stays active until you manually exit it on the touchscreen or press the P button.

What If Only a Dolly Is Available? Emergency Steps

In remote areas where a flatbed cannot reach you, a tow dolly (which lifts just two wheels) may be the only option. The BYD Seal manual does not recommend this method, but if you are stranded and must move the vehicle a very short distance:

• Lift the drive wheels (rear axle on RWD models, all driven axles on AWD)
• Keep the non-driven wheels on the ground only
• Limit speed to 5 km/h maximum
• Keep the towed vehicle in Neutral (N)
• A driver must sit inside to control steering and braking
• Turn on hazard lights on both vehicles
• Never use jerking motions to pull the vehicle

This is strictly an emergency measure. Any extended dolly towing risks damage to the high-voltage system and will likely void your warranty. Arrange for a flatbed transfer as soon as possible.

Can the BYD Seal Tow a Trailer?

The BYD Seal owner's manual states that the vehicle is designed to carry passengers and should not be used to tow other vehicles. While the manual includes general reminders about not exceeding hook capacity, the Seal is not rated with specific braked or unbraked towing capacity figures like the BYD Sealion 7 (750 kg/1,500 kg braked depending on drivetrain) or the BYD Shark 6 (2,500 kg braked).

BYD also notes that it does not provide free warranty coverage for damage or faults resulting from towing for commercial purposes. If you need an EV with genuine towing capability, explore BYD's SUV and pickup range rather than the Seal sedan.

Insurance Implications of Improper Towing

If your BYD Seal is damaged during towing, who pays depends on how it was towed and who arranged it.

• Damage from improper towing you arranged: Your comprehensive insurance may cover repair costs, but your insurer could deny or reduce the claim if the towing method violated manufacturer instructions
• Damage by a tow operator's negligence: The towing company's liability insurance should cover the cost. Document everything with photos before and after the tow
• BYD warranty: Damage caused by improper towing is not covered under the vehicle's standard warranty

Always photograph your vehicle from multiple angles before and after towing. Keep the tow receipt and any written correspondence. If a dispute arises, these records are essential.

Common Mistakes BYD Seal Owners Make with Towing

• Accepting a hook-and-chain tow truck instead of insisting on a flatbed
• Forgetting to activate EPB Trailer Mode before the flatbed operator tries to winch the car
• Leaving the vehicle in Park instead of switching to Neutral for emergency short-distance towing
• Not carrying the tow eye in the vehicle (check your in-vehicle tool kit)
• Assuming the Seal can tow a caravan when the manual explicitly says it is a passenger vehicle
• Not photographing the car before the tow which makes damage claims nearly impossible to prove

Frequently Asked Questions

"Can you tow a BYD Seal with a regular tow truck?"

No. The BYD Seal must be transported on a flatbed with all four wheels off the ground. Wheel-down towing damages high-voltage drivetrain components and voids warranty coverage.

"How do I release the parking brake for flatbed loading?"

Activate EPB Trailer Mode through the infotainment touchscreen while the vehicle is in Park, the brake pedal is pressed, and no charging cable is connected. This releases the automatic parking brake so the vehicle can be moved onto the flatbed.

"Does the BYD Seal have a towing capacity for trailers?"

The Seal's manual states it is designed for passengers and warns against using it to tow other vehicles. No specific braked or unbraked towing capacity is listed. If you need towing capability, consider models like the Sealion 7 or Shark 6.

"What number do I call for BYD roadside help in Australia?"

Call 1800 270 711 for BYD Roadside Assistance, available 24/7 across Australia through a partnership with Australian Motoring Services.