I have a 1997 ford explorer that was resently towed. Because I have four wheel drive I was told that my car could only be towed on a flat bed unless it has a neutral tow chip. I don't believe that it has one. If it was not towed by flat bed will it damage my car?

Welcome to the forum!

Does your Explorer have All-wheel Drive (AWD) or 4WD? If AWD, then needing to tow with a flatbed is accurate.

If 4WD, then it may be possible to tow it "normally" if it is set for 2WD, or if you have a neutral setting on your transfer case. I don't think there is a neutral position standard on the Explorer.

Of course, the preferred towing method would be on a flatbed. The concern with towing modern 4WD or AWD vehicles is many incorporate a viscous coupling unit (VCU) in the transfer case. Having one or more wheels held stationary while rotating others can be VERY hard on the VCU.

-Rod