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Can You tow an automatic car ?
big_wasa - 7/12/05 at 10:20 PM

As above. I may be getting another shed but its an auto.

Can you tow them ?

I remember somthing to say you can not but a m8 of mine says its fine ?


Fozzie - 7/12/05 at 10:22 PM

Errr in a word......no......
Fozzie


smart51 - 7/12/05 at 10:36 PM

No? Why not? They can be put into neutral cant they? So why can't they be towed?


Danozeman - 7/12/05 at 10:47 PM

Nope. Winds the box up or something and doesnt get lubricated properly.


MikeR - 7/12/05 at 10:53 PM

something to do with the drive wheels turning without the auto gearbox pump pumping fluid.

If its short distance and low speed (10 miles under 25mph) then i seem to remember haynes manuals saying yes.

If the engine is running i think it can be taken further...... but not sure as i've never really owned one (apart from my donor)


omega 24 v6 - 7/12/05 at 10:55 PM

Remove the prop and off you go.


mark chandler - 7/12/05 at 10:57 PM

Yes for short distances and only slowly. 30mph max. The gearbox pumps oil when running this drives from the front end, except for some really old boxes which had pumps at both ends !

You could of course crawl under it and undo the prop at the axle end and tie out of the way or alternatively leave the engine idling in neutral when you tow it


britishtrident - 8/12/05 at 07:37 AM

Depends on type of autobox.


Some such as 60s/70s/80s BW slush boxes you just put in a an extra litre oil of fluid and keep the speed down provided the distance isn't to great. On others it is a big no-no.


Dave J - 8/12/05 at 11:33 AM

If it's got power assisted steering and brakes, then you'll need the engine running anyway, if towing with a rope or similar.

Cheers

dave


David Jenkins - 8/12/05 at 12:11 PM

If it's FWD the you could always hire a towing dolly for a short haul - if it's not too far, and you have a towing hitch on a decent-sized car, that is.

The dolly will keep the driven wheels off the deck during the tow.

David

[Edited on 8/12/05 by David Jenkins]


MkIndy7 - 8/12/05 at 07:46 PM

We Towed an Auto Sierra years ago and the box was knackered after that,

Even had it re-conned and it buggered up again.

Disconnect the prop, or if its FWD lift the wheels off the floor to tow it.


dave dickson - 8/12/05 at 09:29 PM

Depends on the car.
I checked the manual for the Astra automatic before I towed it. Towing is ok, with a max speed of 50 mph and a max distance of 60 miles.

I towed it with a braked a-frame, keeping within the guidelines and all was well.


bob - 9/12/05 at 09:06 AM

If rear wheeel drive put it on towing dolly arse first,front wheels locked on steering lock straight.
Dazza took a mk3 granada away from my house in this fashion.