How to properly tow a car with an automatic transmission

  • Apr 23, 2022
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How to properly tow a car with an automatic transmission

Even those who have never driven an “automatic” have probably heard that such cars are towed in a completely different way than cars still equipped with a manual transmission. In this regard, the automatic transmission noticeably loses to its mechanical counterpart and does not perform in the best light. And yet, what should the happy owner of automation remember about if life has put you in a situation where you need to do towing?

It is important to remember the subtleties. |Photo: off-road-shop.ru.
It is important to remember the subtleties. |Photo: off-road-shop.ru.
It is important to remember the subtleties. |Photo: off-road-shop.ru.

The first and, perhaps, the most important thing to do before the moment when an unpleasant situation happened - is to open the instruction manual for your "swallow" and find there a section devoted to towing. Today there are many types of automatic transmissions and they all differ in what you can and cannot do. What is there, even the same boxes from different manufacturers differ in the matter of towing.

At best, he can climb onto a tow truck. |Photo: gmx.net.
At best, he can climb onto a tow truck. |Photo: gmx.net.
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The main problem with any automatic transmission is its ATP fluid pump, which delivers strictly under high pressure. The point is that during towing, the pump cannot jump over the required pressure level, which causes serious problems with lubricating gears and shafts in the box. This leads to heating, and then to overheating of the gearbox. It ends up breaking down and costly repairs.

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We switch to neutral. |Photo: avtovzglyad.ru.
We switch to neutral. |Photo: avtovzglyad.ru.

The general rule for all automatic transmissions is to put the transmission in neutral "N" before towing. And here many have the first difficulties. Especially if the car does not start the engine. So, for many cars with automatic transmission, the selector can be switched to the desired mode by simply pressing the brake pedal. Others have a dedicated release button next to the lever. Less commonly, it is hidden under a protective plug.

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Read the manual. ¦Photo: fcbuederich.org.
Read the manual. ¦Photo: fcbuederich.org.

The next question that arises after switching to the "N" mode: how long and at what speed can you "drag"? The old automatic transmissions were subject to the 50-50 rule: speed no higher than 50 km / h and towing range no more than 50 km. The problem is that most modern automatic transmissions are not even capable of this. With the engine off, many boxes in our time are designed only to climb onto the tow truck platform. You can find out about the capabilities of your box from the instruction manual. So, for example, complex modern "robots" are towed according to the "15 to 15" rule. Of course, there are exceptions. Simple in its own way, the AMT device from AvtoVAZ in the “N” position can most often be towed even to hell with the horns.

If you want to know even more interesting things, then you should read about
5 driving mistakesthat ruin the manual transmission.
Source:
https://novate.ru/blogs/080122/61785/