Towing an automatic.

sogood

Just wondering if anybody has a definitive answer on this. I've read that it's best to tow an auto backwards, that is, on it's front wheels,(assuming it's a rear wheel drive) with the rear wheels raised. Otherwise, the suggestion was made that an auto should only be towed max of 12 miles at no more than 30mph. Failing that, the drive shaft/ prop shaft should be disconnected, to allow the diff to turn, without transferring any drive back to the transmission etc.

Any thoughts on the matter? Just in case I ever have to be towed! (Touching wood as I type)

Thanks.

colm_mcm

What car are we talking?

sogood

colm_mcm wrote: »

What car are we talking?

I wasn't really thinking about any specific car/model. Just automatic. Is there a difference?

jimgoose

Yes but no. No but yes. It's slightly complicated. When in doubt, which is usually, lift the drive-wheels.

Del2005

sogood wrote: »

Just wondering if anybody has a definitive answer on this. I've read that it's best to tow an auto backwards, that is, on it's front wheels,(assuming it's a rear wheel drive) with the rear wheels raised. Otherwise, the suggestion was made that an auto should only be towed max of 12 miles at no more than 30mph. Failing that, the drive shaft/ prop shaft should be disconnected, to allow the diff to turn, without transferring any drive back to the transmission etc.

Any thoughts on the matter? Just in case I ever have to be towed! (Touching wood as I type)

Thanks.

The cars owners manual will tell you how to tow it. But I've never considered how to tow a car when deciding to buy. IMO if you're thinking about recovery when buying don't buy it, as every manufacturer can make a dog car.


Also towing for more than a few km is risky as it's very hard to be in control of the towed car with no brakes.

visual

sogood wrote: »

Just wondering if anybody has a definitive answer on this. I've read that it's best to tow an auto backwards, that is, on it's front wheels,(assuming it's a rear wheel drive) with the rear wheels raised. Otherwise, the suggestion was made that an auto should only be towed max of 12 miles at no more than 30mph. Failing that, the drive shaft/ prop shaft should be disconnected, to allow the diff to turn, without transferring any drive back to the transmission etc.

Any thoughts on the matter? Just in case I ever have to be towed! (Touching wood as I type)

Thanks.

That sounds about right for a rear wheel drive auto car.

But if your getting a tow truck ask for a flat bed as then can winch it up and all 4 wheels are off the ground.

pippip

Would similar problems arise with towing an Audi quattro. I know part of the nct test is a no no with them.

Ps Im talking in the context of one set of wheels off the ground, suppose a normal car to car tow would probably be alright once manual.

Big Davey

pippip wrote: »

Would similar problems arise with towing an Audi quattro. I know part of the nct test is a no no with them.

Which part ? If they can't do part of the test how do they pass ?

Big Davey

pippip wrote: »

Would similar problems arise with towing an Audi quattro. I know part of the nct test is a no no with them.

Ps Im talking in the context of one set of wheels off the ground, suppose a normal car to car tow would probably be alright once manual.

Once the drive wheels are off the ground it should be "grand"

pippip

Big Davey wrote: »

Which part ? If they can't do part of the test how do they pass ?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=84213617

According to this thread the brake test rollers can damage the 4wd system. Not sure what they do, either different test or excempt.

With the 4wd you aren't suppose to move one set of wheels without the others.

pippip

Big Davey wrote: »

Once the drive wheels are off the ground it should be "grand"

Quattro....so all four wheels then?

demanufactured

pippip wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=84213617

According to this thread the brake test rollers can damage the 4wd system. Not sure what they do, either different test or excempt.

With the 4wd you aren't suppose to move one set of wheels without the others.

If it's a permanent 4 wd system it cannot be put on the brake rollers.
They have to take the car out on the road and use a dash mounted decelerometer to test the brakes.

sogood

Del2005 wrote: »

The cars owners manual will tell you how to tow it. But I've never considered how to tow a car when deciding to buy. IMO if you're thinking about recovery when buying don't buy it, as every manufacturer can make a dog car.


Also towing for more than a few km is risky as it's very hard to be in control of the towed car with no brakes.

I get your point and I'm not in the market for a car. I do drive an auto and just got thinking, if ever I needed to tow it, etc. And yes, I wouldn't buy a car based on how easy it was to tow! lol. I know in an ideal world you would never need a tow and if so, a flatbed would be the best option, but failing that, I just wondered if there was a general rule of thumb that would apply.

Thanks to all for the input.

ZENER

I have a C-RV which isn't full-time 4WD and it can't do the brake test either. The tester takes it out with a floor mounted gizmo to finish the tests.

Ken

Tropheus

Big Davey wrote: »

Which part ? If they can't do part of the test how do they pass ?

The brake test. They only have rollers for one set of driven wheels. The tester has to take the car out on the road and do a quick test. That's my experience with the Allroad.

_Kaiser_

demanufactured wrote: »

If it's a permanent 4 wd system it cannot be put on the brake rollers.
They have to take the car out on the road and use a dash mounted decelerometer to test the brakes.

Tropheus wrote: »

The brake test. They only have rollers for one set of driven wheels. The tester has to take the car out on the road and do a quick test. That's my experience with the Allroad.

Learned something new so. My A6 Quattro is due an NCT in January so good to know things like this

pippip

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Learned something new so. My A6 Quattro is due an NCT in January so good to know things like this

Not sure if you read that thread I linked but I would do what some of the lads in that do and either tell the nct mechanic who takes the keys or leave a post it note on the steering wheel as apparently not all the nct mechanics seem to know this and go ahead and stick it on the rollers.

jimgoose

Hmm. I must admit the possibility of the NCT's brake tester breaking the 'box hadn't occurred to me. The latest NCT manual I can fined (2012) only has this to say about automatics:


EXHAUST SMOKE (DIESEL) Section:

All diesel engine tests must be performed according to EU Directives. Where an automatic transmission is fitted, the manufacturer’s guidelines should be consulted.


SERVICE BRAKE PERFORMANCE Section:

Vehicles having automatic transmission must not be tested with the gear selector in the “P” park position.

pippip

jimgoose wrote: »

Hmm. I must admit that hadn't occurred to me. The latest NCT manual I can fined (2012) only has this to say about automatics:


EXHAUST SMOKE (DIESEL) Section:

All diesel engine tests must be performed according to EU Directives. Where an automatic transmission is fitted, the manufacturer’s guidelines should be consulted.


SERVICE BRAKE PERFORMANCE Section:

Vehicles having automatic transmission must not be tested with the gear selector in the “P” park position.

Sorry my post you quoted was only leaving a note to inform them of the car being a quattro/4wd, not about being an automatic.

jimgoose

pippip wrote: »

Sorry my post you quoted was only leaving a note to inform them of the car being a quattro/4wd, not about being an automatic.

Oh, of course - apologies. I was talking about the prospect of the NCT's rollers busting autoboxes.