How to tow a car with automatic gearbox: features, rules and recommendations

Very often you hear from drivers, mainly owning cars with a manual transmission, that the automatic transmission (automatic transmission) is a continuous problem. The service is expensive, repairs will also have to fork out. In addition, you can’t even tow such a car.

Of course, this is partly true. However, anyone who has ever driven an “automatic” admits that automatic transmission makes life easier for the driver, especially in urban traffic and traffic jams. And for convenience, as you know, you have to pay. And if you understand why it is impossible to tow a car with an automatic gearbox, it turns out that not everything is so bad. And exceptional cases exist.

The reason for the prohibition of towing the "machine"

So, different types of automatic transmission can be installed on cars. They differ from each other not only in design, but also in the principle of operation. What unites them is that when the engine is idle, the elements of the box are left without lubrication, since the oil pump only works in conjunction with the power unit. That is precisely what is the root cause of why it is impossible to tow a machine with a automatic gearbox.

The fact is that, unlike a manual transmission, during towing, even when the engine is idle, the entire mechanism of the “machine” continues to function. And since the grease does not enter, then all its elements work "dry." Between them creates increased friction, which threatens overheating and jamming with the resulting expensive repairs. That is why car manufacturers with automatic transmission strongly recommend abandoning towing on a hitch in favor of a tow truck. And for cars with all-wheel drive there is an additional limitation.

Four-wheel drive towing with automatic transmission

How to tow a car with automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive? For such vehicles, even partial loading transportation is not suitable. And the reason here is not even automatic transmission. In all-wheel drive vehicles, even with a manual gearbox, front or rear wheels cannot be hung. This method of transportation can lead to overheating of the transmission elements (in particular viscous coupling), respectively, and to a more serious breakdown. Therefore, such machines are transported exclusively with full loading on the tow truck platform. For everyone else, there are some tolerances.

How to tow a car with automatic gearbox?

First of all, of course, if possible, it is better to look in the service book and get acquainted with the manufacturer's recommendations. It should indicate: a possible method of emergency transportation, the maximum permissible speed in this case, the maximum distance that towing is allowed for a particular model of car. But this is ideal. As a rule, the driver does not have such an opportunity. Therefore, you should remember a few simple recommendations that explain how to tow a car with a box automatic.

The permissible transportation distance depends on the number of automatic transmission steps. If the “automatic” is three-stage, then the distance is limited to 30 kilometers. For 4-6 steps it is 50 km. The towing speed should not be higher than 40 km / h. To minimize overheating of the box, it is necessary to add transmission fluid (ATP) to the edges of the filler neck. The increased oil volume will take away excess heat during friction. The automatic transmission handle is towed to position N.

Here there is one point, not knowing about which, it will be quite difficult to solve a simple problem. To put the lever in neutral mode with the engine turned off, the “machine” must first be unlocked. To do this, next to the automatic transmission lever is a technological hole closed with a decorative cover. To unlock it you need to remove it. Then insert a screwdriver into the hole by pressing on it and holding it in that position. At the same time, with the other hand, shift the automatic transmission lever to N.

Before you start driving, make sure that the machine is removed from the hand brake and the steering wheel is unlocked. In this case, the key must remain in the turned position in the ignition switch. Every 20-30 km you need to give the opportunity to cool "machine", stopping towing for at least 40 minutes (for the summer period). The rest of the rules for towing a car must comply with the traffic rules.

However, do not forget that, knowing how to tow a car with an automatic gearbox, and following these recommendations, the driver only minimizes the risk of a serious automatic transmission breakdown. Therefore, if there is even the slightest opportunity to call a tow truck, it is better to use it. The cost of such transportation will be much cheaper than a possible automatic transmission repair. But what if there is a need for a car with automatic transmission to act as a tractor?

If the gearbox is automatic, is it possible to tow another car?

Automatic transmission - a mechanism with which you need to be very careful. Excessive loads are not for him. But everything happens on the road. Therefore, it will be useful for owners of “automatic machines” to know not only how to tow a car with automatic transmission, but also how, if necessary, to act as a tractor without damage to their car.

First of all, you need to know what permissible mass is able to pull the car. This should be indicated in the instructions for the car. But, based on reality, usually the hands do not reach the “primers”. Therefore, it is important to know the following:

1. In no case must the weight of the towed vehicle exceed the mass of the tractor. Otherwise, the increased load will increase the temperature of the torque converter, which will have a detrimental effect on the elements of the box.
2. It is advisable to use a rigid hitch when towing. It is necessary to touch and move extremely smoothly, without sharp accelerations and braking. Such measures are explained by the fact that during the jerk a dynamic load is created, which is an order of magnitude larger than the static one. That is, the weight of the towed car increases significantly with uneven movement. Therefore, the load on the automatic transmission will exceed the permissible. And this, as already mentioned, is very bad for an “automatic machine”.
3. The towing mode should be selected so that the automatic transmission does not go above third gear. Increased speed under the influence of an additional load leads to heating of the transmission.

The recommendations on how to tow a car with an automatic gearbox are nothing complicated. In addition to the topic, it will not be out of place to mention towing a trailer.

How to tow a trailer with automatic transmission?

With a trailer, the story is the same as with a towed car. The main thing is to observe the size of the permissible load so as not to overheat the torque converter. Moreover, if the trailer is used very often, it will be better to be safe, by installing an additional radiator in the box cooling system . In addition, when towing a trailer, increased engine speeds should be avoided using the 2 and 3 automatic transmission operating ranges.

Automatic transmission warm-up

Since, acting as a tractor, a machine with automatic transmission is subjected to increased load, before starting towing it should be slightly warmed up with oil. Especially in the winter. To do this, start the engine. And, having pressed a brake pedal, to switch a box selector, holding it in each position for 15-20 sec. After a minute and a half, you can begin to move. In conclusion, we can say that a car with automatic transmission in terms of towing is not very different from a car with manual transmission. The main thing is to be extremely attentive and careful.