Can an automatic transmission car be towed?
2 Answers
An automatic transmission car cannot assist in towing another vehicle. Reasons why towing is not recommended: When an automatic transmission car is in neutral, it may lock up, making the vehicle impossible to tow. Forcing towing while in N gear could potentially damage the transmission. In most cases, flatbed towing is used to transport the entire vehicle. According to the design of automatic transmission cars, towing is generally not allowed, but towing for distances less than 40km may be permissible. Towing precautions: Choose brightly colored towing equipment to enhance warning visibility; the towing equipment should be installed on the same side of both vehicles' towing hook positions. For example, if the disabled vehicle is hooked on the left side, the towing vehicle should also be hooked on the left side to ensure straight-line driving on the road; pay attention to coordination between the front and rear vehicles and avoid complex, congested road sections.
Automatic transmission cars can be towed, but they must never be towed directly by dragging, as this can cause severe damage to the transmission. As an experienced driver who has driven many automatic cars, I can tell you that when towing, if the drive wheels are in contact with the ground and the engine is not running, the transmission oil pump won't work, leading to a lack of lubrication. This can cause overheating and friction, potentially ruining the transmission in a short time. Therefore, the correct method is to transport the car on a flatbed tow truck or use a tow dolly to keep the non-drive wheels on the ground. For short distances, you can shift the car into neutral (N) and move it slowly, but avoid exceeding a few kilometers and keep the speed very low. Before towing, it's best to check the owner's manual or consult a professional towing company to ensure safety. In summary, prevention is better than repair—a small oversight could lead to costly repairs worth thousands of dollars, which is not worth the risk.
