Which gear should an automatic transmission car be in when being towed?
3 Answers
An automatic transmission car should be placed in the N (Neutral) gear when being towed, keeping the car in a neutral state. Neutral gear refers to the position where the car's transmission is not engaged with any power transmission, meaning no gear is selected. When towing, if an automatic car is left in D (Drive) gear, the pulling force from the tow truck will counteract the car's internal structure and body load, making towing more difficult and thus highly unsuitable. Placing it in P (Park) gear is even more incorrect because the locking mechanism in the transmission will engage, preventing the car from moving (commonly known as the parking brake being activated). If subjected to strong pulling force in this state, it can cause severe damage to the transmission with very serious consequences.
Last week, my car broke down on the roadside. When the tow truck arrived, the mechanic specifically reminded me to shift the gear into neutral (N position). Otherwise, during towing, the wheel rotation could engage the transmission, potentially damaging the internal gears and fluids, which would be costly to repair. The towing speed should not exceed 30 kilometers per hour, as going too fast could easily cause problems. He also helped me tighten the handbrake, turn off the engine, and secure the tow hook as a precaution. Later, when I read the vehicle manual, I found that some SUVs or luxury cars have a special towing mode button, but manually shifting to neutral is still the default choice to avoid subsequent issues.
Running a car repair shop for twenty years, I've encountered numerous towing accidents caused by incorrect gear settings. When towing an automatic transmission vehicle, it must be placed in neutral. If left in D or R gear, the drivetrain remains engaged, and dragging the wheels can cause internal transmission components to wear or break, potentially leading to major repairs. This is especially critical for rear-wheel or four-wheel-drive vehicles during long-distance towing, where removing the driveshaft may be necessary to prevent additional damage. Before towing, ensure the engine is off, the parking brake is engaged, the vehicle is stable, and the tow hook is correctly positioned—these are fundamental steps to avoid unnecessary repair costs.
