Which gear should an automatic transmission car be in when towing?
2 Answers
When towing an automatic transmission car, shift to N (Neutral) gear, release the handbrake, and lift the drive wheels. More details on towing an automatic transmission car are as follows: 1. Shift to N gear when towing: During towing, the vehicle gains power from the towing vehicle's pull. The gear selection must be Neutral (N gear) because only in N gear will the transmission cut off all power transmission. If left in D (Drive) gear, the towing vehicle would not only bear the weight of the towed car but also resist its engine and transmission. P (Park) gear is even worse—forcing towing with the transmission locked can cause immeasurable damage to the transmission. Only N gear is the most suitable. 2. Lift the drive wheels when towing: If an automatic transmission car needs to be towed to a repair shop due to a malfunction, it's best to lift the drive wheels before towing to avoid damaging the transmission. When a car breaks down, the automatic transmission oil pump stops working, leading to a lack of lubrication and proper cooling for the components. If the drive wheels remain on the ground during towing, they will force the transmission to operate, which can damage it over a certain distance. If lifting the wheels is not possible, ensure the towing speed does not exceed 5 km/h, and the towing distance should be kept as short as possible, preferably under 20 km. 3. Towing precautions: The towing vehicle must always consider the towed car behind it. Starting and stopping should follow the principle of "slow and steady." A sudden start could lead to secondary accidents, damaging the tow rope or the towed car. Throughout the towing process, the towing vehicle must remain mindful of the towed car's condition.
As a veteran driver with over 30 years of experience, I remember helping a neighbor tow his car once when he forgot to shift into neutral (N). After the towing, the transmission made a buzzing noise and cost over a thousand to fix. When towing an automatic transmission vehicle, you must always shift to N—this disengages the power. Otherwise, the turning wheels during towing can damage internal transmission components. Some vehicles even require starting the engine before towing or impose distance limits, such as keeping speeds under 50 km/h. It's best to check your owner's manual for detailed instructions—don't underestimate this step. Safety comes first; cutting corners now could ruin your car for good. I also recommend double-checking the gear position to ensure the vehicle won't roll and harm anyone, including yourself. In short, experience teaches you that details make or break the outcome, and developing good habits is key.
