Will Towing Another Vehicle Damage an Automatic Transmission Car?

[OJulian]

Towing typically involves slow speeds and short distances, which do not generate excessive heat in the transmission and have lower lubrication requirements. Therefore, towing will not cause damage to the transmission. Below is relevant information about towing with an automatic transmission vehicle: 1. Front-Wheel-Drive Vehicles: For front-wheel-drive vehicles, the front wheels are lifted and the parking brake is released during towing, allowing the rear wheels to roll freely before towing can commence. Rear-wheel-drive vehicles should also be shifted into neutral with the parking brake released before towing. Vehicles that cannot have their brakes disengaged or cannot be shifted into neutral will require flatbed towing. 2. Minimal Impact on Transmission: Since the wheels in contact with the ground are not the drive wheels. Some vehicles require shifting the transmission into neutral during towing. However, as long as the correct towing method is used, there will be no damage to the transmission. Automatic transmission vehicles should not coast in neutral primarily because the lubrication pressure in the transmission is insufficient to provide adequate lubrication and cooling.

[StZachary]

I once helped tow a car with my automatic transmission vehicle, and it completely wrecked the gearbox. Unlike manual transmissions that can coast in neutral, automatic transmissions stop oil circulation when the engine is off, leading to dry friction in the drivetrain during towing. Especially when the drive wheels are on the ground, the metal components inside the gearbox grind harshly—repair costs could easily reach half the price of a used car. A couple of years ago, my neighbor Old Wang’s Camry was totaled this way, and it’s even worse for AWD vehicles. Now, whenever I see a stranded car on the road, I just call a tow truck. Though it costs an extra couple hundred bucks, it saves me twenty grand in repairs. If you really want to help, use a flatbed tow truck—keeping all four wheels off the ground is the safest bet.

[OJustin]

Always check the owner's manual before towing! My CR-V manual clearly states: For automatic transmission towing, the engine must be running in N gear, speed must not exceed 50km/h, and distance is limited to 30km. Once when helping a colleague tow, I made sure to keep the engine running with AC on during towing – it used a bit more fuel but protected the transmission. Remember to release the electronic parking brake, or the brake pads will get scorched. Off-road vehicles with modified suspensions require extra caution – incorrect driveshaft angles can cause snapping. Vehicles with differential locks must have them disengaged, or the transfer case will be ruined. The easiest solution is to call professional towing services – their wheeled flatbeds are the safest option.

[OAutumn]

Attention new car owners: Improper towing can void your warranty! Last time, my cousin's Mazda3 had transmission noise, and the dealership denied warranty coverage after finding towing records. Automatic transmissions are as precise as Swiss watches; with the engine off, the oil pump stops, and the steel belt transmission's push plates can wear out in just ten minutes. It's even worse for hybrids and electric vehicles—reverse power generation from the motor can fry the control unit. Once during a rescue, I only dared to tow with a rope for 50 meters, keeping a safe distance to avoid rear-end collisions. Experienced drivers know: rear-wheel-drive cars need the front wheels lifted, front-wheel-drive cars need the rear wheels lifted, and full-time four-wheel-drive vehicles must be fully lifted. If you must tow, keep the speed under 20 km/h.