Does anybody know if a front wheel drive gasser is towed with all wheels on the ground and the battery disconnected if this will stop the miles accumulating on the odometer? Presume the miles will accumulate if the battery is connected but the engine off.
I remember when slush boxes first came out and it was recommended that if a vehicle is towed that the driveshaft be disconnected. How about on today's cars? What about FWD where the driveshft cannot be disconnected. Will extended towing damage anything?

 

I flat towed a 1990 Geo Prism over 800 miles on two different occasions. It was a stick. I know that it told me my options in the owners manual. Make sure you keep the tow bar flat using a drop hitch or whatever. That was the only thing that caused me any grief. I know in the past that most slusheboxes were a no-go on the flat tow. Hope your owners manual gives you some guidance. Good Luck. I work with some Canadians. I'll ask around too see if any of them need a new car.

 

Stan I don't have a good word for you on this subject. The output shaft of the transmission ends in a set of clutches. These clutches are lubricated by the oil system in the transmission. That pump is driven by the converter shell which is attached to the engine. If the engine is not running there is no lube for the trans, bushings and clutches. The owners manual usually gives a maximum amount of miles that is safe to tow. That is usually 50 miles or so. The length of the tow you are making is a problem. You really need a dolly to tow that far. Many years ago we used to pickup cars in Vegas and tow them to LA. We left the engine running to keep things lubed. Of course that was not our gas. Better look into it.

 

A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR (AUTO) SHOULD NOT BE TOWED,WITH
FRONT WHEELS ON GROUND.IF U DO KISS YOU'RE TRANNY GOOD BYE

 

Be sure to get advice from your "transmission guy". My dad has a Pontiac Grand Am and killed the trans by towing it only a short distance. Had to have a complete rebuild.
The best way to transport it: Load it on a trailer!! Plus you get the joy of using the ole Cummins to pull it!! As a matter of fact, you can buy a 16 foot long trailer (6 foot 10 inch wide design) to haul it on for the price of a trans rebuild!

 

Stan,
DO NOT tow your car 4 on the ground. NO NO NO. As stated, Saturn, some Honda's, and couple other two wheel drive are the only ones rated for that and you must follow certain protocol even with them. I would get a full trailer for what you are doing. You need driveshaft disconnects to tow most cars with 4 down.
Bob

 

OK guys, thanks for the answers. This is exactly what I thought. So have decided not to flat tow it. Still working on the problem and looking more and more like I will be driving the car up north. How far north is still TBD.

 

My brother in law has pulled a couple of different cars behind his Class A since 1998. First he had a Cavalier and now an Alero both autos. He has towed well over 60,000 miles. No problems BUT you must make sure the car is able to be towed by checking with the owners manual for your car or call the service manager at your local dealer. It will tell you what towing is allowed if any and if there are restrictions like speed and distance. I believe these cars are fitted with pumps to keep the tranny lubed. I'm not sure about the mileage but I think the mileage is registered. I will email him and find out. He's sunning himself in Florida while I'm out shovelling snow.....

 

Use a car dolly the front/drive wheels will be off the ground no mileage accumalation price from 5 to 700$.
cookieman

 

Jeep wranglers with auto's can also be towed.

John

 

Just throw it in the bed of the truck and go.......

 

No problem .. with the Suzuki 4X4 Auto's they say you should stop and run it in drive transfer case in N about every 200 miles. It tows in Park transfer in N the Sidekick only weighs about 2400# the new Grand Vitara about 3150# don't even know it is back there (the sidekick)

 

My manual gives directions for towing with the front wheels on the ground but then gives contradictory advice. It goes on to say that when towing with the front wheels on the ground to place the ignition key in the "Off' position which is OK, but then says to use a rope and secure the steering wheel in the straight ahead position. Huh? Further on it recommends that this car be towed with the front wheels off the ground at a max speed of 70 mph and a max distance of 500 miles. Wonder why a max distance with the front wheels off the ground? On the next page it then goes on the say "If you have to tow an automatic transmission model with four wheels on the ground not to exceed 30 mph or 40 miles". It does warn about towing this car backwards with rear wheels off the ground as this may cause "serious and expensive damage to the transmission".
All this is now moot because if I go north I have decided to just drive this car.

 

Just an update on my earlier post. My brother in law emailed me back. His Alero does not record mileage as he tows behind the Class A.