You can tow a car with an automatic transmission. Towing a car with automatic transmission: rules and features. Code of general rules for towing cars

The road prepares many surprises for motorists, including unpleasant ones - breakdowns. It is almost impossible to find out the cause of the malfunction immediately. Therefore, you have to tow the car to the nearest service station. If in the case of a manual transmission everything is clear, then what about an automatic transmission? There are many opinions regarding the prohibition of the ACKP vehicle towing. To give a clear answer to the question: why you can't tow a car with an automatic gearbox, consider all the arguments in detail.

Towing a car with an automatic gearbox: "for" and "against"

The answer to the above question is contained in the operating book that comes with the vehicle. If at the right time it was not at hand, then remember that towing a car with an automatic transmission can lead to serious damage. Therefore, it is necessary to resort to it in extreme cases.

In this case, it is necessary to be guided by the following rules:

• towing a car is allowed from a distance of no more than 40 kilometers;
• the towing speed of a car should be limited to 30 kilometers per hour;
• avoid sudden movements (there is a risk of breakage of the box);
• the automatic transmission lever must be in one position "N";
• the hitch must be rigid;
• the weight of the towed car must not exceed the weight of the vehicle that is pulling;
• low revs have a better effect on the transmission;
• All-wheel drive vehicles must be towed only with the rear or front axle raised.

Also, do not forget about the possibility of using a tow truck. If you can, then forget about towing. It is much more profitable to load the car on the platform of a special car than to allow serious damage during improper towing. When calling a tow truck, you should not skimp, because car repairs can be much more expensive.

Consequences of improper towing of a car

Asking the question: why you can't tow a car with an automatic gearbox, we mean the occurrence of serious consequences with the car. Indeed, the consequences of improper towing can be dire. The torque converter is the first to hit. True, in the automatic transmission, it is not the only weak link. Having driven more than 50 kilometers in tow, the consequences for the car can be as follows:

• the occurrence of a breakdown of the torque converter, requiring a complete replacement of the unit;
• risk of failure of auto electronics;
• wear of the automatic transmission gear (occurs due to the fixing of the lever in the "D" position);
• destruction of the soft elements of the internal parts of the box (more often occurs on variators).

Based on the above, we can conclude that the damage from towing a car with an automatic transmission is significant. Therefore, before carrying out any towing manipulations with the vehicle, deliberately cock all the pros and cons. Sometimes it is better to wait for a tow truck than to throw out a lot of money to repair a vehicle at a service station.

Cars equipped with an automatic transmission are gradually relegating mechanics to the background. Cars with automatic transmission are popular with novice motorists and experienced drivers. If you are faced with a situation where you need to provide assistance to a car stuck on the road due to technical malfunctions, and do not know whether it is possible to tow another car on the machine, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the material below.

Is it possible to tow a car on an automatic box?

If there is no time to study the documents, or they were not at hand, always keep in mind that when the load is exceeded, the torque converter will generate a lot of heat, as a result, the wear of the transmission, and a decrease in the operating period of the disks. If you use a trailer in combination with transport, then it will not hurt to install an additional radiator, which will intensively cool the gearbox. Can I tow a car automatically? Check the oil and brake fluid levels in your vehicle.

Can I tow a car with an automatic transmission?

How many km can you tow a car automatically

1. It can be towed over short distances. Standard - no more than 40 kilometers. This is enough to deliver the transport to the nearest service.
2. There are also speed limits - try not to exceed the threshold of 50 km / h - this will keep the vehicle components intact, as well as ensure the safety of the driver and pedestrians.

You can tow another car on the machine

Towing a car with automatic transmission involves moving a loaded car, so the driver should adhere to the following recommendations:

• Low speed of a car towing another, which will avoid an increase in temperature in the torque converter;
• You should pick up speed smoothly, giving up sharp accelerations. In the process of transportation, do not allow the kick-down option to be activated, and also block the automatic transmission upshifting;
• Do not forget that during the automatic transmission it tends to overload, which is especially important for the torque converter;
• It is advisable to study the principle of operation of the automatic box, which will allow you to understand the principle of operation of this unit and prevent mistakes;
• Avoid excessive slippage. The fluid in the torque converter tends to overheat, the result is low pressure, which contributes to the combustion of the clutches, further contamination of the automatic gearbox and other difficulties.

Is it possible to tow the car on the machine: the consequences of improper towing

A common result of incorrect towing is a worn out torque converter, which is expensive to replace. Moreover, the results of errors include:

• Failed engine;
• Gear wear in an automatic transmission;
• If electronics are built into the automatic transmission, it is also subject to wear;
• Destruction of variator elements and much more.

An automatic transmission is a complex unit, the repair of which can cost a car owner a pretty penny. That is why many owners of cars with "automatic machines" completely refuse help when it comes to towing even over short distances.
Such a respect for the car, of course, is commendable, but it betrays a complete lack of understanding by the owner of the reasons for the restrictions set by the manufacturer for towing by cars with automatic transmission.
Meanwhile, at auto forums, to the question: "Is it possible to tow another car on an automatic machine?", As a rule, car owners - those who imagine at least in general terms the automatic transmission device, give a positive answer.

ATF cooling system of a car with automatic transmission

When the oil (ATF) is heated, its lubricating properties are reduced and friction between the automatic transmission parts increases.

The main reason for the special requirements for towing another machine on the "automatic" is the fact that the transmission oil in such a box plays the role of a working fluid that transfers torque from the engine to the transmission. In motion, the oil becomes very hot, as a result of which all its performance characteristics, including the ability to fully reduce friction between parts, are reduced.
That is why a radiator must be installed in the oil circuit to cool the ATF. In addition, modern cars with "automatic" have devices for monitoring the oil temperature - at least a control lamp warning of overheating of the liquid.

Towing another car on "automatic"

Improper towing. The weight of the towed car should not exceed the weight of the "tractor".

Supporting experienced car owners, say - on the "automatic" you can tow another car, but with the following precautions:

Monitor the temperature of the oil in the automatic transmission. In modern "automatic machines" this function is performed by electronics and, when the oil overheats, it switches the automatic transmission into a safe mode of operation.

• avoid sudden accelerations;
• the weight of the towed car should not exceed the weight of the "tractor";
• if the design of the gearbox provides for a choice of gears and driving modes, move in lower gears;
• monitor the temperature of the oil in the automatic transmission.

In later models of automatic transmissions, the selection of the safe mode of operation occurs automatically. This became possible thanks to the electronic "stuffing" of modern automatic transmissions, which actively reacts to changes in torque and transmission load, reducing the load on the planetary gears of the box. The owner of such a car is only required to change the oil in the unit on time.

Is it possible to tow a trailer with an automatic gearbox

Towing a trailer

When towing an automatic machine, you should move in lower gears, avoid sudden accelerations and difficult-to-pass road sections.

It is certainly possible to tow a loaded trailer or other car on an “automatic” machine, but again you need to remember about the peculiarities of the automatic transmission lubrication system. After all, transmission oil for automatic machines not only lubricates the mechanism, but is also a working fluid that transmits torque and forces associated with gear shifting.
Therefore, with an increase in the load on the transmission, the fluid heats up faster and it is necessary to select such a driving mode so that the oil has time to cool down - move in lower gears (if the choice of the driving mode is provided, do not turn on any "Sport", etc.), avoid sudden accelerations and difficult to pass road sections.
In the service book of a car with automatic transmission, the rules for towing a trailer are always indicated, that is, to a possible question from the future owner of a car - "is it possible to tow a trailer on an automatic machine?" - a positive answer is indirectly given. As a recommendation, if you will often travel with a loaded trailer, install an additional oil cooler for ATF. The increased oil volume and cooling surface area provide additional insurance.
It is possible to tow another car on the machine, if the mass of the towed car does not exceed the mass of the "tractor" and the car, taken in tow, has good brakes and steering control.
How to tow another car on a machine (and not only on it) is regulated in sufficient detail by traffic rules:
- they are the same for everyone and do not prohibit towing a car with an automatic gearbox to another car.

Traffic rules do not prohibit the automatic towing of the "machine".

If you have to "automatically", then to the general rules in this case, you can add the following:

When towing over long distances, it is necessary to take breaks in movement - to cool the automatic transmission.

• avoid long distance towing (over 30 km);
• the travel speed should not exceed 30 - 40 km / h.

Such restrictions are due to the design features of automatic transmissions. In an automatic transmission, when driving in tow with an inoperative engine, parts (bearings and gears) rotate practically without lubrication and can fail if overheated.
If you still have to tow the machine over long distances, you need to take breaks in motion - to cool the automatic transmission.

The same car owners who doubt whether it is possible to tow an automatic transmission on the box can be advised to at least superficially familiarize themselves with the automatic transmission device - common sense will tell them that they will not commit anything "criminal" with respect to the car if they are careful.

Answer the question: "Is it permissible to tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission?" you can read the instruction manual of the car. The vehicle manufacturer indicates the possibility of towing, and also describes the features of using vehicles with an automatic gearbox as a tug.

Automatic transmission.

Towing a vehicle with an automatic transmission is allowed, but with some restrictions. It is necessary to tow a car with automatic transmission when the "neutral" is on. Even in this position, when the machine is moving, rotational movements are performed by the entire mechanism of the box. The transmission is not designed for this kind of load - this will lead to rapid overheating of the unit, and it may even fail. Plus, the oil pump serving the automatic transmission performs its functions only when the power unit is running. If you drag the car with the engine turned off, the elements of the automatic box will work without the flow of the lubricant mixture, which is fraught with premature failure of the device.

Please note that cars equipped with an automatic machine and equipped with an all-wheel drive system are best transported using a tow truck, this is often indicated by the manufacturer in the vehicle operating instructions. The machine must be moved by raising the front or rear axle; using a hitch for transportation is undesirable.

It is allowed to use a car equipped with an automatic transmission in the role of a tug, if such a possibility is indicated in the vehicle manual. Many automatic transmissions are not designed for the additional loads that arise when using the machine as a towing vehicle.

Transporting the machine without risk

Automatic transmissions on various car models may have certain design features, therefore, the possibility of towing a car with an automatic transmission must be carried out taking into account the recommendations of the car manufacturer set forth in the vehicle operating instructions. Particular attention should be paid to:

• the distance at which it is allowed to tow the car;
• the speed at which this kind of transportation is carried out

The above parameters may differ significantly for different factories - machine manufacturers.

Cars equipped with a three-speed automatic gearbox are transported to a maximum distance of 25 km / h at a speed of 40 km / h. Transport with a four-speed (and more) automatic transmission is permissible to drag at a speed of 50 km / h over a distance of 50 km. If you need to cover a longer distance, then every 30 km the car is stopped and the transmission is allowed to cool down. Before you start towing a machine equipped with an automatic gearbox, you need to do the following:

1. Top up with ATF mixture to the maximum mark to increase the amount of lubricant and protect the parts from overheating. Excess liquid after transportation must be drained, for this it is worth using the services of masters at the service station.
2. Place the selector in neutral.
3. Carry out transportation on a rigid hitch.
4. Whenever possible, towing should be performed with the engine running, then there are no restrictions on the travel speed and distance. With the engine off, towing is performed with certain restrictions.

Compliance with the rules for towing a car with an automatic transmission allows you to save the box in working order. A sudden movement of the car while towing can permanently damage the automatic transmission.

If towing is performed incorrectly, the following consequences are possible:

• breakdown of the torque converter;
• failure of the motor pumping oil in the box;
• premature wear of the gears, this situation occurs if you drag the machine with the selector turned on in position D.

Towing vehicle equipped with automatic gearbox

How to tow an automatic machine on a box? Starting transportation, read the manual for the car, it contains the speed, distance and tonnage with which it is allowed to use a car with an automatic gearbox in the role of a tug. If it is not possible to read the instructions for the car, adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Use a rigid hitch for towing.
2. The mass of the towed vehicle should be less than the mass of the vehicle acting as a tug.
3. Position D of the automatic gearbox selector is inadmissible, manual mode and 2nd or 3rd gear are used. You should not include overdrive, because additional loads will be created. At lower rpm, the transmission heats up more slowly.
4. The "leading" car should start off slowly and smoothly, move without sudden braking and jerking, any sudden movements can damage the automatic transmission.

Outcome

It is permissible to tow a car equipped with an automatic gearbox in desperate situations when it is not possible to use the services of a tow truck. Towing such a car requires the driver to know the characteristics of his car, before starting transportation, it is worth familiarizing himself with the manual for the car and adhering to the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the distance the vehicle can be towed, as well as the speed of its transportation. Violation of the restrictions regarding the speed and distance of towing can lead to overheating of the automatic transmission and its premature failure.

Car enthusiasts have often heard that the process of towing on a manual transmission is slightly different from the same process on an “automatic”. Serious controversies flare up on specialized automotive forums on this issue - but no one can say anything concrete on this topic. Even the owners of cars with automatic transmission themselves are sometimes not sure whether it is possible to tow another car on the machine. And if so, how? Experts are answering this question that worries the minds of many.

Doubts

Sometimes towing is simply necessary. For example, a car is stuck in the snow and for some reason there is no way to call a tow truck or rescue service. According to theory, every owner of a car with automatic transmission knows that it is better not to take part in towing.

But what if no other means of assistance are available? And if you think logically, the automatic transmission pulls loaded trailers quite tolerably. And how is another car attached to a cable worse? There shouldn't be any special difficulties. Naturally, no one wants to risk their automatic transmission, but leaving a friend or just a stranger on the track is simply ugly. Drivers are a special people and there is still chauffeur solidarity among them. And after all, many motorists did not even read the instructions for their car in order to say for sure whether it was possible to tow another car on the machine.

General set of rules for towing with automatic transmission

The weight of the vehicle to be towed must not exceed the weight of the towing vehicle. It is better when it is smaller. Even if there are heavy loads in the other vehicle, it is recommended to transfer them to the front vehicle. This will be less dangerous for the automatic transmission. To the question "is it possible to tow another car of a larger mass on a machine", the auto experts answer categorically - no. Naturally, this does not apply to emergency and frankly extreme cases. It is imperative to check the oil levels in the box before the process. When towing is carried out, does the oil consumption increase by about 1.5-2 times? and if there is not enough lubrication, then the resource of the box is reduced several times. Experts advise against using when towing

But that's not all. It is not recommended to switch even to position D. It is best to pull another car in 2-3 gear modes. Starting off and the movement itself should be as smooth as possible. Do not start abruptly, with jerks and other sudden movements. There are other recommendations, but they may differ depending on the make and model of the car, the type of automatic transmission installed and some other factors. If these conditions are met, then towing is allowed.

Differences from a car with automatic transmission

If a car with a manual transmission is dragging on, then only one gear will rotate in a neutral gear in the mechanism. When a car is being towed with an automatic machine, the entire mechanism as a whole rotates in the neutral position. This is about the question "is it possible to tow a car with an automatic transmission." Since the automatic transmission mechanism was not created for such work, it will overheat very quickly in this mode and may well fail. Special mention should be made of the issue of lubrication. The oil pump only runs when the engine is running. But, most likely, the car will be towed with the engine turned off, which means that the parts in the transmission system are not lubricated. This can lead to the fact that the automatic transmission will simply fail, and the owner will face expensive repairs. If a car with an automatic transmission itself acts as a tug, then the transmission in this case experiences serious additional loads. And if in the case of a manual transmission there are no restrictions, then for an automatic transmission it is necessary to make certain "discounts" so as not to ruin the mechanism.

Auto with automatic transmission as a tug

Manufacturers, answering the question "is it possible to tow another machine on the machine", recommend avoiding such situations. If there are no other options for solving the problem, then certain rules must be followed.

So, it is better to give preference not to the traditional cable, but as already noted in the general recommendations, the weight of the towed car should not exceed the weight of the towing vehicle. Travel speed does not exceed 30-40 km / h. The transmission should not be on "Drive".

Better to set it to "2" or "3". Also, experts recommend performing shifts to This will help reduce the stress on the transmission mechanism.

How to tow correctly

Since the automatic transmissions installed on various models of cars can differ significantly from each other, it is best to see if another car can be towed on the machine, it is best in the instructions for the car. There you can also find information on how long you can pull the car and what speed to adhere to. Manufacturers can set different parameters. But it rarely happens that they completely prohibit towing. Of course, such tips are suitable if the need for towing is known in advance and there is an opportunity and time to study the instructions. When this is not possible (and such situations happen very often), experts and experienced car owners recommend resorting to a kind of "golden mean".

Compromise solution

So, according to experts, many cars equipped with an automatic transmission can act as a tug and towing. But you can only drive up to thirty kilometers in this way. The speed should not exceed 30 km / h.

If it is necessary to continue pulling the car further, then after the 30 km mark, it is necessary to rest the automatic transmission. Otherwise, it will overheat. This will entail costly repairs. In addition to tips and tricks for specific cars, there are general rules, which are already partially discussed at the beginning of the article. This is towing another car on an automatic machine in second or third gear. If a car with an automatic transmission itself needs to be pulled, then the selector is set to the neutral position.

More about correct towing with automatic transmission

This is another opinion that differs from all of the above. The lead vehicle should move as slowly as possible. It is better to control the transmission modes in manual mode. First, they move from the second speed. And when the revolutions on the tachometer exceed 3-3.5 thousand revolutions per minute, you can switch to "L". And only after that the selector is transferred to the "D" position.

But the overdrive must be disabled. It is absolutely not worth using overdrive gears, especially if these are long distances. This will reduce the resource of the elements of the automatic transmission. You should move as carefully as possible. There should be no sudden brakes and starts. Jerks provoke a dynamic load, which is several times higher than the static one. The weight of the towed car at this moment increases tenfold.

That is why experts recommend using a rigid hitch rather than a towing cable. And yet, the car has become on the side of the road and another car needs to be towed on the machine. Is it possible or not? From everything it turns out that it is possible, but with extreme caution.

Four-wheel drive off-road towing

It is worth paying attention to all-wheel drive vehicles and the issue of their towing. Often, manufacturers recommend moving such cars only on tow trucks. If there is no such specialized transport, then the four-wheel drive SUV is pulled by the method of partial loading of the front or rear axle. Hitching, whether rigid or flexible, is discouraged and highly discouraged.

But what about the variator?

Variable speed automatic transmission deserves special attention. Here, to find out another car, you must carefully study the instructions. So, for some models of CVT automatic transmissions, it is recommended to set the box to the neutral position.

For others, the engine must be running. For third vehicles, towing may be completely prohibited.

Summary

Is it possible to tow another car on the machine? The opinion of experts on this matter is the same: "It is possible, but only after reading the instructions for the car." So you will not harm expensive automatic transmission mechanisms and eliminate the risk of expensive repairs.