How to tow a car with a box machine: features, rules and recommendations

Very often you hear from drivers, mostly owning cars with a manual transmission, that the automatic box (automatic transmission) is a continuous problem. Service expensive, for repairs will also have to fork out. In addition, you can not even tow such a car.

Of course, in part this is so. However, the one who once passed on the "automatic", recognizes that the automatic transmission significantly facilitates the life of the driver, especially in urban traffic and traffic jams. And for convenience, as you know, you need to pay. And if you understand why you can not tow a car with a box machine, it turns out that not everything is so bad. And exceptional cases exist.

The reason for the prohibition of towing the "machine"

So, different types of automatic transmission can be installed on cars. They differ from each other not only in design, but also in the principle of work. Combines them with the fact that when the engine is not working, the box elements remain without lubrication, since the oil pump only works in conjunction with the power unit. That's it, and this is the root cause of why you can not tow a car with a box machine.

The fact is that unlike the mechanical transmission, during towing, even when the engine is not running, the whole mechanism of the "automatic machine" continues to function. And as the grease does not arrive, all its elements work "dry". Between them is created increased friction, which threatens overheating and wedging with consequent expensive repairs. That is why car manufacturers with automatic transmission are strongly advised to abandon towing on the coupler in favor of the tow truck. And for cars with four-wheel drive there is an additional restriction.

Towing an all-wheel drive vehicle with automatic transmission

How to tow a car with a box and an all-wheel drive? For such vehicles, even partial shipment is not suitable. And the reason here is not even in the automatic transmission. In all-wheel drive vehicles, even with a mechanical box, you can not hang front or rear wheels. Such a method of transportation can lead to overheating of the transmission elements (in particular viscous coupling), respectively, and to a more serious breakdown. Therefore, such machines are transported exclusively with full loading on the platform of the tow truck. For all others, there are some tolerances.

How to tow a car with a box machine?

First of all, of course, if possible, it is better to look in the service book and get acquainted with the manufacturer's recommendations. There should be indicated: the possible way of emergency transportation, the maximum permissible speed while doing this, the maximum distance allowed for towing for a particular car model. But this is ideal. As a rule, the driver does not have such an opportunity. Therefore, one should remember a few simple recommendations explaining how to tow a car with a box machine.

The permissible transport distance depends on the number of steps of the automatic transmission. If the "automatic" is three-stage, the distance is limited to 30 kilometers. For 4-6 steps it is 50 km. The towing speed should not be above 40 km / h. To minimize overheating of the box, it is necessary to top up the transmission fluid (ATF) to the edges of the filler neck. The increased volume of oil will take away excess heat from friction. The A / T button is set to N when towing.

Here there is one point, without knowing about which, it will be rather difficult to solve a simple task. To put the lever in neutral mode when the engine is off, the "machine" must first be unlocked. To do this, next to the lever of the automatic transmission is a technological hole, covered with a decorative cover. To unblock it you need to remove it. Then insert the screwdriver into the hole by pressing and holding it in this position. Simultaneously, with the other hand, shift the transmission lever to the N mode.

Before you start driving, you need to make sure that the car is removed from the handbrake, and the steering wheel is unlocked. Thus the key should remain in the turned position in the ignition lock. Every 20-30 km it is necessary to allow the "automatic machine" to cool down, stopping the towing for at least 40 minutes (for the summer period). Otherwise, the rules of towing the car must comply with the SDA.

However, do not forget that knowing how to tow a car with a box machine, and following these recommendations, the driver only minimizes the risk of serious damage to the automatic transmission. Therefore, if there is even the slightest opportunity to call an evacuator, it is better to use it. The cost of such transportation will cost much less than the possible repair of the automatic box. And what if there is a need for a car with automatic transmission to act as a tractor?

If the box is an automatic machine, can I tow another car?

Automatic is a mechanism with which you need to be very careful. Excess loads - not for him. But on the road, everything happens. Therefore, for owners of "automatic machines" it will be useful to know not only how to tow a car with automatic transmission, but also how, if necessary, without compromising its car to act as a tractor.

First of all, you need to know what permissible mass can pull the car. This should be indicated in the instructions to the car. But, proceeding from reality, usually up to "literal" hands do not reach. Therefore it is important to know the following:

1. The weight of the towed vehicle must in no case exceed the weight of the tractor. Otherwise, the increased load will increase the temperature of the torque converter, which will have a detrimental effect on the elements of the box.
2. Coupling when towing it is desirable to use a rigid one. To move and move must be extremely smooth, without sudden acceleration and braking. Such measures are explained by the fact that during the jerk a dynamic load is created, which is an order of magnitude greater than the static load. That is, the weight of the towed vehicle is greatly increased with uneven movement. Consequently, the load on the automatic transmission will exceed the permissible. And this, as already mentioned, is very bad for the "automatic machine".
3. The driving mode during towing must be selected so that the automatic gearshift does not go above the third gear. Higher revolutions under the influence of additional load lead to heating of the transmission.

In the recommendations on how to tow a car with a box machine, nothing complicated. In addition, the topic is not superfluous to mention the towing of the trailer.

How to tow a trailer with automatic transmission?

With a trailer, the story is the same as with a towed car. The main thing is to observe the permissible load to avoid overheating the torque converter. And, if the trailer is used very often, it is better to be reinsured by installing an additional radiator into the cooling system of the box. In addition, when towing a trailer, excessive engine rpm should be avoided, using the 2nd and 3rd ranges of the automatic transmission.

Automatic warm-up

Since, acting in the role of a tractor, the car with automatic transmission is subjected to increased loading, then before starting towing it should be slightly warmed oil. Especially in the winter. To do this, start the engine. And, having pressed the brake pedal, switch the selector box, holding it in each position for 15-20 seconds. After a minute and a half, you can start moving. In conclusion, we can say that the car with automatic transmission in terms of towing is not very different from the car with manual transmission. The main thing is to be extremely attentive and cautious.