It is no secret that cars with automatic transmission (AT) are available in any price range, and more and more people prefer them for their comfort and convenience. However, along with this, questions about towing such cars are increasingly arising. One of the most popular questions is: “Can I tow another car with an automatic transmission?”. And the answer is yes! But you need to understand all the risks and do it right.
Is it possible to tow a car on an automatic transmission?
Of course, towing a car with an automatic transmission is more complicated than towing a car with a manual transmission, but anything is possible. Please read the following points carefully to understand the capabilities of your car and the towed vehicle. Always follow the driving rules, regardless of the type of transmission.
If you need to tow another car with an automatic transmission
In this case, there are no special problems and it is a normal practice, but in any case, take into account a few points so that towing does not lead to terrible consequences.
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Weight of the car - make sure that the weight of the car you plan to tow does not exceed the weight of your car.
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Cable tension - try not to loosen the cable while driving. Firstly, the load on the automatic transmission will be much less, and secondly, there will be no risk of hitting the towed vehicle's cable.
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Short distance - remember that any passenger car is designed for the weight of an additional trailer with a rigid hitch and a light weight. However, it is not recommended to pull a heavy vehicle over long distances. If you tow to the nearest service station, tire fitting or gas station, this will not be a problem, but towing to another city can cause serious problems. If you need to transport the car over long distances, use a tow truck, as it will be easier and more relaxed.
If you need to tow your car with an automatic transmission
In this case, it's not that simple! Make sure you can shift the transmission into neutral. In park mode, the transmission lock stops the drive shaft and prevents the vehicle from moving. In this case, the transmission may be damaged, which will be quite expensive to repair.
There are also nuances when towing a car with the engine running or loaded:
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Remember that even when towing a car in Neutral (N) with the engine turned off, the safety systems do not work and the brake pedal can be very hard. Try to drive very slowly to avoid causing additional more serious damage.
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With the engine running, in most cases the safety systems are active and the vehicle will be much easier to drive