Can You Tow An Automatic Car?

The automatic transmission is by far the most common in the US. Its ease of use means several benefits for drivers, especially in cities and heavy traffic.

Can a vehicle with automatic transmission be towed?

The answer probably isn’t what you might assume. You can’t tow an automatic with the driven wheels on the ground!

Astonished?

It’s completely true.

While you can pull a manual vehicle without complication, automatic cars can’t be towed without a tow truck or trailer.

Let’s start with the guide.

How Do You Tow An Automatic Car?

You can tow an automatic car, but you must raise the driven axle (or axles) away from the road. That is, you can’t pull an automatic behind your companion’s vehicle, connected by a towing cable.

If your car is front-wheel-drive, the driven axle is at the front. If it’s a rear-wheel-drive, it’s at the rear.

A 4×4 or AWD vehicle has two axles that are propelled, one in the front and one in the rear.

Thus, when communicating:

• A front-wheel-drive car – lift the front of the vehicle. Leave the back wheels on the road.
• A rear-wheel-drive car – lift the back of the car off the road. Reverse it onto the towing attachment, so the front wheels touch the asphalt.
• A four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive car – get a flatbed trailer. None of your wheels should be in contact with the street when moving.

You’ll need a specialized tow truck for all three of these options. You’ll require a specific wheel lift tow truck for lifting only the front or rear of the vehicle.

If you’re in any doubt about your drivetrain type, call for a flatbed trailer. That way, you can be certain that towing won’t damage your transmission.

How Do You Get An Automatic Ready For Towing?

Towing an automatic is completely different from hauling a manual. In a standard transmission, you’ll pop it in neutral, and off you go.

When it comes to automatics, there are more components at play. Instead of attaching a tow rope and carrying it on to the nearest repair shop, you need a breakdown service.

As mentioned, you can’t pull an automatic car with the driven wheels on the road. As such, the only thing you can do is park in a secure, accessible location and wait for help to arrive. Of course, you’ll need to give your breakdown company or a local mechanic a swift ring.

When the tow truck arrives, the skilled technician will do everything for you. They’ll load your vehicle onto their flatbed or wheel lift style and take it – and you – to a nearby repair shop.

Don’t worry; provided you’re using a trustworthy company, they’ll be entirely covered.

Why Can’t You Tow An Automatic Car?

You can’t tow an automatic automobile because of how the transmission functions.

An automatic transmission is lubricated by transmission fluid. It’s commonly listed in the store as ATF – Automatic Transmission Fluid.

A pump propels the ATF through the transmission, lubricating the parts and shifting elements. The engine powers this pump.

ATF doesn’t simply sit in the transmission, unlike the gearbox oil in its manual equivalent. Apart from any residual fluid left over from before you stopped, it’ll be entirely devoid of all lubrication when the engine’s off.

Thus, over a very short distance of engine-off towing – a couple of miles, at best – the transmission will suffer severe damage. It’ll start to slip from that instant.

It’s not worth it. The cost of a transmission repair will far exceed that of a tow truck.

Are There Any Exceptions?

A few chosen manufacturers have built vehicles with tow modes. These include Ford’s Neutral Tow setting.

In emergency situations, of course, you might need to flat tow (all wheels on the ground) your automatic vehicle. For instance, you’ll have no choice if you’re in a convoy crossing a barren desert with no vacant seats.

In the infinitely scarce situation that you need emergency towing, you shouldn’t exceed 30 mph. Check your owner’s manual for advice.

If your owner’s manual tells you there’s a towing option, it’s secure to do. If a stranger on the internet tells you it’s okay, it isn’t.

Can I Tow An Automatic Car, Yes Or No?

No. Not even in unbiased.

If there’s one takeaway point, it’s this: an autonomous vehicle can’t be towed.

Instead, you’ll need to call breakdown roadside services. A tow truck is your sole option, except in severe emergencies.