Towing Guide for Automatic Cars: Critical Warnings and Correct Methods

⚠️ Critical Warnings: Never Do This with an Automatic Transmission

Towing an automatic car is fundamentally different from a manual. A single mistake could cost you a complete transmission replacement. Here are the most important warnings:

• Never tow in Park (P): This will snap the parking pawl and literally destroy the internal gears of the gearbox.
• Shifting to Neutral (N): The gear must be in Neutral. If the car is dead or the battery is flat, use the Shift Lock Release (usually a small hidden slot near the shifter) to manually bypass the lock and shift to N.
• Avoid Long Distances and High Speeds: You should not tow an automatic with all four wheels touching the ground for long distances, even in Neutral. Since the engine is off, the oil pump is not working, meaning gears will spin without lubrication, causing devastating friction.
• Follow the Manual: Check your car's manual for specific limits. Generally, the standard rule is:
  • Maximum Towing Distance: 25 km (approx. 15 miles).
  • Maximum Towing Speed: 40 km/h (approx. 25 mph).

✅ The Correct Way to Tow a Broken-Down Car

The safest method depends entirely on your vehicle's drivetrain system:

Important Note: Manual transmission cars do not require these complexities. Simply shifting to Neutral (N) and towing with caution is usually sufficient for any distance.