How to properly tow a car with automatic transmission (variator) and manual transmission (mechanics)
Useful tips for motorists

How to properly tow a car with automatic transmission (variator) and manual transmission (mechanics)

The process of towing one car with another is quite complicated in terms of drivers complying with safety standards and current regulations, and additional restrictions are imposed by the design of vehicles and their technical condition.

How to properly tow a car with automatic transmission (variator) and manual transmission (mechanics)

Since you can get into a similar situation at any time, it is necessary for each of the drivers to know all this without fail.

Types of towing vehicles

Excluding all sorts of exotics, three main methods of towing can be distinguished, depending on the organization of the mechanical connection between the cars.

On a flexible hitch

This method is the simplest in terms of technical implementation, but at the same time the most demanding on the abilities of drivers. In fact, both cars will move one after the other with a formally gross violation of the distance.

How to properly tow a car with automatic transmission (variator) and manual transmission (mechanics)

Everyone who was behind the wheel of an emergency vehicle towed in this way knows what range of feelings arises at the same time. Especially as you exceed a reasonable speed.

The maximum responsibility lies with the driver of the car in front. The basic rule that he must adhere to is to constantly put himself in the place of another person, almost helpless at the other end of the cable.

Care must be taken in the preparation of the material part. The cable must be attached exclusively to standard eyelets, hooks or other certified devices. It is highly desirable that it be able to stretch elastically and have sufficient load margin.

A broken cable can become a real throwing-type weapon, the windshield is not an obstacle for it, not to mention people. Regular carabiners, specialized shackles, but not an ordinary loop or a balloon key inserted into it, will be a reliable fastening.

The rules require that the cable be marked with contrasting red and white flags of a regulated size and quantity. It is poorly visible to others, and someone may try to pass, or worse, pass between cars.

Car seat belts with high strength can become a very urgent replacement for the cable, but this material is precisely for a hopeless situation that threatens the crews. Even in this case, it is necessary to ensure the distance between the bumpers required by the rules.

How to properly tow a car on a flexible hitch.

Before driving, drivers must agree on the nature of the conditional stop signals and maneuvers, as well as on the exact route of movement. Naturally, even in a faulty car, it is necessary to ensure the operation of the alarm or install a well-known sign from the mandatory set, make sure that the sound signal is working and the windshield is cleaned.

Of course, the brake system and steering must work, the ignition must be turned on and strictly monitored so that the steering wheel does not lock. You can remove the connectors from the ignition coil and the exciter winding of the generator to save the remaining battery power.

When driving for a long time, it is possible to practice swapping batteries between cars to keep them in a charged state, if this is technically possible.

It should not come as a surprise to reduce the effectiveness of the brakes due to an inoperative booster. We must remember that heating and air conditioning will also not work. It is necessary to remove passengers from the passenger compartment by transferring them to the leading car.

The control of the leading machine requires double attention, both in terms of technique and responsibility. It is necessary to behave behind the wheel of the first car very carefully, use the alarm, do not rush and be predictable for another car. You should also think about your own car, do not overload the transmission and act smoothly.

On a rigid hitch

This method of evacuation is usually determined by a malfunction of the braking system. The basic requirements do not change, only the question of the distance is excluded, since the distance between the cars is fixed.

How to properly tow a car with automatic transmission (variator) and manual transmission (mechanics)

Driving in this case is like using a trailer. Only without brakes and with a significant mass, which is usually not allowed. It is this factor that creates all the limitations.

It is highly undesirable to have a big difference in the actual weight of the cars. In such situations, it is necessary to use a cable, repair the brakes on the spot or call a tow truck. In addition, the devices of cars for the use of rods are not designed.

With partial loading

The method is used when only one axle of the towed vehicle is in good condition. Only a specially equipped vehicle can act as a rescuer.

How to properly tow a car with automatic transmission (variator) and manual transmission (mechanics)

The advantage will be the possibility of application in ice, when all other methods are prohibited or undesirable.

Malfunction of the steering system, brakes, mechanical damage on one of the axles is allowed. But you will need a lifting device, a crane or a winch, to position the machine in the desired position.

Car towing process

It has its own peculiarities of movement, depending on the type of transmission of the affected car.

With manual transmission

How to properly tow a car with automatic transmission (variator) and manual transmission (mechanics)

Nothing special is required in this case. It is enough to put the gear lever in the neutral position.

For all-wheel drive vehicles, make sure that the center differential is not blocked.

With gearbox automatic with engine off

How to properly tow a car with automatic transmission (variator) and manual transmission (mechanics)

First you need to familiarize yourself with the operating instructions for a particular car. Some types of automatic transmissions allow towing without hanging the drive axle only for a very short distance.

The fact is that the lubrication of the insides of the box can be carried out by a pump either from the input shaft, that is, from the engine, or from the secondary, that is, the pump can work from the rotation of the wheels.

Sometimes it is better to disconnect the drive shafts from the drive wheels, then the type of gearbox does not matter.

In any case, there are speed limits at the level of 40-50 km / h, and the selector is moved to the neutral position. If the box is not blocked in one of the gears.

With variator

How to properly tow a car with automatic transmission (variator) and manual transmission (mechanics)

Features of the continuously variable transmission device require disconnecting it from the drive wheels when towing. Otherwise, you will have to move only with the engine running.

The selector must also be in the neutral position, the speed is limited, as is the distance. For more information, please refer to the manual supplied with the machine for possible limitations.

All variators are different and there are no uniform rules. The only common thing is that such boxes are even more demanding in terms of oil supply from the engine-driven pump. The cost of a possible repair is much higher than any full-load tow truck service.

In what cases is towing a car prohibited?

Without touching on the technical limitations that have already been mentioned, we can recall the existence of the Rules of the Road and traffic police officers.

In any case, you should not immediately go to busy areas, but check whether everything is fine, it is better in the absence of interference, only then increase the speed and hit the road.

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