2005 Volkswagon Jetta, 5 Speed Manual Trans, Can I Flat Tow
I am asking for my neighbor that has upgraded to a motorhome, he wants to flat tow his Jetta with 5 speed manual trans, is he OK or not.
Forum Discussion
The problem with towing manual transmission vehicles is that the transmission is splash lubricated. Quite often, it is the cluster gear, in the bottom of the transmission, that does the splashing of the oil. the cluster gear only turns when the engine is running, it does not turn when the output shaft is turning.
Therefore, when the vehicle is being towed, all the gears and bearings in the upper rear quarter of the transmission are turning without lubricant. It may take a while, but eventually they will be damaged and possibly destroyed.
How many miles will it take to do damage to the bearings? I don't know. It depends on how much residual lubricant the bearing holds. A bearing that is run dry usually will not last long.
It is true, one of the old-timey fixes for the problem was to replace the fill plug with a 90 degree street ell. That will raise the level of lubricant a little over an inch, perhaps close to two inches, which MAY be enough to get it up to where the output shaft will pick it up. and throw it around. It may also cause messy leaks!
Good luck.
Therefore, when the vehicle is being towed, all the gears and bearings in the upper rear quarter of the transmission are turning without lubricant. It may take a while, but eventually they will be damaged and possibly destroyed.
How many miles will it take to do damage to the bearings? I don't know. It depends on how much residual lubricant the bearing holds. A bearing that is run dry usually will not last long.
It is true, one of the old-timey fixes for the problem was to replace the fill plug with a 90 degree street ell. That will raise the level of lubricant a little over an inch, perhaps close to two inches, which MAY be enough to get it up to where the output shaft will pick it up. and throw it around. It may also cause messy leaks!
Good luck.
