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precioustime's avatar
precioustime
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2015

Towing an automatic car with all 4 wheels on the ground?

I presently tow a 2014 KIA Soul manual shift behind my 24 ft Class C rv with no problem. I take off the emergency, put it in neutral and turn the key only I time. Can I do the same with an automatic transmission? I have called several KIA dealers but get different answers. I called the KIA plant in Georgia and they said no! Can I do something to the transmission to allow me to keep all 4 wheels on the ground? I do not want to use a tow dolly to lift the front 2 tires.

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  • GMandJM's avatar
    GMandJM
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2015
    philh wrote:
    ... A driver must be in the towed vehicle to operate the steering and brakes.


    Wow - that would be a deal breaker. ;)
  • lanerd's avatar
    lanerd
    Explorer II
    Jul 21, 2015
    MARKW8 wrote:
    Very few automatic cars can be towed 4 down, without going to something from Remco.

    Mark


    Mark, with all due respect, this is simply not true. Almost all GM auto trans vehicles can be towed 4-down as well as many Ford and Chrysler products. It's the import vehicles that an auto trans restricts towing 4-down.

    Ron
  • philh's avatar
    philh
    Explorer II
    Jul 21, 2015
    Problem comes from the lack of trans fluid being circulated through the system. Some vehicles can get enough splash to protect the internal components. Your owners manual should talk about tow truck mile limitations. Should be able to project how it would flat tow based on the mfg recommendations

    Here, I checked the owners manual
    http://www.kia.ca/content/ownership/ownersmanual/14soul-en.pdf

    Pay particular attention to 6-24 & 6-28
    CAUTION - Automatic
    transaxle
    • If the car is being towed with
    all four wheels on the ground,
    it can be towed only from the
    front. Be sure that the
    transaxle is in neutral. Be sure
    the steering is unlocked by
    placing the ignition switch in
    the ACC position. A driver
    must be in the towed vehicle
    to operate the steering and
    brakes.
    • To avoid serious damage to
    the automatic transaxle, limit
    the vehicle speed to 15 km/h
    (10 mph) and drive less than
    1.5 km (1 mile) when towing.
    • Before towing, check the automatic
    transaxle for fluid leaks
    under your vehicle. If the automatic
    transaxle fluid is leaking,
    a flatbed equipment or
    towing dolly must be used.
  • sdianel_-acct_c's avatar
    sdianel_-acct_c
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2015
    If they say no, it will void the warranty. I wouldn't risk it. There are other vehicles with automatic that you can tow 4 down. http://192.168.1.1:8181/http://www.royrobinsonrv.com/images/pdf/DinghyGuide2015.pdf
  • MARKW8's avatar
    MARKW8
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2015
    Very few automatic cars can be towed 4 down, without going to something from Remco.

    Mark
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2015
    There are things available to tow your Kia 4 down.
    Check with Remco Industries. You can check on their site as to what you need to do to your Kia.

    Otherwise, if it's a front wheel drive, a dolly or trailer is your only option.

    I agree with wing_zealot, if the manufacturer tells you not to tow 4 down, don't do it.
  • wing_zealot's avatar
    wing_zealot
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2015
    I don't own a Kia but in this situation I would follow the advice of the manufacturer before I would follow the advice I got on this forum (or even a dealer). But, if you are just looking for someone else to ok what you want to do anyways (seeing as you already got the manufacturers input) - go ahead, let us know in a year or two how it works out.

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