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

[precioustime]

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.

[kjburns]

There are lots of cars with automatics that can be flat towed. Pretty much all of them are from domestic manufacturers. I've towed a few Jeeps and currently tow a 2014 Ford Focus Titanium. The Focus requires the negative cable being disconnected, but a simple disconnect switch makes that a 10 second operation. It's very easy to hook up and go.

[MARKW8]

I wasn't referring to fuses or turning the key. It was about lube pumps or drive shaft disconnects. Not everyone wants GM or Ford. I currently tow a Jeep Wrangler, probably as easy as there is to set up. It's not a car for everyone though.

Mark

[Bumpyroad]

lanerd wrote:

"Jumping through hoops". Interesting description of pulling a fuse and/or turning the key to ACC.



Ron

Yep, I always recommend not buying something that needs modification such as a tranny pump or disconnect, but some folks fuss if they have to pull a fuse (which can be automated) or start it every 300 miles. 🙂
bumpy

[lanerd]

MARKW8 wrote:

lanerd wrote:

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

Yep, I have a 2015 Chevy Malibu that can be towed. That said, It seems even Ford has backed off some models after saying it was ok. On the whole, there are a lot of mid size and smaller cars that can't be without jumping thru hoops or not at all.

Mark

The only Ford model I'm aware of that they said could be towed and then backed off of was the Escape, and that was only for a couple of years of production. That problem was the transmission that was co-developed with GM that was also installed on the Chevy Cruise. Both now have different transmissions.

"Jumping through hoops". Interesting description of pulling a fuse and/or turning the key to ACC.

We rented a Malibu last year... great little car.

Ron

[lryrob9301]

AS per Remco Towing:
2014 Kia Soul + FWD I-4 2.0L cyl 6-Speed Automatic A6MF1/A6GF1
Notes
•Must be towed on a tow dolly. Please confirm in owner's manual.


No mention of lube pump availability. So your out of luck towing it 4-down.

[MARKW8]

lanerd wrote:

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

Yep, I have a 2015 Chevy Malibu that can be towed. That said, It seems even Ford has backed off some models after saying it was ok. On the whole, there are a lot of mid size and smaller cars that can't be without jumping thru hoops or not at all.

Mark

[janstey58]

I have towed my 2012 Ford Escape Auto AWD for over 10K miles no problems!

[Bumpyroad]

GMandJM wrote:

philh wrote:
... A driver must be in the towed vehicle to operate the steering and brakes.

Wow - that would be a deal breaker. 😉

I think the real deal breaker is the part about a 1 mile limit at 30?mph or whatever.
bumpy

[lanerd]

Obviously what Philh wrote was NOT in the Recreational Towing section of the Owner's Manual. Altho, there have been times when my DW wanted me to be in the toad while she's driving the MH.

[Bumpyroad]

plenty of vehicles out there that can be towed 4 down without modifications, etc. Get one.
bumpy

[GMandJM]

philh wrote:
... A driver must be in the towed vehicle to operate the steering and brakes.

Wow - that would be a deal breaker. 😉

[lanerd]

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]

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.

[BarneyS]

Moved to Dinghy Towing forum from Towing.