Thread: Towing an auto

Shift it into neutral then tow as normal.

Take the tailshaft out preferable, one should always carry a yolk in the tool box for this to plug the box so u dont lose your oil, its not recommended u tow them in nuetral.

It should be mentioned in the Owner's Handbook.

For the P38A, the handbook says:

WARNING
If transfer neutral has been selected, it is
essential to remove fuse 11 and press the
transfer ’Hi/Lo’ switch (to re-select high or
Towing the vehicle on four-wheels

If it is necessary to recover the vehicle by
towing on all four wheels, select transfer
neutral as follows:
• With the starter key removed, insert a fuse
(5 amps or greater) in fuse position 11 in
the right hand seat fuse box. Insert key
and turn the starter switch on; the transfer
box will automatically select neutral (wait
until the message centre displays
’TRANSFER NEUTRAL’), then turn the
starter switch off.
• Turn the starter switch to position ’I’ to
unlock the steering and leave in this
position while the vehicle is being towed.
• To re-engage HIGH or LOW range after
towing, turn the starter switch off, remove
the fuse from position 11, then turn the
starter switch on and press the range
change switch (manual gearbox) - the
transfer box will engage the HIGH or LOW
gear range.
NOTE: If, due to an accident or electrical
fault, it is considered unsafe to turn the starter
switch, the battery must be disconnected.

Towing the vehicle on two-wheels
If it is necessary to recover the vehicle by
towing on two wheels only, always adhere to
the following:
Remove the propeller shaft from the axle
which is to remain on the road.
The propeller shaft flange and shaft must be
marked before removal to ensure correct
re-assembly. Secure the suspended propeller
shaft safely to prevent damage.
WARNING
If the rear axle is to be raised, the steering
wheel and/or linkage MUST be secured in a
straight ahead position, but the steering
lock MUST NOT be used for this purpose.
The vehicle can then be attached to the
towing truck.

I have towed the 86 classic by putting the Transfer case into neutral and the auto into Park

If it's an auto 4wd with a manualy shifted transfer case, just shift the transfer case into Neutral, P38 just like Ron posted, or if it's just a 2wd RWD car then remove the tail shaft, if it's 2wd FWD then call a tow truck or tow slowly for only a short distance with the trans in neutral to somewhere that a tow truck can grab it.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Shift it into neutral then tow as normal.

oh hell no...

you will kill your auto if you try this for any significant distance, unless you were talking about select neutral on the Tcase...

With out being able select N on the tcase uncouple the propshafts from the axles that have wheels that will be turning or remove them completly if you are in any doubt as to their security.

Failure to do so will cause the output side bearings and gears of your Tx to run without lube pressure oil... and they wont last long that way.

If you DO have to tow it any distance with the auto in nuetral slow short distances with frequent stops is the key and IF possable start and run the engine to spin the transmission oil pump every chance you can so that you get some fresh lube to the bearings and gears.

Auto 4wds must be different, Auto cars we always take the shafts out, the manual will reveal all as Ron said

Blknight's right.

From a TSB:

Transmission: Automatic - Park; Manual - 4th Gear

NOTE: Selecting park prevents oil drag in the transfer gearbox from spinning the output shaft
of the transmission. This condition causes damage due to no lubricant circulation, as
the transmission oil pump is driven by the input shaft.

Ron