towing an auto

[moizeau]

Here again, doing my swede now. Looked at getting a trailer and my mate's 3.5T tipper to recover the 407, but the tow bar doesn't match the hitch height. Next choice is a mate with a Landrover and a solid towing bar. Then looked up towing an auto with all wheels on the floor. Apparently it's not a good idea as the gearbox doesn't get properly lubed and can also get too hot, in neutral. Can someone please shed some light?

[GiveMeABreak]

Pete this is the official AM6 gearbox advice:

Towing - AM6 Precautions
It is necessary to lift up the front of the vehicle for towing it.

In the event of it being impossible to lift the front of the vehicle:

• The selection lever must be in position " N"
• Do not add oil
• Do not exceed a speed of 70 miles/h
• Do not travel more than 100 Km
• Never tow the vehicle in reverse

Note: Automatic gearbox lubrication only occurs when the engine is running.

[Gibbo2286]

In my C5 2.0 HDI handbook the information is a bit vague.

"In exceptional circumstances it is permitted to tow the vehicle at low speed over a short distance (in accordance with local legislation in force.)

"In all other cases, the vehicle must be transported by a transporter."

"Caution- Towing a vehicle with automatic transmission. put the selector lever in position 'N' (Neutral)."

[moizeau]

Thanks chaps, that's good to know Marc. I don't think we'll be doing 70, and certainly not in reverse. It's about 50km, thinking about it I might just chuck another 100 euros at the car. I just like to be self sufficient, and sort my own .... out, if you know what I mean. Should really, in hind sight, just have just tootled back and waited every 10km for it to cool down and then re fill, it would have been on my drive now.
Again thanks for the advice

[EDC5]

It would be a shame to see the end of the car, especialyl since you recently did a fair bit of work to it. Good luck with the tow.

[moizeau]

It's not going in the bin if I can help it Elis. Just need to get it home. I've bought it a new condenser, new gates cam belt, water pump kit and another gates aux belt kit with a full set of filters and total oil, it's just doing my swede, one step forward, then trip up? I'l see how it is in a week, it has been well maintained, the coolant that covered the car park could have been bottled and resold!

[EDC5]

Wow, looks like it's in for the mother of all services then! I hope it rewards you for all of the effort.

I've always wondered why auto boxes couldn't have a special mode whereby the internal oil pump could be powered by the output shafts, that way they could be properly lubricated when being towed and a bump start would be possible.

[moizeau]

I hope so as well, if not it's a well cared for breaker. Lovely car to drive, and my last 2 have lasted at least 10 yrs each, when they were going to be scrapped, before I got them, the Bx was going to the tatters in 2005, it's got another 12 months in it, the motor, probably 12 yrs!

[Paul-R]

I've always wondered why auto boxes couldn't have a special mode whereby the internal oil pump could be powered by the output shafts, that way they could be properly lubricated when being towed and a bump start would be possible.

IIRC some early Jag auto boxes had a pump on the output shaft for just such a purpose.

[xantia_v6]

I've always wondered why auto boxes couldn't have a special mode whereby the internal oil pump could be powered by the output shafts, that way they could be properly lubricated when being towed and a bump start would be possible.

IIRC some early Jag auto boxes had a pump on the output shaft for just such a purpose.

Yes the Borg Warner DG (Detroit General) transmission used until 1966 did have a secondary pump, and it was safe to tow the car for an unlimited distance. It was also possible to push start the car, but a speed of 15 MPH was needed to build enough pressure and get the torque converter to transmit enough torque to spin the engine. My dad did once start his Mk II by pushing it with a truck when the starter had broken 20 miles from home.