Automotive related question?

[AndRu]

Whilst in the USA we sort quite a few motorhomes that were towing cars. My DW Ruth asked the question:

Would the car clock up miles on the odometer whilst it's being towed?

For them to tow the car it must be in neutral and I'm not sure if miles would be added to the clock or not

Any ideas? Thanks!

PS - Her next question was even better: If Texas & Alabama part of the 'Deep South', what does that make Florida as thats further down? :

 

[G00fyDad]

If the wheels that are connected to the transmission are on the ground then yes, it collects milage.

Example: Front wheel drive cars will collect milage if the front wheels are on the ground. The rear wheels in these cars are not connected to a drivetrain so they will not accrue milage on the odometer.

 

[Tron[ADS]]

you shouldnt be towing an automatic though !

 

[G00fyDad]

you shouldnt be towing an automatic though !

?? What do you mean? How is the person supposed to get it from point A to point B? I suppose people can tow a manual, just not an automatic?? There is absolutely nothing wrong with towing an automatic car. You just need to keep a couple of things in mind. 1) Dont tow with the front wheels on the ground unless you cannot get around it. (Two reasons for this. First, most cars these days are front wheel drive and second, the front wheels turn and can spin the car out of control.) 2) If the car is a rear wheel drive vehicle, tow with a flat bed if possible. (Keep in mind I have worked for a towing company for a bit before)

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Just something I remember from ownership manuals in the past on automatic cars. They say dont tow for more than 30 miles.
Obviously if its fixed bar and the front wheels arent turning its completely irrelevant.

I dont know if it still applies on current automatic gearboxes....my auto box is completely different to the old types because it is sequential auto shift manual, and I dont recall reading anything in my manual, but here are still old types in production.


Added:
Just did some google group searches, theres plenty of posts warning about towing automatics, heres an extract from something I found on rec.tech.auto
"The basic problem with towing an automatic is that the cooling of the transmission oil only occurs when the engine is running. The oil pump is driven off the input shaft. If you tow with the driven wheels on the ground, the friction losses will overheat the oil in the tranny and will damage the clutches, etc"

 

[G00fyDad]

"The basic problem with towing an automatic is that the cooling of the transmission oil only occurs when the engine is running. The oil pump is driven off the input shaft. If you tow with the driven wheels on the ground, the friction losses will overheat the oil in the tranny and will damage the clutches, etc"

Um, yeah. Thats why I said:

1) Dont tow with the front wheels on the ground unless you cannot get around it. (Two reasons for this. First, most cars these days are front wheel drive and second, the front wheels turn and can spin the car out of control.) 2) If the car is a rear wheel drive vehicle, tow with a flat bed if possible. (Keep in mind I have worked for a towing company for a bit before)

 

[AndRu]

Chill dudes! Thanks for the replies. Most of the cars were being towed with all the wheels on the ground, kind of trailer fashion so I guess the miles would be added to the clock.

That means I have to make my DW brekkie in bed now. Bah to my stupidity in the betting stakes!

 

[G00fyDad]

Chill dudes! Thanks for the replies. Most of the cars were being towed with all the wheels on the ground, kind of trailer fashion so I guess the miles would be added to the clock.

That means I have to make my DW brekkie in bed now. Bah to my stupidity in the betting stakes!

Um, okay. No one was un-chilled.