I towed a Del Sol parts car with an Automatic about 30 miles using a tow bar - all 4 wheels on the ground. I had it in neutral and it rolled easily. When I had been at about 50-60 mph I noticed a little smoke from under the hood. Engine oil from the loose valve cover had sprayed on the transaxle and it was hot enough to make smoke.

Any chance that tranny is still any good?
Any recommendations on towing an automatic with all the wheels down?

Thx.

93 Del Sol Si
Parts cars: '93 Si, '95 S, '96 Si to build at least 1 more hopefully 2.

 

Nope

Don't.

 

I know when towing an automatic RWD vehicle you just disconnect the driveshaft. So would I be right in assuming you could just pull the axles on a FWD and be fine towing with all four wheels down? I dont see why not. Keep the tranny disengaged from all wheel spinning.

 

Kinda late for that now.

 

The axles keep the two halves of the wheel bearings together. So the transmission will be ok, but the wheel bearings will be toast. you could take the axles out and use a spare set of outer joints to the hold the wheel bearing together. Or you could just spend the $50 and rent a tow dolly from U-haul and not have to bother with any of that.

 

Hmmm. That's about what I expected. I didn't have immediate plans for the AT, but it could have come in handy. Tow dollys or trailers in the future.

Next I'm going to pull the head off the D16y8 from that car and put it on a D15b7 Block. That's easy right? I'm not so optimistic about easy, but I'm in no rush and it looks like there's lots of good info here and at the D-series forums.

Thx.

 

Didnt plan on towing any of my cars this way, but good knowlegde to have.

 

when you must tow an automatic with the drive wheels on the ground you must drop the driveshaft or axles. otherwise, LEAVE THE ENGINE RUNNING and in neutral!