Can you tow an automatic car in neutral?

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asked Sep 2, 2023 in Other-Cars/Transportation by Douglasharlo (1,020 points)
Can you tow an automatic car in neutral?

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answered Jun 10, 2024 by Quackenbush (14,390 points)
You can tow an automatic car in neutral but only for short distances and if you can it's best to have the engine running with the car in neutral to keep the automatic transmission lubricated if the engine will start but if not then it is okay to tow the automatic car in neutral for short distances.

Although some vehicles with automatic transmissions are designed to be flat towed in neutral such as behind a motorhome with a tow bar when traveling but you should check with your vehicles manufacturer to ensure your vehicle is okay to be towed long distances in neutral with the steering wheel locked.

You can tow an automatic car with the engine running and the vehicle in neutral to keep the transmission lubricated although it should only be done for short towing and not extended towing.

You don't want to tow the automatic transmission car in neutral with all 4 wheels on the ground for long distances as there won't be any fluid flowing through the transmission to cool and lubricate the internals and could damage the transmission.

If towing the automatic car for long distances it should be with the front wheels up off the ground for a front wheel drive car such as towing on a car dolly or on a trailer.

You can tow a car with a tow bar as long as it's properly hooked up and secured and as long as you have working lights on the car or towing lights mounted on the car.

The tow bar must also have safety chains in the event it comes unhitched.

A car can be towed with no tax or vehicle registration or insurance as long as the car or vehicle towing the non taxed or non registered vehicle has tax or registration and insurance on it.

You can tow the vehicle on the road with a tow bar, chain, rope etc without tax or registration or insurance or you can also tow it on a car dolly or on a trailer.

The car dolly or trailer may require registration depending on your state.

But the car itself does not need registration or tax on it.

Many vehicles are towed down the road without tax or registration or insurance such as when being impounded etc.

So long as you have the tow vehicle registered and insured you will be fine.

If towing the vehicle down a busy highway or freeway it must be towed either using a tow bar, car dolly or on a trailer or tow truck.

Towing for short distances down city streets or town streets can be done using tow straps or chains if you have too.

But someone of course must be guiding and controlling the towed car when towing on a rope or chain.

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