Automatic Volvo cars can be towed, but they need extra care compared to manual transmission cars.
Towing an automatic car is different from a manual car. The chances of damaging the transmission system are higher in automatic cars. Automatic Volvo cars can be towed, but the tower must know what they are doing. There is also a 24/7 Volvo service to tow the car.
Towing an automatic car
There’s always been a misconception about towing automatic cars. People believe that if they tow an automatic car, they might damage the transmission system. Automatic cars are also expensive to buy, so people get scared away from towing their cars. However, they can still be towed.
First of all, try to hire a tow truck with a flatbed. If this is not possible, then the tow operator will tow your car with your car’s wheels on the ground. This is where the trouble begins because the drive shaft and drive axles also turn when the wheels are turned. These are the components of the transmission system.
Now, the transmission system will suffer because its components are running without any lubrication since the lubrication is usually done by a running engine. However, when towing a car, the engine is turned off, so there is not enough lubrication in the transmission as its components spin, which causes problems.
Towing front or all-wheel drive automatics
There are different towing protocols for FWD and RWD cars. The AWD and FWD systems are usually towed similarly. For Front-wheel drive and All-wheel drive systems, the towing should be done as follows:
- Initially, put the car in neutral.
- Use a car dolly for towing a FWD because it prevents the car’s front wheels from spinning.
Towing rear-wheel drive automatics
In the case of a rear-wheel drive car, the towing process is a little bit different. Towing a RWD car is a heavier task than a FWD car. It should be done like this:
- In RWD cars, the driveshaft should be disengaged before towing the car.
- The towing operator should remove the driveshaft and put it inside the truck.
- Make sure to also keep the U-joint caps in a safe place.
- A tow bar is used to tow the RWD cars by tying a tow strap. Or just use a car dolly.
By following these tips, you can easily tow an automatic car without any damage to the transmission system. Try to hire the best towing companies possible because transmission damage could cost you more than $1000 easily.
Towing an automatic Volvo car
Towing an automatic Volvo is the same as towing any other automatic vehicle. It is also important to note that most Volvo cars are FWD and AWD. Volvo rarely produces any RWD cars, due to their lower fuel efficiency. Therefore, because they are FWD and AWD, automatic Volvo cars should be towed with a car dolly. Volvo also offers its own roadside assistance and towing services that are available 24/7.
Volvo roadside assistance and Tow for Life services
Volvo offers its customers 24/7 roadside assistance during the warranty period. However, Volvo also offers Tow for Life services for Volvo owners, which are available even after the warranty expires. The Tow for Life service by Volvo provides the best tow operators with no charges at all. The free-of-cost offer only includes a 25-mile radius though.
The towing services that Volvo provides are top quality and also free. Therefore, Volvo is a good company for towing experiences.
FAQ
What is the difference between towing an automatic car and a manual?
Towing cars is not a simple thing to do. Manual cars have a simpler procedure to be towed than automatic ones. Flatbed towing a car is quite similar in both cases, but towing while wheels are on the ground is different in both car types.
Automatic transmission – In automatic transmission cars, the transmission’s driveshaft needs lubrication while running. This lubrication is done by running the engine, and the engine provides lubrication to the transmission. If a car is being towed, then the engine is turned off and the transmission system will lack the much-needed lubrication. This is why certain methods are used in different types of cars.
In FWD and AWD cars, a car dolly is used to tow these types of cars. However, in RWD cars, the driveshaft is detached, in order to be towed.
Manual transmission – Manual transmission cars have an easy procedure for towing. The transmission system already has lubrication in it in manual cars because the lubricant is circulated by the movement of gears. Towing a manual car on its wheels in neutral is mostly safe.
Can towing ruin the transmission system?
The transmission system will likely be safe in flatbed towing, but there is some danger in towing the car with its wheels on the ground. You should know what type of car you have and what engine and transmission layout, i.e., AWD, your car has. Towing a manual car is simple, but things get complicated when the car has an automatic transmission.
However, with proper care and knowledge of the tow operators, it can be done without any problem. Automatic cars should be flatbed towed, but if there’s no flatbed tow truck available then you can tow by driving the wheels on the ground.
What is flatbed towing?
Towing a car by resting it on another vehicle is called flat towing. In this type of towing, all 4 wheels are on the truck and the car is in neutral. This is one of the safest forms of towing. The trucks used in this process have a trailer in front with a rear flatbed with them and the car is rested on it.
What are the best cars for towing other cars?
Towing a car or a boat behind your car may be necessary sometimes. It can help people who are moving, on a long journey, or on vacation. Big SUVs and other midsize SUVs are also capable of towing other cars, not just big trucks. The best cars capable of towing are:
1. 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Max towing up to 13,400 pounds
2. 2020 Ford F-150: Max towing up to 13,200 pounds
3. 2020 BMW X5: Max towing up to 7,200 pounds
4. 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class: Max towing up to 7,700 pounds
5. 2021 Audi Q7: Max towing up to 7,700 pounds
6. 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe: Max towing up to 8,600 pounds
7. 2020 Dodge Durango: Max towing up to 8,700 pounds
8. 2020 Lincoln Navigator: Max towing up to 8,7000 pounds
9. 2020 Ford Expedition: Max towing up to 9,300 pounds
10. 2020 Ram 1500: Max towing up to 12,750 pounds
