Robert Rogers
Depending on the make and model, you can pull an automatic vehicle at a speed of up to 50 km / h. You are safer on the road if you only drive 40 km / h, whether you use a rope or a tow bar. Under no circumstances should you drive faster than 50 km / h because otherwise, individual components can overheat and break with an insufficient oil supply. Under no circumstances should you tow with the transmission in the park position
Exit From The Motorway
If the car with automatic transmission breaks down on the highway, you can tow it away. However, you have to leave the motorway using the shortest route, preferably at the next exit. Suppose you tow your car on the motorway. In that case, the maximum speed you are allowed to drive with the automatic vehicle according to the operating instructions also applies, as on the country road. This is one of the reasons why you should get off the motorway as soon as possible. With a speed of around 40 km / h, you pose a danger to the rest of the traffic, even on the hard shoulder. By the way, you are not allowed to drive onto the autobahn with the towing vehicle under any circumstances.
Tow With What?
To tow the car with an automatic transmission, you need a tow rope or, even better, a tow bar. Most cars have a rope because it fits small and compact in the trunk of the car. Tow bars are more practical than tow ropes, as the rigid bar ensures a constant distance between the two cars and prevents the person behind accidentally crashing into the car.
More Information
When towing, strict rules apply to both vehicles. In general, towing cars is only allowed in emergencies, such as a defect. An empty tank is not one of them. Both vehicles must switch on the hazard warning lights when being towed. If this does not work, you are not allowed to tow the vehicle.
The ignition key must be in the “ignition on” position. Otherwise, the steering wheel lock can click into place – making steering impossible. If the engine is not running, the brake booster and power steering will not work either. The driver in the damaged car must brake earlier and more firmly than usual, and the steering wheel requires higher steering forces. It, therefore, makes sense for both drivers to agree on hand signals before towing so that they can better understand each other before braking and changing direction. In general, however, we recommend having the car with automatic transmission brought to the nearest workshop by a professional towing company.
In some vehicle models, the connection between the drive axle and the transmission can be cut to minimize or exclude damage.
Towing Electric Cars With Automatic Transmission
Electric cars almost exclusively equipped with a one- or two-speed automatic transmission cannot be towed because energy is often generated via an axis (recuperation), which charges the battery. If this energy cannot flow away through other consumers, the battery can overheat and break. Therefore, damaged electric cars should always be hooked up by professional towing companies. Click here (คลิกที่นี่ which is the term in Thai) to know more
