Tow a 5-spd AWD?

[rpisnt7]

Just wondered - is it possible to tow with all four wheels on the ground an
all-wheel-drive subaru (post '90 Legacy or Impreza) with manual transmission
without melting the transimission? A friend is curious - Thanks

Shannon

 

[Bonehenge]

Just wondered - is it possible to tow with all four wheels on the ground an
all-wheel-drive subaru (post '90 Legacy or Impreza) with manual transmission
without melting the transimission?

No.

Barry

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

check the manual but I think you can, with some speed/distance
restriction maybe.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[ceraboy]

for a short period of time below 40mph, otherwise the heat build up
from internal friction without adequate lubricaiton will destroy the
tranny.

 

[Ralph E Lindberg]

Just wondered - is it possible to tow with all four wheels on the ground an
all-wheel-drive subaru (post '90 Legacy or Impreza) with manual transmission
without melting the transimission? A friend is curious - Thanks

Shannon

... and now for the rest of the story.

I assume they are looking at a "toad" (ie behind the motor home). The
answer is, check the manual, since it's a "it depends".

Try looking at http://www.towingworld.com/vehicle.html and
http://www.towingworld.com/DinghyGuide/subaru2.html and
http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/dinghytowingguide/index.cfm

So you see it is -not- NO.

--

 

[Bonehenge]

http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/dinghytowingguide/index.cfm

So you see it is -not- NO.

From that page:

"Q: We want to tow an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle behind our
motorhome. What is required?

A: AWD vehicles, and 4WD vehicles that do not have a neutral position
in the transfer case, should not, in most cases, be flat-towed without
modifications. A trailer is the safest way to transport them. However,
some can also be transported with the front axle on a tow dolly and
with the rear driveshaft disconnected. That can be done with a device
such as the driveshaft-disconnect kit made by Remco. "

My 2001 manual says not to flat tow the car as well. Your other
sources have an awful lot of disclaimers. I think I would but my car
on a trailer, unless it's worth little and I didn't care about it.

The thing that scares me the most is if the towed Subie loses air
pressure in one tire. Could you feel that in the motorhome? You'd be
trashing the drivetrain from that point on.

Barry

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

From that page:

"Q: We want to tow an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle behind our
motorhome. What is required?

A: AWD vehicles, and 4WD vehicles that do not have a neutral position
in the transfer case, should not, in most cases, be flat-towed without
modifications. A trailer is the safest way to transport them. However,
some can also be transported with the front axle on a tow dolly and
with the rear driveshaft disconnected. That can be done with a device
such as the driveshaft-disconnect kit made by Remco. "

My 2001 manual says not to flat tow the car as well. Your other
sources have an awful lot of disclaimers. I think I would but my car
on a trailer, unless it's worth little and I didn't care about it.

The thing that scares me the most is if the towed Subie loses air
pressure in one tire. Could you feel that in the motorhome? You'd be
trashing the drivetrain from that point on.

Barry

If you download the actual guide and look up Subaru all models with manual
transmissions are listed as towable (with no speed or distance limits) and
all automatics are listed as not.

As always I would consult your owners manual as the final authority.

I also found this information on the web:

Towing a Subaru behind a motorhome or a tow-truck

The following is from Subaru "Helpline Update, 2/97"

There has been a change to the policy regarding towing of Subaru vehicles
behind motorhomes. The following applies to 1990 through present model
year Legacy (Including Outback), 1993 through present year Impreza (incl.
Outback Sport), and 1992 through present year SVX. (Note: should also
include 1998 through present year Forester. Joe)

Manual Transmission:
All Wheel Drive vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground
or with all four wheels off the ground on a trailer but towing an AWD
vehicle must never be attempted with only two wheels on the ground or two
wheels on a dolly.

Front Wheel Drive vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground
in neutral or with the two front wheels off the ground.

Automatic Transmission AWD vehicles cannot be towed with any wheels on the
ground. The vehicle can only be towed on a trailer with all 4 wheels off
the ground and the transmission in park.

Note: always inspect and check your car: radiator, coolant, all hoses, all
fluids, brakes, towing equipment, lights etc

Source <http://www.cars101.com/subwarr.html>

 

[Bonehenge]

I also found this information on the web:

Towing a Subaru behind a motorhome or a tow-truck

The following is from Subaru "Helpline Update, 2/97"

There has been a change to the policy regarding towing of Subaru vehicles
behind motorhomes. The following applies to 1990 through present model
year Legacy (Including Outback), 1993 through present year Impreza (incl.
Outback Sport), and 1992 through present year SVX. (Note: should also
include 1998 through present year Forester. Joe)

Manual Transmission:
All Wheel Drive vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground
or with all four wheels off the ground on a trailer but towing an AWD
vehicle must never be attempted with only two wheels on the ground or two
wheels on a dolly.

I saw that too, but in '01(4 years after the bulletin) limited slip
diffs became standard on the 5 speeds, after being an option on the
'00. I wonder how that would change things?

Can anyone tell me how down a tire on a towed vehicle has to get
before it's noticeable to the driver? I've never flat towed any car
myself.

I would imagine that 3 tires with 31 PSI and one with 15 would be
really rough on the AWD system. Especially since this is a car that
can't even take a donut spare or one new tire and 3 used tires.

Comments?

Barry

 

[Jim Stewart]

I saw that too, but in '01(4 years after the bulletin) limited slip
diffs became standard on the 5 speeds, after being an option on the
'00. I wonder how that would change things?

Can anyone tell me how down a tire on a towed vehicle has to get
before it's noticeable to the driver? I've never flat towed any car
myself.

I would imagine that 3 tires with 31 PSI and one with 15 would be
really rough on the AWD system. Especially since this is a car that
can't even take a donut spare or one new tire and 3 used tires.

The point was made about a year ago (not by me) that the
rolling circumference of a tire is largely independent
of inflation pressure.

 

[David]

The point was made about a year ago (not by me) that the
rolling circumference of a tire is largely independent
of inflation pressure.

I've long felt that to be true. Not hard to test, but I've never bothered. In any case while the
"radius at the road" changes when the pressure drops, the effective tread circumference (how
much progress the car makes for one wheel revolution) should be essentially the same for
most acceptable tire pressures.

If you're dead flat, the effective circumference approaches that of the rim, so there is clearly some
effect. OTOH, once you've go enough air so that you're not driving on the sidewalls, I'd expect
differences to be slight: The length of the tread is constant, and you're moving roughly that
much each revolution.

The thing is if one tire goes flat while you're towing a vehicle, you are driving on the sidewalls,
and, in addition to likely damaging the tire, you have a wheel speed that is different from the others,
so could be damaging LSD or AWD parts as well.

 

[Bonehenge]

The thing is if one tire goes flat while you're towing a vehicle, you are driving on the sidewalls,
and, in addition to likely damaging the tire, you have a wheel speed that is different from the others,
so could be damaging LSD or AWD parts as well.

Right!

I'm wondering how that would be felt in the motorhome or bus doing the
towing. Would it be immediately obvious, or would it require the
highway patrol pulling you over to tell you?

Barry