I've never understood why you can't tow an auto?

What is it about them that makes it a no no?

Would have though if it's in neutral it wouldn't matter.

I think its got something to do with the fluid that has to be pumped around the autobox when its turning, when being towed this pump will either not be running or not running or if engine ticking over not running fast enough.

 

Probably wrong, but worth a guess.

No lurication, in the old days some boxes had "rear pumps" as well, these you could tow as the pump was on the output shaft. An engine which is idling is OK for towing as the pump is being turned. OR, some/most boxes can be towed if you OVERFILL the box by a large amount, this puts the oil high enough to lubricate, not for too far though.

You can tow a Z if you disconect the propshaft;)

Would have thought low speed towing with the box in neutral also OK, i.e. less than 35mph for short distances.

 

Must read the handbook.

I seem to remember from when the AA bloke rescued me, that their manual states less than 10 miles distance, at less than 20mph, possibly after over filling the box...

 

Which wasn't even far enough to the next junction on the M40 for me.. D'oh :)

dont know if it is right but i was told buy a guy that was in the navy that it is because i winds the torque converter up and that most of the time if you drain the fluid out you can tow them he said that was the same principal that his aircraft carier worked on pump fluid out and no drive pump it in and full drive!

toger13, your navy chap is plain wrong. As for putting it in neutral, with the engine off the gearbox does not know what gear it is in (other than park) as there is no pressure to "engage" the gears. So other than park you can do what you want with it (engine off)