My car broke down yesterday after putting petrol in a garage. IT would not start which was the starter motor. The AA chap towed it about 1.5 miles to a local car garage, was not on a trailor so the rear wheels were on the ground.
Now the car seems to be struggling to pull away from start. The engine seems to rev lots and it hardly moves. Also there seems to be a jolt when putting it in Drive. Reverse seems to be ok. Any
idea what may be wrong ? The garage have kept the car again.
Oh dear, that doesn't sound good. The issue with towing an auto with wheels on the ground is that the autobox is a pressurized hydraulic unit, without the oil pump working the internals are not getting any oil. The oil just sits in the sump leaving the vital internals dry of lubrication.
They should only be transported on a flatbed with all 4 wheels off the ground or with 2 rear wheels on the ground with the drive shaft disconnected from gearbox. When he AA idiot suggested towing your car rear wheels on the ground you should of flat out refused.
I can only hazard a guess from behind my keyboard but I'd say it's damaged your gearbox and I'd be on the phone to AA asking them why their driver towed my automatic car in this way and what are they going to do about it.
id try a software update first it may be going into limp mode and using 5th gear to pull away thats what my mates 325 does when he gets any auto problems revs high and pulls off slowly he had it into a specialist and was told it does that to protect gearbox
might be worth a try for the sake of £40+ i would think the moment you agree for your car to be towed away your liable not AA unless there very sympathetic to you
You're wrong Gold, the AA fella should of known you can't tow a rear wheel auto on the ground and if your mate has to do that with his autobox then there is something clearly wrong with it.
why are you changing my post to make yourself look good it did read im wrong your right with a cloud 9 smiley (and isntead of some long winded arguement with you as you send me messages on how your gonna delete my stuff when i dont agree with you i thought id just use a smiley to not be rude)
ok so shall we clear it up....
when did you become a qualified auto specialist?
when did you become an AA terms and condition specailist?
yes my friends car may have a fault how is my post unuseful advice?
You can tow autos with the wheels on the ground, there will be data in the manual saying what can be done.
Usually lowish speeds and short distances, but if BMW say their happy to let that happen, it should take it no probs.
OK, half an hour on the motorway isn't going to do anything any favours, but they should handle towing it to a local garage.
This was apparently taken from an E90 handbook, but gives you an idea-
"Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph or 70 km/h and a towing distance of 90 miles/150 km; otherwise, the automatic transmission may be damaged"
I'm sure the E46 handbook will say something similar.
just read your PM glad your cars back up and running fine now :thumbsup
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