Although, there is one possibility of towing a car without putting it in neutral, for which, you will have to use a flatbed tow truck. It is specifically designed to lift the vehicles on the truck, especially heavier cars, which are harder to tow, and transport the cars without any need to put it in neutral.
However, it is usually advised to always put the vehicle in neutral before towing it to avoid any serious damage.
Can You Put A Car In Neutral Without Turning It On?
Yes, you can put a car in neutral without turning the engine on, and here’s how you can do it:
- The first step is to ensure that the vehicle is parked and the engine is off.
- Look for the gearbox, which is in the center of the console right in front of the armrest between the passenger and the driver’s seat.
- Now press the brake pedal, which is in the middle, and hold it firmly for a couple of seconds.
- While pressing the brake, use your other hand to shift the gear stick to the neutral position, which is mentioned and noted as N. Usually, the Neutral (N) position is below Reverse (R), but the exact position of it can vary depending on the vehicle’s model and make,
- After you put the gear in a neutral position, you can slowly release the break.
Shifting the car into neutral without turning on the engine is merely done for specific purposes, either when your car is being towed or pushed.
Do You Need To Put A Car In Neutral To Tow It?
Yes, you need to put a car in neutral before towing it to prevent damage to the vehicle’s transmission. Especially when you’re not using a flatbed tow truck or a wheel lift tow truck, in both cases, your vehicle will be lifted off the floor, and there will be no need to change the gear.
But if you need to tow it without any of these two, it can severely threaten the transmission of the car or other drivetrain components.
Therefore, It is always recommended to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to put the car in neutral, which is always the safest option; otherwise, use specialized equipment as a helping hand to lift the car’s wheels off the ground. Cheapset way to tow your car with towing company.
Can You Tow A Car Without Putting It In Neutral?
No, you can not tow a car without putting the car in neutral for several reasons and some potential threats and damages that can occur:
1. Transmission Damage
Towing a car without putting the car in neutral and having the transmission engaged can force the transmission fluid to overheat, which can lead to internal damage. This is because its components are not manufactured and are designed to constantly spin while being towed.
2. Torque Converter Damage
It can damage the torque converter that is responsible for shifting power from the engine of the car to the transmission. If you don’t put it in neutral while towing it, the torque converter can face overheating buildup, leading to damage and getting replaced.
3. Fluid Pump Damage
The transmission fluid needs to be circulated through the transmission and the fluid pump handles the task, and the pump relies on the running engine. If the car is turned off and is not in neutral, the pump doesn’t work, causing serious damage by not lubricating adequately.
4. Drivetrain Components
Last but not least, not putting a car in neutral while towing it can add pressure and stress on drivetrain components, namely the gears, seals, and bearings, causing wear and failure.
May you also read: How to Move a Car With No Wheels – Complete Guide 2023
How To Put A Car In Neutral Without A Key?
Yes, You can put a car in neutral without a key, but it varies depending on the make and model of the car. However, this process mostly involves bypassing the ignition system directly to access the gear selector, and here’s how you can do that:
Locate the gear selector, which is located in the center console, then remove the wheel cover if your car allows that as some cars have removable covers. After you remove the cover, you’ll get complete access to the components inside.
Now look for the shift interlock override that prevents shifting the gear out of the park without the key or the engine running. You’ll need to turn off this mechanism, by inserting a small sturdy tool that can enter the shift interlock override opening, such as a screwdriver.
As you fit the tool in the opening, press the override button with the help of the tool, and it will immediately release the shift lock mechanism. Shift the car to neutral by moving the gear selector freely.
How Do I Protect My Transmission While Towing?
To protect your transmission while towing, you should follow these tips:
Towing A Car With A Truck
The best way to prevent the transmission while towing is to use a truck.
Your car has to be in neutral before towing as it damages the engine when the transmission is engaged. Use a flatbed truck or trailer, as it will lift all four wheels of the towed car off the ground, removing any pressure on the transmission. If necessary, you can consider professional assistance if you are unsure about the actual procedures or if you lack experience in it.
RC Truck Towing
Using an RC truck for towing has a few things you will need to learn to protect the transmission of your car:
Use a proper and sturdy tow strap or hitch to ensure that you have a strong and secure connection between the RC truck and the towing vehicle. Make sure the RC truck has enough power, acceleration, and torque to handle the load. If the truck doesn’t have enough strength, it can damage both vehicles due to excessive strain.
Make sure you drive the RC truck at a moderate speed and avoid dangerous turns, as extra speed can put pressure on the transmission leading to engine failure.
If you don’t have enough knowledge of the RC truck, it’s better to reach out to the manual book or consult with an experienced RC driver for further advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you tow a car not in neutral?
It can seriously damage the transmission and the engine if you tow a car that is not in neutral.
Does the car need to be in neutral for tow?
Yes, the car needs to be in neutral, or you can use a flatbed tow truck or an RC truck, which completely lifts the vehicle off the ground.
Can you tow a car that is stuck in the park?
You will have to use a flatbed truck to lift the vehicle off the ground, otherwise, towing a car that is in parking can damage the transmission and engine.
Is it safe to tow an automatic car?
Yes, it is safe to tow an automatic car, but you will need to ensure that the vehicle is in neutral.
Summary
it is important to put your car in neutral before towing it to prevent damage to the transmission and other components. If you are unsure how to tow your vehicle safely, it is always best to consult your owner’s manual or a qualified mechanic.
