Can I tow my 2012 automatic?
4/2/18, 07:08 PM
#2
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I'm pretty sure the short answer is "no."
I have not attempted to tow a Mustang; but from what I know about towing:
If you flat tow it in neutral, the transmission will overheat . . . unless you figure out some way to hook up a transmission cooler that works when the engine is not running.
With an automatic transmission, you really want the transmission in "park" while towing; so it is not turning and building up heat. This works well with 4-wheel-drive vehicles where you can disengage both driveshafts. On a conventional rear-wheel-drive, you would need to disconnect the driveshaft.
To tow on a dolly, you would need to put the rear wheels up on the dolly, and tow it backwards. And you'd need to lock the steering wheel with the wheels perfectly straight, or it won't track straight. I guess you might be able to pull this off, but it will be a good trick.
I have not attempted to tow a Mustang; but from what I know about towing:
If you flat tow it in neutral, the transmission will overheat . . . unless you figure out some way to hook up a transmission cooler that works when the engine is not running.
With an automatic transmission, you really want the transmission in "park" while towing; so it is not turning and building up heat. This works well with 4-wheel-drive vehicles where you can disengage both driveshafts. On a conventional rear-wheel-drive, you would need to disconnect the driveshaft.
To tow on a dolly, you would need to put the rear wheels up on the dolly, and tow it backwards. And you'd need to lock the steering wheel with the wheels perfectly straight, or it won't track straight. I guess you might be able to pull this off, but it will be a good trick.
4/3/18, 04:06 AM
#3
You could always remove the driveshaft if you can get under the car. Should not take more than a 10 minutes once car is raised. Towing flat after that should be no issue. Best way is a flatbed or trailer though.
. Must be towed with all 4 wheels off the ground
4/3/18, 05:29 AM
#5
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Yup, owner's manual clearly states the Mustang should only be towed on a flat-bed or a trailer where all 4 wheels are off the ground.
Plus, you lift either end of the Mustang and you will 99% chance damage either the front chin splitter / lower part of the front bumper, or the exhaust tips / bottom part of the rear bumper.
Car's too low to be towed on a dolly.
Plus, you lift either end of the Mustang and you will 99% chance damage either the front chin splitter / lower part of the front bumper, or the exhaust tips / bottom part of the rear bumper.
Car's too low to be towed on a dolly.
4/3/18, 08:59 AM
#6
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But yeah the low front fascia will present some problems for the tow bar also.
4/4/18, 04:50 AM
#7
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I can't see the OP at 62 years old with a $300,000 RV traveling across America jacking up his Mustang to install the driveshaft at every town he visits 
.
.
4/4/18, 05:10 AM
#8
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yeah me neither . . . when I looked into this a while back, the most practical choice was a small pickup or SUV that had the 4WD that could be completely disengaged, believe it or not we towed a Dodge pick-up in park. The higher front end of a pickup makes the tow bars a lot easier to deal with also.
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