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Can you tow a Subaru that don't run ok?

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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 06:26 PM
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Default Can you tow a Subaru that don't run ok?

Hi think of getting an impreza that needs an engine can I safely tow it without causing any damage?

Thanks
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 06:29 PM
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If its 4WD, it should go on a flatbed
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 06:30 PM
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no, you will wind the diff up, short journeys are ok but its best to avoid at all costs,.
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 06:36 PM
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old wifes tail that. its autos you cant tow.
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 06:49 PM
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For once id stick to the old wife and wouldnt risk it
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by ukimpreza
old wifes tail that. its autos you cant tow.
Some 4WD you can get away with, AWD, well, you tow it and see how you get on.

Flatbed it mate, trust me
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 07:25 PM
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What's the difference between towing it and them times on the road you drop your clutch!?

Thanks
Sam
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 07:31 PM
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You should have no trouble at all towing it , the diffs would only wind up if you had different size tyres or different ratio final drives front and rear.

My rally car got towed loads of times when breaking down on rallies , didn't cause me any problems
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 07:31 PM
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as long as all 4 wheels are on the ground its ok. its only a problem when you lift 2 wheels off the ground and leave 2 on.
if you have no choice but to lift the front wheels and leave the back on the ground, then remove the prop shaft first and you will be fine
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 07:39 PM
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being in the recovery bussiness they recomend that you can only tow awd cars for 10 mins at 15mph flat bed all day long m8
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by andy-m
as long as all 4 wheels are on the ground its ok. its only a problem when you lift 2 wheels off the ground and leave 2 on.
if you have no choice but to lift the front wheels and leave the back on the ground, then remove the prop shaft first and you will be fine
if you have to tow with 2 wheels on the floor ,you can take the prop off.
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by dannyboygti
being in the recovery bussiness they recomend that you can only tow awd cars for 10 mins at 15mph flat bed all day long m8
+1, in the same industry
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 08:21 PM
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Never heard this.

Why would it be ANY different from towing a FWD, or a RWD car, SO LONG AS ALL FOUR WHEELS ARE ON THE GROUND?

Never mind recommendations from know-nothing companies, explain it, someone?
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 08:28 PM
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The automatics have a fuse holder bY the battery i believe and a fuse must be fitted before towing those,dont know for certain about manuals though ?
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 08:32 PM
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This may be a stupid question but how can towing a 4 wheel drive be any different than towing a 2 wheel drive? as when driving around in said car it causes no problems? after all isn't towing just driving a car without the engine running?
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 08:33 PM
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DO NOT TOW A SUBARU WITH ANY WHEELS OFF THE GROUND.

The viscous fluid WILL overheat and render the diff useless!

The autos use a clutch pack that will also fry! Removing the fuse will turn off the clutch pack, but the car must be on and in neutral.
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by jakea
DO NOT TOW A SUBARU WITH ANY WHEELS OFF THE GROUND.

The viscous fluid WILL overheat and render the diff useless!

The autos use a clutch pack that will also fry! Removing the fuse will turn off the clutch pack, but the car must be on and in neutral.
I'm sure you mean ANY TWO WHEELS OFF THE GROUND?

JohnD
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 10:16 PM
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Thanks for your answers will flat bed it to be safe.

Cheers
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Old Nov 18, 2011 | 09:50 AM
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Found this on the Subaru web site in FAQ's. This is the thing I've learnt today, I always thought you couldn't tow an AWD. Don't know why I thought that, but never bothered to check either.

AWD Subaru vehicles with manual transmissions can be towed with all four wheels on the ground and the transmission in neutral. STI vehicles with 6 Speed Manual Transmissions can also be towed with all four wheels on the ground and the transmission in neutral. In addition, STI vehicles with 6 Speed Manual Transmissions require that the Driver's Control Center Differential (DCCD) is set in manual mode and the DCCD control dial set to the furthest rearward position.

Please refer to your owner's manual for additional important information on towing vehicles with all four wheels on the ground.
AWD Subaru vehicles with automatic transmission can only be towed with all four wheels OFF of the ground. Therefore, if you are interested in towing a Subaru behind your motorhome, we would suggest purchasing a manual transmission Subaru.
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Old Nov 18, 2011 | 12:09 PM
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as i thought. done it with Landrovers before n had to drop the rear prop as I only had a spec lift
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