I have a 1994 Volvo 850 with 5 speed manuel transmission that I would like to toe with a tow bar. In my owners manuel it does not make any distinction between manuel and automatic and just says not to tow more then 20 miles at 20 MPH. This is assuming you will be towing with drive wheels turning. Naturally, with a tow bar the car will be on all four wheels.

Has anybody successfully towed a 850 with manuel transmission without causing transmission problems?

Thanks,
Mike

 

I could see this being an issue if you had an auto, but I don't see why it would be a problem with a manual being the wheels are disconnected from the engine completely when it is not in gear.

With an auto, I guess the issue is that the trans and engine are never 100% disconnected like a manual car.

 

Thank you for your input. I agree that it seems logical that should not be an issue. However my mechanic says that there are some transsexuals, even on manuel transmissions, that do not get oiled properly unless the impute shaft is turning. My concern is, would the differential get oiled properly if this were the case.

I'm hoping to find someone who knows the internal working of this transmission or has had experience towing with this transmission so I can have some assurance.

 

I tow my mine behind my motorhome with a dolly but it's an automatic. If you want to be assured just use a dolly. In the RV circles there seems strong opinions against dollies but to me, although a bit less convenient, the dolly will work with any car, so if you change cars or just want to take a different one you can and the costs are close if not in favor of the dolly.