legacycentral bbs

Well here it is 4wd first since that is what most of us have


manual transmission

should be towed with either all four wheels on the ground or all four off the ground.

When towing with all four wheels off the ground put it into first and apply the parking brake.

When towing with all four wheels on the ground , the traveling speed must be limited to less than 20 mph(30 km/h) and the distance less than 31 miles (50 km).

For more speed or distance transport on a trailer or with all four wheels off the ground.

automatic transmission

Place the selector in neutral when an automatic vehicle is being towed with all four wheels on the ground.

Put a a 15 amp fuse into the FWD connector and never exceed 20 mph (30 km/h).

If the vehicle has to be towed more than 6 miles (10 km), have it towed with the front wheels off the ground

When transmission failure occurs (their words not mine) the front wheels must be raised off the ground and a towing dolly used under the rear wheels (huh ?? ) or the vehicle must be transported with all four wheels off the ground

Front wheel drive

look at the automatic 4wd section omitting the FWD connector (I didn't feel like typing it over..... sorry )

When transmission failure occurs (see there they go again) and the vehicle has to be towed , always tow it with the front wheel raised off the ground


thank you everyone for being patient

I dont think that is correct.

automatic transmission

Put a a 15 amp fuse into the FWD connector and never exceed 20 mph (30 km/h).

If the vehicle has to be towed more than 6 miles (10 km), have it towed with the front wheels off the ground

The center differential is still in contact even with the fuse in place, not only that but I dont think the FWD fuse has any effect if the vehicle is off. You also have to think that with the car off the transmission will no longer be lubricated, if you are moving parts inside heat can build up and damage.

I say NEVER TOW WITH ANY WHEELS ON THE GROUND

Well, the automatic doesn't really have a center differential per se; it's just the multiplate transfer clutch that would be slipping 100%. I don't know enough about how it works but it just might be okay if the FWD fuse is in so there's no line pressure on the clutch actuator.

I'd agree that the best policy is to have all four wheels off the ground for multiple reasons; most non-flatbed tow trucks do have dollies for this purpose, but the driver isn't always aware of it or willing to go to the trouble. If I had to tow a 4WD Subaru without all four wheels off the ground I would probably choose to leave all four on the ground, and, if possible, have the engine running if it's an automatic (to keep ATF moving).

Another important point is to make sure the ignition switch is in the "off" position if you're towing a car with a pneumatic suspension, especially if you're raising one end of the car.

I swear that I read a subaru document stating that a 2 wheel dyno could not be used even with the FWD fuse since the clutches still contacted each other.

I dont see why the same wouldnt be true when towing. The other problem is the function of the center "diff."

If the car is running and the line is disconnected to the solenoid that controls lockup then it will be at a totally locked position. If the FWD fuse is inserted the center diff solenoid receives 14 volts and no lockup occurs.

Would it not make sense that no matter if the fuse is in or not that when the vehicle is off the center diff is completly locked?

Ciper, as vrg3 said, there really isn't a center diff on automatics.

I agree with you that It'd be best to tow with a dolly, but the fact that it comes directly from the owner's manual......I'm going to assume it's correct.

Subaru has changed their position on the towing issue a few times; my 1993 manual makes no mention of towing 4WD Subarus without a flatbed.

CENTER DIFFERENTIAL

Dammit you guys, I know the difference. I took my broken transmission apart just to look at it. Your just arguing scemantics!

Sorry, Ciper, I wasn't trying to be nitpicky.

There is a functional difference between the MPT clutch and a differential, though. With the MPT clutch completely disengaged, there is no physical connection at all between the front and rear driveshafts other than through fluid friction of ATF. A differential involves an input pinion that's always meshed with a ring gear, which has a mechanical link to both output pinion gears.

Alright time for me to be a smart ass...

Why would we have to tow our cars? We have Subarus, they can get themselves to whereever they need to be towed to!!!

But I agree, if the guy ain't gonna tow my car with all 4 wheels off the ground, then I guess it's just gonna hafta stay there...

vrg3: well to be really nitpicky...

From Miriam Webster dictionary, definition 4 for the word differential

d : functioning or proceeding differently or at a different rate

So the rear wheels are allowed to travel at a increased or decreased distance from the front, even if its not a ring and pinion its
STILL A DIFFERENTIAL

Gentlemen please,
as i said this was taken directly from the owners manual !!!!!!!!! It was not my intent to have yet another problem for everyone to pick at. It WAS my intent to let everyone know what the book says. However I agree that I would only tow with all four wheels on the ground or on a flatbed thank you