Towing Acura & BMW

[dstand534]

I have a friend who is trying to find out about towing a 2004 Acura MDX with automatic transmission or BMW Z3 with manual 5 speed. Anyone have any experience?

[wolfe10]

FMCA has excellent "what is towable 4 wheels down" guides going back more than a decade: http://www.fmca.com/motorhome/towing/204-towing-index

Click on the model year of the vehicle of interest.

Brett

[dstand534]

Thanks, Brett. I will pass that on to him. David

[ClayL]

The 2004 Acura can be towed 4 down. 2005 was the last year Honda approved of it though.

There is a procedure that must be followed to prevent transmission damage however.

I got the following letter from Honda in 2002.

"02/22/02

(all models except CR-V)

Dear customer:

Regarding your inquiry on towing your Honda or Acura automobile behind a motorhome:

For your vehicle, the Owner's Manual advises against towing at more than 35 m.p.h or for more than 50 miles. However, this recommendation exists primarily because Honda has not conducted formal tests at higher speeds and for greater distances.

We are not aware of any particular problems being caused by motorhome towing of Honda/Acura automobiles with either manual or automatic transmission, so long as proper pre-towing preparations are made and the vehicle is towed at legal highway speeds.

Manual Transmission

When preparing to tow your vehicle, make sure the transmission is full of fluid. Do not overfill.

• Release the parking brake.

• Shift the transmission to Neutral.

• Turn the ignition key to the ACCESSORY (1) position to release the steering wheel lock. Make sure that the radio and all accessories are turned off.

Automatic Transmission

When preparing to tow your vehicle, make sure the transmission fluid level is full. Do not overfill.

If Honda/Acura automobile with an automatic transmission is towed with the front or all four wheels on the ground, you must do the following every day immediately before towing:

• Start the engine.

• Press on the brake pedal. Shift the lever through all the positions (P,R,N,D,2,1).

• Shift to D, then to N. Let the engine run for at least three minutes, then turn off engine.

• Release the parking brake.

• Leave the ignition switch in ACCESSORY (1) so the steering wheel does not lock. Make sure the radio and any items plugged into the accessory power sockets are turned off so you do not run down the battery.

If you travel more than 8 hours in one day (including stopping time), you must stop and repeat the above procedures.

NOTICE:

The steering system can be damaged if the steering wheel is locked. Always leave the key in the ACCESSORY (1) position to prevent damage to the steering system when towing behind another vehicle.

CAUTION:

Severe automatic transmission damage will occur if the car is shifted from reverse to neutral and then towed with the drive wheels on the ground.

NOTICE:

Improper towing preparation will damage the transmission. Follow the above procedure exactly. If you cannot shift the transmission or start the engine, your vehicle must be on a flat bed truck or trailer.

If you tow a Honda/Acura vehicle with automatic transmission, the fluid must be changed every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Although experience has shown that the Honda/Acura transmission and powertrain are capable of being "motorhome towed", America Honda does not assume responsibility for any vehicle damage or liabilities incurred due to the towing device, towing vehicle, lighting hookup, or other towing equipment or towing procedures; any responsibility for these items is assumed by the owner/operator.

If you have additional questions, please call American Honda Motor Co. Inc. (National Consumer Affairs) at 800-999-1009. "

[srfridley]

I have towed a 2005 Acura MDX 4 wheels down for the last three years (about 30,000 miles) with no problems. Follow the guidance in the owners manual which is basically the same as stated in the above post. I have a DEMCO towbar/baseplate and have wired in individual bulb tow lights, a TOAD battery charger, and use a brake buddy braking system. My Acura has a navigation system making the battery charging system neccessary for any towing operations over about 2 hours.