I've read in the past of the dire warnings about rolling one's auto transmission Subaru (01 Outback) while in neutral and/or towing without a dolly. Should this warning include carwashes where they ask you to put the car in neutral as it rolls 50 feet through the various wash-rinse-dry cycles? thanks.

nope, not at all, the only time there is a problem, is when the vehicle is OFF and it is rolling, because there is no fluid flowing around the transmission, and burns up the clutch.

Actually the 10 - 20 yards or so wont hurt it at all. It wont even notice it considering its at less then 5mph. Also the car is being moved with all 4 wheels on the ground in a straight line.

Now if your talking miles, then you have a huge problem. The problem comes up as soon as one tire starts rotating a different speed then the other tires (ie on a curve) at speed.

Its not just the clutch pack, but the entire automatic transmission (for you people with 2wd cars) that gets over heated over long distances.

 

nipper

Its not just the clutch pack, but the entire automatic transmission (for you people with 2wd cars) that gets over heated over long distances.

 

+1

It's not just Subies either...ANY auto trans can be cooked by towing with the drive wheels on the ground.

Yeah, what's the rule of thumb? No more than 25mph or 50 miles total distance?

 

 

Of course, engine running, you can select neutral and freewheel for as long as you like.