Flat towing an ix

[Kershaw]

Packing and unpacking the ix for rallycross can get tedious. Throwing everything in the Explorer would be much easier.

Any reason why flat towing would be bad? It should be just like coasting down a hill in neutral, right?

[audiquattrot]

I've done it before and saw no ill effects from it. 1-2 mile tow.

[Kershaw]

This would be more like 100-200 miles, haha.

[4x4_e30]

Car dolly, remove front driveshaft. And I'm a retard.

[nando]

As long as all 4 wheels are on the ground it should be fine

[The Dark Side of Will]

When you flat tow a car, leave the steering unlocked.

The iX's limited caster may not self center the steering well coming out of turns.

ETA: turning the output shaft in the transmission with no gears turning doesn't lubricate anything.
Let the engine idle in neutral while you're towing it :-P

[Kershaw]

why would the engine be idling? Neutral is a given, but lol the car will be turned off.

[jeenyus]

I towed mine flat for about 10 miles through the city when I moved. It's totally possible as long as all four are ok the ground.

[The Dark Side of Will]

why would the engine be idling? Neutral is a given, but lol the car will be turned off.

ETA: turning the output shaft in the transmission with no gears turning doesn't lubricate anything.

[nando]

If no gears are tuning, what needs lubricated? How is it any different from coasting in neutral?

[nrubenstein]

If no gears are tuning, what needs lubricated? How is it any different from coasting in neutral?

The transmission is typically lubricated by turning the *input* shaft. Towing with the engine off means that you are spinning parts of the trans dry. IIRC, BMW says max 50 miles.

Coasting down a hill in neutral for 200 miles would be bad, too.

[Kershaw]

Huh, that's really interesting. Because of that comment I did some googling, some people suggest raising the idle to 1500rpm as well. Wouldn't be that hard with a zip tie.

[2002tiiguy]

im pretty sure the only issue is with the auto cars... and bmw says even for those just add a quart of atf to the transmission

[nando]

The transmission is typically lubricated by turning the *input* shaft. Towing with the engine off means that you are spinning parts of the trans dry. IIRC, BMW says max 50 miles.

Coasting down a hill in neutral for 200 miles would be bad, too.

Again.. If nothing is moving, why does it need lubricated? It's not in gear. It makes no difference if the engine is on or off.

[The Dark Side of Will]

Again.. If nothing is moving, why does it need lubricated? It's not in gear. It makes no difference if the engine is on or off.

The output shaft is turning in a flat tow situation.

That means that all the needle bearings where the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th gears ride on the output shaft are turning, but there aren't any gears turning to get the oil moving, so there's basically no lubrication for those needles. Oh yeah, and the pilot bearing/bushing where the output shaft centers in the back of the input shaft.

Also, coasting down a hill with the engine running turns all the gears and gets oil moving.

Tie the clutch pedal down and put the trans in 5th could work.