Towing a hybrid March 18, 2003, 01:35:09 pm Yahoo Message Number: 19981Hi, This isn't a lazy daze question but I was wondering if anyone has had experience with, or knowes anything about towing the new Honda Civic Hybrid? Also, same question re: VW Golf Diesel?Either auto would be with manual trans.Bob
Re: Towing a hybrid Reply #1 – March 18, 2003, 02:05:19 pm Yahoo Message Number: 19984QuoteHi,This isn't a lazy daze question but I was wondering if anyone has had experience with, or knowes anything about towing the new Honda Civic Hybrid? Also, same question re: VW Golf Diesel?Either auto would be with manual trans. From the Honda website:TOWING YOUR HONDA BEHIND A MOTORHOME Your Civic hybrid's Owner's Manual advises against towing at more than 35 mph or for more than 50 miles. However, this recommendation exists primarily because Honda has not conducted formal towing tests at higher speeds and for greater distances. We are not aware of any particular problems being caused by motorhome towing of Honda 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 Civic hybrid, 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 (I) position to release the steering wheel lock. Make sure that the radio and all accessories are turned off.Notice The steering system can be damaged if the steering wheel is locked. Leave the ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I) position, and make sure the steering wheel turns freely before you begin towing. 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 transported on a flatbed truck or trailer.Note Although experience has shown that the Honda transmission and powertrain are capable of being "motorhome towed," American 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.Probably similar info available from VW.Steve
Re: Towing a hybrid- Honda and Toyota Reply #2 – March 18, 2003, 03:39:34 pm Yahoo Message Number: 19987I checked the owner's manual in our Civic hybrid at work and Steve's report is correct. Have you had a chance to drive one? It is very tiny and tinny. The body cavities are filled with foam, in an attempt to make it more crash worthy. It is a two passenger vehicle. The governmental entity, which I work for, has a fleet of alternative fuel vehicles and it has been interesting to be able to drive them. If I were inclined to own a hybrid, I would buy a Toyota Prius. It is a much nicer vehicle and can carry four with some comfort. At 52 mpg city and 45 mpg hi-way, it should give you all the mileage that you need. It feels more like a `real' car, IMO.Larry
Re: Towing a hybrid Reply #3 – March 18, 2003, 07:33:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 19996Bob, The info Steve gave is correct for the Honda though it should be fine to tow in a manual transmission without problems. I know people towing the Accord and the Civic in the standard not hybrid type and they have no problems with them. Honda has the same info for all their cars and only tested their SUVs for 4 down towing. You can see a list of 2003 towable cars that the mfgs approve or tested for towing on the Motor Home magazine web site. They finally posted the 2003 PDF doc.The Toyota that Larry mentioned is NOT towable 4 down unless Remco has now come out with some way of modifying it for towing. The new CVT (continuously variable transmission) or ECVT ( E for electronically controlled) automatic transmission is not meant to be towable 4 down. The VW Golf or Jetta TDI in manual can be towed 4 down but VW hasn't tested it just like Honda. The problem with them is that Consumer Reports and JD Power show that there have been a lot of reported problems with all these newer VWs including the new Beetle. All have the same chassis and drive train just a different body on it. The Beetle had the best of the ratings in reliability but it was below avgerage and the Jetta had the worse of the VWs but both the Golf and Jetta were in the much worse category where the Beetle was just in the worse category.We've looked into these for a new vehicle to replace our Geo Storm. We didn't get to see the hybrid Civic but it is supposed to be a 4 passenger vehicle though the rear is cramped per the Consumer Reports test results. They did rate it well though and it is a recommended car on their site. It isn't rated as well as the Prius in the reliability comparisons but if you want something you won't have to modify and possibly void the warranty the Prius is not a choice unless you want to use a dolly. If you don't care about passenger comfort in the rear or it will be just 2 of you then the Civic Hybrid would be the better choice. We are now leaning toward the Honda Accord because my wife wants a little bigger car after seeing them. We looked at the Toyota Corolla and Camry and the Honda Civic and Accord.Mike
Re: Towing a hybrid- Honda and Toyota Reply #4 – March 18, 2003, 11:59:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20015"...If I were inclined to own a hybrid, I would buy a Toyota Prius. It is a much nicer vehicle and can carry four with some comfort. At 52 mpg city and 45 mpg hi-way, it should give you all the mileage that you need. It feels more like a `real' car, IMO.Larry"I wish the Toyota Prius hybrid WAS towable! We've had one for almost two years (in April). It has been an excellent vehicle. When my husband used it as a commute car he got up to 53mpg. Currently, with mixed highway and city driving, we're getting 41-42mpg. Along with gas at $1.53.9 at Sam's Club, not bad, given the current situation. The 2002 Saturn SL2 we got to tow is a distant 2nd as far as comfort and handling goes. The pluses are, it's towable, it was cheap, and it's lightweight. :^)Sharon N.
Re: Towing a hybrid- Honda and Toyota Reply #5 – March 19, 2003, 12:01:31 am Yahoo Message Number: 20016QuoteI checked the owner's manual in our Civic hybrid at work and Steve's Quotereport is correct. Have you had a chance to drive one? It is very tiny and tinny. The body cavities are filled with foam, in an attempt to make it more crash worthy. It is a two passenger vehicle. Larry, the Civic Hybrid is a regular Honda Civic from the outside, and seats four. Honda has two hybrids now.Steve
Re: Towing a hybrid- Honda and Toyota Reply #6 – March 19, 2003, 05:26:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20036"the Civic Hybrid is a regular Honda Civic from the outside, and seats four. Honda has two hybrids now."Steve You are right. The one at work is a Honda Insight. I thought it was a version of the Hond Civic CRX. We do have several Civic Natural gas models, nice cars but a little underpowered.Larry
Re: Towing a hybrid- Honda and Toyota Reply #7 – March 20, 2003, 04:55:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20067I've just read a technical paper published by Honda on the Civic Hybrid in the Society Of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The paper number is SAE 2003-01-0083 Title: "Development of a Power Train for the Hybrid Automobile --The Civic Hybrid" Authors: Hirohisa, Ogawa, Masato Matsuki, and Takahiro Eguchi of Honda R&D.From the paper, I can see no reason why a manual transmission Civic or Insight Hybrid could not be towed behind an RV. The drive train is virtually the same as the civic. The IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system uses the flywheel as the rotor of the hybrid's electric motor.If the transmission is in neutral, neither the engine nor the attached IMA will rotate.I'd look for further information before towing one with a continuously variable transmission because I don't know how it is set to neutral.The Toyota Prius Is a bit difference. The engine, drive motor and regeneration generator are all tied together through a 3-way gear set. When the drive wheels are turned, the electrical machines will be spun. I've been into the transmission of this car and don't think any damage would occur, but I'd hesitate.bob phillips
Re: Towing a hybrid Reply #8 – March 20, 2003, 05:50:03 pm Yahoo Message Number: 20069QuoteYou can see a list of 2003 towable cars that the mfgs approve or tested for towing on the Motor Home magazine web site. They finally posted the 2003 PDF doc. Just a reminder that for handy reference, this document is posted here in the Files section and is entitled Dinghy Towing Guide for 2003 (pdf).
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