Flat towing Mazda 626

[Elkhorntwo]

Hi, I just joined this forum and I've got a question. I have a chance to pick up a 2000 Mazda 626 with a 5 speed manual transmission. It comes equipped with a tow bar. Can I flat tow this behind my Monaco LaPlata and if so, is there anything special I would have to do (besides some magnetic lights)?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

[BFlinn181]

First I looked in the 2000 Mazda 626 Owner's Manual. It didn't have any information about using it as a Toad.

Then I looked in the 2000 Good Sam Dinghy Guide. The Mazda 626 is not listed as able to be towed 4 down. Finally, I looked at the Remco Towing website. Looking it up as a manual transmission V6 2.5L or a 4 cyl 2.0, both are listed as tow on a tow dolly only.

You can do further research, but it doesn't look good.

[Elkhorntwo]

Thank you! Guess I'll keep looking and thanks for the leads on those websites.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Some front wheel drive manual transmissions are NOT rated to be towable 4-down. They may tow OK in good conditions, e.g. moderate temperatures & speeds, but there is still some risk of tranny failure. I have no idea whether that risk is great or small on a 2000 626, though, and would take Remco's advice rather than risk it myself.

[Healeyman]

Originally Posted by Elkhorntwo

I have a chance to pick up a 2000 Mazda 626 with a 5 speed manual transmission. It comes equipped with a tow bar.

Elk,

Specifically what do you mean when you say "It comes equipped with a tow bar"?

Tim

[Elkhorntwo]

Tim, I'm not even sure! I just typed in "tow bar" when I checked the used car ads in our local paper.

However, I needed up buying a 2003 PT Cruiser with a 5 spd manual. I'll be posting another question for help with that.

Thank you everyone for your help. This is a great site with very nice and helpful people!

[Healeyman]

Originally Posted by Elkhorntwo

Tim, I'm not even sure!

Elk,

The reason that I asked was that I surmised that if it came with a tow bar, it probably has been towed at some time.

Personally, I have towed 3 Mazda Miatas (which EVERYBODY says can not be flat towed) over 70,000 miles and have had some communications with others towing other Mazda products.

Good Luck going forward.

Tim

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by Elkhorntwo

However, I needed up buying a 2003 PT Cruiser with a 5 spd manual. I'll be posting another question for help with that.

Run the info you have through the Remco site . I've seen a number of Cruisers flat towed , but don't know if; like my van they have automatic trans with fluid pump.

[BFlinn181]

My son had a '99 626, it shared many parts with Ford and Mercury models, all based on the Mazda G-series platform. This was badged under different names and different sheet metal in Asia, Australia, and Europe.

I don't think the Miata shared any parts with Ford or other company models. I linked three different resources that say a '00 626 is dolly tow only. I wouldn't infer that because a Miata is towable, a 626 would be.

It all comes down to lubrication. Many transmissions with built in differential do not 'splash lube all bearings and moving parts, they rely on an internal pump to lubricate. Heat will build up and the transmission will be destroyed or a fire can result under the hood.

The OP was wise to buy a vehicle that can be towed 4-down rather than buy one that would need additional expensive modifications to make it suitable.

[Healeyman]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

I wouldn't infer that because a Miata is towable, a 626 would be.

I was not. Mazda says that the Miata is not towable.

I was inferring that you can not always go by the "conventional wisdom" of others who have not towed one and what the book/owners manual says.

In helping over 125 other Miata owners (many in this forum) to get their cars flat towable, I have communicated with two 626 owners who are flat towing their cars.

Tim