towing a honda civic auto. 4 wheels down

[ga traveler]

I have towed a 2002 Honda Civic automatic for ten years with no problems. This car is not rated by Honda for a toad, but it works fine if you follow the set up instructions. It is time to trade and I want to know if anyone is towing the 2012 auto. civic 4 wheels down. Have you had any problems? If not a 2012, how about a 2011.

[tjsouth51]

I just bought a Honda Fit with auto trans., hard to find the sport model with manual

[djhinds]

We tow a 2011 Honda CR-V auto and Honda states you can tow 4 down for 8 hours if you follow their procedure. It only takes 3 to 4 minutes to run.

Dave
2004 Monaco Signature
Detroit 60
Honda CR-V

[Roadking]

ga-traverlr -- You can NOT tow any of the Civics or Accords that have the newfangled variable speed tranny. I forget the Honda technical name for that tranny, but it has a three letter acronym like CVS, or CTS, or something like that. It is a computer controlled variable ratio thing that will be severely damaged if towed. I believe this tranny was available in some of the 2009 and newer Civic's and Accords and may be the only tranny available in 2012's.

I tow a 2009 Civic with the traditional auto tranny with all 4-wheels down with no problem. This tranny is basically the same tranny Honda used from about 1995 forward and is basically the same tranny used in all Honda products.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The Civic hybrids have a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and require a dolly. Have not heard that the regular automatic is any different than previous years and cannot be towed, but cannot say so for sure.

Remco Towing doesn't list any new transmission info for the 2011 model either.

[ga traveler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadking ga-traverlr -- You can NOT tow any of the Civics or Accords that have the newfangled variable speed tranny. I forget the Honda technical name for that tranny, but it has a three letter acronym like CVS, or CTS, or something like that. It is a computer controlled variable ratio thing that will be severely damaged if towed. I believe this tranny was available in some of the 2009 and newer Civic's and Accords and may be the only tranny available in 2012's. I tow a 2009 Civic with the traditional auto tranny with all 4-wheels down with no problem. This tranny is basically the same tranny Honda used from about 1995 forward and is basically the same tranny used in all Honda products.

I talked to Honda, The CVT is only in the hybrid. You are correct that the CVT will self destruct if towed. The transmission they are using in the 2012 is the same basic design as yours. I have talked to my hitch man and he says he has installed several base plates on 2011 & 2012 with no problems. I have decided to go for it. If I have any problems with it, I will post them.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by djhinds We tow a 2011 Honda CR-V auto and Honda states you can tow 4 down for 8 hours if you follow their procedure. It only takes 3 to 4 minutes to run.

But the OP wants to tow a Civic, which is NOT rated to tow four down, the CR-V is.

[tjsouth51]

2011 Honda Fit auto states in the maual what to do to tow. Should not have a problem. The CVT tranny is not towalble.

[KenR]

I recently purchased an older Motor Home and have a 2010 Civic four door sedan with automatic and will not rig it for towing since the owners manual says no. Remco says tow-able as is but Honda would certainly not warrant it if failure occurs. Don't think I want a Dolly because of storage and moving it after it is un-hooked. I have to do something about towing but not until I am sure.

[Tom-NC]

Ken,

I had a 1998 Honda Civic and towed it all over the states on a tow dolly and had no problems, in fact I towed it to Alaska and home 11,361 miles without a hitch.

Tow dollies are no problem if you do it right and get a good one. You have to put a third wheel on it to be able to push it around or be able to back it up while attached to rig (without toad of course). Most of the time I ask for a pull thru site and leave dolly hooked up to RV and just take the car off. My rig didn't even know the car was back there.

Now I tow a 2011 Ford Escape on the same dolly and don't have a problem or expect too but like anything else you have to take care of it.

Good luck!

[Flipdave]

We just purchased a 2012 Thor Challenger and currently have a 2007 Honda CRV, but are thinking of trading it in on a 2011 Honda FIT. Which towbar did you go with?

[tjsouth51]

Ga Traveler, as a RV serviceman, my RV has been at the dealer for over 3 weeks, as I had the coach for less than 24hrs. They were to replace both levelers at the rear, one leaking and the other sticking, slide motor and switch, plus a few minor things. I think the time spent at the dealer is excessive, what do you think? Tim

[tjsouth51]

Blue ox base plate and Alladin tow bar. If I did it over I would go with the Ready brake bar because I put the Ready Brake system on the coach, and they have a tow bar that do goes with it and it makes for a cleaner and shorter system.

[ga traveler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjsouth51 Ga Traveler, as a RV serviceman, my RV has been at the dealer for over 3 weeks, as I had the coach for less than 24hrs. They were to replace both levelers at the rear, one leaking and the other sticking, slide motor and switch, plus a few minor things. I think the time spent at the dealer is excessive, what do you think? Tim

the repair time on these items is less than two days at the most. The problem you run into is parts. You need to call the service manager and talk to him. As long as you are silent, they think you are a happy camper. If you can't get a satisfactory answer from him, call back and talk to the owner. Be courteous but be firm.