Mazda Protege (EOC)

[A.J.]

Hi everyone,
I have a manual Protege 2003 and I am a bit confused when it comes to EOC. I read the owner's manual and it says the vehicle cannot be flat-towed (does not say if it applies to both manual and auto transaxles). In the towing section it even says: "Never push-start a vehicle that has a manual transaxle. It can damage the emission control system."

Basically I'd like to know, is it ok for me to EOC? to push-start? Do other Protege owners have any advice for me?

Thanks

[SentraSE-R]

Those statements make no sense to me. AFAIK, flat-towing any two-wheel drive manual transmission car is fine, and I'm unaware of how push-starting a manual can damage its emissions control system.

[euromodder]

Welcome to ecomodder.

Originally Posted by A.J.

I have a manual Protege 2003 and I am a bit confused when it comes to EOC. I read the owner's manual and it says the vehicle cannot be flat-towed

A 2WD manual in Neutral should be able to be towed engine-off.

Personally I haven't heard of a manual transmission car that can't be towed (except with permanent 4WD) - and around here, manual cars are the norm.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by euromodder

A 2WD manual in Neutral should be able to be towed engine-off.

IIRC there are/were a few - the old Ford Crapi I think couldn't be towed far unless the propshaft was disconnected.

[d0sitmatr]

its NEVER recommended "flat" towing a vehicle for long distances unless your able to disengage the drivetrain. otherwise you risk damaging everything drivetrain related beyond repair.

[SentraSE-R]

When I towed my MT Datsun pickup from 4000 miles from Colorado to Alaska, I disconnected the driveshaft. But we're really not talking about towing long distances. We're talking about EOC during P&G.