EOCing with an Automatic
 

Ok there is no doubt of the risks/benefits to EOCing. For the past couple of weeks I have been practicing the technique in the Vibe. For example, what the vacuum limit is for braking, taking turns, advanced crash avoidance manuevers, etc ... I now feel comfortable handling my automatic while EOCing.

What damage can this do to the tranny? Now before I start practicing it on the road I am going to do a synthetic oil flush to the tranny, but on automatics is there any long term damage to consider? I ask because EOC is the equivalent of towing behind an RV which many cars can't do especially FWD cars. Then again I will not be EOCing for hundreds of miles at a time, just to a stop on the city part of my commute and with the ignition open just engine off ...

Let me know, Thanks ..

The generally accepted rule is that if your car can be flat towed (it should say in the manual) EOC is not going to hurt a thing. If it can't, its better to stay away from it since the engine normally runs a pump that keeps things lubricated in the tranny. Without the lube they wear faster.

Here's a good flat tow guide to go by.

http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/dinghytowingguide/

I've read that if you restart the engine every 200 miles then that would help with the tranny fluid relubricating the tranny. I don't think anyone will be EOCing for 200 miles. If so let me know how you do it!!!!!

trikkonceptz -

What they said.

CarloSW2

So after all this reading I conclude that dinghy towing a fwd auto car would be bad over the long course because of lubrication issues.

Clearly I am talking about EOC for a distance of perhaps a 1/2 mile at a time max, changing my tranny fluid to something better than stock like Amzoil or other synthetic and actually running the car in between EOCing. I do not see an immeadiate harm ... maybe an extended range harm like in 80K miles, but no short term 2-3 years damage.

I know it sounds crazy, but I guess Ill try it till the tranny blows, then at least I change over to the 6 speed manual.

OH and if it DOES BLOW sooner, then I'll simply blame you guys ... LOL

Yah, if a manual swap is doable for you, don't show any love for that auto :) In fact, you should hook up a control circuit so you can select a gear and lockup the converter and see how many times you can bumpstart it :)

Simply selecting the gear will start the car, there's no need to lock the converter. I'd choose top gear for this.

not at slow speeds

If you can do 2200 rpm @ 55mph, bump starting at 10mph will crank the engine at 400 RPM, which should be enough to revive it. Bump starting at lower gears will be increasingly violent, especially when you don't have the PWM modulation the ECU does.

Great input, but for my application, I am EOCing at speeds from 40mph to zero not on the hwy ... and Johnny how in the hell did you know my vehicle ran @ 2200rpm @ 55mph, you are dead on ... Just curious?