Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a question concerning my 1988 Yugo. I want to tow it behind my motor home. It has front-wheel drive and a standard shift. My nephew built a real nice tow bar and attached the Yugo. A friend saw it and said that I would ruin the transmission if I towed a front-wheel-drive with all four wheels on the ground. I have not been able to get any information on the Yugo. I purchased the car second-hand and there was no manual with it. The mechanic who works on the Yugo doesn't know for sure and won't commit himself either way. Can I tow the Yugo this way? -- Bill

Tom: Sure, Bill. No problem. In fact, that's the standard traveling position for a Yugo -- on the end of a tow bar.

Ray: Your friend had what we refer to as "a little bit of knowledge." It's not advisable to tow a car with an AUTOMATIC transmission with its driven wheels on the ground. That's because, even in Neutral, the axle shafts will be spinning and will eventually overheat and ruin the automatic transmission.

Tom: But with a standard transmission like yours, it's no problem.

Ray: By the way, Bill, I hope your Yugo has a rear-window defroster. That way, you'll be able to keep your hands warm this winter when you push it!

It's amazing how many bad driving habits and wacko theories have been passed down from generation to generation! Tom and Ray set the record straight in their booklet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1996 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Back to the October 1996 index