Will pulling a 01 impala tear up trans????????

I have a 01 impala that broke down on a friend a while back.He ended up pulling it behind his truck to my housel. I have always heard that pulling one behind another vehicle with out the motor running will tear up the transmission. He pulled this one with out the motor running. Did this tear up the trans or maybe not. What is everyones input on this. Please give me some advise,

some auto trans like the HHR can be towed with all four wheels turning as the trans internally will supply fluid to the bearings and planetaries. others models will not. Chech you owners manual and it will say how to tow this car.

some auto trans like the HHR can be towed with all four wheels turning as the trans internally will supply fluid to the bearings and planetaries. others models will not. Chech you owners manual and it will say how to tow this car.
I do not have the owners manual to it. Do you know of anywhere else to look and see if its alright to do so?

I have a 01 impala that broke down on a friend a while back.He ended up pulling it behind his truck to my housel. I have always heard that pulling one behind another vehicle with out the motor running will tear up the transmission. He pulled this one with out the motor running. Did this tear up the trans or maybe not. What is everyones input on this. Please give me some advise,

How many miles was it towed?

How many miles was it towed?
I would say it was towed around 8 to 12 miles maybe. It was towed around 30-45 mph. They said they went slow and there was 2 stop signs they went through. It was down a 2 lane road that is pretty curvey. I dont know that any of this matters but just telling you in case. I drove it from the front of the house to the shop parking lot. This all is at my house. It was missing because the motor has a blowed headgasket on it. So i could not really tell anything about the trans.

I would say it was towed around 8 to 12 miles maybe. It was towed around 30-45 mph. They said they went slow and there was 2 stop signs they went through. It was down a 2 lane road that is pretty curvey. I dont know that any of this matters but just telling you in case. I drove it from the front of the house to the shop parking lot. This all is at my house. It was missing because the motor has a blowed headgasket on it. So i could not really tell anything about the trans.

The repair manuals used to have charts on towing but I can not find it in my newer mitchell repair program.
And my memory is weak on what the old repair programs had on it.
As some transmissions may be different on alowed towing distance.
If only around 10 miles and slow towing you should be alright.

The automatic transmissions do not have a oil pump working when towing to produce lubercation for the transmission turning parts.

So be carefull towing very many miles.
10 miles tow you could be pushing your luck.

Your older towing compny may have a chart on towing distance.

Good luck

The repair manuals used to have charts on towing but I can not find it in my newer mitchell repair program.
And my memory is weak on what the old repair programs had on it.
As some transmissions may be different on alowed towing distance.
If only around 10 miles and slow towing you should be alright.

The automatic transmissions do not have a oil pump working when towing to produce lubercation for the transmission turning parts.

So be carefull towing very many miles.
10 miles tow you could be pushing your luck.

Your older towing compny may have a chart on towing distance.

Good luck
Thanks for your help. I will see if i can find out somthing from some older generation towing company. Thank you.

From my Chilton's manual - "We recommend these vehicles be towed from the front , with the front tires off the ground .If it's absolutely necessary , these vehicles can be towed from the rear with the front wheels on the ground , provided that speeds don't exceed 35mph and the distance is less than 50 miles : the transaxle can be damaged if these mileage/speed limitations are exceeded . The parking brake must be released and the transaxle must be in neutral . The steering must be unlocked ( ignition switch in the OFF position ) . Appropriate equipment specifically designed for towing should be used and attached to the main structural members of the vehicle , not to the bumpers or brackets " .

I have a 01 impala that broke down on a friend a while back.He ended up pulling it behind his truck to my housel. I have always heard that pulling one behind another vehicle with out the motor running will tear up the transmission. He pulled this one with out the motor running. Did this tear up the trans or maybe not. What is everyones input on this. Please give me some advise,

Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four wheels on the ground. This can be found on page 4-30 of your owner’s manual. I would recommend contacting your local dealership for more specific information or if you have further concerns. Thank you.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

Thanks for your help. I will see if i can find out somthing from some older generation towing company. Thank you.

I believe your friend should be ok.. speed was low and the distance not that far.


the rear wheels only on the ground is how to tow these vehicles at higher speeds and miles..

with this vehicle these transmissions are damaged by the DEXRON III THAT GM USED... the fluid and filter should be replaced using the new dexron VI................................

I believe your friend should be ok.. speed was low and the distance not that far.


the rear wheels only on the ground is how to tow these vehicles at higher speeds and miles..

with this vehicle these transmissions are damaged by the DEXRON III THAT GM USED... the fluid and filter should be replaced using the new dexron VI................................
Hay J Cat thanks for all the help and tips. Since you mentioned the Dexron III I have a question about my 03 trailblazer. I know this is the impala forum but I will forget again by the time I get to the Trailblazer forum. Anyway Its a 03 with the 4.2 liter. A 4L60E Transmission. What fluid should that take? I have had several people tell me different things. I know all other 4L60 use dexron III. I think this one does to, but I do not want to add some until I know for sure.

Hay J Cat thanks for all the help and tips. Since you mentioned the Dexron III I have a question about my 03 trailblazer. I know this is the impala forum but I will forget again by the time I get to the Trailblazer forum. Anyway Its a 03 with the 4.2 liter. A 4L60E Transmission. What fluid should that take? I have had several people tell me different things. I know all other 4L60 use dexron III. I think this one does to, but I do not want to add some until I know for sure.

I am no J-cat.
But GM says to use dexron 6 in all prior AT from 06 down using dexron 111 and all 06 up AT transmissions that have dexron 6 factory installed in them
For adding and or fluid changes.
But a word of.
Caution that is only for GM automatics.
Standard transmissions and transfer cases use special GM fluids.

Get a copy of TSB.
04-07-30-037D Nov 21 - 07.

If you really think there might be damage, once you get the car running again take it for a short drive then change the automatic transmission filter and look for any kind of metal shavings from bearing damage in the filter ...

Hay J Cat thanks for all the help and tips. Since you mentioned the Dexron III I have a question about my 03 trailblazer. I know this is the impala forum but I will forget again by the time I get to the Trailblazer forum. Anyway Its a 03 with the 4.2 liter. A 4L60E Transmission. What fluid should that take? I have had several people tell me different things. I know all other 4L60 use dexron III. I think this one does to, but I do not want to add some until I know for sure.

GM no longer uses/recommends DEXRON III ...it has cost GM too much in warrantee failure of these 4l60 and other automatic transmissions... the fluid when heated turns into acid..then the parts breakdown ...

use your vin# insure that you use , the correct fluid in any drivetrain component. 2006 was the year GM finally figured this DEXRON III was defective...I stoped using it in 1998............synthetic is the way to go ...you will feel the faster shifting and may see better MPG..

go rent a car trailer and get your front wheels off the ground, or leave the engine running and it in neutral. Will keep the fluid going in the tranny and keep it cool too.