Your mechanical questions, answered!

Qualified mechanic Adam Adler has spent half his life under the bonnet of a 4WD and has worked for some of the top accessory companies and workshops. He knows what it takes to get your vehicle out there and back home in one piece. He runs the online aftermarket store www.nutsabout4WD.com.au

TOWING IN 4TH

Hi Adam,

Quick one, I drive a manual and wanna know why it’s good to tow in 4th gear? I have heard a lot of people saying it’s better for the vehicle?

Cheers,

Dylan K, WA.

Hey Dylan,

Yes, towing in 4^th gear is definitely better.

Reason why? A manual gearbox is made up of a number of parts – a main shaft and a cluster shaft which both have gears on them. In 1^st, 2^nd 3^rd and 5^th the power through the gears travels through the main shaft and then out onto the cluster shaft, then back into the main shaft through to the wheels.

However, in 4^th gear, the power only travels through the main shaft and not through the cluster shaft at all. This keeps the power just running through the main shaft, which is more direct and in fact a bit stronger.

Hope that helps,

GO NUTS!

Adam