Towing a Jimny - Revision history

Bosanek: Added the article into gen2 categories

2021-01-17T13:34:36Z

Added the article into gen2 categories

Bosanek: Reprocessed the article to clearly indicate which content refers to Jimnys gen3 and which refers to Jimnys gen4

2019-02-27T08:02:02Z

Reprocessed the article to clearly indicate which content refers to Jimnys gen3 and which refers to Jimnys gen4

Bosanek: Category adjustment

2019-02-21T14:31:49Z

Category adjustment

Bosanek: Added an option on how to tow if the engine is ON and all the transmission is working

2018-09-21T07:24:52Z

Added an option on how to tow if the engine is ON and all the transmission is working

Bosanek: Added a chapter which explains the reason for the towing rules

2018-09-20T05:27:39Z

Added a chapter which explains the reason for the towing rules

Bosanek: Significantly improved and corrected the guide, especially regarding rules with lever-operated transmissions

2018-09-18T09:25:22Z

Significantly improved and corrected the guide, especially regarding rules with lever-operated transmissions

Bosanek: Notes about unbolting

2018-09-17T08:17:31Z

Notes about unbolting

Bosanek: Additional warning

2018-09-17T08:13:03Z

Additional warning

Bosanek: Created a brand new article on proper towing methods

2018-09-17T08:08:29Z

Created a brand new article on proper towing methods

New page

== Introduction ==

* There can suddenly come a day when your precious unbreakable Jimny might need to be towed for a significant distance.
** "Significant distance" means anything more than a couple of hundred of meters.
*** So, this story does '''not''' apply to situations when your Jimny is being towed off-road for just a few meters or so, just to get it unstuck.

* You see, there are rules on how (not) to tow a Jimny.
* Those rules were set by a vehicle manufacturer from Japan called Suzuki.
** Jimnys were designed and made by Suzuki, so Suzuki should know best what you should (not) do.
* Suzuki also wrote a comprehensive user manual for your vehicle, which you were supposed to read in its entirety before ever driving your Jimny.
** The manual contains the rules on how (not) to tow a Jimny.

* This article gives additional alternative methods on how to tow a Jimny (and how to "prepare" it for towing), while staying compliant with Suzuki's rules.

{{warning|This article was written with the best care, attention and intention in mind. However, no guarantees are made about the validity of any part of its content. It is exclusively your fault if you damage your vehicle by following any of the procedures described here!}}

== Rules for towing ==

=== Jimnys with lever-operated transfer box (1998-2005) ===

Matters are relatively simple for these Jimnys.

* First, shift the transfer box lever into 2WD mode.
** Then tow your Jimny any way you like.
*** This means that all four of its wheels can be on the road, and you can tow it either from forward or from reverse side.

* If you have an issue with the transfer box and can not shift its lever into 2WD mode, then you have two options:
*# Load the Jimny onto a truck or a trailer and have it transported like a cargo.
*# Demount both the front and the rear propeller shafts from the vehicle.
*#* Then you can tow it with all four of its wheels on the road.

{{note|If demounting the propeller shaft(s), don't forget to first mark their exact mounting positions in relation to the transfer box and differential(s).}}

=== Jimnys with button-operated transfer box (2005-2018) ===

* Things are more complicated with these Jimnys, as is everywhere where electronics are present.
* First you need to check if the vehicle is truly in 2WD mode, and this can be a bit tricky.
* The available options highly depend on this factor.

==== Checking if the vehicle is in 2WD mode ====

If the engine is running:
* Shift the transmission into 4WD-H mode by pushing the 4WD-H button.
** The green dash board 4WD lamp should become constantly lit within a few seconds.
* Then shift the transmission into 2WD mode by pushing the 2WD button.
** The green dash board 4WD lamp should turn off completely within a few seconds.
* After this is performed, there is a 90% chance that you are now truly in 2WD mode.
** However, if you want to be 100% certain, perform the procedure "if the engine can not be turned on" below.

If the engine can not be turned on:
* Jack up the vehicle so that either the left or the right front wheel is completely raised from the ground.
* Then turn the raised front wheel by hand and see if the propeller shaft is turning as well.
* Lower the vehicle.
* Repeat the same procedure with the other front wheel.

* Now, if neither of the front wheels are turning the front propeller shaft, the vehicle is truly in 2WD mode.
** In this case, skip to the sub-chapter "if the vehicle is in 2WD mode".
* However, if either (or both) of the front wheels are turning the front propeller shaft, the vehicle is '''not''' in 2WD mode.
** In this case, skip to the sub-chapter "if the vehicle is not in 2WD mode".

==== If the vehicle is not in 2WD mode ====

You have two options on how to proceed:
# Load the Jimny onto a truck or a trailer and have it transported like a cargo.
# Manually decouple the front wheels from the transfer box in order to effectively "restore" 2WD transmission setup to the transmission system.
#* After you do this, you can perform the procedures from the sub-chapter "if the vehicle is in 2WD mode".

Manual decoupling of the front wheels from the transfer box can be performed in one of the following two methods:
# By demounting the front propeller shaft.
# By demounting the wheel hub head from each front wheel which has been found out to be turning the front propeller shaft.
#* Then and manually slide the collar in the wheel hub head all the way inwards.
#* The wheel hub head is now in a "free" position and can be returned back on the wheel, and that wheel will be disconnected from the drive line.
#** Beware that you '''should not''' try to turn the engine ON after returning the unlocked wheel hub head(s) back on the vehicle, as the vehicle computer might automatically try to lock them again as soon as the vehicle is turned on!

{{note|If demounting the propeller shaft(s), don't forget to first mark their exact mounting positions in relation to the transfer box and differential(s).}}
{{note|If demounting the the front wheel hub head(s), don't forget to first mark their exact mounting position in relation to the wheel hub(s).}}

==== If the vehicle is in 2WD mode ====

The main rule is that the gears in the transfer box must not be turning while the vehicle is moving.

This can be accomplished in three ways:
# Load the Jimny onto a truck or a trailer and have it transported like a cargo.
# Place both rear wheels on "dollies" (small platforms on small wheels) so that the rear wheels do not turn while the vehicle is being towed.
#* Then tow the vehicle from behind (rear wheels on dollies, front wheels on the ground, steering wheel unlocked).
# Demount the rear propeller shaft from the vehicle.
#* Then tow your Jimny any way you like.
#** This means that all four of its wheels can be on the road, and you can tow it either from forward or from reverse side.

{{note|If demounting the rear propeller shaft, don't forget to first mark its exact mounting positions in relation to the transfer box and the rear differential.}}

{{Edited}}
[[Category:FAQ]]
[[Category:Howto]]

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 * There can suddenly come a day when your precious unbreakable Jimny might need to be towed for a significant distance.
 ** "Significant distance" means anything more than a couple of hundred of meters.
-*** So, this story does '''not''' apply to situations when your Jimny is being towed off-road for just a few meters or so, just to get it unstuck.
+*** So, this story does '''not''' apply to situations when your Jimny is being towed off-road for just a few (dozen) meters or so, just to get it unstuck.
@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 {{warning|This article was written with the best care, attention and intention in mind.<br>However, no guarantees are made about the validity of any part of its content.<br>It is exclusively your fault if you damage your vehicle by following any of the procedures described here!<br>If you want to be 100% safe, then adhere strictly to Suzuki's instructions on towing, as written in your vehicle's user manual.}}
-{{note|This article was written for Jimny 3, based on its transmission design and Suzuki's official towing instructions. Jimny 4 has very similar transmission design and therefore the rules described here should be applicable to it as well. However, someone should definitely check Jimny 4's user manual to confirm if Suzuki's official instructions are in complete correlation and then add those findings here.}}
+{{note|This article was written for Jimny 3, based on its transmission design and Suzuki's official towing instructions. Jimnys 2 and 4 have very similar transmission design and therefore the rules described here should be applicable to them as well. However, someone should definitely check Jimny 2's and 4's user manual to confirm if Suzuki's official instructions are in complete correlation and then add those findings here.}}
@@ Line 170: / Line 170: @@
 {{Edited}}
 [[Category:FAQ - gen3]]

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 == Introduction ==
+{{Gen3|}}{{Gen4|}}
 * There can suddenly come a day when your precious unbreakable Jimny might need to be towed for a significant distance.
 ** "Significant distance" means anything more than a couple of hundred of meters.
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 {{warning|This article was written with the best care, attention and intention in mind.<br>However, no guarantees are made about the validity of any part of its content.<br>It is exclusively your fault if you damage your vehicle by following any of the procedures described here!<br>If you want to be 100% safe, then adhere strictly to Suzuki's instructions on towing, as written in your vehicle's user manual.}}
@@ Line 31: / Line 33: @@
 * The essential rule/condition which must be fulfilled is that nothing in the gear box must move (for a significant amount of time / distance) while the vehicle is moving '''and''' the engine is OFF.
 ** Significant amount of time or distance should mean anything more than like 20 seconds or a few hundred meters.
-** This rule is valid for any Jimny with any kind of gear box, either manual or automatic, diesel or petrol.
+** This rule is valid for any Jimny generation with any kind of gear box, either manual or automatic, diesel or petrol.
 * In general situation, any wheel which is connected to the transmission will cause the output shaft in the gear box to rotate while that wheel is turning.
@@ Line 90: / Line 92: @@
-==== Jimnys with lever-operated transfer box (1998-2005) ====
+==== Jimny 3 with lever-operated transfer box (1998-2005) ====
@@ Line 105: / Line 107: @@
-==== Jimnys with button-operated transfer box (2005-2018) ====
+==== Jimny 3 with button-operated transfer box (2005-2018) ====

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
-* The essential rule/condition which must be fulfilled is that nothing in the gear box must move (for a significant amount of time / distance) while the vehicle is being towed.
+* The essential rule/condition which must be fulfilled is that nothing in the gear box must move (for a significant amount of time / distance) while the vehicle is moving '''and''' the engine is OFF.
 ** Significant amount of time or distance should mean anything more than like 20 seconds or a few hundred meters.
 ** This rule is valid for any Jimny with any kind of gear box, either manual or automatic, diesel or petrol.
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
-This condition can be fulfilled in three ways:
+This condition can be fulfilled in the following ways:
 # By demounting the rear propeller shaft only (if the vehicle is in 2WD mode) or both the rear and front propeller shafts (if the vehicle is stuck in 4WD mode).
 #* Then you can tow the vehicle any way you like, as no wheel is connected to the transfer box and the gear box any more.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:27, 20 September 2018
Line 43:		Line 43:


−	=== ~~Checking~~ if the ~~vehicle~~ is in 2WD or 4WD mode ===	+	=== Reason for the rule ===
		+
		+
		+	==== Automatic gear box ====
		+
		+
		+	* It is a well known fact that nothing in (almost) any automatic gear box must be moving while the vehicle is moving and the engine is turned off.
		+	* This is because of the fundamental design of most automatic gear boxes - educate yourself on this highly complex topic if you really want to understand why.
		+
		+
		+	==== Manual gear box ====
		+
		+
		+	* These have an input shaft and an output shaft.
		+	* The input shaft is connected to the clutch.
		+	** This shaft rotates whenever the engine is turned on and the clutch foot pedal is not pressed.
		+	* The output shaft is connected to the small drive shaft between the gear box and the transfer box.
		+	** The output shaft rotates whenever the small drive shaft rotates.
		+	*** If the transmission is in 2WD mode, the small drive shaft rotates whenever the rear drive shaft (between the transfer box and the rear differential) rotates.
		+	**** The rear drive shaft rotates whenever any of the rear wheels rotate.
		+	*** If the transmission is in 4WD mode, the small drive shaft rotates whenever either the front drive shaft (between the transfer box and the front differential) or the rear drive shaft (between the transfer box and the rear differential) rotates.
		+	**** The rear drive shaft rotates whenever any of the rear wheels rotate.
		+	**** The front drive shaft rotates whenever any of the front wheels rotate.
		+
		+
		+	* The problem with all manual gear boxes in Jimnys is that the gear box oil circulation is driven exclusively by the rotating motion of the '''input''' shaft.
		+	* So, if the engine is turned off and the vehicle is moving, the input shaft in the gear box will stand still and the output shaft (and some other bits and pieces) in the gear box will turn.
		+	** However, the gear box oil will not circulate and those turning bits in the gearbox will soon be starved of lubrication.
		+	*** This will cause rapid premature wear of those bits in the gear box.
		+	* This is why it is important to prevent the output shaft in the gearbox from turning while a Jimny is being towed.
		+
		+
		+	== Complying with the rule ==
		+
		+
		+	* As can be concluded from the statements in the previous chapter, the situation is much simpler if the vehicle can be shifted into 2WD mode.
		+	* Therefore, it is important to be certain that the vehicle is in 2WD mode first, before evaluating further options.


−	~~As can be concluded from the above options, the situation is much simpler~~ if the vehicle ~~can be shifted into~~ 2WD mode.	+	=== Checking if the vehicle is in 2WD or 4WD mode ===

@@ Line 168: / Line 168: @@
 {{Edited}}
 [[Category:FAQ]]
-[[Category:Howto]]
+[[Category:FAQ - gen3]]

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
-=== Jimnys with lever-operated transfer box (1998-2005) ===
+=== The essential rule ===
-Matters are relatively simple for these Jimnys.
+* The essential rule/condition which must be fulfilled is that nothing in the gear box must move (for a significant amount of time / distance) while the vehicle is being towed.
-* First, shift the transfer box lever into 2WD mode.
+This condition can be fulfilled in three ways:
-** Then tow your Jimny any way you like.
+# By demounting the rear propeller shaft only (if the vehicle is in 2WD mode) or both the rear and front propeller shafts (if the vehicle is stuck in 4WD mode).
-*** This means that all four of its wheels can be on the road, and you can tow it either from forward or from reverse side.
+#* Then you can tow the vehicle any way you like, as no wheel is connected to the transfer box and the gear box any more.
-{{note|If demounting the propeller shaft(s), don't forget to first mark their exact mounting positions in relation to the transfer box and differential(s).}}
+=== Checking if the vehicle is in 2WD or 4WD mode ===
-=== Jimnys with button-operated transfer box (2005-2018) ===
+To conclude:
-* Things are more complicated with these Jimnys, as is everywhere where electronics are present.
+==== Jimnys with button-operated transfer box (2005-2018) ====
-==== Checking if the vehicle is in 2WD mode ====
+Things are more complicated with these Jimnys, as is everywhere where electronics are present.
@@ Line 61: / Line 76: @@
 ** The green dash board 4WD lamp should turn off completely within a few seconds.
 * After this is performed, there is a 90% chance that you are now truly in 2WD mode.
-** However, if you want to be 100% certain, perform the procedure "if the engine can not be turned on" below.
+** However, if you want to be 100% certain (because electronics can sometimes get confused), perform the procedure "if the engine can not be turned on" below.
@@ Line 69: / Line 85: @@
 * Lower the vehicle.
 * Repeat the same procedure with the other front wheel.
-* Now, if neither of the front wheels are turning the front propeller shaft, the vehicle is truly in 2WD mode.
-** In this case, skip to the sub-chapter "if the vehicle is in 2WD mode".
+There are three possible options:
-* However, if either (or both) of the front wheels are turning the front propeller shaft, the vehicle is '''not''' in 2WD mode.
+# Demount the rear propeller shaft from the vehicle (a rather simple unbolting job).
-** In this case, skip to the sub-chapter "if the vehicle is not in 2WD mode".
+#* Then tow your Jimny any way you like.
-==== If the vehicle is not in 2WD mode ====
+=== Options if the vehicle is stuck in 4WD mode ===
 You have two options on how to proceed:
 # Load the Jimny onto a truck or a trailer and have it transported like a cargo.
@@ Line 95: / Line 124: @@
 {{note|If demounting the propeller shaft(s), don't forget to first mark their exact mounting positions in relation to the transfer box and differential(s).}}
 {{note|If demounting the the front wheel hub head(s), don't forget to first mark their exact mounting position in relation to the wheel hub(s).}}

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 * If you have an issue with the transfer box and can not shift its lever into 2WD mode, then you have two options:
 *# Load the Jimny onto a truck or a trailer and have it transported like a cargo.
-*# Demount both the front and the rear propeller shafts from the vehicle.
+*# Demount both the front and the rear propeller shafts from the vehicle (a rather simple unbolting job).
 *#* Then you can tow it with all four of its wheels on the road.
@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 Manual decoupling of the front wheels from the transfer box can be performed in one of the following two methods:
-# By demounting the front propeller shaft.
+# By demounting the front propeller shaft (a rather simple unbolting job).
-# By demounting the wheel hub head from each front wheel which has been found out to be turning the front propeller shaft.
+# By demounting the wheel hub head from each front wheel which has been found out to be turning the front propeller shaft (a rather simple unbolting job).
 #* Then and manually slide the collar in the wheel hub head all the way inwards.
 #* The wheel hub head is now in a "free" position and can be returned back on the wheel, and that wheel will be disconnected from the drive line.
@@ Line 106: / Line 106: @@
 # Place both rear wheels on "dollies" (small platforms on small wheels) so that the rear wheels do not turn while the vehicle is being towed.
 #* Then tow the vehicle from behind (rear wheels on dollies, front wheels on the ground, steering wheel unlocked).
-# Demount the rear propeller shaft from the vehicle.
+# Demount the rear propeller shaft from the vehicle (a rather simple unbolting job).
 #* Then tow your Jimny any way you like.
 #** This means that all four of its wheels can be on the road, and you can tow it either from forward or from reverse side.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == Introduction ==
@@ Line 14: / Line 17: @@
 * This article gives additional alternative methods on how to tow a Jimny (and how to "prepare" it for towing), while staying compliant with Suzuki's rules.
-{{warning|This article was written with the best care, attention and intention in mind. However, no guarantees are made about the validity of any part of its content. It is exclusively your fault if you damage your vehicle by following any of the procedures described here!}}
+{{warning|This article was written with the best care, attention and intention in mind.<br>However, no guarantees are made about the validity of any part of its content.<br>It is exclusively your fault if you damage your vehicle by following any of the procedures described here!<br>If you want to be 100% safe, then adhere strictly to Suzuki's instructions on towing, as written in your vehicle's user manual.}}