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Post by notamini on Nov 20, 2009 0:17:59 GMT
Found this info and thought I'd share it. On the A series automatic, there was an interesting feature to the early models. They had an auxiliary pump which engaged if the car was rolling at about 20+mph. Here is what my Owner's Handbook says: "Select 'N', switch on the ignition, set the mixture if necessary, and release the hand brake. When a road speed of approximately 20 M.P.H. is reached, select second and depress the accelerator pedal sufficiently to start. With new engines it may be found more effective to select 'D' instead of second." It should be noted that First gear is a freewheel gear on overrun and engine braking is not possible. TOWING: "Before towing the car with the front wheels in contact with the road, check engine oil level and top if necessary. In all circumstances ensure that the hand brake is released and ignition switched off. If towing is carried out with all four wheels in contact with the road, engage either the 'N' or manual '1' position. The latter must be used if the vehicle is to be towed for long distances or at high speeds. Should it be necessary to tow the vehicle with the rear wheels suspended, select the 'N' position, and keep speeds and distances to a minimum." Hope someone finds this useful  |
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Post by kalkat on Nov 20, 2009 0:36:40 GMT
Other information also points out that towing ( select nuetral) should be restricted to no more than 20mph and for short distances only.
Personally I wouldn't recomend towing an auto Mini at all!
Emma
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Post by 74snail on Nov 20, 2009 8:01:10 GMT
Yes its true about the tow starting, I heard about that when I was researching my Morris Nomad, in neutral towed to 25kph and put it in 2nd , and thats as far as the information I could find goes, I have to assume that once you have got it started you put it in drive and pull over , and leave it running while you check things over.
Now the flip side is that I have read a BMC article that states that if an auto is to be towed , it has to be in neutral with the front wheels off the ground, in the fine print it stated this was due to the small risk of the gearshift being bumped into drive, I can only assume this was for warranty and servicing compliance.
Obviously with the tow starting the driver is there to control it , and you would deserve a poke in the eye with a blunt stick if you put in drive before it started.
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Post by niceboy1275 on Nov 20, 2009 10:36:48 GMT
Yes it is true, we tow started our red matic when the battery died. Also found out that two men in their twentys can only push a minimatic to 22mph, not the needed 25. I put the selector in 2nd, and there was no noise as we started speeding up, but once we got it up to 25 mph, you could hear the transmission turning over and then it started. Popped the selector into D and away we went.
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dan
Full Member
Posts: 72
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Post by dan on Nov 20, 2009 16:05:39 GMT
hopefully wont need towing but bump starts-maybe, usually have the booster pack in the boot tho, is tha car sposed to be able to start in N? mine does
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Post by asahartz on Nov 20, 2009 18:16:55 GMT
is tha car sposed to be able to start in N? mine does Yes. On early models there was no P, so you can only start it in N. |
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dan
Full Member
Posts: 72
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Post by dan on Nov 20, 2009 19:16:10 GMT
mines a 96 spi with P though?!?!
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Post by notamini on Nov 20, 2009 23:31:09 GMT
I don't believe there is an auto out there that won't start in P or N.
Back in '74- '78, when I owned a '69 America, I lived on a hill and often rolled out the drive in 1st then shifting to 2nd when speed was about 22 mph just for kicks.
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Post by bnicho on Nov 21, 2009 12:32:52 GMT
The late autos with Park don't have the extra pump, so they cannot be tow or push started. So miuch for progress.  |
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Post by (minisniper) on Nov 26, 2009 17:21:42 GMT
Sounds good but I don't think I would like to try it, I'm abit a little worried about putting it into gear like that and the effect it may have on the gearbox.
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Post by morris1100 on Nov 27, 2009 9:42:47 GMT
You have to remember that these are not a normal gearbox. When you bang it into second gear at 25mph you are only opening a valve that will close a brake band and lock up the forward clutch and this starts the motor. It is actually quite simple and safe.
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Post by mra-minis on Nov 19, 2015 10:28:27 GMT
The late autos with Park don't have the extra pump, so they cannot be tow or push started. So miuch for progress. All AP1 & AP2 have the same pumps, with slight variations but they all have the secondary pump in the end cover, it is valve bodies and pipework that dictates whether it can be tow started. |
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