Towing 2012 Pruis C: Tow dolly or flat bed?

Firstly, I'm shocked that you get "conflicting info from different dealers"!! They should all be aware that the Prius C (Yaris Hybrid over here in the UK) is a front wheel drive vehicle and therefore of course a front axle dolly would be ideal for towing! Doh!

It follows from this that of course it is OK to be in "Park" since that position only locks the transmission wheels not all four and since those (the front) are off the ground on a dolly, it would be perfectly safe to tow it this way.

The only other thing to mention would be if your C has remote locking and keyless starting. Whilst towing, either make sure the fob is well away from the towed vehicle or alternatively, you could temporarily disable the remote system using the "customise" menu on the head unit whilst the vehicle is being towed. This would prevent the brakes hydraulic system from being auto charged even though the vehicle may actually be "off" (which of course, it never really is). Make sure the handbrake (which acts on the rear wheels) is also not engaged before you try and move away with it on the dolly!

Last but not least, check the State laws for those you'll be passing through in relation to towing! ☺

Nexus 5 ?

P. S. I forgot to mention... Since the odometer is operated by the transmission (front wheels) then the mileage will not increase.

 

Seeing as Alaska is the destination raises a question of road quality. It will obviously be easier on your car's rear tires on a full trailer.

Does the c's steering wheel lock when park? If it's like the hatchback it does not. With a tow dolly you may have to secure the steering somehow.

 

If the C's steering wheel lock is like ours here in the UK, then the actuator locks when the vehicle is turned off. "Park" is a mechanical (rotational) lock on the transmission wheels only. Doesn't affect the steering at all.

Nexus 5 ?

 

Use the dolly.
Miles will not increment.

Make sure that the parking brake is not engaged, and make sure that you're comfortable with turning and backing with the tow (or be a rhinoceros.)

Good Luck!
Send pics!

 

Good luck.
IF you have no experience backing a "tandem" unit like that, be VERY CAREFUL to NOT get yourself into a situation where you will have to back up. NEVER.

Go around the block to scope out the situation if necessary. Park nearby in a shopping center or truck stop or a church lot ( except when there is a service, of course) so that you don't get in a bind where backing is necessary.

If you don't have the knack for it (most people don't), you can get into a real mess if you have to back more than a couple of feet.

 

Can't answer on most points but my 2013 IV manual states the batteries are not charged in neutral. If the car is fully secured as I suspect, you might be okay leaving it On and in Park (Ready) where it does charge them.

I have to wonder if Toyota has a hotline

 

um...shouldn't you put it in neutral and turned off? like any ole car?

turned on and in neutral would mean you're going to kill the hv battery

acc turned on and in neutral is (pointless?) acc will auto turn off in 15min or so

turned off and in park...wouldn't that mean you can't tow the darn thing (and if you do attempt to tow wouldn't that cause some damage)

 

It's a front wheel drive car. The drive wheels are on the dolly, so this is appropriate. Towing "any ole" front drive car on a dolly you should leave the car in Park.

Leave the car off, in Park and proceed. Did you tow it at all while the car was in ready mode? It might have seen rear wheels rolling while front wheels were stopped and panicked.

Deal with the lights after you reach your destination.

 

the car will not turn itself off. i don't think you want the front wheels to move at all when towing. for emergencies, the manual is correct, but for long distance, you can't leave the car on. not accessory or ready, it's just going to run something down.

 

I don't have a C-manual handy, but I cannot imagine why the procedure would not be:
1. Front wheels on dolly.
2. Parking Brake disengaged.
3. Car off.

Keep towing and deal with any symptoms when you arrive at your destination and you back-haul the car off of the dolly.
I can't see how you could have possibly damaged anything - but if there are two of you driving the tow beast, maybe one of you should grab the manual out of the C-type and check the TOC for a chapter relating to towing.
I'm thinking that "emergency towing" means towing with all four wheels on the ground and for very short distances.
According to a quick check I did Toyota does approve Prius towing on dollies.
I see them behind motor homes a LOT.



Good Luck!

 

You're under warranty....hopefully.
If there are problems when you get to AK, let the dealer sort it out.
(Take it to a delaer that says towing is OK.)
If they give you flack about towing on a Dolly, escalate topside to corporate.

It's been years since I've been to AK, but I'm betting that you'll see lots of motor-homes towing lots of FWD cars.
Gas is expensive in AK.
There will be Priuses there. (ask @spiderman!)

You're supposed to be having fun!
Worry about the car later.....and let us know how it sorts itself out.

Good Luck!

 

Yes gas is expensive in Alaska but it is astronomical in Canada especially along the Alcan.

 

I have purchased a tow dolly and towed my 2013 Prius about 4 miles and now lights are on the dash. I've been looking at different posts and am confused about what I need to do. I believe I need to leave steering wheel locked, but do I turn engine on, and in neutral? Have you learned anything? Tks

 

I could see that the VSC might get screwed up with the rear wheels turning and the front stationary.