Some customers may want to tow their vehicle behind another vehicle with all FOUR tires on the ground. This is referred to as "dinghy" towing.
Towing in this manner is acceptable only on the certain vehicles. The vehicle should be properly equipped and prepared as described below.
The passenger cars listed above are the vehicles that CAN be dinghy towed. Passenger cars not listed above are vehicles where dinghy towing is not permitted or recommended.
Certain 4WD trucks can be dinghy towed depending on the transfer case option. Rear wheel drive and AWD trucks should NOT be dinghy towed. Refer to the truck models and transfer case options below.
Please refer to the applicable vehicle Owner's Manual before towing.
Passenger Cars
Notice: These vehicles must not be towed backwards or transmission damage may occur.
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1995-2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, Pontiac Sunfire and 1996-2000 Toyota Cavalier equipped with Hydra-Matic® 4T40-E Automatic Transmission (AT) (RPO MN4) or 5-Speed Manual Transmission (MT) (RPOs MK7, MJ1, M86, M94)
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1995-2005 Pontiac Grand Am equipped with Hydra-Matic® 4T40-E or 4T45-E AT (RPOs MN4, MN5) or 5-Speed MT (RPO MJ1, M86, M94)
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1995-1998 Oldsmobile Achieva equipped with a 5-Speed MT (RPO MJ1)
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1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Chevrolet Classic and 1997-1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass equipped with Hydra-Matic® 4T40-E AT (RPO MN4)
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1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero equipped with Hydra-Matic® 4T40-E or 4T45-E AT (RPOs MN4, MN5) or 5-Speed MT (RPOs MJ1, M86, M94)
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1994-1997 Geo Tracker / 1998-2004 Chevrolet Tracker 4WD models equipped with 3L30 or 03-72LE AT (RPOs M41, M65, MX1) or 5-Speed MT (RPO M59)
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2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR
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2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac Pursuit
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2005-2007 Pontiac G6 (excluding 3.9L V6 AT)
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2007 Pontiac G5
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1995-2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, Pontiac Sunfire and 1996-2000 Toyota Cavalier equipped with Hydra-Matic® 4T40-E Automatic Transmission (AT) (RPO MN4) or 5-Speed Manual Transmission (MT) (RPOs MK7, MJ1, M86, M94)
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1995-2005 Pontiac Grand Am equipped with Hydra-Matic® 4T40-E or 4T45-E AT (RPOs MN4, MN5) or 5-Speed MT (RPO MJ1, M86, M94)
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1995-1998 Oldsmobile Achieva equipped with a 5-Speed MT (RPO MJ1)
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1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Chevrolet Classic and 1997-1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass equipped with Hydra-Matic® 4T40-E AT (RPO MN4)
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1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero equipped with Hydra-Matic® 4T40-E or 4T45-E AT (RPOs MN4, MN5) or 5-Speed MT (RPOs MJ1, M86, M94)
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1994-1997 Geo Tracker / 1998-2004 Chevrolet Tracker 4WD models equipped with 3L30 or 03-72LE AT (RPOs M41, M65, MX1) or 5-Speed MT (RPO M59)
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2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR
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2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac Pursuit
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2005-2007 Pontiac G6 (excluding 3.9L V6 AT)
Towing Procedure
Notice: Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the transmission.
Important: The towing speed as stated in the Owner's Manual should not exceed 104 km/h (65 mph) for 1995-2005 vehicles.
In order to properly dinghy tow the vehicle, follow these steps:
- Firmly set the parking brake.
- Open the fuse panel and pull the fuse(s) indicated in the Owner's Manual section detailing towing your vehicle. This prevents the instrument panel (IP) and/or electronic PRNDL indicator from draining the battery.
- Securely attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle.
- Turn the ignition key to the OFF position, which is one position forward of LOCK. Unlocking the steering column allows for proper movement of the front wheels and tires during towing.
For 1997-1999 Cutlass, 1997-2003 Malibu, 2004-2006 Chevrolet Classic and 1999-2004 Alero/Grand Am models, turn the ignition switch to the accessory (ACC) position, which is one position forward of OFF. This position unlocks the transaxle.
- Shift the transmission to Neutral (N).
Notice: Use extra care whenever towing another vehicle. Do not exceed the towing vehicle's gross combination weight (GCW) by adding the weight of the dinghy towed vehicle or vehicle damage may result.
- When the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the tow vehicle, release the parking brake.
- Replace the fuse(s) in the fuse panel when finished towing.
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