You just broke down in the middle of nowhere with your brand new Hyundai Sonata. Now, the first thing you would do is call a towing company to potentially help you out with the situation. Then, you ask yourself, can my Hyundai Sonata even be towed? In this post, we will be answering that for you as we've researched the answers for you already.
It can be flat towed as long as you have a Hyundai Sonata with a manual transmission. However, with the latest models of the Hyundai Sonata coming in with an automatic transmission, it's best to look for another option.
If you have the latest model of Hyundai Sonata, chances are you will be looking for some options in towing your vehicle. For the rest of the post, we'll be discussing those possible options as well as some other questions you have in your mind.
What Are the Towing Options For An Automatic Hyundai Sonata?
Flatbed Trailer
The flatbed trailer towing option is the best and safest option for your automatic Hyundai Sonata. It completely removes the risk of damaging your automatic transmission. According to this article, flatbed towing prices have an average base rate of $95 for the service with the addition of $3.50 per mile.
This method is the safest and most straightforward for towing your Hyundai Sonata. Unfortunately, it's also the most expensive. As car owners looking for the safest option, we highly recommend getting this service, especially with a relatively new Hyundai Sonata.
Tow Dolly
A tow dolly is a method of towing wherein two wheelsets, either the front or the rear, are lifted from the ground while the other two wheels are not. This method is not foolproof, though, as you must carefully read the manual for your Hyundai Sonata.
According to the Hyundai Sonata manual, owners should call an authorized Hyundai dealer or a commercial tow-truck service for proper towing services. The vehicle requires proper lifting and towing procedures to prevent further damage to the car.
In cases wherein the tow-truck service provider can not use a wheel dolly, it's crucial to use at least a wheel lift and position your Hyundai Sonata so that the front set of wheels is lifted rather than the rear. Hyundai also advises owners to never settle for sling-type equipment.
If you want to buy your own tow dolly for your Hyundai Sonata, we would highly recommend checking the Dethmers Car Kaddy as it supports 4,800 pounds of load.
A 2022 Hyundai Sonata weighs an average of 3,120 pounds and 3,552 pounds depending on the trim level, which is perfect since the Dethmers Car Kaddy can adequately support your vehicle.
Check out the KK460SS on Amazon.
How To Flat Tow A Hyundai Sonata With Manual Transmission?
The 7th generation of Hyundai Sonata comes with at least a 6-speed manual transmission. Its engine boasts a 2.4 Inline-4 Gas with capabilities up to 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. It has 18.5 gallons of fuel capacity, accepts regular unleaded fuel sources, and offers a front-wheel drive as its drivetrain.
Flat towing a Hyundai Sonata with a manual transmission is preferable to an automatic transmission model. It is a lot safer and doesn't require modifications to the transmission. However, note that some newer models of manual transmission vehicles do not support flat towing. Always consult your manual before doing this.
To properly tow a Hyundai Sonata with a manual transmission, you need to take note of the following countermeasures:
- Make sure that the vehicle is secure with the towing equipment.
- Set the ignition switch to the 'on' position; don't start the engine.
- Place the transmission to neutral.
- Release the parking brake.
- Turn off the radio and the display to avoid draining your vehicle's battery.
What Are the Tools Needed for Flat Towing?
With flat towing, you would need some tools to do the job. We'll be recommending a few essential tools to help you set up an emergency towing kit.
Tow Bar
A tow bar will serve as the secure connection between the towing vehicle and your Hyundai Sonata. It has two arms that provide a few degrees of leeway for pivoting vehicles during curved roads.
Check out this CURT Car Tow Bar on Amazon.
Tow Bar Base Plate
Although the tow bar base plate is unnecessary as some tow bars attach to any vehicle, this is still a preferred method of connecting a tow bar to your car. A base plate is a metal frame that bolts at your vehicle's front bumper and serves as the receiver for the tow bar itself.
Check out this Roadmaster Tow Bar Baseplate on Amazon.
Safety Cables
Safety cables act as a backup and support for your tow bar. In the unfortunate case that your tow bar experiences failure during operation, a safety cable will at least be a safety net for your vehicle.
Check out this Reese Towpower Safety Cable on Amazon.
Trailer Connector
A trailer connecter's primary purpose is to supply lighting on the trailer. The wiring operates the taillights, left brake light, and the right brake light. Although this is a supplementary item, it is essential for safe towing practices.
Check out this 4 Pin Flat Trailer Wiring Harness Kit on Amazon.
Tow Bar Locks
Instead of using the default hitch pins of your tow bar, tow bar locks increase the safety and security between the vehicle and the towing truck. We highly recommend getting one for your tow bar.
Check out this Curt 70005 Tow Bar Lock Set on Amazon.
Investment in Additional Braking System
The best form of safety during flat towing is a trailer braking system. These braking systems are present in many tow dollies; however, owners should use an additional onboard braking system in flat towing.
Auxiliary brakes help offset the weight of your Hyundai Sonata from the towing truck, which promotes safety and prevents hazardous accidents, especially on oncoming traffic. It may be expensive, but at least it guarantees the safety of your vehicle.
Check out this Roadmaster 8700 Power Braking System on Amazon.
For more information on flat towing, check out this educational video.
What Happens if you Flat Tow an Automatic Hyundai Sonata?
For owners of newer models of the Hyundai Sonata, you would most likely have an automatic transmission. Beforehand, manual and automatic transmission cars are towable on all fours without damaging the transmission. These newer engines now have advanced and upgraded multiple gear ratios that are no longer friendly to the flat tow method.
The oil pump that lubricates the gears and other internal components cannot function when the engine is not running. This problem means that when your Hyundai Sonata is being flat towed, friction will leave lasting wear, tear, and damage to your automatic transmission.
Forcing this method on an automatic transmission, especially on a continuously variable transmission (CVT), will likely produce more problems and complications than you currently have on your hands. Hence, you will be spending more than just paying for the towing services of your local tow-truck company.
If you are unsure what to do and would like to save the hassle of doing all of this by yourself, consider calling Hyundai Assurance. It is a 24/7 roadside assistance offered by your local dealership if you need towing services for your new Hyundai Sonata. They will be knowledgeable in towing your specific vehicle and guarantee safe towing for your car.
Here's Hyundai Assurance's Phone Number: 1-800-243-7766
Should I Get A Manual Instead of Automatic Transmission For A Hyundai Sonata?
One can argue that having a manual transmission is better than an automatic transmission Hyundai Sonata. However, with recent developments and releases of Hyundai's model, it seems that they are staying away from manual transmission due to the increasing safety factor for automatic transmissions.
Regardless of the towing method, you would need to use if the situation arises, it is still definitely up to your preference whether you want to go for a seamless driving experience with an automatic transmission or a more customizable and personal driving experience with a manual Hyundai Sonata.
In Conclusion
Flat towing is more or less becoming a thing of yesterday. With newer advancements in engine design and transmission design, it is safer to assume that other options will now be the norm for towing vehicles. Hopefully, this post answered your question about flat towing a Hyundai Sonata.
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