# Hybrid cars and towing **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [January 17, 2006, 7:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940 "2006-01-17T07:07:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Daddie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/daddie/32/7621_2.png) [@Daddie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Daddie)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 7:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/1 "2006-01-17T07:07:19Z")
Electric motors make gobs of torque, yes. Torque (and a suitable frame) allows you to tow stuff better. The stress that is induced by towing however, does that really fuck up the hybrid drive systems in a car? I was wondering because a Lexus RX400h would be a perfect vehicle. It gets very good gas mileage, is moderately fast (14 sec 1/4), and has an assload of torque. Granted the frame wasn’t exactly designed with towing in mind, I know they can tow some stuff. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![jeeves744](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jeeves744/32/7619_2.png) [@jeeves744](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jeeves744)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 7:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/2 "2006-01-17T07:12:10Z")
wouldnt it drain the battery pretty quick though? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Stevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dr.Stevil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dr.Stevil)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 7:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/3 "2006-01-17T07:13:05Z")
dont forget that suspension has ALOT to do with it aswell ---
**Author:** ![fairgentleman\_Z](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fairgentleman_z/32/7263_2.png) [@fairgentleman\_Z](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fairgentleman_Z)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 7:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/4 "2006-01-17T07:15:17Z")
> [@Daddie](#): > > Thoughts? Go by the manufactures recommended towing capacity? :gotme: > [@lexus.com](#): > > Tow capacity (max):3,500 lb (1,588 kg) [[2]](http://www.lexus.com/models/rx_hybrid/specifications.html#disc2) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Russian](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/the_russian/32/7414_2.png) [@The\_Russian](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/The_Russian)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 7:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/5 "2006-01-17T07:15:18Z")
check and see if it has towing limits on it, if so like jeeves said, with more load the battery is gonna die a lot faster. ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 7:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/6 "2006-01-17T07:15:45Z")
they have a tow rating of 3500 lbs. per lexus. [http://www.lexus.com/models/rx\_hybrid/specifications.html](http://www.lexus.com/models/rx_hybrid/specifications.html) > The battle between hybrid and clean-diesel vehicles continues. > I have been very interested in the new Lexus RX400 hybrid, which should be available by the time you read this. The gas engine is the 230 horsepower V6 that we have been using with excellent results in the Sienna Van and Lexus RX330. The electric motor adds 40 horsepower and 130 pounds-feet of torque without adding additional weight, because Lexus uses the electric power to provide the four-wheel-drive. The electric portion will provide power for about 60 seconds at full pop, so it will help accelerate along an on-ramp, get you started on a steep hill or provide power for passing. It will not help in a head wind or to climb a very long grade. In most highway situations, you will have V8 power with V6 economy. Around town, however, fuel economy is equal to that of a four cylinder Camry. the CVT would be my bigger concern. ---
**Author:** ![Freek](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/freek/32/7357_2.png) [@Freek](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Freek)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 7:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/7 "2006-01-17T07:35:23Z")
well i’ve never thought about it before … thinking about it now it would make sence. However i don’t think they had towing in mind when bulding it. I think it would wear the electric motors out prematurley and not be fun alla round … hybrid cars just aren’t worth it in general. ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 8:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/8 "2006-01-17T08:06:20Z")
Thats a pretty high capacity. I don’t see a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 8:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/9 "2006-01-17T08:09:21Z")
> [@fairgentleman Z](#): > > Go by the manufactures recommended towing capacity? :gotme: agreed ---
**Author:** ![djdstar](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/djdstar/32/7617_2.png) [@djdstar](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/djdstar)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 9:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/10 "2006-01-17T09:50:06Z")
Just go by the manufacturer’s towing capacity like everyone else said, the warranty is always there. 🙂 But CVT transmissions aren’t very durable when it comes to stuff like this, it seems. They used to use CVT transmissions on A4s and everyone blew em up. ---
**Author:** ![93dx\_hatch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/90ced4/32.png) [@93dx\_hatch](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/93dx_hatch)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 10:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/11 "2006-01-17T10:04:49Z")
OT: what year A4 where they used on? ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 10:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/12 "2006-01-17T10:08:27Z")
> [@DarkkstaR](#): > > Just go by the manufacturer’s towing capacity like everyone else said, the warranty is always there. 🙂 > > But CVT transmissions aren’t very durable when it comes to stuff like this, it seems. They used to use CVT transmissions on A4s and everyone blew em up. There was never a CVT offered in the A4 (in this country, but they were offered in other models in the US) -edit- clarified ---
**Author:** ![JettaX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JettaX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JettaX)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 10:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/13 "2006-01-17T10:35:47Z")
[http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/hl/03a4.htm](http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/hl/03a4.htm) wanna bet? ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 10:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/14 "2006-01-17T10:38:07Z")
> [@JettaX](#): > > [http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/hl/03a4.htm](http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/hl/03a4.htm) > > wanna bet? Last I checked we lived in the united states. You want to talk about how many engine and trans options aren’t offered by Audi/VW in the states that should be? ---
**Author:** ![JettaX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JettaX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JettaX)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 10:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/15 "2006-01-17T10:40:51Z")
> **[Motor Trend: 2002 Audi A4 1.8T CVT](http://www.motortrend.com/news/trans02/)** > > Audi's all-new and technologically innovative design, called Multitronic, first appears in the new-for-'02 A4 and will certainly expand to other Audi (and probably VW) models over time. anything else smartass? ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 10:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/16 "2006-01-17T10:45:56Z")
:owned: ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Boomin99GT](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boomin99gt/32/7306_2.png) [@Boomin99GT](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Boomin99GT)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 10:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/17 "2006-01-17T10:52:46Z")
Howie you’d have no problem using that to tow something as long as its within the towing capacity. The Prius we have in our shop has a tow hitch on it and it still works fine. Who knows what the hell they pulled with it though haha. ---
**Author:** ![djdstar](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/djdstar/32/7617_2.png) [@djdstar](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/djdstar)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 12:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/18 "2006-01-17T12:25:13Z")
> [@93dx--hatch](#): > > OT: what year A4 where they used on? It was a B6, not sure what year. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 7:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/19 "2006-01-18T07:44:35Z")
> [@Daddie](#): > > Electric motors make gobs of torque, yes. > > Torque (and a suitable frame) allows you to tow stuff better. > > The stress that is induced by towing however, does that really fuck up the hybrid drive systems in a car? > > I was wondering because a Lexus RX400h would be a perfect vehicle. > > It gets very good gas mileage, is moderately fast (14 sec 1/4), and has an assload of torque. Granted the frame wasn’t exactly designed with towing in mind, I know they can tow some stuff. > > Thoughts? The wheelbase is way, way too short to tow anything substantial. I laugh at people in jeeps who try and tow. THey have the wheelbase of a civic. ---
**Author:** ![mike125k](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mike125k/32/7282_2.png) [@mike125k](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mike125k)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 3:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940/20 "2006-01-18T15:14:59Z")
> [@The\_Russian](#): > > check and see if it has towing limits on it, if so like jeeves said, with more load the battery is gonna die a lot faster. they dont run on batteries all the time so it cant die, thats why its paired with an internal combustion engine. its a gas hybrid, that means it uses two different power systems in conjunction. back on topic, i dont see any specific reasons why you cant, though i dont think just because its a hybrid it can tow more than a regular RX. i would just go by what lexus recommends. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hybrid-cars-and-towing/6940.md?page=2)