I've used an automatic as a towcar for years, and in my opinion it's far better than a manual. As I understand it, the geartronic is a manual gearbox with an automatically operated clutch, so I can't see any problem, personally. However, there are probably more experienced people out there that could confirm or deny.
I tow with an auto V70 diesel, but it's an early model.
Hi Jeepster,
We have a 2005 V70 with the 163hp D5 engine and geartronic gearbox and tow a caravan with a maximum weight of 1500KGS,
The car tows this no problem at all, early last year went to Kyle of Lochalshe and over Glencoe to Fort William and towed effortlessly,
Mine has done 90,000 miles and has not yet had the gear oil changed,
By the way it is a full automatic with the ability to lock it in to a single gear and change gear when you want, not as colin 21 says manual with an auto clutch.
anything like mine you shouldn't have a problem.
Dunc.
------------- Why have kids when you can have a dog?
Hi 2Barnesand1dog, Are you sure yours is a geartronic? Mine is fully automatic, with the ability to lock it in any gear, but it is not a geartronic. Does yours have a torque converter, like mine? I always believed that Volvo used the term "geartronic" to describe the later gearboxes, which were as I described. They can work as a fully auto box, but they don't have a torque converter. Instead they use an automatically controlled clutch.
Here's what Wikipedia say of geartronic.
"Geartronic is Volvo Cars' name for its manumatic transmission, similar to Porsche's Tiptronic. It is available in 5 and 6 speed models, and is controlled by a microprocessor. The microprocessor automatically shifts to the next gear if a forgetful user in manual mode red lines the engine. Manual shifting is allowed with the gear stick in the manual mode. The gear stick can also be used just like any other automatic gearbox, where the transmission will shift automatically."
hi all thanks for the comments, i always buy a car privately and find it easier to check for problems with a manual gearbox, thats mainly why i dont like autos.
Anyhow had a think about the s60 and have decided to look out for a manual, probably a v70.
going to fetch the van at the weekend, its taken 3 years but she finally gave in.
Hi Hereward, It would seem then that I am not so well up on the terminology as I thought I was. I had always believed that the geartronic box was not a traditional auto like mine, but another name for the DSG box. It seems Wikipedia may be under the same impression.
My V70 is a 1999/2000 model, and as far as I know they only came with manual or traditional auto. I'm not so conversant with later models.
I still much prefer my auto for towing. Towing with a manual always seems too much like hard work, and also I have seen too many people towing with manuals and ending up with a burnt-out clutch. Probably down to bad driving, but still a problem that doesn't exist with a torque converter. You can over-heat them, but not quite so likely. During my younger days I often drove large vehicles with non-syncromesh (crash)boxes, so I don't want that much hard work any more. Certainly not when driving for pleasure.
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Topic: volvo s60 geartronic
