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General MG Does odometer record when flat towing.

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Brian1951

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I will be flat towing my 77 Midget to Arizona. A 1000 mile trip. If the gearbox is in neutral will the odometer record miles while it is being towed? I don't want to disconnect the cable if it's not necessary.
 
Brian - I think the odometer records the turns of the driveshaft. If the driveshaft is turning (forward), the mechanical odometer turns too.
If you've converted to an electronic odometer system, all bets are off!
 
I know with a lot of vehicles, flat towing even in neutral can be problematic because the transmission may not be lubricated when the engine is not running. Disconnecting the driveshaft is usually recommended for that long a distance but I confess I do not know the exact specifics for those transmissions. Disconnecting the driveshaft will also stop the odometer from rolling.
 
Best to disconnect driveshaft at diff. Most European manuals reccommend it.
 
Tranny lubrication depends in large part on splash from the laygear as it turns. Just turning the output shaft will not provides this. For a long tow, disconnect the drive shaft.
Bob
 
Bob's right on. If you tow it flat, disconnect the drive shaft at the differential, and all your problems are gone.
 
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