odometer disable while towing

[topcop69]

I hav e a 2008 Saturn Vue that I tow behind my 2007 Bounder 35 ft class A. Both of these vehicles were recently purchased. I noticed the odometer (milage) reading increases when towing. Is there a way to disable this function? Please help.

 

[Kirk W]

Welcome to the Escapee forums! We are happy that you joined us here!

 

This is the first that I've heard of that problem, since the change of the auto industry to electric driven odometers. I have towed a 1995 Ford Ranger, a 2001 Honda CR-V and a 2009 Honda CR-V behind a motorhome and none of those added any mileage when being towed on their wheels. This must be something new for Saturn?

 

Edit: I just checked the REMCO listing for vehicle towing restrictions and find the following, with no mention of adding miles to the odometer.

 

2008 Saturn Vue ALL AWD V6 3.6L cyl 6-Speed Automatic 6T70

Notes

• Towable as is with speed and/or distance restrictions. Please see Owner's Manual for confirmation and procedures.
• It is not recommended to tow this vehicle over 65MPH
• The vehicle should be ran at the beginning of each day and at each RV fuel stop for about 5 minutes. This will ensure proper lubrication of transmission components. To prevent battery from draining while the vehicle is being towed, remove the fuse listed in the Owner's Manual from the fuse block, see Owner's Manual. This will need to be installed to restart vehicle.

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

There is probably a fuse that is supposed to be remove while towing.

[rynosback]

I woud doubt you can do anything. As tampering with the odometer is illegal. https://www.bing.com/search?q=tampering+with+the+odometer+laws&form=EDGNTC&qs=PF&cvid=e0ac5380c88243a4a00dd93419df0a7c&pq=tampering%20with%20the%20odometer%20laws

 

I understand what you are trying to do, but there are no gray lines when it comes to an odometer. You could tow it for a million miles and can tell a lot from looking at the pedals and other things to get an idea if the millage is accurate. Even if you did it, you would have to sell the car as TMU, true millage unknown. Which will lower the cars value. If the millage really bothers you, you could buy a trailer and load the car on it.

[rynosback]

Welcome to the Escapee forums! We are happy that you joined us here!

 

This is the first that I've heard of that problem, since the change of the auto industry to electric driven odometers. I have towed a 1995 Ford Ranger, a 2001 Honda CR-V and a 2009 Honda CR-V behind a motorhome and none of those added any mileage when being towed on their wheels. This must be something new from Saturn?

 

Not new from Satern as they are no longer in business.

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

In most vehicles today certified for towing four down, in the operators manual, it is described what fuse to pull when towing. So before we get a lot of huff about legalities, that is where we stand. That is what the manufacturers instruct.

[Barbaraok]

I woud doubt you can do anything. As tampering with the odometer is illegal. https://www.bing.com/search?q=tampering+with+the+odometer+laws&form=EDGNTC&qs=PF&cvid=e0ac5380c88243a4a00dd93419df0a7c&pq=tampering%20with%20the%20odometer%20laws

 

I understand what you are trying to do, but there are no gray lines when it comes to an odometer. You could tow it for a million miles and can tell a lot from looking at the pedals and other things to get an idea if the millage is accurate. Even if you did it, you would have to sell the car as TMU, true millage unknown. Which will lower the cars value. If the millage really bothers you, you could buy a trailer and load the car on it.

 

You do understand that for most of us there is no mileage increase because the electrical system isn't working when it is being towed. None of us are doing anything illegal.

 

topcop69 - I would suggest you go read this thread from iRV2.net

 

Barb

[rynosback]

You do understand that for most of us there is no mileage increase because the electrical system isn't working when it is being towed. None of us are doing anything illegal.

 

topcop69 - I would suggest you go read this thread from iRV2.net

 

Barb

I would agree, that the toad should not be recording the mileage as it is not on.

[SWharton]

Are you following the towing procedures documented for the Saturn? Usually you need to pull a fuse and that stops the recording I believe. How to set the Saturn up for 4 down should be in the manual.

[docj]

The OP never said what position the key was in when he was towing it. Having towed a 2009 Chevy Malibu for 3 years with no issue, let me note that mileage on a GM vehicle will accrue on the odometer if the key is left in the ON position rather than ACC.

 

It's my understanding that the fuses which are usually pulled for towing GM vehicles are to prevent battery drain and have nothing to do with odometer mileage. If you think about it for a moment you would realize that since odometer tampering is a federal offense, a car manufacturer would not make it possible to prevent an odometer from accruing mileage by simply pulling a fuse. Too many people would do it for all the wrong reasons.

[Legendsk]

The ethical answer to this dilemma would seem to be . . . .

 

When pulling a toad, as opposed to trailering it, you are putting mileage on some part of the drive train. With a lot of possibilities of how much of the drive train. Many folks buying a vehicle would appreciate accurate records about the vehicle, including how much it was towed and whether that mileage was included on the odometer.

 

Simply keeping a log book in the toad with starting and ending mileage and accumulated mileage as well as date will show whether the towed mileage is or is not included on the odometer. In either case the truth is there in black and white, which is what sets us free, right?

 

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

 

 

If you think about it for a moment you would realize that since odometer tampering is a federal offense, a car manufacturer would not make it possible to prevent an odometer from accruing mileage by simply pulling a fuse. Too many people would do it for all the wrong reasons.

They could do it but the car isn't going anywhere. The fuse disables a whole lot more than just the odometer.

[SWharton]

Could it be that the fuse has nothing to do with the odometer? Possibly the odometer is turned off when the car is placed in ACC.

[docj]

Could it be that the fuse has nothing to do with the odometer? Possibly the odometer is turned off when the car is placed in ACC.

 

That was precisely the case with my Malibu. That's why I suggested that maybe the OP didn't have the key in the ACC position.

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

On our Equinox, the ignition position for towing is On and then one click back, not ACC. And the fuse is removed (by opening a switch)

[docj]

On our Equinox, the ignition position for towing is On and then one click back, not ACC. And the fuse is removed (by opening a switch)

 

What you describe is where my Malibu had its ACC position. Do you have yet another position? In the counterclockwise direction?

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

I checked, yes that is the ACC position but remember, we have the fuse disconnected. On the Grand Cherokee we had, there was a position between Off and On for towing.

[Kirk W]

That's why I suggested that maybe the OP didn't have the key in the ACC position.

Which I'd bet is exactly the problem as this is the first that I've heard of any Saturn adding miles while being towed. But the profile of the OP shows that he's not been back to see what is offered yet so until he does we probably won't know.

[Biker56]

The OP will know how many miles are on his tires.

And not wonder why they need replaced at only 20,000 odometer miles on them.

 

Trade in value difference of a 2008 with 80K miles or 160K miles is around $1,700.

 

From Owners Manual

 

To tow your vehicle from the front with all four wheels
on the ground:
1. Position and attach the vehicle to tow it behind the
recreational vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Turn fog lamps and all accessories off.
5. Remove the IGN SW fuse from the Instrument
Panel Fuse Block. See Instrument Panel Fuse
Block on page 5-97

 

Fuse panel is in the same location as the HHR I pulled. The fuse in it was a 2AMP that needed pulled.

I put a switch on mine to make it easy to set up to tow.