I have used them twice. Three hours for a tow the first time. Four hours the second time.Has anyone yet needed to call for Volvo roadside assistance? How long before someone showed? How was the experience?
Tow mode is just to get it on the flatbed truck. You cannot flat-tow the car on the ground as far as I know. Pretty much the same as all modern cars unless you get a manual transmission.Does tow mode just mean the can roll it on to the flat bed or does it mean it can actually be towed.
My last car was Volvo's first gen awd and that could not be towed. Had to be flat bed or those wheels things under the rear. Was always paranoid someone would tow it wrong and destroy it.
There is a Tesla video on YouTube of a Tesla being towed 4 wheels down at about 30mph for some 20 or so miles. It actually was charging the car while being towed.Tow mode is just to get it on the flatbed truck. You cannot flat-tow the car on the ground as far as I know. Pretty much the same as all modern cars unless you get a manual transmission.![]()
The car would not go into tow mode. The 12 volt battery was good and the display worked, but the tow mode option was grayed out.We’re you able to put the car into tow mode?
After I read your post I went into the manual to make sure I knew how to activate tow mode. Incredibly frustrating if doesn’t work when you need it.The car would not go into tow mode. The 12 volt battery was good and the display worked, but the tow mode option was grayed out.
The rear wheels are locked if you can't get into tow mode. The front wheels will turn. So skids are only needed for the rear.
Regarding how to tow an electric vehicle, there are multiple articles on this topic. The only recommended method is to flat bed tow the vehicle. Electric cars do not have a transmission where the wheels disconnect from the motors. Pulling the car with the wheels turning causes the motors to continuously spin.
The tow mode merely releases the parking brake. It does not disconnect the motors from the wheels.
Are you sure about that? It seems like it conflicts with the towing warning statement:The tow mode merely releases the parking brake. It does not disconnect the motors from the wheels.
Yes, dolly should certainly work.I can't see any reason a tow truck could not tow with a dolly under the rear wheels. The front end is up the rear wheels are on the dolly not turning. Almost all truck in this area have a dolly.
That is a great question. I am no expert, but I do not believe the electric motors are disengaged from the wheels even in tow mode. I was under the impression that tow mode released the parking brake and may have some effect on electronics that prevent regenerative charging. But, I may be wrong.Are you sure about that? It seems like it conflicts with the towing warning statement:
ImportantTowing should only take place when Tow mode is activated. If Tow mode is not activated, the vehicle may start charging and there is considerable risk that the vehicle's systems could be damaged.
I think I read somewhere that the parking brake (which as we know is a motorised mechanical application of the rear disk brake calipers) occurs after the car has been sitting stationary in a queue/traffic for 10 or 20 minutes - something like that. During short stops, I don’t think the motor torque alone with no power applied would be enough to stop the car rolling on an incline, so I’m wondering if the 4 brakes are applied hydraulically. The car has blended brakes and automatic emergency braking systems so we know the hydraulic brakes can be applied at any time by the car. This would make more sense than applying the mechanical rear caliper park brake mechanism every time the car comes to a stop.On a flat surface it feels like the motors only. On a slope it is motors and after a short while the parking break clamps down.
In earlier version of the software the parking break clamp down was more noticeable.
The above is based on observation (auditory) since May.
Ouch.Update: I got a flat on Saturday night and I'm still waiting for a tow, mid Monday morning. So far very unhappy with the Volvo roadside