Flat Towing Mini-- does mileage accrue?

[flibmeister]

Does anybody know if the odometer will continue to accrue miles on a Mini when it's flat towed (on all four wheels) behind an RV? Some cars do, some cars don't, and on some cars the odometer can be easily disabled by pulling a fuse. Just wondering which category the Mini falls into.

(Yes, I'm aware that the factory sez you shouldn't flat tow a Mini).

Thanks,

Denny

[flibmeister]

Oops, never mind-- found my answer on one of the RV forums:

"I have been towing it for the last two years and it does just fine. I called Mini before towing it and I was told that I would have no problem. The key needs to be in the Acces. position and it does not gain miles on the odometer."

[pocketrocketowner]

Only cars with mechanical odometers (cables connected to wheels, drive shafts ) accumulate mileage when being towed. Most of those systems went the way of the dodo......

[flibmeister]

>> Only cars with mechanical odometers (cables connected to wheels, drive shafts ) accumulate mileage when being towed. <<

Not exactly.

In order to be towed behind an RV, the steering lock has to be unlocked. On many cars, that means towing with the key turned to a position that also energizes the electronic odometer circuitry-- so those cars continue to accumulate miles under tow. On cars where that's a problem, it's often possible to pull a fuse prior to towing that will disable the odometer circuitry.


Denny (who has little experience with Mini's-- but lots of experience towing other cars with RV's <g>)