Dual clutch transmissions, towing & heavy-duty uphill reversing | Auto Expert John Cadogan

Steep driveways, reversing a trailer, and: Will you kill the new eight-speed dual clutch transmission in the new Santa Fe and Sorento diesel AWD models?
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Here's a question from Larry the landscaper:
"I’m thinking of replacing my Ford Territory with another SUV. I had decided on a Kia Sorento until I saw your article on DCTs, specifically the issue of reversing a box trailer up a steep driveway. Guess what I do every afternoon? Is there a way of mitigating this issue with the use of handbrake, etc., or should I simply discount the Kia and go instead for the Mazda CX-9?" - Larry Watt
Good question - and at the time I did so wish I had a good answer, but alas, my crystal ball was down for the count on this one, and the lapsed engineer in me still recoils at the prospect of making stuff up. So I stalled for time and asked for more info from Landscaping Lazza...
...who deployed his protractor and tape measure. As you can see, it’s a pretty steep driveway, but not that long. I can empathize. About 20 degrees, 21 metres, and the trailer might weigh 400 kilos on a heavy day. And Larry reverses in at the end of the day, five days a week, after toiling hard, turning busted-arse Sydney scrub into the cover of Home Beautiful, repeat.
So - because I had no idea about the duty cycle for this new transmission, I reached out to Kia’s top engineering dude in 'Straya, Roland River and he reached up to the 37.88th Parallel, where the R&D brainiacs hang out, in a very cool place called Namyang.
Everyone should go to a place like Namyang, once in their lives - just for the test tracks and the wind tunnels and the anechoic chamber and the rooms where they bake, freeze and break various parts - and whole cars - with great precision. They take this stuff very seriously.
I’m sure there was some brow-furrowing up there on this. Like: ‘He wants to do what?’ Anywho, Namyang dudes give Lazza’s driveway and trailer due consideration, then they go (I’m paraphrasing):
That should be fine, dude. Just make sure he does it one-up. Like, get the passengers (if any) out. Pro tip, do try to avoid hill-holding using the throttle and slipping the clutch - because in the domain of transmission good things and transmission bad things, that’s generally bad.
They also go (agin, paraphrasing): this is a relatively severe operating condition, because of the low speed and low airflow and high load from gravity and therefore high input heat and low forced convective cooling effect - even though the clutch system is wet and features a dedicated cooling system.
Furthermore, the clutch system features self-protection. And if that triggers, the clutch is programmed to release at a pre-set temperature, to prevent serious damage. In other words, we did our best to idiot-proof things - even though humanity always invents a better idiot when we do that.
And if that happens (the thermal protection clutch release trigger) you will lose tractive effort, so wait a couple of minutes, dude, and leave the engine running (presumably to maintain oil circulation through the cooler). Then you can go again.
I must say, this all seems quite reasonable to me. But the variables are, obviously, how often you do it, how steep and long is your driveway, how heavy is your trailer, and how capable/mechanically sympathetic are you, as the driver.

[@eriknephrongfr8847]

I knew you could count on Big John for a polite reach around. A true gentleman!

[@annemickelson2621]

He and the coq are like that.

[@KenanTurkiye]

lol @ u2

[@dennisleadbetter7721]

I'm a bit doubtful that a landscapers trailer would only weigh 500kgs. Most people really have no idea what a trailer weighs, especially loaded up with tools, a few bags of cement, some soil and sand and gravel, and your well over the ton.

[@theairstig9164]

The trailer axle can handle a tonne. Two axles two tonnes. After that something gives. Trust me

[@brucedwyer5976]

Thanks John ...I realy love your candour and apreciate youer integrity

[@kevinbarker359]

Just found your site John , great stuff.

[@jamespavier1624]

Drive in forward , fit a camera to the trailer, reverse down hill in the morning , transmission happy.

[@kevinrussell5401]

John I have been devouring your reviews especially on the new Sorento and Santa Fe. In fact have purchased a Gt-line based on my research using your reviews as a yard stick. Reckon I've watched all the fors and against reviews to help the decision process I might add through your purchasing partner. Still to get delivery, was Jan 31st now Feb 28th. Been on several test drives at local dealership and reckon the Kia Sorento is going to be a perfect driving companion for quite a few years... Thank you John appreciate your work. From the Old Boy in Cairns.

[@kevinhancock1391]

Avid watcher from the UK, really enjoy the content and technical attention to detail. Having had a Sorento (manual) and now driving a 2020 Santa Fe auto pulling a caravan (sorry John) getting these insights really helps over here too. Many thanks.

[@andyburnett8012]

Hi Kevin, UK based watcher here too, what weight is your van and how does the car compare to your previous towing vehicles? I currently tow with a shogun and looking to change this year. I also see that the new d c t santa fe is not in UK yet so yours must be the torque converter model currently available?

[@markh.6687]

Do you enjoy the Dining Toliet experience, or is your caravan a bit larger to deny you that pleasure? :)

[@vudu5vudu]

Thanks John. Thorough analysis. Having purchased a Kia Seltos via your fine organisation, and thanks for that, do you have any comment on this exciting automobile's DCT (1.6T).

[@michaelperrin2531]

A possible fitting of a high temp audible and dashboard warning from the clutch's and it's oil system before loss off traction wouldn't go amiss ?

[@88mtb88]

Great advice

[@AutoExpertJC]

Thank you.

[@lot6129]

@@AutoExpertJC kzbin.info/www/bejne/mam0aJ6qgbtnias&ab_channel=TFLoffroad

[@realnutteruk1]

I remember a weekend in 1978 or so, helping my dad replace the clutch in our Austin Maxi, after one single event of reversing a 750kg boat up a gently sloping driveway..... so there's that....

[@hokitika4888]

A pig of a car to work on

[@v8snail]

@Matt Rutter People forgetting to put the trailer brake reversing latch in have been caught out with this.

[@RJ-vb7gh]

Although heats pretty much the enemy of most mechanical systems, the issue of heat vs friction clutch wear from slipping the clutch is a major issue in clutch lifespan. In the days before the great worldwide internment, my local highways slowed down to a crawl for a good portion of the day. For the most part cars would just inch along at speeds of less than one mile per hour for hours... It was actually somewhat unnerving to hear the cars next to me start-stopping every few seconds as they would shut off, restart a few seconds later move a few feet forward and then rinse and repeat. In such a case... depending on how low a vehicle's first gear really is, there's no way it isn't literally slipping the clutches for hours at a time... unless of course, the car has a torque converter with an adequate cooling system. And yes, in my area, manual transmissions don't last as long as automatic transmissions... or rather their clutches don't. And it's not just a matter of cooling... perfectly cool clutches still wear when they are slipping as in creeping along in traffic. Cooled or not, if you spend a couple of hours every day slipping your clutches your DCT is going to suffer and need a clutch job every so often. It might be worth finding out how much that will cost. If it only costs a few hundred dollars, it might not be too bad to replace the clutches every so often. If the job runs into the thousands and you spend a lot of time in traffic, you might consider a torque converter transmission that's meant to slip slide along. Having a super low first gear would be useful, pretty much a crawling gear that can be fully engaged at less than 1 MPH. although the clutch will still have to disengage whenever the car stops, but it will do it less often than if the car has to slip until the engine has enough revs to not stall with the clutch engaged at a higher speed. I suppose by calculating the stall speed of the engine along with the first gear ratio and the differential gear ratio and the diameter of the tires, you might be able to decide which DCT setup is likely to last longest in traffic. But that's just more math than I'm into right now.

[@a.j.4374]

I own a Haval h6 w/ dual clutch transmission. When parking the car, the transmission seems to be having a hard time. The place where I park is uphill and I have to reverse. Not good.

[@RJ-vb7gh]

@@a.j.4374 Sadly KZbin has denied me the ability to read your other comment. But from what I gather your issue is regarding reverse. I'm not familiar with your particular transmission, but typically reverse is controlled by a planetary gear system. If your issue is only in reverse, your problem would be there, not in the dual clutches.

[@MeasureOnce]

Set question - How's the run-out on that Hafco MetalMaster PD-325 please?

[@simonarmitage2591]

When a dual clutch transmission decides it’s too hot and “let’s go”, it’s a shocking moment. They let go a lot quicker than you’d expect, and provides no warning- it’s quite scary when they do.

[@SoulTouchMusic93]

Really? I've never owned an automatic let alone a dual clutch but I am a trucker and all the 44 tonners are single clutch automatics. Sometimes when you're asking too much from it, the clutch would give you an overheat warning in the dashboard. They seem to be able to do way more than half a mill kilometers on one clutch.

[@farktard2740]

@@SoulTouchMusic93 Yeah they are soft. When they go, they go. Get ready on the mechanical brake. My brother's driveway is fkn 45 degrees. Does it everytime with the Jayco on

[@v8snail]

@@farktard2740 What vehicle is that in?

[@romandybala]

@@farktard2740 Yeah, nah, not 45 degrees. Thats a cliff.

[@farktard2740]

@@v8snail nissan xtrail

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

Still, a wet clutch with a cooler is going to be better than a conventional manual transmission clutch. Looks like you have good proof that heat will not be the killer. However, the heat is generated by friction, there must be some material loss from the clutch plates. I would speculate the clutches will last longer than a conventional manual clutch. On a torque converter, auto heat is the only potential killer. A better question would be how much will it cost to change the clutch plates if they do fail (warranty, out of warranty options)? On an old conventional manual in this situation changing the clutch is quite cheap so if it fails once per year because of a driveway is just a cost of doing business.

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

@M Bacon good point, the wet clutches in a conventional automatic transmission are very fragile if they start slipping due to a pressure fault. John should have sampled the fluid before and after his driveway test and had it analyzed for clutch material.. I bet changing those clutches costs many thousand to complete.

[@a.j.4374]

How to tell whether I am slipping the clutch or not?

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

@@a.j.4374 when the engine revs change in direct proportion to vehicle speed. Probably far to fast to reverse up a driveway with a trailer.

[@annemickelson2621]

Happy Valentines Day John.

[@giovannip.1433]

Great to see analysis on different vehicles - resulting in getting the right vehicle to the right customer... I wonder if a Mazda MX - 5 Miata can tow a boat...

[@ya472]

I bought a 2022 Kona N-line with the 1.6 Turbo, 6-speed DCT. Trailer towing is not rated, or recommended. Any information on towing a utility trailer with this transmission would be helpful. thx

[@markwilkins8314]

Wow car testing in reverse,blue mountains backwards yessss

[@markaxton2032]

Just buy something with a transfer case. I have no issue reversing the 1.8t mobile shittrois up our driveway in low 4. It’s gravel as well as steep.

[@craigquann]

Do you have a DCT transmission tho. Cuz your average automatic or good old manual would be fine.

[@paullewis6410]

Hey John, I like caravans too!

[@trevorgerdes2268]

Hey John, let's keep going on this. Does the Kia/Hyundai DCT clutch have a life expectancy, like a normal manual clutch? If so, roughly, what would it be under normal driving. conditions.

[@tomsixsix]

Yes, but the clutches tend to last a little long with the average driver as the computer knows how to avoid over-heating the clutch. Generally only one of the two clutches is used for slip torque, although some DCTs will start in 2nd gear and slip the second clutch if the first clutch is hot or if the conditions otherwise allow it (downhill or very flat starts for instance.) Replacing the clutch packs is complex, but can be done by most mechanics, though it probably costs more than replacing a normal clutch in a manual transmission. There is a degree of 'learn-in' where the computer needs to be recalibrated for the new clutches on some vehicles, which may require a specialist.

[@a.j.4374]

@@tomsixsix I own a Haval h6 with dual clutch. I feel like I put too much pressure on the transmission due to the fact that I park the car reverse on an uphill.

[@graemeswatman9578]

Good to see wheelie bins are standardised globally 👍

[@6point5by55]

A bit like a Big Mac...the same the world over.

[@letsseeif]

So where does that leave one with a Hyundai/Kia, who in 2018, bought one with DRY D.C.T.? Only driven on normal roads and carefully at that, and it's gone perfectly so far. Am I tempting fate by hoping for further time and/or kilometres? Thanks John.

[@andersriksson100]

Quote: "Nah you should be fine..." I tempted to add "as long as you sell it before long". DCT/DSG seem to be made for first owners that don't tow or drive in stop-and-go queue traffic regularily. Made for low consumption, fast gear changes and to keep the dealer workshop busy after a couple of years...

[@stevewandel6580]

I'm wondering if there is a way to find out which modernish vehicles can do this job reasonably well? I have a similar driveway, but very occassionally try to reverse 1500kg of small car on small trailer up it. Previous employer provided Santa Fe's did this quite well, a subsequent also supplied MD Mondeo wagon did it ok once I learnt what speed it would do it without slipping (and overheating) the wet clutch. I recently was in the market for a 5 year old, diesel (that was a good choice in a year where you couldn't go anywhere...) wagon (because my family is short & I despise SUVs) to do the same job. I ended up with a Skoda Octavia (waits for hate comments about a VAG product) after also considering the Mondeo, Outback (crap diesel & only CVT), i40 (underpowered). Subsequently have discovered that the Yoda can't even reverse it's own weight up my driveway without constantly fully engaging and disengaging the clutches, so am giving serious thought about ditching it and trying another. Wondering if this kind of issue is the reason that the Mazda 6 didn't get a look in because it was too expensive.

[@steveallen1340]

When the clutch thermal protection kicks in and disengages the clutch whilst the vehicle is being stalling out on a steep driveway do the brakes auto apply or is it assumed the driver is capable of doing that?

[@87solarsky]

Wonder whether that could be configured...

[@andyburnett8012]

Thought exactly the same. You'd have to be pretty quick on getting the brake pedal on, or if adept enough use left foot hovering over the brake in those situations just in case

[@SoulTouchMusic93]

That trailer looks at least 800 kilos, provably a hair over a ton. Take it from a trucker.

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Perhaps the Kia's have a secret DCT mode ?. On my Mercedes DCT a certain button press combo enables 100ms shift mode and prevents the clutches from slipping. For the first 2 yrs of driving my DCT my DCT Clutch degraded by 35%. I was told this was due to me using Eco mode. Since in Eco it goes more softly and slips the clutches to make things smoother. Driving in Sport mode and with the secret mode enabled takes clutch wear to a minimum. At the expense of more rough gear changes....

[@dazaspc]

With all this research into the two different DCT's you might have come across the way each clutch pack deploys? For example a conventional clutch manually controlled by a hand or foot will use spring or springs to lock up. A clutch in a DCT could use a;proportional hydraulic actuator gearbox computer controlled that gradually clamps the clutch pack up or mimick the conventional clutch with a hydraulic actuated gearbox computer controlled release and spring clamped. You may think this is a petty question but in my experience actuator clamped clutch packs last significantly longer due to the consistent repeatable pressure that is applied. Well it does in machine tools. No big deal if you don't know. This would also be an interesting test in Hybrid and full electric vehicles. Very high stress levels for a full electric loading the motor controller as well as the motor with a hybrid stressing both motor generators in the drive system along with both motor controls. You can turn a 3 phase dc or ac motor very slowly but everything heats up very quickly. Cheers

[@craigquann]

John, after you did a little shout out to the boys at TFL. (I subscribe to them as well) they also did a review of the North American version of the Kia. Except they did an off road test. Just a basic steep, loose gravel hill. They managed to overheat the transmission (also a DCT here, though a different engine) so 2 questions. 1) are they the same transmission or different entirely 2) how would the Aussie versions hold up on a soft track to the cottage or a run along a sand beach where there's higher stress on the driveline. I get this isn't ment to be an off road beast. But more the average family day trip sort of scenario.

[@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars]

How is a 'steep, loose gravel hill' anything close to 'basic'? It was an off-road course designed for vehicles with low-range transfer cases and high-profile off-road tyres. A Kia Sorento does not belong there, but it still got up the 'Truth' section. I like TFL, but the Sorento was never going to scale the 'Dare' section. A DCT is not the ideal gearbox for off-roading; so what other result were you expecting? Horses for courses.

[@Pretzil43]

I would think that if a wet clutch get hot enough to smell then you've really got problems.

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

It's not about the length, John. It's about the girth.

[@stevenhastings1480]

Lucky he didn't think of going with a ford dct, ford are still working out what to do with there focus, fiesta,Kuga and mondeo dct transmissions

[@bruceparr1678]

After 7 years my fiesta dct is going strong. Then again, It only sees a traffic light about once a week.

[@hoverhead047]

So, can it be inferred that other marques would be similarly safe?

[@garyquinlan4075]

Doubt it. Ford and VAG have had their fair share of DCT troubles

[@stephenbrown5921]

Surely the most important question is, is Larry a good trailer backer? If he gets a run and does it at walking pace or above, there shouldn't be a problem

[@MattBlack6]

Were the 2010 Ford Mondeos subject to the same Powershit transmission problems as the Fiestas and Focus etc?

[@anthonywitham2305]

Mondeo's have the "wet" power shift tranmisson and were not subject to the same problem. Some do suffer from the plastic surrounds of the cliutch pack shattering sending small parts of plastic throughout the transmission which can become lodged in the solidionds preventing them from doing their job, The fault that often occurs is a check engine light comes on and the car shudders or jumps around whilst driving. The Transmisson should be serviced as specified in the manual. The fluid and filter should be changed every three years or every 61000 kilometres. My son has 2012 Mondeo diesel, low kilometres and is serviced regularly. To date it has been problem free.

[@nerd1000ify]

My dad tows a boat with his 2011 Mondeo diesel (with dct). The boat/trailer is fairly light (a 505 racing dinghy) but so far no sign of any issues, and I'm fairly sure he drives more distance with the trailer than without. I should add that dad is not always the easiest on tow vehicles, he blew the head gasket on our '08 Grand Vitara because he refused to drive at less than 100 km/h... With two boats stacked on the trailer, up and down hills, 4 adults in the car, in 40 degrees C + weather. Even having to stop and replace the boiled off coolant didn't slow him down...

[@MattBlack6]

Thanks all. She's advised me that she's replacing her current Corolla to get a car easier for her elderly mother to get in and out of, aka an SUV. So the Mondeo is out.

[@TonyWhite22351]

Maybe , unlike Ford with the Ranger , they avoided the temptation to implement a reverse gear with a ratio closer to second than first !

[@lesliedsouza4077]

'Ere we go again - John :) Talking to 'em Braniac Dudes - You might inquire, why DCT's don't just have a fluid drive between eng & trans? - Slip during those difficult times & clutch lock-up when impeller & runner are speed matching, above a suitable vehicle speed? (This idea has been around with conventional autos, since the oil crisis, 1970's?)... Yair - weight/ cost/ complexity... But, this'll bullet proof, DCT's - The better to realize, their plus points? Take the Cattle Prod to 'em? :)

[@lesliedsouza4077]

@M Bacon Thank you for your time & thoughts :) Trannies - manual/ epicyclic/ cvt/ dct - Need to disengage drive at standstill, to prevent engine stalling? By pressure plate/ fluid/ centrifugal/ clutch? (Electric motor is different?) If DCT needs separate oil for its clutches - with a dedicated cooling system - How much energy is lost in inching situations? What is that weight/ cost/ complexity? As compared to a fluid drive with lock-up clutch? The whole idea of an auto, lock-up clutch is to optimize - The best of Both Worlds? How would EU define "fleet average"? Long dist couriers better than city taxis? Hence the Hybrid/ EV push?

[@lesliedsouza4077]

@M Bacon Quite :) It could be said that neutral drop helps in traffic? - & lock-up fluid drive for inching up inclines, fwd or rev? Anyways - Best leave it to The Auto Expert to present this to his Boffin mates? Highly intelligent as they are - They'd pooh-pooh - Then implement - As if they were on to it, all along? What would we know? We're not paid enough :(

[@simonarmitage2591]

The issue I have found with dual clutches is that when they decide they are too hot, they disengage with no warning and creating a dangerous situation. Difference, of course, with a manual is that when you disengage the clutch you would either have your foot on the brake or have engaged the hand brake. When a dual clutch transmission turns itself off you need cat like reflexes in order engage any brake and avoid a dangerous situation. Now John, as a typically sensible individual you would normally point out this quite obvious issue but in this case..... crickets. Why?

[@cme2cau]

From experience, backing a VW with a dry clutch DSG uphill is a nightmare. Pressure on the brake disables the throttle. It has a hill holder that works inconsistently. If it didn't have a manual handbrake I would have hit the car in front of me or that beside me.

[@romandybala]

If your driveway goes 5 meters up in twelve metres thats about 23 degrees. I reckon that is steep.

[@hyballs]

Just the 4 wheels and axles (one braked axle) on the trailer would weigh 100kg. Add in all the steel and you can add another 200kg plus. I am thinking with a load in the trailer it's got to be over 400kg.

[@MattBlack6]

Yesssssss!

[@BlaqRaq]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, so much for saying, “20 degrees slope”. So sad, the only person on the internet with sense has to come from Australia. 😅 * I know you can take a joke. We Jamaicans love you Aussies anyway. Rough, tough, brute, and stubborn. Lol

[@LordandGodofYouTube]

Have you done a towing test on an EV yet John? I watched a video on another channel that makes the case that this is one of the major weak points of EVs. I'd be interested to get your opinion (insert French accent,) (insert a short pause,) on that. Sorry if I've missed it, I've been a bit ill, and watching KZbin is low on the priorities right now.

[@andrewdowney7175]

It's good to know about the durability, but my question has always been more around the behaviour in low speed, stop/start situations. Seeing as that is where I seem to spend most of my time...

[@AkhonaNgquba]

You know things are about to get rough when an English speaking person goes, "this is the moment I have ALL been waiting for!". And then chuckles

[@michaeldowlin6778]

Thank GOD that john cadogan MALS

[@AutoExpertJC]

He's actually a bit of an arsehole.

[@nessuno5403]

@@AutoExpertJC 😂

[@horseman9582]

Is the answer to drive in and reverse the trailer back down the next morning?

[@mayflowerlash11]

No. He would be backing out onto a public road while blind. Excellent recipe to get the trailer and the tow vehicle wipe out by passing traffic.

[@dorstefan]

This is an uphill battle.

[@davidmaxwaterman]

"this is a real brain bender for he and I" - IINM, that should be "him and me". Perhaps "me and him"?...or is it different down there? Ah, right...you did it deliberately. You got me. Sigh.

[@spudsmckenzie4123]

One would be forgiven that Hyundai Kia's engineers considered this when they designed the vehicle as it does have the ability to tow a trailer. So there's that.

[@lindsaydonovan6241]

The transcript in the description reads like chonglish, but it actually is quite digestible when read by you, John.

[@AutoExpertJC]

Dude - writing for speech is different to writing for reading. Obviously.

[@tj1097]

How can you do such a good job on trailer dynamics from a dashcam video, but do such a poor job at guessing the weight of a builders trailer?

[@woxie4990]

interesting dilema ... get an automatic instead? wouldn't it solve the problem?

[@richardsmith2879]

I’m just horrified by those wheelybins.

[@blueryxfalls7949]

not even my girlfriend accepted my propose with a more enthusiastic "yes" than you do normally owning fools

[@RealButcher]

Blueryx Falls Lol, did you "reach around" ??

[@steveearley6365]

Opine, used in a sentence my goodness way to good for a prime mincer.

[@swfswf50]

Even with a manual gearbox, you will be slipping the clutch backing uphill.

[@n2n8sda]

Hmm, interesting. I've put 210,000km on my CVT equipped vehicle in the last 6 years and it has never been a problem. But I hear certain people even have problem with those too. I guess modern engineering with it's high tech computerized real world simulations don't quite match the reality people put their cars through. At least "back in the day" as I try and remember without the rosy glasses you knew where you stood on the vehicle front, it was either a wreck out the factory, average or premium overbuilt tank that lasted forever with little issue (look at some old merc mechanical diesels from the 80s).. these days with all the tech and advances it seems everything is pot luck depending on how your driving meshes with how the engineers made the car.

[@index6738]

Simple answer for Territory replacement would be a Grand Cherokee. Like Territory the Grand Cherokee uses ZF 8 speed transmission. Perfect choice as a vehicle replacement especially if one plans to tow. Hyundai duel clutch transmission in their SUV eco thrashers have overheated when tested using off-road conditions without towing anything. From reports so far, would not buy SUV with DCT for off-road or towing.

[@ROGEXTREME]

Conventional torque converter auto transmission with oil cooler. You know it makes sense.

[@bladesp2oz]

I'm wondering if you would be as forgiving if this was a ford ,Toyota or Nissan .So don't back up hills with a trailer .....especially if its a hot day

[@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars]

"don't back up hills with a trailer .....especially if its a hot day". That's not what was being said. Not even close. The message is: It's going to be fine, just try to minimise wear and tear by avoiding long periods of clutch slip by holding the vehicle using the throttle. Either get it done smoothly once or twice and without stopping, or, where possible, drive in forwards and turn around. These are the basic rules of towing any trailer with any vehicle. Also, it's fair to say equivalent Fords, Toyotas and Nissans doing the same trailer reversing are probably going to be okay too, but you would still have to do the same wear and tear minimisation.

[@craig147680]

You seam to miss the elephant in the room (very tiny elephant) about living on the north shore of the knee of syd. Not steep driveways or stuck up nosy neighbours who think you might be running a meth lab in a cammo shirt. Its the FUNNEL WEB SPIDERS that sneak into your shoe or garden glove. None down at were Captain Cook stepped ashore and had a look at future Knee of syd.

[@petersmith1076]

Buy the CX-9 mate

[@CNile-se9xw]

Tweet Elon, he may already have a Plaid + CyberTruck in development. Hhheeheehe cough* 😂

[@Revoku]

Is anyone else seeing modernish mazdas on the road(2013-2018) that are smoking a great cloud of blue smoke behind them? I was under the impression mazda was pretty good not that I've owned a recent one(my last was a 90's 323/familia), but in the last six months I've seen no less than 17 different Mazda's not counting the two or possibly three that first made me start counting driving along pouring out blue smoke in great clouds out of an otherwise very new looking very shiny car, the kind of blue smoke I'd expect from a 20+ year old $500 beater filled with dents and rust that hadn't had an oil change since years were in single digits. It also seems to be across the range, those little hatchback things, mazda 2 I think? the 3 and 6, and some weird SUV looking thing. I've not seen this from any other brand o cars from that age group. its gotten to the point when I see a nice shiny clean car that smokes, and instantly look at its badge to see if its some sort of mazda, and so far it always has been, do they have a defect, or is my town just filled with idiots who don't change oil often enough, and just happen to own similar year mazdas?(also highly possible, this towns....well yea).

[@victorbitter583]

I have noticed that. I'm still seeing Range Rovers on tilt trays too.

[@zzhughesd]

We pull mostly manual euro boxes on and off Kurbs in the UK. We have SUVs. They also get taken on and off flat kurbs. Largely in flat metros. As a motor trader with lots of mechanically tired vehicles I don’t think grandads advice to have mechanical sympathy is practiced shit all. Oh to pause and have a think / smell. Think better same action next time.

[@ianmoone2359]

Could the guy not just hire one of the vehicles for a day, take it home, hook up the trailer & reverse it up his driveway a few times to answer the question?

[@DiscoFang]

Hook the trailer up to what? Since when did hire cars get towbars?

[@samboelliott1]

Night Time post! Surprise mother lovers!

[@MattBlack6]

Mother Lovers, that's what my Mrs says. So polite

[@alikartal8426]

"Humanity will always invent a better idiot!"

[@markh.6687]

Remember, we live on a planet where you put warning labels on handheld electric hairdryers which read "Do not use in shower or bathtub while bathing." We also have to tell people "Caution: Hot coffee is hot!"

[@sogniItaliani]

One of the best lines ever from JC !

[@lesfox2010]

@@markh.6687 I actually remember reading about an engineer checking the the fuel level in the carby inside a yacht's engine room by lighting a match. Him and his buddy luckily ended up in the water relatively unhurt. Smart people have blonde moments too.

[@markh.6687]

@@lesfox2010 A blonde moment is one thing; going through life blonde is another. :)

[@zzhughesd]

Womb gestating. Wow John. I don’t escalate for just anything unless for you good folk like you. Great intro. Kinda doesn’t need shit all about this Aussie 8 Sp Kia CVT clutch burn up ones drive. BTW we don’t have steep drive ways in Blighty UK ! Or at least my last 44 years of life.

[@zzhughesd]

@M Bacon yes. Indeed went out a girl Froome. I do apologise. Thinking of my locality tooo much !!!!

[@adoreslaurel]

Digressing a bit, Imagine going down a steep hill and having a total electrical failure in a vehicle with an electric park brake, if you have lost vacuum assist by hitting the pedal more than once and you have no hand brake lever to fall back on, what next? This is why I hate the idea of el cheapo things like EPB'S, oh and that other cheapy thing, the push button stop/start, hanging more stuff off the computer might make it cheaper to manufacture, BUT IT SUCKS.

[@85therealdeal]

He needs to landscape his own property.

[@larrywatt1789]

I have. The property in the photo is our neighbour. Our property is a battleaxe at the top of the driveway. Thanks for the input though.

[@Excalabur50]

Good on Hyundai/Kia for making non shitboxes!

[@robertduklus6555]

kia dct 10:53 overheating, the whole video is a testimony to the effectiveness of the awd and dct combo. Is it a bad vehicle I dont think so, would I buy it if I often tow, especially at the upper levels of the limits? No way. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mam0aJ6qgbtnias

[@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars]

Exactly. Sorento is not an off-roader. It has no low-range transfer case. But why wouldn't it be capable of towing what it's rated for? It's rated for two tonnes. So just tow two tonnes and don't thrash it when reversing up steep hills; always drive forward where possible, think ahead and plan how you're going to manoeuvre the trailer, and take two or three bites of the cherry whenever possible.

[@letsseeif]

When it comes to choosing a car, I (as an old bloke) only ever buy one that didn't have its genesis in the WW2 Axis Powers. This leaves countries that didn't. Thus it's largely a case of Australia, the UK, the USA, and maybe a few others at the periphery. So, having a relative who fought in the only UN Sanctioned War, that is, against North Korea, I am left with only one choice in 2021. SOUTH KOREA.

[@KenanTurkiye]

4:25 lol

[@t0msie]

South Korea is the best! Korea, North Korea has no Seoul!

[@rambleon3698]

South Korea's Suicide rate is double that of North Korea's. Lots of 'Seouls' in limbo for some reason.

[@BrendonLaverack]

Second

[@sheerluckholmes5468]

So in reality you're the first loser, that what you're saying?

[@hcavn]

Phirst!!!!!

[@mael-strom9707]

The International Flat Earth Society says this is all a publicity stunt... Australia doesn't actually exist, to reach it you would have to go over the edge and down under. 🤣😋

[@ghs7714]

Nice gay t-shirt John! Wanted by the Federal Mercedes police?

[@vudu5vudu]

Is there such a thing?

[@ghs7714]

@@vudu5vudu in Germany yes!