Does anyone happen to know the maximum towing capacity for the 2.4L petrol AWD w/ automatic transmission? I was unable to find the specifics on that in the manual. I'm interested in towing other cars, not trailers and such.
General 2.4L AWD maximum tow?
- Thread starter Geolith
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General 2.4L AWD maximum tow?
Check your VIN Plate in the front passenger door B post (UK)
You will find 4 kg weighs
Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM) often called Train Weight
Kerb Weight / Unladen Weight.
1 - Front Axle Max load
2 - Rear Axle Max load
Subtract to Kerb Weight from the MTPLM to get the MAXIMUM legally towable weight.
Note. Kerb Weight does not include driver or fuel unless specified. For the 500X the kerb weight excludes driver, all optional accessories but include 90% full fuel tank (UK). Driver, passengers, loggage, weight of tow bar etc. will have to be deducted as well.
IMPORTANT! I don't know why the manuals do not list a towable weight for the 2.4 Tiger Shark but do for the other models, but it could be that Fiat do not recommend towing with the Autobox
You will find 4 kg weighs
Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM) often called Train Weight
Kerb Weight / Unladen Weight.
1 - Front Axle Max load
2 - Rear Axle Max load
Subtract to Kerb Weight from the MTPLM to get the MAXIMUM legally towable weight.
Note. Kerb Weight does not include driver or fuel unless specified. For the 500X the kerb weight excludes driver, all optional accessories but include 90% full fuel tank (UK). Driver, passengers, loggage, weight of tow bar etc. will have to be deducted as well.
IMPORTANT! I don't know why the manuals do not list a towable weight for the 2.4 Tiger Shark but do for the other models, but it could be that Fiat do not recommend towing with the Autobox
I didn't think about the B post sticker. Thanks! The location is the same in the US cars, it just happens to be the driver's side in those.
However, I'm not sure what to make of it. What exactly should I be looking for here, if I want to tow another car? Is it GAWR REAR or GVWR?
However, I'm not sure what to make of it. What exactly should I be looking for here, if I want to tow another car? Is it GAWR REAR or GVWR?
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Interesting as the US plate is different to the UK/EU ones.
GAWR = Gross Axle Weight
So the maximum load you can have on the front axles is: 1150kg / 2535 pounds
So the maximum load you can have on the front axles is: 1000kg / 2205 pounds
GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight
So the maximum total weight of a fully loaded vehicle is: 2080kg / 4586 pounds
NOTE! In this case it is less than the combined GAWR of 2250kg / 4740 pounds
The label is NOT showing a GCWR = Gross Combined Weight
GCWR = GAWR of car/truck + GAWR of towed trailer/towed load/towed vehicle (e.g. another car)
So your 500X does not have a GCWR rating. This is probably why no figure is listed in the Owner's Manual.
I think you are going to have to Fiat US to get a definitive position on this. The alternative is to contact the US homologation/vehicle standards agency and ask them if the 500X AWD is certified for a GCWR and if not is it legal for you to tow with the vehicle.
An internet search on GAWR, GVWR and GCWR will help you as well.
GAWR = Gross Axle Weight
So the maximum load you can have on the front axles is: 1150kg / 2535 pounds
So the maximum load you can have on the front axles is: 1000kg / 2205 pounds
GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight
So the maximum total weight of a fully loaded vehicle is: 2080kg / 4586 pounds
NOTE! In this case it is less than the combined GAWR of 2250kg / 4740 pounds
The label is NOT showing a GCWR = Gross Combined Weight
GCWR = GAWR of car/truck + GAWR of towed trailer/towed load/towed vehicle (e.g. another car)
So your 500X does not have a GCWR rating. This is probably why no figure is listed in the Owner's Manual.
I think you are going to have to Fiat US to get a definitive position on this. The alternative is to contact the US homologation/vehicle standards agency and ask them if the 500X AWD is certified for a GCWR and if not is it legal for you to tow with the vehicle.
An internet search on GAWR, GVWR and GCWR will help you as well.
I just searched the owner's information DVD that came with the car and it says "Trailer towing with this vehicle is not recommended." Probably that's why there is no GCWR indication on that label. So I guess no towing other cars for me. 
I'm guessing the US model may use a conventional automatic box rather then a auto manual this would likely explain the lack of towing capability
The gearbox operates in manual mode, too, if that's what you mean.
Be interesting for any UK/EU 2.4 AWD owners to check their VIN plate.
Looks like none of the AWD autos can tow.
Looks like none of the AWD autos can tow.
The dealer said nothing to me when arranging for the towbar to be fitted to my 9 speed auto 4x4 [emoji15]
Is the 2.4 not a US spec version?
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Looking at UK/EU Owner's Manuals then the 2.0 MJet 9 Speed Auto is rated to tow 1200kg braked, same a the manual version.
Your VIN plate should confirm this.
So yes looks like it is just the 2.4 Tigershark which is not available in the UK.
I've got a 1000kg caravan (braked) and a small trailer (unbraked)
On my Croma 2005 Fiat quoted/rated towing at 1500kg (braked) and 700 (un-braked).
The 500X handbook only lists/rates 1200 braked and not un-braked figure. That is an interesting omission but is probably a deliberate decision as un-braked limits may vary by country.
The LEGAL UK restriction is:
What's the maximum weight I can carry in my trailer?
Trailer has no brakes (Unbraked Trailer)
Maximum 750kg gross trailer weight or half the towing vehicle's kerb weight - whichever is less.
My 500X 1.4 MultiAir kerb weight is 1320kg so legally my un-braked limit is 660kg
On my Croma 2005 Fiat quoted/rated towing at 1500kg (braked) and 700 (un-braked).
The 500X handbook only lists/rates 1200 braked and not un-braked figure. That is an interesting omission but is probably a deliberate decision as un-braked limits may vary by country.
The LEGAL UK restriction is:
What's the maximum weight I can carry in my trailer?
Trailer has no brakes (Unbraked Trailer)
Maximum 750kg gross trailer weight or half the towing vehicle's kerb weight - whichever is less. My 500X 1.4 MultiAir kerb weight is 1320kg so legally my un-braked limit is 660kg
Yes, the 2.4 engine is exclusive to the US market.
Okay, so what could happen, in theory, if I try to tow another car? For instance, an Audi A4 universal. The frame should definitely hold, so what other problems might occur?
Okay, so what could happen, in theory, if I try to tow another car? For instance, an Audi A4 universal. The frame should definitely hold, so what other problems might occur?
I don't tow myself so can't really comment on the suitability of the proposal....however.....
If you are going to do it I would suggest selecting sport or traction mode, this selects a lower gear and 4WD permanently. This will aid overall braking and traction.
If you are going to do it I would suggest selecting sport or traction mode, this selects a lower gear and 4WD permanently. This will aid overall braking and traction.
Looking at the FIAT.COM US website I downloaded the 500X User Manual and on page 278 it states:
278 STARTING AND OPERATING
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
1.4L Turbo Engine & 2.4 FWD Trailer towing is not recommended.
Engine Max. GTW (Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue Wt. (See Note)
2.4L AWD 1,000 lbs (450 kg) 100 lbs (45 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE: The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo and should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire and Loading Information placard. Refer to “Tire
Safety Information” in “Maintaining And Caring For Your Vehicle” for further information.
From a technical point of view in the UK/EU all 500X vehicles can tow up to 1200kg.
There is clearly something strange, as possibly in US legal & type approval of the 500X, that cripples the 500X with regards to towing and I can't see any mechanical reason for this.
Yeah, in regard to towing the only mechanical difference is the engine with higher displacement, which should pose no problem, so if the EU versions can tow up to the reasonable 1200 kg, I'm thinking there should be no physical reason for the US version not to be able to do the same. It could be indeed a regulatory issue.
I'm wondering if it is because in Europe braked trailers use the overrun/compressible drawbar to apply the brakes whereas in the US they have electric brakes which is a totally different system altogether.
It could be that as the 500X is essentially an EU designed car, with minimal changes to meet US road legal requirements Fiat decided not to invest in additional development to fulfil US electric braking requirements and THUS the paltry 450kg limit is related to maximum permissible US unbraked limit?
It could be that as the 500X is essentially an EU designed car, with minimal changes to meet US road legal requirements Fiat decided not to invest in additional development to fulfil US electric braking requirements and THUS the paltry 450kg limit is related to maximum permissible US unbraked limit?
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Quite possible.
So were you thinking of towing your car on a trailer/dolly or towing on a rope or fixed bar with a person steering/braking the towed car?
If the latter then local laws will apply for towing another car and in this scenario 1200kg would be OK. Mind you even the smaller cars these days weight getting on for 1200kg.
I had to rescue an old Audi A4 once with my previous car and there's a chance I may need to do that again at some point, so I want to know my options and be prepared just in case.
I was using a rope, with a person operating the towed vehicle, so that's what I was thinking to do.
