Be careful when towing a hybrid car, make sure you don't lift the wrong tire
Information circulating on social media shows that a Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix Q Hybrid CVT TSS is being towed by officers. This HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) is towed using a wheel lift type truck by lifting the back and the front wheels touching the asphalt.
In fact, this MPV uses front wheel drive (Front Wheel Drive/FWD) which cannot be towed by allowing the drive axle to rotate because it touches the asphalt. As a FWD car, the front wheels must be off the ground and must not spin. Plus, the Zenix HEV has the privilege of using an electric motor on the front wheels.
In fact, the correct way to tow the Innova Zenix HEV is explained in the vehicle owner's manual. If you tow it using a wheel lift type truck, then what is lifted is the front of the car which has the drive system.
The car can still be towed by lifting the rear. However, with the condition that the front wheels must be installed with a dolly or a device that has small wheels to support the wheels of the towed car so that the tires do not touch the asphalt.
There is potential for damage due to incorrect towing of a hybrid car. Towing an HEV with the front wheels touching the ground will result in the drive system and related parts potentially being damaged. The transaxle component can be damaged because there is a motor generator 2 (MG2), or as lay people call it an electric motor, which is connected to the front axle.
For information, the e-CVT transmission on the Innova Zenix uses two electric motors or motor generators, namely MG1 and MG2. These two motor generators are connected by a set of planetary gear systems (Planetary Gear System) which is usually called a Power Split Device.
The two motor generators not only regulate the speed of the planetary gear, but also a number of other functions. MG1, which is smaller in size and attached to the petrol engine, is useful for starting the engine (starter) and charging the traction battery which on the Innova Zenix HEV is stored under the front seat.
The larger MG2 not only functions as the main driver for the front wheels of the car, but also helps provide additional torque during acceleration, carries out regenerative braking tasks, and runs the car in EV (Electric Vehicle) mode.
These two generator motors control the speed of the planetary gear system and the best gear ratio based on input from various parameters/sensors that read road conditions, accelerator pedal pressure, engine speed and car speed.
With a complex electric motor system that is directly connected to the front wheels, make sure that your hybrid car, whether Innova Zenix HEV, Yaris Cross HEV, Corolla Cross HEV, Corolla Altis HEV, Camry HEV, and Alphard HEV, does not touch the asphalt when towing.
Usually, emergency services that collaborate with official Toyota dealers or insurance partners will use a towing car or tow truck which places the car on the bed or rear deck so that none of the wheels touch the asphalt.
Even if it turns out that your hybrid car is being towed using a conventional tow truck, make sure the part being lifted is the front wheel to avoid damage to the electric motor and vehicle transmission. Also make sure the parking brake is not active so it doesn't lock the rear tires.
