Mechanic Okoth Olambo has exposed how law enforcement agencies including county askaris, popularly known as Kanjo, regularly damage automatic car engines by towing them during scheduled crackdowns.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Olambo - who works as a Mechanic at Dagoretti Corner, Nairobi, explained that there are four reasons why automatic cars should not be towed while some wheels are still on the ground.
He noted that the practice affects car lubrication and gear transmission.
"The transmission will not be lubricated properly. When an automatic car is towed, the gears do not engage. This means that the transmission fluid is not circulated and the system does not get lubricated. This can lead to overheating and damage to the transmission.
"When an automatic vehicle is towed, the engine is not running, which means that the system is not being cooled properly. This can lead to overheating and cause damage to the transmission," Olambio explained.
The mechanic explained that automatic cars should instead be lifted and transported onboard a carrier vehicle.
Okoth noted that, when towed, automatic cars are prone to overheating which leads to damage to the transmission system in the engine.
"The transmission can be damaged. If the vehicle is towed for too long or at a high speed, the transmission system can be damaged. This can lead to costly repairs.
"If you must tow a car with an automatic transmission, there are a few things you can do to minimise the risk of damage. Tow the car with the wheels on the ground. This will help keep the transmission fluid circulating and the system lubricated," he added.
Kennedy Mureithi, an expert in vehicle mechanical engineering, corroborated Olambo's point of view explaining that automatic cars are not designed to be towed for long distances or at high speeds.
He noted that when an automatic car is towed, the gears inside the system do not engage, which means that the transmission fluid is not circulated and the system does not get lubricated.
"The reason why you should not tow cars with automatic transmissions is the gearbox oil pump which delivers the fluid pressure to transmission components such as valve bodies, actuators and torque converter.
"When the engine is not running, it means that the transmission oil pump won't be running so the transmission won't get the required lubrication," Mureithi explained.
"The transmission in automatic cars consists of a secondary clutch system called an overdrive which completely locks the crankshaft to the automatic transmission input shaft to eliminate slippage thus improving efficiency," He added.
The two experts observed that Kanjos, who are responsible, for enforcing parking regulations in the city, had been causing serious damages to personal cars.
Okoth and Mureithi agreed that even though askaris have the authority to tow abandoned and illegally parked cars, it's important to do it in a manner that does not lead to the destruction of engines.
In Nairobi, when a car is towed, the owner is responsible for paying a fine to the county alongside other subsequent costs.
