How to Flat Tow 2020 Nissan Versa with Keyless Ignition

Question:

I purchased a 2020 Nissan Versas because the manual states it can be flat-towed. It has a manual transmission, but it also has a keyless ignition. I can unlock the steering, but all of the systems turn on. Manual states the ignition will turn off after 10 minutes, and I assume the steering will lock. No one at Nissan knows anything about flat-towing the car so theyre no help as to how to unlock the steering and leave it unlocked. Does anything bad happen if the steering remains locked while being towed or same question for leaving the car running while being towed? Or other suggestions. Thanks.

asked by: Alan H

Helpful Expert Reply:

I do believe we can help you get this figured out.

According to the owner's manual that I was able to find online, you don't want the car running while you're flat towing your 2020 Nissan Versa and it needs to be started back up every 500 miles. If the steering wheel is locked while you're trying to flat tow the vehicle, the wheels are just going to drag through turns. With that said, I do have something you can try to unlock the steering wheel since you'll need the vehicle in neutral to flat tow it.

For vehicles with keyless ignitions the trick to getting the steering wheel to unlock without turning the car on is to press the start button without having your foot on the brake and it should move the "key" to the ACC position which will unlock the wheel like you'd need. I would recommend doing this and letting the car sit for 15 minutes while in neutral and with the parking brake engaged to make sure that it doesn't lock back up.

If this doesn't work, let me know and I can see if there are any other tricks we can try.

expert reply by: Erik B