The Best Way to Tow a Car

Tow Truck and an Automobile

Automobiles have become a part of our everyday society. A task is rarely performed where an automobile of some type has not played a part in the finished product. With the increased use of automobiles come increased breakdowns and mechanical failures. Towing the automobile may be necessary. Most towing companies use the lift-truck method where two or more of the vehicle's wheels are lifted off of the ground. However, a vehicle can be towed with all four wheels on the ground when no towing service is available. There are different types of vehicles, resulting in variations for securing tow chains and straps. Refer to the owners manual for your vehicle's specific instructions on how to apply towing equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Tow Chains or Towing Straps

Instructions

The Best Way to Tow a Car

1. 

   Emergency Brake and Automatic Transmission Lever

   Engage the emergency brake in the vehicle that is going to be towed.

2. Turn the ignition key to the "Accessory" position.

3. 

   Manual Transmission Shifter

   Move the transmission selector to the "Neutral" position.

4. Attach all towing chains and straps as specified in the vehicle's owners manual, and to the towing vehicle.

5. 

   Vehicle Steering Wheel, Accelerator and Braking Controls

   Place an occupant in the vehicle being towed so that they can operate the steering and braking controls.

6. Release the emergency brake.

7. Press the accelerator in the towing vehicle and move forward slowly until all of the slack is out of the towing chains or straps. You are now ready to start your tow.

8. Pull the vehicle with the towing vehicle slowly until the destination is reached. Try to keep the slack out of the towing chains or straps by keeping steady pressure on the accelerator and braking only when necessary. The occupant in the vehicle being towed should be aware of when the towing vehicle is stopping by watching the brake lights and therefore pressing the brake pedal in the vehicle being towed, to slow or stop as needed.

9. Move the transmission selector into reverse in the towing vehicle once the destination is reached. Back the towing vehicle up a short distance until there is enough slack in the towing chains or straps to remove them.

10. Move the transmission selector into "Park" on vehicles with an automatic transmission or "Neutral" on vehicles with a manual transmission in the vehicle that has been towed. Engage the emergency brake.

11. Turn the ignition key to the off position.

12. Remove all towing chains and straps.

Tips & Warnings

• Always make sure the vehicle being used to tow the car has the weight capacity to perform the tow safely. Refer to the owners manual for towing capacity. Two people are required to perform this towing method safely.

• Before towing the vehicle, check the level of the automatic transmission fluid. If it is low, do not tow the vehicle until fluid is added to bring it up to the proper level or use a tow truck that can lift the drive wheels off of the ground while towing. Low Automatic Transmission Fluid can cause trans-axle failure.

References

• PDFoo.com Hyundai Owner's Manual