1997 TOYOTA AVALON emergency towing

163
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-
vice. In consultation with them, have
your vehicle towed using either (a) or
(b).
Only when you cannot receive a tow-
ing service from a Toyota dealer or
commercial tow truck service, tow
your vehicle carefully in accordance
with the instructions given in
ÐEmergency towingº in this part.
Proper equipment will help ensure that
your vehicle is not damaged while being
towed. Commercial operators are gener-
ally aware of the state/provincial and local
laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed
incorrectly. Although most operators
know the correct procedure, it is possible
to make a mistake. To avoid damage to
your vehicle, make sure the following few
precautions are observed. If necessary,
show this page to the tow truck driver. TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing,
and abide by the state/provincial and local
laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are
damaged, use a towing dolly.
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck
From frontÐ
Release the parking brake.
NOTICE
When lifting wheels, take care to ensure adequate ground clearance
for towing at the opposite end of theraised vehicle. Otherwise, thebumper and/or underbody of thetowed vehicle will be damagedduring towing.
From rearÐ
Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with the frontwheels on the gr ound, as this may
cause serious damage to the transmission.
If your vehicle needs to be
towedÐ
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Do not tow with the key removedor in the LOCKº position when
towing from the rear without atowing dolly. The steering lockmechanism is not strong enough
to hold the front wheels straight.
(b) Using flat bed truck
(c) Towing with sling type truck
NOTICE
Do not tow with sling type truck, either from the front or rear. This
may cause body damage.
Front
Rear (except U.S. mainland)
ÐEmergency towing
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If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-
vice.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed by a cable or chain se-
cured to either emergency towing eye-
let under the vehicle. Use extreme
caution when towing vehicles.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it
and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only
on hard-surfaced roads for a short dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, drive train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
CAUTION!
Use extreme caution when towing
vehicles. Avoid sudden starts or
erratic driving maneuvers which
would
place excessive stress on the
emergency towing eyelet and
towing cable or chain. The eyelets
and towing cable or chain may
break and cause serious injury or
damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use in
towing vehicles. Securely fasten the
cable or chain to the towing eyelets provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake
and put the transmission in Nº. The key
must be in ACCº (engine off) or ONº (en-
gine running).
CAUTION!
If the engine is not running, the
power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work so steering
and braking will be much harder
than usual.
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