1997 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER emergency towing

152If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser- vice. 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.
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck
Use a towing dolly under the wheels not lifted by the truck. (b) Using flat bed truck
(c) Towing with sling type truck
Follow the instruction in (b) Towing with
wheel lift type truckº.
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 one of the emergency towing
eyelets under the front of the vehicle.
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the brakes.ÐEmergency towing

153
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
the vehicle. Avoid sudden starts or
erratic driving maneuvers which
would place excessive stress on the
emergency towing eyelet and
towing cable or chain. The eyelet
and towing cable or chain may break and cause serious injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specific- ally intended for use in towing
vehicles. Securely fasten the cableor chain to the towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, check that the center dif- ferential is unlocked (The indicator light
must be off when the ignition on.) Release the parking brake and put the transmis- sion in Nº.
The key must be in ACCº (en-
gine off) or ONº (engine 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.
Before emergency towing, check that the eyelet is not broken or damaged
and that the installation bolts are notloose.
Fasten the towing cable or chain se-curely to the eyelet.
Do not jerk the eyelet. Apply steady
and even force.
To avoid damaging the eyelet, do not
pull from the side or at a vertical angle.
Always pull straight ahead.
ÐEmergency towing eyelet precautions

154
If the emergency towing hook or eyelet is used to get out when your
vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand
or other condition from which the
vehicle cannot be driven out under
its own power, make sure to observe
the precautions mentioned below.
Otherwise, excessive stress will be
put on the eyelet and the towing
cable or chain may break, causing
serious injury or damage. If the towing vehicle can hardly
move, do not forcibly continue the
towing. Contact your Toyota deal-
er or a commercial tow truck ser- vice for assistance.
Tow the vehicle as straight ahead as possible.
Keep away from the vehicle during
towing. CAUTION
!
The following methods are effective to
get out when your vehicle is stuck in
mud, sand or other condition from
which
the vehicle cannot be driven out
under its own power. Use extreme cau-
tion when towing the vehicle. In addi-tion, keep away from the vehicles and towing cable or chain when towing. Remove the soil and sand in the front and the back of the tires.
Place a stone or wood under the tires.
If you cannot shift the selector lever
out of Pº position to other positions
even though the brake pedal is de-pressed, use the shift lock override
button as follows:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCKº
position. Make sure the parking brake is on.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat-bladed screw-driver or equivalent.
ÐTips for towing a stuck vehicle
If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever