What to do in an emergency
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6
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or
chain secured to the emergency tow-
ing hook at the front (or rear) of the
vehicle.
Use extreme caution when towing
the vehicle with a cable or chain. 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 distance and at low speeds.
Also, the wheels, axles, power train,
steering and brakes must all be in
good condition. Always follow these emergency tow-
ing precautions:
Place the ignition switch in the
ACC position so the steering
wheel is not locked. (if equipped)
Place the shift lever in N (Neutral).
Release the parking brake.
Depress the brake pedal with more force than normal since you will
have reduced braking perform-
ance.
More steering effort will be required because the power steer-
ing system will be disabled.
Use a vehicle heavier than your own to tow your vehicle.
The drivers of both vehicles should communicate with each other fre-
quently.
Before emergency towing, check that the hook is not broken or dam-
aged.
Fasten the towing cable or chain securely to the hook.
Do not jerk the hook. Apply steady and even force. Use a towing cable or chain less
than 16 feet (5 m) long. Attach a
white or red cloth (about 12 inches
(30 cm) wide) in the middle of the
cable or chain for easy visibility.
Drive carefully so the towing cable or chain remains tight during tow-
ing.
Before towing, check the automat- ic transaxle for fluid leaks under
your vehicle. If the automatic
transaxle fluid is leaking, flatbed
equipment or a towing dolly must
be used.
OTD069011
