TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled vehicle using a commercial
towing service. If the transmission and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles may
also be towed as described under “Recreational Towing” in the “Starting and
Operating” section in the Owners Manual on the DVD.
NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with Quadra-Lift must be placed in Transport mode, before tying
them down (from the body) on a trailer or flatbed truck. Refer to the section on
Quadra-Lift for more information. If the vehicle cannot be placed in Transport mode
(for example, engine will not run), tie-downs must be fastened to the axles (not to the
body). Failure to follow these instructions may cause fault codes to be set and/or
cause loss of proper tie-down tension.
Towing
Condition Wheels OFF the
Ground Two-Wheel Drive
Models Four-Wheel Drive
Models Without
4WD LOW Range Four-Wheel Drive
Models With
4WD LOW Range
Flat Tow NONE NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED See instructions
in “Recreational Towing” under “Utility”
• Transmission
in PARK
• Transfer case
in NEUTRAL
(N)
•
Tow in forward
direction
Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OKNOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OKOKOK
NOTE:
SRT vehicles and 4WD models without 4WD LOW range should only be towed with all
four wheelsOFFthe ground.
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent damage to your vehicle. Use
only tow bars and other equipment designed for this purpose, following equipment
manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or
other towing device to main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers or
associated brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles under tow must be
observed.
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If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.) while being towed, the
ignition must be in the ON/RUN position, not the ACC position.
If the key fob is unavailable, or the vehicle's battery is discharged, refer to “Manual
Park Release” in this section for instructions on shifting the transmission out of
PARK for towing.
CAUTION!
• Do not use sling type equipment when towing. Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not attach to front or rearsuspension components. Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with all four wheels OFFthe
ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmission is operable, the vehicle
may be towed (with rear wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL. Refer to "Manual Park Release" in this section for instructions on shifting the transmission to NEUTRAL when the engine
is off.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 30 miles (48 km).
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be towed faster than 30 mph
(48 km/h) or farther than 30 miles (48 km), tow with the rear wheels OFFthe ground.
Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed, or with the front wheels
raised and the rear wheels on a towing dolly, or (when using a suitable steering wheel
stabilizer to hold the front wheels in the straight position) with the rear wheels raised
and the front wheels on the ground.
CAUTION!
Towing faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 30 miles (48 km) with rear
wheels on the ground can cause severe transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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