Emergency Towing - Honda 2003 Odyssey Owner's Manual

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Emergency Towing

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or,
if you belong to one, an organization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of
professional towing equipment.
Flat-bed Equipment The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. This is the best way to trans-
port your Honda.
Wheel-lift Equipment
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
an acceptable way to tow your
Honda.
380
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Sling-type Equipment
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the vehicle
off the ground. Your vehicle's sus-
pension and body can be seriously
damaged.
is unacceptable.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to
damage, your vehicle must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground,
The tow do the following.
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
This is Shift to D, then to N.
Turn off the engine.
The tow
This method of towing
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be trans-
ported with the f ront wheels of f the
ground.
With the front wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speed below 35 mph (55 km/h).