Kia Sportage Hybrid 2024 Owner's Manual page 407

What to do in an emergency
service. If towing service is not availa -
ble in an emergency, your vehicle
may be temporarily towed using a
cable or chain secured to the emer -
gency towing hook under the front (or
rear) of the vehicle. Use extreme cau -
tion when towing the vehicle. A driver
must be in the vehicle to steer it and
operate the brakes.
僅 Do not use the tow hooks to pull a
vehicle out of mud, sand or other con -
ditions from which the vehicle cannot
be driven out under its own power.
僅 Avoid towing a vehicle heavier than
the vehicle doing the towing.
僅 The drivers of both vehicles should
communicate with each other fre -
quently.
僅 Before emergency towing, check if
the hook is not broken or damaged.
僅 Fasten the towing cable or chain
securely to the hook.
僅 Do not jerk the hook. Apply it steadily
and with even force.
僅 To avoid damaging the hook, do not
pull from the side or at a vertical
angle. Always pull straight ahead.
僅 Change the gear to N (Neutral).
僅 Release the parking bake.
僅 To avoid serious damage to the auto -
matic transmission, limit the vehicle
speed to 15 km/h (10 mph) and drive
less than 1.5 km (1 mile) when towing.
(for automatic transmission)
僅 Press the brake pedal with more force
than normal since you will have
reduced brake performance.
僅 More steering effort will be required
because the power steering system
will be disabled.
僅 If you are driving down a long hill, the
brakes may overheat and brake per -
formance will be reduced. Stop often
and let the brakes cool off.
僅 The driver must be in the vehicle for
steering and braking operations when
the vehicle is towed and passengers
other than the driver must not be
allowed to be on board.
WARNING
Use extreme caution when towing the
vehicle.
僅 Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving
manoeuvres which would place
excessive stress on the emergency
towing hook and towing cable or
chain. The hook and towing cable or
chain may break and cause serious
injury or damage.
僅 If the disabled vehicle is unable to be
moved, do not forcibly continue the
towing. We recommend that you con -
tact an authorised Kia dealer or a
commercial tow truck service for
assistance.
僅 Tow the vehicle as straight ahead as
possible.
僅 Keep away from the vehicle during
towing.
CAUTION
僅 Attach a towing strap to the tow hook.
僅 Using a portion of the vehicle other
than the tow hooks for towing may
damage the body of your vehicle.
僅 Use only a cable or chain specifically
intended for use in towing vehicles.
Securely fasten the cable or chain to
the towing hook provided.
僅 Accelerate or decelerate the vehicle in
a slow and gradual manner whilst
maintaining tension on the tow rope
or chain to start or drive the vehicle,
Towing
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