Emergency Towing - Honda 2004 Civic Sedan Owner's Manual

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Emergency Towing

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or,
organization. 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.
The operator
Flat-bed Equipment
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. This is the best way to trans-
port your Honda.
The tow
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.
190
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. This method of towing
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,
do the following:
This is
The tow
5-speed Manual Transmission:
Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to Neutral.
Automatic Transmission:
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shift to D, then to N.
Turn off the engine.
NOTICE: Improper towing preparation
will damage the transmission. Follow
the above procedure exactly. If you
cannot shif t the transmission or start
the engine (automatic transmission),
your vehicle must be transported with
the f ront wheels of f the ground.