Towing - Honda Civic Service Manual

Towing
lf the vehicle needs to be towed, call a professional
towing service. Never tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle with just a rope or chain. lt is very dangerous.
Emergency Towing
T h e r e a r e t h r e e p o p u l a r m e t h o d s o f t o w i n g a v e h i c l e .
Flat-bed Equipment
The operator loads the vehicle
on the back of a truck. This is the best way of
transporting the vehicle.
To accommodate flat-bed equipment. the vehicle is
equipped with towing hooks (A)and tie down hooks {B).
The towing hook can be used with a winch to pull the
vehicle onto the truck, and the tie down hooks slots can
be used to secure the vehicle to truck.
1 -9
Wheel Lift Equipment
The tow truck uses two
pivoting arms that go under the tires (front or rear) and
lifts them off the ground. The other two wheels remain
on the ground. This is an acceptable way of towing the
v e h i c l e .
Sling-type Equipment
The tow truck uses metal
c a b l e s w i t h h o o k s o n t h e e n d s . T h e s e h o o k s g o a r o u n d
parts of the frame or suspension and the cables lift that
e n d o f t h e v e h i c l e o f f t h e g r o u n d . T h e v e h i c l e ' s
s u s p e n s i o n a n d b o d y c a n b e s e r i o u s l y d a m a g e d i f t h i s
method of towing is attemPted.
lf the vehicle cannot be transported by flat-bed, it
should be towed with the front wheels off the ground lf
due to damage, the vehicle must be towed with the
front wheels on the ground, do the following:
. Release the parking brake.
. s h i f t t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n i n N e u t r a l .
It is best to tow the vehicle no farther than 50 miles (80
km), and keep the speed below 35 mph (55 km/h).
. l m p r o p e r t o w i n g p r e p a r a t i o n w i l l d a m a g e t h e
transmission. Follow the above procedure exactly. lf
you cannot shift the transmission, the vehicle must
be transDorted on a flat-bed.
. Trying to lift or tow the vehicle by the bumpers will
c a u s e s e r i o u s d a m a g e , T h e b u m p e r s a r e n o t
designed to support the vehicle's weight.