Emergency Towing - Honda 2003 Civic Owner's Manual

Emergency Towing

If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another car 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 car on the back of a truck.
This is the best way to transport
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.
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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 car off
the ground. Your car's suspension
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 car must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground,
The tow 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.
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
car must be transported with the f ront
wheels of f the ground.