Towing a disabled vehicle
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled vehicle using a commercial wrecker service. If the trans- mission and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles may also be towed as described under “Recreational Towing” in the “Starting and Operating” section.
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other equipment designed for the purpose, following equip- ment manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers or associated brackets. State and local laws applying to vehicles under tow must be observed. If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.) while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN position, not the ACC position. If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, see Brake/ Transmission Interlock Manual Override (under Starting and Operating, Automatic Transmission) for instructions on shifting the automatic transmission out of the PARK position for towing.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to use sling type equipment when
towing. When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension components. Damage to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN or ACC position, not in the LOCK position.
Towing Without The Ignition Key Fob
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap- proved method of towing without the ignition key is with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces- sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with all four wheels
OFF the ground using a flatbed. If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis- sion is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with rear wheels on the ground) with the transmission in
NEU- TRAL. Speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) and the distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km).
CAUTION! Towing faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15 miles (24 km) with rear wheels on the ground can cause severe damage to the transmission. Such dam- age is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than
15 miles (24 km), tow with the rear wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed, or with the rear wheels raised using a wheel lift or towing dolly.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and the opposite end on a towing dolly. If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer case is operable, the vehicle may be towed (in the forward direction, with
ALL wheels on the ground),
IF
the transfer case is in NEUTRAL and the transmission is in
PARK (for automatic transmissions) or in gear (NOT in Neutral, for manual transmissions). Refer to “Recre- ational Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
CAUTION!
Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used.
Internal damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when towing.
Failure to follow these towing methods could result in damage to the transmission and/or trans- fer case. Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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