4 Precautions You Should Be Aware of During DIY Towing
It is normally advisable to call for help from a tow company when your car breaks down. However, some people want to try DIY towing by asking a friend to use his or her vehicle to tow the crippled one. This article discusses some important issues that you should keep in mind if you are asked to tow a damaged vehicle.
Ensure the Vehicle Is in Neutral
You should never attempt to tow a vehicle before making sure that its gear lever is in neutral. This precaution is necessary because the vehicle may sustain serious damage once its wheels lock as you tow it. For instance, the transmission system may be damaged when the tyres are dragged when they are not turning.
Check Your Towing Lights
The lights at the back of your vehicle, such as the brake lights and the indicator lights, may no longer be visible once you attach the towing equipment to the damaged vehicle that you wish to tow. Consequently, other motorists may not be able to know when you signal that you would like to take a turn, or when you brake. You can avoid such dangerous driving conditions by connecting towing lights to the electrical system of your car. These lights can be purchased online or from auto shops. Follow the installation instructions given with the set that you buy. You should make sure that the wires of the tow lights are loose enough to allow you to turn your vehicle without the wires breaking. Test the lights and confirm that they work before you begin towing.
Avoid Carrying Passengers
You should also make sure that no one sits in the damaged vehicle that you are towing. This step is necessary in order to avoid putting people at risk when your towing equipment fails and the damaged vehicle hits another car, or goes off the road. Passengers also increase the weight of the damaged vehicle. This can impose a heavier load on your vehicle. Such a load can strain the engine to the extent that your vehicle's engine may overheat.
Know the Tow Rating
Each vehicle has a maximum tow capacity set by the manufacturer. Read the owner's manual and confirm that your vehicle can tow the damaged car safely. Any deviation from the guidelines of the carmaker may result in serious damage to your vehicle, such as the drivetrain, once it tows a bigger load than it was designed to tow.
Keep the precautions above in mind in order to reduce the likelihood of a mishap as you tow the damaged vehicle. You should also remember that towing a car is a risky activity that should only be undertaken when you have all the necessary equipment, such as chains and ropes to secure the damaged vehicle. If not, call a local towing service for help instead of taking an unnecessary risk.