Author : Everette Jamison
Towing companies are mandated and regulated by state and local regulations which mean that they have an obligation, by law, to pick up and deliver your stranded vehicle with proper procedure Generally speaking, towing services are well versed on those particular laws If you are towing your vehicle yourself you will need to follow these same guidelines The following are a list of tips and advice for either properly towing your vehicle yourself or for making sure that a towing service is abiding by the state and local regulations
It is strongly advised to never ride in a vehicle that is being towed All passengers should get out of the car before the towing process begins
Once the vehicle has been lifted, do not get under it
If your vehicle has sustained damage, either jot down, or make a mental note of the damages Take a photo if your cell phone has picture taking capabilities
Check the axles, the steering wheel, and the condition of the transmission if at all possible
Turn off the ignition and make sure that it is not in the lock position
If possible, make sure the steering wheel is in a straight ahead position; you want all four wheels in a straight line You may need a rope to secure the steering wheel into place
When towing with the front wheels facing the opposite direction of the tow truck, make sure that the vehicle is in the neutral position
If you are towing a vehicle (specifically an automatic transmission model) with the front wheels facing in the opposite direction, place the front wheels on a dolly Not following this advice could easily lead to major transmission damage which can be a costly car repair
When towing with the rear wheels on the ground (facing the same direction of the tow truck), make sure that the vehicle is in the neutral position
You may have to change the keys position to put a car in the neutral position After putting the vehicle in neutral, turn the ignition key back to the off position
If you have to tow a vehicle on all four wheels (not advised) you need to observe a slow speed limit of less than 30 MPH and do not tow it more than 30 or 40 miles
Never tow a vehicle with all four wheels on the ground backwards Once again, this can cause major transmission damage and costly car repairs
Make sure that all towing chains are attached to main structures of a vehicle
Always make sure that chains are correctly routed and not touching steering or brake systems Never attach a chain to a bumper for obvious reasons And never pull on the vehicle from an angle
Make sure that all safety chains are tight and secure
Having a vehicle towed is a relatively easy process Be sure to follow these simple rules of thumb to save money on more costly car repairs
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