Towing the vehicle
Introduction
Fig. 180 Braided tow rope / Spiral tow rope
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye 193
Rear towing eye 193
Vehicles with a tow hitch 193
For towing, a braided tow rope is to be used » Fig. 180 -
.
When towing, the following guidelines must be observed.
Vehicles with manual transmission may be towed in with a tow bar or a tow
rope or with the front or rear wheels raised.
Vehicles with Automatic transmission may be towed in with a tow bar or a
tow rope or with the front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the au-
tomatic gearbox is damaged! If possible, the vehicle should be towed with the
engine running or at least with the ignition on.
Driver of the tow vehicle
›
Engage the clutch gently when starting off or depress the accelerator partic-
ularly gently if the vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
›
Only then approach correctly when the rope is taut.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
Driver of the towed vehicle
›
Switch on the ignition so that the steering wheel is not locked and so that
the turn-signal lights, windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system can
be used.
›
Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if the
vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Please note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the
engine is running. If the engine is not running, significantly more physical force
is required to depress the brake pedal and steer the vehicle.
If using a tow rope, ensure that it is always kept taught.
Both drivers should be familiar with the problems which might occur while a
vehicle is being towed. Unskilled drivers should not attempt to tow in another
vehicle or to be towed in.
The vehicle must be transported on a special breakdown vehicle or trailer if it
is not possible to tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing dis-
tance is greater than 50 km.
WARNING
■
When towing, respect the national legal provisions, especially those
which relate to the identification of the towing vehicle and the vehicle be-
ing towed.
■
When towing, exercise increased caution.
■
Do not use spiral rope for towing » Fig. 180-
, the towing eye may un-
screw from the vehicle - risk of accident.
■
Ensure tow rope is not twisted - risk of accident.
CAUTION
■
Do not start engine by towing - there is a risk of damaging the engine parts.
The battery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-start aid » page 190,
Jump-starting.
■
If the gearbox has no oil, your vehicle must be towed with the front axle
raised clear of the ground or on a breakdown vehicle or trailer.
■
To protect both vehicles when tow-starting or towing, the tow rope should
be elastic. Thus one should only use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a
similarly elastic material.
■
There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage resulting at the
points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar when you attempt to tow a
vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
■
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing eyes » page 193 or
» page 193 to the detachable ball head of the towing device » page 143.
192
Do-it-yourself
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