Towing
STANDARD PROCEDURE - TOWING
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNING: Do not allow towing attachment devices to contact the fuel tank or lines, fuel leak can result.
Do not lift or tow vehicle by front or rear bumper.
Do not go under a lifted vehicle if not supported properly on safety stands.
Do not allow passengers to ride in a towed vehicle.
Use a safety chain that is independent from the towing attachment device.
CAUTION: Do not damage brake lines, exhaust system, shock absorbers, sway bars, or any other under vehicle components when attaching towing device to vehicle.
Do not secure vehicle to towing device by the use of front or rear suspension or steering components.
Remove or secure loose or protruding objects from a damaged vehicle before towing.
Refer to state and local rules and regulations before towing a vehicle.
Do not allow weight of towed vehicle to bear on lower fascia, air dams, or spoilers.
RECOMMENDED TOWING EQUIPMENT
FWD vehicles, use of a flat bed towing device or a wheel lift is recommended.
AWD vehicles, a flat bed towing device is recommended.
When using a wheel lift towing device, be sure the disabled vehicle has at least 100 mm (4 in.) ground clearance. If minimum ground clearance cannot be reached, use a towing dolly. If a flat bed device is used, the approach angle should not exceed 15 degrees.
CAUTION:
- Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the front fascia and air dams will result.
- The only approved method of towing is with a flat bed truck.
- Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to the rear sheet metal, liftgate and fascia will occur.
- Do not push or tow this vehicle with another vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and transmission may result.
GROUND CLEARANCE
CAUTION: If vehicle is towed with wheels removed, install lug nuts to retain brake drums or rotors.
A towed vehicle should be raised until the lifted wheels are a minimum 100 mm (4 in.) from the ground. Be sure there is at least 100 mm (4 in.) clearance between the tail pipe and the ground. If necessary, remove the wheels from the front end of the vehicle and lower the front end closer to the ground, to increase the ground clearance at the rear of the vehicle. Install lug nuts on wheel attaching studs to retain brake rotors.
LOCKED VEHICLE TOWING
When a locked vehicle must be towed with the front wheels on the ground, use a towing dolly or flat bed hauler.
FLAT BED TOWING TIE DOWNS
CAUTION: Do not tie vehicle down by attaching chains or cables to suspension components or engine mounts, damage to vehicle can result.
The vehicle can be tied to a flat bed device using the pair of front transportation slots on the bottom surface of the rails, behind the front wheels. The rear transportation slots are on the bottom of the left bumper extension and in the bracket extending inboard of the right bumper extension.
TOWING - FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
Your vehicle may be towed under the following conditions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the distance to be traveled must not exceed 100 miles (160 km), and the towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72 km/h). Exceeding these towing limits may cause a transmission gear train failure. If the transmission is not operative, or if the vehicle is to be towed more than 100 miles (160 km), the vehicle must be towed with the front wheels off the ground.
TOWING - ALL WHEEL DRIVE
Your vehicle may be towed under the following conditions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the distance to be traveled must not exceed 100 miles (160 km), the towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72 km/h), and both front and rear wheels must be on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed farther or at a higher rate of speed, it must be transported on a flat bed truck.
ALL TRANSMISSIONS
- Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the front fascia will result.
- The only approved method of towing is with a flat bed truck.
- Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to the rear sheet metal, liftgate and fascia will occur.
- Do not push or tow this vehicle with another vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and transmission may result.
If it is necessary to use the accessories while being towed (wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must be in the ON position, not the ACCESSORY position. Make certain the transmission remains in NEUTRAL.
WITHOUT THE IGNITION KEY
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only approved method of towing with out the ignition key is with a flat bed truck. Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the ground)
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, is only permitted within the limitations described.
FLAT TOWING WITH TOW BAR
- Four speed electronic automatic transaxle vehicles can be flat towed at speeds not to exceed 72 km/h (44 mph) for not more than 160 km (100 miles). The steering column must be unlocked and gear selector in neutral.
- AWD models should not be flat towed. For additional information, refer to RECOMMENDED TOWING EQUIPMENT.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH A TOW DOLLY
The manufacturer does not recommend that you tow an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) or front wheel drive vehicle on a tow dolly. Vehicle damage may occur.