2008 Acura TL Owner's Manual - Page 340

Main Menu Table Of Contents Emergency Towing If your vehicle needs to be towed, call a professional towing service or organization. Never tow your vehicle with just a rope or chain. It is very dangerous. There are two ways to tow your vehicle: The operator loads your vehicle on the back of a truck. This is the best way to transport your vehicle. Flat-bed Equipment Wheel-lift Equipment The tow truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the front tires and lift them off the ground. The rear tires remain on the ground. This is an acceptable way to tow your vehicle. Manual transmission: Release the parking brake. Shift the transmission to neutral. Leave the ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I) position so the steering wheel does not lock. Automatic transmission: With the front wheels on the ground, it is best to tow the vehicle no farther than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the speed below 35 mph (55 km/h). If your vehicle is equipped with a front spoiler, remove it before towing so it is not damaged. Release the parking brake. Start the engine. Shift to D, then to N. Turn off the engine. Leave the ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I) position so the steering wheel does not lock. Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the bumpers will cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed to support the vehicle's weight. Taking Care of the Unexpected If, due to damage, your vehicle must be towed with the front wheels on the ground, do this: Improper towing preparation will damage the transmission. Follow the above procedure exactly. If you cannot shif t the transmission or start the engine (automatic transmission), your vehicle must be transported with the f ront wheels of f the ground. CONTINUED 337 2008 TL