2010 Volvo V50 Owner's Manual - Page 160

06 Starting and driving Towing WARNING Towing vehicles with front wheel drive Volvo recommends the use of flat bed equipment for towing vehicles with front wheel drive. If wheel lift equipment must be used, please use extreme caution to help avoid damage to the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle should be towed with the rear wheels on the ground if at all possible. If it is absolutely necessary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the ground, please refer to the towing information on the previous page. WARNING • • Never allow a vehicle to be towed without a driver behind the wheel of the disabled vehicle. Never remove the key from the ignition while the vehicle is moving. The steering wheel could lock, making it impossible to steer the vehicle. When the engine is not running, steering resistance and the effort needed to apply the brakes will be great. Never attempt to tow a vehicle with a dead battery at night. • Remember that the power brakes and power steering will not function when engine is not running. The braking and steering systems will function but considerably higher pressure will be required on the brake pedal and greater steering effort must be exerted. The towing eyelets must not be used for pulling the vehicle out of a ditch or for any similar purpose involving severe strain. Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the vehicle up onto a flat bed tow truck. • • • • Sling-type equipment applied at the front will damage radiator and air conditioning lines. CAUTION • 06 Check with state and local authorities before attempting this type of towing, as vehicles being towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length and type of towing device, lighting, marker flags, etc. Never attempt to push- or tow-start a vehicle with a dead battery. This would inject unburned fuel into the three-way catalytic converter(s), causing overheating, backfiring, and damage, see page 161 for instructions on jump starting the vehicle. • It is equally important not to use sling-type equipment at the rear or apply lifting equipment inside the rear wheels; serious damage to the rear axle may result. • If the vehicle is being towed on a flat bed truck, the towing eyelets must not be used to secure the vehicle on the flat bed. Consult the tow truck operator. • 160