2000 Mercury Mystique Owner's Manual - Page 161

Roadside emergencies TOWING YOUR VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE Before you have your vehicle towed: • release the parking brake, • move the gearshift to N (Neutral), • turn the ignition to the off position and • unlock the steering wheel. Recreational towing or having your vehicle towed An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind a Motorhome. Follow these guidelines if you have the need for recreational towing. These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transaxle is not damgaged. It is not recommended to tow front wheel drive vehicles with the front drive wheels on the ground. It is recommended to tow your vehicle with the drive wheels on a dolly or two wheel car hauling trailer. Automatic transaxle In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer or flatbed transport vehicle) your vehicle can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following conditions. • Place the transaxle in N (Neutral) • Do not exceed a distance of 80 km (50 miles). • Do not exceed 56 km/h (35 mph) vehicle speed. Manual transaxle Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than 90 km/h (55 mph). Your maximum towing distance is unlimited. Never use a tow bar that attaches to the bumper when you tow your vehicle. This could damage the bumper and cause an accident. 161