At some point in your life as a car owner, you will need to tow your car. Doing this is something that you have to be very keen on, since there are a few issues that could lead to problems. Most people assume that towing a car is a simple process of hitching it up and then driving the car doing the towing away.
However, there are many factors that need to be considered when you are planning on doing this, particularly if you are likely to move a modern car. Some of the problems that can arise from not towing a car properly include damaging the car’s engine and transmission. It’s also possible to cause injury and even death to other road users as well. Some of the common mistakes that have to be avoided when towing a car include:
Using the same procedure to tow all vehicles
When you tow many vehicles in your lifetime, you will find that most of them can be towed in the same way. However, there are cases where making this assumption can lead to problems. For instance, there are some cars that are designed in such a manner that the car can’t be towed with the wheels running in the ground. This means that the only way to tow it would be by using a flatbed truck. Rather than assuming that a particular car can be towed in the same manner as all the others out there, it’s recommended that one looks at the manufacturers’ instructions on how to do it. This is the only way to get it done correctly.
Driving too fast
When you are towing another vehicle, it’s also a good idea to avoid driving too fast. The rationale behind this is that if you drive very fast, the risk of collision with other vehicles will be much higher. The fact that the towed car increases the weight of the whole assembly means that controlling it will be more difficult.
Using underrated tow bars
In many cases, it will be necessary to use tow bars and other similar items to tow the car. It’s important to make sure that the rating on the towing item is commensurate with the weight of the car. For instance, if you own a car that weighs two tons, it would not be wise to have it towed using a bar that only supports one ton. Now, doing this will increase the risk of snapping and accidents related to this, including damage to the car.
Not preparing the car in the correct manner
Depending on how you want to have the car towed, you might need to have it prepared. For instance, if the car is likely to be towed using a chain or tow bar, you will need to ensure that the parking brake is off. If the car has an automatic gear box, putting it in neutral before towing it would be necessary to prevent damage to the gear box.
Ultimately, the best way to do towing is to let a professional handle it for you. Call Sardo’s Automotive for the safest towing services in Ansonia, CT today.
