How to tow a car

There is more than one towing method to consider when needing to tow a car. These include three towing options involving all four wheels off the ground, leaving two wheels on the ground or all four wheels on the ground. The method of towing in which used becomes extremely relevant as if your towed vehicles drive wheels stay on the ground, a risk of severe transmission damage can occur.

If using the four wheels off ground approach to towing your car the equipment required is a trailer. This method is good for any vehicle as it is irrelevant if your car is front or real-wheel drive due to all wheels being off the ground anyway.

The two wheel on ground option requires tow dollies. The use of tow dollies which lift only the vehicles front wheels is suitable for front-wheel drive cars. This option is considered the most effective for front wheel drive as you don't run the risk of damaging the transmission. To tow a rear-wheel vehicle on a tow dolly safely the disconnection and removal of the drive shaft is essential in order to not damage the transmission.

A tow bar (set of bars in the shape of a triangle) is needed if choosing the third method of towing- all four wheels on ground. To connect the tow bar to your vehicle, attach one point of the triangle which has a coupler to the ball hitch on the tow vehicle. The wide end of the triangle is attached to the bumper of vehicle. The wheels of the towed vehicle roll on the ground. If selecting this method when towing, there are two slight variations depending on if you have a automatic or manual car. If the vehicle is two-wheel drive manual transmission, put the vehicle into neutral and disengage the parking brake. However, accessories are required to protect your transmission if the vehicle is automatic. These include a lube pump, a drive shaft coupling device and an axle-lock.

The lube pump provides lubrication to the automatic transmission in a front-wheel drive vehicle. Because the engine is not working when it requires to be towed, a lube pump is essential to allow the transmission to get the cooling in needs which it would usually get from the pump powered by the engine.

The drive shaft device can be used when towing a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. This device allows you to switch between driving (drive shaft engaged) and towing (drive shaft disengaged).

The axle-lock is the last component needed if towing a front-wheel-drive vehicle with the drive wheels on the ground. Instead of manually disconnecting your front axle, the axle-lock device disconnects the automatic transmission. Once the axle is unlocked, the vehicle is in a safe towing condition.