emergency towing TOYOTA CAMRY 1997 Owners Manual

163
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-
vice. In consultation with them, have
your vehicle towed using either (a) or
(b).
Only when you cannot receive a tow-
ing service from a Toyota dealer or
commercial tow truck service, tow
your vehicle carefully in accordance
with the instructions given in
ÐEmergency towingº in this part.
Proper equipment will help ensure that
your vehicle is not damaged while being
towed. Commercial operators are gener-
ally aware of the state/provincial and local
laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed
incorrectly. Although most operators
know the correct procedure, it is possible
to make a mistake. To avoid damage to
your vehicle, make sure the following few
precautions are observed. If necessary,
show this page to the tow truck driver.TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing,
and abide by the state/provincial and local
laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are
damaged, use a towing dolly.
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck
From frontÐRelease the parking brake.
NOTICE
When lifting wheels, take care to
ensure adequate ground clearance
for towing at the opposite end of the
raised vehicle. Otherwise, the
bumper and/or underbody of the
towed vehicle will be damaged
during towing.
From rearÐ

Manual transmission:
We recommend using a towing dolly
under the front wheels. If you do not
use a towing dolly, place the ignition
key in the ACCº position and put the
transmission in neutral.
NOTICE
Do not tow with the key removed or
in the LOCKº position when
towing from the rear without a
towing dolly. The steering lock
mechanism is not strong enough to
hold the front wheels straight.

Automatic transmission:
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an
automatic transmission from the
rear with the front wheels on the
ground, as this may cause serious
damage to the transmission.
(b) Using flat bed truck
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164
(c) Towing with sling type truck
NOTICE
Do not tow with sling type truck,
either from the front or rear. This
may cause body damage.
Front
Rear (Canada only)If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-
vice.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed by a cable or chain se-
cured to either emergency towing eye-
let under the vehicle. Use extreme
caution when towing vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it
and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only
on hard-surfaced roads for a short dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, drive train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
CAUTION!
Use extreme caution when towing
vehicles. Avoid sudden starts or
erratic driving maneuvers which
would place excessive stress on the
emergency towing eyelets and
towing cable or chain. The eyelets
and towing cable or chain may
break and cause serious injury or
damage.
ÐEmergency towing
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