2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42
There are three types of towing. This information is given in the driving school. There is towing on a flexible hitch, on a rigid one, as well as by partial loading. The most common is flexible. Rigid is used in adverse weather conditions. Partial load towing is used when the vehicle's steering system is not working. Let's look at how to properly tow cars. This information will be useful to every driver.
Towing and traffic rules
It is important to remember that towing on a flexible hitch in difficult weather conditions is prohibited by traffic rules. What do experts advise? If a driver with less experience is behind the wheel of a towing vehicle than in a towed vehicle, then it is better to change places. Why exactly? The fact is that driving a tug is more complicated than driving a conventional passenger car. It is also necessary to precisely agree on the upcomingroute. According to traffic rules and from the point of view of common sense, it is recommended to discuss the signals in advance. Perhaps this will be blinking with a high beam, various other gestures (for example, with a hand). These are the basic rules for towing. They are also spelled out in the traffic rules.
There is an opinion that the driver of the second car during towing is no longer a driver, but a passenger. This is an incorrect statement. The same restrictions apply to a person driving a car in tow. The same rules apply as for a regular driver. Therefore, you must have with you all the necessary documents for the car and a certificate of the appropriate category.
What do you need to know first?
Towing a car requires some preparation. The first car should not differ significantly in weight from the second car. Also, the tug must have a clutch in good condition and a working cooling system. In the process of such evacuation, the engine experiences heavy loads, which means that it heats up more. Next, in the rear bumper, you need to find a thread or eyelet. If there is a thread, the ring must be screwed into it. A towing sling will cling to this element.
It is recommended to install the cable so that it is oblique to the towed vehicle. The rules also provide for the inclusion of headlights and alarms on the first and second cars, respectively, when towing. If it does not work, a corresponding sign is attached to the back plane.
Features of towing withManual transmission
A car equipped with a manual transmission can always be towed. It won't affect the box in any way. It is enough to put the gearbox in neutral and keep your foot on the brake. Towing on a flexible hitch can be done in any way. The car can be both a leader and a follower in tandem.
Another thing is an automatic transmission.
Automatic transmission and towing
Here everything is much more complicated. Many owners of automatic transmissions have heard that the evacuation on the mechanics and on the machine is significantly different. But not everyone knows the details. Owners are often unsure if and how to take someone in tow.
On a manual transmission in neutral, only one gear will rotate. If the car is towed with a machine gun, the entire mechanism works completely in the neutral position of the box.
Since the automatic transmission was not designed for such work, the mechanism will quickly heat up and may even fail. The oil pump, which pumps lubricant to run the gearbox, only works when the engine is running. If the car is faulty, then the transmission elements will not be lubricated. This can also lead to failure. If a car with automatic transmission plays the role of a tug, then the automatic transmission system is subjected to serious additional loads. The machine requires certain indulgences.
How automatic transmission is towed
Because the machinesdifferent manufacturers can differ significantly from each other, then the possibilities for towing should be clarified in the instructions for the car. There is often information on how far you can tow the car and what speed should be. Different manufacturers specify different parameters. It is very rare to completely prohibit towing on a flexible hitch on an automatic transmission.
The golden mean rule for automatic transmissions
The problem is that not in all situations there is time to read instructions. For such cases, car service specialists and experienced drivers apply the 50-50 rule. According to this rule, a car equipped with an automatic transmission can be towed, and it can act as a tractor. But the speed should be no higher than 50 km / h, the distance - no more than 50 km. These towing rules have already helped many, saved the automatic transmission from failure. 50 km is quite a lot. You can drive through all of Moscow and get to the service station or home. If longer and faster, then this already entails increased wear.
General rules for automatic transmissions
In addition to what each manufacturer of boxes recommends for specific models, there is a set of general rules that apply to all cars with automatic transmission. So, if the car on the machine is towed, then the automatic transmission selector is set to neutral.
If the car pulls the second one, then it's better to drive in 2nd or 3rd gear. In the process of towing, an increased load will affect the automatic transmission mechanism. It's important to make sureis the oil level in the box sufficient.
Automatic transmission – tugboat
Automakers recommend avoiding such cases. But if there are simply no other options, then several rules must be followed. It is better to prefer a rigid hitch. The mass of the towed vehicle must not exceed the weight of the towing vehicle. The speed should not be higher than 30-40 km/h. It is unacceptable for the automatic transmission to be in position D. The selector must be set strictly to 2nd or 3rd gear. Towing a car on a flexible hitch is a huge load on the mechanism. Therefore, mode D will be fatal for the box.
Advice to the towing driver from experienced
Despite the traffic rules, experienced motorists do not recommend turning on the alarm. It interferes with the turn signals. Also, ACC does not provide clear information about further actions to other road users. It is better to turn on the fog lights. Also, do not forget about the ban on towing on a flexible hitch in ice.
If possible, keep in touch with another car owner in any convenient way. For example, on a mobile phone. This makes it much easier to discuss possible maneuvers among themselves.
Before you start, you must first tighten the cable. To do this, they smoothly roll forward until the rear car works like an anchor and the towing line is stretched. After that, you can start moving. Move off as smoothly as possible.
It is advisable to switch gears later and turn the engine to higher revs. Switching shouldbe fast. You have to pull a much larger mass, which means that the machine will lose inertia much faster. The engine will not have enough reduced speed to pull the car. This needs to be understood.
When driving, you should constantly monitor the situation in the mirrors. The distance and speed of the car behind is important. The cable will sag, and you need to accelerate smoothly so that there are no jerks. You also need to calculate the turning radius. If the turn is sharp, then they enter it along the outer radius, and exit in the same way. It must be remembered that the hydraulic booster will not work when the engine is turned off. This means that the other driver may not have time to turn the steering wheel.
Towing speed on the flexible hitch is not more than 50 km/h. This is stated in the traffic rules. Braking should be smooth. Do not forget about a longer stopping distance, since the towed car will not be able to reduce speed as effectively. When flashing green, it is better to slow down immediately. It is not recommended to stop on the slopes.
Recommendations for towed vehicle
It is very important to constantly monitor the line - it should not sag. To prevent this, at the moment of weakening, they slow down a little. At the same time, at minimum speed, lightly press the pedal to tighten the line.
If the towing vehicle has stopped, do not drive close to it. The pressure on the brake pedal must be calculated. You will have to press harder, because the vacuum booster will not work. You also need to calculate the speed of the steering wheel, because the power steeringdoesn't work either. Any maneuvers must be carried out on the signals of the tug. It is better to rebuild in advance.
About the choice of cables
According to the SDA, the length of the cable when towing on a flexible hitch can be from 4 to 6 meters. It is very important that the cable is not tangled or knotted. It is advisable to avoid once broken lines.
As far as materials are concerned, steel is strong, but very poor for towing. Preference is given to cloth or synthetic slings. It is better to try on the cable hook on the car in advance.
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