HONDA 2004 Insight - Owner's Manual - Manual (Page 184)

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
There are three popular types of
professional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the vehicle
off the ground. Your vehicle’s sus-
pension and body can be seriously
damaged.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to
damage, your vehicle must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground,
do the following:
Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to Neutral.
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shift to D, then to N.
Turn off the engine.
With the front wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speed below 35 mph (55 km/h).
If your vehicle is equipped with a
front spoiler, remove it before
towing so it is not damaged.
5-speed Manual Transmission:
Automatic Transmission (CVT):
Emergency Towing
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Flat-bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment
Sling-type Equipment
This is the best way to trans-
port your Honda.
This is
an acceptable way to tow your
Honda.
This method of towing
is unacceptable.
181
NOTICE:
NOTICE:
Improper towing preparation
will damage the transmission. Follow
the above procedure exactly. If you
cannot shif t the transmission or start
the engine (CVT), your vehicle must be
transported with the f ront wheels of f
the ground.
Trying to lif t or tow your
vehicle by the bumpers will cause
serious damage. The bumpers are not
designed to support the vehicle’s weight.
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