how to tow another car

[DeEmily]

Towing another car requires four key items: a proper tow bar or rope, secure attachment points on both vehicles, working lights on the towed car, and a cautious driver. The core of safe towing is understanding your vehicle's drivetrain. Towing a car with an automatic transmission incorrectly can cause severe damage; always consult your owner's manual for specific procedures, often requiring the transmission to be in neutral with the engine running for lubrication. The towing vehicle must be heavier and more powerful than the car being towed. Safety chains are legally required in most states and are a critical backup if the primary tow line fails. The process begins with a clear plan. Use the vehicle's manual to locate official tow points, typically welded loops on the frame, not parts of the suspension. Attach the tow bar or rope securely. Before moving, both drivers should agree on hand signals or use two-way radios for communication. The driver of the towed car is responsible for braking to avoid pushing the lead vehicle. Acceleration and braking must be extremely gradual to prevent snapping the tow line or causing a collision. | Towing Consideration | Key Data / Specification | | :--- | :--- | | Max Towing Speed (General Guideline) | 45-55 mph (70-90 km/h) | | Recommended Tow Rope/Break Strength | Minimum 5,000 lbs (2,270 kg) | | Safety Chain Strength Requirement | Often equal to or greater than tow rope | | Maximum Distance (for flat-towing) | Consult manual; often unlimited with proper setup | | Legal Following Distance (while towing) | Often greater than standard, e.g., 300-500 feet | Always turn on the hazard lights of both cars. Avoid steep hills and busy highways for your first attempt. The key is patience and constant communication. If you are unsure about any step, especially regarding your car's drivetrain (the system that conveys power to the wheels, including transmission, driveshaft, axles, etc.), calling a professional towing service is the safest and most reliable choice.

[OHannah]

Keep it simple. Get a sturdy tow strap from an auto parts store. Find a solid metal loop under the front or rear bumper of each car to hook it to—don't use plastic parts. The driver in front needs to take off slowly and smoothly. The driver in back has the harder job: they have to brake early to keep the strap tight and steer. Go slow, use your flashers, and plan your route to avoid major roads. It’s a two-person job that requires focus, not speed.

[McMalachi]

Safety is non-negotiable. The single most important step is connecting a second set of safety chains in an "X" pattern beneath the tow strap. This creates a cradle to catch the towed vehicle if the primary connection fails. Verify that the brake lights and turn signals on the towed car are functional; if not, you may be legally required to have a following vehicle with warning lights. Your greatest risk is the towed vehicle losing control, so gradual inputs and heightened situational awareness from both drivers are essential to prevent a chain-reaction accident.

[SanEleanor]

I learned this the hard way helping my brother move his old sedan. We didn't realize his car had an electronic parking brake that automatically engaged when the battery died. We couldn't get it into neutral! We wasted an hour before calling a flatbed truck. My advice? Before you even hook up the cars, make sure the towed car starts and that you can physically put it in neutral and release the parking brake. Modern cars have complicated systems that can turn a simple tow into a big headache if you don't check the basics first.

[VonValerie]

The method depends entirely on the towed car's drivetrain. For a front-wheel-drive car with a manual transmission, you can generally flat-tow it with all four wheels on the ground. For an automatic, you typically must place the drive wheels on a dolly or a full trailer to avoid destroying the transmission, which relies on the engine running for fluid circulation. All-wheel-drive vehicles have the most restrictions; towing them incorrectly can damage the center differential. The owner's manual has a specific section for towing—it's the final authority. Never guess.