Contents: Jacking up ⇊ Towing ⇊
Jacking up
Attention! The jack included in the standard vehicle package is intended only for performing wheel changing procedures. When performing any other repair or maintenance work, the vehicle must be lifted using a hydraulic (or trolley) jack and must be installed on special supports placed under the load-bearing points of the bottom. If there is no need to remove the wheels, the vehicle can be driven onto an inspection pit or overpass.
To jack up the car, park it on a flat horizontal surface, preferably with a hard surface. If there is the slightest slope, take precautions against rolling back: support the wheel diagonally from the one to be removed with wheel chocks, firmly set the parking brake. Try not to go far from the jacked up car, especially if there are children nearby.
Before jacking up the car, remove the decorative cap and use a wheel wrench to loosen the nuts of the wheel to be replaced. Have a spare wheel ready.
Attention! On some models the cap is secured to the disk with wheel nuts, which at this stage should only be loosened!
The jack should be inserted into specially designed reinforced points in the front or rear part of the thresholds.
Make sure that the jack head is securely engaged in the sill stiffener protrusion. Turn the jack handle to raise the vehicle until the wheel to be replaced is off the ground. Remove the lug nuts, remove the wheel and install the spare wheel in its place. Screw on the lug nuts, then lower the vehicle to the ground, remove the jack and tighten the lug nuts diagonally with the required force. Replace the cap. Fold and put away the tool. Don't forget to remove and put away the wheel chocks.
When carrying out more serious repairs than replacing a wheel, special supports are usually installed under the car in addition to the jack. The supports can be installed under the jacking points of the thresholds themselves, with the same block with a groove laid, or under any of the load-bearing elements of the bottom as close as possible to the jacking points of the thresholds.
Caution! Never place the jack under other points of the sills, oil pan, floor panels or directly under steering or suspension components!
Do not perform any repair work under a vehicle that is supported in a raised position using only a jack! Be sure to use reliable supports!
Towing
Strictly speaking, the car should be towed with the drive (front) wheels off the ground (best of all on a tow truck platform). If you have to tow the car without lifting the front wheels, turn the ignition key to the OFF position to avoid damaging the steering wheel lock.
Vehicles equipped with AT can be towed forward on all four wheels at a speed not exceeding 55 km/h (35 mph) and for a distance not exceeding 80 km (50 miles). Before towing, check the transmission fluid level (see Chapter Settings and ongoing maintenance). If the ATF does not reach the HOT mark on the dipstick blade, make the necessary adjustments or tow the vehicle only with the front wheels off the ground. Perform the following preparatory procedures:
- a) Release the parking brake;
- b) Start the engine;
- c) Move the selector lever to position D4, then to neutral (N);
- d) Turn off the engine;
- e) Turn the ignition key to the OFF position (never leave it in the LOCK position).
Warning! Never tow a vehicle equipped with an AT backwards without lifting the front wheels off the ground!
If there is a need to tow a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission or continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) without lifting the wheels off the ground, do not forget to move the control lever to neutral and release the parking brake.
When towing a damaged vehicle, use only a towing strap designed specifically for this purpose, which can be purchased inexpensively at almost any auto accessory store. The strap should only attach to load-bearing body elements - never to the bumper.
Do not forget to turn the ignition key of the towed vehicle to the ON position, otherwise the steering column will inevitably lock. In addition, when the ignition is on, the turn signals and brake lights are also activated.
Remember that when the engine is off, the car's braking efficiency is significantly reduced due to the fact that the brake booster stops functioning. In this case, you should press the foot brake pedal with a little more force than usual. On models equipped with power steering, when maneuvering, you will have to apply more force to the steering wheel.
The driver of the towed vehicle must try to keep the towing strap taut at all times to avoid jerking or the wheels running into the strap.
Before starting the journey, the drivers of both vehicles (towing and towed) should agree on the route.
The movement should be carried out only at moderate speeds, along the shortest route and in compliance with traffic regulations. Avoid sudden braking, acceleration and maneuvering.