Unfortuantly, no matter how well we look after our cars, it's possible you may find yourself needing a tow home (or to a garage), Or you may find yourself needing to tow a friend. Please note, long distance recovery should ony be done by a garage or breakdown service (such as The R.A.C. or A.A.). For shorter distances however, DIY Towing using another car is easy enough, but please observe the following points.

Use a proper tow-rope - they are not expensive. The vehicle being towed must display an ON TOW signin its rear window.

Always turn the ignition on when the vehicle is being towed, so that the stearing lock is released, and the indicators and break lights will work.

Before being towed, release the handbrake and select neutral on the transmission.

If you have an automatic, special precautions apply. If in doubt, do not tow or transmission damage may result.

Note that the greater-than-usual pedal pressure will be needed to apply the breaks, this is due to the vacuum servo unit only being operational when the engine is running.

If you have power steering then please note that this also will require a greater effort, as the power steering is only operational once the ignition is running.

The driver of the car being towed must keep the tow-rope taut at all times to avoid snatching.

Ensure both drivers know the route before setting off.

Only ever drive at moderate speeds and keep the distance towed at a minimum. Drive smoothly and allow plenty of time for slowing down at junctions.

A towing eye is supplied as a part of the vehicle tool kit. The towing eye should be found with the jack and wheelbrace in the luggage compartment.

To fit the towing eye, prise the cover from the relevent bumper, then screw the towing eye, anti-clockwise as far as it will go in. NOTE THE TOWING EYE HAS A LEFT HANDED THREAD. Tighten the towing eye with the wheelbrace.

When you jump start a car using jump cables to another vehicle or a booster battery, please observe the following precautions.

We have included a simple guide to help you safely jump start your vehicle using standard jump cables, like the ones available from Halfords, Motorama and other motor accessories stores

Please note - always check the physical condition of your flat battery before carrying out any work, inspect for cracks and leaks, some batteries are have a visual acid level, if the level is too low this could be the result of a leak and jump starting your car will have no effect. Lead acid battery produce hydrogen gas which is highly flamable and caution is needed to avoid a spark that may ignite the gas.

Quick guide to Jump starting your vehicle

1. Before connecting the Jump cables or booster battery, make sure that the ignition is switched off.
2. If using cables, ensure that the condition of the jump cables are in good condition prior to start the jump start
3. Ensure that all electrical equipment (lights, heater, wipers etc) are turned off.
4. Take note of any special precautions printed on the battery case.
5. Make sure that the other vehicle or booster battery is the same voltage as the discharged one in the vehicle.
6. If the battery is being jump-started from the battery in another vehicle the two vehicles MUST NOT TOUCH each other.
7. Make sure that the transmission is in neutral (or park, in the case of automatic transmission).
8. Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive (+) terminal of the flat battery on your vehicle.
9. Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the other vehicle or the booster battery.
10. Connect one end of the black jump lead to the negative (-) terminal of the other vehicle or the booster battery.
11. Connect the other end of the black jump lead to a bolt or bracket on your engine block, well away from the battery, on the vehicle to be started.
12. Ensure that the jump leads will not come into contact wtih the fan, drive belts or any other moving components.
13. Start the engine using the booster battery and run it at idle speed.  Switch on the lights, rear window demister and heater blower motor, then disconnect the jump leads in the reverse order of connection.  Turn off lights etc.