Roadside Repairs 0•9When all else fails, you may find yourselfhaving to get a tow home – or of course youmay be helping somebody else. Long-distancerecovery should only be done by a garage orbreakdown service. For shorter distances, DIYtowing using another car is easy enough, butobserve the following points:M Use a proper tow-rope – they are notexpensive. The vehicle being towed mustdisplay an ‘ON TOW’ sign in its rear window.M Always turn the ignition key to the ‘on’position when the vehicle is being towed, sothat the steering lock is released, and that thedirection indicator and brake lights will work.M Only attach the tow-rope to the towingeyes provided.M Before being towed, release the handbrakeand select neutral on the transmission.M Note that greater-than-usual pedalpressure will be required to operate thebrakes, since the vacuum servo unit is onlyoperational with the engine running.M On models with power steering, greater-than-usual steering effort will also be required.M The driver of the car being towed mustkeep the tow-rope taut at all times to avoidsnatching.M Make sure that both drivers know the routebefore setting off.M Only drive at moderate speeds and keepthe distance towed to a minimum. Drivesmoothly and allow plenty of time for slowingdown at junctions.M On models with automatic transmission,special precautions apply. If in doubt, do nottow, or transmission damage may result.TowingPuddles on the garage floor or drive, orobvious wetness under the bonnet or underneath the car, suggest a leak that needsinvestigating. It can sometimes be difficult todecide where the leak is coming from,especially if the engine bay is very dirtyalready. Leaking oil or fluid can also be blownrearwards by the passage of air under the car,giving a false impression of where theproblem lies.Warning: Most automotive oilsand fluids are poisonous. Washthem off skin, and change out ofcontaminated clothing, withoutdelay.Identifying leaksThe smell of a fluid leakingfrom the car may provide aclue to what’s leaking. Somefluids are distinctivelycoloured. It may help to clean the carcarefully and to park it over some cleanpaper overnight as an aid to locating thesource of the leak.Remember that some leaks may onlyoccur while the engine is running.Sump oilGearbox oilBrake fluidPower steering fluidOil from filterAntifreezeEngine oil may leak from the drain plug......or from the base of the oil filter.Leaking antifreeze often leaves a crystallinedeposit like this.Gearbox oil can leak from the seals at theinboard ends of the driveshafts.A leak occurring at a wheel is almostcertainly brake fluid.Power steering fluid may leak from the pipeconnectors on the steering rack.
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