Car towing is a necessity that any driver may face. In the event of an unexpected breakdown on the road, when the vehicle cannot move on its own, it is important to know how to properly transport it to the nearest service station without violating traffic rules and damaging the vehicle. In this article, we will examine in detail all aspects of car towing in Ukraine.
What is Car Towing and When is it Permitted
Car towing is the movement of a malfunctioning vehicle with the help of another vehicle. According to the traffic rules of Ukraine, towing must be performed by a mechanical vehicle without a trailer and with technically sound coupling devices on both the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle.
Towing is permitted in the following cases:
- When the vehicle has technical malfunctions
- When the car is unable to move independently
- When a tow truck is unavailable or impractical to call
The driver of a vehicle being towed with a flexible coupling is a full-fledged road user. They must have all necessary documents for operating the vehicle, and the car itself must have license plates.
Basic Car Towing Rules According to Ukrainian Traffic Regulations
Ukrainian traffic rules provide a number of requirements for vehicle towing:
- Light signals:
- The towing vehicle must have low beam headlights on
- The towed vehicle must have hazard warning lights on
- Speed limitation:
- Maximum towing speed is 50 km/h
- Distance between vehicles:
- With rigid coupling — no more than 4 meters
- With flexible coupling — between 4 and 6 meters
- Tow rope marking:
- Flexible coupling must be marked with signal plates or flags measuring 20×20 cm with red and white diagonal stripes
- These signs should be attached every meter of the tow rope
- System functionality requirements:
- When towing with a flexible coupling, the towed vehicle must have working brakes and steering
- With rigid coupling, brake malfunction is acceptable, but the steering must be functional
Towing prohibitions:
Ukrainian traffic rules also specify situations where towing is prohibited:
- During icy conditions (with flexible coupling)
- On mountain roads (with flexible coupling)
- If the actual weight of the towed vehicle with a faulty braking system exceeds half the actual weight of the towing vehicle
- If the total length of the coupled vehicles exceeds 22 meters (for public transport vehicles — 30 meters)
- Simultaneous towing of several vehicles or a vehicle with a trailer
- Towing by a bus
Types of Vehicle Towing
Depending on the type of breakdown and available means, there are several ways to tow a vehicle.
Towing with Flexible Coupling (Tow Rope)
This is the most common and accessible way to tow passenger cars. It uses a special tow rope 4-6 meters long. The advantages of this method include accessibility, ease of use, and universality for most passenger cars.
The rope should be strong, without mechanical damage, tears, or cracks. The hooks should have a reliable locking and opening system. It is recommended to choose a rope with a load capacity that exceeds the mass of the towed vehicle by at least twice.
It is recommended to attach the rope diagonally: if it is attached to the rear right of the towing vehicle, then it should be attached to the front left of the towed vehicle, or vice versa. Drivers should discuss in advance a communication scheme using light or sound signals and constantly monitor the tension of the rope.
Towing with Rigid Coupling
This type of towing uses a special rigid structure that ensures a constant distance between vehicles. Advantages include the absence of jerks during starting and braking, the ability to tow a vehicle with faulty brakes, and greater safety during maneuvering.
The length of rigid coupling must not exceed 4 meters. This method is more commonly used for towing trucks and heavy machinery. It is used less frequently for passenger cars due to the risk of damaging the towing eyelets.
Partial Loading (Partial Lift Method)
This method involves partially loading the towed vehicle onto the platform or a special support device of the towing vehicle. It is suitable for towing vehicles with faulty brakes or steering, reduces the risk of additional damage to the malfunctioning vehicle, and is recommended for vehicles with automatic transmission.
There should be no passengers in the towed vehicle during partial loading. This method requires special equipment or a tow truck and is considered safer for long-distance transportation.
Complete Evacuation on a Platform
Although complete evacuation on a platform is not technically towing but transportation, it is important to understand when this method is necessary. Complete evacuation is recommended for serious damage to the vehicle's chassis, body deformation after an accident, the need for long-distance transportation, towing a vehicle with automatic transmission, and when both steering and braking systems are damaged simultaneously.
This method provides maximum safety for the towed vehicle, prevents additional wear on components and assemblies, and allows transportation of the vehicle regardless of the type of damage.
Towing a Vehicle with Automatic Transmission
Towing vehicles with automatic transmission has its own peculiarities and limitations that must be considered to prevent serious transmission damage.
Is it Possible to Tow a Vehicle with Automatic Transmission or CVT
Most manufacturers of vehicles with automatic transmission do not recommend or explicitly prohibit their towing with flexible or rigid coupling for any significant distance. However, in case of emergency, short-term towing is possible under strict limitations: towing distance not more than 40-50 kilometers, movement speed not more than 30-40 km/h, automatic transmission selector in the "N" (neutral) position.
For vehicles with continuously variable transmission (CVT), the situation is even stricter — towing them with any type of coupling is categorically not recommended. Such vehicles should be transported only by partial or complete loading method.
Why Towing a Vehicle with Automatic Transmission Can Be Dangerous
The danger of towing a vehicle with automatic transmission is due to the features of automatic transmission operation. When the engine is off, the automatic transmission oil pump does not work, resulting in insufficient lubrication of transmission components. The rotation of transmission elements without proper lubrication causes them to heat up quickly, which can lead to overheating and damage to the automatic transmission. There is also a risk of locking certain types of automatic transmissions during towing.
When to Call a Tow Truck
A tow truck is the preferred means of transporting a vehicle with automatic transmission in the following cases:
- Need for transportation over distances exceeding 40 km
- Inability to start the vehicle's engine
- Vehicle with continuously variable transmission
- Damage to the transmission cooling system
- Absence of manufacturer's recommendations for towing a specific model
- Icy conditions or other adverse weather conditions
Winter Car Towing: Risks and Recommendations
Winter conditions create additional difficulties and risks when towing vehicles. The main risks include slippery roads, which significantly increase braking distance, risk of skidding, reduced visibility, and possible freezing of components during prolonged towing in severe frost.
For safe winter towing, avoid towing with flexible coupling during icy conditions (this is explicitly prohibited by Ukrainian traffic rules), reduce speed to 20-30 km/h, move smoothly avoiding sharp maneuvers, increase distance, and use quality winter tires on both vehicles.
Before towing, it is necessary to clean vehicles of snow and ice, prepare clear signals between drivers, and turn on the window heating in the towed vehicle. In particularly difficult winter conditions, it is better to refrain from independent towing and use the services of a professional tow truck.
Truck Towing
Towing trucks has its own specifics due to their mass and dimensions. Trucks are significantly heavier than passenger cars, requiring a more powerful towing vehicle. The actual weight of a towed truck with a faulty braking system must not exceed half the actual weight of the towing vehicle.
The most common method of towing trucks is rigid coupling, as it provides more stable connection and better control during operation. Partial loading is also used for serious malfunctions when a special tow truck for commercial vehicles is required.
Trucks require special reinforced coupling devices designed for high loads. The total length of coupled vehicles must not exceed 22 meters, which is particularly important to consider when towing long trucks. To tow a truck, the driver must have the appropriate category of driver's license.
How to Properly Tow a Vehicle: Step-by-Step Instructions
Proper preparation and execution of towing will help avoid additional vehicle damage and ensure the safety of all road users.
Before towing, make sure that towing under the given conditions is permitted by traffic rules, check the operation of lights, steering, and braking systems in both vehicles, select and check the rope or rigid coupling, plan the route, and agree on a signaling system between drivers.
For attaching the towing device, use only special towing eyelets or hooks provided in the vehicle's design. It is recommended to attach the rope diagonally and ensure it is securely fastened. Flexible coupling must be marked with signal plates or flags according to traffic regulations.
When starting movement, turn on the low beam headlights on the towing vehicle and hazard warning lights on the towed vehicle. Set the mechanical transmission to neutral, or the automatic transmission to "N" position. Start moving very smoothly to first slightly tension the rope without jerking. The driver of the towed vehicle must maintain constant tension in the rope.
While driving, observe the speed limit (no more than 50 km/h), avoid sharp maneuvers, accelerations, and braking. The driver of the towed vehicle should start braking after receiving a signal. Maintain an increased distance from vehicles ahead. Take turns with the widest possible arc, signaling the maneuver in advance.
Common Towing Mistakes
Even experienced drivers can make towing mistakes that damage vehicles or create dangerous situations on the road.
The most common mistakes are:
- Using the wrong rope: Using a rope that is too short, too long or not strong enough for the weight of the vehicle being towed.
- Improper attachment: Attaching the rope to unsuitable body or suspension components, which may damage them or break the rope.
- Abrupt starting: Abrupt starting causes a violent jerk that can damage the tow hitches, cable or suspension of the vehicles.
- Cable slack: Allowing the cable to slacken while driving will cause jerking when the cable is tensioned and may cause loss of steering control.
- Speeding: Driving above 50 km/h increases the risk of accidents due to the difficulty in controlling the towed vehicle.
- Ignoring prohibitions: Towing in icy conditions with a flexible hitch or towing a vehicle with an automatic transmission over long distances against the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Lack of communication: Insufficient signal coordination between drivers, resulting in uncoordinated actions when maneuvering or stopping.
- Improper braking: Initiation of braking by the driver of the towing vehicle without prior signaling, which may result in a collision with the towed vehicle.
- Ignoring the course: Failure to recognize difficult sections of road, such as tight turns, hills, or heavy traffic.
- Lack of markings: Failure to mark the flexible coupler with signal plates or flags, which reduces the visibility of the tow rope to other road users.
- Towing in neutral downhill: On downhill grades, a vehicle in neutral gear may accelerate and collide with the towing vehicle.
- Improper hand position on the steering wheel: Especially in a towed vehicle, where the lack of power steering requires a stronger grip and correct hand position for quick reaction.
To avoid these mistakes, you should prepare both vehicles and towing equipment thoroughly, follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions and traffic regulations, practice towing in safe conditions whenever possible, and concentrate on the road and the actions of the other driver.
Conclusion: When Towing is Appropriate and When Evacuation is Needed
When a vehicle malfunctions, it is important to correctly assess the situation and choose the optimal method of transportation — towing or evacuation.
Towing is an acceptable solution for minor malfunctions, working brakes and steering (for towing with flexible coupling), the need for transportation over short distances to the nearest service station, the presence of a manual transmission, and favorable weather conditions.
Tow truck services should be sought for serious technical malfunctions, vehicles with automatic transmission or CVT (especially when transportation over significant distances is required), adverse weather conditions, and the need for transportation over distances exceeding 50 km.