Introduction. Antifreeze Brake fluid Power steering fluid

Towing

Antifreeze Brake fluid Power steering fluid

Leaking antifreeze often leaves a crystalline deposit like this.

When all else fails, you may find yourself having to get a tow home - or of course you may be helping somebody else. Long-distance recovery should only be done by a garage or breakdown service. For shorter distances, DIY towing using another car is easy enough, but observe the following points:

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

• Always turn the ignition key to the 'on' position when the vehicle is being towed,

A leak occurring at a wheel is almost certainly brake fluid.

so that the steering lock is released, and the direction indicator and brake lights work.

• A towing eye is provided below each bumper.

• Before being towed, release the handbrake and select neutral on the transmission. Toyota advise that automatic transmission models should only be towed for 'short distances at low speed'.

• Note that greater-than-usual pedal pressure will be required to operate the brakes, since the vacuum servo unit is only operational with the engine running.

Power steering fluid may leak from the pipe connectors on the steering rack.

• Because the power steering will not be operational, greater-than-usual steering effort will also be required.

• T h e driver of the car being towed must keep the tow-rope taut at all times to avoid snatching.

• Make sure that both drivers know the route before setting off.

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

Weekly checks 0•11

There are some very simple checks which need only take a few minutes to carry out, but which could save you a lot of inconvenience and expense.

These Weekly checks require no great skill or special tools, and the small amount of time they take to perform could prove to be very well spent, for example:

• Keeping an eye on tyre condition and pressures, will not only help to stop them wearing out prematurely, but could also save your life.

•Many breakdowns are caused by electrical problems. Battery-related faults are particularly common, and a quick check on a regular basis will often prevent the majority of these.

• your car develops a brake fluid leak, the first time you might know about it is when your brakes don't work properly. Checking the level regularly will give advance warning of this kind of problem.

• If the oil or coolant levels run low, the cost of repairing any engine damage will be far greater than fixing the leak, for example.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-23