When you need to tow a car with tow straps, take the proper measures to secure the straps in the appropriate places so that you do not ruin any parts of the car. By learning how to use tow straps, you avoid wasting money on expensive towing services for your own car, or you can help a citizen who needs a hand.
Use a tow strap made of strong nylon webbing that may or may not come with hooks on each end. Before attaching it to the cars, check for rips or tears that may compromise the strength of the strap.
On the car being towed, find the tow hook. Many cars come with two hooks in front, and the rear may have a receiver suitable for a tow strap. These designated areas are the only places you should use the tow strap, or else you risk damage to the car. Attach the tow strap to the car frame only if the car does not have tow hooks.
Attach one end of your strap to the tow hook. If you have the loop type, thread the loop through the hook and pull the rest of the strap through the loop. When using a cinch bone, you don't have to pull the entire strap through the loop---just enough to insert the cinch bone between to create a locked position. If you have a strap with metal hooks, make sure the open end of the hook faces down.
Park the car that's doing the towing close enough to the car to be towed, and secure the other end of the strap to it. You can use any of the linking methods described in the previous step.
When driving the tow vehicle, go slowly, especially when the strap is not taut between the two cars. Sudden movements can cause damage to the cars or the strap and hooks. Have the car being towed in neutral. If there is a driver for the car and the engine works properly, the car can be driven towards the direction it is being towed.
Once the car being towed is in a safe area, ease the towing car to a stop. Have the driver of the car being towed come to a slow halt as well, so that the tow strap slackens. Remove the strap.
