Second Lift- Front Tow Eye Pads as Lifting Point for Towing

The tow eye pads are fixed to the vehicle chassis, fore of the front axle will be used as front end lifting
points for towing.

Writer:

FL

MI18-18A
Page 16 / 30

1. Perform the first lift as instructed in
paragraph 2.2.1 if not already done.
2. Place the axle forks on the tow bar
fork holders (Figure 34).
Use 3" to 4 ½" mouth axle forks
preferably

FIGURE 34
REGULAR

Pre-adjust spacing between axle forks
to = 37 inches
3. Lower the tow bar and position under
the front tow eye pads.
4. Adjust fork holder’s position and hand
guide the forks into each front tow
eye. (Figure 35)
5. Lift the tow bar until the axle forks fit
snugly into the front tow eyes
(Figure 35).
FIGURE 35

6. Raise the front of the vehicle.
7. Install a jack stand under the stinger
arm for support and safety purposes
and then lower the stinger arm so it
rests on the jack stand (Figure 36).
The tow cans or blocks can be
removed from under the front axle
wheels.

FIGURE 36

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FL

MI18-18A
Page 17 / 30

8. Tie the two choke chains together to
secure the tow eyes to the tow bar
attachment (Figure 38).

FIGURE 37

9. Attach the two tow truck safety
chains from each of the two front
lower radius rods (Figure 38) of the
vehicle to the truck’s tow eyes
(Figure 38).

10. Confirm air is supplied to the vehicle.
See 2.1 PREPARATION BEFORE
TOWING

FIGURE 38

FIGURE 39

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FL

MI18-18A
Page 18 / 30

11. Raise the stinger arm and remove
the support jack stand.
12. Lower the vehicle. The front tires
should be 7″ to 8″ above the ground
before the tow can proceed.
13. Use bungee cords to support the
safety chains (Figure 40).

FIGURE 40

14. If required, use the appropriate jig to
assure that the highest point on the
vehicle does not exceed the maximum
allowable height for towing (Figure 41).
15. Make sure the parking brake is
released before moving the vehicle.
16. Observe
towing.

safety

precautions

when

FIGURE 41

Avoid sharp turns where possible as
safety chains may rub and damage the
front bumper (Figure 42)

FIGURE 42

2.2.3

Second Lift- Using I-Beam Front Axle as Lifting Point for Towing

This method uses the I-beam axle as lifting points for towing (Figure8 and Figure9).

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FL

MI18-18A
Page 19 / 30

1. Perform the first lift as instructed in
paragraph 2.2.1 if not already done.
2. Install regular axle forks onto tow bar
fork holders.

TALL

FIGURE 43

REGULAR

Pre-adjust spacing between
forks
Minimum spacing: 25 inches
Maximum spacing: 33 inches

axle

3. Lower the stinger arm to position the
axle forks under the front axle hoisting
points (Figure8 and Figure9).
4. Lift the tow bar until the axle forks grab
the front axle I-beam at the hoisting
points (Figure 44).
5. Raise the front of the vehicle.

FIGURE 44

FIGURE 45

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FL

MI18-18A
Page 20 / 30

6. Install a jack stand under the stinger
arm for support and safety purposes
and then lower the stinger arm so it
rests on the jack stand (Figure 47). The
tow cans or blocks can be removed
from under the front axle wheels.
7. Tie the two choke chains together to
secure the front axle to the tow bar.
Take up any slack that may remain and
maintain proper tension on chains.
FIGURE 46

8. Attach the two tow truck safety chains
from each of the two front tow eyes of
the vehicle to the truck’s tow eyes
(Figure 47 and Figure 48).
9. Confirm air is supplied to the vehicle.
See 2.1 PREPARATION BEFORE
TOWING.

FIGURE 47

10. Raise the tow bar in order to remove
the jack stand from under the stinger
arm.
11. Lower the vehicle. The front tire should
be about 7″ to 8″ above the ground
before the tow can proceed.

FIGURE 48

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FL

MI18-18A
Page 21 / 30

12. Use bungee cords to support the safety
chains (Figure 49).

FIGURE 49

13. Make sure that the parking brake is
released before moving the vehicle.
14. Observe safety precautions
towing.

when

FIGURE 50

Avoid sharp turns where possible as
safety chains may rub and damage the
front bumper (Figure 51)

FIGURE 51

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FL

MI18-18A
Page 22 / 30

CAUTION
Make sure a safe distance is kept between the front of the vehicle and the tow truck. This space
ensures that vehicle does not suffer damages when being towed.

CAUTION
Make sure axle shafts or driveshaft are installed correctly after towing. Tighten axle shaft and driveshaft
nuts to the correct torque settings. Do not invert shafts.

DANGER
Do not carry passengers while the vehicle is being towed.
2.3

X-SERIES RECOVERY USING OPTIONAL REAR TOW EYES

Optional rear tow eyes allow recovery of a vehicle that is no longer on a drivable surface. Chains can be
looped around or hooked to these rear tow eyes.

CAUTION
This recovery method should be used only for a short distance with all vehicle wheels on the ground
After the vehicle has been brought back on a drivable surface, it should be lifted and towed from the front,
with front wheels off the ground.

FIGURE 52 : OPTIONAL REAR TOW EYES ON SIDE MEMBERS UNDER ENGINE CRADLE SUPPORT RAILS

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MI18-18A
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3. EMERGENCY TOWING
If the vehicle must be moved and standard towing procedures cannot be used, follow the alternate towing
procedures below.
3.1 REAR TOW USING NON-APPROVED LIFTING POINTS - EMERGENCY ONLY

CAUTION
The vehicle should NOT be lifted and towed from the rear in normal situations.
In an emergency, however, it can be moved from the rear over a very short distance such as in a parking
lot or to place the vehicle back on pavement.
Lifting the rear end from the engine cradle or from the side members located under the engine cradle
support rails should be avoided. Doing so may cause structural damage (see image further in this
document).
3.1.1

PRECAUTIONS

In an emergency or if the vehicle has to be
moved over a short distance, the side
members may be used as lifting point. Try
to lift from the strongest location along the
side members which is near the rear subframe vertical member (Figure 53).

FIGURE 53: UNAPPROVED LIFTING POINTS FOR REAR END
TOWING – SIDE MEMBERS LOCATED UNDER THE ENGINE
CRADLE SUPPORT RAILS

Lift with precautions as the vehicle may
sustain structural damage at the vertical
structure shown on the image at right (Figure
54).

FIGURE 54: VEHICLE MAY SUSTAIN STRUCTURAL DAMAGE
WHERE INDICATED WITH ARROWS DURING TOWING FROM THE
REAR

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MI18-18A
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DANGER
Do not carry passengers while the vehicle is being towed.
3.1.2

FIRST LIFT

A first lift of the vehicle is required. This first lift will allow tow cans or blocks to be placed underneath the
drive axle tires.
1. Prepare the vehicle for towing as instructed in
paragraphs 2.1 and 2.1.1
2. If not already done, chock the front wheels.
3. Retract the tow truck stinger arm (Figure 55).
4. Pre-adjust spacing between the axle fork
holders. The spacing between the most distant
edges of the folk holders should be 30 inches
(Figure 55).
No axle forks will be used for this first lift

FIGURE 55

TALL

REGULAR

5. Deploy the tow truck stinger arm. Place the fork
holders under the engine cradle transverse
beam as shown on Figure 56. Lift the tow bar
until the fork holders come into contact with the
cradle transverse beam.

CAUTION

Use caution when lifting from the engine cradle
transverse beam. Maintain the vehicle in that
situation during the shortest period of time.

Lifting from the engine cradle is the least
preferred option and should be done only if
lifting from under the side members shown
on Figure 53 cannot be achieved

CAUTION
Remember, lifting the rear end from the side
members located under the engine cradle or
by the engine cradle itself may cause
structural damage.
FIGURE 56

6. Raise the tag axle to prevent it from hanging
unsupported.

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FL

MI18-18A
Page 25 / 30

7. On X-Series commuter vehicles only, the tag
axle air valve lever is located in the front
service compartment. Move it forward as
shown on Figure 57.

FIGURE 57:LOCATION OF COMMUTER TAG AXLE AIR VALVE

8. Lift the rear end of the vehicle high enough to
allow installation of tow cans or blocks
underneath the drive axle wheels (Figure 58).
9. With precautions, lower the rear of the vehicle.

FIGURE 58: TOW CAN

3.1.3

SECOND LIFT

1. Perform the first lift as instructed in paragraph
3.2 if not already done.
2. Retract the tow truck stinger arm.
3. Pre-adjust spacing between the axle fork
holders to 43 inches.

FIGURE 59

4. Install either long or short axle forks into fork
holders.

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FL

MI18-18A
Page 26 / 30

TALL

or

REGULAR

5. Deploy the tow truck stinger arm. Place the
axle forks under the rear tow eyes if equipped
or under the side members (Figure 60).
Place the forks in a transversal position i.e.
perpendicularly to the side members (Figure
61).

FIGURE 60: REAR TOW EYES ON SIDE MEMBERS LOCATED
UNDER ENGINE CRADLE SUPPORT RAILS

6. Lift the tow bar until the axle forks grab the
side members (Figure 61).
If equipped with rear tow eyes, lift the tow bar
until the axle forks fit snuggly into the sidemembers tow eyes.
Avoid lifting at the side-members further
toward the rear of the vehicle (close to the
bumper)

FIGURE 61 : PROPER LOCATION WHEN LIFTING THE SIDE
MEMBERS

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FL

MI18-18A
Page 27 / 30

7. Place the fork’s shorter finger outboard for
better clearance (see Figure 62).

FIGURE 62 : PROPER LOCATION WHEN LIFTING THE SIDE
MEMBERS – VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH REAR TOW EYES

8. Raise the rear of the vehicle.
9. Install a jack stand under the stinger arm for
support and safety purposes and then lower
the stinger arm so it rests on the jack stand
(Figure 63). The tow cans or blocks can be
removed from under the drive axle wheels.

FIGURE 63

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FL

MI18-18A
Page 28 / 30

10. Install the choke chains. Tie the two choke
chains together to secure the side members
to the tow bar (Figure 64 and Figure 65).
Take up any slack that may remain and
maintain proper tension on chains.

FIGURE 64

11. Shorten the stinger arm to the safest
minimum distance between the vehicle and
the tow truck to allow the towed vehicle to be
as close as possible to the truck yet allowing
enough room for the vehicle to avoid collision
with the tow truck during turns.
Stinger to the rear bumper: Between 59″
and 63″

FIGURE 65

12. Attach the two tow truck safety chains from
the vehicle engine cradle cross-member to
the truck’s tow eyes (Figure 66).
13. Raise the stinger arm and remove the
support jack stand.
14. Lower the vehicle. The drive axle tires should
be 5″ to 6″ above the ground before the short
distance tow can proceed.

FIGURE 66

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MI18-18A
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3.2 VOLVO I-SHIFT TRANSMISSION TOWING MODE
The procedure will activate “tow mode” on the transmission and will allow the vehicle to be towed flat on
all wheels without having to remove the driveshaft.
CAUTION
Check vehicle VIN before starting. Earlier vehicles do not have the proper software.
This special procedure applies to:

Model

VIN

All X Series Vehicles
Model Year : 2014 -

With I-shift gearbox
From 2PCG33497EC735459 up to Current Vehicles

All H Series Vehicles
Model Year : 2013 -

With I-shift gearbox
From 2PCH33499DC712364 up to Current Vehicles

CAUTION
Forward towing only! Reverse towing (backing-up) is not allowed with this procedure or damage to
the gearbox will occur.
CAUTION
This procedure should be used in emergency only.
This procedure does not have any visual indicator, therefore, make sure all steps of the procedure are
fulfilled, or transmission damage may occur.
Towing gear 3 HR will be engaged if conditions below are fulfilled in the following sequence:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Ignition key must be in the “ON” position
Engine not running
Adequate air pressure to the gearbox/ Vehicle must have electrical power
Shift pad must be in neutral
Vehicle must be towed FORWARD only

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FL

MI18-18A
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PARTS / WASTE DISPOSAL
Discard according to applicable environmental regulations (Municipal/State[Prov.]/ Federal)

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Writer:

FL