Towing & Recovery Instruction
TOWING & RECOVERY INSTRUCTION
When transporting a hybrid vehicle, manufacturers (and WreckMaster) highly recommend you use a flatbed or trailer. There are towing instructions available for hybrids, but their transmissions are very expensive and are quite different from conventional ones.
POWER DOWN THE VEHICLE
The most important thing to remember at all times when approaching a hybrid is to assume it is powered up and running. These vehicles can be running and ready to launch without you knowing due to the way they are engineered.
Given this fact, your first priority is to ensure the vehicle is completely powered down. Take the standard steps first. Chock the wheels, ensure the vehicle is in park, set the emergency brake, shut the vehicle off, and remove the keys.
Now it’s time to disconnect the 12V lead acid battery, taking all the necessary safety precautions discussed earlier in this course. Once you’ve done this, as long as the vehicle hasn’t been damaged, the HV system is deactivated and the hybrid is ready for transportation.
SHUT DOWN THE HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM
If we are recovering a damaged vehicle, it’s best practice to take the extra step of manually disabling the HV system as described under “isolating high voltage” earlier in this course. Remember to wait 15 minutes after the 12V system has been disconnected for the capacitors to discharge and use insulated gloves rated for at least 1000 volts as well as leather overprotectors.
To directly shut down power for the HV system, locate the HV shutdown components and remove service plugs and fuses or turn off safety switches to ensure the system is fully shut down.
ENSURE THERE’S NO CURRENT IN THE SYSTEM
The next step is to check for voltage, following the steps we covered earlier in the course. Here’s a quick recap: to minimize risk of electrical shock, make sure you’re wearing insulating gloves and never work with two hands. Confirm your multimeter is working by taking a reading on the 12V battery. Take your reading from the HV system using a lead with an insulated alligator clip connected to one of the circuit’s terminals and contact with another terminal. Wrap any terminals you leave disconnected with electrical tape to prevent arcing in case the system powers up. Protect the HV system and yourself by taking all the precautions covered earlier.
DON’T TOUCH THE BATTERY BANK
The batteries are protected from most collision scenarios, but if the HV battery is damaged, do not handle it. There are no hazardous fumes and any material that leaks from the battery will be a small amount of gel, which you should never contact. Common sense is the key. Never cut into the HV battery bank or battery case.