2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI Owners Manual

WARNING
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle with a dead battery can cause
the battery to explode, leading to serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery
explosion:
x All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid
burns, fires, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety
precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system , Vehicle battery.
x Always make sure that the battery providing starting assistance (the booster battery) has
the same voltage as the dead battery (12 V) and about the same amperage capacity (see
battery label).
x Never jump-start a vehicle with a thawed or frozen vehicle battery. The battery can
explode. A dead battery can freeze at temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).
x A battery that is frozen or was frozen, but has since thawed, must be replaced.
x When the vehicle battery is jump-started, it gives off hydrogen gas, which is highly
explosive! Always keep fire, sparks, open flame, and smoking materials far away from vehicle
batteries. Never use a cellular telephone while connecting or disconnecting jumper cables.
x Jump-start batteries only in well-ventilated areas. Batteries give off highly explosive
hydrogen gas during jump-starting.
x Always route the jumper cables so that they cannot get caught in any moving parts in the
engine compartment.
x Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the positive (+) and negative (-)
terminals with each other.
x Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to the negative terminal
of the dead battery, as this may cause the hydrogen gas given off by the dead battery to
explode.
x Never attach the negative cable from the vehicle providing starting assistance to any part
of the fuel system or to the brake hoses or brake lines.
x Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to touch.
x Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery terminal to contact metal
parts of the vehicle.
x Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufacturer.
NOTICE
To help prevent extensive damage to the vehicle electrical system, read and heed the
following:
x Connecting jumper cables improperly can cause a short circuit and do expensive damage
to the vehicle's electrical system.
x Do not let the vehicles touch each other while the jumper cables are connected. If they do,
electrical current may flow between the vehicles when the positive (+) terminals are connected,
causing electrical system damage.

Using jumper cables

Fig. 200 Diagram for attaching the jumper cables: Dead battery 1 and booster battery 2.

Before removing the jumper cables
x Switch off the headlights (if they are on).
x In the vehicle with the dead battery, switch on the heater fan and the rear window defroster. This
helps to minimize voltage spikes when the cables are disconnected.
Removing jumper cables
With the engine running, remove the jumper cables in reverse order to the way they were connected.
1. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
3. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
4. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
5. Close the battery cover.
6. If necessary, unscrew the towing eye on the front of the vehicle .
WARNING
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle with a dead battery can cause
the battery to explode, leading to serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery
explosion:
x All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid
burns, fires, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety
precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system .247, Vehicle battery.
x Always wear proper eye protection. Never lean over the vehicle battery.
x Attach the jumper cables in the correct order: first the positive cable, then the negative
cable.
x Never connect the negative cable from the vehicle providing starting assistance to parts
of the fuel system or to the brake hoses or brake lines.
x Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to touch.
x Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery terminal to contact metal
parts of the vehicle.
x Check the battery acid level indicator window on the vehicle battery. Use a flashlight,
never a match, cigarette lighter, or other open flame. If you cannot see the color of the
window clearly, or if it is light yellow or colorless, do not jump-start the vehicle. Get expert
assistance.
x Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of the vehicle battery. Sparks may cause the
hydrogen gas escaping from the vehicle battery to ignite.
x Never jump-start a vehicle with a battery that is damaged or frozen or that was frozen and
has thawed. The battery can explode. Replace the battery instead.
x Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufacturer.
x Always make sure that the battery providing starting assistance has the same voltage as
the dead battery (12 V) and about the same capacity (see battery label).
x Batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas. Always keep fire, sparks, open flame and
smoking materials away from batteries.
x Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to the negative terminal
of the dead battery. The hydrogen gas from the battery is explosive.
x Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the positive (+) and negative (-)
terminals with each other.

Towing
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Towing on a commercial tow truck
Tips on towing
Installing the front towing eye
Installing the rear towing eye
Driving tips while towing
Observe legal requirements when towing.
For technical reasons:
x A vehicle with a dead battery must never be towed. Jump-start the vehicle instead.
x It is not possible to tow-start or push-start your vehicle. Jump-start the vehicle instead.
Vehicles with Keyless Access may only be towed with the ignition on.
Towing the vehicle when the engine is turned off and the ignition is turned on drains the vehicle
battery. Depending on the charge level of the vehicle battery, it is possible that even after just a few
minutes, electrical devices such as the emergency flashers may not have the power necessary to
function. The steering wheel might lock in vehicles with Keyless Access ⇒ .
More information:
x Exterior views
x Shifting
x Engine control and emission control system
x Jump-starting
WARNING
Never tow a vehicle without any electrical power.
x Never remove the remote control vehicle key from the ignition switch or turn off the
ignition with the starter button while the vehicle is moving. The electronic steering column
lock could suddenly engage, and you would not be able to steer or control the vehicle. You
can lose control of the vehicle, crash, and seriously injure yourself and others.
x If the vehicle loses power while it is being towed, stop towing the vehicle immediately and
contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for
assistance.

WARNING
Towing a vehicle changes the way it handles and brakes. To help reduce the risk of an
accident and serious personal injury, note the following:
x The driver of the vehicle that is being towed:
– Since the brake booster also does not work when the engine is stopped, you will need
to press harder on the brake pedal to slow down or stop. Always be alert so as not to rear-
end the towing vehicle.
– Will have to use considerably more force to turn the steering wheel because the power
steering is not working.
x The driver of the vehicle that is doing the towing:
– Must accelerate gradually and gently and avoid jerking movements.
– Must not brake hard or steer sharply.
– Must brake earlier and more gently than in normal driving.
NOTICE
x Be careful not to damage the paint when installing and removing the towing eye and the
cover for the threaded hole behind the bumper.
x Unburned fuel can get into the catalytic converter during towing and damage it.
Towing on a commercial tow truck

x If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
x If the vehicle battery is dead (because the electronic steering column lock engages and cannot be
released).
x If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).
WARNING
It is not safe for children or other persons to ride in a vehicle that is being towed.
x Never let children or anyone else remain in the vehicle while it is being towed.
NOTICE
The drive axle rotates while the vehicle is being towed with its rear wheels off the ground. This
can damage the automatic transmission.
x Never tow automatic transmission vehicle with the rear wheels off the ground.
x Tow manual transmission vehicles with the rear wheels off the ground only if it is certain
that no transmission fluid can leak out.
Tips on towing

When not to tow your vehicle
In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed and must be transported on a flatbed truck or
trailer:
x If transmission fluid has leaked out of the transmission.
x If there is little or no oil in the transmission because of damage to your vehicle, it must be moved
with the drive wheels off the ground.
x If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
x When the vehicle battery is dead, because the steering may remain disabled and it may not be
possible to release the electronic steering column lock.
x If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).
Towing other vehicles
x Obey all legal requirements
x Read and heed all towing information in the owner's manual for the other vehicle.
A vehicle can be towed only if the electronic steering column lock is released. In case of a power
loss or malfunctions of the electrical system, the engine may have to be jump-started in order to
release the electronic steering column lock.
Driving tips while towing