2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF towing

Description Possible causes, among
others Possible remedy
Engine control malfunction. Have the malfunction corrected
Tire pressure too low. Adjust tire pressure
Driving in the mountains. No direct corrective action possible.
Towing a trailer or driving with
a roof rack.
– Check use.
– Remove if not in use.
Driving with heavy payload. No direct corrective action possible.
Driving at high engine speed. Select a higher gear.

Contents of the vehicle tool kit ⇒ fig. 179
(1) Screwdriver with a hexagonal socket in the handle for removing or inserting previously
loosened wheel bolts. The screwdriver blade is reversible. The screwdriver may be stored
under the lug wrench.
(2) Adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts. Volkswagen recommends that you always carry the adapter
for the wheel bolts in the vehicle along with the vehicle tool kit. The code number of the wheel
bolt lock is imprinted on the front of the adapter. If lost, a replacement adapter can be ordered
using this number. Record the code number of the wheel bolt lock and store it separate from
the vehicle.
(3) Screw-in towing eye.
(4) Hubcap puller clips for removing hubcaps, wheel covers, or wheel bolt caps.
(5) Jack. Before putting the jack back in the tool box, make sure to completely crank the jack down
to its original position. The crank must then be locked against the side of the jack; otherwise,
the jack will not fit and cannot be securely stowed.
(6) Lug wrench.

WARNING
Changing a wheel, especially on the side of the road, can be dangerous. To help reduce the
risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Move the vehicle a safe distance off
the road where it is safe to change the wheel.
x Always make sure that all passengers, especially children, are in a safe place outside the
vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic (such as behind a guard rail).
x Turn on the emergency flashers and set up another warning device about 25 yards
(25 meters) behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
x Change a wheel by yourself only if you are familiar with the necessary steps. Otherwise,
get expert assistance.
x Always switch the engine off, firmly apply the parking brake, and shift the transmission
into Park (P) (automatic transmission) or any gear (manual only) to help prevent the vehicle
from moving suddenly and slipping off the jack.
x Always make sure that the ground is level and firm. If necessary, place the jack on a large
and sturdy board or on a similar ground support.
x Always block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel being changed with chocks or other
similar things.
x If you are towing a trailer, always unhitch it from your vehicle before starting to change
the wheel. Always apply the trailer brakes firmly and make sure the trailer cannot move
unintentionally.
x Always use proper and undamaged tools when changing a wheel.
x Once a wheel is lifted off the ground, having the transmission in Park (P) or in gear will not
prevent sudden vehicle movement.
x Always use a jack that has been approved by the manufacturer for your vehicle. Never use
other jacks, even if they have been approved for use on other Volkswagen models.
x To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen
the screws on rims with threaded rim rings.
x After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked with an accurate
torque wrench.
x After changing a wheel or tire, reset the Tire Pressure Monitoring System .

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 248, 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

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

When not to tow your vehicle
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. The vehicle can only be towed if its ignition is switched on and its
electrical system is operating. In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed at all and must
be transported on a flatbed truck or trailer:
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

x Put the transmission in Neutral (N).
x Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).
x Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).
x When a commercial tow truck is being used, the vehicle must only be towed with the front wheels
lifted off the ground.
x Follow the special instructions for towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION).
Towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)
Vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) should be towed with a tow bar or a tow rope. If the vehicle is
towed with the front or rear axles lifted off the ground, the engine must be switched off. Otherwise the
powertrain may be damaged.
For vehicles with the DSG® Direct Shift Gearbox, also follow the directions on how to tow a vehicle
with automatic transmission
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