2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN Owners Manual

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 towing vehicle.
– Will have to use considerable 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.
NOTICE
The vehicle may be damaged if it is towed with a tow rope or a tow bar.
x Never let the vehicle be towed with a tow rope or a tow bar unless it is absolutely
necessary.
x If the vehicle breaks down, it can only be towed by a special tow truck.
Towing on a commercial tow truck

x Tow the vehicle only with its front wheels off the ground ⇒ .
Special towing instructions for vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)
x To help prevent unnecessary damage, vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) must be
transported on a flat-bed truck.
x To load the vehicle on the flat bed, use the towing eye found in the vehicle tool kit and attach it to
the front anchorage
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 steering is locked and the electronic parking brake and
the electronic steering column lock cannot be released if engaged).
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 Shift the gearshift lever to Neutral
x Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).
x Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).
Towing automatic transmission vehicles
Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see below When not to tow your vehicle.
If yes, note the following for the towed vehicle:
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.
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, since the steering may remain disabled, and it may not be
possible to release the electronic steering column lock and the electronic parking brake.
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 parking brake and the electronic steering column
lock can be 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 parking brake and the electronic steering
column lock.
Driving tips while towing

off as long as the turn signal is blinking. As soon as the turn signal lever returns to its neutral position,
the emergency flashers are automatically activated again.
As driver of the towed vehicle:
x If your vehicle is the one being towed, the ignition switch must be switched on to keep the steering
wheel from locking. Also make sure that the turn signals, horn, windshield wipers, and windshield
washers work properly.
x Since power steering does not work when the engine is switched off, more effort is needed to steer
the vehicle.
x 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. Do not hit the towing vehicle.
x Read and heed the information and WARNINGS in the towing vehicle's owner's manual.
As driver of the towing vehicle
x Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently. Avoid sudden driving maneuvers.
x Brake earlier than usual and with light pedal pressure.
x Read and heed the information and WARNINGS in the owner's manual of the vehicle being towed.