2018 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER towing

Contents
,...-'('n First read and observe the introductory L-J,:,JJ Information and safety warnings & on page 416.
The content of the vehicle tool kit is determined by the vehicle equipment level. The following de-scribes the maximum scope.
Fig. 293 Contents of the vehicle tool kit.
®
®
Contents of the tool kit =>Fig. 293
Screwdriver with hexagon socket in the handle for slackened wheel bolts. The screw-driver blade is reversible. The screwdriver is located in the box spanner.
Adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolts. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends you carry the wheel bolt adapter in the vehicle tool kit at all times. The code number of the anti-theft wheel bolt is stamped on the front of the adapter. You will need this num-ber to replace the adapter if lost. Make a note of the code number for the anti-theft wheel bolt and keep it in a safe place-but not inside the vehicle.
Removable towing eye.
Wire hook for pulling off the centre covers, wheel covers, the wheel bolt caps and the cover for the screw-in towing eye at front.
Box spanner for wheel bolts.
Vehicle jack. Before you return the vehicle jack to the tool box, fully wind in the claw. To stow the vehicle jack securely the crank lever must be braced against the side of the jack.
Vehicle jack: maintenance
There are no maintenance cycles for the vehicle jack. Grease it with universal lubricant when nec-essary. Hubcaps
COl Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Centre cover ... .
Wheel cover .. . Wheel bolt caps ..
418 419 419
Additional information and warnings:
• Cleaning and caring for the vehicle exterior =>page 380
• Vehicle tool kit =>page 416
• Changing a wheel =>page 420
• Breakdown set =>page 425
Practical tips I 417

Checklist (Continued)
8. VI/hen towing a trailer, unhitch the trailer from the vehicle and park it properly.
9. Remove any items of luggage from the lug-gage compartment.
10. Remove the spare wheel and vehicle tools from the vehicle.
11. Remove the hubcaps =>page 417.
Wheel bolts
Fig. 297 Loosening the wheel bolts for changing the wheels.
r-"f"'n First read and observe the Introductory l.-J,:..LJ Information and safety warnings & on page420.
Only the spanner delivered with the vehicle should be used to loosen the wheel bolts.
Only loosen the wheel bolts by approximately one turn before raising the vehicle with the vehicle jack.
If the wheel bolt is very tight, you may be able to loosen it by pushing down the end of the spanner carefully with your foot. Hold on to the car for sup-port and take care not to slip.
Loosening the wheel bolts
• Fit the box spanner over the wheel bolt as far as it will go =>Fig. 297.
• Hold the end of the box spanner and turn the wheel bolt one turn anticlockwise => &.
Loosening the anti-theft wheel bolt
The anti-theft wheel bolt must be bolted into posi-tion =>Fig. 298@ or@ on wheels with a wheel cover. Otherwise, it will not be possible to fit the wheel cover.
A WARNING
Ignoring any of the Items on this Important safety checklist can lead to accidents and se-vere Injuries.
• Always follow the Instructions In the checklist and observe the general safety pro-
Fig. 298 Tyre valve G) and locations of the anti-theft wheel bolt@ or@
• Take the adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts out of the vehicle toolkit.
• Insert the adapter into the anti-theft wheel bolt. Push it in as far as it will go.
• Insert the box spanner into the adapter as far as it will go.
• Hold the end of the box spanner and turn the wheel bolt one turn anticlockwise => &.
Important information about the wheel bolts
The design of the wheel rims and wheel bolts is matched to the factory-fitted wheels. If different rims are fitted, the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped bolt heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and that the brake system works properly.
In certain circumstances, wheel bolts from a vehi-cle of the same model series may not be used.
Tightening torque for the wheel bolts
The tightening torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 180 Nm. The tightening torque should be checked with a torque wrench immedi-ately after changing a wheel. .,.
Practical tips 421

Lifting the vehicle with the jack
Fig. 299 Jacking points.
Fig. 300 On the left side of the vehicle: jack fitted at the front [AI and at the rear [ID.
r-('n First read and observe the introductory l.,...Jc.ll information and safety warnings & on page 420.
The jack may be applied only at the jacking points shown (markings on the body) '*Fig. 299.
• Front jacking point: web under the vehicle, at a distance approx. of 9 cm (dimension x) from the outer edge of the vehicle 300
• Rear jacking point: web under the vehicle, at a distance approx. of 15 cm (dimension y) from the outer edge of the vehicle 300 [ID.
The jack may be applied only on this rib.
Always use the jacking point closest to the wheel you are working on &.
Checklist
To ensure your own safety and the safety of your passengers, observe the following actions in the specified order &:
1. Find a firm and level surface suitable for lift-ing the vehicle.
2. Stop the engine, select a gear of the manual gearbox or move the selector lever of the dual clutch gearbox DSG® to position P '*page 260, and apply the handbrake 269.
3. Chock the wheel diagonally opposite using the collapsible chocks or other suitable ob-jects.
4. When towing a trailer, unhitch the trailer from the vehicle and park it properly.
5. Loosen the wheel bolts on the wheel that is being changed 421.
6. Find the jacking point under the vehicle '*Fig. 299 which is closest to the wheel that is being changed. .,.
Practical tips I 423

Contents of the breakdown set
Fig. 302 The breakdown set.
r--T'n First read and observe the introductory L-L::.U information and safety warnings & on page 425.
The breakdown set consists of the following com-ponents 302:
Preparation
r--T'n First read and observe the introductory L-L::.U information and safety warnings & on page 425.
The steps should only be carried out in the speci-fied order.
Checklist
The following actions must always be carried out in the given order in preparation for filling a tyre &:
1. If you get a flat tyre, park your vehicle on a firm and level surface at a safe distance from the flow of traffic.
2. Apply the handbrake firmly 269.
3. With a DSG® dual clutch gearbox, move the selector lever to position P 260.
4. Manual gearbox: select a gear 263.
5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition 257.
6. Ensure that all vehicle occupants exit the vehicle and go straight to a safe place, e.g. behind the safety barrier.
1) Could also be integrated in the compressor.
CD Valve core extractor
® Sticker with the maximum permitted speed "max. 80 km/h" or "max. 50 mph"
@ Filler hose with plug
@ Air compressor
® Tyre filler hose
® Tyre pressure display 1 l
0 Air bleed screw2l
® On/off switch
® 12-volt plug
@ Tyre filler bottle with sealant1l
® Spare valve core
There is a slot on the lower end of the valve insert extractor CD for the valve insert. This is required for extracting and fitting the tyre valve. This also applies to the spare valve core @. 7. Switch on the hazard warning lights and po-sition the warning triangle 411. Ob-serve any legal requirements.
8. Check whether the puncture can be re-paired with the breakdown set 425.
9. When towing a trailer, unhitch the trailer from the vehicle and park it properly.
10. Remove any items of luggage from the lug-gage compartment.
11. Take the breakdown set out of the luggage compartment.
12. Take the sticker 302 ®from the breakdown set and stick it on the dash pan-el within the driver's field of vision.
13. Do not remove foreign objects (e.g. screws or nails) from the tyre.
A WARNING
Ignoring any of the items on this important safety checklist can lead to accidents and se-vere Injuries. ,..
2) This function may be carried out by a button in the compressor instead.
Practical tips 427

A WARNING (Continued)
• Always follow the instructions In the checklist and observe the general safety pro-
Sealing and inflating tyres
r-"'('n First read and observe the Introductory L-J,.:.U Information and safety warnings & on page 425.
Sealing a tyre
• Unscrew the cap from the tyre valve.
• Use the valve core extractor 302 CD to screw the valve core out of the tyre valve. Place the core on a clean surface.
• Shake the tyre filler bottle 302 ® vigo-rously up and down several times.
• Screw the filler hose 302 @tightly onto the tyre filler bottle in a clockwise direction. The plastic foil on the plug is pierced automatically.
• Remove the plug from the filler hose 302@ and place the open end fully on the tyre valve.
• Hold the bottle upside down and inject the en-tire contents of the tyre filler bottle into the tyre.
• Remove the empty tyre filler bottle from the valve.
• Use the valve core extractor 302 CD to screw the valve core back onto the tyre valve.
Inflating the tyre
• Screw the tyre filler hose 302 ® of the air compressor tightly onto the tyre valve.
• Check that the bleed screw 302 (?) is closed.
• Start the engine and let it run.
• Insert the plug 302 ®into one of the ve-hicle's 12-volt sockets 163.
• Use the on/off switch 302 ®to switch on the air compressor.
• Run the compressor until the tyre pressure has reached 2.0-2.5 bar (29-36 psi I 200-250 kPa) maximum running time is 6 minutes
• Switch off the air compressor.
• If a pressure level of 2.0-2.5 bar (29-36 psi I 200 -250 kPa) cannot be achieved unscrew the tyre filler hose from the tyre valve.
428 I If and when
• Drive (or reverse) the vehicle approximately 1 0 metres so that the sealing compound is more evenly distributed in the tyre.
• Screw the tyre filler hose for the air compressor firmly back onto the tyre valve and inflate the tyre again.
• If the required pressure still cannot be reached, the tyre is too badly damaged. The tyre cannot be sealed with the breakdown set. Do not drive on. Seek expert assistance &.
• Disconnect the air compressor and unscrew the tyre filler hose from the tyre valve.
• Drive the vehicle no faster than 80 km/h (50 mph) once a tyre pressure of 2.0-2.5 bar (29-36 psi I 200-250 kPa) has been reached.
• Check the tyre pressure after driving for 10 mi-nutes 429.
A WARNING
The tyre filler hose and the air compressor can get hot during Inflation.
• Protect your hands and skin from the hot components.
• Do not place the hot tyre filler hose or the hot air compressor on any Inflammable mate-rials.
• Allow the device to cool down fully before stowing.
• If the tyre will not Inflate to at least 2.0 bar (29 psi/ 200 kPa), the tyre Is too damaged. The sealant Is unable to seal the tyre. Do not drive on. Seek expert assistance.
CD
Switch the air compressor off after a maximum of 6 minutes to avoid overheating. Let the air compressor cool down for a few minutes be-fore switching it back on.

r'l11 First read and observe the Introductory L-J,:.,U Information and safety warnings & on page 443.
CD Vehicle with discharged battery that is being jump-started.
@ Vehicle with vehicle battery that is supplying power and jump-starting the other vehicle.
@ Suitable earth connection. A solid metal part that is firmly bolted to the engine block, or the engine block itself.
The discharged vehicle battery must be properly connected to the vehicle's electrical system.
The vehicles must not touch. Otherwise electricity could flow as soon as the positive terminals are connected.
Ensure that the battery clamps have good metal-to-metal contact with the battery terminals.
If the engine does not start immediately, switch off the starter after about 10 seconds and try again af-ter about half a minute.
The steps should only be carried out in the speci-fied order.
Attaching the jump leads
• Switch off the ignitions In both vehicles 257.
• If necessary, open the battery cover in the en-gine compartment 362.
• Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive terminal 318 E) or 319 E) of the vehicle with the discharged battery CD &.
• Connect the other end of the red jump lead to the positive terminal E) In the vehicle providing as-sistance@.
• In vehicles without start/stop system: con-nect one end of the black jump lead to the negative terminal 0 in the vehicle providing assistance @ 318.
• In vehicles with start/stop system: connect one end of the black jump lead @to a suitable earth connection, to a solid metal part which is se-curely bolted onto the cylinder or to the cylinder block itself =:-Fig. 319.
• Connect the other end of the black jump lead @ to a solid metal component that is bolted firmly to the engine block of the vehicle with the flat bat-tery, to the engine block itself or, if necessary, to the screwed-in towing eye at the front. Do not con-nect it to a point near the battery CD &.
• Position the leads in such a way that they can-not come into contact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
Starting the engine
• Start the engine of the vehicle which is provid-ing assistance and let it run at idle.
• Start the engine of the car with the discharged vehicle battery and wait two or three minutes until the engine is running "smoothly".
Removing the jump leads
• Before disconnecting the jump leads, switch off the dipped beam headlights If they are switched on.
• Turn on the heater blower and rear window heater in the vehicle battery with the discharged battery. This helps minimise the voltage peaks generated when the leads are disconnected.
• With the engines running, disconnect the jump leads in the exact reverse order to the instructions given above.
A WARNING
Jump starting the vehicle Incorrectly can cause the battery to explode, which can lead to serious injuries. Please note the following In order to reduce the risk of the battery ex-ploding:
• All work on the vehicle battery and the electrical system can cause serious chemical burns, fire or electric shocks. Always read the warnings and safety Information before carrying out any kind of work on the vehicle battery 362, Vehicle battery.
• Always wear suitable eye protection and never lean over the vehicle battery.
• Attach the connector cables In the correct order-the positive cable first, followed by the negative.
• Never connect the negative cable to parts of the fuel system or to the brake lines.
• The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to touch. The jump lead attached to the positive vehicle battery terminal must not touch metal parts of the vehicle.
• Check the battery window using a torch If necessary. If the display Is light yellow or col-ourless, do not jump start the vehicle. Seek expert assistance.
• Avoid electrostatic discharge In the vicini-ty of the vehicle battery. The gas emitted from the vehicle battery could be Ignited by sparks.
• Do not use jump leads to start the engine If the vehicle battery Is damaged or if it is or has ever been frozen. Practical tips

Tow-starting and towing
0::0 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Notes on tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446
Notes on towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447
Fitting the towing eye at front . . . . . . . . . . . . 448 Notes on driving while towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448
Observe any legal requirements when towing.
For technical reasons, vehicles with a dis-charged battery must not be tow-started.
Towing a vehicle when the engine is switched off and the ignition is switched on discharges the vehi-cle battery. Depending on the vehicle battery charge level, the drop in voltage can be large enough after just a few minutes that electrical con-sumers in the vehicle will no longer function, e.g. the hazard warning lights.
Additional information and warnings:
• Exterior views =>page 5
• Changing gear =>page 257
• Engine management system and exhaust puri-fication system =>page 407
• Jump starting =>page 443
A wARNING
Never tow a vehicle that has no power sup-ply.
• Never remove the key from the ignition. The steering lock may be activated and you will no longer be able to steer the vehicle. This can lead to a loss of control of the vehi-cle, accidents and serious injuries.
Notes on tow-starting
t""""("'n First read and observe the introductory L-.lc:.JJ information and safety warnings & on page 446.
Vehicles should not be tow-started wherever possible. Use jump leads to start the engine in· stead =>page 443.
For technical reasons, the following vehicles can-not be tow-started:
4461 If and when
A WARNING (Continued)
• If the power supply to the towed vehicle is disconnected, stop towing immediately and seek expert assistance.
A WARNING
If a vehicle is being towed, the vehicle han-dling and braking effect will change signifi-cantly. Please note the following in order to reduce the risk of an accident or serious inju-ries:
• Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle:
-You will need to depress the brake ped-al more vigorously than normal as the brake servo is not working. Always be careful not to drive Into the vehicle that is pulling your vehicle.
-You will need to turn the steering wheel more vigorously as the power-assisted steering function Is not working.
• Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
-Accelerate carefully and gently.
-Avoid sudden braking and driving ma· noeuvres.
-Brake earlier than normal by pressing lightly on the brake pedal.
CD
• Remove and install the cover and the tow-ing eye carefully so as to avoid damage to the vehicle, e.g. the palntwork.
• Unburnt fuel can enter the catalytic convert· er and damage it while the vehicle Is being tow-ed. • Vehicles with DSG® dual clutch gearbox.
• If the vehicle battery has discharged, the en-gine control units will not function properly.
However, if the vehicle still has to be tow-started (manual gearbox):
• Engage second or third gear.
• Keep the clutch pressed down.

• Switch on the ignition and the hazard warning lights.
• Once both vehicles are in motion, release the clutch.
• As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and put the gear into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the towing vehicle.
Notes on towing
i"""fl1 First read and observe the introductory L-W! information and safety warnings & on page 446.
Fixed towing eye at rear
On vehicles without a towing bracket there is a fixed towing eye under the bumper at the rear right.
Towing bracket instead of a fixed towing eye
If the vehicle has a factory-fitted towing bracket, it should also be used for towing other vehicles.
Tow rope or tow bar
lt is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow bar. Only use a tow rope if you do not have a tow bar.
The tow rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the strain on both vehicles. lt is advisable to use a tow rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic material.
Only attach the tow rope or tow bar to the specially provided towing eyes or to the towing bracket.
Vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket must be towed only with a tow bar that is specially designed for fitting to a ball coupling 139.
When your vehicle has to be towed:
• Switch on the ignition.
• Select the neutral position or move the selector lever to N 257.
• Release the handbrake. if necessary.
CD
When tow-starting, unburnt fuel can enter the catalytic converter and damage it. <1
• Do not allow the vehicle to be towed at speeds faster than 50 km/h (30 mph).
• Do not allow the vehicle to be towed further than 50 km.
• Vehicles with a DSG® dual clutch gearbox may only be towed by the breakdown truck with the front wheels raised.
Towing vehicles with four-wheel drive (4MOTION)
Vehicles with four-wheel drive (4MOTION) may be towed with a tow bar or tow rope. If the vehicle is towed with the rear or front axle raised, the engine must be switched off otherwise the drive train could be damaged.
When should your vehicle not be towed?
• If, due to damage, the vehicle gearbox no lon-ger contains any lubricant.
• If the vehicle battery is discharged.
• If the distance to be towed is further than 50 km -applies only to vehicles with the DSG® dual clutch gearbox.
• If the steering function or the operating clear-ance of the wheels cannot be ensured, e.g. after an accident.
Please comply with the following when towing another vehicle:
• Comply with legal regulations.
• Comply with the information on towing con-tained in the owner's manual for the other vehicle. <1
Practical tips