
system Fig. 82 
Manual headlight range control 
Press the  button or function button. 
Touch the Vehicle and function buttons to open the Vehicle settings menu. 
Touch the Lights function button to open the Light settings menu. 
Touch the Headlight range controlFig. 82
Move the slider to the required position (typical vehicle load level). 
Setting in the 
Infotainment system 
  
  Front seats occupied and luggage compartment empty. 
  All seats occupied and luggage compartment empty. 
  All seats occupied and luggage compartment fully loaded. Towing a trailer 
with a low drawbar load  Trailer towing. 
  Only the driver seat is occupied and the luggage compartment is fully 
loaded. Towing a trailer with maximum drawbar load  Trailer towing. 
Dynamic headlight range control 
The headlight range cannot be adjusted manually if the vehicle has dynamic headlight range control. 
The headlight range is automatically adapted to suit the vehicle load level as soon as the headlights 
are switched on  
 
WARNING 
Heavy objects in the vehicle can cause the headlights to dazzle and distract other road users. This 
could lead to accidents and serious injuries. 
The light cone should always be adjusted to the load level of the vehicle to ensure that other road 
users are not dazzled. 
 
WARNING 
Failure or a malfunction of the dynamic headlight range control can cause the headlights to dazzle or 
distract other road users. This could lead to accidents and serious injuries. 
The headlight range control should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.  

ot on the clutch when driving offroad. When travelling over 
uneven ground, you could press the clutch by mistake and lose control of the vehicle. This also 
prevents power being transferred between the engine and the gearbox. In addition, driving with the 
clutch partially engaged causes premature wear to the clutch lining. 
Useful accessories for offroad driving 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The checklist contains just a few items of equipment that can be very useful for offroad driving. If 
you have an instruction manual or fitting instructions for these accessories, you should always take 
them with you and observe them as necessary when driving offroad. 
Checklist 
Useful items when driving offroad: 
 
Water, compass, maps and torch with spare batteries. 
 
Winch, tow bar or rope with sufficient strength. 
 
Mobile telephone, shovel, blankets and rubber boots. 
 
Electrical air compressor for connection to the 12-volt sockets in the vehicle to inflate the tyres. 
 
A wooden board approx. 4 cm thick and approx. 1 metre long or an aluminium frame of similar size: 
this can be used to free a vehicle stuck in the mud and provide a platform for a vehicle jack. 
 
Snow chains, additional spare wheels, a breakdown set, jack and box spanner. 
Changing gear correctly 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The correct choice of gear depends on the offroad terrain. 
Before attempting to drive through difficult terrain it can be helpful to stop and consider which gear 
you should select. After several trips offroad, you will learn which gear to select in conjunction with 
the step-down ratio and differential locks for different types of terrain. 
General rules  

unhitched from the vehicle. The vehicle could move up and down if the load changes or if there is 
damage to the tyres, for example. If this happens, a great deal of force will be exerted on the towing 
bracket and trailer, which could lead to damage to the vehicle and trailer. 
 
If there is a fault in the vehicle or trailer electrical systems or in the anti-theft alarm, have the vehicle 
checked by a qualified workshop. 
 
If the 12-volt vehicle battery charge level is low, the electrical connection to the trailer will be 
interrupted automatically. 
Loading the trailer 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Trailer weight and drawbar load 
The trailer weight is the weight that the vehicle can pull  
The drawbar load is the load that is exerted vertically from above onto the ball head of the towing 
bracket. 
The figures for trailer weights and drawbar weights that are given on the data plate of the towing 
bracket are for certification purposes only. The correct values for your specific model, which may be 
lower than these figures, are given in the vehicle registration documents. All data in the official 
vehicle documents take precedence over these data. 
The maximum permitted drawbar load exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball head of the towing 
bracket must not exceed 80 kg. 
In the interest of driving safety, Volkswagen recommends that you always use the maximum 
drawbar load. The handling of the vehicle combination will be impaired if the drawbar load is too 
low. 
The drawbar load increases the weight on the rear axle and reduces the maximum payload of the 
vehicle as a result. 
Gross combination weight 
The gross combination weight is made up of the actual weight of the loaded vehicle and of the 
loaded trailer. 
In some countries, trailers are divided into different classes. Volkswagen recommends that you 
contact a qualified workshop to find out about suitable trailers. 
Loading the trailer 
The weight of the load should be distributed evenly. The maximum permitted drawbar load should 
be utilised. Do not place the load only at the front or the rear of the trailer:  

 
 
Tyre pressure 
Follow the trailer manufacturer's recommendations concerning the tyre pressure for the trailer 
tyres. 
When towing a trailer, inflate the wheels on the towing vehicle with the maximum permitted tyre 
pressure Tyre pressure 
 
WARNING 
Accidents and serious injuries can occur if you exceed the vehicle's maximum permitted gross axle 
weight rating, drawbar load, gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating. 
 
exceed the permissible gross vehicle weight for the vehicle with weight at the front and rear of the 
vehicle. 
 
WARNING 
Loads that may slide can severely impair stability and driving safety, which can cause accidents and 
severe injuries. 
 
secure loads using suitable and undamaged lashing, retaining or securing straps. 
Driving with a trailer 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Headlight adjustment 
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehicle enough for the dipped beam to dazzle other 
road users. Use the headlight range control to lower the light cone as required. Vehicles with 
dynamic headlight range control are adjusted automatically. 
Things to note when driving with a trailer 
If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the brakes gently at first and then firmly. This will 
prevent the jerking that can be caused by the trailer wheels locking. 
  

knife on slippery roads with little grip even if the towing vehicle is equipped 
with trailer stabilisation. 
 
er 
socket is being used without a trailer (e.g. for a bicycle carrier with lighting). 
Retrofitting a towing bracket 
 
Fig. 157 Dimensions and mounting points for retrofitting a towing bracket. 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Volkswagen recommends having the towing bracket retrofitted by a qualified workshop. The cooling 
system may need to be modified or heat shields may need to be fitted. Volkswagen recommends 
using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose. 
Dimensions 
The dimensions Fig. 157must be observed in all cases when retrofitting a towing bracket. Always 
observe the minimum distance given from the middle of the ball head to the surface of the road. 
This also applies when the vehicle is fully laden, including maximum drawbar load.  

Tow-starting
Towing
Fitting the rear towing eye
Fitting the front towing eye
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow rope. Both drivers should be familiar 
with the technique required for towing. Inexperienced drivers should not attempt to tow. 
Ensure that no excessive pulling forces occur and take care to avoid jerking movements. When 
towing offroad, there is always a risk of overloading the anchorage points. 
Observe any legal requirements when towing or tow-starting. 
Tow-starting 
Tow-starting describes the procedure for starting the vehicle by moving it using another towing 
vehicle. 
The vehicle can be tow-started with a tow-bar or a tow-rope. 
Towing 
Towing is where a vehicle that cannot be driven is pulled with the aid of another vehicle. 
The vehicle can be towed with a tow-bar or a tow-rope. When the engine is stopped, the gearbox is 
not lubricated sufficiently at higher speeds and over long distances: 
 km/h (30 mph). 
 km. 
Tow rope, tow bar 
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow bar. Use a tow rope only if you do not have a tow 
bar. 
The tow rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the strain on both vehicles. It is advisable to use a 
tow rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic material. 
Towing with a tow truck 
If your vehicle is to be raised on one axle for towing, this may only be done using the following axles 
according to the gearbox/drive combination: 
Front-wheel drive 
Manual gearboxFront or rear axleAutomatic gearboxFront axle 
 
WARNING 
If a vehicle is being towed, the vehicle handling and braking efficiency will change significantly.  

e tow-started. Attempt to start the engine by jump 
starting Jump starting 
Vehicles with a manual gearbox: 
Tow-starting is generally not recommended. If the engine does not start, first attempt to start the 
engine by jump starting Jump startingease note that the maximum tow-starting distance for 
petrol engines is 50 m. 
-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided Fitting the rear towing 
eyeor Fitting the front towing eye 
warning lights. 
 
 
 
utral to prevent 
driving into the towing vehicle. 
 
NOTICE 
When tow-starting, unburnt fuel can enter the catalytic converter and damage it. 
Towing 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Preparations 
h the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided Fitting the rear towing 
eyeor Fitting the front towing eyeor to the towing bracket Trailer towing 
-rope is not twisted. Otherwise a towing eye may become unscrewed 
during towing. 
regulations to the contrary. 
 
Pulling vehicle (front) 
 tow-rope must be taut before you drive off properly. 
 
  

Notes on tow-starting and towing 
Fitting the rear towing eye 
Vehicle toolkit 
area of the cover Fig. 178in the direction of the arrow to release the cover. 
 
Fig. 179and tighten as far as it will go 
Use a suitable object to screw the towing eye fully and securely into the mounting. 
clockwise. 
-clockwise. 
 
compartment. 
 
NOTICE 
urely into the mounting. Otherwise, the 
towing eye can be torn out of the mounting when the vehicle is being tow-started or towed. 
-fitted towing bracket must be towed only using tow bars that are specially 
designed for fitting to a ball coupling. If you use an unsuitable tow bar, the ball coupling and the 
vehicle could be damaged. You should use a tow rope instead. 
Fitting the front towing eye 
 
Fig. 180 In the front bumper on the right: removing the cover.