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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.
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WARNING
Never tow a vehicle that has no power supply.
assistance.
NOTICE
When pushing the vehicle by hand, do not press on the tail light clusters, the side spoilers on the
rear window, the rear spoiler or large panels. This could damage the vehicle and the rear spoiler
could become detached.
NOTICE
Remove and install the cover and the towing eye carefully so as to avoid damage to the vehicle, e.g.
the paintwork.
Notes on tow-starting and towing
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
It is still possible to activate the turn signals in a vehicle that is being towed, even if the hazard
warning lights are switched on. To do this, operate the turn signal lever in the required direction
while the ignition is switched on. The hazard warning lights will not flash while the turn signal is
being used. The hazard warning lights will start flashing again automatically as soon as the turn
signal lever is moved back to the neutral position.
When should your vehicle not be tow-started or towed?
an 50 km.
accident.
If the vehicle cannot be towed on its own four wheels due to one of the above conditions, seek
expert assistance and have the vehicle transported on a recovery vehicle if necessary.
Tow-starting
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Preparations for tow-starting
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox:
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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.
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Pulled vehicle (rear)
Ensure that the ignition is switched on so that the steering wheel is not locked and so that you can
indicate, sound the horn and operate the wipers if necessary.
the
ignition is switched on and the vehicle is rolling. Otherwise you must press the brake pedal with
significantly more force and also use more effort for steering.
-rope is always taut.
ox in neutral or select the selector lever position N.
Fitting the rear towing eye
Fig. 178 On the right-hand side of the rear bumper: removing the cover.
Fig. 179 On the right-hand side of the rear bumper: screwed-in towing eye.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle.
In vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket, there is no mounting for the screw-in towing eye
behind the cover. To tow, swivel out or fit and use the ball head Trailer towing
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Fig. 181 In the front bumper on the right: screwing in the towing eye.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle.
The towing eye is screwed into a mounting behind a cover on the right of the front bumper
Fig. 180
Comply with the notes on towing Notes on tow-starting and towing
Fitting the front towing eye
Vehicle toolkit
e cover Fig. 180(arrow) to release the cover.
Fig. 180(arrow) to release the cover.
ting Fig. 181and tighten as far as it will go
Use a suitable object to screw the towing eye fully and securely into the mounting.
-clockwise.
spective recess and press in until it engages.
compartment.
NOTICE
The towing eye must always be screwed fully and securely into the mounting. Otherwise, the towing
eye can be torn out of the mounting when the vehicle is being tow-started or towed.
Checking and refilling
In the engine compartment
Safety notes for working in the engine compartment
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ot work on the engine and in
the engine compartment unless you are familiar with the task, aware of the general safety
procedures and have the correct equipment, service fluids and suitable tools. Serious injuries can be
caused by carrying out work incorrectly
workshop if you are uncertain. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this
purpose.
Always park the vehicle on a level and stable surface before carrying out any work in the engine
compartment.
WARNING
Unintentional vehicle movements during service work can cause serious injury.
underneath the vehicle while the wheels are on the ground, the vehicle must be on a level surface,
the wheels chocked, and the vehicle key removed from the ignition lock as required.
vehicle. The vehicle jack is not sufficient for this task and can fail, which can lead to serious injuries.
WARNING
The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a dangerous area. Serious injuries can be sustained
here.
st care and attention must be paid when carrying out any work and you must follow the
general safety rules. Never take any risks.
carry it out. If you are uncertain of what to do, the work should be carried out by a qualified
workshop. Serious injuries can result from work that has not been carried out properly.
steam or hot coolant can cause serious burns. Always wait until you can no longer see or hear steam
or coolant coming from the engine compartment.
urn the skin.
P or move the gear
lever to the neutral position.
and remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.
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expansion tank when the engine is hot. Coolant may spray out and cause serious burns and other
injuries.
-clockwise while exerting
gentle downward pressure on the cap.
face, hands and arms from hot coolant or steam with a large, thick cloth.
spilt service fluids can start a fire.
WARNING
High voltages in the electrical system can cause electric shocks, burns, serious injuries and death!
-volt battery could explode.
started, never touch the electrical cables in the ignition system.
WARNING
There are rotating components in the engine compartment that can cause serious injury.
rotor blades can result in serious injuries. The fan is temperature-controlled and can start
automatically, even when the ignition has been switched off or the vehicle key has been removed
from the ignition lock.
e engine is started or with the engine running, there is an
additional, potentially fatal safety risk from the rotating parts, such as the poly V-belt, alternator,
radiator fan, and from the high-voltage ignition system. Always be particularly careful.
Always ensure that no body parts, jewellery, ties, loose items of clothing or long hair can be
caught up in rotating engine components. Before starting work, remove any jewellery and ties, tie
up long hair and pull clothes in tightly to avoid them getting caught on engine parts.
could move, even if the electronic parking brake is applied.
s and tools, in the engine
compartment. Any forgotten items can cause malfunctions, engine damage and fires.
WARNING
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operation of the engine, start fires and lead to severe injuries.
WARNING
Service fluids and some materials in the engine compartment are highly flammable and can cause
fires and serious injuries!
ty of the engine compartment.
injuries.
tem or the electrical
system:
-volt vehicle battery. Ensure that the vehicle is unlocked when the 12-
volt vehicle battery is disconnected as otherwise the anti-theft alarm will be activated.
of heating systems, water heaters or any other open flames.
NOTICE
When filling or changing service fluids, please ensure that the correct service fluids are filled through
the correct openings. The use of incorrect service fluids could result in serious malfunctions and
engine damage.
Service fluids that leak from the vehicle are harmful to the environment. For this reason, you should
regularly check the ground underneath your vehicle. If there are spots of oil or other fluids on the
ground, the vehicle should be inspected by a qualified workshop. Any spilt service fluids must be
disposed of properly.
Preparing the vehicle for working in the engine compartment
Checklist
The following steps should always be carried out in the specified order before working in the engine
compartment
Park the vehicle on a level and stable surface.