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possible.
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⇒Introduction
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.
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prior to downhill gradients (manual gearbox or Tiptronic mode of the
automatic gearbox) to additionally make use of engine braking. The brake system could otherwise
overheat and fail.
will change because of the
trailer load and the increased combined towing weight of the vehicle and trailer.
When driving with this combination, drive particularly carefully and slowly.
Pulling off on slopes when towing a trailer
Depending on the steepness of the uphill gradient and the total weight of the trailer and vehicle, a
vehicle towing a trailer could roll back a short distance when moving off on a hill.
When towing a trailer, pull off on slopes as follows:
once to switch off the electronic parking brake ⇒ Electronic parking brake .
ly.
⇒ Manual gearbox: selecting a gear or selector lever position D/S⇒ DSG® dual
clutch gearbox .
button and hold it in this position to hold the vehicle and trailer with the electronic
parking brake.
ake pedal.
button only when the engine has sufficient power to move off.
WARNING
Incorrect trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
and increase the braking distance.
pt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Reduce your speed, particularly when going downhill.
care when overtaking. Reduce your speed immediately if the trailer shows even the
slightest sign of snaking.
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trailers than for vehicles
without trailers.
Trailer stabilisation
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
The trailer stabilisation function can detect if an attached trailer is starting to snake and can
countersteer.
Trailer stabilisation is an extension of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
If trailer snaking is detected, the trailer stabilisation function automatically helps to reduce the
snaking motion of the trailer using counter steering assistance.
Requirements for trailer stabilisation
-fitted or a compatible towing bracket has been retrofitted.
or in the instrument cluster is not lit up.
trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle via the trailer socket.
mph).
have a mechanical overrun system.
WARNING
Do not let the extra safety afforded by the trailer stabilisation function tempt you into taking any
risks when driving.
conditions.
WARNING
The trailer stabilisation function may not be able to detect all driving situations correctly.
Trailer stabilisation is switched off when ESC is deactivated.
stabilised accordingly in all cases.
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-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⇒Introduction
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. 157 must 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.
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Mounting points
879 mm
at least 65 mm
350 – 420 mm
334 mm
554 mm
1,017 mm
1,051 mm
WARNING
Electrical cables that are not connected properly or are connected incorrectly can cause faults in the
entire vehicle electronics system and also cause accidents and serious injuries.
clusters or to other unsuitable power sources. Use only suitable connectors for connection of the
trailer.
WARNING
The trailer can become detached from the towing vehicle if the towing bracket is unsuitable or
incorrectly fitted. This can cause serious accidents and fatal injuries.
Use only towing brackets which have been approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle type.
Fuel and emission control
Safety notes on handling fuel
WARNING
Incorrect handling of fuel can cause explosions, fire, serious burns and other injuries.
⇒ Switching the auxiliary heater and ventilation on and
off , the ignition, your mobile phone and other radio equipment before refuelling.
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efuelling.
WARNING
Filling the tank with the wrong fuel can damage the vehicle.
uels that have been approved for the vehicle.
-approved service additives in the
approved quantity.
CAUTION
Fuel may run out of a fuel canister. This could cause fire and injuries.
Fuels can pollute the environment. Collect any service fluids that escape or are spilled and dispose of
them correctly.
The tank flap cannot be opened manually. Seek expert assistance in an emergency.
Fuel types and refuelling
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Fuel standards
⇒ Petrol
⇒ Diesel
⇒ Refuelling
The tank flap is located at the rear right-hand side of the vehicle.
Different engines require different fuels. There is a factory-fitted sticker in the tank flap that
indicates the required fuel type for the vehicle.
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Information on warning and indicator lamps that light up can be found in the section
Troubleshooting ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Fuel standards
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Petrol
EN 228
DIN 51626-1
Diesel
EN 590
EN 590
Where fuel complying with the specified standard is not available, your Volkswagen dealership or a
qualified workshop will have information on which available fuels are suitable for the vehicle.
NOTICE
Using fuel that does not comply with these standards may reduce performance and cause damage to
the engine and fuel system.
and engine failure.
Petrol
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Fill vehicles with a petrol engine only with unleaded petrol or petrol with a maximum ethanol
content of 10 % (E10) ⇒ .
Fuel grades differ according to the octane number. The vehicle may be filled with petrol that has a
higher octane number than the engine requires. However, this does not provide any advantage in
terms of fuel consumption or engine output.
The fuel quality affects the running properties, performance and service life of the engine. Refuel
with fuel that already contains suitable service additives ⇒ .
Information on the fuel standards can be found in the chapter on fuel standards ⇒ Fuel standards .
NOTICE
Errors during refuelling or unsuitable fuel additives may cause damage to the vehicle.
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pecified on the pump meets the vehicle's
requirements.
-approved service additives in the approved quantity.
emergency, you have to use petrol with an octane number lower than the recommended number,
drive at medium engine speeds and avoid high engine loading. Avoid high engine speeds and heavy
engine loads. Refuel with petrol with the correct octane number as soon as possible.
Diesel
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Fill vehicles with a diesel engine only with diesel or diesel with a maximum RME fuel content of 7 %
⇒ .
If you use diesel with a high sulphur content, the service intervals are shorter. Information on
countries where the diesel has a high sulphur content is available from your Volkswagen dealership
or a qualified workshop.
The fuel quality affects the running properties, performance and service life of the engine. Refuel
with fuel that already contains suitable service additives ⇒ .
Information on the fuel standards can be found in the chapter on fuel standards ⇒ Fuel standards .
Winter-grade diesel fuel and filter preheater system
Winter-grade diesel fuel, which can be used at temperatures below -20°C (-4°F), is available during
the cold months. In countries with different climates, diesel with a different temperature behaviour
is offered. Information is available from your Volkswagen dealership, qualified workshops and filling
stations in the respective country.
Diesel vehicles are equipped with a filter preheater system. When using winter-grade diesel fuel, the
fuel system is safe for operation at temperatures down to around -24°C (-11°F). In order to ensure
that the vehicle can also be started at low outside temperatures, Volkswagen recommends parking
the vehicle in a location that is protected from the whether, e.g. in a garage ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Misfuelling prevention device
The tank filler neck in diesel vehicles may be fitted with a misfuelling prevention device. This is
intended to help ensure that the vehicle is refuelled only using diesel filler nozzles.
If the nozzle cannot be inserted correctly into the tank filler neck, first check whether you are using a
diesel filler nozzle. When you have made sure that you are using the correct filler nozzle, move the
diesel filler nozzle to and fro slightly with light pressure. This can open the misfuelling prevention
device and make it possible to refuel the vehicle. If the misfuelling prevention device still remains
closed, go to a qualified workshop and have the system checked.
If it is necessary to refuel the vehicle using a fuel canister in the event of an emergency, the
misfuelling prevention device will not open. In order to nevertheless fill the tank with fuel, pour the
diesel into the tank extremely slowly in very small quantities.