2021 VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC tow bar

With some equipment levels, the headlight range can be adjusted with the slider in the Infotainment
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 control⇒ Fig. 82  ① function button.
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.

Do not slip the clutch or rest your foot 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⇒Introduction 
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⇒Introduction 
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

If you park the trailer using the support wheel or other trailer supports, the trailer must be
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⇒Introduction 
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:

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.

-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.

⇒ 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.

For technical reasons, your vehicle must not be 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 starting . Please 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
eye  or ⇒ 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⇒Introduction 
Preparations
h the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided ⇒ Fitting the rear towing
eye  or ⇒ Fitting the front towing eye  or 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.

Comply with the notes on towing ⇒ Notes on tow-starting and towing .
Fitting the rear towing eye
⇒ Vehicle toolkit .
area of the cover ⇒ Fig. 178  in the direction of the arrow to release the cover.

⇒ Fig. 179  and 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.