Trailer towing -> Trailer stabilization for Your Volkswagen Atlas SUV First Generation (2018-2023)

4. Release the brake pedal.  
5. Start driving slowly.  
6. Only release the  
switch once the engine has created enough drive power to start driving.  
WARNING  
Towing a trailer incorrectly can result in loss of control of the vehicle and cause serious injuries.  
Driving with a trailer and transporting heavy or large objects can change the vehicle handling performance and increase the braking distance.  
Ensure sufficient visibility behind you. Attach additional rearview mirrors if rear visibility is impaired due to the trailer. Volkswagen recommends the use of  
Volkswagen original parts or Volkswagen original accessories, which you can acquire from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen  
Service Facility.  
Always drive carefully and try to anticipate what may be ahead. Brake earlier than usual.  
Always adapt your speed and driving style to the visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions. Reduce the vehicle speed, especially when driving  
downhill.  
Accelerate with extra care and caution. Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking maneuvers.  
Take particular care when overtaking. Reduce vehicle speed as soon as you detect the slightest swaying movement in the trailer.  
Never try to “straighten out” a swaying vehicle and trailer by accelerating.  
Adhere to the applicable local maximum speed limit, which may be lower for vehicles towing a trailer than it is for vehicles that are not towing a trailer.  
Trailer stabilization  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice   
and  
Introduction.  
If a trailer is hitched to the vehicle and it begins to sway, the trailer stabilization can detected this and countersteer.  
Trailer stabilization is an additional feature of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).  
If the system detects that the trailer is swaying, the trailer stabilization will automatically countersteer to the reduce “vibration” of the trailer.  
Trailer stabilization requirements  
The trailer hitch must be installed at the factory or a compatible trailer hitch must be retrofitted.  
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) must be active. The  
or  
indicator light in the instrument cluster must not be on.  
The trailer must be connected to the electrical system in the towing vehicle using the trailer socket.  
The driving speed must be less than 37 mph (60 km/h).  
The maximum tongue weight must be used.  
The trailer must have a fixed drawbar.  
Braked trailers must have a mechanical overrun protection device.  
WARNING  
Do not allow the increased convenience provided by the trailer stabilization to tempt you into taking risks.  
Always adapt your speed and driving style to the visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.  
Accelerate carefully on slippery roads.  
Take your foot off the accelerator pedal when a system is actively regulating.  
WARNING  
The trailer stabilization may not be able to detect all driving situations correctly.  
The trailer stabilization switches off when ESC is deactivated.  
Trailer stabilization may not always detect if a light trailer is swaying and stabilize it.  
When driving on slippery roads with poor traction, the trailer can still jackknife despite the trailer stabilization.  
Trailers with a high center of gravity can tip before you notice any swaying back and forth.  
If there is no trailer hitched to the vehicle but there is a connector in the trailer socket, for example from a bike carrier with lights, sudden braking  
maneuvers may occur automatically in extreme driving situations.  
Trailer hitch  
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