Towing -> Introduction for Your Volkswagen Beetle 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2019)

Towing  
Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Towing on a commercial tow truck  
Tips on towing  
Driving tips while towing  
Observe legal requirements when towing.  
For technical reasons:  
A vehicle with a dead battery must never be towed. Jump-start the vehicle instead.  
It is not possible to tow-start or push-start your vehicle. Jump-start the vehicle instead.  
Vehicles with Keyless Access may only be towed with the ignition on.  
Towing the vehicle when the engine is turned off and the ignition is turned on drains the vehicle  
battery. Depending on the charge level of the vehicle battery, it is possible that even after just a few  
minutes, electrical devices such as the emergency flashers may not have the power necessary to  
function. The steering wheel might lock in vehicles with Keyless Access ⇒ꢀ  
.
More information:  
Exterior views.  
Shifting.  
Engine control and emission control system.  
Jump-starting.  
WARNING  
Never tow a vehicle without any electrical power.  
Never remove the remote control vehicle key from the ignition switch or turn off the  
ignition with the starter button while the vehicle is moving. The electronic steering column  
lock could suddenly engage, and you would not be able to steer or control the vehicle. You  
can lose control of the vehicle, crash, and seriously injure yourself and others.  
If the vehicle loses power while it is being towed, stop towing the vehicle immediately and  
contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for  
assistance.  
WARNING  
Towing a vehicle changes the way it handles and brakes. To help reduce the risk of an  
accident and serious personal injury, note the following:  
The driver of the vehicle that is being towed:  
– Since the brake booster also does not work when the engine is stopped, you will need  
to press harder on the brake pedal to slow down or stop. Always be alert so as not to rear-  
end the towing vehicle.  
– Will have to use considerably more force to turn the steering wheel because the power  
steering is not working.  
The driver of the vehicle that is doing the towing:  
– Must accelerate gradually and gently and avoid jerking movements.  
– Must not brake hard or steer sharply.  
– Must brake earlier and more gently than in normal driving.  
NOTICE  
Be careful not to damage the paint when installing and removing the towing eye and the  
cover for the threaded hole behind the bumper.  
Unburned fuel can get into the catalytic converter during towing and damage it.  
Towing on a commercial tow truck  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
..  
To help avoid damaging the vehicle, have it towed only by a professional towing company. Read and  
heed the following information:  
General information  
Never let the vehicle be towed at speeds above 30 mph (50 km/h).  
Never let the vehicle be towed for more than 30 miles (50 km).  
Towing manual transmission vehicles  
Release the parking brake.  
Shift the transmission into Neutral (N).  
If possible, have the vehicle towed with the front wheels off the ground.  
If necessary, the vehicle can also be towed with the rear wheels off the ground ⇒ꢀ  
.
Towing automatic transmission vehicles  
Release the parking brake.  
Shift the transmission into Neutral (N).  
Tow the vehicle only with its front wheels off the ground ⇒ꢀ  
.
When not to tow your vehicle  
If there is little or no oil in the transmission because of damage to your vehicle, it must be moved with  
the drive wheels off the ground. The vehicle can only be towed if its ignition is switched on and its  
electrical system is operating. In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed at all and must  
be transported on a flatbed truck or trailer: