Towing -> Tips on towing for Your Volkswagen Beetle 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2019)

If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.  
If the vehicle battery is dead (because the electronic steering column lock engages and cannot be  
released).  
If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).  
WARNING  
It is not safe for children or other persons to ride in a vehicle that is being towed.  
Never let children or anyone else remain in the vehicle while it is being towed.  
NOTICE  
The drive axle rotates while the vehicle is being towed with its rear wheels off the ground. This  
can damage the automatic transmission.  
Never tow automatic transmission vehicle with the rear wheels off the ground.  
Tow manual transmission vehicles with the rear wheels off the ground only if it is certain  
that no transmission fluid can leak out.  
Tips on towing  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
..  
Towing eye; tow rope or tow bar  
A towing eye is included in your vehicle's tool kit. This can be inserted in a threaded hole in the front  
bumper and used when your vehicle is being towed by another vehicle. On most vehicles, there is  
another threaded hole in the rear bumper, so you can use the towing eye to tow other vehicles as well.  
Towing a vehicle with a tow bar is safer and easier on both vehicles than using a tow rope. A tow rope  
should be used only if a tow bar is not available.  
The tow rope should be flexible enough to help protect both vehicles from damage. Use a synthetic  
fiber rope or similar rope.  
Attach the tow rope or tow bar only to the towing eye included in the vehicle tool kit for this purpose.  
Towing manual transmission vehicles  
Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see below., When not to tow your vehicle  
If yes, not the following for the towed vehicle:  
Shift the gearshift lever to Neutral..  
Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).  
Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).  
Towing automatic transmission vehicles  
Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see below., When not to tow your vehicle  
If yes, not the following for the towed vehicle:  
Put the transmission in Neutral (N).  
Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).  
Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).  
When a commercial tow truck is being used, the vehicle must only be towed with the front wheels  
lifted off the ground.  
When not to tow your vehicle  
In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed and must be transported on a flatbed truck or  
trailer:  
If transmission fluid has leaked out of the transmission.  
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.  
If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.  
When the vehicle battery is dead, because the steering may remain disabled and it may not be  
possible to release the electronic steering column lock.  
If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).  
Towing other vehicles  
Obey all legal requirements  
Read and heed all towing information in the owner's manual for the other vehicle.  
A vehicle can be towed only if the electronic steering column lock is released. In case of a power  
loss or malfunctions of the electrical system, the engine may have to be jump-started in order to  
release the electronic steering column lock.  
Push on the cover until the lip has locked into place.  
NOTICE  
Always make sure the towing eye is screwed all the way into threaded hole so that it is secure.  
If not, it could be pulled out while your vehicle is being towed.  
Driving tips while towing  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
..  
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow rope. Both drivers must be familiar  
with the techniques required for towing. Inexperienced drivers should not try to tow a vehicle or to  
drive a vehicle that is being towed.  
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle, and avoid jerking the tow rope. When towing on an  
unpaved road, there is always a risk of overloading and damaging the attachment points.  
If your vehicle is being towed, it can still signal turns even if the emergency flashers are activated, as  
long as the ignition is switched on. Use the turn signal in the normal way. The emergency flashers go  
off as long as the turn signal is blinking. As soon as the turn signal lever returns to its neutral position,  
the emergency flashers are automatically activated again.  
As the driver of the vehicle being towed:  
If your vehicle is the one being towed, the ignition switch must be switched on to keep the steering  
wheel from locking. Also make sure that the turn signals, horn, windshield wipers, and windshield  
washers work properly.  
Since power steering does not work when the engine is switched off, more effort is needed to steer  
the vehicle.  
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. Do not hit the towing vehicle.  
Read and heed the information and WARNINGS in the towing vehicle's owner's manual.