Get If and when -> Tow-starting or towing Guide for Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

Tow-starting or towing

Introduction to the topic

Towing requires 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.

Make sure 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.

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:

—The maximum permitted towing speed is 50 km/h (30 mph).

—The maximum permitted towing distance is 50 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 breakdown truck

If your vehicle to be towed needs to be raised at one axle, the vehicle should be raised only at the

front axle and towed. Volkswagen recommends having the vehicle transported standing with

four wheels on a recovery vehicle.

WARNING

If a vehicle is being towed, the vehicle handling and braking efficiency will change significantly.

WARNING

Never tow a vehicle that has no power supply.

●

Never remove the vehicle key from the ignition or switch off the ignition using the starter

button during towing. This could cause the mechanical steering column lock (steering lock)

or the electronic steering column lock to engage suddenly. You will no longer be able to

steer the vehicle. This can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle, accidents and serious

injuries.

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If the power supply of the towed vehicle fails, stop towing immediately and seek expert

assistance.

NOTICE

Towing with a tow-rope or tow-bar can damage the vehicle.

●

Tow the vehicle carefully with a tow-rope or tow-bar.

If possible, have the broken-down vehicle towed by a breakdown truck.

NOTICE

When pushing the vehicle by hand, the tail light clusters, side spoilers on the rear window and

large panels can be damaged and the rear spoiler may become detached.

●

When pushing the vehicle by hand, do not press on the tail light clusters, side spoilers on the

rear window, large panels and the rear spoiler.

NOTICE

The vehicle can be damaged, e.g. the vehicle paintwork, when removing and fitting the cover

and towing eye.

●

Remove and install the cover and the towing eye carefully so as to avoid damage to the

vehicle.

Notes on tow-starting and towing

It is still possible to activate the turn signals in a vehicle that is being towed, even if the hazard

warning lights are switched on. To do this, operate the turn signal and main beam lever in the

required direction while the ignition is switched on. The hazard warning lights will not flash while

the turn signal is being used. The hazard warning lights will start flashing again automatically as

soon as the turn signal and main beam lever is moved back to the neutral position.

When should your vehicle not be tow-started or towed?

Do not have the vehicle towed in the following situations:

—The text message

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instrument cluster.

—The power supply for the 12-volt vehicle electrical system cannot be guaranteed.

—The 12-volt vehicle battery is discharged. The steering remains locked and the parking brake

and steering column lock cannot be released if they have been applied previously.

—The instrument cluster display does not work properly.

—The selector lever cannot be moved to neutral (N position).

—If the steering function or the operating clearance of the wheels cannot be ensured after an

accident.

If the vehicle cannot be towed on its own wheels due to one of the above conditions, seek expert

assistance and have the vehicle transported on a recovery vehicle if necessary. Inform the people

involved, in particular the organisation office and the transport company, that your vehicle is an

electric vehicle.

Tow-starting

Preparations for tow-starting

The vehicle is not suited for tow-starting other vehicles.

For technical reasons, your vehicle may not be tow-started. Try to activate the vehicle’s drive

system by jump starting (→ Jump starting, Introduction/General information).

Towing

Preparations

—Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the mounting points provided (→ Tow-starting or

towing, Introduction/General information).

—Make sure that the tow-rope is not twisted. Otherwise a towing eye can become unscrewed

during towing.

—Switch on the ignition and hazard warning lights on both vehicles. However, observe any

regulations to the contrary.

—Observe the instructions for towing in the vehicle wallet of the other vehicle.

Pulling vehicle (front)

The vehicle is not suited for towing other vehicles.

Pulled vehicle (rear)

—Make sure that the ignition is switched on so that the steering wheel is not locked and so that

you can indicate, sound the horn and operate the wipers if necessary.

—The brake servo and power steering function only when the vehicle’s drive system is activated.

Otherwise you must press the brake pedal with significantly more force and also use more

effort for steering.

—Release the electronic parking brake.

—Make sure that the tow-rope is always taut.

—Select the lever position N.

In emergency situations the vehicle may be towed or pushed only at walking speed for no more

than 100 m on its own four wheels. For any further distance the vehicle must be transported on

a recovery vehicle →

.

WARNING

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and the front wheels can lock, in particular on icy or wet roads. Locking front wheels can impair

the steering functions and cause accidents and serious injuries.

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instrument cluster, tow the vehicle only in emergency situations.

If the message

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instrument cluster, tow the vehicle only at walking speed for a maximum of 100 m.

Fitting the towing eye at front

Fig. 1 In the front bumper on the right: removing the cover.

Fig. 2 In the front bumper on the right: screwing in the towing eye.

The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle.

Comply with the notes on towing (→ Tow-starting or towing, Limits/System limits).

Fitting the towing eye at front

—Remove the towing eye from the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment (→ Vehicle

toolkit, Prerequisite).

—Press at the side of the cover (arrow) to release the cover → Fig. 1 .

—Pull the cover forwards to remove it and leave it to hang from the vehicle.

—Turn the towing eye clockwise into the mounting → Fig. 2 and tighten as far as it will go →

. Use a suitable object to screw the towing eye fully and securely into the mounting.

—After you have finished towing, remove the towing eye by unscrewing it anticlockwise.

—Insert the cap in the respective recess and press in until it engages.

—Clean the towing eye if necessary and place it back in the vehicle toolkit in the luggage

compartment.

NOTICE

The towing eye must always be screwed fully and securely into the mounting. Otherwise, the

towing eye can be wrenched out of the mounting when the vehicle is being tow-started or

towed.

Fitting the rear towing eye

Fig. 1 In the rear bumper on the right: screwing in the towing eye: removing the cover.

Fig. 2 In the rear bumper on the right: screwing in the towing eye: screwing in the towing eye.

The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle.

Comply with the notes on towing (→ Tow-starting or towing, Limits/System limits).

Fitting the rear towing eye

—Remove the towing eye from the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment (→ Vehicle

toolkit, Prerequisite).

—Press on the lower area of the cover in the direction of the arrow to release the cover

→ Fig. 1 .

—Remove the cover and leave it hanging from the vehicle.

—Turn the towing eye clockwise into the mounting and tighten as far as it will go → Fig. 2 , →

. Use a suitable object to screw the towing eye fully and securely into the mounting.

—After you have finished towing, remove the towing eye by unscrewing it anticlockwise.

—Insert the cap in the respective recess and press in until it engages.

—Clean the towing eye if necessary and place it back in the vehicle toolkit in the luggage

compartment.

NOTICE

●

The towing eye must always be screwed fully and securely into the mounting. Otherwise,

the towing eye can be wrenched out of the mounting when the vehicle is being tow-started

or towed.

If and when -> Tow-starting or towing for Your Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

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