Get Do it yourself -> Towing Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Seventh Generation (2017-2020)

Attach one end of the black jumper cable C to the negative jump-start terminal of the vehicle providing assistance: ③ (Jump-start terminal), or if that is not

available, to a bare metal part of the vehicle providing assistance. This part should be connected directly to the engine block.

Attach the other end of the black jumper cable D to the negative jump-start terminal of the vehicle receiving assistance ④ (Jump-start terminal), or if that is

not available, to a bare metal part of the vehicle receiving assistance. This part should be connected directly to the engine block. Attach the clamp to a point that i

as far away as possible from the dead battery ① .

Route the jumper cables so that they cannot get caught in any moving parts in the engine compartment of either vehicle.

Starting the engine

Start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery that is providing help and let it run at idle speed.

Turn on the ignition of the vehicle with the dead battery. If the engine starts, wait 2 to 3 minutes until it runs smoothly before removing the jumper cables as

described below ⇒ ꢀ. If the engine does not start within about 10 seconds, turn off the ignition and wait at least 1 minute; then try again. If the engine still

does not start, get professional assistance.

Before removing the jumper cables

Switch off the headlights (if they are on).

In the vehicle with the dead battery, switch on the heater fan and the rear window defroster. This helps to minimize voltage spikes when the cables are

disconnected.

Checklist

With the engine running, remove the jumper cables in reverse order to the way they were connected.

Disconnect the black (-) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.

Disconnect the black (-) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).

Disconnect the red (+) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).

Disconnect the red (+) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.

Close the battery cover.

WARNING

Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle with a dead battery can cause the battery to explode, leading to serious personal injury. To help

reduce the risk of battery explosion:

All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the

following WARNINGS and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system ⇒ Vehicle batteryꢀ.

Always wear proper eye protection. Never lean over the vehicle battery.

Attach the jumper cables in the correct order: first the positive cable, then the negative cable.

Never connect the negative cable from the vehicle providing starting assistance to parts of the fuel system or to the brake hoses or brake lines.

Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to touch.

Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery terminal to contact metal parts of the vehicle.

Check the battery acid level indicator window on the vehicle battery. Use a flashlight, never a match, cigarette lighter, or other open flame. If you cannot

see the color of the window clearly, or if it is light yellow or colorless, do not jump-start the vehicle. Get expert assistance.

Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of the vehicle battery. Sparks may cause the hydrogen gas escaping from the vehicle battery to ignite.

Never jump-start a vehicle with a battery that is damaged or frozen or that was frozen and has thawed. The battery can explode. Replace the battery

instead.

Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufacturer.

Always make sure that the battery providing starting assistance has the same voltage as the dead battery (12 V) and about the same capacity (see battery

label).

Batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas. Always keep fire, sparks, open flame and smoking materials away from batteries.

Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to the negative battery terminal on the dead battery. The hydrogen gas from the battery is

explosive.

Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals with each other.

Towing

Introduction to the subject

In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:

⇒ Towing on a commercial tow truck ꢀ

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⇒ Tips on towingꢀ

⇒ Installing the front towing eyeꢀ

⇒ Installing the rear towing eyeꢀ

⇒ Driving tips while towingꢀ

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 ⇒ ꢀ.

WARNING

Never tow a vehicle without any electrical power.

Never remove the key from the ignition switch or turn off the ignition with the starter button while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a stop. The electronic

steering column could suddenly lock, you would not be able to steer, and you could 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.

NOTE

Be careful not to damage the paint when installing and removing the towing eye and the cover for the threaded hole in the bumper.

Unburned fuel can get into the catalytic converter during towing and damage it.

Towing on a commercial tow truck

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ

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).

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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 ⇒ ꢀ.

Special towing instructions for vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)

To help prevent unnecessary damage, vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) must be transported on a flatbed truck.

To load the vehicle on the flatbed, use the towing eye found in the vehicle tool kit and attach it to the front anchorage ⇒ Vehicle tool kitꢀ, ⇒ Installing the front

towing eyeꢀ.

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 towe

if its ignition is switched on and its electrical system is operating.

In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed and must be transported on a ﬂatbed truck or trailer :

If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.

If the vehicle battery is dead (because the electronic steering column lock cannot be released, if engaged). Vehicles with an electronic parking brake : If the

electronic parking brake was engaged when the battery died, it cannot be released ⇒ Electronic parking brake (Golf R)ꢀ.

If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).

If the steering or the wheel clearance might be impaired, for example, after an accident.

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.

NOTE

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

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ

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, or to a trailer hitch.

Towing manual transmission vehicles

Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see below ⇒ When not to tow your vehicleꢀ.

If yes, note the following for the towed vehicle:

Shift the gearshift lever to Neutral ⇒ Manual transmission gearshift leverꢀ.

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 vehicleꢀ.

If yes, note the following for the towed vehicle:

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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.

Follow the special instructions for towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION).

Towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)

Vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) must be transported on a ﬂatbed truck or trailer. Otherwise the powertrain may be damaged.

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.

If the vehicle battery is dead (because the electronic steering column lock cannot be released, if engaged). Vehicles with an electronic parking brake : If the

electronic parking brake was engaged when the battery died, it cannot be released ⇒ Electronic parking brake (Golf R)ꢀ.

If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).

If the steering or the wheel clearance might be impaired, for example, after an accident.

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 and the electronic parking brake (if equipped) are released. In case of a power loss or

malfunctions of the electrical system, the engine may have to be jump-started ⇒ Jump-startingꢀ in order to release the electronic steering column lock and the

electronic parking brake (if equipped).

Installing the front towing eye

Fig. 203 In the right front bumper: Removing the cover.

Fig. 204 In the right front bumper: Installing the towing eye.

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ

There is a threaded hole for the towing eye in the right front bumper behind a cover ⇒ Fig. 204ꢀ.

Always keep the towing eye in the vehicle and stow it securely.

Read and follow the notes about towing ⇒ Tips on towingꢀ.

Installing the front towing eye

Take the towing eye, the lug wrench, and the screwdriver out of the vehicle tool kit in the luggage compartment ⇒ Vehicle tool kitꢀ.

281

Push on the left side of the cover ⇒ Fig. 203ꢀ (arrow) so that it pops out.

Remove the cover and let it hang from the bumper.

Screw the towing eye clockwise into the threaded hole as far as it will go (arrow) ⇒ Fig. 204ꢀ⇒ ꢀ. Use the lug wrench to turn and tighten the towing eye.

When towing is complete, unscrew the towing eye counterclockwise to remove it.

Position the left side of the cover in the opening in the bumper and carefully push the right side into the opening until the cover locks into place.

NOTE

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.

Installing the rear towing eye

Fig. 205 In the right rear bumper: Removing the cover.

Fig. 206 In the right rear bumper: Installing the towing eye.

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ

There is a threaded hole for the towing eye in the right rear bumper behind a cover ⇒ Fig. 206ꢀ.

Always keep the towing eye in the vehicle and stow it securely.

Read and follow the notes about towing ⇒ Tips on towingꢀ.

Installing the rear towing eye

Take the towing eye, the lug wrench, and the screwdriver out of the vehicle tool kit in the luggage compartment ⇒ Vehicle tool kitꢀ.

Push on the cover at the bottom marking ⇒ Fig. 205ꢀ (arrow) so that it pops out.

Remove the cover and let it hang from the bumper.

Screw the towing eye clockwise into the threaded hole as far as it will go (arrow) ⇒ Fig. 206ꢀ⇒ ꢀ. Use the lug wrench to turn and tighten the towing eye.

When towing is complete, unscrew the towing eye counterclockwise to remove it.

Position the lower lip of the cover in the opening in the bumper and carefully push the upper lip over the edge of the opening until the cover locks in place.

NOTE

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

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ

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

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Do it yourself -> Towing for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Seventh Generation (2017-2020)

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