Towing -> Introduction for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Towing  
¤ Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Towing on a commercial tow truck  
Tips on towing  
Installing the front towing eye  
Installing the rear towing eye  
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 vehi-  
cles 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 igni-  
tion 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 en-  
gine 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 steer-  
ing 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 remov-  
ing the towing eye and the cover for the threaded hole behind  
the bumper.