Get Do it yourself -> Towing Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Nineth Generation (2023-2025)

If a vehicle can no longer be moved under its own power, the vehicle can be transported with a breakdown truck or towed by another

vehicle.

Make sure that both drivers are familiar with how to tow a vehicle. This applies in particular if no tow-bar is used.

Observe any legal requirements when towing.

NOTICE

Tow-starting the vehicle can cause considerable damage to the vehicle.

● Carry out jump starting to start the engine.

NOTICE

When towing off paved roads, there is always a risk of overloading the fastening parts and causing considerable damage to the

vehicles.

● Make sure that no excessive pulling forces occur and take care to avoid jerking movements when towing.

Transport is where a vehicle that cannot be driven is transported by a breakdown truck.

WARNING

Vehicle components can be severely damaged by incorrectly secured tow-ropes or tow-bars. The risk of accident is increased and

serious or fatal injuries may be caused.

● Attach the vehicle only at the points provided for transport and towing.

● Never attach the tow-rope or tow-bar to axle or running gear components.

● Seek expert assistance and have the vehicle transported standing on a breakdown truck if necessary.

NOTICE

Pushing the vehicle by hand can cause damage to the vehicle, e.g. deformation or detachment of add-on parts.

● When pushing the vehicle by hand, do not press on the tail light clusters, large panels and side or rear spoilers.

The vehicle can be transported with all four wheels standing on a breakdown truck or with the front axle raised.

Note that it may be necessary to transport the vehicle standing with all four wheels on a breakdown truck (→ Towing).

Transport with a breakdown truck.

Information on the mounting points for transport at the front and rear (→ Front towing eye) (→ Rear towing eye).

If the vehicle is to be transported with the front axle raised:

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

—The maximum permitted distance is 50 km (around 30 miles).

—Deactivate the roll-away protection on vehicles with automatic gearbox .

—Deactivate the Auto Hold function.

—Make sure that the vehicle key is always in the vehicle during towing (→ Keyless Access).

—Deactivate Front Assist.

NOTICE

The wheels may lock if the electronic parking brake switches on during towing. This can result in serious damage to the vehicles.

● End towing immediately.

● Seek expert assistance and have the vehicle transported standing on a breakdown truck if necessary.

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:

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

—The maximum permitted distance is 50 km (around 30 miles).

In which situations may the vehicle not be towed?

In case of a fault or damage, the vehicle must be transported standing with all four wheels on a breakdown truck if one of the following

situations applies.

—The 12-volt vehicle battery is discharged.

—The instrument cluster display does not work properly.

—The distance to be towed is further than 50 km (around 30 miles).

—Neutral (position ) cannot be selected.

—It is not possible to deactivate the roll-away protection on vehicles with automatic gearbox .

—The steering lock cannot be released.

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

If the conditions for towing are not met, the vehicle must be towed or pushed rolling on its own four wheels only in emergency

situations. The towing operation to the breakdown truck must take place only at walking pace and for a maximum distance of

100 metres.

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.

WARNING

If a vehicle is being towed, the vehicle handling and braking efficiency will change significantly. This can lead to a loss of control over

the vehicle, accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Please note that greater force is needed for steering and braking during towing.

Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the points provided:

—Towing eye.

—Ball coupling.

WARNING

Vehicle components can be severely damaged by incorrectly secured tow-ropes or tow-bars. The risk of accident is increased and

serious or fatal injuries may be caused.

● Attach the vehicle only at the points provided for recovery and towing.

● Never attach the tow-rope or tow-bar to axle or running gear components.

● Seek expert assistance and have the vehicle transported standing on a breakdown truck if necessary.

Preparations

—Ensure 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 legal regulations and notes on towing in the owner’s manual of the other vehicle.

Pulling vehicle (front)

1. The tow-rope must be taut before you drive off properly.

2. Press the accelerator with particular care.

3. Avoid sudden braking and driving manoeuvres.

4. Do not exceed the maximum permitted trailer weight.

Pulled vehicle (rear)

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.

1. Make sure that the ignition is always switched on so that the steering wheel is not locked and you can operate the turn signals

and wipers if necessary. The brake servo and power steering function only when the engine is running. Otherwise you must press

the brake pedal with significantly more force and also use more effort for steering.

2. Make sure that the vehicle key is always in the vehicle during towing (→ Keyless Access).

3. Deactivate Front Assist.

4. Deactivate the roll-away protection .

the driver sits on the driver seat with seat belt fastened during the entire towing operation and the driver door is closed

5. Ensure that the tow-rope is always taut.

NOTICE

The wheels may lock if the electronic parking brake switches on during towing. This can result in serious damage to the vehicles.

● End towing immediately.

● Seek expert assistance and have the vehicle transported standing on a breakdown truck if necessary.

NOTICE

The electronic parking brake and steering lock cannot be released if the charge level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is not sufficient.

The vehicle can be damaged during towing.

● In the event of power failure or malfunctions, switch on the ignition or start the engine, if necessary by jump starting, in order to

release the electronic parking brake and steering lock.

● Seek expert assistance and have the vehicle transported standing on a breakdown truck if necessary.

Depending on the country and vehicle equipment, the mounting for the towing eye is located behind the cover in the bumper.

1. Before towing, check that the mounting with screw thread is available for the towing eye.

2. If this is not the case, seek expert assistance and have the vehicle transported on a breakdown truck if necessary.

The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle →

.

NOTICE

Use of a towing eye that is not suitable for the vehicle can damage the vehicle.

● Always use the towing eye from the supplied vehicle toolkit or another suitable towing eye for towing.

Fitting the front towing eye, variant 1

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

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

1. Take the towing eye and hook out of the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.

2. Insert the hook in the recess of the cover from below and pull it out of the catches in the direction of the arrow → Fig. 1.

3. Remove the cover to the front, allow it to hang on the vehicle or place it in the vehicle if necessary →

.

4. Screw the towing eye into the mounting in the direction of the arrow and tighten as far as possible → Fig. 2 , → . Use a

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

5. After you have finished towing, remove the towing eye by unscrewing it in the opposite direction to the arrow using a suitable

object.

6. Take the cover out of the vehicle and insert the upper lugs of the cover in the opening in the bumper. Push on the lower area of

the cover until the lower locking lug engages in the bumper.

7. Clean the towing eye if necessary and place it back in the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.

Fitting the front towing eye, variant 2

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

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

1. Remove the towing eye from the vehicle tool kit in the luggage compartment.

2. Press the marked area of the cover in the direction of the arrow to release the cover catch → Fig. 3.

3. Remove the cover, allow it to hang on the vehicle or place it in the vehicle if necessary →

.

4. Screw the towing eye into the mounting in the direction of the arrow and tighten as far as possible → Fig. 4 , → . Use a

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

5. After you have finished towing, remove the towing eye by unscrewing it in the opposite direction to the arrow using a suitable

object.

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

7. Clean the towing eye if necessary and place it back in the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.

WARNING

If the towing eye is not screwed fully and securely into the mounting, it may be wrenched out of the mount. This can result in

accidents and severe injuries when towing.

● Before starting towing, check that the towing eye is fully screwed in.

NOTICE

Improper removal and fitting of the cover and towing eye can cause damage the vehicle’s paint and body.

● Always remove and fit the cover and the towing eye carefully.

Depending on the country and vehicle equipment, the mounting for the towing eye is located behind the cover in the bumper.

1. Before towing, check that the mounting with screw thread is available for the towing eye.

2. Observe the information on vehicle transport (→ Breakdown truck).

3. If this is not the case, seek expert assistance and have the vehicle transported on a breakdown truck if necessary.

The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle →

.

NOTICE

Use of a towing eye that is not suitable for the vehicle can damage the vehicle.

● Always use the towing eye from the supplied vehicle toolkit or another suitable towing eye for towing.

Fitting the rear towing eye

In the rear bumper on the right: removing the cover, variant

In the rear bumper on the right: screwing in the towing eye,

1.

2.

variant 1.

In the rear bumper on the right: screwing in the towing eye,

variant 2.

1. Remove the towing eye from the vehicle tool kit in the luggage compartment.

2. Press the marked area of the cover in the direction of the arrow to release the cover catch → Fig. 1.

3. Remove the cover, allow it to hang on the vehicle or place it in the vehicle if necessary →

.

4. Screw the towing eye into the mounting in the direction of the arrow and tighten as far as possible → Fig. 3 , → . Use a

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

5. After you have finished towing, remove the towing eye by unscrewing it in the opposite direction to the arrow using a suitable

object.

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

7. Clean the towing eye if necessary and place it back in the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.

WARNING

If the towing eye is not screwed fully and securely into the mounting, it may be wrenched out of the mount. This can result in

accidents and severe injuries when towing.

● Before starting towing, check that the towing eye is fully screwed in.

NOTICE

Improper removal and fitting of the cover and towing eye can cause damage the vehicle’s paint and body.

● Always remove and fit the cover and the towing eye carefully.

Vehicles with towing bracket

In vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket there is no mounting for the screw-in towing eye behind the cover.

1. For towing, swivel out or fit and use the ball head.

NOTICE

If you use an unsuitable tow-bar, the ball head and the vehicle could be damaged.

● For towing, always use only a tow-bar that is specifically intended for fitting on a ball head.

● Use a tow-rope for towing if you do not have access to a suitable tow-bar.

The bonnet space of a vehicle is a hazardous area. You should only carry out work in the bonnet space if you know exactly how to

perform the required tasks, are aware of the general safety procedures and have access to the correct equipment, service fluids and

suitable tools. Failing to carry out work correctly can cause serious injuries → . Have all work carried out by a suitably qualified

workshop if necessary. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.

WARNING

The bonnet space is a hazardous area. Accidents and serious or fatal injuries can occur during all work in the bonnet space.

● Always be extremely careful and cautious during all work.

● Only perform any work in the bonnet space if you know exactly how to carry it out.

● Have the necessary work carried out by a suitably qualified workshop if you are unsure how to carry out work in the bonnet space.

Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.

● Switch on the electronic parking brake before working in the bonnet space.

● Engage the gear selector position .

● Switch off the ignition and keep the vehicle key in a safe place far enough away from the vehicle so that the engine cannot be

started accidentally.

● Never touch hot components of the engine.

● Always ensure you have not left any objects, such as cleaning cloths and tools, in the bonnet space.

● Always keep children away from the bonnet space and never leave children unsupervised.

WARNING

There are rotating parts in the bonnet space. When working in the bonnet space, particularly if the engine is started or running,

contact with rotating parts, e.g. rotor blades of the radiator fan, can cause serious or fatal injuries.

Do it yourself -> Towing for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Nineth Generation (2023-2025)

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