towing VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1997 Owners Manual

TABLE
Difficult operating conditions ........ 154
tank ,
and protection ............ 114
Ma
int enance , Engine hood . . . . 122 , 124
Engine compartment
............... 126
accesso ries, Mod ificatio ns
and Parts ............. 154
and CB radios .... 155
Engine data ...................... 177
Capaci ties
...... .................. 178
D ime nsions ..
..................... 179
Weights
..........................
........................ 1 28 J
ack and
system ................... 133
Tr ansmission
................ 135
Brake
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . 136 , 138 Compac
t spare
................. 159
Fuses
........................... 1 63 R eporting safety defects ............ 182
Operating your
outside
t he
................ 142
Windshield /rear window washer
container
................ ......... 143
I a radio ...........................
Emergency sta rting ................ 171
....... 183
Wiper ..................... 144
Dust and
............... 145
Tires
I .................... 146
Eme rgency towing with tow truck .............. 173
Lifting
..................... 175
..................... ....... 187
5

The first
gine's fric tion is higher than when this break- in p rocess is done depends to a exten t on the
way the is drive n during the first (1
For the first
(1 k ilometers ):
as a
of thumb
avoi d towing a
Be sure to remember this during the first
94
during the
From
can
Do not rev the engine up to high speeds
w hen it is This m iss ion is in N
engin e speeds -upshifting early saves fuel, reduces noise and protects the environment - se e also page 97.
Do not the engine Down shift
when the engine is no runn ing
After the break-in period
The maxim um engine speed is:
1
72 hp engine :
engine:
-see page 62.
E xcessive engine speeds are

Braking
General notes
automobiles are
still subject to wear depending largely on op­
erating conditions and driving habits. ve­hicles which are driven mostly in stop-and ­
go city traffic or which are driven hard, the brake linings should be checked by your au­
thorized authorized dealer
more often than specified in the Mainte­
nance booklet.
steep slopes you should use the
b raking effect of th e engine. T his way , you pr event wearing d ow n the brake s ystem . yo u must use your brakes , do not hold the brakes down contin uous ly. Pump the brakes in intervals.
Under certain conditions , for example,
when driving through water or a very heavy
rain , or even after washing your vehicle, the braking effect can be reduced due to the wet
brake pads or pads which are iced-up in the
winter. A few cautious brake applications
should dry off the brake pads or remove ice
coatings.
The effectiveness of the brakes can be reduced when the vehicle is driven on a salt ­
covered road and the brakes are not used.
Clean off accumulated
or if you sure the air
brake circuit impair the braking capability
resulting in an increased stopping distance .
Avoid driving the vehicle and have it towed to the nearest authorized
Volkswagen dealer or qualified
workshop.
Brake booster
WARNING
to a stop with
the engine shut off.
the brake booster is not working, for example when towing your vehicle, or because the brake booster
has somehow been damaged, the
brake pedal
must be pressed harder to make up for the missing effect of the brake booster.
Always heed

you that your car
economy and performance.
towing not
hitch
Use a weight-carrying hitch conforming to
the gross
for your and se­to the body . mount check with the hitch manufac­
turer to make sure that you are using the cor­
rect hitch.
Do
not use a bumper hi tch.
The hitch must be installed in such a way
that it does not interfere with the impact-ab­
so rbing bum per system. No modif icat ions
fastened.
When you are not towing a
hitch
been do ne at
the factory. Otherwise , overheating may oc­
cur when the engine is working very hard
(mountain driving, high outside tempera­
ture). Ask your authorized authorized
swagen
brakes
your is equipped with a braki ng sys­
tem, check to be sur e that it conforms to
connected to the
use safety chains bet ween yo ur ve­an d
Trailer
must meet Do not co nnect th e
Mir rors
Check whether both sides of your can
be seen from the driver's seat.

Push in tab and housing from bumper.
Disconnect connector and remove turn housing.
Twist the to the mo ve.
Press the burned-out
the way
to the right.
the and turn to the right the way.
ing in reverse order of
Using a screw driver. pry towing
eye cover from turn housing
ret ainer.
fog
connecto r
spring and swing out.
from housing .
Note
Do not touch the with
bare finger s. Skin evapo ra te when and /or aging
so that reces s in the er with hous ing guide
in reve rse order of

Emergency starting
Starting by pushing or towing
with automatic transmission
cannot be started by pushing or towing.
Vehicles with
may Do not battery acid to
contact eyes or skin.
batteries generate
explosive gases.
Keep
sparks, cigarettes away from batteries.
Do not try to jump start any with a acid in the battery .
rating.
The capacity (Ah ) of the booster battery
or
Applying a high er
ra dio , etc.
with discharged battery:
Turn off
and set parking brake.
17 1

Emergency towing with tow truck
The information is to be used by
commercial tow truck operators who know
how to operate their equipment safely.
Detailed towing instruct ions can be found
in a special towing instruction brochure at your
Volkswagen dealer.
General hints
Whenever possib le, tow with front
wheels off ground .
Vehicle may be lifted in rear and moved to position fo r front hook-up.
passengers to ride in a
towed vehicle for any reason .
Front hook-up
Attach safety straps to wheels.
Attach safety chains to low er cont ro l
arms.

equipment to
Attach safety straps to
Attach safety chains to beam.
Towing 6-12 inches em) between tires and
ground.
Further see next page.
174
Towing speed I distance :
mph -kmlh km )
Automatic transmission
the equipment in combination with it must be transported on a bed
to avoid damage to the transmission due to
the