tow VOLKSWAGEN CC 2008 Owner's Guide

CAUTION
The ball mount sticks out behind the rear bumper and can
cause injury to pedestrians and cyclists.
To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk
to pedestrians and cyclists when the vehicle is parked, always
remove the ball carrier when you are not towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Never use a ball larger than 11/4 inches (32 mm) on your vehi-
cle. The vehicle was not designed to tow heavier trailers with a
receiver larger than the specified ball. The increased loads can
damage the attachment points for the trailer hitch.
Never use an adapter to increase the size of the trailer hitch
receiver from 11/4 inches (32 mm) to 2 inches (50.8 mm) or more
to tow a trailer that is heavier than the maximum permissible
trailer weight that your vehicle can tow.
You can use an adapter if required for the proper installation
of a bicycle rack or other similar carrier as long as the maximum
weight limits are observed. When using bicycle racks or similar
carriers, make sure that the rear lights are not blocked.
Only use trailer hitches that are approved by the hitch manu-
facturer for your vehicle and model.

from the center of the hitch ball to the surface of the road ⇒ fig. 109
(D) be less than the specified minimum. This minimum height must be
present even when the vehicle is fully loaded and subject to the max-
imum tongue weight.
Distance dimensions ⇒ fig. 109:
(A) Attachment points.
(B) 46 inches (1170 mm)
(C) at least 3 inches (79 mm)
(D) 14–16 inches (350 – 420 mm)
(E) 10 inches (251 mm)
(F) 21 inches (546 mm)
(G) 41 inches (1031 mm)
(H) 41 inches (1036 mm)
WARNING
Improper or incorrect connections to the vehicle electrical sys-
tem can cause malfunctions that affect the entire vehicle elec-
trical system and cause accidents and serious personal injury.
Never connect the electrical system of the trailer directly to
the electrical connections of the rear lights or other unsuitable
power sources. Use only a suitable connector to provide power
to the trailer.
Have any trailer hitch retrofit or other work on a trailer hitch
done by a qualified workshop.
WARNING
An improperly installed or unsuitable trailer hitch can cause the
trailer to separate from the towing vehicle and result in a major
accident with serious personal injuries.
Maximum permissible trailer weight

Engine Engine
ID
code
Trailer with
brakes
Trailer
without
brakes
Trailer
hitch
tongue
weight
All gasoline
engines
all 2000 lbs
(907 kg)
1650 lbs
(748 kg)
200 lbs
(91 kg)

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and the Gross Axle Weight Rating
must not be exceeded, even with a trailer. These ratings are listed on
the safety compliance label on the driver door jamb ⇒ page 55, Im-
portant vehicle labels. When a trailer is towed, the weight of the ball
mount and the tongue weight of the trailer are added to the vehicle
weight ⇒  Determining the correct load limit.
The trailer weight ratings given above are valid only up to altitudes of
3000 ft (1000 m) above sea level. The maximum permissible com-
bined towing weight must be reduced by about 10% for every 3000 ft
(1000 m), or portion thereof, of additional altitude.
WARNING
Exceeding the gross trailer weight rating and tongue weight
can cause accidents and serious personal injury.
Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Never let the combined
front and rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR).
NOTICE
Exceeding the gross weight ratings can cause extensive vehicle
damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warran-
ty.

There are limits to the load any vehicle or any tire can carry. A vehicle
that is overloaded will not handle well and is more difficult to stop.
Overloading can damage important parts of the vehicle. Overloading
can also lead to blowout, sudden loss of pressure or other tire failure
that can cause loss of control.
Your safety and the safety of your passengers depends on making
sure that load limits are not exceeded. Vehicle load includes every-
body and everything in and on the vehicle. These load limits are
technically referred to as the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight of the basic vehicle, all factory-
installed and other accessories, a full tank of fuel, oil, coolant and
other fluids plus maximum load. The maximum load includes the
number of passengers that the vehicle is intended to carry (seating
capacity) with an assumed weight of 150 lbs (68 kg) for each passen-
ger at a designated seating position and the total weight of any lug-
gage in the vehicle. If you tow a trailer, the weight of the trailer hitch
and the tongue weight of the loaded trailer must be included as part
of the vehicle weight. At altitudes above 3000 ft (1000 m), combined
towing weight (vehicle plus trailer) must be reduced by 10% for every
3000 ft (1000 m).
The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum load that
can be carried at each of the vehicle's 2 axles (by the front or rear
tires). GVWR and GAWR are listed on the safety compliance label on
the driver door jamb. Because there is an upper limit to your vehicle's
total weight (GVWR), the weight of whatever is being carried (includ-
ing the weight of a trailer hitch and the tongue weight of the loaded
trailer) is also limited. More passengers, or passengers who are heav-
ier than the assumed 150 lbs (68 kg), mean that less weight can be
carried as luggage or other cargo. The tire pressure label on your
Volkswagen also lists the maximum combined weight of all of the oc-
cupants and luggage or other cargo that the vehicle can carry.

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit:
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there
will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-
750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this Manual to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and luggage capacity of
your vehicle.
Check the tire sidewall to determine the load index specified for
the tire.

UTQG classification

(2) Strap indicating the location of the storage compartment handle
(3) MDI (MEDIA-IN) jack in the pull-down storage compartment
Opening and closing the glove compartment
If necessary, unlock the glove compartment with the emergency key
⇒  Vehicle key set. It is locked when the key slot is vertical.
To open, pull the handle ⇒ fig. 124.
To close, push the lid up.
Opening and closing the storage compartment for the Owner's
Manual or MDI (MEDIA-IN) jack
Depending on equipment, the storage compartment at the top of the
glove compartment is designed to hold either the Owner's Manual or
the MDI (MEDIA-IN) jack.
The Owner's Manual compartment or MDI (MEDIA-IN) jack is located
in a storage compartment at the top, which can be pulled down to
open ⇒ fig. 125 (3).
The strap (2) indicates the handle for opening the storage compart-
ment.
If the vehicle is not equipped with the MDI (MEDIA-IN) jack, always
keep the Owner's Manual in this storage compartment. To stow the
Owner's Manual, place it in the slot with the binding facing the inside
of the glove compartment door.
Holders
Depending on the model, there may be holders for a pen and a note-
pad in the glove compartment.
Cooling the glove compartment
There is an air vent (1) in the back of the glove compartment. Cool air
can be directed into the glove compartment if the air conditioner is on.
Open or close the air vent by turning it.

WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
The vehicle could move suddenly, especially when the vehicle
is in gear, resulting in accidents and personal injury.
WARNING
“Starting fluids” can explode and can cause a “run-away” vehi-
cle condition.
Never use starting assist fluids.
NOTICE
You can damage the starter or the engine if you try to start the
engine when the vehicle is still moving, or if you try to restart the
engine right after switching it off.
Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle acceleration, and heavy
engine loads when the engine is cold.
Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle.
Unburned fuel can get into the catalytic converter and damage it.
The steering column may also be locked.
Do not let your vehicle warm up while standing; instead, start
driving right away after making sure that you have good visibility
through all windows. This will help the engine reach operating tem-
perature faster and keep down emissions.
If the remote control vehicle key battery is weak or dead, the
starter button will not start the engine. In this case, start the engine by
inserting the vehicle key in the ignition switch ⇒ Vehicle key positions
in the ignition switch.
Major consumers of electricity are temporarily switched off when
the engine is being started.
After starting a cold engine, there may be increased operating
noises for a few seconds. This is normal and harmless.

Facing downhill, turn the front wheels so that they point toward the
curb.
Facing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they point away from the
curb.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter get very
hot. They can cause fires and serious personal injury.
Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite flam-
mable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel,
etc.
NOTICE
Always be careful when you park in areas with parking barri-
ers or high curbs. These vary in height and could damage your
bumper and related parts if the front of your vehicle hits a barrier
or curb that is too high while you are getting into or out of a
parking spot. To help prevent damage, stop before the tires of
your vehicle touch a parking barrier or curb.
Always be careful when you enter a driveway or drive up or
down steep ramps or over curbs or other obstacles. Parts of the
vehicle close to the ground may be damaged (such as bumper
covers, spoilers, and parts of the engine, suspension, and ex-
haust systems).
About the brakes

Brake booster
The brake booster works only when the engine is running. It increas-
es the force on the brakes above and beyond the pressure put on the
brake pedal by the driver.
If the brake booster is not working, or if the vehicle has to be towed,
you will have to push the brake pedal harder to make up for the lack
of booster assistance and the resulting longer stopping distance ⇒ .
WARNING
New brake pads do not provide maximum braking performance.
New brake pads do not have the best stopping power for the
first 200 miles (320 km) and must be “broken in.” You can com-
pensate for the slightly reduced braking force by putting more
pressure on the brake pedal.
Drive with extra care while the new brake pads are being bro-
ken in. This reduces the risk of collisions and serious personal
injuries due to a loss of control over the vehicle.
Never follow other vehicles too closely or put yourself into
other situations that might require sudden, hard braking, espe-
cially when the brake pads have not been broken in.
WARNING
Overheated brakes will reduce the vehicle's stopping power
and increase stopping distances considerably.
When driving downhill, the brakes have to work especially
hard and heat up quickly.
Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or
steep, always reduce speed and shift into lower gear (manual or
automatic transmission). This will let the vehicle use engine
braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the
brake system could overheat and possibly fail. Only use the
brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or
to stop.
A damaged front spoiler or a non-standard spoiler can re-
duce airflow to the brakes and make them overheat.

WARNING
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react slower
and need longer stopping distances.
Carefully apply the brakes to test them.
Always dry brakes and clean off ice and salt coatings with a
few cautious brake applications when visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions permit.
WARNING
Driving when the brake booster is not working increases stop-
ping distances and can cause accidents and serious personal
injuries.
Never let the vehicle coast when the engine is switched off.
If the brake booster is not working (such as when the vehicle
is being towed), a lot more pedal force is needed to slow down
and stop.
NOTICE
Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pe-
dal when you do not want to brake. Constant pressure on the
brake pedal can make the brakes overheat. Riding the brakes
will substantially reduce braking performance, increase stopping
distance, and can cause complete brake system failure.
Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or
steep, always reduce speed and shift into lower gear (manual or
automatic transmission). This will let the vehicle use engine
braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake
system could overheat and possibly fail. Only use the brakes
when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.
When the front brakes are serviced, you should have the rear
brake pads inspected at the same time. The wear of all brake pads
should be visually checked regularly. The best way to check for brake
pad wear is to have your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility visually inspect the pads through the