VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2013 1B / 6.G Owners Manual

Loading the trailer
The weight distribution in the vehicle and trailer must be balanced. Use the maximum permissible
tongue weight and make sure that the load in the trailer is evenly distributed and that it is not front-
heavy or tail-heavy:
x Distribute the load in the trailer so that heavy objects are directly above the axle or as close as
possible to the axle.
x Secure loads properly on the trailer.
Tire pressure
Always follow the trailer manufacturer's tire pressure recommendations for the trailer tires.
When towing, inflate the towing vehicle's tires to the maximum permissible pressure listed on the tire
pressure label .
WARNING
Exceeding the gross weight ratings for axle, tongue, vehicle, trailer or combined weight can
cause accidents and serious personal injury.
x Never exceed the specified values.
x Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating. Never let the combined front and rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating.

WARNING
Trailer loads that are not properly secured can shift when the vehicle is moving or braking
and suddenly change the way the vehicle handles, causing accidents and severe injuries.
x Always load the trailer properly.
x Always secure the load properly with suitable, undamaged straps that can be tightened so
that the load cannot shift.
Driving with a trailer

x Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, shift into a lower gear (manual or
automatic transmission) so that the engine helps to brake the vehicle. Otherwise, the brake system
could overheat and might fail.
x The vehicle's center of gravity and, in turn, the vehicle's handling, will change because of the trailer
load and the increased combined towing weight of the vehicle and trailer.
x Weight distribution is especially bad if the towing vehicle is empty and the trailer is loaded. If you
absolutely must drive with this combination, drive with extra care and at a reduced speed.
Starting off with a trailer on hills
Depending on how steep the hill is and the combined towing weight, a parked vehicle with trailer can
roll backwards when you first start moving.
When starting off with a trailer on a hill:
x Depress and hold the brake pedal (and depress and hold the clutch - manual transmission).
x Shift into first gear or Drive D , Shifting.
x Unlock the parking brake and gently release it while holding the unlock button. At the same time,
release the brake pedal and gradually depress the accelerator and, for a manual transmission, let out
the clutch until you can feel the car moving forward. If applicable, follow the instructions for the Hill
Hold feature , Starting assistance systems.
x Do not release the parking brake lever until the engine starts to move the vehicle forward. If your
vehicle has an automatic transmission, you can also depress and hold the brake pedal for added
braking and then let up on the brake pedal when you feel that the vehicle “wants” to move forward.
x Drive ahead slowly.
WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or bulky items changes the way the vehicle
handles and increases the distance it needs to stop safely.
x Always watch what is happening up ahead and around you. Brake earlier than you would
if you were not towing a trailer.
x Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the
vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.
x Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under
unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.
x Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently. Always avoid sudden maneuvers and
hard braking.
x Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows even the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are
lower than for vehicles without trailers.

Ball mount

Fig. 87 Dimensions of the ball mount support.

CAUTION
The ball mount sticks out behind the rear bumper and can cause injury to pedestrians and
cyclists.
x 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
x Never use a ball larger than 11/4 inches (32 mm) on your vehicle. 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.
x 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.
x 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.
x Only use trailer hitches that are approved by the hitch manufacturer for your vehicle and
model.

Retrofitting a trailer hitch

Fig. 88 Dimensions and attachment points for retrofitting a trailer hitch.

(D) 14.3 inches (364 mm)
(E) 10.6 inches (268 mm)
(F) 15.6 inches (396 mm)
(G) 40.9 inches (1040 mm)
WARNING
Improper or incorrect connections to the vehicle electrical system can cause malfunctions
that affect the entire vehicle electrical system and cause accidents and serious personal
injury.
x 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.
x 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

Maximum power
output (SAE net)
Engine code Transmission Trailer
with
brake
Trailer
without
brake
Tongue
weight
DSG® 6S automatic This vehicle cannot be used to
tow a trailer ⇒

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 front door jamb 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 combined 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.
x 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 Warranty.

NOTICE
Towing a trailer of any kind with a vehicle that has a diesel engine and DSG automatic
transmission will cause overheating and expensive engine as well as other damage to your
vehicle that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. Never install a trailer
hitch on one of these vehicles.

Storage areas

WARNING
Objects in the driver footwell can prevent the pedals from moving freely. This can cause loss
of vehicle control and increase the risk of serious personal injuries.
x Always make sure that nothing can interfere with the pedals.
x Always fasten floor mats securely to the floor.
x Never put floor mats or other floor coverings on top of already installed floor mats.
x Always make sure that nothing can fall into the driver footwell while the vehicle is moving.

NOTICE
x The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by hard or
sharp things on the shelf below the rear window.
x Do not keep any food, medicine, or other items sensitive to heat or cold in the vehicle. They
can be damaged or made unusable by heat or cold.
x Things that are made of transparent materials (such as eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, or
transparent suction cups on the windows) can magnify sunlight and damage the vehicle.
The ventilation slots between the rear window and the shelf behind the rear seat backrest must
not be blocked so that stale air can escape from the vehicle.
Storage compartment in the driver door

Fig. 89 In the driver door: Storage compartment.

Eyeglass storage compartment in the overhead console

Fig. 90 In the overhead console: Storage compartment.