tow VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC 2021 Owner´s Manual

Always stow luggage and heavy objects in the luggage compartment ⇒ .
Place heavy objects as far forward in the luggage compartment as possible.
Observe gross axle weight ratings and the gross vehicle weight rating ⇒ Technical data .
Secure luggage to the fastening rings in the luggage compartment using suitable lashing, fixing and
securing straps ⇒ Luggage compartment equipment .
Also stow small objects safely.
If necessary, fold back the rear seat backrest and engage it securely.
If necessary, adjust the headlight range ⇒ Headlights .
Adjust the tyre pressure according to the vehicle load. Observe the tyre pressure sticker ⇒ Tyre
pressure .
In vehicles with a tyre monitoring system, set the new vehicle load level as necessary ⇒ Tyre
monitoring system .

WARNING
Objects that are not secured, or are secured incorrectly, can cause serious injuries in the event of a
sudden driving or braking manoeuvre or accident. This applies particularly if objects are struck by an
airbag when activated and then flung through the vehicle interior. Please observe the following rules
to reduce the risk of accidents:
Always stow all objects in the vehicle securely.
Small and light objects should also be secured.
Objects should be stowed in the vehicle interior in such a way that they can never enter the airbag
deployment zones while the vehicle is in motion.
Always keep stowage compartments closed while the vehicle is in motion.
Stowed objects must never cause passengers to assume an incorrect sitting position.
If an item is being stowed on a seat, this seat must not be used by any passengers.
Do not stow any hard, heavy or sharp objects loose in any of the vehicle's open stowage areas, on
the surface behind the rear seat backrest or on the dash panel.
Remove any hard, heavy or sharp objects from items of clothing and bags inside the vehicle and
stow them securely.

WARNING
Transporting heavy objects changes the vehicle's handling and increases the braking distance. Heavy
loads that are not properly stowed or secured in the vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and
can cause serious injury.

Push the luggage compartment cover into the side retainers ⇒ Fig. 146  (lower arrows).
Hook the retaining straps onto the boot lid ⇒ Fig. 146  (upper arrows).

WARNING
Objects that are not secured or secured incorrectly or animals on the luggage compartment cover
may cause severe injuries in the event of sudden driving or braking manoeuvres or accidents.
Do not stow any hard, heavy or sharp items on the luggage compartment cover either loosely or in
bags.
Do not transport animals on the luggage compartment cover.

NOTICE
To prevent damage to the luggage compartment cover, do not load the luggage compartment to
such a height that the luggage compartment cover presses against the load when the boot lid is
closed.
Luggage compartment floor
Luggage compartment floor – Functions

Fig. 147 In the luggage compartment: opening the luggage compartment floor.

Fig. 148 In the luggage compartment: locking the luggage compartment floor.
Opening the luggage compartment floor
Grip the recessed handle in the luggage compartment floor ⇒ Fig. 147  and lift it upwards.

NOTICE
Never drop the luggage compartment floor; guide it slowly back down. The trims or the luggage
compartment floor could otherwise be damaged.

NOTICE
In the upper position, the variable luggage compartment floor has a maximum load capacity of
120 kg.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, there may be compartments for stowing small items under
the luggage compartment floor.
Luggage compartment equipment
Fastening rings

Fig. 151 In the luggage compartment: fixed and folding fastening rings.
There are fastening rings ⇒ Fig. 151  at the front and rear of the luggage compartment which can be
used to secure loose items and luggage with the help of lashing, retaining or securing straps.

WARNING
Unsuitable or damaged lashing, retaining or securing straps could tear in the event of a braking
manoeuvre or accident. This could cause objects to be flung through the vehicle interior and lead to
severe or fatal injuries.
Always use suitable and undamaged lashing, retaining or securing straps.
Pull lashing, retaining and securing straps taut crosswise over the cargo on the luggage compartment
floor and attach securely to the fastening rings.
Never exceed the maximum load rating of the fastening rings when securing objects.
Make sure that the upper edge of the load is higher than the fastening rings, particularly when
stowing flat objects.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, observe the signs about stowing loads that are attached in the
luggage compartment.
Never secure a child seat to the fastening rings.

The maximum load rating of the fastening rings is approximately 3.5 kN.

Suitable lashing, retaining or securing straps and luggage securing systems are available from
qualified workshops. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Bag hooks

Fig. 152 In the luggage compartment: bag hook.
Bag hooks may be located on the left and right-hand sides of the luggage compartment ⇒ Fig. 152 .

WARNING
Never use the bag hooks for lashing down items of luggage or other objects. The bag hook could
break off during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in the event of an accident.

NOTICE
Do not load each bag hook with more than 2.5 kg.
Load-through hatch

Before driving through an automatic car wash.
The vehicle height exceeds the required clearance height, e.g. in a garage.

NOTICE
Always remove the roof carrier before driving through an automatic car wash.
The height of the vehicle is changed by the installation of a roof carrier and the load secured to it.
Check and compare the height of the vehicle with clearance heights, e.g. for underpasses and garage
doors.
The roof carrier and its load must not obstruct you from opening and closing the glass roof and the
boot lid. The roof aerial must also remain unaffected.

Driving with a fitted roof carrier will increase air resistance and thus increase fuel consumption.
Trailer towing
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Technical requirements 
⇒ Fitting the removable ball head 
⇒ Removing the ball head 
⇒ Notes on towing a trailer 
⇒ Loading the trailer 
⇒ Driving with a trailer 
⇒ Trailer stabilisation 
⇒ Retrofitting a towing bracket 
The vehicle can be used to tow a trailer if it has the required technical equipment for this. The
additional trailer load will affect the amount of wear, fuel consumption and performance of the
vehicle and, in certain circumstances, could shorten the service intervals.
Driving with a trailer not only places an extra load on the vehicle, but also requires increased
concentration on the part of the driver.
Vehicles with start/stop system
When using towing brackets that were not retrofitted by Volkswagen, the start/stop system must be
deactivated manually using the button in the centre console before towing a trailer, and it must
remain deactivated for as long as a trailer is being towed ⇒ .

DANGER
It is dangerous to transport people in a trailer and it may also be illegal.

WARNING
Improper use of the towing bracket can lead to a loss of vehicle control, accidents and serious
injuries.
Only use the towing bracket if it is fitted properly and is not damaged.
Do not carry out any alterations or repairs to the towing bracket.
Wherever possible, swivel in or remove the ball head when a trailer is not being used in order to
reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists when
the vehicle is parked.
Never install a weight-distributing or load-balancing towing bracket to the vehicle. The vehicle is not
designed for these kinds of towing brackets. The towing bracket can fail, causing the trailer to tear
loose from the vehicle.

WARNING
Towing a trailer and transporting heavy or bulky items can change the vehicle handling and increase
the braking distance. This can lead to accidents.
Always secure loads properly using suitable and undamaged lashing, retaining or securing straps.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Reduce your speed, particularly when going downhill.
Trailers with a high centre of gravity are more likely to tip over than trailers with a low centre of
gravity.
Always drive carefully and think ahead. Accelerate very carefully and gently. Avoid abrupt and
sudden driving and braking manoeuvres.
Take special care when overtaking. Reduce your speed immediately if the trailer shows even the
slightest sign of snaking.
Never drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph) when towing a trailer, also 100 km/h (60 mph) in
exceptional cases. This also applies to countries where higher speeds are permitted. Keep to
country-specific speed limits, which may be lower for vehicles with trailers than for vehicles without
trailers.
Never try to stop a trailer from snaking by increasing your speed.
Never install a weight-distributing or load-balancing towing bracket on the vehicle.

WARNING
The start/stop system must always be switched off manually when towing a trailer using towing
brackets that have not been retrofitted by Volkswagen. Otherwise faults can occur in the brake
system, possibly resulting in accidents and serious injuries.

NOTICE
Observe the instructions and information for vehicles with an N1 approval ⇒ Information about
vehicles with N1 approval (light commercial vehicle) .

Always switch off the anti-theft alarm before a trailer is hitched or unhitched or a bicycle carrier is
loaded or unloaded ⇒ Anti-theft alarm . The tilt sensor could otherwise trigger an alarm
unintentionally.

With a new engine, do not tow a trailer during the first 1,000 km ⇒ Running in the engine .

Some retrofitted towing brackets may cover the aperture for fitting the towing eye. If so, the towing
eye cannot be used for towing or tow-starting other vehicles. For this reason, the removed ball head
of a retrofitted towing bracket should be kept in the vehicle at all times.
Technical requirements
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction 
Cooling system
There is an increased load on the engine and the cooling system when towing a trailer. The cooling
system must contain sufficient coolant and be able to cope with the extra load due to trailer towing.
Trailer brake
If the trailer is equipped with its own brake system, comply with the relevant regulations.
Trailer tail light clusters
The trailer tail light clusters must work correctly and meet legal requirements. Do not exceed the
maximum power consumption for the trailer.
Exterior mirrors
If you are unable to see the traffic behind the trailer using the vehicle's standard exterior mirrors,
additional exterior mirrors should be fitted in accordance with any country-specific regulations.
Before setting off, adjust the exterior mirrors so that you have a sufficient view towards the rear.

Retrofitting a towing bracket
Only use a towing bracket which has been approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle type. Always
check and observe the data provided by the towing bracket manufacturer.
Maximum power consumption of the trailer's electrical consumers
Never exceed the specified values.
Europe, Asia, Africa, South and Central America
All brake lights 84 watts
Turn signal per side 42 watts
All side lights 100 watts
All tail lights 42 watts
Rear fog light 42 watts

Australia
All brake lights 108 watts
Turn signal per side 54 watts
All side lights 100 watts
All tail lights 54 watts
Rear fog light 54 watts

WARNING
If the towing bracket is unsuitable or incorrectly fitted, the trailer could become detached from the
towing vehicle. This can cause serious accidents and fatal injuries.
Never fit a towing bracket to the rear bumper or its mountings. The towing bracket must not prevent
the rear bumper from functioning correctly.
Do not carry out any alterations to the exhaust or brake systems.

NOTICE

The vehicle electronics system may be damaged if the trailer's power consumption is too high.
Never connect the trailer's electrical system directly to the electrical connections of the tail light
clusters or to other power sources. Use only suitable connectors to supply power to the trailer.

Towing a trailer places additional demands on the vehicle. Volkswagen recommends additional
services between the normal inspection intervals if the vehicle is used frequently for towing a trailer.
Fitting the removable ball head

Fig. 155 Overview: removable ball head.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction 
Key to⇒ Fig. 155 
Protective cap 1)
Ball head
Retaining balls
Shank
Centring device
Release lever
Keys
Lock cap

Release pin with coloured marking
The removable ball head is located with the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.
Step 1: preparations
Remove the cap from the ball head mounting under the rear bumper ⇒ Rear view  and stow in the
vehicle.
Starting from the bottom right side, swivel the trailer socket as far as possible to the top left. This
gives you access to the ball head mounting.
Check to ensure that the mounting, locking lever ⇒ Fig. 155  ⑥, shank ④ and the retaining balls
③ of the ball head are all clean and not damaged ⇒ . Clean if necessary.
Step 2: check whether the ball head is pre-tensioned
The ball head cannot be fitted properly unless it is pre-tensioned.
The following conditions must be fulfilled:
The lock cover ⇒ Fig. 155  ⑧ is open and the key ⑦ is inserted
The release pin ⑨ can be moved.
The locking lever ⑥ is in the bottom position.
All retaining balls ③ can be pressed fully into the shank ④.
If all these conditions are met, continue with Step 4.
If conditions are not met, continue with Step 3.
Step 3: pre-tensioning the ball head
If the ball head is not pre-tensioned, pre-tension the ball head as follows:
Remove the lock cover ⑧ from the lock and insert the key ⑦ into the lock.
Turn the key ⑦ anti-clockwise until the part of the key with the hole is at the top.
Press the release pin ⑨ and at the same time press the locking lever ⑥ down as far as it will go ⇒
 . The locking lever remains locked in this position.
Step 4: attaching the pre-tensioned ball head to the vehicle
Do not touch the locking lever once the ball head has been pre-tensioned. When the ball head is
engaged, the locking lever will spring back to its original position and could cause injury ⇒ .
Guide the pre-tensioned removable ball head into the mounting tube from below.
Push the ball head firmly upwards until it engages. The centring devices ⇒ Fig. 155  ⑤ must engage
in the mounting points on the vehicle.
The locking lever ⑥ automatically turns up to its original position and the green section of the
release pin ⑨ is visible.