towing VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 2011 Owner's Manual

Towing

WARNING
Towing a vehicle changes the way it handles and brakes. To help reduce the risk of an accident and serious personal injury, note the following:
x The driver of the vehicle that is being towed:
– Since the brake booster also does not work when the engine is stopped, you will need to press harder on the brake pedal to slow down or stop. Always be alert so as not to rear-end towing vehicle.
– Will have to use considerable more force to turn the steering wheel because the power steering is not working.
x The driver of the vehicle that is doing the towing:
– Must accelerate gradually and gently and avoid jerking movements.
– Must not brake hard or steer sharply.
– Must brake earlier and more gently than in normal driving.
NOTICE
x Be careful not to damage the paint when installing and removing the towing eye and the cover for the threaded hole behind the bumper.
x Unburned fuel can get into the catalytic converter during towing and damage it.
NOTICE
The vehicle may be damaged if it is towed with a tow rope or a tow bar.
x Never let the vehicle be towed with a tow rope or a tow bar unless it is absolutely necessary.
x If the vehicle breaks down, it can only be towed by a special tow truck.
Towing on a commercial tow truck

x Tow the vehicle only with its front wheels off the ground ⇒ .
Special towing instructions for vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)
x To help prevent unnecessary damage, vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) must be transported on a flat-bed truck.
x To load the vehicle on the flat bed, use the towing eye found in the vehicle tool kit and attach it to the front anchorage
When not to tow your vehicle
If there is little or no oil in the transmission because of damage to your vehicle, it must be moved with the drive wheels off the ground. The vehicle can only be towed if its ignition is switched on and its electrical system is operating. In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed at all and must be transported on a flatbed truck or trailer:
x If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
x If the vehicle battery is dead (because the steering is locked and the electronic parking brake and the electronic steering column lock cannot be released if engaged).
x If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).
WARNING
It is not safe for children or other persons to ride in a vehicle that is being towed.
x Never let children or anyone else remain in the vehicle while it is being towed.
NOTICE
The drive axle rotates while the vehicle is being towed with its rear wheels off the ground. This can damage the automatic transmission.
x Never tow automatic transmission vehicle with the rear wheels off the ground.
x Tow manual transmission vehicles with the rear wheels off the ground only if it is certain that no transmission fluid can leak out.
Tips on towing

x Shift the gearshift lever to Neutral
x Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).
x Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).
Towing automatic transmission vehicles
Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see below When not to tow your vehicle.
If yes, note the following for the towed vehicle:
x Put the transmission in Neutral (N).
x Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).
x Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).
x When a commercial tow truck is being used, the vehicle must only be towed with the front wheels lifted off the ground.
x Follow the special instructions for towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION).
Towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)
Vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) should be towed with a tow bar or a tow rope. If the vehicle is towed with the front or rear axles lifted off the ground, the engine must be switched off. Otherwise the powertrain may be damaged.
When not to tow your vehicle
In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed and must be transported on a flatbed truck or trailer:
x If transmission fluid has leaked out of the transmission.
x If there is little or no oil in the transmission because of damage to your vehicle, it must be moved with the drive wheels off the ground.
x If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
x When the vehicle battery is dead, since the steering may remain disabled, and it may not be possible to release the electronic steering column lock and the electronic parking brake.
x If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).
Towing other vehicles
x Obey all legal requirements.
x Read and heed all towing information in the owner’s manual for the other vehicle.
A vehicle can be towed only if the electronic parking brake and the electronic steering column lock can be released. In case of a power loss or malfunctions of the electrical system, the engine may have to be jump-started in order to release the electronic parking brake and the electronic steering column lock.

Installing the front towing eye

Fig. 212 In the right front bumper: Cover.

Fig. 213 In right front bumper: Screwing in towing eye.

Installing the rear towing eye

Fig. 214 On the right in the rear bumper: Cover.

Fig. 215 On the right in the rear bumper: Screwing in the towing eye.

x Vehicles with a factory-equipped trailer hitch can also tow with the trailer hitch. In this case, you may only use a tow-bar that is specially designed to fit on a ball mount. If you use an unsuitable tow bar, the ball mount, trailer hitch, and the vehicle could be damaged.
Installing the rear towing eye (R-Line)

Fig. 216 On the right rear bumper: Removing the cover.

Driving tips while towing