2022 Volkswagen Jetta Owners Manual - Towing

Towing

 Introduction

Towing requires practice, particularly if a towing cable is used. Both drivers should be familiar with the special considerations when towing. Inexperienced drivers should not tow.

Follow all applicable laws when towing.

Always make sure the towing force does not exceed the permitted level and there are no shock loading conditions. There is always the risk of the coupling becoming overloaded when driving off-road.

Towing

Towing refers to using a vehicle to pull another vehicle that cannot be driven.

The vehicle can be towed using a tow bar or tow rope:

• The maximum permissible speed is 30 mph (50 km/h).

• The maximum permissible distance is 30 miles (50 km).

The easiest and safest way to tow is using a tow bar. You should use a towing cable only if a tow bar is not available.

The towing cable should be elastic to protect both vehicles. Use a cable made of synthetic rubber or a similar elastic material.

Towing with a tow truck

If your vehicle will be raised by one axle when towing, only the axle listed below may be raised, depending on the transmission and engine combination:

Front-wheel drive

Automatic transmission

Front axle

Manual transmission

Front axle

All-wheel drive (4MOTION)

Automatic transmission

Front axle

Manual transmission

Front axle

WARNING

The vehicle handling and braking efficiency will change considerably when it is towed.

WARNING

Never tow a vehicle that has no electrical power.

• Never turn off the ignition with the starter button while towing. Otherwise, the electronic steering column lock could engage suddenly. The vehicle cannot be steered if this happens. This can result in crashes, serious injuries, and a loss of control of the vehicle.

• Never remove the remote control vehicle key from the ignition lock while towing. Otherwise, the mechanical steering column lock or steering lock could engage suddenly. The vehicle cannot be steered if this happens. This can result in crashes, serious injuries, and a loss of control of the vehicle.

• If the vehicle loses power while it is being towed, stop towing the vehicle immediately and see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

NOTICE

Towing with a towing cable or tow bar can cause damage to the vehicle.

• Tow the vehicle carefully when using a towing cable or tow bar.

• If possible, have the immobilized vehicle transported with a recovery vehicle.

NOTICE

When pushing the vehicle by hand, the taillights, side spoiler on the rear window, and large sections of sheet metal could be damaged and the rear spoiler could detach.

• When pushing the vehicle by hand, do not press on the taillights, side spoiler on the rear window, large sections of sheet metal, or the rear spoiler.

NOTICE

Removing and installing the towing eye and the cover can cause vehicle damage, such as paint damage.

• Remove and install the towing eye and cover carefully to reduce the risk of vehicle damage.

NOTICE

Using a towing eye that is not suitable for the vehicle can damage the vehicle.

• When towing, always use the towing eye enclosed with your own vehicle in the vehicle tool kit, or another towing eye suitable for the vehicle.

Instructions for towing

 Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒ andIntroduction.

A vehicle being towed can still signal a turn using the turn signals even if the emergency flashers are switched on. To do this when the ignition is switched on, activate the turn signal for the desired direction. The emergency flashers will stop while the turn signal is active. The emergency flashers will activate again once the turn signal lever returns to the neutral position.

When may this vehicle not be towed?

The vehicle must not be towed in the following situations:

• If the 12 V vehicle battery is drained.

• The indicator in the instrument cluster display does not function perfectly.

• If the towing distance is greater than 30 miles (50 km).

• With a manual transmission, the clutch cannot be depressed completely and it is not possible to shift into neutral.

• The selector lever of the automatic transmission cannot be moved to neutral (position N).

• The electronic parking brake cannot be released.

• The steering column lock cannot be released.

• If the wheel clearance or the steering function can no longer be secured after an accident.

If the vehicle cannot be towed on its own wheels due to one of the conditions listed, contact professional assistance and have the vehicle transported by a rescue vehicle, if necessary.

Towing

 Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒ andIntroduction.

Secure the tow rope or tow bar only at the permitted points:

• Towing lug.

Preparations

• Make sure the tow rope is not twisted. Otherwise it could disconnect from the towing eye while towing.

• Switch the ignition and emergency flashers on in both vehicles. However, do not do this if it is prohibited by law.

• Read and comply with the information and instructions for towing given in the Owner's Manual for the other vehicle.

Towing vehicle (front)

1. Only start to drive when the tow rope is taut.

2. Be especially careful when accelerating.

3. Avoid sudden braking and driving maneuvers.

4. Do not exceed the permitted towing weight of the vehicle.

5. For vehicles with a manual transmission: Engage the clutch very gently when pulling away.

Vehicle being towed (rear)

1. Make sure the ignition is switched on so that the steering wheel is not locked and so that the turn signal and windshield wiper can be used if needed.

2. Release the electronic parking brake.

3. Make sure the tow rope is always taut.

4. Disengage the gear.

5. Select selector lever position “N”.

The brake booster and power steering only work when the engine is running. Otherwise, the brake pedal needs to be pressed much harder and more force is required to steer.

WARNING

Never secure the tow rope or the tow bar to axle or suspension components. They can be damaged and cause accidents and serious injuries.

• Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and have the vehicle taken away on a recovery vehicle, if necessary.

NOTICE

The vehicle can only be towed if the battery charge level of the 12 V vehicle battery is sufficient and the electronic parking brake and steering column lock can be released. If there is a loss of power or the electrical system is malfunctioning, the engine may need to be jump-started or the vehicle's drive system may need to be reactivated in order to release the electronic parking brake and steering column lock.

Installing the front towing eye

 Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒ andIntroduction.

Depending on the country and vehicle equipment, the mount for the towing eye is situated behind the bumper cover.

1. Before having it towed, check that your vehicle has a threaded mount for the towing lug.

2. Otherwise, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and have the vehicle taken away by a recovery vehicle if necessary.

The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle.

Read and heed the information about towing ⇒ Instructions for towing.

Installing the front towing eye

Fig. 148 In the right front bumper: Remove the cover, variant 1.

Fig. 149 In the right front bumper: Remove the cover, variant 2.

Fig. 150 In the right front bumper: Screw in the towing eye, variant 1.

Fig. 151 In the right front bumper: Screw in the towing eye, variant 2.

1. Remove the towing eye from the vehicle tool kit in the luggage compartment ⇒ Placement.

2. Press on the marked area of the cover in the direction of the arrow to release the catch on the cover  fig. 148.

3. Remove the cover, let it hang from the vehicle or place it in the vehicle if necessary.

4. Rotate the towing eye in the direction of the arrow as far as possible to install it in the mount  fig. 150 , ⇒ . Use a suitable object to tighten the towing eye completely and securely in the mount.

5. After the vehicle has been towed, unscrew the towing eye with a suitable object in the opposite direction to the arrow.

6. Insert the cap into the respective opening and press in until it engages.

7. If necessary, clean the towing eye and return it to the vehicle tool kit in the luggage compartment.

NOTICE

The towing eye must always be installed completely and securely in the mount. Otherwise, the towing eye could pull out of the mount when towing the vehicle.

Installing the rear towing eye

 Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒ andIntroduction.

Depending on the country and vehicle equipment, the mount for the towing eye is situated behind the bumper cover.

1. Before having it towed, check that your vehicle has a threaded mount for the towing lug.

2. Otherwise, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and have the vehicle taken away by a recovery vehicle if necessary.

The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle.

Read and heed the information about towing ⇒ Instructions for towing.

Installing the rear towing eye, variant 1

Fig. 152 In the right rear bumper: Remove the cover, variant 1.

Fig. 153 In the right rear bumper: Screw in towing eye, variant 1.

1. Remove the towing eye from the vehicle tool kit in the luggage compartment ⇒ Placement.

2. Press on the marked area of the cover in the direction of the arrow to release the catch on the cover  fig. 152.

3. Remove the cover, let it hang from the vehicle or place it in the vehicle if necessary.

4. Rotate the towing eye in the direction of the arrow as far as possible to install it in the mount  fig. 153 , ⇒ . Use a suitable object to tighten the towing eye completely and securely in the mount.

5. After the vehicle has been towed, unscrew the towing eye with a suitable object in the opposite direction to the arrow.

6. Insert the cap into the respective opening and press in until it engages.

7. If necessary, clean the towing eye and return it to the vehicle tool kit in the luggage compartment.

Installing the rear towing eye, variant 2

Fig. 154 In the right rear bumper: Remove the cover, variant 2.

Fig. 155 In the right rear bumper: Screw in towing eye, variant 2.

1. Remove the towing eye and extraction hook from the vehicle tool kit in the luggage compartment ⇒ Placement.

2. Insert the extraction hook into the cutout of the cover from below and pull the cover out of the catches in the direction of the arrow  fig. 154.

3. Remove the cover toward the front and place in the vehicle.

4. Rotate the towing eye in the direction of the arrow as far as possible to install it in the mount  fig. 155 , ⇒ . Use a suitable object to tighten the towing eye completely and securely in the mount.

5. After the vehicle has been towed, unscrew the towing eye with a suitable object in the opposite direction to the arrow.

6. Take the cover out of the vehicle and insert the upper lugs of the cover into the opening in the bumper. Press on the lower part of the cover until the lower lug latches into the bumper.

7. If necessary, clean the towing eye and return it to the vehicle tool kit in the luggage compartment.

NOTICE

The towing eye must always be installed completely and securely in the mount. Otherwise, the towing eye could pull out of the mount when towing the vehicle.