Do it yourself
Towing on a commercial tow truck
In this manual: Do it yourself
~2min read
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒
Introduction to the subject To help avoid damaging the vehicle, have it towed only by a professional towing company. Read and heed the following information:
General information
Never let the vehicle be towed at speeds above 50 km/h.
Never let the vehicle be towed for more than 30 mi (50 km).
Towing manual transmission vehicles
- Release the parking brake.
- Shift the transmission into Neutral (N).
- If possible, have the vehicle towed with the front wheels off the ground.
- If necessary, the vehicle can also be towed with the rear wheels off the ground ⇒
.
Towing automatic transmission vehicles
- Release the parking brake.
- Shift the transmission into Neutral (N).
- Tow the vehicle only with its front wheels off the ground ⇒
.
Special towing instructions for vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)
- To help prevent unnecessary damage, vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) must be transported on a flat-bed truck.
- 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 ⇒ Vehicle tool kit , ⇒ Installing the front towing eye .
When not to tow your vehicle
- If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
- 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).
- If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).
It is not safe for children or other persons to ride in a vehicle that is being towed.- Never let children or anyone else remain in the vehicle while it is being towed.
The drive axle rotates while the vehicle is being towed with its rear wheels off the ground. This can damage the automatic transmission.- Never tow automatic transmission vehicle with the rear wheels off the ground.
- Tow manual transmission vehicles with the rear wheels off the ground only if it is certain that no transmission fluid can leak out.
Test yourself
A quick Volkswagen Tiguan quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.
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