Get Do it yourself Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

— Lift the luggage compartment floor and secure it

in the stops on either side of the luggage com-

partment → fig. 151 (small arrows).

Do it yourself

Vehicle tool kit

Introduction

— On some models, it may be necessary to remove

the compact spare wheel to access the vehicle

tool kit. Follow the instructions on removing the

compact spare wheel → page 281, Spare wheel or

compact spare wheel.

When securing the vehicle after a breakdown, al-

ways obey all applicable legal requirements.

NOTICE

WARNING

Always guide the luggage compartment floor back

down carefully. Dropping the luggage compartment

floor could damage the vehicle trim and the luggage

compartment floor panel itself.

Loose tools and other items in the vehicle tool kit

and a loose spare (or compact spare) wheel may be

thrown through the passenger compartment if you

brake suddenly or steer sharply or are involved in

an accident. This can cause severe injuries.

Completely retract the jack after use. Other-

wise it will not fit in its compartment and can-

not be stowed safely.

Always make sure the vehicle tool kit and spare

(or compact spare) wheel are securely stowed in

the luggage compartment.

·

Contents

WARNING

Improper or damaged vehicle tools can lead to ac-

cidents and injury.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 227.

Never work with tools that are damaged or not

·

right for the job.

Storage

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 227.

Fig. 152 Contents of the vehicle tool kit.

The contents of the vehicle tool kit depend on the

vehicle's equipment. The following describes the

maximum contents.

Contents of the vehicle tool kit → fig. 152

1

Screwdriver with a hexagonal socket in the han-

dle for removing or inserting previously loos-

ened wheel bolts. The screwdriver blade is re-

versible. The screwdriver may be stored under

the lug wrench (if equipped).

Fig. 151 In the luggage compartment: Luggage com-

partment floor raised and secured.

The vehicle tool kit and the spare wheel, compact

spare wheel, or tire mobility set may be in one of

several places under the variable luggage compart-

ment floor in the luggage compartment.

2

Adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts (if equipped).

Volkswagen recommends that you always carry

the adapter for the wheel bolts in the vehicle

along with the vehicle tool kit. The code number

— If necessary, detach the luggage net.

Vehicle tool kit

227

Lifting the wiper blades and tilting them away from

the windshield

of the wheel bolt lock is imprinted on the front

of the adapter. If lost, a replacement adapter

can be ordered using this number. Record the

code number of the wheel bolt lock and store it

separately from the vehicle.

— Put the wiper arms in service position →

.

— Do not handle the wiper blades, handle the wiper

arms only at the attachment above the wiper

blades.

3

4

Screw-in towing eye.

Hubcap puller clip for removing hubcaps, full

wheel covers, or wheel bolt caps.

— Lift the wiper arms away from the windshield.

Carefully fold the wiper arms back onto the wind-

shield before driving! Switch the ignition on and

press the windshield wiper lever down briefly. The

wiper arms move back to their original position.

5

Jack (if equipped). Before putting the jack back

in the foam insert, be sure to completely crank

the jack down to its original position.

6

7

Lug wrench (if equipped).

Crank (if equipped).

NOTICE

To help prevent damage to the engine hood and

Maintaining the vehicle jack

·

the windshield wiper arms, lift the wiper arms

away from the windshield only when they are in

the service position.

The vehicle jack requires no regular maintenance. If

necessary, apply multi-purpose grease to the joints

of the vehicle jack.

Always carefully fold the windshield wiper arms

down against the windshield before driving the

vehicle.

·

Windshield wiper blades

The windshield wiper arms can be moved to

the service position only when the vehicle is

not moving.

Windshield wiper service position

Cleaning and changing the wind-

shield wiper blades

Fig. 153 Windshield wiper in service position.

In the service position, the wiper arms can be lifted

away from the windshield → fig. 153. Move the wip-

ers to the service position as follows:

Fig. 154 Changing the windshield wiper blades.

— The engine hood must be closed → page 241, In

the engine compartment .

— Switch the ignition off, turn it on briefly, and then

off again.

— Press the windshield wiper lever down briefly

when the ignition is off.

— Wipers move into service position.

228

Do it yourself

arms only at the attachment above the wiper

blades.

— With one hand, press and hold the release button

→ fig. 154 1 .

— With the other hand, hold the wiper blade at the

attachment point and pull it straight up and out in

the direction of the arrow. This may require mod-

erate force.

— Install a new wiper blade of same length and type

onto the wiper arm by pushing in the opposite di-

rection of the arrow until it latches.

Fig. 155 Changing the rear window wiper blades.

— Carefully fold the wiper arm back down onto the

windshield.

Factory-installed wiper blades have a graphite coat-

ing. The graphite coating helps the wiper blades

glide smoothly over the windshield. If this coating is

worn or damaged, the wipers may grab or squeak.

Changing the rear window wiper blade

— Lift the wiper arm away from the rear window.

Check all wiper blades regularly. Wiper blades that

grab and squeak must be replaced if worn or dam-

— Do not handle the wiper blade; handle the wiper

arm only at the attachment above the wiper

blade.

aged and cleaned if dirty →

.

— Lift the wiper arm away from the rear window in

the direction of arrow A → fig. 155.

Replace worn or damaged wiper blades immediate-

ly. Replacement blades may be purchased from any

authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volks-

wagen Service Facility.

—

Press and hold the release button → fig. 155 1 .

— Pull off the wiper blade in the direction of ar-

row B . This may require moderate force.

Lifting and tilting windshield wiper arms

Move the front wiper arms to the service position

before lifting them away from the windshield

→ page 119, Windshield wipers and washer.

— Install a new wiper blade of the same length and

type onto the wiper arm by pushing in the oppo-

site direction of the arrow → fig. 155 B until it

latches.

It is not possible to lift the front wiper arms away

from the windshield when they are not in the service

position.

— Carefully fold the wiper arm back down onto the

window.

When lifting or replacing a wiper blade on a window,

grip it only by its mounting and not by the blade it-

self.

WARNING

Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and in-

crease the risk of accidents and severe injuries.

Cleaning the wiper blades

Always change wiper blades if they are dam-

aged or worn, and if they cannot clean the win-

dows sufficiently.

·

— Move the front wiper arms to the service position

and lift them away from the windshield.

— Do not handle the wiper blades; handle the wiper

arms only at the attachment above the wiper

blades.

NOTICE

Damaged or dirty wiper blades can scratch the

windshield and the rear window.

— Using a soft cloth, carefully remove dust and dirt

from the wiper blades.

·

Solvents, abrasive sponges and sharp-edged ob-

jects will damage the graphite coating on the

wiper blades.

— If the blades are very dirty, carefully clean them

·

with a damp sponge or cloth →

.

— Carefully fold the wiper arm back down onto the

windshield.

Do not clean the windows with gasoline, nail pol-

ish remover, paint thinner or similar fluids.

·

Changing the front windshield wiper blades

To help prevent damage to the engine hood and

·

the windshield wiper arms, lift the wiper arms

away from the windshield only when they are in

the service position.

— Move the front wiper arms to the service position.

— Lift the wiper arms away from the windshield. Do

not handle the wiper blades; handle the wiper

Windshield wiper blades

229

Automatic car washes and vehicle care prod-

ucts can leave a wax residue on all glass surfa-

ces, which can cause the windshield wipers to grab

and squeak. Remove these wax residues with a spe-

cial cleaner or cleaning cloths.

Never replace a light bulb unless you are famili-

ar with all of the necessary procedures. In par-

ticular, never remove a headlight unless you

know exactly how to carry out the job and have

the correct tools and light bulbs.

·

If you are uncertain about what to do, have the

work performed by an authorized Volkswagen

dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facili-

ty, or another qualified workshop. Serious per-

sonal injury may result from improperly per-

formed work.

Replacing light bulbs

Introduction

We strongly recommend that you always have

headlights and H7 bulbs replaced by a qualified

technician.

·

Changing a light bulb requires a certain amount of

skill. Therefore, Volkswagen recommends having the

light bulb changed by an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Special training and knowledge are generally re-

quired when other vehicle parts must be disassem-

bled to replace a bulb.

Do not touch the glass of light bulbs with your

bare hands. Fingerprints left on the bulb evapo-

rate due to the heat when the bulb is switched

on and cause the reflector to “cloud.”

There are sharp edges on and around the head-

light housing in the engine compartment and

the rear light housing. Wear hand protection if

you replace bulbs.

·

You should always keep a box in the vehicle with all

the replacement bulbs required for traffic safety.

Replacement bulbs are available from your author-

ized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility. The laws of some countries explicitly

require you to have replacement bulbs in the vehicle.

NOTICE

After replacing a headlight bulb or other light bulb,

always make sure that the rubber covers or plastic

caps have been properly and securely reinstalled to

help prevent water from getting into the electrical

connections and the headlight housing and damag-

ing the electrical system.

Driving with outside lights that do not work may be

against the law.

Additional light bulb specifications

Some factory-installed light bulbs in the headlights

may have different specifications than conventional

light bulbs. Specifications are on the glass bulb or on

the metal base.

Individual LEDs cannot be replaced. Contact

your authorized Volkswagen dealer or author-

ized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

WARNING

Crashes and other accidents can happen when you

cannot see the road ahead and when you cannot

be seen by other motorists.

Tips and troubleshooting

Please read the introductory information and

WARNING

heed the Warnings and Notice

230.

and on page

Improper replacement of burned out headlights

and other light bulbs can cause serious personal

injury.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning

and indicator lights come on briefly for a function

check. They go out after a few seconds.

Stop! Always read and heed the WARNINGS be-

·

fore doing any work in the engine compartment

→ page 241, In the engine compartment. The

engine compartment of any motor vehicle is

a potentially dangerous area, and work in this

area can lead to serious personal injury.

An exterior light is not working properly

If the indicator light comes on, at least one of the

exterior vehicle lights is not working.

H7 bulbs are under high pressure and can ex-

plode if handled improperly.

·

— See an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an author-

ized Volkswagen Service Facility, or other quali-

fied workshop to replace the light that isn't work-

ing.

Always let a burned out light bulb cool down

before replacing it.

·

230

Do it yourself

Failure of a single LED within a taillight is not

indicated. However, the indicator light will

the ignition, and remove the key from the ignition

switch (if applicable) before replacing a fuse.

light up if all LEDs fail.

If a fuse is replaced with a fuse with higher am-

perage, this can also cause damage at different

locations in the electrical system.

·

Open fuse boxes must be protected from dirt and

moisture. Dirt and moisture in fuse boxes can

cause damage to the electrical system.

Replacing fuses

Introduction

Due to ongoing development of the vehicle, config-

uration-dependent allocation of fuses and the com-

bined fuse protection of multiple loads with one

fuse, an up-to-date overview of the fuse location

per load is not possible at the time of printing. De-

tailed information regarding fuse box layout is avail-

able from authorized Volkswagen dealers and au-

thorized Volkswagen Service Facilities.

Fuses in the vehicle

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

231.

and on page

In general, one fuse can protect several loads. One

load can also be protected by several fuses.

Find out why the fuse blew and correct the problem

before replacing a blown fuse. If a newly replaced

fuse blows again after a short time, the electrical

system should be checked by an authorized Volks-

wagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

WARNING

High voltage systems in the engine compartment

can cause electrical shock, severe burns, and even

death!

Fig. 156 On the driver side in the instrument panel:

Removing the storage compartment to access fuses.

Never touch ignition cables. Never touch other

·

components of the high voltage electronic igni-

tion system.

Accessing fuses in the instrument panel

Avoid short circuits in the electrical system.

·

— Open the storage compartment next to the steer-

ing wheel and remove any contents.

WARNING

— To remove: Pull the lower part of the storage

compartment straight out (in the direction of the

arrow → fig. 156) and remove the compartment

from the bottom. This action may require moder-

ate force.

Using the wrong fuse, using a blown fuse that has

been repaired, and using metal objects in place of

fuses to complete the electrical connection in the

circuit can cause fires and serious personal injury.

Never replace a fuse with one that has a higher

·

— To install: Fit the storage compartment on the

hinges at the bottom of the opening. Guide the

storage compartment into the instrument panel

by pushing in the direction opposite of the arrow

→ fig. 156 until it latches into place.

amp rating. Replace a blown fuse only with

a fuse of the same amperage (same color and

same imprint) and same overall size.

Never repair fuses.

·

Never replace fuses with a metal strip, a paper

clip, or a similar object.

NOTICE

To help prevent vehicle damage, be careful when

removing the storage compartment and be sure

to reinstall it properly.

·

NOTICE

To help prevent damage to the electrical system,

·

switch off all lights and accessories, switch off

Replacing fuses

231

Open fuse boxes must be protected from dirt and

moisture. Dirt and moisture in fuse boxes can

cause damage to the electrical system.

The vehicle contains other fuses in addition to

those mentioned in this section. Have these

fuses replaced by an authorized Volkswagen dealer

or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

·

The vehicle contains other fuses in addition to

those mentioned in this section. Have these

fuses replaced by an authorized Volkswagen dealer

or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Replacing blown fuses

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

231.

and on page

Fuses in the engine compartment

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

231.

and on page

Fig. 158 Blown fuse: : Blade fuse. : JCASE® fuse.

Fig. 157 In the engine compartment: Fuse box cover

with tweezers 2 .

1

Opening the fuse box in the engine compartment

— Open the engine hood → page 241, In the en-

gine compartment.

— To remove: Press the release tabs in the direction

of the arrows → fig. 157 to unlock the fuse box

cover 1 .

— Remove the cover upward.

— To install: Push the cover onto the fuse box. The

locking tabs must latch with an audible “click.”

Fig. 159 Removing or installing a blade fuse with the

plastic tweezers: : Blade fuse. : JCASE® fuse.

In some vehicles, there are plastic tweezers for re-

moving fuses on the inside of the fuse box cover

→ fig. 157 2 .

Replace a blown fuse only with a fuse of the same

amperage (same color and same imprint) and same

overall size.

NOTICE

Fuse types

To help prevent vehicle damage, be careful when

removing the fuse box cover and be sure to rein-

stall it properly.

·

®

—

Regular blade fuse (ATO ).

®

Mini blade fuse (MINI ).

Open fuse boxes must be protected from dirt and

moisture. Dirt and moisture in fuse boxes can

cause damage to the electrical system.

·

®

Cartridge fuse (JCASE ).

232

Do it yourself

Fuse color coding (ATO / MINI)

— Pull out the fuse.

— If the fuse is blown, replace the fuse with a new

fuse of the same amperage (same color and same

Color Amp rating

Black 1 amp

Purple 3 amps

Orange 5 amps

Brown 7.5 amps

Red 10 amps

imprint) and same size →

.

— Clip the plastic tweezers back into the holder in-

side the fuse box cover.

— Replace the fuse box cover.

Blue 15 amps

NOTICE

Yellow 20 amps

White or clear 25 amps

Green 30 amps

Light green 40 amps

If a fuse is replaced with a fuse with higher amper-

age, damage can occur at various places in the elec-

trical system.

Fuse color coding (JCASE)

Jump-starting

Blue 20 amps

Pink 30 amps

Green 40 amps

Red 50 amps

Yellow 60 amps

Introduction

If your engine does not start because the vehicle

battery is dead, your vehicle's battery can be con-

nected to the battery of another vehicle to start your

engine (jump-starting). Check the battery acid level

indicator on the vehicle battery before jump-starting

→ page 256, Vehicle battery.

Preparations

— Switch off the headlights, the ignition, and all

electrical consumers.

— Open the appropriate fuse box → page 231, Fuses

in the vehicle, → page 232, Fuses in the engine

compartment.

You must use jumper cables that meet recognized

industrial standards (check information provided by

the jumper cable manufacturer). For vehicles with

gasoline engines, the cross-section of the jumper

cable wire must be at least 0.038 in.²(25 mm²), or

about 3 ga. (AWG).

Identifying a blown fuse

®

—

For blade fuses (ATO , MINI ): Remove the fuse

and shine a flashlight on it. This makes it easier to

tell if the fuse has blown. A blown blade fuse has

metal strips that have burned through, which you

can see through the transparent housing from

Location of the vehicle battery

The 12 Volt vehicle battery is in the engine compart-

ment.

above and from the side → fig. 158

.

WARNING

®

—

For cartridge fuses (JCASE ): Shine a flashlight on

the fuse. This makes it easier to tell if the fuse has

blown. A blown cartridge fuse has metal strips

that have burned through, which you can see

through the transparent housing from above

Working on the batteries or the electrical system

in your vehicle can cause serious acid burns, fires,

or electrical shock.

Always keep children away from battery acid

and vehicle batteries in general.

·

→ fig. 158

.

Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive and can

·

Replacing a fuse

cause blindness and damage to unprotected

skin. Never let battery acid or lead particles con-

tact your eyes, skin, and clothing.

In some vehicles, there are plastic tweezers for re-

moving blade fuses on the inside of the fuse box

cover in the engine compartment.

Never lean over a vehicle battery. Always wear

·

— Open the fuse box cover in the engine compart-

ment → page 232, Fuses in the engine compart-

ment and remove the plastic tweezers.

protective gloves and eye protection. To reduce

your risk of injury, never tilt the batteries; acid

could spill out through the vents and burn you.

— Depending on the type of fuse, slide the tweezers

A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off

when the battery is being charged.

·

→ fig. 159

1 or → fig. 159

1 onto the fuse

from the side.

Jump-starting

233

Always avoid fires, sparks, open flame, and

smoking. Never create sparks or electrostatic

charges when handling cables and electrical

equipment. Never short-circuit the battery ter-

minals. High-energy sparks can cause serious

personal injury.

gen gas given off by the dead battery to ex-

plode.

·

Never attach the negative cable from the vehi-

cle providing starting assistance to any part of

the fuel system or to the brake hoses or brake

lines.

·

If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your

skin, immediately rinse with cold water for sev-

eral minutes and get medical attention immedi-

ately. If you swallow any battery acid, get medi-

cal attention immediately.

Never allow the non-insulated parts of the bat-

tery clamps to touch.

·

Never allow the jumper cable attached to the

positive battery terminal to contact metal parts

of the vehicle.

Always follow the instructions of the jumper ca-

ble manufacturer.

WARNING

·

Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting

a vehicle with a dead battery can cause the battery

to explode, leading to serious personal injury. To

help reduce the risk of battery explosion:

NOTICE

To help prevent extensive damage to the vehicle

electrical system, read and heed the following:

All work on the batteries or the electrical sys-

·

tem in your vehicle can cause serious acid

burns, fires, or electrical shocks. Always read

and heed the following WARNINGS and safety

precautions before working on the batteries or

the electrical system → page 256, Vehicle bat-

tery.

Connecting jumper cables improperly can cause

a short circuit and do expensive damage to the

vehicle's electrical system.

·

Do not let the vehicles touch each other while the

·

jumper cables are connected. If they do, electrical

current may flow between the vehicles when the

positive (+) terminals are connected, causing elec-

trical system damage.

Always make sure that the battery providing

·

starting assistance (the booster battery) has the

same voltage as the dead battery (12 V) and

about the same amperage capacity (see battery

label).

Jump-start terminal

Never jump-start a vehicle with a thawed or

·

frozen vehicle battery. The battery can explode.

A dead battery can freeze at temperatures

around +32 °F (0 °C).

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

233.

and on page

A battery that is frozen or was frozen, but has

since thawed, must be replaced.

·

When the vehicle battery is jump-started, it

·

gives off hydrogen gas, which is highly explo-

sive! Always keep fire, sparks, open flame, and

smoking materials far away from vehicle batter-

ies. Never use a mobile telephone while con-

necting or disconnecting jumper cables.

Jump-start batteries only in well-ventilated

areas. Batteries give off highly explosive hydro-

gen gas during jump-starting.

·

Always route the jumper cables so that they

cannot get caught in any moving parts in the

engine compartment.

·

Never short out the battery terminals by con-

necting the positive (+) and negative (-) termi-

nals with each other.

·

Fig. 160 In the engine compartment: Negative jump-

–

start terminal

.

Never connect the negative cable from the oth-

er vehicle directly to the negative terminal of

the dead battery, as this may cause the hydro-

·

The jump-start terminal for connecting the black

(negative) jump-start cable is in the engine compart-

–

ment → fig. 160

.

234

Do it yourself

Your vehicle can only be jump-started or be used to

jump-start another vehicle via this jump-start termi-

nal.

which follow the letters shown in the illustration

→ fig. 161 A – B – C – D.

Attaching jumper cables

1. Switch off the ignition in both vehicles

→ page 141, Starting and stopping the engine.

Using jumper cables

2. Open the battery cover, if necessary

→ page 256, Vehicle battery.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

233.

and on page

3. Attach one end of the red jumper cable A to the

+

positive battery terminal → fig. 161

dead battery: 1 →

4. Attach the other end of the red jumper cable B

on the

.

+

to the positive battery terminal → fig. 161

on the good battery (booster battery): 2 .

5. Attach one end of the black jumper cable C to

the negative jump-start terminal of the vehicle

providing assistance: → fig. 161

3

(→ page 234, Jump-start terminal), or if that is

not available, to a bare metal part of the vehicle

providing assistance. This part should be con-

nected directly to the engine block.

6. Attach the other end of the black jumper cable

D to the negative jump-start terminal of the ve-

hicle receiving assistance → fig. 161

4

Fig. 161 Diagram for attaching the jumper cables:

(→ page 234, Jump-start terminal), or if that is

not available, to a bare metal part of the vehicle

receiving assistance. This part should be con-

nected directly to the engine block. Attach the

clamp to a point that is as far away as possible

Dead battery

1

and booster battery 2 .

Key to fig. 161:

1

2

3

4

Battery of the vehicle receiving starting assis-

tance.

from the dead battery 1 →

.

7. Route the jumper cables so that they cannot get

caught in any moving parts in the engine com-

partment of either vehicle.

Battery of the vehicle providing starting assis-

tance.

Negative jump-start terminal on vehicle provid-

ing starting assistance.

Starting the engine

Negative jump-start terminal on vehicle receiv-

ing starting assistance.

— Start the engine of the vehicle with the good bat-

tery that is providing help and let it run at idle

speed.

The dead battery must be properly connected to the

vehicle's electrical system.

— Turn on the ignition of the vehicle with the dead

battery. If the engine starts, wait 2 to 3 minutes

until it “runs smoothly” before removing the

jumper cables as described below → . If the en-

gine does not start within about 10 seconds, turn

off the ignition and wait at least 1 minute; then

try again. If the engine still does not start, get

professional assistance.

Make certain that the vehicles are not touching each

other. Otherwise, electric current could flow as soon

as the positive battery terminals (+) are connected.

Use longer jumper cables if necessary.

The clamps on the jumper cables must have good

contact to bare metal on the battery terminals.

If the engine does not start, stop the process after

10 seconds and repeat after about 1 minute. If the

engine still does not start, get professional assis-

tance.

Before removing the jumper cables

— Switch off the headlights (if they are on).

— In the vehicle with the dead battery, switch on

the heater fan and the rear window defroster.

This helps to minimize voltage spikes when the

cables are disconnected.

The procedure for attaching and for removing the

jumper cables is described below. Perform each of

the following steps only in the order described,

Jump-starting

235

Removing jumper cables

Always follow the instructions of the jumper ca-

ble manufacturer.

·

With the engine running, remove the jumper cables

in reverse order to the way they were connected.

1. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the vehicle

Always make sure that the battery providing

starting assistance has the same voltage as the

dead battery (12 V) and about the same capaci-

ty (see battery label).

with the dead battery.

2. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the other

Batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas. Al-

ways keep fire, sparks, open flame and smoking

materials away from batteries.

·

vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).

3. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the other ve-

hicle (vehicle with the good battery).

Never connect the negative cable from the oth-

er vehicle directly to the negative battery termi-

nal on the dead battery. The hydrogen gas from

the battery is explosive.

4. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the vehicle

with the dead battery.

5. Close the battery cover.

Never short out the battery terminals by con-

necting the positive (+) and negative (-) termi-

nals with each other.

·

WARNING

Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting

a vehicle with a dead battery can cause the battery

to explode, leading to serious personal injury. To

help reduce the risk of battery explosion:

Towing

All work on the batteries or the electrical sys-

·

tem in your vehicle can cause serious acid

burns, fires, or electrical shocks. Always read

and heed the following WARNINGS and safety

precautions before working on the batteries or

the electrical system → page 256, Vehicle bat-

tery.

Introduction

Observe legal requirements when towing.

For technical reasons:

Always wear proper eye protection. Never lean

over the vehicle battery.

·

— A vehicle with a dead battery must never be tow-

ed. Jump-start the vehicle instead.

Attach the jumper cables in the correct order:

first the positive cable, then the negative cable.

·

— It is not possible to tow-start or push-start your

vehicle → . Jump-start the vehicle instead.

Never connect the negative cable from the ve-

·

Vehicles with Keyless Access may only be towed

with the ignition on.

hicle providing starting assistance to parts of

the fuel system or to the brake hoses or brake

lines.

Towing the vehicle when the engine is turned off

and the ignition is turned on drains the vehicle bat-

tery. Depending on the charge level of the vehicle

battery, it is possible that even after just a few mi-

nutes, electrical devices such as the emergency

flashers may not have the power necessary to work.

The steering wheel might lock in vehicles with Key-

Never allow the non-insulated parts of the bat-

tery clamps to touch.

·

Never allow the jumper cable attached to the

positive battery terminal to contact metal parts

of the vehicle.

·

less Access →

.

Check the battery acid level indicator window

·

on the vehicle battery. Use a flashlight, never

a match, cigarette lighter, or other open flame.

If you cannot see the color of the window clear-

ly, or if it is light yellow or colorless, do not

jump-start the vehicle. Get expert assistance.

WARNING

Never tow a vehicle without any electrical power.

Never remove the key from the ignition switch

·

or turn off the ignition with the starter button

while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a stop.

The electronic steering column could suddenly

lock, you would not be able to steer, and you

could lose control of the vehicle, crash, and seri-

ously injure yourself and others.

Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of

·

the vehicle battery. Sparks may cause the hy-

drogen gas escaping from the vehicle battery to

ignite.

Never jump-start a vehicle with a battery that is

·

damaged or frozen or that was frozen and has

thawed. The battery can explode. Replace the

battery instead.

If the vehicle loses power while it is being tow-

ed, stop towing the vehicle immediately and

contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or

·

236

Do it yourself

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assis-

tance.

Towing manual transmission vehicles

— Release the parking brake.

— Shift the transmission to Neutral (N).

WARNING

— If possible, have the vehicle towed with the front

wheels off the ground.

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:

— If necessary, the vehicle can also be towed with

the rear wheels off the ground →

.

The driver of the vehicle that is being towed:

·

Towing automatic or DSG transmission vehicles

— Release the parking brake.

— 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

the towing vehicle.

— Shift the transmission to Neutral (N).

— Tow the vehicle only with its front wheels off the

ground →

.

— Will have to use considerably more force to

turn the steering wheel because the power

steering is not working.

Special towing instructions for vehicles with all-

wheel drive (4MOTION)

The driver of the vehicle that is doing the tow-

ing:

·

— To help prevent unnecessary damage, vehicles

with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) must be trans-

ported on a flatbed truck.

— Must accelerate gradually and gently and

avoid jerking movements.

— To load the vehicle on the flatbed, use the towing

eye found in the vehicle tool kit and attach it to

the front anchorage → page 227, Vehicle tool kit,

→ page 239, Installing the front towing eye.

— Must not brake hard or steer sharply.

— Must brake earlier and more gently than in

normal driving.

When not to tow your vehicle

NOTICE

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 electri-

cal system is operating.

Be careful not to damage the paint when installing

and removing the towing eye and the cover for the

threaded hole in the bumper.

NOTICE

In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be

towed and must be transported on a flatbed truck

or trailer:

Never tow-start or push-start your vehicle; if you do,

unburned fuel can get into the catalytic converter

and damage it. Jump-start the vehicle instead.

— If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.

— If the vehicle battery is dead (because the elec-

tronic steering column lock cannot be released, if

engaged). Vehicles with an electronic parking

brake: If the electronic parking brake was engag-

ed when the battery died, it cannot be released.

Towing with a commercial tow

truck

Please read the introductory information and

— If you have to tow an automatic or DSG transmis-

sion vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).

heed the Warnings and Notice

236.

and on page

— If the steering or the wheel clearance might be

impaired, for example, after an accident.

To help avoid damaging the vehicle, have it towed

only by a professional towing company. Read and

heed the following information:

WARNING

It is not safe for children or anyone else to ride in

a vehicle that is being towed.

General information

Never let the vehicle be towed at speeds above

30 mph (50 km/h).

Never let children or anyone else remain in the

vehicle while it is being towed.

·

Never let the vehicle be towed for more than

30 miles (50 km).

Towing

237

— When a commercial tow truck is being used, the

vehicle must only be towed with the front wheels

lifted off the ground.

NOTICE

The drive axle turns while the vehicle is being towed

with its rear wheels off the ground. This can damage

the automatic or DSG transmission.

— Follow the special instructions for towing vehicles

with all-wheel drive (4MOTION).

Never tow an automatic or DSG transmission ve-

hicle with the rear wheels off the ground.

·

Towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)

Vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) must be

transported on a flatbed truck or trailer. Otherwise

the powertrain may be damaged.

Tow manual transmission vehicles with the rear

wheels off the ground only if it is certain that no

transmission fluid can leak out.

·

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:

Tips on towing

Please read the introductory information and

— If transmission fluid has leaked out of the trans-

mission.

heed the Warnings and Notice

236.

and on page

— If there is little or no oil in the transmission be-

cause of damage to your vehicle, it must be

moved with the drive wheels off the ground.

Towing eye, tow rope or tow bar

A towing eye is included in your vehicle's tool kit.

This can be installed in a threaded hole in the front

bumper and used when your vehicle is being towed

by another vehicle. On most vehicles, there is anoth-

er threaded hole in the rear bumper, so you can use

the towing eye to tow other vehicles as well. Towing

a vehicle with a tow bar is safer and easier on both

vehicles than using a tow rope. A tow rope should be

used only if a tow bar is not available.

— If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.

— If the vehicle battery is dead (because the elec-

tronic steering column lock cannot be released, if

engaged).

— If you have to tow an automatic or DSG transmis-

sion vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).

— If the steering or the wheel clearance might be

impaired, for example, after an accident.

The tow rope should be flexible enough to help pro-

tect both vehicles from damage. Use a synthetic fi-

ber rope or similar rope.

Towing other vehicles

— Obey all legal requirements.

Attach the tow rope or tow bar only to the towing

eye included in the vehicle tool kit for this purpose,

or to a trailer hitch.

— Read and heed all towing information in the own-

er's manual for the other vehicle.

A vehicle can be towed only if the electronic

steering column lock and the electronic park-

ing brake (if equipped) are released. In case of

a power loss or malfunctions of the electrical sys-

tem, the engine may have to be jump-started

→ page 233, Jump-starting in order to release the

electronic steering column lock and the electronic

parking brake (if equipped).

Towing manual transmission vehicles

Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see

below → page 238, When not to tow your vehicle.

If yes, note the following for the towed vehicle:

— Shift the gearshift lever to Neutral → page 147,

Manual transmission.

— Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).

— Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).

Towing automatic or DSG transmission vehicles

Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see

below → page 238, When not to tow your vehicle.

If yes, note the following for the towed vehicle:

— Shift the transmission to Neutral (N).

— Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).

— Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).

238

Do it yourself

Use the lug wrench to turn and tighten the tow-

ing eye.

Installing the rear towing eye

— When towing is finished, unscrew the towing eye

counterclockwise to remove it.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

236.

and on page

— Position the lower lip of the cover in the opening

in the bumper and carefully push the upper lip

over the edge of the opening until the cover locks

in place.

NOTICE

Always make sure the towing eye is screwed all the

way into threaded hole so that it is secure. If not, it

could be pulled out while your vehicle is being tow-

ed.

Installing the front towing eye

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

236.

and on page

Fig. 162 In the right rear bumper: Removing the cover.

Fig. 163 In the right rear bumper: Installing the towing

eye.

There is a threaded hole for the towing eye in the

right rear bumper behind a cover → fig. 163.

Fig. 164 In the right front bumper: Removing the cov-

er.

Always keep the towing eye in the vehicle and stow

it securely.

Read and follow the notes about towing

→ page 238, Tips on towing.

Installing the rear towing eye

— Take the towing eye, the lug wrench, and the

screwdriver out of the vehicle tool kit in the lug-

gage compartment → page 227, Vehicle tool kit.

— Push on the cover at the bottom marking

→ fig. 162 (arrow) so that it pops out.

— Remove the cover and let it hang from the bump-

er.

— Screw the towing eye clockwise into the threaded

hole as far as it will go (arrow) → fig. 163 , →

.

Towing

239

Driving tips while towing

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

236.

and on page

Towing requires some experience, especially when

using a tow rope. Both drivers must be familiar with

the techniques required for towing. Inexperienced

drivers should not try to tow a vehicle or to drive

a vehicle that is being towed.

Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle, and

avoid jerking the tow rope. When towing on an un-

paved road, there is always a risk of overloading and

damaging the attachment points.

Fig. 165 In the right front bumper: Installing the tow-

ing eye.

If your vehicle is being towed, it can still signal turns

even if the emergency flashers are switched on, as

long as the ignition is switched on. Use the turn sig-

nal in the normal way. The emergency flashers go

off as long as the turn signal is blinking. As soon as

the turn signal lever returns to its neutral position,

the emergency flashers are automatically switched

on again.

There is a threaded hole for the towing eye in the

right front bumper behind a cover → fig. 165.

Always keep the towing eye in the vehicle and stow

it securely.

Read and follow the notes about towing

→ page 238, Tips on towing.

As the driver of the vehicle being towed:

Installing the front towing eye

— If your vehicle is the one being towed, the ignition

must be switched on to keep the steering wheel

from locking. Also make sure that the turn signals,

horn, windshield wipers, and windshield washers

work properly.

— Take the towing eye, the lug wrench, and the

screwdriver out of the vehicle tool kit in the lug-

gage compartment → page 227, Vehicle tool kit.

— Push on the left side of the cover → fig. 164 (ar-

row) so that it pops out.

— Since power steering does not work when the en-

gine is switched off, more effort is needed to

steer the vehicle.

— Remove the cover and let it hang from the bump-

er.

— Screw the towing eye clockwise into the threaded

— 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.

Do not hit the towing vehicle.

hole as far as it will go (arrow) → fig. 165 , →

.

Use the lug wrench to turn and tighten the tow-

ing eye.

— When towing is complete, unscrew the towing

eye counterclockwise to remove it.

— Read and heed the information and WARNINGS in

the towing vehicle's owner's manual.

— Position the left side of the cover in the opening

in the bumper and carefully push the right side in-

to the opening until the cover locks into place.

As the driver of the towing vehicle:

— Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently.

Avoid sudden driving maneuvers.

NOTICE

— Brake earlier and more gently than usual and with

light pedal pressure.

Always make sure the towing eye is screwed all the

way into threaded hole so that it is secure. If not, it

could be pulled out while your vehicle is being tow-

ed.

— Read and heed the information and WARNINGS in

the owner's manual of the vehicle being towed.

240

Do it yourself

Do it yourself for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

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