Get Transporting -> Roof rack Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

If the center armrest is folded down, no one can sit

on the middle seat of the rear bench.

WARNING

Transporting heavy or bulky loads on the roof rack

will change the way the vehicle handles by raising

the vehicle's center of gravity and increasing the

wind drag.

Opening the pass-through

— Fold down the rear center armrest → page 110,

Seat functions.

Always secure the load properly with suitable

and undamaged straps so that the load will not

shift.

— Pull the release lever in the direction of the arrow

→ fig. 147 1 and fold the pass-through cover all

the way forward.

Cargo that is large, heavy, bulky, long or flat will

have a negative effect on the vehicle's aerody-

namics, center of gravity and overall handling.

— Open the trunk lid.

— OR: Open the pass-through from the luggage

compartment. Press the release lever → fig. 148

in the direction of the arrow and push the cover

forward.

Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard brak-

ing.

Always adapt your speed and driving to the

— Slide long objects from the luggage compartment

through the pass-through.

heavier load and the weight distribution in the

vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility

conditions into account as well.

— Secure objects with the safety belt.

— Close the trunk lid.

Closing the pass-through

Attaching the roof rack base carrier

and roof rack

— Pull the release lever and fold the pass-through

cover back until it engages securely. The red mark

on the luggage compartment side must not be

visible.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 218.

— Close the trunk lid.

— If necessary, fold the center armrest up.

Roof rack

Introduction

The roof rack can be used to transport bulky loads

on the roof of the vehicle.

Special considerations for the roof rack

The roof of your vehicle has been designed to opti-

mize aerodynamics and does not have traditional

rain gutters that are used to attach many kinds of

roof racks.

Fig. 149 Mounting points for the base carrier and roof

rack.

Since the rain gutters are molded into the roof to

provide efficient aerodynamics, only Volkswagen-

approved base carrier mountings and roof racks can

be used.

The base carrier is the basis of a complete roof rack

system. For safety reasons, additional attachments

are necessary for transporting luggage, bicycles,

surfboards, skis, and small boats. Suitable accesso-

ries can be purchased from your authorized Volks-

wagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Fa-

cility.

The weight of the roof rack and the cargo being car-

ried on it reduce the remaining load your vehicle can

carry. Always follow the steps for determining the

correct load limit → page 296, Determining the cor-

rect load limit.

Mounting the roof rack base carrier and roof rack

Always attach the base carrier and roof rack correct-

ly.

218

Transporting

Always carefully follow the installation instructions

from the base carrier or roof rack manufacturer.

Maximum permissible roof load

The maximum permissible roof load is 165 lbs.

(75 kg). The maximum permissible roof load is the

combined weight of the roof rack and the items be-

The front mounting holes are on the underside of

the roof frame. They are sealed with plastic screws

that must be removed before installation → fig. 149

(magnified view on left). The rear markings for the

base carrier are on the underside of the roof frame

→ fig. 149 (magnified view on right).

ing carried on the roof →

Be sure you know the weight of the roof rack and

the items you want to transport on the roof. Weigh

them if necessary. Never carry a total of more than

the maximum permissible roof load.

The holes and markings are only visible when the

door is open.

When using a roof rack with a lower load limit, do

not load the rack to the maximum weight men-

tioned above. In this case, you may only load the

roof rack to the weight limit specified in the sys-

tem's installation instructions.

Only mount the roof rack base carrier on the mark-

ings shown in the illustration.

Once you have installed the base carrier correctly,

you can secure the roof rack on the base carrier ac-

cording to the manufacturer's instructions.

Distributing the load

Distribute the load evenly and secure it properly

WARNING

→

Installing or using a base carrier or roof rack im-

properly can cause the entire system to fly off the

vehicle, causing accidents and injuries.

Checking the mountings

After the base carrier and roof rack have been instal-

led, check all bolts and fasteners after driving

a short time and at regular intervals thereafter.

Always follow the installation instructions pro-

vided by the manufacturer.

Use the base carrier and roof rack only if they

are undamaged and properly installed.

WARNING

If the maximum permissible roof load is exceeded,

accidents and substantial vehicle damage may oc-

cur.

Secure the roof rack base carrier only at the at-

tachment points shown in the illustration

→ fig. 149.

Never exceed the specified roof load, the maxi-

mum Gross Axle Weight Rating, or the Gross

Vehicle Weight Rating.

Always install the base carrier and roof rack

properly.

Make sure that all bolts and fasteners are prop-

Do not exceed the loading capacity of the roof

rack, even if the permissible roof load is not

fully utilized.

erly installed and properly tightened before ev-

ery trip and retighten them as needed after

driving a short distance. During a long trip,

check all bolts and fasteners at each stop.

Always make sure that loads are evenly distrib-

uted and that heavier items are, as far as possi-

ble, toward the front.

Always properly install special fixtures for items

such as bicycles, skis, surfboards, etc.

Do not modify or repair the base carrier or roof

rack.

WARNING

Loose or improperly secured items can fall off the

roof rack and cause accidents and injuries.

Follow the instructions provided for installing

the roof rack system. Always carry them in the

vehicle.

To help prevent baggage or other items from

coming loose and flying around, always use

suitable, undamaged tie-down ropes and ratch-

et straps.

Secure the load properly.

Securing a load on the roof rack

NOTICE

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 218.

When opening the trunk lid, make sure that it will

not hit anything secured to the roof rack.

It is not possible to secure a load unless the roof

rack system has been properly installed →

Roof rack

219

Tips and troubleshooting

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 218.

When to remove the roof rack

— When it is no longer needed.

— Before driving through an automatic car wash.

— When the vehicle would otherwise be too high for

minimum clearance to enter, for example, a ga-

rage.

NOTICE

Always remove the roof rack before driving

through an automatic car wash.

Your vehicle is higher when the roof rack is instal-

led, especially when it is loaded. Compare the ve-

hicle height with existing clearance heights, such

as underpasses and garage doors.

Always make sure that the roof rack system and

anything being carried on it does not interfere

with the roof antenna, the power sunroof, or the

trunk lid.

Make sure that the trunk lid does not touch items

on the roof rack when opened.

If a roof rack is installed, fuel consumption in-

creases due to increased air resistance.

Trailer towing

Important information

For technical reasons, your vehicle is not designed to

tow a trailer.

Never install a trailer hitch on your vehicle. Towing

a trailer will cause expensive damage to the vehicle

→

WARNING

Towing a trailer can cause an accident and serious

personal injuries.

Never install a trailer hitch on the vehicle.

Never tow a trailer with the vehicle.

NOTICE

Installing a trailer hitch and towing a trailer will

cause expensive damage to your vehicle that will not

be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.

220

Transporting

Transporting -> Roof rack for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

Popular Manuals