Get Do it yourself -> Towing Guide for Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door 2023

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 becomin

overloaded when driving off-road.

WARNING

The vehicle handling and braking efﬁciency will change considerably when it is towed. This may cause you to lose control of the vehicle and result in accidents

and serious or fatal injuries.

Bear in mind that more force is required for steering and braking during towing.

WARNING

If a vehicle that has no electrical power is towed, the electronic steering lock may suddenly engage. If this happens, you will not be able to move the steering

wheel. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Never turn off the ignition with the starter button while towing.

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.

WARNING

If a vehicle that has no electrical power is towed or the vehicle key is removed from the ignition lock during towing, the steering lock may suddenly engage. If this

happens, you will not be able to move the steering wheel. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Never remove the remote control vehicle key from the ignition lock while towing.

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

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.

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 50 km/h (30 mph).

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

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

Vehicle components can be badly damaged by incorrectly attached tow ropes or tow bars. This increases the risk of accident and could result in serious or fatal

injuries.

Only ever secure the vehicle to be recovered and towed at the points designed for this purpose.

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Never secure the tow rope or the tow bar to axle or suspension components.

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

Instructions for towing

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

and Introduction.

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 automatically activate

again once the turn signal and high beam 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 50 km/h (30 miles).

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

The electronic parking brake cannot be released.

The steering 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 tow truck

if necessary.

Towing

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

and Introduction.

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

Towing lug.

Ball mount.

WARNING

Vehicle components can be badly damaged by incorrectly attached tow ropes or tow bars. This increases the risk of accident and could result in serious or fatal

injuries.

Only ever secure the vehicle to be recovered and towed at the points designed for this purpose.

Never secure the tow rope or the tow bar to axle or suspension components.

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

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.

Vehicle being towed (rear)

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

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.

2. Make sure the vehicle key is always in the vehicle during the towing process

⇒

Introduction.

3. For vehicles with an automatic gearbox: Select gear

4. Release the electronic parking brake.

5. Make sure the tow rope is always taut.

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NOTICE

If the battery charge level of the 12 V vehicle battery is insufﬁcient, you will not be able to release the electronic parking brake and steering lock. The vehicle

may be damaged when towed.

To release the electronic parking brake and steering lock, put the vehicle into drive-ready mode, if necessary by means of a jump-start if there is a loss of

power or malfunctions.

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

Installing the front towing eye

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

and Introduction.

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 eye.

2. Read and heed the information about towing.

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

The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle ⇒

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 suitable towing eye.

Installing the front towing eye

Fig. 195 In the right front bumper: Remove cover.

Fig. 196 In the right front bumper: Screw in towing eye.

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

2. Press on the marked area of the cover in the direction of the arrow to release the catch on the cover ﬁg. 195.

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

⇒

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4. Rotate the towing eye in the direction of the arrow as far as possible to install it in the mount ﬁg. 196 , ⇒

. 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

If the towing eye is not fully and tightly screwed into the mount, it may tear out of the mount when towing the vehicle. Tearing out the towing eye may cause

damage to the vehicle.

Always screw the towing eye completely and securely into the mount.

NOTICE

Removing and ﬁtting the cover and towing eye incorrectly may cause damage to the vehicle's paint and body.

Always remove and ﬁt the cover and towing eye carefully.

Installing the rear towing eye

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

and Introduction.

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. Read and heed the information about towing.

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

The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle ⇒

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.

Installing the rear towing eye

Fig. 197 In the right rear bumper: Remove the cover, variant 1.

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Fig. 198 In the right rear bumper: Remove the cover, variant 2.

Fig. 199 In the right rear bumper: Screw in towing eye, variant 1.

Fig. 200 In the right rear bumper: Screw in towing eye, variant 2.

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

2. Press on the marked area of the cover in the direction of the arrow to release the catch on the cover ﬁg. 197.

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. 199 , ⇒

. 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

322

If the towing eye is not fully and tightly screwed into the mount, it may tear out of the mount when towing the vehicle. Tearing out the towing eye may cause

damage to the vehicle.

Always screw the towing eye completely and securely into the mount.

NOTICE

Removing and ﬁtting the cover and towing eye incorrectly may cause damage to the vehicle's paint and body.

Always remove and ﬁt the cover and towing eye carefully.

Vehicles with a trailer hitch

In vehicles with a factory-equipped trailer hitch, there is no mount for the threaded towing eye behind the cover.

1. To tow, swivel the ball hitch out or mount and use it.

NOTICE

Using an unsuitable towing bar could damage the ball hitch and the vehicle.

Always use a tow bar speciﬁcally designed for mounting on a ball mount for towing.

If you do not have a suitable tow bar, use a tow rope for towing.

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Do it yourself -> Towing for Your Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door 2023

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