Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual: Tips on towing

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject 

Towing eye; tow rope or tow bar

A towing eye is included in your vehicle's tool kit. This can be inserted in a threaded hole in the front bumper and used when your vehicle is being towed by another vehicle. On most vehicles, there is another 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.

The tow rope should be flexible enough to help protect both vehicles from damage. Use a synthetic fiber rope or similar rope.

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.

Towing manual transmission vehicles

For the towed vehicle, note the following:

• Shift the gearshift lever to Neutral ⇒ Shifting .

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

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

Towing automatic transmission vehicles

For the towed vehicle, note the following:

• Put the transmission in Neutral (N).

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

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

• When a commercial tow truck is being used, the vehicle must only be towed with the front wheels lifted off the ground.

• Follow the special instructions for towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION).

Towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)

Vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) should be towed with a tow bar or a tow rope. If the vehicle is towed with the front or rear axles lifted off the ground, the engine must be switched off. Otherwise the powertrain may be damaged.

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:

• If transmission fluid has leaked out of the transmission.

• 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.

• If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.

• When the vehicle battery is dead, since the steering may remain disabled, and it may not be possible to release the electronic steering column lock and the electronic parking brake.

• If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).

A vehicle can be towed only if the electronic parking brake and the electronic steering column lock can be released. In case of a power loss or malfunctions of the electrical system, the engine may have to be jump-started in order to release the electronic parking brake and the electronic steering column lock.