Tow-starting and towing

This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

• Notes on tow-starting
• Notes on towing
• Fitting the front towing eye
• Rear towing eye
• Driving tips when towing

Comply with any legal requirements when towing and tow starting.

For technical reasons, vehicles with a discharged battery must not be tow-started.

Towing a vehicle when the engine is switched off and the ignition is switched on discharges the vehicle battery. Depending on the vehicle battery charge level, the drop in voltage can be large enough after just a few minutes that electrical consumers in the vehicle will no longer function, e.g. the hazard warning lights.

• Exterior views
• Changing gear
• Engine management system and exhaust purification system
• Starting the engine with jump leads

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

Vehicles should not be tow-started wherever possible. Use jump leads to start the engine instead.

For technical reasons, the following vehicles cannot be tow-started:

• Vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
• If the vehicle battery has discharged, the engine control units will not function properly.

• Engage second or third gear.
• Keep the clutch pressed down.
• Switch on the ignition and the hazard warning lights.
• Once both vehicles are in motion, release the clutch.
• As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and put the gear into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the towing vehicle.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow bar. Only use a tow rope if you do not have a tow bar.

The tow rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the strain on both vehicles. It is advisable to use a tow rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic material.

Only attach the tow rope or tow bar to the specially provided towing eyes or to the towing bracket.

Vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket must only use tow bars that are specially designed to fit a ball coupling.

Check whether the vehicle can be towed.

• Move the gear stick to neutral.
• Do not allow the vehicle to be towed at speeds faster than 50 km/h (30 mph).
• Do not allow the vehicle to be towed further than 50 km.

Check whether the vehicle can be towed.

• Move the selector lever to N.
• Do not allow the vehicle to be towed at speeds faster than 50 km/h (30 mph).
• Do not allow the vehicle to be towed further than 50 km.
• If a breakdown truck is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front wheels raised.

• If, due to damage, the vehicle gearbox no longer contains any lubricant.
• If the distance to be towed is further than 50 km - applies to vehicles with an automatic gearbox only.
• If the steering function or the operating clearance of the wheels cannot be ensured, e.g. after an accident.

• Comply with legal regulations.
• Comply with the information on towing contained in the owner’s manual for the other vehicle.

The vehicle can only be towed when the handbrake and steering lock are not engaged.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

The towing eye is screwed into a threaded hole behind a cover on the right of the front bumper ⇒ fig. 195.

The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle.

Comply with the notes on towing.

• Press on the left edge of the cover ⇒ fig. 195 (arrow).
• Reach behind the cover, pull it off with the retaining strap to the front and leave it hanging from the vehicle.

• Press the top edge of the cover ⇒ fig. 195 (arrow).
• Reach behind the cover, pull it off with the retaining strap to the front and leave it hanging from the vehicle.

• Remove the wire hook from the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.
• Insert the wire hook in the recess 1.
• Turn the wire hook until the hook points upwards and is resting against the rear of the cover.
• Pull out the wire hook to the front and leave the cover with the retaining strap hanging from the vehicle.

• Remove the towing eye and box spanner from the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.
• Turn the towing eye anticlockwise into the threaded hole and tighten as far as possible ⇒ fig. 195 (close-up) ⇒  . Use the box spanner, or other suitable object, to screw the towing eye fully and securely into the mounting.
• When you have finished towing, turn the towing eye clockwise to remove it and fit the cover.
• If necessary, clean the towing eye, box spanner and wire hook and place them back in the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.

• Insert the cover with the retaining strap in the hole and push it in until it locks into place.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

There is a fixed towing eye located underneath the rear bumper on the right-hand side ⇒ fig. 196 or ⇒ fig. 197. Depending on the vehicle equipment, a cover may be fitted on the towing eye or in the bumper. The cover must be removed before usage.

Comply with the notes on towing.

• Pull off the towing eye cover ⇒ fig. 196 A (arrow) towards the rear.
• Stow the cover securely in the luggage compartment.
• When you have finished towing, take the cover from the luggage compartment and push it onto the towing eye until it locks in place.

• Pull the cover in the bumper ⇒ fig. 196 B (arrow) towards the rear.
• Stow the cover securely in the luggage compartment.
• When you have finished towing, take the cover from the luggage compartment, fit it in the bumper and push it in until it clicks into place.

• Push the cover in the bumper ⇒ fig. 197 C in the direction of the arrow and pull it out towards the rear.
• Stow the cover securely in the luggage compartment.
• When you have finished towing, take the cover from the luggage compartment, fit it in the bumper and push it in until it clicks into place.

• Remove the screwdriver with Torx bit from the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.
• Remove the screws 1, 2 and 3.
• Pull the cover in the bumper ⇒ fig. 197 D in the direction of the arrow towards the rear.
• Stow the cover and the screws securely in the luggage compartment.
• When you have finished towing, take the cover and screws out of the luggage compartment.
• Insert the cover into the bumper and push it until it clicks into place.
• Screw in the screws 1, 2 and 3 and tighten them.
• Put the screwdriver with Torx bit back in the vehicle toolkit in the luggage compartment.

If the vehicle has a factory-fitted towing bracket, it can also be used for towing other vehicles. The towing bracket ball coupling should be fitted and used for towing.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow rope. Both drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexperienced drivers should not attempt to tow.

When driving, ensure that you do not pull too hard on the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking movements. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of overloading and damaging the anchorage points.

You can still use the turn signals if your vehicle is towed with the hazard warning lights and ignition switched on. Move the turn signal lever to signal the required direction. The hazard warning lights will not flash while the turn signal is being used. The hazard warning lights will start flashing automatically as soon as the turn signal lever is moved back to the neutral position.

• Leave the ignition switched on to prevent the steering wheel from locking, and so that the turn signals, horn, windscreen wipers and washers can be used.
• As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not running, you will need more strength to steer than you normally would.
• You will need to depress the brake pedal more vigorously than normal as the brake servo is not working. Do not drive too close to the towing vehicle.
• Read and comply with the information and notes in the owner’s manual of the towing vehicle.

• Accelerate carefully and gently. Avoid any sudden driving manoeuvres.
• Brake earlier than normal by pressing lightly on the brake pedal.
• Read and comply with the information and notes in the owner’s manual of the towed vehicle.