Volkswagen Polo Owners Manual: Notes on towing
First read and observe the introductory
information and safety warnings
Tow rope or tow bar
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 .
When a vehicle with a manual gearbox has to be towed:
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.
When a vehicle with an automatic gearbox has to be towed:
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.
When should your vehicle not be towed?
- 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.
Please comply with the following when towing another vehicle:
- 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.
Notes on tow-starting
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, ...
Fitting the front towing eye
Fig. 193 In bumper at front right:
depiction of variants for screwing in towing eye
First read and observe the introductory
information and safety warnings
The towing eye is screwed into a thre ...
Other materials:
Petrol
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings Petrol types
Vehicles with a petrol engine must be run on unleaded petrol in compliance with
the European standard EN 228 . Fuels with a maximum ethanol content
of 10% (E10) can be used for refuelling.
Petrol types ...
Seat belt protection
Fig. 49 Driver restrained by a properly
positioned seat belt during a sudden braking manoeuvre
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
Correctly fastened seat belts can make a major difference. When fastened properly,
seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in ...
Wear Spots
Wear spots are caused by a hard stop with locked wheels
whereby the rubber compound is abraded from the contact patch.
When the tires slide across the road surface, frictional
heat is generated which reduces the abrasion resistance on the
...