Volkswagen Polo Owners Manual: Towing a trailer
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
Headlight adjustment
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehicle enough for the dipped
beam to blind other road users. Use the headlight range control to lower the light
cone as required. If you do not have headlight range control, the headlights should
be adjusted by a qualified workshop. Vehicles with automatic headlight range adjustment
are adjusted automatically.
Things to note when driving with a trailer
- If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the brakes
gently at first and then firmly. This will prevent the jerking that can
be caused by the trailer wheels locking.
- The combination weight causes the braking distance to increase.
- Select a low gear before driving down a slope. This enables you to use the
engine braking effect to slow down the vehicle. The brake system could otherwise
overheat and fail.
- The vehicle's centre of gravity and, as a result, the vehicle's handling,
will change because of the trailer load and the increased combined towing weight
of the vehicle and trailer.
- The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen towing vehicle
is very unfavourable. When driving in this situation, drive particularly carefully
and slowly.
Pulling off on slopes when towing a trailer
A vehicle towing a trailer is liable to roll back a short distance when moving
off on a slope, depending on the angle of the slope and the total weight of the
trailer and vehicle.
When towing a trailer, pull off on slopes as follows:
- Depress and hold the brake pedal.
- Apply the handbrake firmly.
- Manual gearbox: depress the clutch fully.
- Unlock hand brake and carefully release while holding down lock button.
At the same time, gently depress the accelerator and, in a manual vehicle, release
the clutch pedal, until you feel the vehicle moving forwards. If necessary,
read the notes on the Hill Hold Assist function .
- Only let go of the handbrake lever when the engine has sufficient power
to move off.

WARNING
Incorrect trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal
injury.
- Towing a trailer and transporting heavy or bulky items can change the way
the vehicle handles and increase the braking distance.
- Always drive carefully and think ahead. Brake earlier than you normally
would.
- Adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and
traffic conditions. Reduce your speed, particularly when going downhill.
- Accelerate carefully and gently. Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking
manoeuvres.
- Take special care when overtaking. Reduce your speed immediately if the
trailer shows even the slightest sign of snaking.
- Never try to stop a trailer from snaking by increasing your speed.
- Always obey speed limits. In some areas speed limits for vehicles towing
trailers are lower than for vehicles without trailers.
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
Trailer weight and drawbar load
The trailer weight is the weight that the vehicle can pull . The drawbar load
is the weigh ...
Fig. 92 Dimensions and attachment points
for retrofitting a towing bracket
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
Volkswagen recommends having the towing bracke ...
Other materials:
Vehicle-specific weight ratings
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
All data in the official vehicle documents take precedence over these data. All
data in this manual apply to the basic model. The vehicle data sticker in the service
schedule and the official vehicle documents show which ...
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
→ Indicator lamps
→ Turn signal and main beam lever
→ Switching lights on and off
→ Lights and vision – functions
→ Masking or switching over headlights for driving abroad (travel mode)
...
Using the menus in the instrument cluster
Fig. 13 Vehicles without multifunction
steering wheel: press button ① in the windscreen wiper lever to confirm the menu
point and rocker switch ② to change the menu
Fig. 14 Vehicles with multifunction
steering wheel: control buttons for menus in the instrument cluster
First read and ob ...
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