Fig. 123 Pass-through in the luggage compartment.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, there may be a load-through hatch behind the center armrest in the rear seat backrest for transporting long objects, such as
skis, inside the vehicle.
Opening the pass-through from the vehicle interior
1. Fold the center armrest forward ⇒ Center armrest.
2. Pull the release lever in the direction of the arrow fig. 122 and fold the luggage compartment pass-through cover all the way forward ⇒
.
3. Open the trunk lid.
Opening the pass-through from the luggage compartment
1. Press the release lever down in the direction of the arrow fig. 123 and fold the cover forward.
2. Insert long objects from the luggage compartment side and slide them forward through the load-through hatch.
3. Secure objects with a seat belt if necessary.
4. Close the trunk lid.
Closing the load-through hatch
1. Fold the flap for load-through hatch backward until it clicks into place.
There may be a red mark on the luggage compartment side. This should not be visible
2. Close the trunk lid.
⇒
.
3. If necessary, fold the center armrest backward.
WARNING
Folding and unfolding the load-through hatch in an uncontrolled or careless manner may result in serious injury or death.
Never fold the luggage compartment pass-through forward or back while driving.
When folding up the pass-through, make sure that the safety belt does not become trapped or damaged.
Keep hands, fingers, feet and other body parts away from the pivot range of the pass-through when folding it forward or back.
Always check that the red mark on the catch indicator is not visible when the pass-through is in the upright position. A red marking indicates that the
luggage compartment pass-through is not locked into place.
If the luggage compartment pass-through is folded down or is not securely engaged, no passengers, especially children, are to be transported on this
seat.
Trailer towing
Introduction
If equipped correctly, the vehicle can be used to tow a trailer.
Driving a trailer not only increases the vehicle load, but requires more concentration from the driver.
The increased towing weight affects vehicle wear, consumption, and vehicle performance and may shorten the service intervals.
238
If the vehicle is driving with a heavy load, functions such as the air conditioner power may be reduced or deactivated to prevent the vehicle from becoming stranded
in traffic.
The load that a vehicle is able to pull decreases under the following conditions:
Driving on slopes.
Driving at high altitudes.
Driving in high outside temperatures.
Driving with a fully loaded vehicle, e.g. with passengers and luggage.
Driving at high speeds.
Trailer with function check for the lighting
No trailer with tail lights and brake lights that require a function check for the tail light or brake light in order to be approved may be operated on this vehicle. Please
consult the trailer manufacturer to find out what approval applies to your trailer.
Unused ball mount
Swivel the ball mount or remove it if there is no trailer, bicycle rack or similar attached to the ball mount. This is especially applicable if the vehicle's license plate or
lighting is obscured by the unused ball mount. Note the country-specific regulations for using a ball mount ⇒
.
Special conditions
Before driving with a trailer, please note that the functions of the assistance and parking systems may be limited.
DANGER
Transporting persons in a trailer can cause life-threatening injuries and may be against the law.
Never transport anyone in a trailer.
WARNING
Using the trailer hitch incorrectly can result in loss of control of the vehicle, accidents and serious or fatal injuries.
Install and use the trailer in accordance with the instructions provided by the corresponding manufacturer.
Only use the ball mount if it is undamaged and secured correctly.
Do not modify or repair the ball mount.
WARNING
If the ball mount is swiveled out, there is an increased risk of accidents and serious injuries for pedestrians and cyclists near parked vehicles and if rear
collisions occur.
Swivel the ball mount in or remove it when it is not in use.
WARNING
The vehicle is not designed for 'weight-distributing' or 'load-equalizing' trailer hitches. The trailer hitch could malfunction and the trailer could disconnect from the
vehicle. This can cause accidents and serious injuries.
Never install weight-distributing or load-equalizing trailer hitches.
WARNING
Driving with a trailer and transporting heavy or large objects can change the vehicle handling performance, increase the braking distance, and cause accidents
and serious or fatal injuries.
Always secure cargo correctly with suitable and undamaged cords, fixation belts or tensioning straps.
Note that trailers with a high center of gravity may tip sooner than trailers with a low center of gravity.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to the visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Always drive carefully and try to anticipate what may be ahead.
Accelerate with extra care and caution.
Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking maneuvers.
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph), or 100 km/h (60 mph) if absolutely necessary, when towing a trailer. This also applies in countries where
239
higher speeds are permitted.
Reduce the vehicle speed, especially when driving on slopes or downhill.
Adhere to the applicable local maximum speed limit, which may be lower for vehicles towing a trailer than it is for vehicles that are not towing a trailer.
Overtake especially carefully and reduce vehicle speed as soon as you detect the slightest swaying movement in the trailer.
Never try to straighten out a swaying vehicle and trailer by accelerating.
Look out for potential messages and warning and indicator lights turning on in the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit because of the increased load for the
towing vehicle.
Some retrofitted trailer hitches cover the mount for the towing eye. If this is the case, it will not be possible to use the towing eye to tow other vehicles. Because
of this, you should always keep the ball mount from a retrofitted trailer hitch inside the vehicle when it is removed.
Hitching a trailer
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒
and
Introduction.
Trailer socket
If the trailer has a 7-pin connector, a suitable adapter must be used.
1. Lift the socket cap and insert the plug.
2. Rotate the plug clockwise by a quarter of a rotation until it fully engages into the socket.
3. Release the cap to lock the plug in place.
4. Check that the entire lighting system is working properly before starting the journey.
If you are not sure how to connect the trailer with the towing vehicle’s electrical system correctly, consult an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswage
Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Safety chains
Always make sure that the safety chains are correctly secured on the vehicle. The safety chains require sufficient play and can sag, but should not touch the ground
WARNING
Improperly or incorrectly connected electrical wires can electrify the trailer and lead to malfunctions in the entire vehicle electronics system as well as accidents
and serious or fatal injuries.
Have all work on the electrical system performed only by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen
recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Never connect the electrical system on a trailer to the electrical connectors for the taillights or other power sources on the towing vehicle.
WARNING
Contact between the pins on the trailer socket can cause short circuits, overloading of the electrical system, or malfunction of the lighting system, which can
result in accidents and serious or fatal injuries.
Never connect the pins in the trailer socket to one another.
Have bent pins repaired only by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
NOTICE
If a trailer hitched to the vehicle is resting on a supporting wheel or on the trailer support, the vehicle may lift and lower due to changes in the load or tire damage.
This would put great stress on the trailer hitch and the trailer. This can cause damage to the vehicle and trailer.
Note that a trailer that is resting on a supporting wheel or on the trailer support should not remain hitched to the vehicle.
If the engine is stopped and accessories on the trailer are on while there is an electrical connection through the trailer socket, then the 12 V vehicle battery will
drain.
The electrical connection to the trailer will be automatically disconnected if the charge level of the 12 V vehicle battery becomes too low.
Loading a trailer
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒
and
Introduction.
240
General information
Always ensure that the vehicle and trailer are well balanced. Do not load the trailer unevenly by putting more weight at either the front or the back. Always store hea
objects as close as possible to or above the axle. Always secure the load on the trailer properly ⇒
.
Trailer load and tongue weight
The trailer load is the weight that the vehicle can tow.
The trailer tongue weight rating is the load that presses down vertically from above onto the ball mount of the trailer hitch.
Volkswagen recommends always using the maximum permissible trailer tongue weight rating ⇒ Technical data. Tongue weight that is too low affects the trailer's
handling. The maximum permissible trailer tongue weight rating of the trailer drawbar on the trailer hitch ball head must not be exceeded ⇒
.
The actual trailer tongue weight rating increases the weight on the rear axle and reduces the possible load in the vehicle.
In some countries, under certain conditions, a higher trailer tongue weight rating can be used. Follow the local specifications and regulations.
Towing weight
The towing weight consists of the actual weights of the loaded towing vehicle and the loaded trailer.
In some countries, trailers are divided into classes. Volkswagen recommends consulting with an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility about suitable trailers. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Tire pressure
The tire pressure for the tires on the trailer is based on the recommendation of the trailer manufacturer.
When towing a trailer, inflate the tires on the towing vehicle to the maximum permissible tire pressure ⇒ Checking the tire pressure.
WARNING
Sliding loads can considerably impair driving stability and trailer safety and increase the risk of accidents and serious injuries or death.
Always load trailers correctly.
Always secure cargo with suitable and undamaged cords or tensioning straps.
WARNING
If the gross axle weight rating, trailer tongue weight rating, gross vehicle weight rating or towing weight of the vehicle and the trailer are exceeded, accidents and
serious injuries or death can result.
Never exceed the specified values ⇒ Technical data.
Never exceed the maximum Gross Axle Weight Rating on the front or rear axle.
Never exceed the maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for the front and rear weight of the vehicle.
Driving with a trailer
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒
and
Introduction.
Headlight adjustment
When a trailer is attached, the front part of the vehicle may be lifted, and the dipped beam headlights may dazzle other road users. Lower the beam correspondingl
using the headlight range control. Vehicles with dynamic headlight range control adjust automatically and do not need to be manually adjusted.
Characteristics when driving with a trailer
When driving with a trailer with an overrun brake, first brake gently then rapidly. This avoids braking jolts due to the trailer wheels locking.
The braking distance increases due to the gross combination weight (of the trailer and vehicle).
Select a higher energy recuperation level when going downhill. This utilizes the braking effect of the electric drivetrain and reduces the load on the brakes.
Otherwise the brake system may overheat and possibly fail.
The vehicle's center of gravity, and thereby also its driving characteristics, are changed by the towing weight and the increased total weight of the vehicle and
trailer.
An empty towing vehicle and loaded trailer create a very unfavorable weight distribution. Drive very carefully and slowly with this combination.
Driving on hills with a trailer
Depending on the angle of the hill and the total weight of the trailer, a parked trailer may roll back slightly when you start driving.
When towing a trailer, start on a hill as follows:
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Engage gear D/B.
241
The electronic parking brake is disengaged
3. Press and hold the
button to hold the vehicle and trailer with the electronic parking brake.
4. Release the brake pedal.
5. Start driving slowly.
6. Only release the
button once the electric drivetrain has created enough drive power to start driving.
WARNING
Towing a trailer incorrectly can result in loss of control of the vehicle and cause serious or fatal injuries.
Bear in mind that the driving characteristics change when driving with a trailer and transporting heavy or large objects.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to the visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Always drive carefully and try to anticipate what may be ahead.
Overtake with particular care and reduce vehicle speed as soon as you detect the slightest swaying movement in the trailer.
Accelerate with extra care and caution.
Brake earlier than usual as the braking distance may be longer.
Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking maneuvers.
Reduce the vehicle speed, especially when driving downhill.
Never try to "straighten out" a swaying vehicle and trailer by accelerating.
Adhere to the applicable local maximum speed limit, which may be lower for vehicles towing a trailer than it is for vehicles that are not towing a trailer.
WARNING
A poor rear view when pulling a trailer may result in accidents and serious or fatal injuries.
Ensure sufficient visibility behind you.
Install additional rearview mirrors to ensure you have a clear rear view.
Trailer hitch
Ball mount holder
Fig. 124 Dimensions of the ball mount holder and receptacle.
Suspended height of the ball mount.
Distance between socket pin and ball mount.
To pull a trailer you must have installed the necessary cabling, including a socket, and the corresponding trailer hitch. Since pulling a trailer represents a heavy stra
for the vehicle towing it, connecting the trailer to the towing vehicle and correct dimensions for the receptacle and the ball mount holder are extremely important in
order for the towing vehicle to cope with the strain to be placed on it.
The mount requires a special shape and size of ball mount holder and ball mount. This affects both the suspended height of the ball coupling fig. 124
distance between the socket pin and the ball coupling fig. 124
and the
.
These dimensions determine the distribution of strain on the receptacle and the connections to the vehicle during towing. When purchasing a ball mount holder and
a ball mount, always ensure that these will cope with the requirements.
242