Volkswagen Touareg (2015 year). Instruction — part 43

2. Turn the ignition of the vehicle with the dead battery. If the engine starts, wait 2 to 3 minutes until it

“runs smoothly” before removing the jumper cables as described below

⇒ . If the engine does

not start within about 10 seconds, turn off the ignition and wait at least 1 minute; then try again.

Before removing the jumper cables

1. Switch off the headlights (if they are on).

2. In the vehicle with the dead battery, switch on the heater fan and the rear window defroster. This

helps tit minimize voltage spikes when the cables are disconnected.

Removing the jumper cables

1. Before you remove the jumper cables, switch off the headlights (if they are on).

2. In the vehicle with the dead battery, switch on the heater fan and the rear window defroster. This

helps to minimize voltage spikes when the jumper cables are disconnected.

3. With the engine running, remove the jumper cables in reverse order to the way they were con-

nected. Specifically:

– Disconnect the black (–) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
– Disconnect the black (–) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
– Disconnect the red (+) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
– Disconnect the red (+) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.

4. Turn off the heater fan and the rear winder defroster on the vehicle with the dead battery.

5. Snap the cap of the positive jump-start terminal back on, reinstall covers, and close engine hoods.

WARNING

Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle with a dead battery can cause
the battery to explode, leading to serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery
explosion:

All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid

burns, fires, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety

precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system

⇒ 12 Volt vehicle bat-

tery.

Always wear proper eye protection. Never lean over the vehicle batteries.
Attach the jumper cables in the correct order: first the positive cable, then the negative

cable.

Never connect the negative cable from the vehicle providing starting assistance to parts

of the fuel system or to the brake hoses or brake lines.

Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to touch.
Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery terminal to contact metal

parts of the vehicle.

Specialized knowledge and tools are required to access the vehicle battery. For this rea-

son, have an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility
check the electrolyte level of the vehicle battery.

Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of the vehicle battery. Sparks may cause the

hydrogen gas escaping from the vehicle battery to ignite.

Never jump-start a vehicle with a battery that is damaged or frozen or that was frozen and

has thawed. The battery can explode. Replace the battery instead.

Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufacturer.
Always make sure that the battery providing starting assistance has the same voltage as

the dead battery (12 V) and about the same capacity (see battery label).

Batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas. Always keep fire, sparks, open flame and smok-

ing materials away from batteries.

Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to the negative terminal

of the dead battery. The hydrogen gas from the battery is explosive.

Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the positive (+) and negative (–) ter-

minals with each other.

NOTICE

Checking the electrolyte level

The 12 Volt vehicle battery is located under the left front seat. Specialized knowledge and

tools are required to access the vehicle battery. For this reason, have an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility check the electrolyte level of
the vehicle battery.

Towing

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Towing on a commercial tow truck

Tips on towing

Installing the front towing eye

Installing the rear towing eye

Driving tips while towing

Observe legal requirements when towing.

Your vehicle is equipped with a trailer package.

For technical reasons:

A vehicle with a dead battery must never be towed; Jump-start the vehicle instead.
It is not possible to tow-start or push-start your vehicle; Jump-start the vehicle instead.

Vehicles with Keyless Access may only be towed with the ignition on.

Towing the vehicle when the engine is turned off and the ignition is turned on drains the vehicle bat-
tery. Depending on the charge level of the vehicle battery, it is possible that even after just a few
minutes, electrical devices such as the emergency flashers may not have the power necessary to

function. The steering wheel might lock in vehicles with Keyless Access

⇒ .

More information:

Exterior views
Engine control and emission control system

WARNING

Never tow a vehicle without any electrical power.

Never remove the remote control vehicle key from the ignition switch while the vehicle is

moving. The electronic steering column lock could suddenly engage, and you would not be
able to steer or control the vehicle. You can lose control of the vehicle, crash, and seriously
injure yourself and others.

If the vehicle loses power while it is being towed, stop towing the vehicle immediately and

contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for
assistance.

WARNING

Towing a vehicle changes the way it handles and brakes. To help reduce the risk of an acci-
dent and serious personal injury, note the following:

The driver of the vehicle that is being towed:

– Since the brake booster also does not work when the engine is stopped, you will need
to press harder on the brake pedal to slow down or stop. Always be alert so as not to rear-
end towing vehicle.

– Will have to use considerable more force to turn the steering wheel because the power
steering is not working.

The driver of the vehicle that is doing the towing:

– Must accelerate gradually and gently and avoid jerking movements.

– Must not brake hard or steer sharply.

– Must brake earlier and more gently than in normal driving.

WARNING

Never let the vehicle be towed unless its electrical system is working and the ignition is
switched on. Otherwise, the steering column lock may engage, causing loss of control, a
crash, and serious personal injuries.

NOTICE

Be careful not to damage the paint when installing and removing the towing eye and the

cover for the threaded hole behind the bumper.

Unburned fuel can get into the catalytic converter during towing and damage it.

NOTICE

The vehicle may be damaged if it is towed with a tow rope or a tow bar.

Never let the vehicle be towed with a tow rope or a tow bar unless it is absolutely neces-

sary.

If the vehicle breaks down, it can only be towed by a special tow truck.

Towing on a commercial tow truck

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

To help avoid damaging the vehicle, have it towed only by a professional towing company. Read and
heed the following information:

General information

Never let the vehicle be towed at speeds above 30 mph (50 km/h).

Never let the vehicle be towed for more than 30 miles (50 km).

Towing automatic transmission vehicles

Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into Neutral (N).

Tow the vehicle only with its front wheels off the ground

⇒ .

Special towing instructions for vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)

To help prevent unnecessary damage, vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) must be transport-

ed on a flat-bed truck.

To load the vehicle on the flat bed, use the towing eye found in the vehicle tool kit and attach it to

the front anchorage

⇒ Vehicle tool kit, ⇒ Installing the front towing eye.

When not to tow your vehicle

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. The vehicle can only be towed if its ignition is switched on and its
electrical system is operating. In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed at all and must
be transported on a flatbed truck or trailer:

If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
If the vehicle battery is dead (because the steering is locked and the electronic parking brake and

the electronic steering column lock cannot be released if engaged).

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

WARNING

It is not safe for children or other persons to ride in a vehicle that is being towed.

Never let children or anyone else remain in the vehicle while it is being towed.

NOTICE

The drive axle rotates while the vehicle is being towed with its rear wheels off the ground. This
can damage the automatic transmission.

Never tow automatic transmission vehicle with the rear wheels off the ground.

Tips on towing

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

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

Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see below When not to tow your vehicle.

If yes, note the following for the towed vehicle:

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

Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see below When not to tow your vehicle.

If yes, note the following for the towed vehicle:

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 possi-

ble 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).

Towing other vehicles

Obey all legal requirements.
Read and heed all towing information in the owner’s manual for the other vehicle.

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.

Installing the front towing eye

Fig. 351 In right front bumper: Removing the cover.

Fig. 352 In right front bumper: Screwing in towing eye.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Holes for the towing eyes are in the front bumper at the right and at the left.

Always keep the towing eye in the vehicle and stow it securely.

Read and follow the notes about towing

⇒ Tips on towing.

Installing the front towing eye

Take the towing eye, the lug wrench, and the screwdriver out of the vehicle tool kit in the luggage

compartment

⇒ Vehicle tool kit.

Push the outboard edge of the cover

⇒

fig. 351

.

Reach behind the cover, pull it off, and let it hang from the vehicle.

Screw the towing eye counterclockwise into the threaded hole as far as it will go

⇒

fig. 352

(ar-

row)

⇒ . Use the lug wrench to turn and tighten the towing eye.

When towing is complete, unscrew the towing eye clockwise to remove it and replace the cover.

Clean the towing eye and lug wrench if necessary and put them back in the vehicle tool kit in the

luggage compartment.

NOTICE

Always make sure the towing eye is screwed all the way into threaded hole so that it is secure.
Otherwise, it could be ripped out while your vehicle is being towed.

Installing the rear towing eye

Fig. 353 In right rear bumper: Screwing in towing eye.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Holes for the screw-in towing eyes are in the rear bumper at the right and at the left.

Follow towing instructions

Installing the rear towing eye

Take the towing eye, the lug wrench, and the screwdriver out of the vehicle tool kit in the luggage

compartment

⇒ Vehicle tool kit.

Push the outboard edge of the cover.
Reach behind the cover, pull it off, and let it hang from the vehicle.

Screw the towing eye counterclockwise into the threaded hole as far as it will go

⇒

fig. 353

(ar-

row)

⇒ . Use the lug wrench to turn and tighten the towing eye.

When towing is complete, unscrew the towing eye clockwise to remove it and replace the cover.
Clean the towing eye and lug wrench if necessary and put them back in the vehicle tool kit in the

luggage compartment.

NOTICE

Always make sure the towing eye is screwed all the way into threaded hole so that it is secure.
Otherwise, it could be ripped out while your vehicle is being towed.

Driving tips while towing

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Towing requires some experience, especially when using a towing rope. Both drivers must be familiar
with the techniques required for towing. Inexperienced drivers should not try to tow a vehicle or to
drive a vehicle that is being towed.

Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle, and avoid jerking the tow rope. When towing on an un-
paved road, there is always a risk of overloading and damaging the attachment points.

If your vehicle is being towed, it can still signal turns even if the emergency flashers are activated, as
long as the ignition is switched on. Use the turn signal in the normal way. The emergency flashers go
off as long as the turn signal is blinking. As soon as the turn signal lever returns to its neutral position,
the emergency flashers are automatically activated again.

As driver of the towed vehicle:

If your vehicle is the one being towed, the ignition switch must be switched on to keep the steering

wheel from locking. Also make sure that the turn signals, horn, windshield wipers, and windshield
washers work properly.

Since power steering does not work when the engine is switched off, more effort is needed to steer

the vehicle.

Since the brake booster also does not work when the engine is stopped, you will need to press

harder on the brake pedal to slow down or stop. Do not hit the towing vehicle.

Read and heed the information and WARNINGS in the towing vehicle's owner's manual.

As driver of the towing vehicle

Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently. Avoid sudden driving maneuvers.
Brake earlier than usual and with light pedal pressure.
Read and heed the information and WARNINGS in the owner's manual of the vehicle being towed.

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Meaning

A2DP

Advanced Audio Distribution Profile for cross-manufacturer Bluetooth audio signal
transmission compatibility.

ABS

Anti-lock Brake System.

AFS

Adaptive Front Lighting System.

AKI

Anti-Knock Index.

AM

AM (amplitude modulation).

ANSI

American National Standards Institute.

ASL

Automatic Shift Lock.

ASR

Anti-Slip Regulation.

ATA

Anti-Theft Alarm system.

BAS

Brake Assist System.

cc

Cubic centimeter unit of volume for specifying engine displacement.

ccm

Cubic centimeters. Unit of measure for engine displacement.

CCS

Cruise Control System.

CCS

Cruise Control System.

CID

Cubic inch displacement, unit of volume for specifying engine displacement.

cm

Centimeter – metric unit of measure for length.

CO

2

Carbon dioxide.

DIN

Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardization).

DPF

Diesel Particulate Filter.

DRL

Daytime Running Lights.

DTMF

Dual Tone Multiple Frequency.

EDL

Electronic Differential Lock.

EN

European Norm.

EON

Enhanced Other Network (support for other radio networks).

EPC

Engine control (Electronic Power Control).

ESC

Electronic Stability Control.

ETC

Electronic Toll Collection system.

FLA

Headlight assistant.

FSI

Fuel Stratified Injection.

g/mi

Generated carbon monoxide amount in grams per mile driven.

GAWR

Gross Axle Weight Rating.

GSM

Global System for Mobile Communications.

GVWR

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

HDD

Media Center (Hard Disk Drive).

HFP

Hands-Free-Profile (mobile phone operation).

HID

High Intensity Discharge headlights (HID).

hp

Horsepower, engine power rating.

IMEI

International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (unique serial number for identifica-
tion of GSM terminal devices).

kg

Kilogram – metric unit for weight.

kN

Kilonewton, tractive force.

kp

Kilopond, a measure of force.

kPa

Kilopascal, unit of measure for tire pressure.

kW

Kilowatt, engine rating.

LED

Light Emitting Diode.

m

Meter – metric unit of measure for length.

MDI

Media Device Interface.

MFI

Multi-Function Indicator.

MP3

Audio file compression format.

Nm

Newton meter, engine torque unit.

OPS

Optical Parking System.

PDC

Park Distance Control.

PIN

Personal identification number.

RDS

Radio Data System (enables additional functions).

RON

Research Octane Number, measurement of anti-knock resistance of gasoline.

rpm

Engine revolutions per minute (engine speed).

rSAP

Remote SIM Access Profile (via Bluetooth).

SAE

Society of Automotive Engineers.

SIM

Subscriber Identity Module.

SMS

Short Message Service.

TDI

®

Turbocharged Direct Injection (Turbocharged diesel engine with direct fuel injec-
tion).

TIN

Tire Identification Number.

TMC

Traffic Message Channel (for dynamic navigation).

TP

Traffic Program (radio traffic bulletins).

UTQG

Uniform Tire Grading Quality.

VBR

Variable bit rate.

WMA

Audio file compression format.