Can you tow or push-start a DSG car?

After a breakdown the question comes up fast: can the car just be pushed or towed? With a DSG the answer is mostly no, and the reason is inside the gearbox.

Push-starting or tow-starting

A manual car with a flat battery can often be started by rolling it in gear and releasing the clutch. A DSG cannot. The clutches are controlled by hydraulics and electronics, so without power and pressure they will not close in the way needed to turn the engine. Handbooks for DSG models say that tow-starting is not possible. Use jump leads or a booster pack instead, and note any connection points your handbook shows.

Towing with the driven wheels on the road

This is restricted. A Škoda Superb handbook, used here as an example, states that on DSG models towing with the drive wheels on the ground is allowed only in extreme cases, up to 50 km at no more than 50 km/h, with the selector in N. The same text warns that the oil pump does not run in neutral, so the gearbox may be damaged if those limits are exceeded. Other cars may give different figures. Your own handbook governs.

The reason is lubrication. The handbook text above says the oil pump does not work in neutral. A gearbox that is turned by the wheels without proper oil flow can be damaged, and the longer and faster the tow, the greater the risk.

The safe choice

Use a flatbed recovery truck, or a tow truck that lifts the driven wheels. Say clearly that it is a DSG when you call. This applies especially when:

• The gearbox is in limp mode or has lost drive. See limp mode.
• The gearbox may have no oil or may be damaged
• The car shows a red warning. See warning messages
• The distance is more than a short move

Short moves

For a very short move, such as clearing a driveway, follow the handbook limits. If the car has a gearbox fault, do not tow it with the driven wheels down at all.

If the battery is flat

• Jump-start using a booster pack or another car, as the handbook instructs
• Check the battery before blaming the gearbox. A weak battery can trigger several gearbox faults. See U0101
• After a battery change, the car may need to relearn. See clutch adaptation

Source

Example handbook text: Škoda Superb B6 owner's manual, towing section. Limits differ by model, so check your own handbook.

FAQ

Can I tow a DSG with a rope?

Only within your handbook's limits, and not if the gearbox is faulty. A flatbed is safer.

Can I push the car out of the way?

For a few metres, with the selector in N, yes. Do not use pushing to start the engine.

Does the car need any special steps for a tow hook?

Use the tow eye supplied and follow the handbook.