Volkswagen ID.4: Load-through hatch

Fig. 1 Pass-through in the rear seat backrest.

Fig. 2 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. 1 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. 2 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

Objects in the deployment zone of the center airbag may prevent the airbag from functioning correctly, resulting in serious injury or death.

• Never push items forward into the deployment zone of the center airbag (→ Center airbag).

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.

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.

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 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.

Follow all warning and information for vehicles with an N1 certificate (→ N1 certificate).

If you have integrated a trailer into the anti-theft alarm system, breaking the connection to the trailer may trigger the anti-theft alarm system (→ Anti-theft alarm system).

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.