Wait, what? The parts guy at the dealer forwarded me this response he got from VWoA:
From: VWoA Accessories [mailto:vwaccessories@vw.com]
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 3:30 PM
To: CH - Bob <name redacted>
Subject: RE: 402134 - TRAILER HITCH
Good Day Bob,
Volkswagen Group of America does not recommend towing with the Jetta
Sportwagen, and therefore we do not offer a tow hitch for this model.
Thank you,
Volkswagen Accessories
--
I wouldn't have this guy install a hitch now anyway, but it's still troubling that this guy hasn't even read the manual. Maybe the dealer parts guy and whoever answered the email at VWoA are just a couple of duds.
This my conversation with VW Canada: No reply from them since May 28th when I wrote this:
Hi K,
While I understand Volkswagen's desire to reduce the liability with respect to this topic the fact that my owner's manual says Canada Edition on the cover seems to imply that the contents of the manual should be relied upon by the owner. Therefore there is an implied warranty that the car is fit for that purpose. The only way that could be shifted back to the consumer is by a specific mention in the manual that towing of any kind is not recommended. A prohibition on towing is not mentioned in the Canadian Warranty and Maintenance booklet either.
The dealer that I purchased the vehicle from didn't tell me not to install a hitch and if anyone should be in a position to inform the consumer it should be the dealer. In fact I happen to know that the dealer sends that sort of work out to a local automobile service facility on a regular basis. So you can see why I'm confused. It's not like I'm going to be towing a huge travel trailer or a boat. I am planning to use a small utility trailer a couple of times a year to pick up items from the garden store (that won't fit in the trunk) and perhaps to add a bike rack.
Is there going to be a revised addition of this manual or a recall notice that addresses this issue? Or can someone tell me how something that apparently can damage my vehicle ended up in the Canadian version of its owner's manual? If I hadn't asked, and I'm sure that many others haven't (judging by the Jettas the dealership sends to the previously mentioned facility), how could I be expected to know that it wasn't advisable?
Please forgive my persistence on the issue. I am just seeking clarity.
Thank you,
Mike
On May 27, 2011, at 8:14 AM, VW Canada Customer Care wrote:
Dear Mr. Mike,
Once again thank you for contacting Volkswagen Canada Customer Care with your concerns regarding towing capacity and our 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Volkswagen Canada would like to apologize for the delay in response.
At this time the vehicle’s owner’s manual is not vehicle specific it is for all Volkswagen Jetta models including the European models. The YouTube commercials in which you have seen are based upon our European models which are provided with a towing capacity as it was manufactured to tow. The Westphalia is also a European model which yes has been provided with a OEM as it was manufactured with a towing capacity.
Volkswagen Canada apologizes a more favorable response could not be provided. Once again thank you for contacting Volkswagen Canada Customer Care. Should you have further questions or concerns please contact us via phone at 1.800.DRIVE.VW or visit our website at
www.vw.ca.
Sincerely,
KH
Volkswagen Canada Customer Care
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From: Mike
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 7:48 PM
To: VW Canada Customer Care
Subject: Re: Volkswagen Canada - General Inquiry
Thank you K,
I am curious as to why if the vehicle wasn't meant to tow anything there would be an entire section on towing in the owner's manual, along with ratings and capacities for the gasoline powered versions of this year's model of Jetta.
I only plan to tow a small yard trailer from time to time, not a boat or a travel trailer. I have even seen a video of a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta on YouTube towing a U-Haul moving trailer that was supposedly a VW team testing it. And in Europe Westfalia makes OEM hitches for it.
Can you please explain the reason for the towing section in the manual if it wasn't meant to be there?
Thanks,
Mike
On May 25, 2011, at 11:01 AM, VW Canada Customer Care wrote:
Dear Mr. Mike,
Thank you for contacting Volkswagen Canada Customer Care with your inquiry regarding the towing capacity of the New 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. At this time this vehicle has not been given a towing capacity as it was not manufactured for towing use. The only vehicle that is currently manufactured by Volkswagen with a towing capacity is the Volkswagen Tiguan.
The reason behind this is should you use the vehicle for towing purposes and a problem is to arise due to towing this could void the New Vehicle Limited Warranty or the particular part warranty. I apologize I could not provide a more favorable response at this time.
Once again thank you for contacting Volkswagen Canada Customer Care, should you have any further questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us via our website at
www.VW.ca or via phone at 1.800.822.8987.
Sincerely,
KH
Volkswagen Canada Customer Care
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-----Original Message-----
From: mike
Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 3:00 PM
To: VW Canada Customer Care
Subject: Volkswagen Canada - General Inquiry
Title : Mr.
First name : Mike
Relationship to owner : self
Model : TDI Clean Diesel
VIN (17 characters) :
Kilometres : 8000
Volkswagen dealer name : Arrow Motors
Type of inquiry : inquiry
Subject heading : Towing Capacity
Message (maximum 2000 characters) : Hello. In the owners manual for my
2011 Jetta it says that the towing capacity for the TDI with DSG auto
transmission had not been determined at the time of printing.
Has this been determined? Is there a second version of this manual where
I can view this information?
Thank you,
Mike