Fitting and removing the towing eye

Use the towing eye for towing. The towing eye is screwed into a threaded socket behind a cover on the right-hand side of the bumper, front or rear.

 Note

If the car is equipped with a towbar, there is no rear mounting for a towing eye.

Fitting the towing eye

P5-1507 Towing eyelet storage
P5-Icon gray box 1

Take out the towing eye from the foam block under the floor in the cargo area.

P5-1617-XC90-towing eyelet front step 2
P5-Icon gray box 2

Front: Remove the cover – use the car's key or a small screwdriver in the socket to carefully prize off the cover.

The cover pivots around its centre line and can then be removed.
P5-1617-XC90-towing eyelet back step 3
P5-Icon gray box 3

Rear: Remove the cover – press on the marking with a finger while you fold out the opposite side/corner.

The cover pivots around its centre line and can then be removed.

Screw in the towing eye until it reaches its end stop.

P6-1746-XC40-Towing eye with wheel bolt wrench as lever

Screw the eye in firmly. For example, thread through the wheel bolt wrench* and use it as a lever.

 Important

It is important that the towing eye is firmly screwed into place - right in until it stops.

Points to remember before using the towing eye

  • The towing eye may be used to pull the car up onto a recovery vehicle with a flatbed platform. The car's position and ground clearance determine whether it is possible.
  • If the slope of the recovery vehicle's ramp is too steep, or if the ground clearance under the car is inadequate, then the car may be damaged if you try to pull it up using the towing eye.
  • If necessary, raise the car by using the recovery vehicle's lifting device. Do not use the towing eye.

 Warning

No one/nothing is allowed to remain behind the recovery vehicle while the car pulled up onto the flatbed platform.

 Important

The towing eye is only designed for towing on roads - not for pulling the car unstuck or out of a ditch. Call a recovery service for recovery assistance.

Removing the towing eye

Unscrew and remove the towing eye after use and return it to its place in the foam block.

Finish by refitting the cover onto the bumper.

  1. * Option/accessory.