Unforgivbly bad design on VW's part. I have bumpstarted various Japanese
cars with flat batteries, mainly Toyota FWD diesels, in reverse many times,
no worries. And my old 57 split-case panelvan, which ALWAYS had a flat
battery until I 12Volted it.

However generally, given the option, I will use second. But living on a
narrowish street, with cars parked facing up a steep hill, turning a dead
car around can be difficult. (in a 5-speed Vanagon, use 3rd).

Using 3rd in a normal vehicle eg 4-speed Vanagon won't fire it up easily
unless you are going pretty fast, as the engine won't be turning over very
rapidly. The faster the engine spins, the more easily it starts.

Automatics are often not tow-startable, as they don't have a second
oilpump. Old Powerglides CAN be tow-started. My 69 Korvair (Kombi-Corvair)
was fitted with the Corvair 2spd Powerglide, and I had to towstart it some
number of times. Had to be doing at least 60kmh (37mph) in 2nd (top) before
the torque-converter would lock up and provide drive.

Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin, New Zealand
VW & mollusc nut
1984 VW Caravelle (currently SVX engine; waiting for a Porsche trans)
1985 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma 2.0 (FWD), for sale
1986 CE80 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel (extaxi)
1989 CE96 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel wagon
1989 CT170 Toyota Corona Select 2.0 diesel (taxi)