Get Driving -> Messages about driving Guide for Volkswagen Atlas SUV Second Generation (2024-2025)

vehicle.

NOTICE

If driving into the ditch at a right angle, the front wheels will fall in. The vehicle could bottom out, be damaged, and no

longer be drivable.

Do not attempt to drive across a ditch if the ramp angle or tilt angle is too steep and the ditch is too deep for the

vehicle.

Note that it will most likely be impossible to drive out of the ditch, even with all-wheel drive.

After off-road driving

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

Checklist

Clean the vehicle.

Check the vehicle for damage.

Check the tires for damage and remove any thick dirt, stones, and foreign objects from the tread.

Inspect the vehicle underbody and remove any and all objects that are stuck in the brake system, wheels, suspensions

exhaust system and in the engine, such as twigs, leaves, or pieces of wood ⇒

. If any damage or leaks are

discovered, seek assistance from suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Inspect the hood space for any contamination that may be impairing engine operation ⇒ Safety precautions for workin

in the hood space.

WARNING

Any objects stuck under the vehicle underbody present a hazard. Fuel lines, the brake system, seals and other

suspension parts can be damaged or ﬂammable materials, such as dry leaves, can ignite near hot vehicle components.

This could cause an accident, a ﬁre and serious or fatal injuries.

Always inspect the vehicle underbody for stuck objects and remove them after every off-road trip.

Never drive the vehicle if objects are stuck on the underbody, in the brake system, in the wheels, in the suspension,

in the exhaust system, or in the engine.

Remove ﬂammable materials, such as dry leaves, from the vehicle underbody.

Messages about driving

General driver information

Anticipatory driving

An inconsistent driving style increases consumption. When the driver actively pays attention to trafﬁc, this can prevent

frequent acceleration and braking maneuvers. Maintaining enough distance to the vehicle driving ahead helps you to drive

with better anticipation.

Avoiding Harsh Acceleration

Excessively high speeds increase the rolling resistance and air resistance and with that, the power needed to move the

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vehicle. Never drive at the maximum vehicle speed.

Checking tire pressures

Low tire pressures cause wear as well as increased rolling resistance of tires, and this increases consumption. Use tires with

optimal rolling resistance.

Adapt the tire pressures to the load:

Follow the speciﬁcations on the tire pressure label ⇒ Checking the tire pressure.

Tire pressure monitoring system ⇒ Function of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System .

Warming up the engine

Driving short distances too frequently may cause foreign matter such as condensation to collect in the engine oil and cause

increased engine wear.

If the driving behavior leads to an increased collection of foreign matter in the engine oil, a corresponding message appears in

the instrument cluster display. If you are warming up the engine, wait until the operating temperature is reached and the

message disappears.

At low outside temperatures, it may take longer until the engine has warmed up and the operating temperature is reached.

This is normal and not a cause for concern.

Using synthetic engine oil

Full synthetic engine oils with a low viscosity reduce the frictional resistance in the engine and distribute signiﬁcantly better an

faster when cold-starting the engine.

WARNING

Not paying attention to road trafﬁc can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Always comply with the applicable driving regulations and speed limits and think ahead while driving.

Take regular breaks on long drives. You should take a break at least every two hours.

WARNING

Alcohol, drugs, medication, and prescription narcotics can considerably impair perception, reaction times, and driving

safety, which can result in loss of vehicle control. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Do not drive under the inﬂuence of alcohol, drugs, medication or prescription narcotics.

WARNING

If you drive at high speed and without sufﬁcient safety distance, accidents and serious or fatal injuries can result.

Always adapt your speed and remain a safe distance to vehicles driving ahead according to the visual, weather,

road, and trafﬁc conditions.

Breaking in the engine

A new engine needs to be broken in

during the first approx. 1500 km

(approx. 1000 miles). All moving parts

should be able to work together. During

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the first few hours of operation, the

engine has a higher internal friction

than it will later.

Up to approx. 1000 km (approx. 600 miles)

Avoid harsh acceleration.

Do not use more than two thirds of the maximum engine RPM.

Do not drive with a trailer.

Between approx. 1000 and 1500 km (approx. 600 and 1000 miles)

1. Increase the speed and engine RPM gradually.

The driving style during the ﬁrst approx. 1500 km (approx. 1000 miles) also affects the engine's quality. To reduce engine wea

and increase the possible mileage, the engine should be driven at moderate engine speeds even after that – especially when

the engine is cold.

New tires and brake pads must be carefully broken in.

NOTICE

Driving at too low an RPM can cause increased wear and damage to the engine.

Do not drive at an insufﬁcient engine speed.

Downshift if the engine stops running “smoothly”.

If the new engine is broken in gently, its service life is increased while, at the same time, reducing engine oil consumption

Eco tips

The correct driving style can help to

reduce consumption, pollution, and

wear on the engine, brakes, and tires.

The following tips will help you

conserve the environment and your

money.

217

Fig. 100 Fuel consumption in mpg at two different ambient temperatures.

Energy-Saving Shifting

Early upshifting at an engine speed of approx. 2000 rpm saves energy. Do not wait as long as possible to upshift gears and

avoid high engine speeds.

Vehicles with an automatic transmission: Accelerate slowly and avoid using the kick-down function.

If possible, use the

driving mode.

Reducing to idle speed

Start driving immediately at low speeds. When stationary for a long time, do not shift to idle, but rather stop the engine, for

example when in a trafﬁc jam or at a railroad crossing.

On vehicles with an activated start-stop system, the engine can turn off automatically when the vehicle is stopped and when

stationary.

Refuel in moderation

A full fuel tank increases the vehicle weight. A fuel tank that is half to three-quarters full is best suited for city driving.

Avoid short trips

A cold engine has a very high consumption rate. The optimal operating temperature is only reached after several kilometers

(miles). When outside temperatures are very low, for example in winter, the consumption is much higher than average

ﬁg. 100. Plan trips economically and combine short trips.

Have maintenance performed regularly

Regular maintenance is required for fuel-efﬁcient driving and increases the service life of the vehicle.

Removing unnecessary weight

Clearing out the luggage compartment, for example by removing empty crates or unneeded child restraints, can reduce

consumption.

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To keep the vehicle's air resistance as low as possible, remove attachments after use.

Saving energy

The alternator, which is powered by the engine, generates power for the electrical equipment, such as the air conditioner,

window heating, or ventilation. Saving energy is simple, for example:

When temperatures are high, air out the vehicle before driving and drive short distances with the windows open. Then

turn on the climate control system.

Switch off comfort consumers that are not required.

NOTICE

If the vehicle rolls down mountains or hills in neutral , the transmission is not lubricated. This can cause the automatic

transmission to overheat and can damage it.

Never leave the vehicle in neutral gear, especially when the engine is stopped.

An authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility can provide you with more information about

correct maintenance and replacement parts that are particularly energy efﬁcient, such as new tires.

In driving situations when less power is required, the engine cylinders can deactivate automatically on vehicles with Active

Cylinder Management (ACT), depending on the vehicle equipment. When the engine is switched off, no fuel is injected into

the relevant cylinders, meaning that overall fuel consumption is reduced.

Driving a loaded vehicle

Heed the following for good vehicle handling when the vehicle is loaded:

Stow all cargo securely ⇒ Transporting.

Accelerate with extra care and caution.

Avoid sudden braking and driving maneuvers.

Brake earlier than usual.

If necessary, read and heed the information about roof racks ⇒ Roof rack.

If necessary, note the information about driving with a trailer ⇒ Trailer towing.

WARNING

Sliding loads can considerably impair the driving stability and safety of your vehicle, and increase the braking distance

when you brake hard or perform emergency braking. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Correctly secure the load to prevent it from sliding.

Use suitable tie-downs or securing straps on heavy objects.

Engage the rear seat backrests and, if necessary, the adjustable rear seats securely.

Driving with an open trunk lid

Driving with an open trunk lid can be especially dangerous. Secure all objects and the open trunk lid correctly.

Sufﬁcient precautions must be taken to reduce the amount of poisonous exhaust that enters the vehicle.

WARNING

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If driving with the trunk lid unlocked or open, loose objects can fall out of the vehicle and injure other road users. This can

cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Always drive with the trunk lid closed.

Store all objects in the luggage compartment securely.

Always drive carefully and anticipate upcoming trafﬁc situations.

Avoid abrupt or sudden driving and braking maneuvers because the open trunk lid can move in an uncontrolled

manner.

If there is a roof rack with cargo on the trunk lid, always remove it before driving with an open trunk lid.

WARNING

Objects protruding from the luggage compartment change the vehicle length and may possibly endanger other road

users. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Follow the legal regulations.

Mark objects sticking out of the luggage compartment so they will be visible to others on the road.

Never use the trunk lid to secure or wedge objects.

WARNING

Among other substances, engine exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless poisonous gas. If

driving with the trunk lid open, poisonous exhaust may enter the vehicle interior, leading to a loss of consciousness,

carbon monoxide poisoning, accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

To prevent poisonous exhaust from entering the vehicle, always drive with the trunk lid closed.

Close all windows.

Close the power sunroof.

Switch off recirculation mode.

Open all the air vents in the instrument panel.

Switch the blower to the highest blower level.

Always drive with the trunk lid closed if the load can be transported with the trunk lid closed.

NOTICE

Opening the trunk lid changes the height and possibly the length of the vehicle. This can cause damage to the vehicle if

driving carelessly.

Be aware of the changed outer dimensions, such as when driving through underpasses.

Driving through water on roads

Note the following to reduce the risk of vehicle damage when driving through water, for example on ﬂooded roads:

The water must not be any higher than the bottom of the vehicle body ⇒

.

Do not driver faster than walking speeds.

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Never stop the vehicle, drive in reverse, or stop the engine in water.

Oncoming vehicles create waves that can raise the water level for your vehicle enough that it is not safe to drive through

Always manually deactivate the start-stop system when driving through water ⇒ Start/Stop system.

WARNING

When driving through water, mud, slush, etc., the braking effect may be delayed due to damp or icy brake rotors and

brake pads in the winter, and this can extend the braking distance. This could cause a loss of vehicle control, accidents

and serious or fatal injuries.

Perform careful braking maneuvers to dry and remove ice from the brakes.

Do not endanger road users or disregard legal regulations during braking maneuvers.

Avoid abrupt and sudden braking maneuvers directly after driving through water.

NOTICE

Driving through water can greatly damage or corrode parts of the vehicle, e.g. electronics.

Never drive through salty water.

Using fresh water, immediately rinse any parts of the vehicle that may have come into contact with salty water.

Protect electronic components against contact with water.

Operating the vehicle in different countries and continents

Approval regulations

The vehicle was manufactured by the factory for a speciﬁc country and meets those requirements and approval regulations

that were valid at the time of vehicle manufacture ⇒

.

If the vehicle will be used temporarily or for a brief period in another country, then read and observe the following

information.

Safety standards and regulations

Some countries have special safety standards and regulations that differ from the vehicle conﬁguration. Volkswagen

recommends obtaining information about legal regulations from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility before driving in other countries.

Selling in other countries

If the vehicle is sold in another country or will be used for an extended period in another country, then the applicable legal

regulations in that country must be observed.

Certain equipment may need to be installed or removed and functions may need to be deactivated. The scope and types of

service may also be affected. This particularly applies if the vehicle is being operated for an extended period in a different

climate region.

Functions of the Infotainment system

Due to the many different frequency bands around the world, the Infotainment system installed at the factory may not function

in other countries.

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Volkswagen is not responsible for damage to the vehicle caused by substandard fuel, insufficient service, or not using

Volkswagen Genuine parts.

Volkswagen is not responsible if the vehicle does not meet all of the applicable legal requirements in other countries and

continents.

WARNING

At high altitudes, the air density is lower. Due to the reduced air density, engine power may be reduced and when in

operation for extended periods at high altitudes, vehicle components may be damaged. Lower engine power can result in

accidents, e.g. when overtaking, and may result in serious or fatal injuries.

Before driving abroad, obtain information from a suitably qualiﬁed professional, particularly for altitudes above

3000 m (around 9843 ft) above sea level. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer

or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

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Driving -> Messages about driving for Your Volkswagen Atlas SUV Second Generation (2024-2025)

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