Get Offroad driving Guide for Volkswagen Tayron SUV First Generation (2018-2025)

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steering angle display, coolant temperature display, altimeter (country-dependent).

steering angle display, altimeter (country-dependent), compass

Off-road display on the home screen

A reduced view of the off-road displays is shown on the home screen.

The tile can be restored in the off-road display settings.

The example stated in this chapter must be understood as general guidelines that are intended to help the driver to drive safely when

driving offroad. However, it is not possible to predict whether these guidelines will be valid for all situations that could occur. Before

driving in unknown terrain, it is crucial to obtain knowledge about the characteristics of the terrain ahead. This will enable you to

assess potential danger in advance. The driver is responsible for deciding whether the vehicle is suitable for the terrain in question and

whether it is possible to drive across the terrain.

Driving offroad demands different skills and driving styles in comparison to driving on roads.

The vehicle is not built for “expedition-type” travel.

The driver can use 4MOTION Active Control to activate a variety of vehicle settings in an all-wheel drive vehicle as required (→ Driving

profile selection).

Switch off the driver assist and parking systems when driving offroad.

Checklist

Before every journey, the following steps should be taken in order to be able to drive and control the vehicle away from surfaced roads:

Observe the general safety notes for driving off-road (→ Offroad driving).

Fold in or remove the ball coupling.

Adjust the seat position so that you have a good view to the front. Fasten seat belts (→ Sitting position).

Always wear suitable, well-fitting shoes that provide good grip for your feet when using the pedals.

A responsible driver should respect the environment when driving offroad. Remember that driving through undergrowth and

on meadows can destroy animal and plant habitats.

Leaking service fluids due to vehicle damage can pollute the environment. Spilt service fluids must be collected and

disposed of properly and with respect for the environment.

Take suitable accessories and equipment with you when driving offroad.

WARNING

ABS and ESC is not a substitute for the full attention of the driver. These systems were developed exclusively for driving on surfaced

roads and operate only within the overall limits of the respective system. ABS and ESC are not suitable for offroad driving. If you do

not pay due attention, there is a risk of accidents and serious or even fatal injuries.

● Always pay due attention and do not rely exclusively on the systems. The driver is always responsible for all driving tasks.

● Always adjust your speed and driving style to suit the terrain conditions. Difficult ground conditions can lead to vehicle instability

in spite of ABS and switched-on ESC, for example when braking hard or in bends.

WARNING

Driving offroad can be difficult and dangerous and lead to critical driving situations for the vehicle occupants. Such situations can

lead to loss of control over the vehicle, damage to the vehicle, vehicle breakdown far away from any assistance and also to accidents

and serious or fatal injuries.

● Never choose a dangerous route and do not take any risks.

● Turn around and choose another route if you are not able to continue or if you are unsure about the safety of the route.

● Explore the terrain on foot beforehand, even if it appears that driving over it is straightforward.

● Drive particularly carefully and think ahead when driving offroad.

● Never drive faster than the current terrain, road conditions, traffic and weather allow.

WARNING

Driving over embankments, ramps or slopes at an excessive speed can lead to the vehicle losing contact with the ground. If the

wheels are not pointing straight ahead when the vehicle lands, it could roll over. This can cause you to lose control of the vehicle and

lead to accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Do not drive at excessive speeds when driving offroad.

● Always keep the front wheels in the straight-ahead position if the vehicle should lift off the ground.

WARNING

Sport utility vehicles have a higher centre of gravity and therefore have a higher risk of rolling over when driving than a normal on-

road vehicle that is unsuited for offroad driving (→ Offroad driving). This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Make sure that all vehicle occupants have fastened their seat belts. In the event of an accident, vehicle occupants not wearing seat

belts are subjected to a considerably higher risk of fatal injury than those wearing seat belts.

● Never drive too fast, particularly when driving through bends.

● Do not carry out any extreme driving manoeuvres.

● Always adjust your speed and driving style to suit the terrain conditions.

WARNING

Luggage and other items transported on the roof of the vehicle raise the centre of gravity and will make the vehicle more likely to roll

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

● Always stow luggage and other objects in the luggage compartment if possible. Stow heavy luggage and objects as low down as

possible.

WARNING

Sections of terrain that appear harmless can be very dangerous and result in danger for the vehicle occupants. Potholes, hollows,

ditches, precipices, obstacles, shallows, soft and boggy surfaces are often not recognisable as such and can be covered either fully or

partly by snow, water, grass or branches lying on the ground. Driving over such sections of terrain can lead to the vehicle breaking

down, accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Check any unknown sections of the route on foot carefully before driving through them.

● Never choose unsafe routes and do not take any risks.

● Turn around and choose another route if you are unsure about the safety of the route.

● Always adjust your speed and driving to match vehicle load levels and terrain, visibility and weather conditions.

WARNING

Driving at an angle across slopes can be dangerous. The combined centre of gravity of the vehicle and its payload (vehicle occupants

and payload) can shift and cause the vehicle to roll over and roll down the incline. This can result in damage to the vehicle and cause

accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Always avoid traversing a slope (→ Traversing a slope).

● Always leave the vehicle calmly by the doors that are facing up the slope (→ Traversing a slope).

● Never leave the vehicle by the doors that are facing down the slope if the vehicle stops on a slope and is tilted sideways.

WARNING

The driver assist systems were designed for use on surfaced roads only. The driver assist systems are not suited to driving offroad and

therefore may even be dangerous. This can cause you to lose control of the vehicle and lead to accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Never use the driver assist systems when driving offroad.

WARNING

Driving the vehicle when the fuel level is too low could lead to your vehicle breaking down offroad. If the engine stutters or stalls due

to low fuel or irregular fuel supply, the steering and brake support systems will not operate. This can cause accidents and serious or

fatal injuries.

● Fill up with sufficient fuel before driving offroad.

NOTICE

Any rain entering the vehicle when the windows or glass roof are open can soak the interior equipment and cause damage to the

vehicle.

● Always keep the windows and glass roof closed when driving offroad.

Illustration: gradient angle.

Illustration: inclination angle.

Centre of gravity

The centre of gravity of a vehicle influences its propensity to roll over. The vehicle has a higher ground clearance and therefore a

higher centre of gravity than “normal” road vehicles so that it can be driven offroad. The higher centre of gravity means that

there is a greater danger of roll-over when driving. Always remember this fact when driving and follow the safety tips and

warnings given in this owner's manual.

Ground clearance

This is the vertical distance between the road surface and the lowest point on the vehicle underbody.

Gradient

Indication of gradient that the vehicle can drive up under its own power. The number of metres in height gained over a distance

of 100 m (approx. 330 ft) (uphill gradient) is specified as a percentage or in degrees → Fig. 1. The maximum gradient angle that

the vehicle can overcome depends among other things on the road surface and engine power.

Inclination

Maximum angle at which the vehicle may be driven across a slope without the vehicle tipping over (dependent on the centre of

gravity) → Fig. 2.

Breakover angle

Maximum permitted angle given in degrees that a vehicle driven at low speed can drive over a ramp without the underbody of

the vehicle touching the ramp.

Ramp angle

Transition from the horizontal level surface to a gradient, or from a gradient back to the level surface. Maximum permitted angle

given in degrees that a vehicle can clear a ramp without the underbody of the vehicle touching the ramp.

Fall line

This is the vertical drop route.

Articulation

The vehicle's torsional flexibility when driving over objects with just one side of the vehicle.

Checklist

To ensure your own safety and the safety of your passengers, observe the following points before driving offroad:

Inform yourself sufficiently about the nature of the terrain ahead before you drive into the terrain.

Fill the tank up to the maximum capacity. Fuel consumption is considerably higher offroad.

Check whether the tyre tread of all tyres and the tyre type are suitable for the planned offroad trip.

Check and adjust the tyre pressure for all tyres.

Check engine oil level and refill engine oil as necessary. Oil will still reach the engine even when the vehicle is tilted only if the

engine oil level is sufficient.

Completely refill the washer fluid reservoir with water and washer fluid.

Stow luggage in the vehicle as evenly and as low as possible. Secure all loose items.

—Volkswagen recommends never driving offroad alone. You should drive offroad with at least two offroad vehicles driving as a team.

Unexpected situations can always occur. We recommend that you carry equipment you can use for calling for help.

—Stop your vehicle when you reach difficult sections and check the route ahead on foot.

—Drive slowly over the crests of hills so the vehicle does not lose contact with the ground, become damaged and possibly leave you

unable to manoeuvre.

—Drive slowly when the route is difficult. Shift up a gear when on slippery ground and always keep the vehicle in motion.

—The ground is predominantly soft when driving offroad meaning the tyres could sink into the ground. This will reduce ground

clearance and the wading depth. If possible, always drive on flat and firm ground.

—Even when driving at low speeds, always keep your distance from other vehicles. If the first vehicle suddenly gets stuck, the

following vehicle can stop without getting stuck.

NOTICE

If the bottom of the vehicle contacts the ground, this can cause serious damage to the vehicle underbody. This damage could cause

the vehicle to break down and thus make it impossible to drive on.

● Always make sure that there is enough ground clearance underneath the vehicle.

The choice of gear depends on the terrain.

Before attempting to drive through difficult terrain it can be helpful to stop and consider which gear you should select. After several

trips offroad, you will learn which gear to select in conjunction with the step-down ratio for different types of terrain.

—With the correct gear selected, the vehicle will normally not have to be braked so much using the foot brake when driving downhill

as the engine braking effect will normally be sufficient.

—Only accelerate as much as is necessary. If you accelerate too hard, the wheels could spin and you could lose control of the vehicle.

—Select position when driving in normal, flat offroad terrain.

—Adjust your speed when driving on soft or slippery ground, and select the highest suitable position for the Tiptronic.

—On steep downhill or uphill gradients, select position for the Tiptronic.

—When driving through mud, sand, water or hilly terrain, drive with the Tiptronic in positions or (→ Automatic gearbox).

—Use the offroad display (→ Offroad display).

— Use the Auto Hold function (→ Auto Hold function).

1. Select a suitable driving profile (→ Driving profile selection) and drive through rocky terrain no faster than walking pace.

2. If you are not able to drive around a rock, drive carefully onto the rock with one front wheel and drive over it slowly →

.

Even obstacles that are smaller than the available ground clearance could come into contact with the vehicle underbody and thus

cause damage which could lead to a vehicle breakdown. This applies in particular if there is a ditch or soft ground either in front of or

behind the obstacle. This also applies in cases when you drive too quickly over the obstacle causing the vehicle to bounce.

NOTICE

Objects that are larger than the ground clearance will damage components on the underbody if the vehicle is driven over them. This

damage could cause the vehicle to break down and thus make it impossible to drive on.

● Never drive the vehicle over very large objects either centrally or on one side, e.g. rocks or tree stumps.

Driving through flooded terrain or bodies of water could damage the vehicle.

It is possible to carefully drive the vehicle through water levels up to the lower edge of the body.

1. Observe the maximum fording depth of the vehicle.

2. When driving through water, always select a section where the ground is solid and where the depth of the water does not exceed

the maximum permitted fording depth of the vehicle.

3. Observe further information on driving through water on roads (→ Driving through water on roads).

Before driving through water

Stop the vehicle, get out and assess the situation →

:

1. Measure the depth of the water to the other side. Ensure that the ground is firm enough and also watch out for underwater

hollows and obstacles →

.

2. Make sure that it is possible to drive into and out of the water safely.

3. Check the ramp angle and the firmness of the ground on the banks.

4. Select a suitable driving profile (→ Driving profile selection).

Driving through standing or slow-moving water

If the ground is firm enough, your vehicle can be driven through standing and slow-moving water →

.

1. Drive slowly into the water following the direction of flow. Never exceed the ramp and inclination angles.

2. Drive at constant speed to the opposite bank.

Driving with a constant speed makes it possible to avoid engine damage due to ingress of water. It also enables an air pocket to form in

front of the engine which supplies the necessary oxygen to the engine. You will create a bow wave in front of the vehicle if you drive at

speed into or through the water. This bow wave could get into the engine air intake duct and seriously damage the engine.

Driving through fast-flowing water

The force, speed and depth of the water can be unpredictable and dangerous → . The vehicle can be can be swept away by the

water. Even vehicles with greater ground clearance can get stuck if the ground under the vehicle is swept away. Flowing water builds

up at one side of the vehicle, making it deeper at that point.

Do not take any risks. Find a calmer place to cross through the water or turn round.

After driving through water

1. Check the vehicle for damage.

2. Dry the brakes using careful braking manoeuvres.

WARNING

Flowing water can develop enormous power and can sweep the vehicle away. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Never stop the vehicle in water.

WARNING

Soft ground surfaces, underwater obstacles and shallows or water in the bonnet space can lead to critical situations and can cause

the vehicle to break down. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Do not exceed the maximum fording depth of the vehicle.

● Always make sure that there is enough ground clearance underneath the vehicle.

NOTICE

If you drive through salt water, parts of the vehicle, such as the engine, drive train, running gear and vehicle electrics, could sustain

severe damage.

● Never drive over salt, salt flats or through salt water as salt can cause corrosion.

● Immediately rinse all vehicle parts that have come into contact with salt or salt water using fresh water.

NOTICE

Objects in the water can enter the openings of the extended washer jets of the headlight washer system. The washer jets cannot then

be retracted to their initial position.

● Do not use the headlight washer system when driving through water.

ESC and TCS must be switched on .

1. Select a suitable driving profile (→ Driving profile selection).

2. Select a suitable gear and remain in this gear until you have reached more solid ground (→ Changing gear correctly).

3. Always drive at a steady speed through sand or mud, do not make any manual gear changes and do not stop.

The tyres can lose their traction when driving through sand or mud.

—Do not change speed or direction.

—If the vehicle slides, steer in the direction needed to get the vehicle under control.

—If the tyres have lost their grip, turn the steering wheel back and forth quickly. This will briefly give the front wheel tyres better grip

for these ground conditions.

WARNING

The vehicle can slip uncontrollably when driving through sand and mud. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Always drive carefully through sand, mud and slush.

● Turn around or choose another route if you are not able to continue or if you have any doubts about the safety of the route.

● Never choose a dangerous route or take a risk that endangers you and the other vehicle occupants.

WARNING

Incorrect tyre pressures will increase the levels of wear on the tyres and will negatively affect the vehicle's driving response. This can

cause overheating and sudden tyre damage, including tyre bursts and detachment of the tread surface, and can thus lead to loss of

control over the vehicle. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Adjust the correct tyre pressure again after driving through sand if you reduced it for this beforehand.

The vehicle is stuck if the wheels have sunk so deep into the ground that the vehicle can no longer drive forward or back under its own

power.

Rocking a vehicle out of sand or mud requires a great deal of training and feeling for the vehicle. If you make a mistake when rocking

the vehicle, it can sink deeper and you will need assistance to get the vehicle out.

Never allow the wheels to spin for long periods as this will cause the vehicle to sink deeper →

.

Preparations

1. Carefully dig out all the wheels and check that no other parts of the vehicle are stuck in the sand or mud.

2. Select reverse gear.

3. Accelerate carefully and reverse over your own tracks.

If this does not help, place brushwood, floor mats or sacking directly behind the wheels to increase grip and achieve improved traction

→

.

Rocking the vehicle free

1. Switch off TCS .

2. Position the steering wheel so that it is facing straight ahead.

3. Reverse until the point where the wheels just start to spin.

4. Immediately select first gear and drive forwards until the wheels start to spin again.

5. Repeat driving to and fro until you have enough momentum to free yourself.

6. Switch TCS on again after rocking the vehicle free.

WARNING

Spinning wheels can propel stones, brushwood, pieces of wood or other objects that are in front or behind the wheels at high speed.

Persons who are standing in front of or behind the vehicle can be injured as a result. In the event of a sudden vehicle movement,

persons who are standing in front of or behind the vehicle can be injured or run over. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.

● Make sure that there is no-one either in front or behind the vehicle if you are attempting to free a stuck vehicle.

Driving up and down hills

Get out of the vehicle and assess the situation before you attempt to drive up or down a hill:

—Walk along the section and check the firmness of the ground. Look out for obstacles and other hidden dangers →

—Check the section beyond the hill.

.

—You should not follow the route if it is too steep, uneven or if the ground surface is too loose. Select another route.

—Drive slowly and at constant speed straight up or down a slope.

—Never attempt to stop or turn on a slope.

—Accelerate only to the speed you need to climb the slope. Too much acceleration can cause the wheels to spin and lead to loss of

control of the vehicle. Too little acceleration increases the probability of stalling the engine.

—Vehicles with an automatic gearbox Do not change gear during the climbing phase.

—Use the offroad display (→ Offroad display).

If you cannot continue to drive up a hill

—Never turn the vehicle around on an uphill gradient.

—If the engine has stalled, depress the foot brake and start the engine again.

—Engage reverse gear and slowly move back on a straight path.

—Use the foot brake to keep a constant speed until you have reached safe and flat ground.

Driving downhill

There is an increased risk of rolling over when driving downhill. Concentrate on steering the vehicle, especially when driving downhill.

—Drive down steep inclines in first gear.

—Use the foot brake carefully so you do not lose control of the vehicle.

—Never exceed the inclination angle of the vehicle.

—If it is possible and not dangerous, drive straight down the slope on the maximum gradient (in the fall line).

—Use the offroad display and Hill Descent Control on steep downhill stretches (→ Offroad display).

WARNING

If you drive on an uphill or downhill gradient that is too steep for the vehicle, the vehicle can slip, tip over or roll over. This can cause

you to lose control of the vehicle and lead to accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Make sure that the gradient or tilt angle is no greater than the maximum permissible value for the vehicle.

● Always drive up and down hills in the fall line.

● Never turn or turn round when driving up or down a gradient. The vehicle could tip over or slide away sideways.

● Carry out the described activities if the engine stops or if it is not possible to drive on → If you cannot continue to drive up a hill.

● If the engine does not start, press the brake pedal with constant force and allow the vehicle to roll back in its own path. Maintain a

slow and constant speed.

● Never let the vehicle roll backwards down a slope in neutral.

Illustration: steering into the fall line.

Illustration: use the doors facing up hill to get out of the

vehicle.

Traversing a slope is one of the most dangerous offroad situations →

.

Check whether you can use another safer route before driving across a slope.

If you have to traverse a slope:

—The vehicle’s centre of gravity should be as low as possible. People with a larger or heavier build should sit on the higher side of the

vehicle. Remove the roof carrier and secure heavy items. The vehicle could tip over if items were to slide suddenly →

.

—If possible, the ground must be firm. The vehicle is more likely to slip sideways and tip over on slippery or soft ground. Always make

sure that the inclination angle does not become too great due to uneven ground. If the inclination angle is too great, the vehicle

could tip and roll over.

—When driving across a slope at a large tilt angle, the wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never enter dips or hollows. The

wheels on the higher side of the vehicle must never drive over bumps, for example stones, tree trunks or other obstacles.

—If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer immediately into the fall line and accelerate slightly → Fig. 1. If it is not possible to steer

into the fall line, steer up the hill and accelerate slightly.

WARNING

A vehicle that is driving or standing sideways on a slope can slip uncontrollably, tip over, roll over and roll down the slope. This can

cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Never try to drive at an angle on a slope, particularly if the slope is too steep for the vehicle.

● Never choose a dangerous route or take a risk that endangers you and the vehicle occupants.

● Turn around and choose another route if you are not able to continue or if you are unsure about the safety of the route.

● You should never underestimate the difficulty and danger of traversing a slope.

● Never allow the wheels on the lower side of the vehicle to enter dips or hollows.

● Never drive over bumps, for example stones, tree trunks or other obstacles, with the wheels on the higher side of the vehicle.

● Make sure that you can steer into the fall line before driving across a slope. Choose a different route if this is not possible.

● If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer immediately into the fall line and accelerate slightly → Fig. 1.

WARNING

Getting out of a vehicle that is standing on a slope and tilted at a large sideways angle is dangerous. The overall centre of gravity can

move to the side and the vehicle can lose its grip, tip over or roll over and roll down the slope. This can cause accidents and serious or

fatal injuries.

● Avoid abrupt and uncontrolled movements in the vehicle.

● Always leave the vehicle calmly by the doors that are facing up the slope → Fig. 2.

● Never leave the vehicle through a door that is facing down the slope.

● When getting out the vehicle, make sure that the vehicle door which opens uphill does not close with its own weight or through

carelessness thus potentially causing injury.

1. Check whether the slope and tilt angles are small enough to drive through the ditch with the vehicle. The tilt angle must not get

too large when driving through the ditch →

2. Find a suitable place to cross the ditch.

3. If possible, cross the ditch at an acute angle →

.

WARNING

If the slope and tilt angle are too steep for the vehicle or the ditch is too deep, the vehicle may tip, slide and roll over. This can cause

accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Never drive through a ditch if the slope and tilt angle are too steep for the vehicle and the ditch is too deep.

NOTICE

If you drive into the ditch at a right angle, the front wheels will fall in. The vehicle can bottom on the ground, be damaged and break

down.

● Never drive through a ditch if the slope and tilt angle are too steep for the vehicle and the ditch is too deep.

● Please note that it is almost impossible to get out of the ditch despite having all-wheel drive.

Checklist

Clean the vehicle.

Check the vehicle for damage.

Check the tyres for damage and remove dirt, stones and other foreign bodies from the tyre tread.

Inspect the vehicle underbody and remove all items that are jammed in the brake system, in the wheels, in the running gear, in the

exhaust system and in the engine, such as branches, leaves or pieces of wood → . If you find damage or leaks, go to a suitably

qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.

Check the bonnet space to see if dirt is affecting engine operation (→ In the bonnet space).

WARNING

Objects caught underneath the vehicle underbody are a danger. The fuel lines, brake system, seals and other parts of the running gear

could be damaged or flammable materials (e.g. dry leaves) could ignite on hot vehicle components. This can cause an accident, fire

and serious or fatal injuries.

● Each time after driving offroad, always check for objects that are caught on the vehicle and remove them.

● Never drive if objects are trapped in the underbody, brake system, wheels, running gear, exhaust system and engine.

● Remove flammable materials (e.g. dry leaves) from the vehicle underbody.

Offroad driving for Your Volkswagen Tayron SUV First Generation (2018-2025)

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