Luggage compartment for Your Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

Luggage compartment  
Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Folding the rear seat backrest forward and back into place  
Removing and reinstalling the rear seat  
Luggage compartment cover  
Luggage compartment pass-through  
Tie-downs  
Shopping bag hooks  
Luggage net  
Variable luggage compartment floor  
Always stow heavy objects in the luggage compartment and make sure that the rear seat backrests  
are securely latched in their upright position. Always secure objects to the tie-downs with suitable  
straps. Never overload the vehicle. Remember that the vehicle load, as well as how it is distributed,  
can affect vehicle handling and braking ⇒ꢀ  
.
More information:  
Adjusting the seating position  
Safety belts  
Airbag system  
Lights  
Transporting  
Trailer towing  
Tires and wheels  
WARNING  
An open or unlocked luggage compartment poses special risks for children.  
Close and lock the rear hatch and all doors when the vehicle is not in use. First, make  
certain that no one is left inside.  
Never leave your vehicle unattended or let children play around the vehicle, especially  
with the rear hatch left open. A child could crawl into the vehicle and pull the hatch shut,  
becoming trapped and unable to get out. This could cause severe or fatal injuries.  
A closed vehicle can become very hot or very cold, depending on the season.  
Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness or death, particularly  
to small children.  
Never let children play in or around the vehicle.  
Never let anyone ride in the luggage compartment.  
WARNING  
Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the vehicle, causing serious personal  
injury during hard braking or sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be struck  
and thrown through the passenger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help  
reduce the risk of serious personal injury:  
Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put luggage and heavy items in the  
luggage compartment.  
Always secure objects in the passenger compartment properly with suitable straps so that  
they cannot move into the deployment zone of a side or front airbag during a sudden braking,  
in a sudden maneuver, or in a collision.  
Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.  
Never stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in the vehicle's open storage compartments, on  
the shelf behind the rear seat bench, or on the top of the instrument panel.  
Always remove hard, heavy, or sharp objects from clothing and bags in the vehicle  
interior and stow them securely in the luggage compartment.  
WARNING  
Transporting heavy objects causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change and  
increases braking distances. Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the  
vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause serious person injury.  
Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change by  
shifting the vehicle's center of gravity.  
Always distribute luggage evenly and as low as possible within the vehicle. The vehicle  
capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers  
and luggage).  
Always stow luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment as far forward of the  
rear axle as possible and secure them with appropriate straps to the tie-downs provided.  
Never exceed the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Axle Weight Ratings,  
which are printed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the door jamb of  
the driver door. Exceeding the permissible weight can cause the vehicle to skid and behave  
differently.  
Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate your payload and its weight  
distribution within your vehicle.  
Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the accelerator pedal and avoid  
sudden braking and other maneuvers.  
Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.  
NOTICE  
The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that  
rub against them.  
The ventilation slots between the rear window and the luggage compartment cover must not be  
blocked so that stale air can escape from the vehicle.  
Folding the rear seat backrest forward and back into place  
Fig. 99 Folding the backrest forward and back.  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
The rear backrest is divided into 2 sections. Each section of the rear seat backrest can be folded down  
individually to increase the luggage space.  
Folding the rear seat backrest forward  
Push the head restraint all the way down ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the seating position.  
Push the rear seat all the way back ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the rear seat.  
Pull the pull strap forward in the direction of the arrow ⇒ꢀfig. 99 while folding the rear backrest  
forward.  
If the rear backrest is folded down, no one, including children, may ride on the rear seat.  
Folding the rear backrest back into place  
Fold the rear backrest back until it engages securely ⇒ꢀ  
The rear backrest must be securely latched into place for the safety belts on the rear seats to  
provide optimal protection.  
.
WARNING  
Improper folding and improper latching of the rear seat backrest can cause serious personal  
injury.  
Always make sure there are no people or animals in the area around the rear seat backrest  
when folding it forward.  
Never fold the rear seat backrest up or down while the vehicle is moving.  
When folding the rear seat backrest back up, make sure that the safety belt does not get  
caught or damaged.  
Keep hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of the away when folding the rear seat  
backrest up and down.  
Each rear seat backrest must be securely latched into place in the upright position so that  
the safety belts on the rear seats can provide protection. This is particularly the case for the  
middle seat on the rear bench.  
If a seat is used with an unsecured backrest, the passenger will move forward together  
with the rear seat backrest during sudden braking, driving maneuvers, or a collision.  
No one, including children, may ride on the rear seats if the rear seat backrest is folded  
down or not correctly latched.  
NOTICE  
Before folding the rear seat backrest forward, adjust the front seats so that the rear seat's head  
restraint or backrest cushion will not touch the front seats.  
NOTICE  
Items in the luggage compartment could be damaged or cause damage when the rear seat is  
adjusted in the fore and aft direction.  
Removing and reinstalling the rear seat  
Fig. 100 Front attachment of the rear seat.  
Fig. 101 Rear attachment of the rear seat.  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
Perform the following work yourself only if you have the necessary knowledge and experience to do so  
safely. Volkswagen recommends having the work performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or  
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
The lug wrench from the vehicle tool kit is required for removing and installing the rear seat ⇒ꢀ Vehicle  
tool kit.  
Removing the rear seat  
1. Push the driver seat and front passenger seat as far forward as possible ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the seating  
position.  
2. Remove all rear head restraints ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the seating position.  
3. Remove the luggage compartment cover ⇒ꢀ Luggage compartment cover.  
4. Remove the luggage compartment floor ⇒ꢀ Variable luggage compartment floor.  
5. Remove the spare wheel and foam insert from the vehicle ⇒ꢀ Compact spare wheel.  
6. Move the backrests to the upright position and lock them ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the rear seat.  
7. Push the rear seats as far back as possible ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the rear seat.  
8. Unclip the small covers (not pictured) on the hexagonal nuts in the rear footwell ⇒ꢀfig. 100 (arrows).  
9. Remove all hexagonal nuts ⇒ꢀfig. 100 (arrows) with the lug wrench.  
10.Remove the 3 plastic covers.  
11.Push the rear seats all the way forward Adjusting the rear seat.  
12.Remove all hexagonal nuts ⇒ꢀfig. 101 (arrows) in the luggage compartment using the lug wrench.  
13.First, lift the smaller rear seat on the right from the vehicle through the right rear door.  
14.Then lift the left rear seat from the vehicle through the rear hatch.  
Installing the rear seat  
1. Push the driver seat and front passenger seat as far forward as possible ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the seating  
position.  
2. Then lift the left rear seat into the vehicle through the rear hatch.  
3. Set the seat rails of the rear seat first on the front anchoring studs and then on the rear studs.  
4. Secure both seat rails of the rear seat in front and back with 2 hexagonal nuts each, tightening the  
nuts by hand - do not tighten them with the lug wrench yet.  
5. Lift the right rear seat into the vehicle through the right rear door.  
6. Set the seat rails of the rear seat first on the front anchoring studs and then on the rear studs.  
7. Secure both seat rails of the rear seat in front and back with 2 hexagonal nuts each, tightening the  
nuts by hand - do not tighten them with the lug wrench yet.  
8. To align the seat rails, press the left rear seat all the way to the left in the vehicle.  
9. To align the seat rails, press the right rear seat all the way to the right in the vehicle.  
10.Tighten the hexagonal nuts in the luggage compartment ⇒ꢀfig. 101 (arrows) to 44 ft-lbs (60 Nm)  
using a torque wrench. If no torque wrench is available, tighten the hexagonal nuts using the lug  
wrench and have the torque checked at a qualified workshop as soon as possible.  
11.Push the rear seats as far back as possible ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the rear seat.  
12.Remove the hexagonal nuts in the rear of the footwell again, set the 3 plastic covers ⇒ꢀfig. 100 on  
the studs and screw on with the hexagonal nuts.  
13.Tighten the hexagonal nuts ⇒ꢀfig. 100 (arrows) to 44 ft-lbs (60 Nm) using a torque wrench. If no  
torque wrench is available, tighten the hexagonal nuts using the lug wrench and have the torque  
checked at a qualified workshop as soon as possible.  
14.Clip on the small covers (not pictured) on the hexagonal nuts ⇒ꢀfig. 100 (arrows).  
15.Install the foam insert and spare wheel in the vehicle ⇒ꢀ Compact spare wheel.  
16.Install the luggage compartment floor ⇒ꢀ Variable luggage compartment floor.  
17.Install the luggage compartment cover ⇒ꢀ Luggage compartment cover.  
18.Install all rear head restraints ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the seating position.  
WARNING  
No one may ride in the back of the vehicle when the rear seat has been removed.  
WARNING  
An improperly installed rear seat can separate from its mountings during an accident.  
All securing bolts must be tightened to the specified torque after the rear seat has been  
installed.  
CAUTION  
Sharp-edged parts are located on the underside of the rear seat.  
Protect your hands when you lift the rear seat in or out.  
NOTICE  
Have at least one person help to lift the rear seat in or out. One person should be in the  
vehicle and one outside.  
The lever ⇒ꢀfig. 45 for the fore and aft adjustment of the rear seat must not be operated  
while the seat is removed. If the position of the fore and aft adjustment is changed, the rear  
seat can only be installed by a qualified workshop.  
Luggage compartment cover  
Fig. 102 Installing and removing the luggage compartment cover.  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
When you open or close the rear hatch, the supporting straps, when attached, will automatically raise  
or lower the luggage compartment cover.  
You can put light articles of clothing on the luggage compartment cover. But remember that your view  
through the rear window must not be obstructed.  
Removing the luggage compartment cover  
Unhook the supporting straps from the rear hatch ⇒ꢀfig. 102 (top arrows).  
Pull the luggage compartment cover back and out of the side brackets ⇒ꢀfig. 102 (bottom arrows).  
Installing the luggage compartment cover  
Slide the luggage compartment cover forward into the side brackets ⇒ꢀfig. 102 (bottom arrows).  
Hook the supporting straps onto the rear hatch ⇒ꢀfig. 102 (top arrows).  
WARNING  
In a sudden braking or other maneuver, or in a collision, unsecured or improperly secured  
objects or animals on the luggage compartment cover could cause serious injury.  
Never leave hard, heavy or sharp objects in bags or loose on the luggage compartment  
cover.  
Never let animals ride on the luggage compartment cover.  
NOTICE  
To help prevent damage to the luggage compartment cover, the luggage compartment may  
only be loaded to a height at which the luggage compartment cover will not press on the cargo  
when the rear hatch is closed.  
Things on the luggage compartment cover can damage it.  
The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that  
rub against them.  
Do not cover the ventilation slots in the side consoles. Otherwise, stale air cannot escape from  
the vehicle.  
Luggage compartment pass-through  
Fig. 103 In the rear backrest: Opening the luggage compartment pass-through.  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
There is a pass-through for transporting things like skis in the rear seat backrest behind the center  
armrest.  
To help prevent soiling the vehicle interior, cover dirty items before sliding them into the pass-through.  
If the center armrest is folded down, no one can sit on the middle seat of the rear bench.  
Opening the pass-through  
Open the rear hatch.  
Push the head restraint for the center seat all the way down ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the seating position.  
Pull the loop in the direction of the arrow ⇒ꢀfig. 103 and fold down center armrest.  
Remove the cushion  
Slide long objects from the luggage compartment through the pass-through.  
Secure objects with the safety belt.  
Close the rear hatch.  
Closing the pass-through  
Open the rear hatch.  
Unfasten the items secured with the safety belt.  
Remove items from the luggage compartment through the pass-through.  
Fold the center armrest back until it engages securely.  
Reinstall the cushion  
Close the rear hatch.  
The pass-through can also be opened from the luggage compartment. Push down the release  
button (arrow) and push the center section of the rear seat backrest (pass-through) all the way  
forward.  
Tie-downs  
Fig. 104 In the luggage compartment: Tie-downs.  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
There are 4 tie-downs in the front and rear of the luggage compartment, which you can use to secure  
luggage or other items ⇒ꢀfig. 104.  
Pull-down tie-downs (close-up)  
Rigid tie-downs (arrows)  
Elastic straps can snap back towards you if they are not properly attached.  
If you use elastic straps to secure items in the luggage compartment, be sure to fist securely attach  
them to the tie-downs just behind the rear seat backrest first and then to the and then to the tie-downs  
at the loading edge of the luggage compartment.  
Remove the hooks from the tie-downs in the reverse order described above, first from the tie-downs at  
the loading edge and then from the tie-downs behind the rear seat backrest so that if the hooks come  
loose suddenly, they will move away from you.  
WARNING  
Unsuitable, worn, or damaged tie-down straps (elastic or non-elastic) can snap or come loose  
during braking or other maneuvers or in a collision. Objects secured with these straps can  
then come loose and fly through the passenger compartment, causing severe personal  
injuries or death.  
To help prevent baggage or other items from coming loose and flying around, always use  
suitable undamaged tie-down straps.  
Securely fasten the tie-down straps to the tie-downs.  
Loose or improperly secured objects in the luggage compartment can slide about  
suddenly and change the vehicle's handling.  
Secure even small and light objects. Loose objects in the luggage or passenger  
compartment can fly about during sudden braking maneuvers or in the event of an accident  
and injure occupants.  
Never exceed the maximum allowable load on the tie-downs when securing objects.  
Never secure a child restraint to the tie-downs.  
WARNING  
Elastic straps have to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the luggage  
compartment Hooks on elastic straps can cause serious personal injury if not handled  
properly and attached securely.  
Always protect eyes and face from injury from the hooks when attaching them to the  
vehicle and do not let them snap back and hit you.  
Always hold the hooks on elastic straps firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do not let  
them snap back and hit you.  
First attach hooks on the straps to the tie-downs at the rear seat backrest in the luggage  
compartment and then to the tie-downs near the loading edge of the luggage compartment.  
This way, if one of the hooks on the elastic straps snaps back, it will move away from you,  
decreasing the risk of personal injury.  
The maximum load for the tie-downs is about 785 lbs. (356 kg).  
For suitable ratchet straps and luggage stowage systems, please see an authorized Volkswagen  
dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
Shopping bag hooks  
Fig. 105 In the luggage compartment: Shopping bag hooks.  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
A pull-down shopping bag hook in the upper left part of the luggage compartment can be used for  
conveniently holding light shopping bags.  
Press at the bottom to fold out the shopping bag hook ⇒ꢀfig. 105.  
Press at the top to fold out the shopping bag eye ⇒ꢀfig. 105.  
WARNING  
Never use the shopping bag hooks as tie-downs. The hooks could break off during sudden  
breaking maneuvers or in a collision.  
NOTICE  
The maximum load for the shopping bag hook is 6.6 lbs. (3 kg).  
Luggage net  
Fig. 106 In the luggage compartment: Luggage net hooked in place.  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
The luggage net helps prevent lighter luggage from shifting. The luggage net also has a pocket that  
can hold smaller items.  
There are several ways to install the luggage net in the luggage compartment.  
Example 1: Securing the luggage net flat on the luggage compartment floor  
First secure the luggage net hooks to the tie-downs at the rear seat backrest ⇒ꢀfig. 106 ⇒ꢀ  
luggage net pocket opening must face upwards.  
Secure the luggage net hooks to the tie-downs at the loading edge of the luggage compartment  
. The  
⇒ꢀfig. 106.  
Example 2: Securing the luggage net to the loading edge  
First attach the loops to the shopping bag hooks.  
Then secure the short luggage net hooks to the tie-downs at the loading edge of the luggage  
compartment ⇒ꢀfig. 106 ⇒ꢀ  
. The luggage net pocket opening must face upwards.  
Removing the luggage net  
The installed luggage net is stretched tight ⇒ꢀ  
.
Remove the hooks and loops of the luggage net from the tie-downs in the reverse order described  
above so that if the hooks come loose suddenly, they will move away from you.  
Stow the luggage net in the luggage compartment.  
WARNING  
The elastic luggage net has to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the  
luggage compartment. The hooks can cause serious personal injury if not handled properly  
and attached securely.  
Always hold the hooks on the luggage net bag firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do  
not let them spring back and hit you.  
Always protect eyes and face from injury from the metal hooks when attaching them to the  
tie-downs in the luggage compartment.  
First attach the luggage net bag hooks to the tie-downs on the rear seat backrest or on the  
shopping bag hooks in the luggage compartment and then to the tie-downs near the loading  
edge of the luggage compartment. If one of the hooks on the luggage bag net snaps back, it  
will move away from you and not towards you, increasing the risk of injury.  
Variable luggage compartment floor  
Fig. 107 In the luggage compartment: Opening and securing the variable luggage compartment floor.  
Fig. 108 Extending the luggage compartment floor forward or downward.  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
Opening and closing the luggage compartment floor  
To open, grasp the handle and pull in the direction of the arrow and raise the luggage compartment  
floor completely ⇒ꢀfig. 107.  
To secure, push the retaining pin ⇒ꢀfig. 107 to the right.  
To close, push the retaining pin (1) to the left and guide the luggage compartment floor  
downwards.  
Extending the luggage compartment floor forward  
Remove the luggage compartment cover ⇒ꢀ Luggage compartment cover.  
Remove the rear head restraints ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the seating position.  
Push both sections of the rear seat forward ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the seating position.  
Fold the rear backrests forward ⇒ꢀ Adjusting the seating position.  
Fold the cover forward ⇒ꢀfig. 108 (1).  
Extending the luggage compartment floor downward  
Remove the luggage compartment cover ⇒ꢀ Luggage compartment cover.  
Raise the luggage compartment floor, pull from the side pins (2) and remove it from the vehicle to  
the rear.  
There may be a foam element with the spare wheel ⇒ꢀfig. 107 located beneath the variable luggage  
compartment floor. If a spare wheel is present, remove it ⇒ꢀ Compact spare wheel and remove the  
foam element from the luggage compartment.  
WARNING  
During hard braking or an accident, loose objects can fly through the passenger  
compartment and cause serious or even fatal injuries.  
Even if the luggage compartment floor panel is properly raised, it is still necessary to  
secure all objects.  
Objects stowed between the rear seat bench and the luggage compartment floor panel  
must never be more than 2/3 as high as the raised floor panel.  
Objects stowed between the rear seat bench and the raised luggage compartment floor  
panel must never weigh more than about 16.5 lbs. (7.5 kg).  
NOTICE  
Do not let the luggage compartment floor fall freely when closing it. Always guide it down into  
place. The trim or the luggage compartment floor could be damaged.  
If you slide the rear seats forward, there is a gap between the luggage compartment floor and  
the rear seats. Make certain there are no objects in this space before sliding the rear seats back again.