Get Off-road driving situations -> Driving in rough terrain Guide for Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

Selecting the right gear

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Different kinds of terrain require different gears. Selecting the right one helps you to get through safely.

Before driving over a difficult section, think carefully about which gear you should select. With time,

you will learn which gear is best for various types of terrain.

Basics

ꢀ If you select the right gear you will usually not have to slow the vehicle down with the foot brake

when driving down slopes - the engine will brake the vehicle. You will then only have to use the brake

when the braking power of the engine is not enough.

ꢀ Never accelerate more than necessary when driving off-road. If you accelerate too hard, the

wheels could lose traction and you could lose control of the vehicle.

Manual transmission

ꢀ Never disengage the clutch or change gears in difficult terrain. Due to the increased adhesion of all

wheels, the vehicle can come to standstill if the clutch is disengaged in mud or deep sand or on an

incline. Driving off again from a standstill under these conditions may be difficult or even impossible.

ꢀ

Use first or second gear when driving up or down steep slopes.

On soft surfaces drive with appropriate speed and the highest possible gear.

Automatic transmission

ꢀ

Use selector lever position (D) when driving on ordinary level areas.

Use Tiptronic mode and put the vehicle in 2nd or 3rd gear when driving through moderately

difficult off-road terrain, for example mud, sand, water, or hills

ꢀ

Use Tiptronic mode and shift into 1st gear when driving up or down steep hills 1st

On soft or slippery surfaces, drive at an appropriate speed and in the highest possible driving

range of the Tiptronic.

Driving in rough terrain

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Driving tips

ꢀ

Drive no faster than a crawl over rocky sections.

Drive around obstacles such as rocks wherever possible. If this is not possible:

ꢀ

Carefully advance until one front wheel is on the rock and then slowly drive over it ⇒ꢀ

NOTICE

ꢀ

If you are facing a large rock or tree stump or other large obstacle, do not attempt to drive

straight over it or to climb over it with just 2 wheels. A rock or other obstacle that is too high

for your vehicle to clear will damage and may disable the vehicle if you try to drive over it. You

could be stranded far away from help. Never let large obstacles pass under the vehicle. If there

is no way around them and they are too large to drive over, back up and find another route.

ꢀ

Even obstacles that are lower than your vehicle's ground clearance can come into contact

with the underbody and damage or disable your vehicle. Such obstacles are especially

dangerous when the ground around them is soft or there is a dip right in front of or behind

them. They are also dangerous if you drive over them too quickly and the shock absorbers are

compressed.

Leaking engine oil and brake fluid can pollute the environment. Collect leaking operating fluids

and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Driving through water

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Important factors when deciding whether to drive through water:

ꢀ

Water depth.

Strength of the current.

Firmness of stream bed and bank.

Shape of the bank.

Objects in the water.

Before driving through water

Stop, get out of the vehicle, and assess the situation ⇒ꢀ

ꢀ Measure water depth from one side to the other. The water must not be any higher than the bottom

of the vehicle body (see Dimensions ). Check the firmness of the bed and banks; check for drop-offs

and obstacles in the water ⇒ꢀ

ꢀ

Make sure it is possible to enter and exit the water safely.

ꢀ

Check the angle of the embankment and the firmness of the ground on each bank.

Driving through standing and slow-moving water

The vehicle can drive through standing water if the ground under the water is firm enough ⇒ꢀ

ꢀ

Drive slowly into a river in the direction of the flow. Never exceed the departure/approach angle

and lateral angle (vehicle slope).

Always drive at a constant speed to the other side.

ꢀ

This will help prevent engine damage from the water. It also allows an air pocket to form in front of the

engine that can supply it with the necessary air.

Entering the water quickly or driving too fast through the water will create a bow wave. A bow wave

can force its way into the engine air intake duct and seriously damage the engine.

Driving through fast-moving water

Driving through fast-moving water is very dangerous ⇒ꢀ

The vehicle can be swept away by the current. Even vehicles with high ground clearance can get

stuck if the ground is washed out from under the tires. Fast-moving water will build up against the side

of your vehicle. This will make the water deeper. Always think about this before entering the water.

Water volume, speed, and depth can be very unpredictable and dangerous.

If you are uncertain how fast the water is flowing, look for a shallower place where you can cross in

safety. If you cannot find a safe place to cross, turn back.

After driving through water

ꢀ

After crossing through deep water, stop the engine and check the oil dipstick. If there are beads of

water on the oil dipstick or the oil level has increased, do not start the engine. Change the engine oil

immediately. Depending on the amount of water in the oil, running or starting the engine can result in

engine failure or serious engine damage.

ꢀ

Always dry the brakes by braking a couple of times.

Off-road driving situations -> Driving in rough terrain for Your Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

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