Roof rack for Your Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

Roof rack  
Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Attaching the roof rack base carrier and roof rack  
Securing a load on the roof rack  
The roof of your vehicle has been designed to optimize aerodynamics and does not have traditional  
rain gutters that are used to attach many kinds of roof racks.  
Since the rain gutters are molded into the roof to provide efficient aerodynamics, only Volkswagen-  
approved base carrier mounts and roof racks can be used.  
When should the roof rack be removed?  
When it is no longer needed.  
Before driving through an automatic car wash.  
When the vehicle would otherwise be too high for minimum clearance to enter, for example, a  
garage.  
More information:  
Lights  
Transporting  
Tires and wheels  
Saving fuel and helping the environment  
Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications  
WARNING  
Transporting heavy or bulky loads on the roof rack will change the way the vehicle handles  
by shifting the vehicle's center of gravity and increasing the wind drag.  
Always secure the load properly with suitable and undamaged straps so that the load will  
not shift.  
Cargo that is large, heavy, bulky, long or flat will have a negative effect on the vehicle's  
aerodynamics, center of gravity and overall handling.  
Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.  
Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the  
vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.  
NOTICE  
Always remove the roof rack before driving through an automatic car wash.  
Your vehicle is higher when the roof rack is installed, especially when it is loaded. Compare  
the vehicle height with existing clearance heights, such as underpasses and garage doors.  
Always make sure that the roof rack system and anything being carried on it does not  
interfere with the roof antenna or the movement of the power sunroof or the rear hatch.  
Make sure that the rear hatch does not touch items on the roof rack when opened.  
If a roof rack is installed, fuel consumption increases due to increased air resistance.  
Attaching the roof rack base carrier and roof rack  
Fig. 109 Vehicles without roof railing: Attachment points for the base carrier and roof rack.  
Fig. 110 Vehicles with roof railing: Attachment points for the base carrier and roof rack.  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
The base carrier is the basis of a complete roof carrier system. For safety reasons, additional  
attachments are necessary for transporting luggage, bicycles, surfboards, skis and small boats.  
Suitable accessories can be purchased from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized  
Volkswagen Service Facility.  
Vehicles without roof railing: Mounting the base carrier and roof rack  
Always attach the base carrier and roof rack correctly.  
Always carefully follow the installation instructions from the base carrier or roof rack manufacturer.  
The mounting holes are on the underside of the roof frame and are only visible when the door is open  
⇒ꢀfig. 109.  
Only mount the roof rack base carrier at the holes shown in the illustration.  
Vehicles with roof railing: Mounting the roof rack  
Typical roof racks cannot be attached to the roof railing. Only roof racks which have been approved by  
Volkswagen may be used.  
Always carefully follow the installation instructions from the roof rack manufacturer.  
The attachment holes are on the inside of the roof railing ⇒ꢀfig. 110 (close-up).  
Only mount the roof rack base carrier at the holes shown in the illustration.  
WARNING  
Installing or using a base carrier or roof rack improperly can cause the entire system to fly off  
the vehicle, causing accidents and injuries.  
Always follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.  
Use the base carrier and roof rack only if they are undamaged and properly installed.  
Mount the roof rack base carrier only at the markings shown in the illustration ⇒ꢀfig. 109  
or ⇒ꢀfig. 110.  
Always install the base carrier and roof rack properly.  
Make sure that all bolts and fasteners are properly installed and properly tightened before  
every trip and retighten them as needed after driving a short distance. During a long trip,  
check all bolts and fasteners at each stop.  
Always properly install special fixtures for items such as bicycles, skis, surfboards, etc.  
Do not modify or repair the base carrier or roof rack.  
Follow the installation instructions provided for installing the roof rack system. Always carry them  
in the vehicle.  
Securing a load on the roof rack  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
It is not possible to secure a load unless the roof rack system has been properly installed ⇒ꢀ  
Maximum permissible roof load  
.
The maximum permissible roof load for vehicles without a roof railing is 165 lbs. (75 kg) and for  
vehicles with a roof railing, 220 lbs. (100 kg). The roof load is the combined weight of the roof rack  
and the items being carried on the roof ⇒ꢀ  
.
Be sure you know the weight of the roof rack and the items you want to transport on the roof. Weigh  
them if necessary. Never carry a total of more than the maximum permissible roof load.  
When using a roof rack with a lower load limit, do not load the rack to the maximum weight mentioned  
above. In this case, you may only load the roof rack to the weight limit specified in the system's  
installation instructions.  
Distributing the load  
Distribute the load evenly and secure it properly ⇒ꢀ  
.
Checking the mountings  
After the base carrier and rook rack have been installed, check all bolts and fasteners after driving a  
short time and at regular intervals thereafter.  
WARNING  
If the maximum permissible roof load is exceeded, accidents and substantial vehicle damage  
may occur.  
Never exceed the specified roof load, the maximum gross axle weight rating, or the gross  
vehicle weight rating.  
Do not exceed the loading capacity of the roof rack, even if the permissible roof load is  
not fully utilized.  
Always make sure that loads are evenly distributed and that heavier items are, as far as  
possible, toward the front.  
WARNING  
Loose or improperly secured loads can be thrown from the roof rack and cause accidents  
and injuries.  
Always use suitable, undamaged tie-down ropes and ratchet straps.  
Secure the load properly.