Get Some basics Guide for Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

Some basics

ꢀ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Rollover warning

Before driving off-road

General rules and good driving practices

Technical terms explained

Useful off-road driving equipment

Safety and off-road driving

Your vehicle can be driven on and off-road. In this chapter you will find important information on

driving your vehicle. It is very important to review this chapter before taking your vehicle off-road.

Driving off the beaten path is challenging - for the driver, the passengers, and the vehicle itself.

It requires special knowledge and skills different from those needed for highway driving. Successful

off-roading comes from a combination of theory and practice. This includes knowing the right way to

handle the expected and the unexpected ⇒ꢀ

.

Safety must always have top priority. Never overestimate your own abilities or underestimate the

difficulties that come with driving off-road. Never let determination get the better of your common

sense. If the going gets too difficult, turn back and find a better route to your destination.

The wide range of terrain you can come up against, and the many risks and dangers the terrain may

hide, make it impossible to foresee and deal in this Manual with every conceivable off-road situation

you may face. For this reason, it is vital for you to know what lies ahead and evaluate possible

dangers before trying to drive over difficult or unfamiliar terrain.

The vehicle is not designed for trips with “an expedition-like character”.

More information:

ꢀ

Driving instructions

Adjusting the seating position

Safety belts

Off-road driving situations

WARNING

Inadequate experience and knowledge of the demands of off-road driving can lead to critical

situations and cause serious personal injury.

ꢀ

Never take routes or risks that could put you or your passengers in danger. If you cannot

go on, or have doubts about the safety of your route, turn back and take a new route.

The intelligent technology of the vehicle cannot change the laws of physics. Despite the

ꢀ

ABS, adverse terrain can cause instability through blocked wheels – for example, if you brake

hard when driving on a loose gravel road. Difficult terrain may also prevent the ESC from

doing its job.

ꢀ Never operate the vehicle at the limit of its performance ability. Always leave a good safety

margin.

ꢀ To reduce the risk of loss of control and serious personal injury, never use the cruise

control when driving off-road.

ꢀ

Even terrain that looks easy can be difficult and dangerous, putting you and your

passengers in a critical situation. It is often best to check an area out on foot first.

Drive with special care and think ahead in off-road terrain. If you drive too fast, or fail to

maneuver the vehicle properly, you could cause personal injury and damage the vehicle.

Never drive faster than is appropriate for the prevailing terrain and the road, traffic, and

weather conditions.

Never drive too fast across embankments, ramps, or slopes. The vehicle could become

airborne. If that happens, you will not be able to steer and can lose control.

If your vehicle becomes airborne, always keep the front wheels pointing straight ahead. If

the wheels are not pointing straight ahead when the vehicle lands, it could roll over.

Never allow people to stand in front of or behind the vehicle if you have put items such as

ꢀ

stones or pieces of wood under the wheels to improve traction on slippery ground. Spinning

wheels can turn these items into dangerous flying objects causing serious personal injury.

ꢀ

Even areas that look harmless can be dangerous. Potholes, ditches, trenches, drop-offs,

different kinds of obstacles, and soft or swampy ground often cannot be seen and can be

partially or fully covered by water, grass, branches, or other things. Driving over such terrain

can cause accidents and severe injuries. Before crossing an unknown area, carefully explore

the route you plan to take on foot.

WARNING

Never drive off-road if you are low on fuel. Too little fuel in the tank can cause an accident

and serious injuries. You can also run out of fuel in a remote area where getting help is

difficult or impossible.

ꢀ

When the fuel tank is almost empty, fuel supply to the engine can be interrupted,

especially when driving over bumps, across slopes, and up and down hills. The interruption

in fuel flow could stall the engine during a maneuver in difficult terrain and make you lose

control of the vehicle.

ꢀ

Steering and braking assistance as well as ESC and related systems will not work if the

engine “sputters” or stalls due to lack of fuel. This can cause loss of vehicle control,

especially in difficult terrain.

ꢀ

Always refuel when the tank is 1/4 full to reduce the risk of running out of fuel.

NOTICE

If the power sunroof or the windows are open when it rains or snows, the interior of the vehicle

will get wet and the vehicle may be damaged. Always keep the windows and the power sunroof

closed when driving off-road.

Rollover warning

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

A vehicle's center of gravity affects its rollover characteristics. Since vehicle has higher ground

clearance for off-road driving, its center of gravity is also higher than that of “standard” passenger cars.

The higher center of gravity increases the risk of vehicle rollover while driving. Always keep this in

mind when driving. Heed the safety information and warnings in this Manual.

WARNING

Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.

ꢀ

In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person

wearing a safety belt.

Your vehicle has a higher center of gravity and an increased risk of rollover while driving

than a standard passenger vehicle that is not suitable for occasional off-road use.

Never drive too fast, particularly through curves, and never attempt extreme driving

maneuvers.

ꢀ

ꢀ Always adjust your speed and driving style to road, terrain, traffic, and weather

conditions.

ꢀ Transporting luggage or other objects on top of your vehicle raises the center of gravity

and can further increase the risk of rollover.

ꢀ

Always avoid driving crosswise on a slope ⇒ꢀ Driving crosswise on a slope.

If stopped crosswise on a slope, never get out of the vehicle using the doors that face

downhill. The combined center of gravity of the vehicle and its contents (passengers and

load) can shift, causing the vehicle to tip over and roll down the slope. Always exit the vehicle

calmly using the doors that face uphill ⇒ꢀ Driving crosswise on a slope.

Before driving off-road

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

Checklist: Review before every off-road trip!

For your own safety and that of your passengers, carry out each of the following steps in the order

listed before every off-road trip ⇒ꢀ

:

ꢀ

Inform yourself thoroughly before exploring nature and the terrain you plan to visit.

Do not plan extensive day trips. Consider the increased fuel consumption during off-road driving.

Fill the fuel tank completely. Off-road driving consumes significantly more fuel than driving on the

road.

ꢀ

Check whether the tires are suitable for the off-road trip you are planning. For difficult terrain,

always use special off-road tires.

Check, and if necessary correct, the cold tire inflation pressure in all tires, including the collapsible

spare tire (if any).

Fill engine oil up to the MAX mark so the engine can be properly lubricated. This is especially

important when driving through potholes and up and down hills.

ꢀ

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

Install a towing eye in the front and back of the vehicle. Once the vehicle gets stuck, it may no

longer be possible to install a towing eye.

ꢀ

Check the vehicle tool kit. Add tools and other gear based on the special requirements of the trip

you will be taking

Stow luggage as low and flat as possible in the vehicle. Safely secure all loose objects.

Before driving off-road the first time

Before you drive your vehicle off-road, we urge you to take an appropriate off-road driving course.

Taking a course is especially important if you have little or no experience driving off-road. Even more

experienced off-roaders can benefit from an off-road driving course.

A good course can show you how to handle the vehicle in a wide range of off-road situations and how

to more safely deal with difficult terrain Driving off-road demands a different attitude and very different

skills compared with highway driving. Your safety and that of your passengers will depend on your

knowledge, skill, and caution as a driver ⇒ꢀ

.

WARNING

Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.

Always review and follow the checklist above. Follow commonly accepted safety practices

and use common sense.

All occupants must sit properly and wear safety belts whenever the vehicle is moving.

ꢀ

General rules and good driving practices

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

Off-road rules of conduct

Always be responsible and respect the environment when driving off-road. Driving through

undergrowth and over meadows can destroy areas where animals live.

ꢀ

Only drive where it is permitted.

Keep noise and dust to a minimum.

Leave nature as you found it.

Always stay on designated trails and paths.

Avoid sensitive natural habitats.

Yield to drivers who are driving uphill or passing.

Good driving practices

Special rules apply to off-road driving ⇒ꢀ

:

ꢀ

Never drive off-road alone. At least 2 off-road vehicles should travel together. Unexpected

situations can occur. For this reason, take along the equipment you need to call for help in case of an

emergency.

ꢀ Stop and explore the route on foot wherever necessary and always before traveling over difficult

trails or terrain.

ꢀ

Drive over hill crests slowly. Otherwise, the vehicle can tip and be damaged and disabled.

Drive slowly through difficult terrain segments. On slippery surfaces, upshift and keep the vehicle

moving.

ꢀ Look for terrain that is firm and stable. Off-road ground is frequently soft, and the tires can sink into

it. This reduces ground clearance and fording depth.

ꢀ Even at low speeds, always follow other vehicles at a safe distance. If the first vehicle suddenly

gets stuck, the second vehicle can still stop in time without getting stuck as well.

WARNING

Off-road driving can be dangerous, can lead to accidents, vehicle damage, stranding in

remote areas, and serious personal injury.

ꢀ

Never drive too fast or for terrain and weather conditions.

Always adjust your speed and driving style to road, terrain, traffic, and weather

conditions.

ꢀ Always avoid sudden, sharp maneuvers that increase the risk of loss of vehicle control or

getting stuck.

ꢀ

When driving off-road look and think ahead, expect the unexpected.

To reduce the risk of loss of control and serious personal injury, never use the cruise

control when driving off-road. Cruise control is designed for highway use. It is completely

unsuitable for off-road situations and can even be dangerous when used off-road.

NOTICE

Always make sure the vehicle has enough ground clearance. Severe damage to the underbody

can occur if the vehicle bottoms out. The damage could disable the vehicle and leave you

stranded.

ꢀ

While driving off-road do not drag the clutch or rest one foot on the clutch pedal. Otherwise,

in bumpy terrain you might press the clutch accidentally, resulting in loss of vehicle control. In

addition, the frictional connection between the engine and transmission is lost. Further, driving

while dragging the clutch causes fast wear of the clutch lining.

“Tread lightly” is an educational program designed to increase public awareness of land use

regulations and responsibilities in our nation's wilderness areas. Volkswagen supports the U.S. Forest

Service and the Bureau of Land Management in encouraging you to preserve our national forests and

other public and private lands by “treading lightly”.

Technical terms explained

Fig. 164 Illustration of A: Ascent angle. B: Lateral gradient.

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

The technical date in the table below only apply to ideal conditions. The values were

determined on flat, firm, and non-slippery road surfaces and under dry weather conditions.

Changes in vehicle load and the condition of the ground and the surroundings will affect the stated

maximum values. The maximum values do not apply, for example, to off-road situations and will also

be lower on hard, firm surfaces if ideal conditions do not exist. As the driver, you are always

responsible for deciding whether your vehicle is able to handle a particular situation ⇒ꢀ

.

Term

Explanation

Technical data

Ground clearance

This is the vertical distance between the

level ground and the lowest part on the

vehicle.

Maximum 7.6 in (195 mm).

Fording depth in

standing water

Distance between the point on the ground

that touches the tire and the engine air

intake duct.

Maximum 6.9 inches (175 mm).

Gradient angle

The number of feet (meters) in altitude

gained when traveling 100 ft (30.48 m) is

given as a percentage or in degrees

Maximum permissible 31 degrees

(corresponds to 60 %).

⇒ꢀfig. 164 A.

Information on the maximum slope the

vehicle can climb unassisted (depends on

road surface and engine power).

Lateral angle

(vehicle slope)

The maximum angle the vehicle may be

driven across terrain without the vehicle

rolling over (depends on height of center of

Maximum permissible

27 degrees.

gravity) ⇒ꢀfig. 164 B.

Breakover angle

Maximum permitted angle given in

degrees that a vehicle driven at low speed

can clear a ramp without the underbody of

the vehicle scraping the ramp.

Maximum 21.3 degrees.

Approach/departure Transition from horizontal plane to a slope, Approach angle for off-road front

angle

or from a slope to flat ground.

Maximum angle in degrees the vehicle can

be driven at low speed along an

embankment without the bumper or

underbody scraping.

end:

Maximum 28 degrees.

Departure angle:

Maximum 25 degrees.

Fall line

This is the vertical drop route.

Articulation capability of the vehicle while driving on one side over an object.

Articulation

WARNING

Never exceed the recommended maximum values in the above table. Exceeding these values

will result in serious personal injury and/or damage to your vehicle.

ꢀ

All values listed above are for ideal conditions and assume firm, even surfaces that are

dry and not slippery.

Off-road conditions will always be less than ideal. Always reduce the maximum values

ꢀ

listed in the table above to allow an adequate margin of safety between the ideal maximum

value and your vehicle's actual off-road situation.

Useful off-road driving equipment

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

The checklist lists only a few of the items that could be very helpful when driving off-road ⇒ꢀ

. If you

have user's manuals or assembly instructions for the listed extra equipment, take them with you off-

road and heed them.

Checklist

Checklist: Useful off-road driving equipment ⇒ꢀ

:

ꢀ

Water, compass, maps, flashlight and spare batteries.

Cable winch, tow rod or tow rope strong enough for your vehicle.

Mobile phone, shovel, blankets, and rubber boots, tape measure, and yardstick.

Electric air compressor to connect to the 12 volt outlet in the vehicle for inflating the tires.

A wooden plank about 2 inches thick and 3 feet long or similar aluminum frame as traction aid for a

stuck vehicle or as a base for the vehicle jack.

ꢀ

Snow chains for all 4 tires, additional spare tires.

WARNING

Accidents and severe personal injury can result from the improper use of tools or equipment

as well as from the use of tools or equipment that are damaged or not right for the job to be

done.

Safety and off-road driving

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

Proper seating position and safety belt use is always important, regardless of whether you are on the

highway or driving off-road.

ꢀ Every person in the vehicle must sit properly and wear his or her safety belt whenever the vehicle

is moving

ꢀ

Every occupant must properly fasten the safety belt belonging to the seat he or she occupies and

keep the belt properly fastened while riding in the vehicle. This applies to the driver and all

passengers, even when driving off-road

Safety belts save lives – on the road and off.

Distance to the steering wheel

When driving off-road, you may want to sit a little differently than you would for normal highway

driving.

Depending on the terrain, you may need more strength to control the steering wheel because of the

higher forces that can come up from the front wheels.

Sit so that you can clearly see the terrain in front of you, especially when you are driving up or down

slopes. Never sit so that the distance from the center of your breast bone to the center of the airbag

cover on the steering wheel is less than 10 inches ⇒ꢀpage 78, Adjusting the seating position.

Suitable shoes

Never wear shoes with a slippery sole or high-heels when driving off-road, and never drive off-road

barefoot. Always wear shoes that support your feet properly and give you a good feel for the pedals.

WARNING

Not wearing safety belts, or wearing them improperly will increase the risk of serious injuries

when driving off-road. Holding the steering wheel improperly will reduce your ability to

control the vehicle and can also increase the risk of injury when driving off-road.

ꢀ

Properly worn safety belts are the single most effective means of reducing the risk of

serious injury and death during sudden braking or driving maneuvers and in automobile

accidents. For this reason, always wear your safety belt properly and make sure all

passengers wear their safety belts properly as well whenever the vehicle is moving.

ꢀ

Never wrap your thumbs around the steering wheel rim. When driving off-road, obstacles

in front of the wheels can make the steering wheel jerk suddenly in your hands and cause

personal injury. Rest your thumbs pointing up on the on the surface of the steering wheel at

the 3 and 9 o'clock positions.

Some basics for Your Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

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