VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 2013 1.G Owners Manual

¥ 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.
x Always review and follow the checklist above. Follow commonly accepted safety practices
and use common sense.
x All occupants must sit properly and wear safety belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
General rules and good driving practices

WARNING
Off-road driving can be dangerous, can lead to accidents, vehicle damage, stranding in
remote areas, and serious personal injury.
x Never drive too fast or for terrain and weather conditions.
x Always adjust your speed and driving style to road, terrain, traffic, and weather
conditions.
x Always avoid sudden, sharp maneuvers that increase the risk of loss of vehicle control or
getting stuck.
x When driving off-road look and think ahead, expect the unexpected.
x 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.
x 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. Illustration of A: ascent angle. B: lateral gradient.

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 ( mm).
Gradient angle The number of feet (meters) in altitude
gained when traveling ft (30.48 m) is
given as a percentage or in degrees ⇒ fig.
A.
Information on the maximum slope the
vehicle can climb unassisted (depends on
road surface and engine power).
Maximum permissible 31 degrees
(corresponds to 60 %).
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
gravity) B.
Maximum permissible
27 degrees.
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
angle
Transition from horizontal plane to a slope,
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.
Approach angle for off-road front
end:
maximum 28 degrees.
Departure angle:
maximum 25 degrees.
Fall line This is the vertical drop route.
Articulation Articulation capability of the vehicle while driving on one side over an object.

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.
x All values listed above are for ideal conditions and assume firm, even surfaces that are
dry and not slippery.
x 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

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.
¥ Cell 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

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.
x 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.
x 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.

Off-road driving situations

Selecting the right gear

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

x Always dry the brakes by braking a couple of times.
x After driving through water, have the vehicle drive train and electrical system thoroughly inspected
for damage by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Flowing water is very powerful and can sweep your vehicle away. This can lead create an
extremely dangerous situation and cause an accident with serious personal injuries.
x 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.
x Never stop in the water.
x If water gets into the engine, your vehicle can break down. You will lose control of a
broken down vehicle, and it can be swept away.
x Soft surfaces, mud, underwater obstacles, and holes can cause accidents and can cause
the vehicle to break down in the water. This can lead pose extreme danger.
x Rapidly flowing water can develop strong forces that can pull the vehicle downstream.
This can cause accidents and fatal injuries.
x Drive through water only where the banks and bottom are firm enough and the water is
shallower at all points than the maximum permissible fording depth for your vehicle.
NOTICE
x Vehicle components such as the engine, drive train, suspension or electrical system may
be severely damaged by driving through water.
x Avoid stopping in deep water. This can let water get inside the vehicle.
x On soft ground, the tires dig into the surface. This reduces fording depth. Make sure that
the ground is sufficiently firm.
x Avoid creating a bow wave in front of the vehicle while driving through water. A bow wave
could force its way into the engine air intake duct and seriously damage the engine.
x If you even briefly exceed the maximum fording depth when driving through water, severe
engine damage will result. This engine damage will lead to a vehicle breakdown. This can
disable the vehicle in the water.
x Never drive over salt flats or through salt or salty water. Salt causes vehicle corrosion.
Rinse all parts of the vehicle that were exposed to salt or salt water right away with fresh water.
Driving over snow-covered terrain

WARNING
Driving through snow-covered terrain is very dangerous.
x 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.
x Potholes, ruts, ditches, drop-offs, and other obstacles are often partially or completely
hidden by the snow, especially when it is deep.
x Snow-covered dangers can lead to an accident, serious personal injury, or stranding
under extreme weather conditions.
x Always adapt driving speed and style to load, terrain, visibility, and weather conditions.
Driving in steep terrain