VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2013 2.G Owners Manual

Saving fuel and helping the environment

When driving on the highway or freeway, a constant, moderate speed is more efficient and
economical than constantly accelerating and braking. Usually you can reach your destination just as
quickly by driving at a moderate, but steady speed.
The cruise control system can assist in maintaining a uniform driving style.
Moderate use of extra electrical loads
Comfort inside the vehicle is nice and important, but it is important to use them in an environmentally
conscious manner.
Some devices can increase fuel consumption when activated (examples):
x Climate control system (air conditioner): If the climate control system has to produce starkly
contrasting temperatures, it requires a large amount of energy, which is generated by the engine. The
temperature in the vehicle should therefore not be extremely different from that of the outside
temperature. It may be helpful to ventilate the vehicle before driving and then to drive a short distance
with the windows open. After that, switch on the air conditioner with the windows closed. Keep the
windows closed when driving at high speeds. Open windows increase fuel consumption.
x Switch off seat heating once it has served its purpose.
x Switch off the windshield and rear window defroster as soon as the windows are free of fog and
ice.
Additional factors that increase fuel consumption (examples):
x Malfunctioning engine control.
x Driving in the mountains.
x Towing a trailer.
Fuel-efficient driving

Fig. 249 Fuel consumption at 2 different outside air temperatures.

Fig. 250 Fuel consumption in l/100 km at 2 different outside air temperatures.
.

Remove unnecessary aftermarket components
The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the less fuel it will consume. Aftermarket components such as
bicycle racks reduce its aerodynamic performance.
Therefore, remove unnecessary structures and unused rack systems, particularly if planning to drive
at higher speeds.

Steering

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
Vehicle battery was disconnected and
has been reconnected.
Drive a short distance at about 10 - 12 mph
(15 - 20 km/h).


Flashes Possible cause Proper response
D Electronic steering column lock
malfunction.

Power steering
Power steering automatically adjusts to driving speed, steering torque, and the steering angle of the
wheels. Power steering works only when the engine is running.
If power steering is reduced or lost completely, it will be much harder to steer and control the vehicle.
Counter-steering assistance
Counter-steering assistance is part of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This feature makes it easier
for the driver to control the vehicle in difficult situations. For example, if you have to brake hard on a
surface that provides uneven traction, the vehicle could pull to the right or left. ESC detects this
situation and helps the driver counter-steer with additional steering power ⇒ .
.WARNING
The counter-steering assistance in ESC can do no more than help the driver steer in difficult
situations. The driver must still control the vehicle. The vehicle does not steer by itself with
this feature!
.NOTICE
If the ignition is off, the steering column lock will engage and the vehicle cannot be steered.
For this reason, you must leave the ignition on when going through an automatic CAR wash,
for example, so that the wheels will still steer.

Hybrid drive
Applicable only in the United States

.DANGER
The vehicle's high-voltage electrical system and high-voltage battery are dangerous and can
cause burns, other serious personal injuries, electrocution, and death.
x Always assume that high-voltage battery and parts of the high-voltage system are fully
charged and energized.
x Never touch or let jewelry or other metal objects contact high-voltage cables or the high-
voltage battery and battery poles, especially if the cables, battery, and battery poles have
been damaged in any way.
x Never do any work yourself on the high-voltage electrical system, the orange-colored
high-voltage wiring, or on the high-voltage battery.
x Never open, service, repair, or disconnect any part of the hybrid electrical system.
x Never damage the orange-colored high-voltage cables. Never remove them and never
disconnect them from the high-voltage electrical system.
x Never open or remove the orange-colored cover on the high-voltage battery.
x Always have work on the hybrid electrical system and systems that could be indirectly
affected by it done by qualified, trained technicians who have the know-how, experience,
documentation, and tools to do the work safely.
x All work on the high-voltage electrical system and the high-voltage battery must be done
in compliance with Volkswagen standards and guidelines.
x Vehicle keys must be safely stored a safe distance from vehicle so that the ignition cannot
be switched on and energize the electrical system.
x Gases vented or released from the high-voltage battery vapors are potentially poisonous
and can burn.
x Physical damage to the vehicle or the high-voltage battery can result in immediate or
delayed release of poisonous gases that can also cause a fire.
x Always avoid contact with leaking fluids and gases escaping from the battery, particularly
one that has been damaged.
x Always tell emergency responders that the vehicle has a high-voltage battery.
.WARNING
Driver distraction causes accidents and serious personal injury. Using the instrument cluster
or accessing Infotainment System menus while driving can take your attention off the road
and cause accidents.
x To help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, never change settings in the instrument
cluster display or use Infotainment System functions unless the vehicle is standing still.

.WARNING
When powered by the electric motor, the vehicle makes much less noise, both when idling
and driving, than when it is running on the internal combustion engine. It is much harder or
even impossible for the drivers of other vehicles and above all for cyclists, pedestrians, and
children to hear the vehicle when it is running on electrical power.
x Pedestrians and others can be struck and seriously injured because they cannot hear the
vehicle and tell that it is getting close to them, for instance when you are parking, backing
up, or driving in a low-speed zone where there is likely to be pedestrian traffic.
x Always watch out for pedestrians, especially small children, cyclists, and others who may
not hear the vehicle or realize that it is about to move or will cross their path of travel.
x Always be especially CAReful in residential areas, school zones, and other places where
the speed of motor vehicles is restricted and pedestrians may be at greater risk,
x Make sure the ignition and the hybrid drive system have both been turned off before
leaving the vehicle.
.WARNING
Never leave the vehicle when hybrid drive system indicator lights are still lit. The vehicle can
move if the accelerator is depressed even though the combustion engine has been stopped.
This can cause accidents and severe or lethal injuries.
x Make sure the transmission is in Park (P) before you get out of the vehicle.
.WARNING
Never support the vehicle with cinder blocks, bricks, or other objects to inspect it. The
vehicle could slip or move suddenly and cause an accident with serious personal injury.
.WARNING
Never let the hybrid battery get wet. Liquids and other fluids can cause short circuits,
electrical shock, burns, and explosions.
x Never CARry large amounts of liquids or other fluids in the luggage compartment.
x Always make sure that any containers with liquids and other fluids are properly secured
and tightly closed to prevent leakage during normal driving as well as hard cornering,
braking, and other vehicle maneuvers. Leaking liquids can get into the cover of the high-
voltage battery and the high-voltage cable connections. This can damage the electrical
system and the high-voltage battery.
.Never drive until the fuel tank is completely empty. There may not always be enough charge in
the high-voltage battery to get to the next gas station.
Warning and indicator lights