VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC 2018 Owners Manual

how to drive safely in difficult terrain. Driving offroad demands different skills and driving styles in
comparison to driving on roads. The safety of the driver and the vehicle occupants depends on the
driver.
General rules and driving tips
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Code of conduct for offroad driving
A responsible driver should respect the environment when driving offroad. Remember that driving
through undergrowth and on meadows can destroy animal and plant habitats.
Always stay on designated routes and paths.
Do not create any unnecessary noise or dust.
Leave nature as you found it.
Avoid sensitive natural habitats.
Give way to drivers coming uphill or who are overtaking.
Driving tips
Special rules apply when driving offroad:
Never drive offroad alone. Always drive offroad in a team of at least two offroad vehicles.
Unexpected situations can always occur. We recommend that you carry equipment you can use for
calling for help.
Stop your vehicle when you reach difficult sections, and walk along the route ahead to inspect it.
Drive slowly over the crests of hills so the vehicle does not lose contact with the ground. This could
cause damage, leaving you unable to manoeuvre.
Drive slowly when the route is difficult. Shift up a gear when on slippery ground and always keep the
vehicle in motion.
Always look for flat and firm surfaces. The ground is predominantly soft when driving offroad,
meaning the tyres could sink into the ground. This will reduce ground clearance and the fording
depth.
Even when driving at low speeds, always keep your distance from other vehicles. If the first vehicle
suddenly gets stuck, the following vehicle then can stop without getting stuck itself.

NOTICE
Always ensure that there is enough ground clearance underneath the vehicle. Serious damage to the
underbody could occur if the vehicle bottoms on the ground. This damage could cause the vehicle to
break down and thus make it impossible to drive on.

ot on the clutch when driving offroad. When travelling over
uneven ground, you could press the clutch by mistake and lose control of the vehicle. This also
prevents power being transferred between the engine and the gearbox. In addition, driving with the
clutch partially engaged causes premature wear to the clutch lining.
Useful accessories for offroad driving
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The checklist contains just a few items of equipment that can be very useful for offroad driving. If
you have an instruction manual or fitting instructions for these accessories, you should always take
them with you and observe them as necessary when driving offroad.
Checklist
Useful items when driving offroad:

Water, compass, maps and torch with spare batteries.

Winch, tow bar or rope with sufficient strength.

Mobile telephone, shovel, blankets and rubber boots.

Electrical air compressor for connection to the 12-volt sockets in the vehicle to inflate the tyres.

A wooden board approx. 4 cm thick and approx. 1 metre long or an aluminium frame of similar size:
this can be used to free a vehicle stuck in the mud and provide a platform for a vehicle jack.

Snow chains, additional spare wheels, a breakdown set, jack and box spanner.
Changing gear correctly
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The correct choice of gear depends on the offroad terrain.
Before attempting to drive through difficult terrain it can be helpful to stop and consider which gear
you should select. After several trips offroad, you will learn which gear to select in conjunction with
the step-down ratio and differential locks for different types of terrain.
General rules

foot brake when driving downhill as the engine braking effect will normally be sufficient.
You should only depress the accelerator as much as is required. If you accelerate too hard, the
wheels could lose traction and you could lose control of the vehicle.
DSG

body, for example puddles or shallow water. Never stop in the water, do not reverse, and never
switch off the engine.
Observe further information on driving through water on roads Driving through w

WARNING
Flowing water can develop enormous power and sweep the vehicle away. This can lead to very
dangerous situations which can cause accidents and serious or even fatal accidents.
Never stop the vehicle when in water.
Water in the engine compartment can cause the vehicle to break down in the water.
Soft ground surfaces, underwater obstacles and shallows can cause accidents and can cause the
vehicle to breakdown in the water. This could lead to critical situations.

NOTICE
If you drive through water, parts of the vehicle, such as the engine, drive train, running gear and
vehicle electrics, could sustain severe damage.
When driving through water, always select a section where the ground is solid and where the depth
of the water does not exceed the maximum permitted fording depth of the vehicle.
Never drive through salt, salty surfaces or salt water as salt can cause corrosion. Rinse off all
components that have been exposed to salt or salt water immediately with fresh water.
Offroad driving in snow
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Fit snow chains to the front wheels only before driving on snow-covered terrain.
Terrain might look harmless, but there could be hidden dangers. This is particularly true of sections
where there are no visible tyre tracks or other tracks.

WARNING
Driving in snow-covered terrain is very dangerous.
Both shallow and deep potholes, hollows, ditches, precipices, frozen surfaces and other obstacles
can be fully or partially covered by snow.
Dangers concealed by snow can cause an accident, serious injuries, or cause the vehicle to break
down in extreme weather conditions.

conditions.
Driving on sand and mud
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Always drive at a steady speed through sand or mud and, do not carry out any manual gear changes
or stop the vehicle.
Check whether ESC is active. The indicator lamp or in the instrument cluster display must not
light up Brake support systems
Keep the vehicle moving constantly.
Use the Offroad driving profile S
Select a suitable gear and remain in this gear until you have reached more solid ground Changing
gear correctly
If the tyres have lost their grip, turn the steering wheel to and fro quickly. This can briefly give the
tyres on the front wheels better grip for these ground conditions.
Driving through sand
Do not under any circumstances reduce the tyre pressure to drive through sand
pressure has been reduced for driving through sand, the correct tyre pressure must always be
restored before driving on. Driving with reduced tyre pressure can lead to a loss of control over the
vehicle and increase the risk of serious and fatal injuries.
Driving through mud
Do not change speed or direction. The tyres can lose their traction when driving through mud. If the
vehicle slides, steer in the direction needed to get the vehicle under control.

WARNING
Driving through mud and sand can be dangerous. The vehicle can slide uncontrollably. This increases
the risk of injury. Always drive carefully through sand and mud.
Never choose an unsafe route or take a risk which could endanger you or your passengers. If you are
in any doubt about the safety of the route, turn round and choose another way.

WARNING
Incorrect tyre pressure can cause severe or even fatal accidents.
Incorrect tyre pressures will increase the levels of wear on the tyres and will negatively affect the
vehicle's handling.

ripping of the tread surface and thus to a loss of control over the vehicle.
Driving on steep terrain
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Driving uphill or downhill
Get out of the vehicle and assess the situation before you attempt to drive up or down a hill:
Walk along the section and check the firmness of the ground. Look out for obstacles and other
hidden dangers
Check the section beyond the hill.
You should not follow the route if it is too steep, uneven or if the ground surface is too loose. Select
another route.
Drive slowly and at constant speed straight up or down a slope.
Accelerate only to the speed you need to climb the slope. Too much acceleration can cause the
wheels to spin and lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. Insufficient throttle increases the
probability of stalling the engine.
Never attempt to stop or turn on a slope.
Avoid allowing the engine to stall.
Do not change gear or engage the clutch when climbing a slope.
Use the offroad display Offroad display
If you cannot continue to drive up a hill
Never turn the vehicle around on an uphill gradient.
If the engine has stalled, depress the footbrake and start the engine again.
Select reverse gear and reverse back slowly in a straight line.
Use the foot brake to keep a constant speed until you have reached a safe place.
Driving downhill
Never exceed the tilt angle of the vehicle! If, in an emergency, you have to traverse the slope when
driving down it and the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer into the fall line immediately.
There is an increased risk of rolling over when driving downhill. Concentrate on steering the vehicle
when driving downhill in particular.
Use the offroad display on steep downhill stretches Offroad display
Drive down steep inclines in first gear.
Use the foot brake sparingly in order not to lose control of the vehicle.

Do not press the clutch and do not select neutral.

WARNING
Never try driving up or down an incline if it is too steep for the vehicle. The vehicle could slide away,
tip over or roll.
The uphill or downhill gradient must be no greater than the maximum permissible gradient for the
vehicle.
Always drive up and down gradients in the fall line.
Never turn the vehicle when driving up or down gradients. The vehicle could tip over or slide away
sideways.
If the engine stops or if you cannot drive on for any reason, stop the vehicle and depress the brake
pedal. Start the engine again. Select reverse gear, release the brake pedal and using the engine
braking effect to carefully reverse in a straight line along the fall line. Keep the vehicle speed low and
constant.
If you are unable to start the engine, keep your foot steady on the brake pedal and allow the vehicle
to roll back down the track you made when driving up the hill. Keep the vehicle speed low and
constant.
Never let the vehicle roll backwards down a slope in neutral. You could lose control over the vehicle.
Traversing a slope

Fig. 115 Steering into the fall line.

Fig. 116 On steep slopes: always use the doors facing up the hill to get out of the vehicle.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Traversing a slope is one of the most dangerous offroad situations
It may look harmless, but you should not underestimate the difficulty and danger of traversing a
slope. A vehicle could slide away, tip over or roll when in this position. This can cause severe or fatal
injuries for all vehicle occupants.
Check whether you can use a safer route before driving across a slope.
If you have to drive at an angle, make sure the ground is as firm as possible. The vehicle is more
likely to slip and tip over on slippery or soft ground. Always make sure that the tilt angle does not
become too large due to uneven ground. The vehicle could otherwise tip over and start to roll.
When the vehicle is tilted at a large angle, the wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never
enter dips or hollows. The wheels on the higher side of the vehicle must never drive over bumps, for
example rocks, tree trunks or other obstacles.
If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer immediately into the fall line and depress the accelerator
slightly Fig. 115
accelerator slightly.
The centre of gravity of the vehicle should be as low as possible. The weight of all vehicle occupants
should be evenly distributed. People with a larger or heavier build should sit on the higher side of
the vehicle. Remove the roof carrier and secure heavy items. The vehicle could tip over if items were
to slide suddenly

WARNING
Never try to traverse a slope, particularly if it is too steep for the vehicle. The vehicle could slide
away, tip over or roll. Please note the following points in order to reduce the risk of accidents and
serious injuries:
You should never underestimate the difficulty and danger of traversing a slope. Never choose an
unsafe route or take a risk which could endanger you or your passengers. If you are in any doubt
about the safety of the route, turn round and choose another way.

p over or roll over
and roll down the hill.
The wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never enter dips or hollows. The wheels on the
higher side of the vehicle must never drive over bumps, for example stones, tree trunks or other
obstacles.
Before traversing a slope, make sure that it is possible to steer into the fall line. Choose another
route if this is not guaranteed. If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer immediately into the fall line
and depress the accelerator slightly Fig. 115
If the vehicle is stopped at a large tilt angle when traversing a slope, avoid sudden and uncontrolled
movements in the vehicle. The vehicle can lose its grip and slide away sideways, tip over or roll over
and roll down the hill.
Vehicle occupants should never leave the vehicle via the doors facing down the hill when the vehicle
is stopped sideways on a slope with a large tilt angle to one side. This could cause the centre of
gravity to move to the side. The vehicle could then tip over or roll over and roll down the hill. To
avoid this, always leave the vehicle carefully on the side that is facing uphill Fig. 116
When getting out the vehicle, make sure that the vehicle door which opens uphill does not close
with its own weight or through carelessness, thus potentially causing injury.
Driving through ditches
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Check whether the ramp and tilt angles are small enough to drive through the ditch with the vehicle

If possible, drive through the ditch at an acute angle
The tilt angle must not become too large when driving through the ditch.

WARNING
Never drive through a ditch if the ramp and tilt angles are too steep for the vehicle and the ditch is
too deep. The vehicle could slide away, tip over or roll.

NOTICE
If you drive into the ditch at a right angle, the front wheels will fall in. The underbody of your vehicle
could bottom, get stuck and be damaged. It is then almost impossible to get out of the ditch despite
having all-wheel drive.
Stuck vehicle
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Rocking free a vehicle requires training and feeling for the vehicle.

to free the vehicle.
When you cannot move forwards
Carefully dig out all the wheels and check that no other parts of the vehicle are stuck in the sand.
Select reverse gear.
Reverse in your own tracks with gentle use of the accelerator.
If this does not help, place brushwood, foot mats or sacking directly in front of the wheels to
increase grip
Rocking the vehicle free
Never allow the wheels to spin for long periods as this will cause the vehicle to sink deeper
Switch off TCS Brake support systems
Position the steering wheel so that it is facing straight ahead.
Reverse until the point where the wheels just start to spin.
Immediately select first gear and drive forwards until the wheels start to spin again.
Repeat driving back and forth until you have enough momentum to free yourself.
Switch the TCS on after the rocking free procedure is completed Brake support systems
Use the Offroad driving profile.

WARNING
No one must stand either in front or behind the vehicle, particularly if you are attempting to free a
stuck vehicle.
Spinning wheels can propel stones, brushwood, pieces of wood or other objects that are in front or
behind the wheels at enormous speed and cause potentially fatal injury.
People standing in front of or behind the vehicle could be run over if the stuck vehicle starts to move
suddenly.
After offroad driving
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Checklist

Clean the turn signals, lighting system, the number plate and all windows.