warning VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 2015 Owner´s Manual

WARNING
Unsuitable, worn, or damaged tie-down straps (elastic or non-elastic) can snap or come loose during braking or other maneuvers or in a collision. Objects secured with these straps can then come loose and fly through the passenger compartment, causing severe personal injuries or death.
x To help prevent baggage or other items from coming loose and flying around, always use suitable undamaged tie-down straps.
x Securely fasten the tie-down straps to the tie-downs.
x Loose or improperly secured objects in the luggage compartment can slide about suddenly and change the vehicle's handling.
x Secure even small and light objects. Loose objects in the luggage or passenger compartment can fly about during sudden braking maneuvers or in the event of an accident and injure occupants.
x Never exceed the maximum allowable load on the tie-downs when securing objects.
x Never secure a child restraint to the tie-downs.
WARNING
Elastic straps have to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the luggage compartment Hooks on elastic straps can cause serious personal injury if not handled properly and attached securely.
x Always protect eyes and face from injury from the hooks when attaching them to the vehicle and do not let them snap back and hit you.
x Always hold the hooks on elastic straps firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do not let them snap back and hit you.
x First attach hooks on the straps to the tie-downs at the rear seat backrest in the luggage compartment and then to the tie-downs near the loading edge of the luggage compartment. This way, if one of the hooks on the elastic straps snaps back, it will move away from you, decreasing the risk of personal injury.
The maximum load for the tie-downs is about 785 lbs. (356 kg).
For suitable ratchet straps and luggage stowage systems, please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

WARNING
The elastic luggage net has to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the luggage compartment. The hooks can cause serious personal injury if not handled properly and attached securely.
x Always hold the hooks on the luggage net bag firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do not let them spring back and hit you.
x Always protect eyes and face from injury from the metal hooks when attaching them to the tie-downs in the luggage compartment.
x First attach the luggage net bag hooks to the tie-downs on the rear seat backrest or on the shopping bag hooks in the luggage compartment and then to the tie-downs near the loading edge of the luggage compartment. If one of the hooks on the luggage bag net snaps back, it will move away from you and not towards you, increasing the risk of injury.
Variable luggage compartment floor

Fig. 107 In the luggage compartment: Opening and securing the variable luggage compartment floor.

Fig. 108 Extending the luggage compartment floor forward or downward.

x To secure, push the retaining pin ⇒ fig. 107 to the right.
x To close, push the retaining pin (1) to the left and guide the luggage compartment floor downwards.
Extending the luggage compartment floor forward
x Remove the luggage compartment cover ⇒  Luggage compartment cover.
x Remove the rear head restraints ⇒  Adjusting the seating position.
x Push both sections of the rear seat forward ⇒  Adjusting the seating position.
x Fold the rear backrests forward ⇒  Adjusting the seating position.
x Fold the cover forward ⇒ fig. 108 (1).
Extending the luggage compartment floor downward
x Remove the luggage compartment cover ⇒  Luggage compartment cover.
x Raise the luggage compartment floor, pull from the side pins (2) and remove it from the vehicle to the rear.
There may be a foam element with the spare wheel ⇒ fig. 107 located beneath the variable luggage
compartment floor. If a spare wheel is present, remove it ⇒  Compact spare wheel and remove the foam element from the luggage compartment.
WARNING
During hard braking or an accident, loose objects can fly through the passenger compartment and cause serious or even fatal injuries.
x Even if the luggage compartment floor panel is properly raised, it is still necessary to secure all objects.
x Objects stowed between the rear seat bench and the luggage compartment floor panel must never be more than 2/3 as high as the raised floor panel.
x Objects stowed between the rear seat bench and the raised luggage compartment floor panel must never weigh more than about 16.5 lbs. (7.5 kg).
NOTICE
Do not let the luggage compartment floor fall freely when closing it. Always guide it down into place. The trim or the luggage compartment floor could be damaged.
If you slide the rear seats forward, there is a gap between the luggage compartment floor and the rear seats. Make certain there are no objects in this space before sliding the rear seats back again.

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.
x Always follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.
x Use the base carrier and roof rack only if they are undamaged and properly installed.
x Mount the roof rack base carrier only at the markings shown in the illustration ⇒ fig. 109
or ⇒ fig. 110.
x Always install the base carrier and roof rack properly.
x 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.
x Always properly install special fixtures for items such as bicycles, skis, surfboards, etc.
x 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

WARNING
If the maximum permissible roof load is exceeded, accidents and substantial vehicle damage may occur.
x Never exceed the specified roof load, the maximum gross axle weight rating, or the gross vehicle weight rating.
x Do not exceed the loading capacity of the roof rack, even if the permissible roof load is not fully utilized.
x 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.
x Always use suitable, undamaged tie-down ropes and ratchet straps.
x Secure the load properly.

WARNING
Improper use of the trailer hitch can cause accidents and injuries. An improperly installed, incorrect, or damaged trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the towing vehicle and cause serious personal injuries.
x Only use an undamaged, properly mounted trailer hitch.
x Never repair or modify the trailer hitch.
x To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk to pedestrians and cyclists when the vehicle is parked, always remove the ball mount when you are not towing a trailer.
x Never install a “weight distributing” or “load equalizing” trailer hitch on your vehicle. The vehicle was not designed for these kinds of trailer hitches. The trailer hitch attachment can fail, causing the trailer to tear loose from the vehicle.
WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or large things can change the way the vehicle handles, increase the distance it needs to stop safely, and cause accidents.
x Always secure the load properly with suitable and undamaged straps so that the load will not shift.
x 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.
x Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.
x Trailers with a high center of gravity tip more easily than trailers with a low center of gravity.
x Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
x Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas, the speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower than for vehicles without trailers. Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h; under exceptional circumstances 60 mph - 100 km/h) when towing a trailer. This applies even if the local speed limit is higher.
If you are driving a new vehicle or a vehicle with a new or rebuilt engine, do not tow a trailer during the break-in period, about 600 miles (1000 km)
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need maintenance more often because of the extra load it has to move.
When you are not towing, remove the trailer hitch ball. This helps keep the trailer hitch from causing damage to your vehicle and to others if your vehicle is hit from behind.
Some models need a trailer hitch to tow or tow-start other vehicles. You may want to always carry the ball mount in the vehicle after it has been removed. Be sure to stow it securely.

Electrical load Maximum power
Side marker lights total4 100 watts
Taillights lights total 54 watts

WARNING
x An improperly installed or incorrect trailer hitch can cause a trailer to separate from the tow vehicle and cause serious personal injuries.
x If you don't have to tow a trailer any more, remove the entire trailer hitch. Always seal all bolt holes to prevent water and deadly exhaust fumes from getting into the vehicle.
NOTICE
x If the trailer lights are not connected properly, the vehicle's electronics may be damaged.
x If the trailer uses too much electricity, the vehicle's electronics may be damaged.
x Never connect the electrical system for the trailer directly to the electrical connections for the rear lights or to any other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to provide power to the trailer.
If you tow a trailer frequently, Volkswagen recommends having the vehicle serviced between the regular maintenance and inspection intervals because of the extra load it has to pull.
In some countries an additional fire extinguisher must be carried if the total weight of the trailer exceeds 5,512 lbs. (2,500 kg).
Hitching up and connecting a trailer

The trailer is connected to the anti-theft alarm (if equipped):
x When the vehicle has a factory installed anti-theft alarm and a factory installed trailer hitch.
x When the trailer is not equipped with LED taillights.
x When the trailer is electrically connected to the towing vehicle via the trailer socket.
x When the vehicle and trailer electric systems are functional, fault-free and undamaged.
x When the vehicle is locked with the remote control vehicle key and the anti-theft alarm is active.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm will be triggered as soon as the electrical connection to the trailer is interrupted.
Always switch off the anti-theft alarm when a trailer is being hitched or unhitched. The tilt sensor could otherwise trigger an alarm unnecessarily.
WARNING
Improper connections to the vehicle electrical system can cause malfunctions that affect the entire vehicle electrical system, which can lead to accidents and serious personal injury.
x Have any work on the electrical system done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
x Never connect the electrical system for the trailer directly to the electrical connections for the rear lights or to any other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to provide power to the trailer.
NOTICE
Never attach a trailer to the vehicle or leave it attached to the vehicle when the trailer is supported by a trailer jack or blocks. Various things (such as a change in trailer or vehicle load or a flat tire) can lower or raise the vehicle. This subjects the trailer hitch and the trailer to strong forces that can damage the vehicle or the trailer.
Any problems with the vehicle's electrical system when attached to a trailer should be checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
If the engine is switched off and accessories in the trailer are on and use electricity from the vehicle, the vehicle battery will be drained as long as the electrical systems of the vehicle and the trailer are connected.
For technical reasons, trailers with LED taillights cannot be integrated into the anti-theft alarm system.
Loading the trailer

The trailer load and tongue weight on the type identification plate for the trailer hitch are only test values. The vehicle-specific figures are often lower than these values. In some countries, but generally not in the United States, the vehicle-specific figures are listed in the official vehicle documents. Specifications in official vehicle documents always take precedence.
To help ensure optimum handling and driving safety, Volkswagen recommends always using the maximum permissible tongue weight. If the tongue weight is too low, the vehicle and trailer will not handle as well.
Tongue weight increases the load on the rear axle and, in turn, reduces the remaining load your
vehicle can carry ⇒  Determining the correct load limit.
Combined towing weight
Combined towing weight is the weight of the loaded towing vehicle plus the weight of the loaded trailer.
This vehicle has not been designed to tow a Class II trailer and must never be retrofitted to tow a Class II trailer. Always make sure that your vehicle has been designed to tow the trailer you want to use and that it is legal to tow the trailer where you will be driving.
Loading the trailer
The weight distribution in the vehicle and trailer must be balanced. Use the maximum permissible tongue weight and make sure that the load in the trailer is evenly distributed and that it is not front-heavy or tail-heavy:
x Distribute the load in the trailer so that heavy objects are directly above the axle or as close as possible to the axle.
x Secure loads properly on the trailer.
Tire pressure
Always follow the trailer manufacturer's tire pressure recommendations for the trailer tires.
When towing, inflate the towing vehicle's tires to the maximum permissible pressure listed on the tire
pressure label ⇒  Tire inflation pressure.
WARNING
Exceeding the gross weight ratings for axle, tongue, vehicle, trailer or combined weight can cause accidents and serious personal injury.
x Never exceed the specified values.
x Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating. Never let the combined front and rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
WARNING
Trailer loads that are not properly secured can shift when the vehicle is moving or braking and suddenly change the way the vehicle handles, causing accidents and severe injuries.
x Always load the trailer properly.
x Always secure the load properly with suitable, undamaged straps that can be tightened so that the load cannot shift.

WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or bulky items changes the way the vehicle handles and increases the distance it needs to stop safely.
x Always watch what is happening up ahead and around you. Brake earlier than you would if you were not towing a trailer.
x 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.
x Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.
x Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently. Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
x Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows even the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower than for vehicles without trailers.
Ball mount

Fig. 111 Dimensions of the ball mount support.