VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2014 2.G Owners Manual

Term Explanation Technical data
Ground clearance This is the vertical distance between the level ground and the lowest part on the vehicle.
Front: maximum 8.6 inches (214 mm). Rear: maximum 10.4 inches (261 mm).
Fording depth in standing water Distance between the point on the ground that touches the tire and the engine air intake duct.
Maximum 20 inches (500 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
⇒ fig. 292 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 35 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 20 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.
Front: maximum 25 degrees. Rear: maximum 26 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 ⇒ :
d Water, compass, maps, flashlight and spare batteries.
d Cable winch, tow rod or tow rope strong enough for your vehicle.
d Mobile phone, shovel, blankets, and rubber boots, tape measure, and yardstick.
d Vehicles without tire mobility set: Electric air compressor to connect to the 12 Volt socket in the vehicle for inflating the tires.
d 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.
d Snow chains for all 4 tires, additional spare tires, and tire mobility set.
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

WARNING
Areas that look harmless can, in fact, be very 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.
x Before crossing an unknown area, carefully explore the route you plan to take on foot.
x Never choose a risky route or run a risk that will endanger you and your passengers. If you have any doubts as to whether the route is safe, turn around use a different route.
x Always adapt driving speed and style to load, terrain, visibility, and weather conditions.
Selecting the right gear

them. They are also dangerous if you drive over them too quickly and the shock absorbers are compressed.
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

Headlight washer system instructions
Do not use the headlight washer system when driving through water. Things in the water can enter into the openings when the washer nozzles are extended. This can prevent the washer nozzles from retracting to their normal position. If this should happen, carefully remove the objects.
After driving through water
x After crossing through deep water, stop the engine and check the oil dipstick. If there are beads of water on the oil dipstick or the oil level has increased, do not start the engine. Change the engine oil immediately. Depending on the amount of water in the oil, running or starting the engine can result in engine failure or serious engine damage.
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
⇒ table 488.
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

Install snow chains on all 4 tires before driving over snow-covered terrain.
Snow-covered terrain may look harmless but the snow can hide many dangers. This is particularly true for stretches where you can't see the tracks left by other vehicles.
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

x Gently apply the foot brake to help keep the vehicle under control.
x If it is possible and if it is not dangerous, drive straight down the fall line (maximum slope).
x Do not shift into Neutral (N).
WARNING
Never try to drive up or down slopes that are too steep for your vehicle. The vehicle could slide away, tip over, or roll over.
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 The lateral angle must never be more than the maximum angle approved for the vehicle.
x Always drive along the fall line when driving up or down a slope.
x Never try to turn the vehicle around on a slope. The vehicle could tip over or roll down the slope.
x If the engine stalls or you can no longer drive up the slope for any reason, stop and apply the foot brake. If stalled, apply the foot brake and restart the engine. Then shift into Reverse (R) and carefully back your vehicle straight down the slope along the fall line. Keep the vehicle speed slow and even.
x If the engine will not restart, apply constant pressure to the foot brake and carefully back straight down the slope the same way you drove up. Keep the vehicle speed slow and even.
x If the engine is running, select Reverse and carefully back straight down the slope the same way you drove up. Use engine braking power and the foot brake to keep the vehicle speed slow and even.
x Never just roll down a slope with the transmission in Neutral (N). You could lose control of the vehicle.
Driving crosswise on a slope

Fig. 294 Steer downhill along the fall line.