2010 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG Owners Manual

Rollover warning

d Check the vehicle tool kit. Add tools and other gear based on the special requirements of the trip
you will be taking ⇒  Useful off-road driving equipment.
d 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 re-mote 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 condi-tions.
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.
“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. 310 Illustration of grade (gradient angle) A and lateral angle B.

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 trav-
eling 100 ft (30.48 m) is
given as a percentage or in
degrees ⇒ fig. 310 A.
Information on the maximum
slope the vehicle can climb
unassisted (depends on
road surface and engine
power).
Maximum permissible
31 degrees (corre-
sponds 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 gravi-
ty) ⇒ fig. 310 B.
Maximum permissible
35 degrees.
Breakover angle Maximum permitted angle
given in degrees that a vehi-
cle driven at low speed can
clear a ramp without the
underbody of the vehicle
scraping the ramp
Maximum
20 degrees.

Term Explanation Technical data
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 em-
bankment without the
bumper or underbody scrap-
ing.
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

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

Off-road driving situations

Selecting the right gear