2011 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN parking brake

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
If you suspect a malfunction or vehicle damage, read and follow the following advice before contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. You may also find helpful information under “Characteristics” and “Checklist” in the index.

Description Possible causes among others Possible remedy
Engine does not start.
Vehicle battery dead. – Perform jump-start – Charge vehicle battery
The wrong remote control vehicle key is used. Use a valid remote control vehicle key
Fuel level too low. Refuel
Vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked using remote control vehicle key.
– Battery in remote control vehicle key dead. – Too far away from vehicle.(out of range). – Buttons have been pressed too many times.
– Replace battery in the remote control key – Move closer to vehicle. – Synchronize remote control vehicle key – Lock or unlock vehicle manually
Unusual noises. Cold engine, braking support systems, electronic parking brake.
Check the “Noises” entry in the keyword index.
Odd driving behavior. Assistance systems activated. Check the “Assistance systems” entry in the index.
Driver seat and outside mirrors move when vehicle is unlocked.
Convenience settings are stored. Correct convenience settings
Memory-seat settings are stored. – Reassign seat setting – Clear memory-seat memory
Front seats cannot be adjusted with power controls.
Vehicle battery dead. Charge vehicle battery
Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace if necessary
Features do not work as described in this manual.
Settings were adjusted in the Volkswagen Information System.
Check and reset to factory settings if necessary
Headlights do not light up the road as they should.
– Headlights incorrectly adjusted. – Light bulbs burned out. – Low beams not switched on.
Have the headlight range adjusted by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Adjust headlight range – Change light bulbs – Switch on low beams

Checklist
For your own safety and that of your passengers, carry out the following steps in the order listed ⇒ :
1. Park the vehicle at safe distance from traffic and on a suitable surface ⇒ .
2. Switch on emergency flashers by pressing the  switch ⇒ fig. 181.
3. Apply the electronic parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving ⇒  Braking and parking.
4. Shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only)
5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch ⇒  Starting and stopping the engine.
6. Have all passengers exit and go to a safe location away from moving traffic, such as behind a guard rail.
7. Take all vehicle keys with you when leaving your vehicle.
8. Set up a warning triangle or other warning device in order to alert other motorists and cyclists.
9. Let the engine cool down and get expert assistance if necessary.
If the emergency flashers are on, use the turn signal lever to indicate a direction or lane change, for example when the vehicle is being towed. This temporarily interrupts the emergency flashers.
Switch on the emergency flashers when:
x Traffic suddenly slows down or stops in front of you to warn those approaching from behind.
x In any emergency situation.
x If the vehicle breaks down.
x When being towed.
Always obey traffic laws that govern the use of emergency flashers where you are driving.
If the emergency flashers are not working, a different method – as permitted by law – must be used to alert other motorists and cyclists to the breakdown.
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common sense.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter get very hot. They can cause fires and serious personal injury.
x Never park where parts of the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite flammable materials, such as dry grass, brush, leaves, spilled fuel, etc.
NOTICE
To help prevent damage to the vehicle if you should have to push it a short distance by hand, never push against spoilers, lights, body panels, windows, or similar parts. Concentrating force on these parts of the vehicle can cause expensive damage that may not always be obvious right away.

x Press the release button ⇒ fig. 186 (arrow) in the selector lever handle and shift the selector lever to Neutral (N).
WARNING
Never shift the transmission out of Park (P) without first firmly applying the parking brake. Otherwise, the vehicle can start to roll unexpectedly, especially on hills or inclines, and cause an accident and serious injuries.
NOTICE
Even with the selector lever is in Neutral (N), the automatic transmission will be damaged if the vehicle is towed (or you let it coast) for an extended period or at high speed with the engine shut off.

WARNING
Changing a wheel, especially on the side of the road, can be dangerous. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Move the vehicle a safe distance off the road where it is safe to change the wheel.
x Always make sure that all passengers, especially children, are in a safe place outside the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic (such as behind a guard rail).
x Turn on the emergency flashers and set up another warning device about 25 yards (25 meters) behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
x Change a wheel by yourself only if you are familiar with the necessary steps. Otherwise, get expert assistance.
x Always switch the engine off, apply the electronic parking brake, and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic transmission) or any gear (manual only) to help prevent the vehicle from moving suddenly and slipping off the jack.
x Always make sure that the ground is level and firm. If necessary, place the jack on a large and sturdy board or on a similar ground support.
x Always block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel being changed with chocks or similar things.
x If you are towing a trailer, always unhitch it from your vehicle before starting to change the wheel. Always apply the trailer brakes firmly and make sure the trailer cannot move unintentionally.
x Always use proper and undamaged tools when changing a wheel.
x Once a wheel is lifted off the ground, having the transmission in Park (P) or in gear will not prevent sudden vehicle movement.
x Always use a jack that has been approved by the manufacturer for your vehicle. Never use other jacks, even if they have been approved for use on other Volkswagen models.
x To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen the screws on rims with threaded rim rings.
x After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked with an accurate torque wrench.
x After changing a wheel or tire, reset the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ⇒  Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Preparations for changing a wheel

x Tow the vehicle only with its front wheels off the ground ⇒ .
Special towing instructions for vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)
x To help prevent unnecessary damage, vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) must be transported on a flat-bed truck.
x To load the vehicle on the flat bed, use the towing eye found in the vehicle tool kit and attach it to the front anchorage
When not to tow your vehicle
If there is little or no oil in the transmission because of damage to your vehicle, it must be moved with the drive wheels off the ground. The vehicle can only be towed if its ignition is switched on and its electrical system is operating. In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed at all and must be transported on a flatbed truck or trailer:
x If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
x If the vehicle battery is dead (because the steering is locked and the electronic parking brake and the electronic steering column lock cannot be released if engaged).
x If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).
WARNING
It is not safe for children or other persons to ride in a vehicle that is being towed.
x Never let children or anyone else remain in the vehicle while it is being towed.
NOTICE
The drive axle rotates while the vehicle is being towed with its rear wheels off the ground. This can damage the automatic transmission.
x Never tow automatic transmission vehicle with the rear wheels off the ground.
x Tow manual transmission vehicles with the rear wheels off the ground only if it is certain that no transmission fluid can leak out.
Tips on towing

x Shift the gearshift lever to Neutral
x Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).
x Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).
Towing automatic transmission vehicles
Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see below When not to tow your vehicle.
If yes, note the following for the towed vehicle:
x Put the transmission in Neutral (N).
x Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).
x Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).
x When a commercial tow truck is being used, the vehicle must only be towed with the front wheels lifted off the ground.
x Follow the special instructions for towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION).
Towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)
Vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) should be towed with a tow bar or a tow rope. If the vehicle is towed with the front or rear axles lifted off the ground, the engine must be switched off. Otherwise the powertrain may be damaged.
When not to tow your vehicle
In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed and must be transported on a flatbed truck or trailer:
x If transmission fluid has leaked out of the transmission.
x If there is little or no oil in the transmission because of damage to your vehicle, it must be moved with the drive wheels off the ground.
x If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
x When the vehicle battery is dead, since the steering may remain disabled, and it may not be possible to release the electronic steering column lock and the electronic parking brake.
x If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).
Towing other vehicles
x Obey all legal requirements.
x Read and heed all towing information in the owner’s manual for the other vehicle.
A vehicle can be towed only if the electronic parking brake and the electronic steering column lock can be released. In case of a power loss or malfunctions of the electrical system, the engine may have to be jump-started in order to release the electronic parking brake and the electronic steering column lock.