2011 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG steering

Steering

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
D Steering system malfunction.

Flashes Possible cause Proper response
locked/unlocked. switch it on again. Heed any
messages shown in the instru-
ment cluster display, if applica-
ble.
On vehicles with Keyless Ac-
cess, press the starter button
briefly twice in a row without
depressing the brake or clutch
pedal. Do not drive any farther
if the steering column remains
locked after you switch on the
ignition. Contact your authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an author-
ized Volkswagen Service Facility
for assistance.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function check. They go out after a few seconds.
WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.
x Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Steering system information

If the driver door is opened before the ignition is switched off, the electronic steering column lock is activated only after the vehicle has been locked with the vehicle key or via the sensor in the door handle.
Power steering
Power steering automatically adjusts to driving speed, steering torque, and the steering angle of the wheels. Power steering works only when the engine is running.
If power steering is reduced or lost completely, it will be much harder to steer and control the vehicle.
Counter-steering assistance
Counter-steering assistance is part of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This feature makes it easier for the driver to control the vehicle in difficult situations. For example, if you have to brake hard on a surface that provides uneven traction, the vehicle could pull to the right or left. ESC detects this situa-
tion and helps the driver counter-steer with additional steering power ⇒ .
WARNING
The counter-steering assistance in ESC can do no more than help the driver steer in difficult situations. The driver must still control the vehicle. The vehicle does not steer by itself with this feature!
NOTICE
If the ignition is off, the steering column lock will engage and the vehicle cannot be steered. For this reason, you must leave the ignition on when going through an automatic car wash, for example, so that the wheels will still steer.

Driving situa-
tions
Requirements and
conditions Vehicle behavior
– Avoid speeds of over
about 160 km/h
(99 mph).
Efficient sailing is possible with
a speed of about 160 km/h
(99 mph).
– Careful selection of
gear (S).
Sporty driving style with acti-
vated sport program increases
fuel consumption. Efficient
sailing in sport program with
combustion engine automati-
cally switched off is possible
with a speed of about 70 km/h
(43 mph).
Driving in cold
months.
– Do not warm up the
combustion engine by
running it with the vehi-
cle stationary.
The temperature of the com-
bustion engine increases very
slowly, but fuel consumption
increases considerably.
– Careful use of heating
for the rear window,
outside mirror, steering
wheel and front seats.
This prevents energy from
being lost and saves energy
for the electric motor.
– Leave the vehicle in a
garage overnight.
This prevents the high-voltage
battery and the vehicle interior
from cooling down too much.
The optimal temperature of the
high-voltage battery is reached
quicker at the beginning of the
journey and the combustion
engine can be switched off
quicker when the vehicle inte-
rior is sufficiently heated.

This depends on vehicle conditions of the hybrid drive system is normal and is designed to save fuel. The power steering and the braking assistance systems remain active. In certain situations it may be necessary for the system to start the combustion engine even when the vehicle is not moving. With prolonged driving in traffic jams, the combustion engine will be switched on and off to charge the high-voltage battery for the following start-stop phase.
Sailing
If the accelerator is not depressed and the lever is in Drive (D), the internal combustion engine is switched off even at higher speeds. The vehicle then decelerates slower than conventional vehicles.
This feature can be used to help reduce fuel consumption when you keep traffic conditions in mind and can anticipate the vehicles power requirements. Even in this case, the rev counter in the instru-ment cluster displays zero engine speed (0 engine revolutions). The instrument cluster powermeter shows zero.
Brake energy regeneration (Recuperation/charge)
When the vehicle brakes, the electrical energy is generated by the electric motor, which works as an alternator and charges the high-voltage battery. The same thing occurs while the vehicle is coasting to a stop or driving downhill.
Energy regeneration is shown in the instrument cluster display or on the Infotainment System screen. The combustion engine may be switched off automatically in this situation. The instrument cluster powermeter registers below zero.
When the high voltage battery is fully charged, there is no brake energy recuperation, and therefore no engine braking. Recuperation and engine braking are also automatically reduced if the vehicle detects that the road conditions do not permit sufficient contact between the wheels and the road surface.
Automatic starting - combustion engine
The combustion engine is started automatically in a number of situations.
x Engine temperature is too low.
x Catalytic converter temperature is too low.
x High-voltage battery being charged at high rate when decelerating. The high-voltage battery can-not absorb any more energy and for this reason the electric motor cannot brake the vehicle. The combustion engine comes on to help slow the vehicle down (engine brake).
x Engine hood is open.
x Leaving the vehicle when the electric motor is still “live”. The status of the electric motor is not always obvious, particularly when the combustion engine is not running. The combustion engine will therefore start if the driver's safety belt is unlatched or the driver's door is opened when the transmis-
sion is in Park (P) or Neutral (N) ⇒  Warning when leaving the vehicle.

There are 2 radar sensors next to the fog lights on the vehicle front (3). These can detect moving vehicles up to 590 ft (180 m) in front of your vehicle.
The areas of the sensors (2) and (3) and the camera (1) must not be spray painted on or covered by stickers or other objects, since this can lead to a malfunction of the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and the Front Assist system.
NOTICE
If you notice that Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) or Front Assist doesn't work properly or the sensors are damaged, switch off ACC immediately.
x Go see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance and have the ACC system checked.
x The sensors can be damaged or become misaligned in low speed impacts and parking maneuvers. Damaged or misaligned sensors can cause ACC or Front Assist to malfunction.
x To help make sure that the system works properly, always keep the sensors clean, free of snow and ice; do not cover the sensors with stickers or other objects.
x When cleaning the sensors with power washers or steam cleaners, only spray the sensors directly for a very short time, and always keep the washer nozzle at least 4 inches (10 cm) from the sensors.
x For Declaration of Compliance to United States FCC and Industry Canada regulations
Always keep the area of the Front Assist camera clear of ice and snow.
Switching ACC on and off

Fig. 272 On the steering wheel column: Lever for Adaptive Cruise Control.

Fig. 273 Lever for Adaptive Cruise Control: Setting the distance (time intervals)

WARNING
The Forward Collision Warning system (Front Assist) technology cannot overcome the laws of physics and system-related limits. The driver is always responsible for braking in time. If the Forward Collision Warning system issues a warning, immediately apply the brake to slow the vehicle down or avoid the obstacle, depending on the traffic situation.
x Always adjust your speed and driving style to road, traffic, weather, and visibility condi-tions.
x The Forward Collision Warning system cannot prevent accidents and serious injuries on its own.
x The Forward Collision Warning system can issue unnecessary warnings in certain com-plex driving situations, for example, at traffic islands.
x The Forward Collision Warning system can issue unnecessary warnings when its function is impaired, for example, if the radar sensor is dirty or if the position of the radar sensor has been changed.
x The Forward Collision Warning system does not react to people, animals, or vehicles crossing or approaching in the same lane.
x Always be prepared to take full control of the vehicle at all times.
NOTICE
If you notice that the Forward Collision Warning system (Front Assist) doesn't work properly or the sensors are damaged, switch off the Forward Collision Warning system (Front Assist) immediately.
x Go see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance and have the Forward Collision Warning system (Front Assist) checked.
If the Forward Collision Warning system (Front Assist) initiates a braking maneuver, the hydraulic braking system is under pressure. In this case the braking pedal will feel “harder” and the brake pedal travel will be shorter.
Automatic braking maneuvers can be interrupted by depressing the gas pedal or moving the steering wheel.
Deactivate the Forward Collision Warning system if it does not work as described in this chapter, for example, if multiple unwanted warnings occur. Have the system checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Temporarily switch off the Forward Collision Warning system (Front
Assist) in the following situations