2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG Washer

Front view

Fig. 2 Vehicle front overview.
Key to fig. 2:
(1) Power sunroof
(2) Windshield area with:
– Rain sensor on mirror base
– Low-light sensor on mirror base
– Dynamic high beam control on mirror base
– Windshield wipers
(3) Engine hood release
(4) Headlights (on both left and right) ,
(5) Headlight washers (on left and right)
(6) Threaded hole for the front towing eye (on both left and right) behind covers
(7) Sensors for front Park Distance Control (on both left and right)
(8) Fog lights/static cornering lights (on both left and right)
(9) Radar sensors for the adaptive cruise control (ACC) (on both left and right)
(10) Camera for Area View

Windshield wiper and washer

Lights
up
Possible cause Proper response
F Rain sensor malfunction.
Switch ignition off and on again.
If the indicator light comes on
again and stays on, contact an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or
an authorized Volkswagen Ser-
vice Facility
U Windshield and/or rear win-
dow wiper malfunction.
Switch ignition off and on again.
If the indicator light comes on
again and stays on, contact an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or
an authorized Volkswagen Ser-
vice Facility
Y Windshield and rear window
washer fluid level too low.
Refill windshield washer reservoir
at the next opportunity

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.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Windshield wiper lever

Fig. 91 Operating the front windshield wiper.

Wiper performance in different situations:
During automatic
wipe/wash:
While the washer system is working, the
climate control system switches to recircula-
tion for about 30 seconds to help prevent the
washer fluid odor from entering the vehicle
interior.
During intermittent wiping: Speed-dependent interval control: The high-
er the vehicle speed, the faster the wipers
move.

Heated washer nozzles
The heating thaws frozen washer nozzles, but not the fluid supply hoses. When the ignition is switched on, the heat applied to the washer nozzles is automatically regulated depending on the outside air temperature.
Headlight washer system
The headlight washer system cleans the headlight lens.
If the ignition and the headlights (high or low beams) are switched on, the headlights are cleaned the first time and every fifth time the front windshield washers are activated. This happens only when the low or high beams are on when the windshield wiper lever is pulled towards the steering wheel. How-ever, the headlights must still be washed by hand periodically (for instance, during fueling) in order to get rid of hard-to-remove dirt (like insect splatter).
To help make sure that the headlight washer system works during winter weather, always keep the headlight washer nozzles free of snow and remove any ice with a deicer spray before driving. Use a deicer spray to remove any ice.
If there is something on the windshield, the wiper will try to wipe it away. If it continues to block the wiper, the wiper will stop moving. Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper on again.

x Press the CAR Infotainment button.
x Tap the Assist systems function key on the screen.
x Tap the function key Rain sensor to enable or disable the rain sensor.
If the box in the Rain sensor function key is checked =, the feature is enabled.
Possible reasons for changes in the way the rain sensor works
The rain sensor may misread what is happening in the detection zone of its sensitive rain-sensor
surface ⇒ fig. 95 (arrow) and not work for a number of reasons, which include:
x Worn out wiper blades: Worn out wiper blades may leave a film of water or wiping streaks; this can cause the wipers to run longer, to wipe more often, or to wipe continuously at high speed.
x Insects: Insects hitting the sensor cause wiping.
x Salt streaks: Salt streaks on the windshield from winter driving can cause wiping more often or continuously on glass that is almost dry.
x Dirt: Caked-on dust, wax, any other buildup on the windshield (lotus effect), or car-wash detergent residue can lower the rain sensor's sensitivity and cause it to react too slowly or not at all.
x Crack in the windshield: If a stone hits and chips the sensitive surface while the rain sensor is on, this will trigger a wiper cycle. After that, the rain sensor will recognize the change and recalibrate itself to respond to the smaller detection zone. Depending on the size of the chip, the sensor's reaction pattern may or may not change.
WARNING
The rain sensor cannot always recognize rain and activate the wipers.
x Switch the wipers on manually when water on the windshield reduces visibility.
Clean the sensitive area of the rain sensor regularly and check the wiper blades for wear or damage.
To remove wax and coats of polish safely, we recommend using an alcohol-based windshield cleaner.
Checking and refilling windshield washer fluid

Fig. 96 In the engine compartment: Cap of the windshield washer fluid reservoir.

x With the tire mobility set: If necessary, seal and inflate the damaged tire with the tire mobility set ⇒  Tire mobility set. Get assistance from an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop.
x Check tire pressure and adjust if necessary.
Tire wear
Tire wear depends on several factors, including:
x Driving style.
x Unbalanced wheels.
x Wheel alignment.
Driving style – Fast cornering, hard acceleration and braking increase tire wear. If you experience increased tire wear under normal driving conditions, have the vehicle suspension checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Unbalanced wheels – The wheels on a new vehicle are balanced. When driving, however, various conditions can cause a wheel to become unbalanced. Unbalanced wheels can cause wear to the steering and suspension systems. Have all wheels rebalanced. A wheel must always be rebalanced if a new tire has been mounted.
Wheel alignment – Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive and uneven tire wear, impairing vehicle safety. If you notice excessive or uneven tire wear, have the wheel alignment checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Unusual vibrations or pulling to one side can indicate tire damage.
x Reduce speed immediately and stop when it is safe to do so.
x Check tires and wheel rims for damage.
x Never drive with a damaged tire or rim. Get expert assistance instead.
x If no external damage is visible, slowly and carefully drive to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility or other qualified workshop and have the vehicle checked.
Collapsible spare tire

Fig. 113 Under the luggage compartment floor panel: Collapsible spare tire with threaded retainer (left) and collapsible spare tire with fastening bolt and washer (right).

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)

NOTICE
x Things like trailer draw bars, thin rods, fences, trees, and narrow painted vertical poles or posts may not be detected by the Park Distance Control and Optical Parking System sensors and could damage the vehicle.
x If you continue driving closer to an object that the Park Distance Control and Optical Park-ing Systems have already detected and reported, the object may disappear from the sensor range and may no longer be detected. This is especially true for low or high objects. The sys-tem will no longer sound warnings about these objects. Ignoring signals from the Park Dis-tance Control system could result in serious damage to the vehicle.
x The sensors in the bumper can be damaged or become misaligned in low speed impacts and parking maneuvers. Damaged or misaligned sensors cannot accurately detect or report objects that might be within range of the PDC system
x To help make sure that the system works properly, always keep the sensors in the bumpers 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 Noise from rough roads, cobblestones, other vehicles and the surrounding area, for exam-ple, can prevent the Park Distance Control system from accurately detecting and reporting people and objects that may be within range of the system sensors.
x Aftermarket components such as bicycle racks can impair the function of the Park Distance Control system.
Volkswagen recommends practicing with the Park Distance Control and the Optical Parking System in a location or parking space with no traffic in order to become familiar with the system and how it works.
Park Distance Control

Fig. 297 On the front and rear bumper: Park Distance Control system sensors.