2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN weight

Loading the trailer
The weight distribution in the vehicle and trailer must be balanced. Use the maximum permissible
tongue weight and make sure that the load in the trailer is evenly distributed and that it is not front-
heavy or tail-heavy:
x Distribute the load in the trailer so that heavy objects are directly above the axle or as close as
possible to the axle.
x Secure loads properly on the trailer.
Tire pressure
Always follow the trailer manufacturer's tire pressure recommendations for the trailer tires.
When towing, inflate the towing vehicle's tires to the maximum permissible pressure listed on the tire
pressure label
WARNING
Exceeding the gross weight ratings for axle, tongue, vehicle, trailer or combined weight can
cause accidents and serious personal injury.
x Never exceed the specified values.
x Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating. Never let the combined front and rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating.
WARNING
Trailer loads that are not properly secured can shift when the vehicle is moving or braking
and suddenly change the way the vehicle handles, causing accidents and severe injuries.
x Always load the trailer properly.
x Always secure the load properly with suitable, undamaged straps that can be tightened so
that the load cannot shift.
Driving with a trailer

x Weight distribution is especially bad if the towing vehicle is empty and the trailer is loaded. If you
absolutely must drive with this combination, drive with extra care and at a reduced speed.
Starting off with a trailer on hills
Depending on how steep the hill is and the combined towing weight, a parked vehicle with trailer can
roll backwards when you first start moving.
When starting off with a trailer on a hill:
x Depress and hold the brake pedal (and depress and hold the clutch - manual transmission).
x Shift into first gear or drive position (D)191, Braking, stopping, and parking.
x Press the Gbutton once to deactivate the electronic parking brake , Braking, stopping, and parking.
x Pull and hold the Gbutton to hold the vehicle and trailer with the electronic parking brake 191,
Braking, stopping, and parking.
x At the same time, release the brake pedal and gradually depress the accelerator and, for manual
transmission, let out the clutch until you can feel the car moving forward. If applicable, follow the
instructions for the Hill Hold feature.
x Do not release the G button until the engine starts to move the vehicle forward. If your vehicle has
an automatic transmission, you can also depress and hold the brake pedal for added braking and then
let up on the brake pedal when you feel that the vehicle “wants” to move forward.
x Drive ahead slowly.
WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or bulky items changes the way the vehicle
handles and increases the distance it needs to stop safely.
x Always watch what is happening up ahead and around you. Brake earlier than you would
if you were not towing a trailer.
x Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the
vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.
x Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under
unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.
x Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently. Always avoid sudden maneuvers and
hard braking.
x Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows even the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower
than for vehicles without trailers.

CAUTION
The ball mount sticks out behind the rear bumper and can cause injury to pedestrians and
cyclists.
x To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk to pedestrians and cyclists
when the vehicle is parked, always remove the ball carrier when you are not towing a trailer.
NOTICE
x Never use a hitch ball larger than 2 inches on your vehicle. The vehicle was not designed to
tow heavier trailers with a receivers larger than the specified ball. The increased loads can
damage the attachment points for the trailer hitch.
x Never use an adapter to increase the size of the trailer hitch receiver from 2 inches to a
larger size to tow a trailer that is heavier than the maximum permissible trailer weight that your
vehicle can tow.
x You can use an adapter if required for the proper installation of a bicycle rack or other
similar carrier as long as the maximum weight limits are observed. When using bicycle racks
or similar carriers, make sure that the rear lights are not blocked.
x Only use trailer hitches that are approved by the hitch manufacturer for your vehicle and
model.

(G) /5 inch ( 1 mm)
WARNING
Improper or incorrect connections to the vehicle electrical system can cause malfunctions
that affect the entire vehicle electrical system and cause accidents and serious personal
injury.
x Never connect the electrical system of the trailer directly to the electrical connections of
the rear lights or other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to provide
power to the trailer. Use only a suitable connector to provide power to the trailer.
x Have any trailer hitch retrofit or other work on a trailer hitch done by a qualified workshop.
WARNING
An improperly installed or unsuitable trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the
towing vehicle and result in a major accident with serious personal injuries.
Only use trailer hitches that are approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle and model.
Maximum permissible trailer weight

NOTICE
Exceeding the gross weight ratings can cause extensive vehicle damage that is not covered by
any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
NOTICE
Towing a trailer of any kind with a vehicle that has DSG automatic transmission will cause
overheating and expensive engine as well as other damage to your vehicle that will not be
covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. Never install a trailer hitch on one of these
vehicles.

WARNING
Clothes or other items on the shelf behind the rear seat backrest may limit visibility, and
cause accidents and severe personal injuries.
x Always hang clothes so that they do not limit visibility.
x Always use the built-in coat hooks only for lightweight clothing. Never leave any heavy or
sharp-edged items in the pockets that may interfere with airbag deployment and can cause
personal injury in a collision.

Remove all unnecessary items and unnecessary dead weight from the vehicle.
Remove unnecessary aftermarket components
The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the less fuel it will consume. Aftermarket components such as
bicycle racks reduce its aerodynamic performance.
Therefore, remove unnecessary structures and unused rack systems, particularly if planning to drive at
higher speeds.

WARNING
Never try to drive crosswise on a slope, especially one that is too steep for your vehicle. The
vehicle could slide sideways and tumble down the slope. To reduce the risk of accidents and
serious injuries:
x Never underestimate the difficulties and dangers of driving crosswise on a slope. 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 different route.
x When driving crosswise on a hill, the vehicle can lose its hold, slide sideways, tip or turn
over and roll down the hill.
x Make certain that the wheels on the downhill side of the vehicle do not run over holes or
depressions. Make certain that the wheels on the high side of the vehicle do not run over
rocks, tree stumps, or protruding objects.
x Before driving crosswise on a hill, check whether it is possible to steer into the fall line
along the selected route. If this is not possible, select a different route. If the vehicle
threatens to tip, immediately steer downhill into the fall line and gently accelerate ⇒ fig. .
x If the vehicle is stopped a hillside and is laterally tilted, avoid sudden and uncontrolled
movement in the vehicle The vehicle can lose its hold, slide sideways, tip, or turn over and
roll down the hill.
x If the vehicle is stopped at while pointed crosswise on a steep slope, make certain that no
one exits the vehicle through a door on the downhill side. This can shift the vehicle center of
gravity to the downhill side. The can tilt or roll over and roll down the hill. To help minimize
this risk, always exit the vehicle through the doors that are facing uphill ⇒ fig. .
x When getting out, make certain that doors opened on the uphill side are not closed
carelessly and do not swing shut due to their own weight and injure anybody.
Avoiding deep ruts and depressions