2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN Owners Manual

Selecting the right gear

Leaking engine oil and brake fluid can pollute the environment. Collect leaking operating fluids
and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Driving through water

x Always dry the brakes by braking a couple of times.
x After driving through water, have the vehicle drive train and electrical system thoroughly inspected
for damage by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Flowing water is very powerful and can sweep your vehicle away. This can lead create an
extremely dangerous situation and cause an accident with serious personal injuries.
x 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 new route.
x Never stop in the water.
x If water gets into the engine, your vehicle can break down. You will lose control of a
broken down vehicle, and it can be swept away.
x Soft surfaces, mud, underwater obstacles, and holes can cause accidents and can cause
the vehicle to break down in the water. This can lead pose extreme danger.
x Rapidly flowing water can develop strong forces that can pull the vehicle downstream.
This can cause accidents and fatal injuries.
x Drive through water only where the banks and bottom are firm enough and the water is
shallower at all points than the maximum permissible fording depth for your vehicle.
NOTICE
x Vehicle components such as the engine, drive train, suspension or electrical system may
be severely damaged by driving through water.
x Avoid stopping in deep water. This can let water get inside the vehicle.
x On soft ground, the tires dig into the surface. This reduces fording depth. Make sure that
the ground is sufficiently firm.
x Avoid creating a bow wave in front of the vehicle while driving through water. A bow wave
could force its way into the engine air intake duct and seriously damage the engine.
x If you even briefly exceed the maximum fording depth when driving through water, severe
engine damage will result. This engine damage will lead to a vehicle breakdown. This can
disable the vehicle in the water.
x Never drive over salt flats or through salt or salty water. Salt causes vehicle corrosion.
Rinse all parts of the vehicle that were exposed to salt or salt water right away with fresh water.
Driving over snow-covered terrain

WARNING
Driving through snow-covered terrain is very dangerous.
x 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 new route.
x Potholes, ruts, ditches, drop-offs, and other obstacles are often partially or completely
hidden by the snow, especially when it is deep.
x Snow-covered dangers can lead to an accident, serious personal injury, or stranding
under extreme weather conditions.
x Always adapt driving speed and style to load, terrain, visibility, and weather conditions.
Driving in steep terrain

WARNING
Never try to drive up or down slopes that are too steep for your vehicle. The vehicle could
slide away, tip over, or roll over.
x 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 new route.
x The lateral angle must never be more than the maximum angle approved for the vehicle.
x Always drive along the fall line when driving up or down a slope.
x Never try to turn the vehicle around on a slope. The vehicle could tip over or roll down the
slope.
x If the engine stalls or you can no longer drive up the slope for any reason, stop and apply
the foot brake. If stalled, apply the foot brake and restart the engine. Then shift into Reverse
(R) and carefully back your vehicle straight down the slope along the fall line. Keep the
vehicle speed slow and even.
x If the engine will not restart, apply constant pressure to the foot brake and carefully back
straight down the slope the same way you drove up. Keep the vehicle speed slow and even.
x If the engine is running, select Reverse and carefully back straight down the slope the
same way you drove up. Use engine braking power and the foot brake to keep the vehicle
speed slow and even.
x Never just roll down a slope with the clutch depressed or the transmission in Neutral (N).
You could lose control of the vehicle.
Driving crosswise on a slope

Fig. Steer downhill along the fall line.

Fig. On a slope, always exit on the uphill side of the vehicle.

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

WARNING
If the approach/departure angle or the lateral angle of the ditch are too steep for the vehicle,
do not attempt to cross the ditch. The vehicle can fall over on its side, slide sideways, or turn
over.
NOTICE
If you enter at right angles to the ditch, the front wheels will fall into the ditch. The underbody
of the vehicle can get stuck and the vehicle can be damaged or disabled. Getting out of a ditch
without assistance is rarely possible, even with all-wheel drive.
Driving in sand and mud