2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN service

WARNING
Elastic straps have to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the luggage
compartment Hooks on elastic straps can cause serious personal injury if not handled
properly and attached securely.
x Always protect eyes and face from injury from the hooks when attaching them to the
vehicle and do not let them snap back and hit you.
x Always hold the hooks on elastic straps firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do not let
them snap back and hit you.
x First attach hooks to the tie-downs at the rear seat backrest in the luggage compartment
and then to the tie-downs near the loading edge of the luggage compartment. This way, if one
of the hooks on the elastic straps snaps back, it will move away from you, decreasing the risk
of personal injury.
The maximum load for the tie-downs is about lbs. ( kg).
For suitable ratchet straps and luggage stowage systems, please see an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Shopping bag hooks

Fig. In the luggage compartment: Shopping bag hooks.

Electrical load Maximum power
Turn signals per side 54 watts
Side marker lights total4 watts
Taillights lights total 54 watts

WARNING
x An improperly installed or incorrect trailer hitch can cause a trailer to separate from the
tow vehicle and cause serious personal injuries.
x If you don't have to tow a trailer any more, remove the entire trailer hitch. Always seal all
bolt holes to prevent water and deadly exhaust fumes from getting into the vehicle.
NOTICE
x If the trailer lights are not connected properly, the vehicle's electronics may be damaged.
x If the trailer uses too much electricity, the vehicle's electronics may be damaged.
x Never connect the electrical system for the trailer directly to the electrical connections for
the rear lights or to any other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to
provide power to the trailer.
If you tow a trailer frequently, Volkswagen recommends having the vehicle serviced between the
regular maintenance and inspection intervals because of the extra load it has to pull.
In some countries an additional fire extinguisher must be carried if the total weight of the trailer
exceeds 5, lbs. (2, kg).
Hitching up and connecting a trailer

WARNING
Improper connections to the vehicle electrical system can cause malfunctions that affect the
entire vehicle electrical system, which can lead to accidents and serious personal injury.
x Have any work on the electrical system done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
x Never connect the electrical system for the trailer directly to the electrical connections for
the rear lights or to any other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to
provide power to the trailer.
NOTICE
Never attach a trailer to the vehicle or leave it attached to the vehicle when the trailer is
supported by a trailer jack or blocks. Various things (such as a change in trailer or vehicle load
or a flat tire) can lower or raise the vehicle. This subjects the trailer hitch and the trailer to
strong forces that can damage the vehicle or the trailer.
Any problems with the vehicle's electrical system when attached to a trailer should be checked
by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
If the engine is switched off and accessories in the trailer are on and use electricity from the
vehicle, the vehicle battery will be drained as long as the electrical systems of the vehicle and the
trailer are connected.
Loading the trailer

Brakes coated with road salt also react slower and need longer stopping distances. If there is salt on
the roads and you are not braking regularly, brake carefully and gently from time to time to remove any
salt coating from the brake disks and pads ⇒ .
Brake disc corrosion (rust) and dirt buildup on the brake pads are more likely to occur if the vehicle is
not driven much or is driven only for short distances with little braking. If the brakes have not been
used and there is some rust on the discs, clean the brake discs and pads once in a while by carefully
braking a couple of times while driving at relatively high speed to help clean the brake discs and pads.
Make sure nobody is behind you and that you do not endanger yourself or others ⇒ .
Brake system malfunction
If you brake and find that vehicle doesn't brake nearly as well as it used to (sudden increase in
stopping distance), a brake circuit may have failed. The brake warning light BRAKE or h will come on
and a message may appear in the instrument cluster display. If you believe the vehicle is safe to drive,
immediately take it to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility for repair. Drive slowly and very carefully, allow for the longer stopping distance, and be ready
to push longer and harder on the brake pedal to slow the vehicle down.
Brake booster
The brake booster works only when the engine is running. It increases the force on the brakes above
and beyond the pressure put on the brake pedal by the driver.
If the brake booster is not working, or if the vehicle has to be towed, you will have to push the brake
pedal harder to make up for the lack of booster assistance and the resulting longer stopping distance
⇒ .
WARNING
New brake pads do not provide maximum braking performance.
x New brake pads do not have the best stopping power for the first miles ( km) and must
be “broken in”. You can compensate for the slightly reduced braking force by putting more
pressure on the brake pedal.
x Drive with extra care while the new brake pads are being broken in. This reduces the risk
of collisions and serious personal injuries due to a loss of control over the vehicle.
x Never follow other vehicles too closely or put yourself into other situations that might
require sudden, hard braking, especially when the brake pads have not been broken in.
WARNING
Overheated brakes will reduce the vehicle's stopping power and increase stopping distances
considerably.
x When driving downhill, the brakes have to work especially hard and heat up quickly.
x Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, always reduce speed
and shift into lower gear (manual or automatic transmission). This will let the vehicle use
engine braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake system could
overheat and possibly fail. Only use the brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down
more or to stop.
x A damaged front spoiler or a nonstandard spoiler can reduce airflow to the brakes and
make them overheat.

WARNING
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react slower and need longer stopping
distances.
x Carefully apply the brakes to test them.
x Always dry brakes and clean off ice and salt coatings with a few cautious brake
applications when visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
WARNING
Driving when the brake booster is not working increases stopping distances and can cause
accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Never let the vehicle coast when the engine is switched off.
x If the brake booster is not working (such as when the vehicle is being towed), a lot more
pedal force is needed to slow down and stop.
NOTICE
x Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pedal when you do not want to
brake. Constant pressure on the brake pedal can make the brakes overheat. Riding the brakes
will substantially reduce braking performance, increase stopping distance, and can cause
complete brake system failure.
x Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, always reduce speed and
shift into lower gear (manual or automatic transmission). This will let the vehicle use engine
braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake system could overheat and
possibly fail. Only use the brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to
stop.
When the front brakes are serviced, you should have the rear brake pads inspected at the same
time. The wear of all brake pads should be visually checked regularly. The best way to check for brake
pad wear is to have your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility
visually inspect the pads through the openings in the wheel rims or from underneath the vehicle. If
necessary, the wheels can be taken off for a more thorough inspection.
Braking assistance systems

Brake fluid specifications
Volkswagen has developed a special brake fluid that is optimized for the brake system in your
Volkswagen. Volkswagen recommends that you expressly use brake fluid that conforms to quality
standard VW Standard 14 for optimum performance of the brake system. Check the information on
the container for the brake fluid you want to use to make sure it meets the requirements for your
vehicle.
Brake fluid that complies with VW Standard 14 can be purchased from your authorized Volkswagen
dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
If this special brake fluid is not available you may – under these circumstances – use another high-
quality brake fluid that complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) DOT 4
⇒ .
Please note, however, that not all brake fluids that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard FMVSS DOT 4 have the same chemical composition. Some of these brake fluids can
contain chemicals that could, over time, degrade or damage internal parts of the vehicle’s brake
system.
Volkswagen therefore recommends that you use brake fluid that expressly complies with VW
Standard 14 for optimum brake system performance over the long term.
Brake fluid level
The fluid level in the transparent brake fluid reservoir must always be between the MIN and MAX
marking ⇒ .
On some vehicles, engine components block the view of the brake fluid reservoir and make it
impossible to see the brake fluid level. If you cannot clearly see the brake fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir, please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the brake pads wear and the
brakes are automatically adjusted.
Changing brake fluid
Brake fluid must be changed according to the service schedule in your ⇒ Booklet Warranty and
Maintenance. Have the brake fluid checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility. Refill only with new brake fluid that meets the standards listed above.
WARNING
Brake failure and reduced brake performance can be caused by not having enough brake
fluid in the reservoir or by old or incorrect brake fluid.
x Check the brake system and brake fluid level regularly.
x Always change the brake fluid according to the service schedule in your
⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance.
x Hard braking with old brake fluid may cause vapor lock. Vapor lock reduces braking
performance, increases stopping distances and can even cause total brake failure.
x Always make sure that only the correct brake fluid is used. Only use brake fluid that
expressly conforms to VW Standard 14 or if it is not available, only use a high-quality brake
fluid that conforms to U.S. Standard FMVSS DOT 4 requirements.
x Using another brake fluid, or one that is not of high quality, can impair the function of the
brake system and reduce its effectiveness. If the container does not say that the brake fluid
complies with VW Standard 14, or U.S. Standard FMVSS DOT 4, do not use it.
x The brake fluid must be new.

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
D
Power steering assist is reduced.
Stop, restart the engine, and drive a short
distance. If the yellow warning light does not
come on again, you do not need to have the
steering system checked.
Otherwise, have the steering checked
immediately by an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility.
Vehicle battery was disconnected and
has been reconnected.
Drive a short distance at about 10 - 12 mph
(15 - 20 km/h).


Flashes Possible cause Proper response
D Electronic steering column lock
malfunction.

If there is a malfunction in the Park Distance Control, a brief continuous warning tone will sound. Have
it immediately checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility.
Special considerations when using Park Distance Control
x In some cases, the Park Distance Control interprets water and ice on the sensors as an obstacle.
x If the distance remains the same, the warning tone volume decreases after a few seconds. If a
continuous tone sounds, its volume remains the same.
x If the vehicle moves away from the obstacle, the beeping sound stops automatically. The beep
turns on again automatically if the vehicle approaches the obstacle again.
x For vehicles with automatic transmissions, there is no beeping when the transmission is in Park
(P).
x The volume of the audible signals can be adjusted by an authorized Volkswagen dealership or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Never rely completely on the PDC for information about people and objects that might be in
the way of the vehicle and could be struck by the vehicle causing serious personal injury.
x The PDC sensors have blind spots where they cannot detect people or objects.
x Always watch for people, especially small children and animals, because the sensors may
not always be able to detect them.
If you hear a long beep lasting about 3 seconds when you first turn PDC on, this means there is a
malfunction in the Park Distance Control system. Have it immediately checked by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.