2013 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG warning

.DANGER
The vehicle's high-voltage electrical system and high-voltage battery are dangerous and can
cause burns, other serious personal injuries, electrocution, and death.
x Always assume that high-voltage battery and parts of the high-voltage system are fully
charged and energized.
x Never touch or let jewelry or other metal objects contact high-voltage cables or the high-
voltage battery and battery poles, especially if the cables, battery, and battery poles have
been damaged in any way.
x Never do any work yourself on the high-voltage electrical system, the orange-colored
high-voltage wiring, or on the high-voltage battery.
x Never open, service, repair, or disconnect any part of the hybrid electrical system.
x Never damage the orange-colored high-voltage cables. Never remove them and never
disconnect them from the high-voltage electrical system.
x Never open or remove the orange-colored cover on the high-voltage battery.
x Always have work on the hybrid electrical system and systems that could be indirectly
affected by it done by qualified, trained technicians who have the know-how, experience,
documentation, and tools to do the work safely.
x All work on the high-voltage electrical system and the high-voltage battery must be done
in compliance with Volkswagen standards and guidelines.
x Vehicle keys must be safely stored a safe distance from vehicle so that the ignition cannot
be switched on and energize the electrical system.
x Gases vented or released from the high-voltage battery vapors are potentially poisonous
and can burn.
x Physical damage to the vehicle or the high-voltage battery can result in immediate or
delayed release of poisonous gases that can also cause a fire.
x Always avoid contact with leaking fluids and gases escaping from the battery, particularly
one that has been damaged.
x Always tell emergency responders that the vehicle has a high-voltage battery.
.WARNING
Driver distraction causes accidents and serious personal injury. Using the instrument cluster
or accessing Infotainment System menus while driving can take your attention off the road
and cause accidents.
x To help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, never change settings in the instrument
cluster display or use Infotainment System functions unless the vehicle is standing still.

.WARNING
When powered by the electric motor, the vehicle makes much less noise, both when idling
and driving, than when it is running on the internal combustion engine. It is much harder or
even impossible for the drivers of other vehicles and above all for cyclists, pedestrians, and
children to hear the vehicle when it is running on electrical power.
x Pedestrians and others can be struck and seriously injured because they cannot hear the
vehicle and tell that it is getting close to them, for instance when you are parking, backing
up, or driving in a low-speed zone where there is likely to be pedestrian traffic.
x Always watch out for pedestrians, especially small children, cyclists, and others who may
not hear the vehicle or realize that it is about to move or will cross their path of travel.
x Always be especially CAReful in residential areas, school zones, and other places where
the speed of motor vehicles is restricted and pedestrians may be at greater risk,
x Make sure the ignition and the hybrid drive system have both been turned off before
leaving the vehicle.
.WARNING
Never leave the vehicle when hybrid drive system indicator lights are still lit. The vehicle can
move if the accelerator is depressed even though the combustion engine has been stopped.
This can cause accidents and severe or lethal injuries.
x Make sure the transmission is in Park (P) before you get out of the vehicle.
.WARNING
Never support the vehicle with cinder blocks, bricks, or other objects to inspect it. The
vehicle could slip or move suddenly and cause an accident with serious personal injury.
.WARNING
Never let the hybrid battery get wet. Liquids and other fluids can cause short circuits,
electrical shock, burns, and explosions.
x Never CARry large amounts of liquids or other fluids in the luggage compartment.
x Always make sure that any containers with liquids and other fluids are properly secured
and tightly closed to prevent leakage during normal driving as well as hard cornering,
braking, and other vehicle maneuvers. Leaking liquids can get into the cover of the high-
voltage battery and the high-voltage cable connections. This can damage the electrical
system and the high-voltage battery.
.Never drive until the fuel tank is completely empty. There may not always be enough charge in
the high-voltage battery to get to the next gas station.
Warning and indicator lights

Warning lights and text messages are shown in the instrument cluster display. Acoustic warnings may
also sound at the same time.

Lights up Warnings in the instrument
cluster display Proper response
∋ Fault in the hybrid system: stop
the vehicle at a safe location!
Stop the vehicle in a safe place as soon as it is safe
to do so.
∋
Fault Hybrid system: Workshop! See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
High-voltage battery is being
charged.
While this message appears, do not stop the engine.
2%!$9 READY.
Never leave the vehicle parked in the ready position.
Remove the remote control vehicle key out of the
ignition or for vehicle with Keyless Access press the
starter button When leaving the vehicle always take
the remote control vehicle key with you.
%

.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.
Overview of special driving tips
.

The high-voltage battery is under the luggage compartment floor ⇒ fig. 255.
Cooling the high-voltage battery
There are ventilation slots under the rear seat bench that provide the high-voltage battery with cool
air. The ventilation area under the rear seat bench ⇒ fig. 256 must not be blocked or covered ⇒ .
Maintenance of the high-voltage battery
Other than taking the vehicle in for scheduled maintenance to an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility that is qualified to do work on hybrid vehicles, there is nothing
that the vehicle driver has to do to maintain the high-voltage battery.
The maintenance connection for the high-voltage battery is under the luggage compartment floor
under an orange cover. This connection is only for scheduled maintenance, which must be performed
only by specially trained service technicians. There is no need to remove the connector at any time
when the vehicle is being used ⇒  .
.WARNING
The high-voltage hybrid electrical system is dangerous and can cause burns, other serious
personal injuries, electrocution and death.
x Never open, service, repair, or disconnect the high-voltage hybrid battery.
x Never touch or let jewelry or other metal objects contact high-voltage cables or the high-
voltage battery and battery poles, especially if the cables, battery, or battery poles have been
damaged in a crash or in some other way.
x Always have work on the hybrid electrical system and on systems that could be indirectly
affected by it done by qualified, trained technicians, who have the know-how, experience,
documentation, and tools to do the work safely.
.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
x Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
x If the 12 Volt battery is disconnected or dead or has been replaced, there is a possibility
that the combustion engine will not automatically switch off when the vehicle is powered by
the electric motor. If this situation persists for several days, take the vehicle to an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility that is qualified to do work on
hybrid vehicles.
x Never transport water or other liquids or fluids in open containers, such as an aquarium. If
liquid is spilled in the luggage compartment, this can cause short circuits or damage the high-
voltage battery.
.NOTICE
Never block or cover the cooling air vents for the high-voltage hybrid battery under the rear
seat. Blocking or covering these vents can damage the high-voltage battery.

.NOTICE
If the vehicle is not used for a longer period, the high-voltage battery will run down. To keep
the high-voltage battery in good condition, the vehicle needs to be driven at least every 2
months for at least 30 minutes or 15 miles (20 km).
x If the high-voltage battery is dead, the gasoline engine will not start. Contact an authorized
Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop
for assistance.
Special considerations for hybrid vehicles

Fig. 257 Warning label on high-voltage hybrid components (A). Warning label on covers which are over high-
voltage hybrid components (B).

Fig. 258 In the engine compartment: Coolant expansion tank, low temperature cooling circuit.
.

Removing the engine compartment cover requires a certain degree of skill. If you have any doubts at
all, Volkswagen recommends having the cover removed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Jump-starting
If the 12 Volt electrical system is not working because the 12 Volt vehicle battery is dead, the hybrid
vehicle can be started with the high-voltage hybrid battery if its charge is adequate. For this purpose,
the vehicle has jump start terminals in the engine compartment. You must open the opening for jump
starting. ⇒ fig. 259 (5) in the cover ⇒ fig. 259 (3) to get to the jump-start terminals in the engine
compartment .
Hybrid warning labels
There are additional warning labels that warns against touching hybrid system components. The
warning labels are placed:
x on each high-voltage component for example in the engine compartment or underneath the
luggage compartment ⇒ fig. 257 A.
x in the engine compartment on the hood latch CARrier B.
For procedures regarding stickers and labels .
.NOTICE
When refilling operating fluids, make sure not to confuse them. Otherwise serious
malfunctions and engine damage can occur!
Removing and installing engine compartment cover

Fig. 259 Engine hood open: Engine compartment cover.
.

Explanation of fig. 259:
(1) Center cover.
(2) Right cover.
(3) Left cover.
(4) Retainers.
(5) Opening for jump starting.
(6) Warning label for high-voltage hybrid components.
(7) Engine compartment seal.
Engine compartment covers (1) and (3) must be removed in the following situations:
x Changing light bulbs in the left headlight assembly.
Engine compartment covers (1) and (2) must be removed in the following situations:
x Changing light bulbs in the right headlight assembly.
x Adding engine coolant to the low temperature coolant circuit .
Removing engine compartment cover
When removing any part of the engine compartment cover, always pull CARefully on the relevant
attachment points ⇒ .
x Open the engine hood