In vehicles with selective catalytic reduction, a special urea solution (AdBlue) is injected into the
exhaust system ahead of the catalytic converter in order to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
AdBlue is stored in a separate tank of the vehicle and should be refilled under normal driving
conditions during service according to the maintenance schedule. The AdBlue tank holds slightly less
than 5 gallons (20 liters).
AdBlue consumption depends on the individual driving style, system operating temperature, and
outside air temperature. Therefore in rare cases AdBlue may have to be refilled between service
events.
Starting with a remaining range of about 1500 miles (2400 km), a reminder to refill AdBlue is displayed
in the instrument cluster. If you ignore the last refill reminder, it is impossible to start the engine again
after it is switched off
Volkswagen recommends that you have the AdBlue tank refilled by an authorized Volkswagen dealer
or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. If no authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility or other qualified workshop is available, you should refill at least 1.5
gallons (5.7 liters) of AdBlue (3 AdBlue bottles). Refill only the type of AdBlue that Volkswagen has
explicitly approved for your vehicle.
If warning lights ~ and d both come on together, there is a malfunction. Volkswagen recommends that
you take the vehicle to the closest qualified workshop.
AdBlue® is a registered trademark of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) in the
United States, Germany, the European Union and in other countries.
Refilling AdBlue
Fig. 279 Luggage compartment with collapsible spare tire and AdBlue tank.
Fig. 280 AdBlue tank with filler neck cap and refill container.
.WARNING
Inadequate experience and knowledge of the demands of off-road driving can lead to critical
situations and cause serious personal injury.
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 intelligent technology of the vehicle cannot change the laws of physics. Despite the
ABS, adverse terrain can cause instability through blocked wheels – for example, if you
brake hard when driving on a loose gravel road. Difficult terrain may also prevent the ESC
from doing its job.
x Never operate the vehicle at the limit of its performance ability. Always leave a good
safety margin.
x To reduce the risk of loss of control and serious personal injury, never use the cruise
control when driving off-road.
x Even terrain that looks easy can be difficult and dangerous, putting you and your
passengers in a critical situation. It is often best to check an area out on foot first.
x Drive with special CARe and think ahead in off-road terrain. If you drive too fast, or fail to
maneuver the vehicle properly, you could cause personal injury and damage the vehicle.
x Never drive faster than is appropriate for the prevailing terrain and the road, traffic, and
weather conditions.
x Never drive too fast across embankments, ramps, or slopes. The vehicle could become
airborne. If that happens, you will not be able to steer and can lose control.
x If your vehicle becomes airborne, always keep the front wheels pointing straight ahead. If
the wheels are not pointing straight ahead when the vehicle lands, it could roll over.
x Never allow people to stand in front of or behind the vehicle if you have put items such as
stones or pieces of wood under the wheels to improve traction on slippery ground. Spinning
wheels can turn these items into dangerous flying objects causing serious personal injury.
x Even areas that look harmless can be dangerous. Potholes, ditches, trenches, drop-offs,
different kinds of obstacles, and soft or swampy ground often cannot be seen and can be
partially or fully covered by water, grass, branches, or other things. Driving over such terrain
can cause accidents and severe injuries. Before crossing an unknown area, CARefully
explore the route you plan to take on foot.
.WARNING
Never drive off-road if you are low on fuel. Too little fuel in the tank can cause an accident
and serious injuries. You can also run out of fuel in a remote area where getting help is
difficult or impossible.
x When the fuel tank is almost empty, fuel supply to the engine can be interrupted,
especially when driving over bumps, across slopes, and up and down hills. The interruption
in fuel flow could stall the engine during a maneuver in difficult terrain and make you lose
control of the vehicle.
x Steering and braking assistance as well as ESC and related systems will not work if the
engine “sputters” or stalls due to lack of fuel. This can cause loss of vehicle control,
especially in difficult terrain.
x Always refuel when the tank is 1/4 full to reduce the risk of running out of fuel.
.NOTICE
If the power sunroof or the windows are open when it rains or snows, the interior of the vehicle
will get wet and the vehicle may be damaged. Always keep the windows and the power sunroof
closed when driving off-road.
Term Explanation Technical data
Ground clearance This is the vertical distance between the
level ground and the lowest part on the
vehicle.
Front: maximum 8.6 inches
(214 mm).
Rear: maximum 10.4 inches
(261 mm).
Fording depth in
standing water
Distance between the point on the ground
that touches the tire and the engine air
intake duct.
Maximum 20 inches (500 mm).
Gradient angle The number of feet (meters) in altitude
gained when traveling 100 ft (30.48 m) is
given as a percentage or in degrees
⇒ fig. 281 A.
Information on the maximum slope the
vehicle can climb unassisted (depends on
road surface and engine power).
Maximum permissible 31 degrees
(corresponds to 60 %).
Lateral angle
(vehicle slope)
The maximum angle the vehicle may be
driven across terrain without the vehicle
rolling over (depends on height of center
of gravity) B.
Maximum permissible
35 degrees.
Breakover angle Maximum permitted angle given in
degrees that a vehicle driven at low speed
can clear a ramp without the underbody of
the vehicle scraping the ramp
Maximum 20 degrees.
Approach/departure
angle
Transition from horizontal plane to a slope,
or from a slope to flat ground.
Maximum angle in degrees the vehicle can
be driven at low speed along an
embankment without the bumper or
underbody scraping.
Front: maximum 25 degrees.
Rear: maximum 26 degrees.
Fall line This is the vertical drop route.
Articulation Articulation capability of the vehicle while driving on one side over an object.
.WARNING
Never exceed the recommended maximum values in the above table. Exceeding these values
will result in serious personal injury and/or damage to your vehicle.
x All values listed above are for ideal conditions and assume firm, even surfaces that are
dry and not slippery.
x Off-road conditions will always be less than ideal. Always reduce the maximum values
listed in the table above to allow an adequate margin of safety between the ideal maximum
value and your vehicle's actual off-road situation.
Useful off-road driving equipment
.
