2013 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG Owners Manual

Press and hold button Status
Up to 3 seconds ASR switched off.
3 to 10 seconds ESC switched off.

If you switch from Off-road mode back to On-road mode, ESC is automatically switched back on again
if it was off. However, ASR remains disabled.
.WARNING
Never drive on paved roads in Off-road mode. This can cause dangerous driving situations,
accidents, and severe personal injuries.
x This mode is designed solely for off-road driving. If used on paved roads, the ESC, ASR,
EDL, and ABS systems can affect vehicle handling and make it unstable.
x Always make sure to switch off Off-road mode as soon as you are back on a paved road.
Driving in rough terrain
.

x Shape of the bank.
x Objects in the water.
x Maximum fording depth of the vehicle.
Before driving through water
Stop, get out of the vehicle, and assess the situation ⇒ :
x Measure water depth from one side to the other. Check the firmness of the bed and banks; check
for drop-offs and obstacles in the water ⇒ .
x Make sure it is possible to enter and exit the water safely.
x Check the angle of the embankment and the firmness of the ground on each bank.
x Switch to off-road mode.
Driving through standing and slow-moving water
The vehicle can drive through standing water if the ground under the water is firm enough ⇒ .
Never exceed maximum fording depth.
x Drive slowly into a river in the direction of the flow. Never exceed the departure/approach angle
and lateral angle (vehicle slope).
x Always drive at a constant speed to the other side.
This will help prevent engine damage from the water. It also allows an air pocket to form in front of the
engine that can supply it with the necessary air.
Entering the water quickly or driving too fast through the water will create a bow wave. A bow wave
can force its way into the engine air intake duct and seriously damage the engine.
Driving through fast-moving water
Driving through fast-moving water is very dangerous ⇒ .
The vehicle can be swept away by the current. Even vehicles with high ground clearance can get
stuck if the ground is washed out from under the tires. Fast-moving water will build up against the side
of your vehicle. This will make the water deeper. Always think about this before entering the water.
Water volume, speed, and depth can be very unpredictable and dangerous.
If you are uncertain how fast the water is flowing, look for a shallower place where you can cross in
safety. If you cannot find a safe place to cross, turn back.
Headlight washer system instructions
Do not use the headlight washer system when driving through water. Things in the water can enter
into the openings when the washer nozzles are extended. This can prevent the washer nozzles from
retracting to their normal position. If this should happen, CARefully remove the objects.
After driving through water
x After crossing through deep water, stop the engine and check the oil dipstick. If there are beads of
water on the oil dipstick or the oil level has increased, do not start the engine. Change the engine oil
immediately. Depending on the amount of water in the oil, running or starting the engine can result in
engine failure or serious engine damage.
x Always dry the brakes by braking a couple of times.

.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 ⇒ table .
.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
.

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 transmission in Neutral (N). You could lose control of
the vehicle.
Driving crosswise on a slope

Fig. 283 Steer downhill along the fall line.

Fig. 284 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. 283.
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. 284.
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