2013 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG warning

Please refer to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross front and rear Axle Weight
Ratings (GAWR) for your vehicle, which are printed on the vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification
Label on the driver door jamb.
.WARNING
Exceeding maximum permissible weight ratings can result in vehicle damage, accidents, and
serious personal injury.
x Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the permissible Gross Axle
Weight Rating. Also, never let the total of these actual weights exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating.
x Always remember that the vehicle's handling and braking will be affected by extra load
and the distribution of this load. Adjust your speed accordingly.
.NOTICE
x Always distribute the load evenly and as low as possible in the vehicle. The vehicle capacity
weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers and
luggage).
x When transporting a heavy load in the luggage compartment, CARry the load as close to the
rear axle (as far forward) as possible so that the vehicle's handling and braking are affected as
little as possible.

.WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the vehicle, causing serious personal
injury during hard braking or sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be struck
and thrown through the passenger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help
reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put luggage and heavy items in the
luggage compartment.
x Always secure objects in the passenger compartment properly with suitable straps so that
they cannot move into the deployment zone of a side or front airbag during a sudden braking,
in a sudden maneuver, or in a collision.
x Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.
x Never stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in the vehicle's open storage compartments, on
the shelf behind the rear seat bench, or on the top of the instrument panel.
x Always remove hard, heavy, or sharp objects from clothing and bags in the vehicle
interior and stow them securely in the luggage compartment.
.WARNING
Transporting heavy objects causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change and
increases braking distances. Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the
vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause serious personal injury.
x Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change by
shifting the vehicle's center of gravity.
x Always distribute luggage evenly and as low as possible within the vehicle. The vehicle
capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers
and luggage).
x Always stow luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment as far forward of the
rear axle as possible and secure them with appropriate straps to the tie-downs provided.
x Never exceed the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Axle Weight Ratings,
which are printed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the door jamb of
the driver door. Exceeding the permissible weight can cause the vehicle to skid and behave
differently.
x Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate your payload and its weight
distribution within your vehicle.
x Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the accelerator pedal and avoid
sudden braking and other maneuvers.
x Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.
.NOTICE
x The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that
rub against them.
x The antenna wiring in the side windows can be damaged by items rubbing against it.
.The ventilation slots between the rear window and the luggage compartment cover must not be
blocked so that stale air can escape from the vehicle.

.WARNING
Improper folding and improper latching of the rear seat backrest can cause serious personal
injury.
x Always make sure there are no people or animals in the area around the rear seat backrest
when folding it forward.
x Never fold the rear backrest up or down while the vehicle is moving.
x When folding the rear seat backrest back up, make sure that the safety belt does not get
caught or damaged.
x Keep hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of the way when folding the rear seat
backrest up and down.
x Each rear seat backrest must be securely latched in the upright position so that the safety
belts on the rear seats can provide protection. This is particularly the case for the middle seat
on the rear bench.
x If a seat is used with an unsecured backrest, the passenger will move forward together
with the rear seat backrest during sudden braking, driving maneuvers or a collision.
x No one, including children, may ride on the rear seats if the rear seat backrest is folded
down or not correctly latched.
.NOTICE
Before folding the rear seat backrest forward, adjust the front seats so that the rear seat's head
restraint or backrest cushion will not butt up against the front seats.
x The weight on the rear seat backrests when folded down must never exceed 110 lbs. (50
kg).
.NOTICE
Items in the luggage compartment could be damaged or cause damage when the rear seat is
adjusted in the fore and aft direction.
If the vehicle battery charge is weak, power release of the rear seat backrests may not be
possible.

Removing the luggage compartment cover
x If there is a gap cover (2), unhook it from the fastening eyes on the rear seat backrests ⇒ fig. 101
(1).
x Push down release button (2) and push in the end parts of the luggage compartment cover (3).
x Lift the luggage compartment cover up and out.
Reinstalling the luggage compartment cover
x First fit the luggage compartment cover ⇒ fig. 100 (1) into the left-hand slot.
x Then fit the other end into the right-hand slot.
x Push down release button ⇒ fig. 101 (2) and push in the end parts of the luggage compartment
cover (3).
x Push the luggage compartment cover down into the right-hand slot so that it locks into place.
x Make sure that the luggage compartment cover is properly locked into place.
x If there is a gap cover ⇒ fig. 100 (2), hook it back into the fastening eyes on the rear seat backrests
⇒ fig. 101 (1).
.WARNING
In a sudden braking or other maneuver, or in a collision, unsecured or improperly secured
objects or animals on the luggage compartment cover could cause serious personal injury.
x Never leave hard, heavy or sharp objects in bags or loose on the luggage compartment
cover.
x Never let animals ride on the luggage compartment cover.
.WARNING
The view towards the rear is greatly limited when the luggage compartment cover is in the
convenience position.
x Before driving, ensure that the luggage compartment cover is not in the convenience
position.
.NOTICE
To help prevent damage to the luggage compartment cover, the luggage compartment may
only be loaded to a height at which the luggage compartment cover will not press on the
CARgo when the rear hatch is closed.
x The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that
rub against them.
Do not cover the ventilation slots in the side consoles. Otherwise, stale air cannot escape from
the vehicle.

.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 the hooks on the straps 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 weight force for the tie-downs is about 785 lbs (356 kg).
.For suitable straps and luggage stowage systems, please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer
or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Shopping bag hooks

Fig. 104 In the luggage compartment: Shopping bag hook.

.WARNING
Improper use of the trailer hitch can cause accidents and injuries. An improperly installed,
incorrect, or damaged trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the towing vehicle
and cause serious personal injuries.
x Only use an undamaged, properly mounted trailer hitch.
x Never repair or modify the trailer hitch.
x To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk to pedestrians and cyclists
when the vehicle is parked, always remove the ball mount when you are not towing a trailer.
x Never install a “weight distributing” or “load equalizing” trailer hitch on your vehicle. The
vehicle was not designed for these kinds of trailer hitches. The trailer hitch attachment can
fail, causing the trailer to tear loose from the vehicle.
.WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and CARrying heavy or large things can change the way the vehicle
handles, increase the distance it needs to stop safely, and cause accidents.
x Always secure the load properly with suitable and undamaged straps so that the load will
not shift.
x Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the
vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.
x Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under
unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.
x Trailers with a high center of gravity tip more easily than trailers with a low center of
gravity.
x Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
x Be especially CAReful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas, the speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are
lower than for vehicles without trailers. Never drive faster than 50 mph - 80 km/h (under
exceptional circumstances 60 mph - 100 km/h) when towing a trailer. This applies even if the
local speed limit is higher.
.If you are driving a new vehicle or a vehicle with a new or rebuilt engine, do not tow a trailer
during the break-in period, about 600 miles (1,000 km) .
.If you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need maintenance more often because of the extra load it
has to move.
.When you are not towing, remove the trailer hitch ball. This helps keep the trailer hitch from
causing damage to your vehicle and to others if your vehicle is hit from behind.
.Some models need a trailer hitch to tow or tow-start other vehicles. You may want to always
CARry the ball mount in the vehicle after it has been removed. Be sure to stow it securely.

Electrical load Maximum power
Taillights 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 5,512 lbs. (2,500 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