2013 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG warning

Loading the trailer
The weight distribution in the vehicle and trailer must be balanced. Use the maximum permissible
tongue weight and make sure that the load in the trailer is evenly distributed and that it is not front-
heavy or tail-heavy:
x Distribute the load in the trailer so that heavy objects are directly above the axle or as close as
possible to the axle.
x Secure loads properly on the trailer.
Tire pressure
Always follow the trailer manufacturer's tire pressure recommendations for the trailer tires.
When towing, inflate the towing vehicle's tires to the maximum permissible pressure listed on the tire
pressure label.
.WARNING
Exceeding the gross weight ratings for axle, tongue, vehicle, trailer or combined weight can
cause accidents and serious personal injury.
x Never exceed the specified values.
x Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Ratings. Never let the combined front and rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating.
.WARNING
Trailer loads that are not properly secured can shift when the vehicle is moving or braking
and suddenly change the way the vehicle handles, causing accidents and severe injuries.
x Always load the trailer properly.
x Always secure the load properly with suitable, undamaged straps that can be tightened so
that the load cannot shift.
Driving with a trailer

x Weight distribution is especially bad if the towing vehicle is empty and the trailer is loaded. If you
absolutely must drive with this combination, drive with extra CARe and at a reduced speed.
Starting off with a trailer on hills
Depending on how steep the hill is and the combined towing weight, a parked vehicle with trailer can
roll backwards when you first start moving.
When starting off with a trailer on a hill:
x Depress and hold the brake pedal.
x Pull and hold the G button to use the electronic parking brake to keep the vehicle and trailer from
rolling backwards.
x Put the transmission in Drive (D).
x Release the brake pedal.
x Drive ahead slowly at first.
x Do not release the G button until the engine has enough driving power for the vehicle to start
moving.
x Drive ahead slowly
.WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and CARrying heavy or bulky items changes the way the vehicle
handles and increases the distance it needs to stop safely.
x Always watch what is happening up ahead and around you. Brake earlier than you would
if you were not towing a trailer.
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 Drive especially CARefully and accelerate gently. Always avoid sudden maneuvers and
hard braking.
x Be especially CAReful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows even the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower
than for vehicles without trailers.

(G) 1315 /16 .inches (354.5 mm)
(H) 415 /16 .inches (1050 mm)
(I) 467 /16 .inches (1180 mm)
.WARNING
Improper or incorrect connections to the vehicle electrical system can cause malfunctions
that affect the entire vehicle electrical system and cause accidents and serious personal
injury.
x Never connect the electrical system of the trailer directly to the electrical connections of
the rear lights or other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to provide
power to the trailer. Use only a suitable connector to provide power to the trailer.
x Have any trailer hitch retrofit or other work on a trailer hitch done by a qualified workshop.
.WARNING
An improperly installed or unsuitable trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the
towing vehicle and result in a major accident with serious personal injuries.
.Only use trailer hitches that are approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle and model.
Maximum permissible trailer weight

.WARNING
The center armrest can restrict the driver's arm movement and cause crashes and serious
personal injury.
x Always keep storage compartments in the center armrest closed while driving.
.WARNING
Never let a passenger, especially a child, ride on the center armrest. Improper seating
position can increase the risk of serious personal injury in a crash.
.The factory-installed AUX-IN-jack and a 12 Volt-socket may be located in this storage
compartment.
Storage compartment in the rear center console

Fig. 113 In the rear center console: Storage compartment.

DVD drive
The fold-down compartment has a DVD drive with media center (HDD), slots for SD CARds, and a
SIM CARd slot (6). Pull down the release (1) to open the fold-down compartment.
See for information and instructions on operating the DVD drive.
Cooling the glove compartment
There is an air vent (5) in the back of the glove compartment. Cool air can be directed into the glove
compartment if the air conditioner is on. Open or close the air vent by turning it.
.WARNING
An open glove compartment door can increase the risk of serious injury during sudden
braking or driving maneuvers or in a crash.
x Always keep the glove compartment closed while the vehicle is moving.
.NOTICE
Keep the compartment with the DVD drive (6) closed while driving; otherwise, vibration may
damage the DVD drive.
.NOTICE
In some vehicle models, design considerations have made it necessary to have openings in the
glove compartment behind the Owner's Manual slot, for example. Small items may fall through
these openings and get behind the instrument panel. This can cause unusual noises and
damage the vehicle. Never put any small objects in the glove compartment for this reason.
DVD changer

Fig. 116 On the right side of the luggage compartment: Cover for DVD changer.

There are 2 cup holders in the rear seat center armrest ⇒ fig. 118. Fold the center armrest down to
use these cup holders.
A cup holder insert ⇒ fig. 119 is factory-installed between the 2 cup holders to provide better retention
for the beverage containers. The insert has fingers to provide additional retention to hold the
beverages upright. The insert can be installed in 2 different height positions. In position (1), (upper
position) the insert provides additional support for taller beverages containers. In position (2), (lower
position) the insert provides normal support. This will help prevent the container from tipping over
when accelerating or turning corners.
.WARNING
Always keep the armrest folded up when the vehicle is moving to reduce the risk of injury.
x Never let anybody, especially children, ride on the rear center armrest or in the center
position on the rear seat when the armrest is folded down. An improper seating position can
increase the risk of serious injury in a crash.

Safety information on Infotainment System
.WARNING
Driving on today's roads demands the full attention of the driver at all times. Driver
distraction causes accidents, collisions and serious personal injury!
x Never let yourself be distracted when setting, adjusting, or using the Infotainment System,
when using your cell phone, or when operating the cell phone controls.
x Always drive attentively and responsibly. Use the Infotainment system, your cell phone,
and the cell phone controls only if road, traffic, and weather conditions permit and you will
not be distracted from your driving.
x If you cannot use the Infotainment System, your cell phone, or the cell phone controls
safely while driving, wait until later or find a safe spot where you can pull off the road and
park the vehicle.
x Always set sound volume levels so that you can clearly hear horns, sirens, and other
warning sounds outside the vehicle.
x Setting the sound volume too high may damage your hearing. This applies even if you are
exposed to high volumes for short periods only.
.WARNING
The volume level may suddenly get louder change when you switch media source or connect
a new audio source.
x Always lower the base volume before switching media source or connecting a new audio
source.
.WARNING
Driving recommendations and traffic symbols displayed by the navigation system may differ
from the current traffic situation.
x Traffic signs and traffic regulations have priority over the recommendations and displays
provided by the navigation system.
x Always adjust your speed and driving style to road, traffic, weather, and visibility
conditions.
.WARNING
External devices that are loose in the vehicle or not properly secured could be thrown around
the interior and cause injuries during a sudden driving or braking maneuver, or in a crash.
x Never put or attach an external device on a door, on the windshield or above or near to the
areas marked “AIRBAG” on the steering wheel, the instrument panel and the seat backrests,
or between these areas and the vehicle occupants. External devices could cause serious
injury in an accident, especially when the airbags inflate.

.WARNING
Connecting cables of external devices may obstruct visibility through the windshield or other
windows.
x Route cables so as not to interfere with the driver.
.WARNING
Opening a CD or DVD player's housing can lead to injuries from invisible laser radiation.
x Always have CD or DVD players repaired only by a qualified workshop.
.NOTICE
Improper insertion or insertion of an improperly fitting memory CARd can damage the locking
mechanism in the memory CARd slot.
x Pay attention to the proper insertion position
x Excessive pressure can destroy the locking mechanism in the memory CARd slot.
x Only use suitable memory CARds.
.NOTICE
x When inserting and removing CDs and DVDs, always hold them at right angles to the front
of the unit. Inserting or removing them at an angle to the DVD drive may lead to scratching.
x Inserting a second CD or DVD while a CD or DVD is inserted or is being ejected can destroy
the DVD drive. Always wait until the data storage device is completely ejected.
.NOTICE
Any foreign objects attached to a data medium and non-round data storage devices can
damage the DVD drive.
x Only clean 12-cm standard CDs or DVDs should be used!
– Do not attach stickers or other items to the date storage device. Stickers may peel off and
damage the drive.
– Do not insert 8-cm single CDs or non-round CDs (shaped CDs) or DVDs.
– Do not insert DVD-Plus, Dual Discs and Flip Discs, as these are thicker than standard CDs.