2013 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG ground clearance

Track 1, rear 65.7 inches (1670 mm)
Ground clearance 7.9 inches (200 mm 2)

Hybrid drive vehicle

Length 188.8 inches (4795 mm)
Width 76.4 inches (1940 mm)
Height (unloaded) 68.4 inches (1737 mm)
Wheelbase 113.9 inches (2893 mm)
Minimum turning circle diameter (wall to wall) 1 39 feet (11.9 m)
Track 1, front 64.5 inches (1638 mm)
Track 1, rear 65.3 inches (1658 mm)
Ground clearance 7.9 inches (200 mm) 2

.NOTICE
x Please be CAReful when parking your vehicle in areas with parking barriers or curbs. These
vary in height and could damage your bumper and related parts if the front of your vehicle hits
a barrier or curb that is too high while your are getting into or out of a parking spot.
x Always be CAReful when you enter a driveway or drive up or down steep ramps or over
curbs or other obstacles. Parts of the vehicle close to the ground may be damaged (such as
bumper covers, spoilers, and parts of the engine, suspension, and exhaust systems).

2 Approx. figure for fully loaded standard vehicle; varies depending on your vehicle's equipment (engine,
tires, wheels, tire inflation pressure, driving situation and other factors).

.WARNING
Off-road driving can be dangerous, can lead to accidents, vehicle damage, stranding in
remote areas, and serious personal injury.
x Never drive too fast or for terrain and weather conditions.
x Always adjust your speed and driving style to road, terrain, traffic, and weather
conditions.
x Always avoid sudden, sharp maneuvers that increase the risk of loss of vehicle control or
getting stuck.
x When driving off-road look and think ahead, expect the unexpected.
x To reduce the risk of loss of control and serious personal injury, never use the cruise
control when driving off-road. Cruise control is designed for highway use. It is completely
unsuitable for off-road situations and can even be dangerous when used off-road.
.NOTICE
Always make sure the vehicle has enough ground clearance. Severe damage to the underbody
can occur if the vehicle bottoms out. The damage could disable the vehicle and leave you
stranded.
.“Tread lightly” is an educational program designed to increase public awareness of land use
regulations and responsibilities in our nation's wilderness areas. Volkswagen supports the U.S. Forest
Service and the Bureau of Land Management in encouraging you to preserve our national forests and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly”.
Technical terms explained

Fig. 281 Illustration of grade (gradient angle) A and lateral angle B.
.

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
.

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.