2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG warning

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 ⇒ Refilling AdBlue. If you ignore the last refill reminder, it is impossible to
start the engine again after it is switched off ⇒ Warning and indicator lights.
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 b and > 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. 290 Luggage compartment with collapsible spare tire and AdBlue tank.

Fig. 291 AdBlue tank with filler neck cap and refill container.

x Do not start the engine for 30 seconds!
WARNING
Store AdBlue only in its closed original container and in a safe place.
x To reduce the risk of poisoning, never keep AdBlue in empty food or beverage containers that might mislead someone into drinking from them.
x Always store AdBlue outside the reach of children.
NOTICE
x Use only AdBlue that has been explicitly approved by Volkswagen. Using other types of AdBlue can damage your vehicle's engine.
x Never mix water or any other substances or additives with AdBlue. Damage caused by such additives will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
x Never put AdBlue into the diesel fuel tank! Otherwise the engine may be damaged!
x Do not carry a refill container in the vehicle all the time or routinely. Due to temperature fluctuations and damage, the container could start leaking and the AdBlue could damage the vehicle interior.
Dispose of the refill container in an environmentally-responsible manner.
Appropriate AdBlue refill containers can be obtained from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

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.

Rollover warning

d Check the vehicle tool kit. Add tools and other gear based on the special requirements of the trip
you will be taking ⇒ Useful off-road driving equipment.
d Stow luggage as low and flat as possible in the vehicle. Safely secure all loose objects.
Before driving off-road the first time
Before you drive your vehicle off-road, we urge you to take an appropriate off-road driving course. Taking a course is especially important if you have little or no experience driving off-road. Even more experienced off-roaders can benefit from an off-road driving course.
A good course can show you how to handle the vehicle in a wide range of off-road situations and how to more safely deal with difficult terrain Driving off-road demands a different attitude and very different skills compared with highway driving. Your safety and that of your passengers will depend on your
knowledge, skill, and caution as a driver ⇒ .
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist above. Follow commonly accepted safety practices and use common sense.
x All occupants must sit properly and wear safety belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
General rules and good driving practices

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. 292 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. 292 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

Checklist
Checklist: Useful off-road driving equipment ⇒ :
d Water, compass, maps, flashlight and spare batteries.
d Cable winch, tow rod or tow rope strong enough for your vehicle.
d Mobile phone, shovel, blankets, and rubber boots, tape measure, and yardstick.
d Vehicles without tire mobility set: Electric air compressor to connect to the 12 Volt socket in the vehicle for inflating the tires.
d A wooden plank about 2 inches thick and 3 feet long or similar aluminum frame as traction aid for a stuck vehicle or as a base for the vehicle jack.
d Snow chains for all 4 tires, additional spare tires, and tire mobility set.
WARNING
Accidents and severe personal injury can result from the improper use of tools or equipment as well as from the use of tools or equipment that are damaged or not right for the job to be done.
Safety and off-road driving