2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG Off road

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

WARNING
Not wearing safety belts, or wearing them improperly will increase the risk of serious injuries when driving off-road. Holding the steering wheel improperly will reduce your ability to control the vehicle and can also increase the risk of injury when driving off-road.
x Properly worn safety belts are the single most effective means of reducing the risk of serious injury and death during sudden braking or driving maneuvers and in automobile accidents. For this reason, always wear your safety belt properly and make sure all passengers wear their safety belts properly as well whenever the vehicle is moving.
x Never wrap your thumbs around the steering wheel rim. When driving off-road, obstacles in front of the wheels can make the steering wheel jerk suddenly in your hands and cause personal injury. Rest your thumbs pointing up on the on the surface of the steering wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions.

Off-road driving situations

After driving off-road

WARNING
Changing a wheel, especially on the side of the road, can be dangerous. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Move the vehicle a safe distance off the road where it is safe to change the wheel.
x Always make sure that all passengers, especially children, are in a safe place outside the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic (such as behind a guard rail).
x Turn on the emergency flasher and set up another warning device about 25 yards (25 meters) behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
x Change a wheel by yourself only if you are familiar with the necessary steps. Otherwise, get expert assistance.
x Always switch the engine off, firmly apply the parking brake, and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic transmission) or any gear (manual only) to help prevent the vehicle from moving suddenly and slipping off the jack.
x Always make sure that the ground is level and firm. If necessary, place the jack or a large and sturdy board or on a similar ground support.
x Always block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel being changed with chocks or similar things.
x If you are towing a trailer, always unhitch it from your vehicle before starting to change the wheel. Always apply the trailer brakes firmly and make sure the trailer cannot move unintentionally.
x Always use proper and undamaged tools when changing a tire.
x Once a wheel is lifted off the ground, having the transmission in Park (P) or in gear will not prevent sudden vehicle movement.
x Always use a jack that has been approved by the manufacturer for your vehicle. Never use other jacks, even if they have been approved for use on other Volkswagen models.
x To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen the screws on rims with threaded rim rings.
x After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked with an accurate torque wrench.
Preparations for changing a wheel

WARNING
Using the tire mobility set on the side of the road can be dangerous. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so and move the vehicle a safe distance off the road where it is safe to use the tire mobility set.
x Make sure that the ground is level and firm.
x All passengers and especially children must stay a safe distance away from you while you are working and keep out of the area you are working in.
x Turn on the emergency flasher and set up another warning device about 25 yards (25 meters) behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
x Use the tire mobility set only if you are familiar with the necessary steps. Otherwise, get expert assistance.
x Use the tire mobility set only in emergencies and only until you can get professional help.
x Immediately replace a tire repaired with the tire mobility set.
x Sealant is harmful and must immediately be removed in case of skin contact.
x Always store the tire mobility set out of reach of children.
x Never use a vehicle jack, even if the jack is approved for use with your vehicle.
x Always switch off the engine, engage the electronic parking brake, and shift the transmission into Park (P) to reduce the risk that the vehicle will move unexpectedly.
WARNING
Improper use of the tire mobility set can cause a temporary tire to fail and lead to loss of vehicle control and serious personal injuries.
x Always remember that a tire filled with sealant does not handle as well as an undamaged tire without sealant.
x Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) with a sealed tire.
x Never use the tire mobility set if the outside temperature is below –4 °F (–20 °C).
x Never drive with a tire that has cuts or punctures, especially when they are larger than 3/16 in (4 mm).
x Use the tire mobility set only for emergencies until you can get professional help.
x If the tire cannot be inflated to at least 36 psi (2.5 bar), do not drive the vehicle. Contact the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer, authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or other qualified workshop.
x If the tire inflation pressure drops below 26 psi (1.8 bar) after driving for 10 minutes, do not drive the vehicle any farther. Contact the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer, authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or other qualified workshop.
x Always replace a tire repaired with the tire mobility set immediately. Do not drive a tire that has been repaired with the tire mobility set longer or farther than is absolutely necessary.
x Avoid full throttle acceleration, hard, braking, and fast cornering.
x Drive at slow speed for 10 minutes. Then get out and check the air pressure and condition of the sealed tire.
Obey all legal requirements when disposing of used or expired sealant.
New tire inflation cylinders are available from authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities.