2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG Owners Manual

Driving situations Requirements and conditions Vehicle behavior
Braking energy regeneration (Recuperation).
– Early and even braking with short brake pedal travel.
The vehicle is braked by the electric motor. Most of the kinetic energy is then won back and can be stored in the form of electrical energy in the high-voltage battery
Driving in city traffic.
– Selection of a moderate speed. Driving in fully electric mode at this level is possible only with a speed of up to approximately 50 km/h (31 mph)
– Avoid full acceleration.
The fuel consumption is reduced with moderate acceleration due to higher efficiency of the combustion engine and driving in fully electric mode is possible.
– Careful use of %

Hybrid functions and modes

Fig. 259 In the lower front center console: E-MODE button for extended electro-mode drive.

Fig. 260 Hybrid menu: In the MFI display: Current electric power level.

switched of in this mode. Gentle start-ups (getting the vehicle going) and parking are also phases the electrical motor can often handle alone.
The combustion engine is started if you accelerate faster or if the charge level of the high-voltage battery gets too low. As soon as allowed by your acceleration and the high-voltage battery charge level, the vehicle switches back to electrical motor drive.
Use the following indicators to tell when the vehicle is being powered electrically:
x Tachometer for the combustion engine shows zero engine revolutions.
x Instrument cluster display.
x Infotainment System screen.
Extended electro-mode drive (%

necessary for the system to start the combustion engine even when the vehicle is not moving. With prolonged driving in traffic jams, the combustion engine will be switched on and off to charge the high-voltage battery for the following start-stop phase.
Sailing
If the accelerator is not depressed and the lever is in Drive (D), the internal combustion engine is switched off even at higher speeds. The vehicle then decelerates slower than conventional vehicles.
This feature can be used to help reduce fuel consumption when you keep traffic conditions in mind and can anticipate the vehicles power requirements. Even in this case, the rev counter in the instrument cluster displays zero engine speed (0 engine revolutions). The instrument cluster powermeter shows zero.
Brake energy regeneration (Recuperation/charge)
When the vehicle brakes, the electrical energy is generated by the electric motor, which works as an alternator and charges the high-voltage battery. The same thing occurs while the vehicle is coasting to a stop or driving downhill.
Energy regeneration is shown in the instrument cluster display or on the Infotainment System screen. The combustion engine may be switched off automatically in this situation. The instrument cluster tachometer will show zero engine speed (zero engine revolutions). The instrument cluster powermeter shows zero.
Automatic starting - combustion engine
The combustion engine is started automatically in a number of situations.
x Engine temperature is too low.
x Catalytic converter temperature is too low.
x High-voltage battery being charged at high rate when decelerating. The high-voltage battery cannot absorb any more energy and for this reason the electric motor cannot brake the vehicle. The combustion engine comes on to help slow the vehicle down (engine brake).
x Engine hood is open.
x Leaving the vehicle when the electric motor is still “live”. The status of the electric motor is not always obvious, particularly when the combustion engine is not running. The combustion engine will therefore start if the driver's safety belt is unlatched or the driver's door is opened when the
transmission is in Park (P) or Neutral (N) ⇒ Warning when leaving the vehicle.
Energy flow display

Fig. 261 Energy flow display (Variant 1). Left: Instrument cluster. Right: Infotainment System.

Fig. 262 Energy flow display (Variant 2). Left: Instrument cluster. Right: Infotainment System.

High-voltage battery

Fig. 263 Location of the high-voltage battery: under the luggage compartment floor.

Fig. 264 Air ventilation for the high-voltage battery under the rear seat bench.

WARNING
The high-voltage hybrid electrical system is dangerous and can cause burns, other serious personal injuries, electrocution and death.
x Never open, service, repair, or disconnect the high-voltage hybrid battery.
x Never touch or let jewelry or other metal objects contact high-voltage cables or the high-voltage battery and battery poles, especially if the cables, battery, or battery poles have been damaged in a crash or in some other way.
x Always have work on the hybrid electrical system and on systems that could be indirectly affected by it done by qualified, trained technicians, who have the know-how, experience, documentation, and tools to do the work safely.
WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.
x Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
x Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
x If the 12 Volt vehicle battery is disconnected or dead or has been replaced, there is a possibility that the combustion engine will not automatically switch off when the vehicle is powered by the electric motor. If this situation persists for several days, take the vehicle to an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility that is qualified to do work on hybrid vehicles.
x Never transport water or other liquids or fluids in open containers, such as an aquarium. If liquid is spilled in the luggage compartment, this can cause short circuits or damage the high-voltage battery.
NOTICE
Never block or cover the cooling air vents for the high-voltage hybrid battery under the rear seat. Blocking or covering these vents can damage the high-voltage battery.
NOTICE
If the vehicle is not used for a longer period, the high-voltage battery will run down. To keep the high-voltage battery in good condition, the vehicle needs to be driven at least every 2 months for at least 30 minutes or 15 miles (20 km).
x If the high-voltage battery is dead, the gasoline engine will not start. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop for assistance.

Special considerations for hybrid vehicles

Fig. 265 Warning label on high-voltage hybrid components (A). Warning label on covers which are over high-voltage hybrid components (B).

Fig. 266 In the engine compartment: Coolant expansion tank, low temperature cooling circuit.