2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG Owners Manual

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

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

WARNING
Areas that look harmless can, in fact, be very 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.
x Before crossing an unknown area, carefully explore the route you plan to take on foot.
x Never choose a risky route or run a risk that will endanger you and your passengers. If you have any doubts as to whether the route is safe, turn around use a different route.
x Always adapt driving speed and style to load, terrain, visibility, and weather conditions.
Selecting the right gear