2015 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG instrument cluster

Lights
up
Warnings in the in-
strument cluster dis-
play
Proper response
Electric driving is cur-
rently not possible.
Never leave the vehicle parked in the
ready position. Remove the remote
control vehicle key out of the ignition
or for vehicle with Keyless Access
press the starter button.
Request to start the
engine.
Start the engine with the ignition
switch or starter button.

Warning when leaving the vehicle
Switch off the ignition before leaving the vehicle unattended ⇒  Starting and stopping the engine. In certain situations, a message Ignition on appears in the instrument cluster display as you are leaving the vehicle. This message warns you that the vehicle's electric drive is still enabled and that the combustion engine might start automatically.
Always switch the engine off, remove the key, and take it with you when leaving the vehicle ⇒ . As a reminder to do so, the combustion engine may start automatically under the following conditions:
x The ignition is switched ON.
x AND: Electrical drive is functional (Ready).
x AND: The transmission is in Park (P) or Neutral (N).
x AND: The driver safety belt is not fastened. OR The driver door is open.
The message in the instrument cluster display also reminds you to switch the ignition off. In addition, always be sure to apply the parking brake, remove the key, and take it with you when leaving the vehicle.
WARNING
A parked vehicle that is not properly parked can roll away and cause accidents or severe injuries. When leaving the vehicle, always move the selector lever into Park (P) and engage the electronic parking brake.
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
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.

Hybrid functions and modes

Fig. 257 In the lower center console: E-MODE button for extended electro-mode drive.

Fig. 258 Hybrid menu in the instrument cluster 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 (%

This depends on vehicle conditions of the hybrid drive system is normal and is designed to save fuel. The power steering and the braking assistance systems remain active. In certain situations it may be 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 instru-ment 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 powermeter registers below zero.
When the high voltage battery is fully charged, there is no brake energy recuperation, and therefore no engine braking. Recuperation and engine braking are also automatically reduced if the vehicle detects that the road conditions do not permit sufficient contact between the wheels and the road surface.
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 can-not 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 transmis-
sion is in Park (P) or Neutral (N) ⇒  Warning when leaving the vehicle.

Energy flow display

Fig. 259 Energy flow display (Variant 1). Left: Instrument cluster. Right: Infotainment System.

Fig. 260 Energy flow display (Variant 2). Left: Instrument cluster. Right: Infotainment System.

Maintenance of the high-voltage battery
Other than taking the vehicle in for scheduled maintenance to an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility that is qualified to do work on hybrid vehicles, there is nothing that the vehicle driver has to do to maintain the high-voltage battery.
The maintenance connection for the high-voltage battery is under the luggage compartment floor under an orange cover. This connection is only for scheduled maintenance, which must be performed only by specially trained service technicians. There is no need to remove the connector at any time
when the vehicle is being used ⇒ 
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 possi-bility 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 author-ized 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.

An indicator light k comes on in the instrument cluster display whenever Hill Descent Assist is ena-bled. The indicator light blinks when Hill Descent Assist is regulating the brakes.
Hill Descent Assist is always enabled, but only regulates the brakes when certain requirements are met.
Hill Descent Assist regulates automatically:
x If the vehicle is in off-road mode and the indicator light k is on.
x And: If your speed is under 18 mph (30 km/h).
x And: If the downhill grade is 10 % or steeper.
x And: If you neither accelerate nor apply the brakes.
x And: If the vehicle's engine is running.
If you accelerate or step on the brake when Hill Descent Assist is operating, the feature switches off. Hill Descent Assist begins regulating speed again the next time the requirements are met.
Hill Descent Assist does not regulate speed:
x On downhill grades of less than 10 %.
x OR: At speeds over 18 mph (30 km/h).
x OR: If the driver brakes or accelerates.
WARNING
Always be ready to apply the brakes. Otherwise accidents and injuries can occur.
x Hill Descent Assist is merely a driving aid and cannot always slow the vehicle down enough under on downhill grades.
x The vehicle may pick up speed despite the use of Hill Descent Assist.
The Hill Descent Assist also works when you are backing down a hill.

Warning and indicator lights

Fig. 266 In the instrument cluster display: Cruise control status indications.