
When the ignition is switched off, the set driving profile and the individual settings will remain 
selected. 
Vehicles with all-wheel drive: if the Snow, Offroad or Offroad Individual driving profile was 
selected last, the onroad driving profile that was last active will be activated after the ignition has 
been switched off for a long period. 
Vehicles without starter button: as soon as the vehicle key is removed from the ignition lock. 
Vehicles with starter button: as soon as the driver door is opened when the ignition is switched 
off. 
Sport functions: select Sport driving profile again. 
OR: tap the selector lever of the DSG® dual clutch gearbox backwards to the position S⇒ DSG® dual 
clutch gearbox . 
Eco functions: select Eco driving profile again. 
Characteristics of the driving profiles 
Snow: the Snow driving profile makes it easier to control the throttle on icy or snowy roads. It is not 
possible to select the S position in the Snow driving profile. 
Onroad: under Onroad, you can choose between Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual driving 
profiles. 
Offroad: the Offroad driving profile makes it easier to control the throttle when driving offroad. The 
engine brake is always available and gearshifts can be prevented in critical situations. Hill Start Assist 
and Hill Descent Control are active in the Offroad driving profile. It is not possible to select the S 
position in the Offroad driving profile. When the driving profile is active, the instrument cluster 
displays the symbol . 
Offroad Individual: enhanced version of the offroad driving profile that can be adapted to the 
driver's needs ⇒ Individually adapting a driving profile . When the driving profile is active, the 
instrument cluster displays the symbol . 
Eco: switches the vehicle into economical mode and helps the driver to drive the vehicle in a fuel-
efficient manner. Depending on the vehicle equipment level, coasting mode is available in the Eco 
driving profile. 
Comfort: the driving profile creates a comfort-oriented vehicle setup and is suited to poor roads or 
long motorway journeys, for example. 
Normal: the driving profile has a balanced setup, e.g. for everyday use. 
Sport: this setting gives the driver a sporty driving feeling.  

Coolant temperature display: the display corresponds to the temperature display on the instrument 
cluster ⇒ Coolant temperature display . 
Oil temperature display: the display corresponds with the oil temperature display on the instrument 
cluster ⇒ Engine oil . 
Adapting the display areas to the driving situation 
The displayed instruments can be selected according to the driving situation, the ambient conditions 
and the offroad conditions: 
Sandy terrain: oil, steering angle and coolant temperature display 
Inclines: steering angle and coolant temperature display, altimeter 
Alpine terrain: steering angle display, altimeter, compass 
Offroad driving situations 
 Introduction 
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects: 
⇒ Safety instructions for offroad driving  
⇒ Explanation of some technical terms  
⇒ Checklist   
⇒ General rules and driving tips  
⇒ Useful accessories for offroad driving  
⇒ Changing gear correctly  
⇒ Driving on rough terrain  
⇒ Driving through water  
⇒ Offroad driving in snow  
⇒ Driving on sand and mud  
⇒ Driving on steep terrain  
⇒ Traversing a slope  
⇒ Driving through ditches  
⇒ Stuck vehicle  
⇒ After offroad driving  
You can also drive vehicles with all-wheel drive offroad in addition to on normal roads. It is very 
important to read the contents of this section before driving offroad. 
The vehicle is not built for expedition-type journeys.  

 
WARNING 
Always avoid traversing a slope ⇒ Traversing a slope . 
Vehicle occupants should never leave the vehicle via the doors facing down the hill when stopped 
sideways on a steep hill. The combined centre of gravity of the vehicle and its payload (vehicle 
occupants and payload) can shift and cause the vehicle to roll over and roll down the incline. Always 
leave the vehicle slowly via the doors which open up the incline ⇒ Traversing a slope . 
 
WARNING 
The cruise control system has been designed for use on surfaced roads only. The cruise control 
system is not suitable for use offroad and may even be hazardous. If you use the cruise control 
system while driving offroad, you may lose control over the vehicle and sustain serious injuries. 
Never use the cruise control system when driving offroad. 
 
WARNING 
The area monitoring system (Front Assist) was developed for use on surfaced roads only. The area 
monitoring system is not suitable for use offroad and may even be hazardous. If you use the area 
monitoring system while driving offroad, you may lose control over the vehicle and sustain serious 
injuries. 
Never use the area monitoring system when driving offroad. 
 
WARNING 
Driving the vehicle when the fuel level is too low could lead to your vehicle breaking down offroad, 
accidents and serious injuries. 
When the fuel level is too low, the fuel supply to the engine could be irregular, especially when 
driving up or down hills and inclines. 
The steering, all driver assist systems and brake support systems will not function if the engine 
sputters or stops completely due to a lack of fuel or irregular fuel supply. 
Always fill the tank when it is still 1/4 full. This reduces the risk of running out of fuel and breaking 
down. 
 
NOTICE  

Any rain entering the vehicle when the windows or glass roof are open can soak the interior 
equipment and cause damage to the vehicle. Always keep the windows and glass roof closed when 
driving offroad. 
Explanation of some technical terms 
 
Fig. 113 Illustration: angle of gradient. 
 
Fig. 114 Illustration: tilt angle. 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
Centre of gravityThe centre of gravity of a vehicle influences its propensity to roll over. The vehicle 
has greater ground clearance for offroad driving, and thus a higher centre of gravity than a normal 
vehicle. The high centre of gravity means that there is a greater danger of roll-over when driving. 
Always remember this fact when driving and follow the safety tips and warnings given in this 
owner's manual.Ground clearanceThis is the vertical distance between the ground and the lowest 
item on the vehicle underbody.Angle of gradientThe number of metres in height gained over a 
distance of 100 m is given as a percentage or degree ⇒ Fig. 113 . Indication of gradient that the 
vehicle can drive up under its own power. This depends on aspects such as the road surface and 
engine power.Tilt angleMaximum angle at which the vehicle may be driven across a slope without 
the vehicle tipping over (determined by centre of gravity) ⇒ Fig. 114 .Breakover angleMaximum 
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.Ramp angleCrossover from the horizontal level surface 
to an uphill gradient, or from a downhill gradient back to the level surface. Angle up to which the 
vehicle bottoms with the underbody on the ramp edge.Fall lineThis is the vertical drop 
route.ArticulationThe articulation capability of the vehicle when driving over objects with just one 
side of the vehicle. 
Checklist before driving offroad 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction   

Checklist 
To ensure your own safety and the safety of your passengers, observe the following points before 
driving offroad: 
 
Obtain sufficient information before driving into offroad terrain with the vehicle. 
 
Do not plan day stages that are too long. Take increased fuel consumption for offroad driving into 
account. 
 
Fill up the tank. Fuel consumption is considerably higher offroad. 
 
Check that your tyres are suitable for the offroad journey you have planned. Recommendation for 
difficult offroad terrain: always have offroad tyres fitted to your vehicle. 
 
Check the tyre pressure on all tyres and correct if necessary. This includes the temporary spare 
wheel, if present. 
 
Check engine oil level and refill engine oil as necessary. The engine will be supplied with engine oil 
when it is driven on or across a slope only if the engine oil level is sufficient. 
 
Completely refill the washer fluid reservoir with water and washer fluid. 
 
Fit the towing eye at the front or rear. It is not always possible to fit the towing eye when the vehicle 
is stuck. 
 
Check the vehicle toolkit and add tools according to individual requirements Useful accessories for 
offroad driving. 
 
Stow luggage in the vehicle as evenly and as low as possible. Secure all loose items. 
Before driving offroad, Volkswagen recommends attending an offroad driving course, particularly if 
you have no or very little experience.  

Do not slip the clutch or rest your foot on the clutch when driving offroad. When travelling over 
uneven ground, you could press the clutch by mistake and lose control of the vehicle. This also 
prevents power being transferred between the engine and the gearbox. In addition, driving with the 
clutch partially engaged causes premature wear to the clutch lining. 
Useful accessories for offroad driving 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
The checklist contains just a few items of equipment that can be very useful for offroad driving. If 
you have an instruction manual or fitting instructions for these accessories, you should always take 
them with you and observe them as necessary when driving offroad. 
Checklist 
Useful items when driving offroad: 
 
Water, compass, maps and torch with spare batteries. 
 
Winch, tow bar or rope with sufficient strength. 
 
Mobile telephone, shovel, blankets and rubber boots. 
 
Electrical air compressor for connection to the 12-volt sockets in the vehicle to inflate the tyres. 
 
A wooden board approx. 4 cm thick and approx. 1 metre long or an aluminium frame of similar size: 
this can be used to free a vehicle stuck in the mud and provide a platform for a vehicle jack. 
 
Snow chains, additional spare wheels, a breakdown set, jack and box spanner. 
Changing gear correctly 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
The correct choice of gear depends on the offroad terrain. 
Before attempting to drive through difficult terrain it can be helpful to stop and consider which gear 
you should select. After several trips offroad, you will learn which gear to select in conjunction with 
the step-down ratio and differential locks for different types of terrain. 
General rules  

With the correct gear selected, the vehicle will normally not have to be braked so much using the 
foot brake when driving downhill as the engine braking effect will normally be sufficient. 
You should only depress the accelerator as much as is required. If you accelerate too hard, the 
wheels could lose traction and you could lose control of the vehicle. 
DSG® dual clutch gearbox 
Select position D when driving in normal, flat offroad terrain. 
Adjust your speed when driving on soft or slippery ground, and select the highest suitable position 
for the Tiptronic. 
If driving through mud, sand, water or hilly terrain, drive with Tiptronic in the positions 3 or 
2⇒ DSG® dual clutch gearbox . 
Use the offroad display ⇒ Offroad display . 
Driving on rough terrain 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
Use the offroad driving profile ⇒ Setting a driving profile . 
You should drive through rocky terrain at no faster than walking pace. 
If you are not able to drive around a rock, drive carefully onto the rock with one front wheel and 
drive over it slowly ⇒ . 
 
NOTICE 
You should never drive straight over large obstacles, e.g. boulders or tree stumps, or drive over such 
obstacles with one side of the vehicle. Obstacles which require more ground clearance than is 
available could damage vehicle components when you drive over them and thus cause the vehicle to 
break down. 
Even obstacles that are smaller than the available ground clearance could come into contact with 
the vehicle underbody and thus cause damage which could lead to a vehicle breakdown. This applies 
in particular if there is a hollow or soft ground either in front of or behind the obstacle. This also 
applies in cases when you drive too quickly over the obstacle causing the vehicle to bounce. 
 
Escaping engine oil and brake fluid can pollute the environment. Spilt service fluids must be 
collected and then disposed of properly and in an environmentally responsible way. 
Driving through water 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
Driving through flooded terrain could damage the vehicle ⇒ Checklist before driving offroad .  

You can drive the vehicle carefully through water with a depth reaching to the bottom edge of the 
body, for example puddles or shallow water. Never stop in the water, do not reverse, and never 
switch off the engine. 
Observe further information on driving through water on roads ⇒ Driving through water . 
 
WARNING 
Flowing water can develop enormous power and sweep the vehicle away. This can lead to very 
dangerous situations which can cause accidents and serious or even fatal accidents. 
Never stop the vehicle when in water. 
Water in the engine compartment can cause the vehicle to break down in the water. 
Soft ground surfaces, underwater obstacles and shallows can cause accidents and can cause the 
vehicle to breakdown in the water. This could lead to critical situations. 
 
NOTICE 
If you drive through water, parts of the vehicle, such as the engine, drive train, running gear and 
vehicle electrics, could sustain severe damage. 
When driving through water, always select a section where the ground is solid and where the depth 
of the water does not exceed the maximum permitted fording depth of the vehicle. 
Never drive through salt, salty surfaces or salt water as salt can cause corrosion. Rinse off all 
components that have been exposed to salt or salt water immediately with fresh water. 
Offroad driving in snow 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
Fit snow chains to the front wheels only before driving on snow-covered terrain. 
Terrain might look harmless, but there could be hidden dangers. This is particularly true of sections 
where there are no visible tyre tracks or other tracks. 
 
WARNING 
Driving in snow-covered terrain is very dangerous. 
Both shallow and deep potholes, hollows, ditches, precipices, frozen surfaces and other obstacles 
can be fully or partially covered by snow. 
Dangers concealed by snow can cause an accident, serious injuries, or cause the vehicle to break 
down in extreme weather conditions.