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 .
An incorrect tyre pressure can cause overheating, sudden tyre damage including tyre bursts and
ripping of the tread surface and thus to a loss of control over the vehicle.
Driving on steep terrain
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Driving uphill or downhill
Get out of the vehicle and assess the situation before you attempt to drive up or down a hill:
Walk along the section and check the firmness of the ground. Look out for obstacles and other
hidden dangers ⇒ .
Check the section beyond the hill.
You should not follow the route if it is too steep, uneven or if the ground surface is too loose. Select
another route.
Drive slowly and at constant speed straight up or down a slope.
Accelerate only to the speed you need to climb the slope. Too much acceleration can cause the
wheels to spin and lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. Insufficient throttle increases the
probability of stalling the engine.
Never attempt to stop or turn on a slope.
Avoid allowing the engine to stall.
Do not change gear or engage the clutch when climbing a slope.
Use the offroad display ⇒ Offroad display .
If you cannot continue to drive up a hill
Never turn the vehicle around on an uphill gradient.
If the engine has stalled, depress the footbrake and start the engine again.
Select reverse gear and reverse back slowly in a straight line.
Use the foot brake to keep a constant speed until you have reached a safe place.
Driving downhill
Never exceed the tilt angle of the vehicle! If, in an emergency, you have to traverse the slope when
driving down it and the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer into the fall line immediately.
There is an increased risk of rolling over when driving downhill. Concentrate on steering the vehicle
when driving downhill in particular.
Use the offroad display on steep downhill stretches ⇒ Offroad display .
Drive down steep inclines in first gear.
Use the foot brake sparingly in order not to lose control of the vehicle.
If it is possible and safe, drive straight down the slope in the fall line (maximum gradient).
Do not press the clutch and do not select neutral.
WARNING
Never try driving up or down an incline if it is too steep for the vehicle. The vehicle could slide away,
tip over or roll.
The uphill or downhill gradient must be no greater than the maximum permissible gradient for the
vehicle.
Always drive up and down gradients in the fall line.
Never turn the vehicle when driving up or down gradients. The vehicle could tip over or slide away
sideways.
If the engine stops or if you cannot drive on for any reason, stop the vehicle and depress the brake
pedal. Start the engine again. Select reverse gear, release the brake pedal and using the engine
braking effect to carefully reverse in a straight line along the fall line. Keep the vehicle speed low and
constant.
If you are unable to start the engine, keep your foot steady on the brake pedal and allow the vehicle
to roll back down the track you made when driving up the hill. Keep the vehicle speed low and
constant.
Never let the vehicle roll backwards down a slope in neutral. You could lose control over the vehicle.
Traversing a slope
Fig. 115 Steering into the fall line.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Overtaking
If you indicate left (left-hand traffic: indicate right) to overtake, ACC will accelerate the vehicle and
reduce the distance from the vehicle in front. Your set speed will not be exceeded.
If ACC does not detect any vehicle in front after you have changed lane, ACC will accelerate the
vehicle up to the set speed.
Stop-and-go traffic
ACC can brake vehicles with DSG® dual clutch gearbox to a standstill and hold them stationary. ACC
remains active and the instrument cluster display shows ACC ready for a few seconds. During this
time the vehicle will move off again automatically as soon as the vehicle in front moves off
(depending on the vehicle equipment level and not available in all countries).
Press the button.
Press the button or briefly press the accelerator.
The vehicle is stationary for longer than approximately three minutes.
A vehicle door is opened.
The ignition is switched off.
Avoiding overtaking on the right (left-hand traffic: overtaking on the left)
If ACC detects a slower vehicle in the left-hand lane (left-hand traffic: in the right-hand lane), ACC
will brake the vehicle gently within the system limits and therefore prevent a prohibited overtaking
manoeuvre ⇒ Fig. 118 . The function is active from speeds of around 80 km/h (50 mph), but is not
available in all countries.
WARNING
If the message ACC ready is shown on the instrument cluster display and the vehicle in front moves
off, your vehicle will move off automatically. In some cases the radar sensor may be unable to detect
obstacles that are located in the vehicle's path. This can result in serious injury and accidents.
Always check the road ahead before moving off and brake the vehicle if necessary.
Limits of ACC
System fault
Clean the radar sensors or remove stickers or accessories from the radar sensors, mirrors and
bumper ⇒ Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior .
Check whether any damage is visible.
The system is not responding as expected
The radar sensors are dirty. The sensor visibility may be impaired by dirt and snow or also residue
from cleaning agents or coatings ⇒ Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior .
The prerequisites for system operation must be met ⇒ System limits .
The radar sensors are covered by water.
The vehicle is damaged in the area of the radar sensors, e.g. caused by parking collisions.
The detection ranges of the radar sensors are blocked by add-on parts, e.g. bicycle carriers.
Changes have been made to the paintwork in the area of the radar sensors or structural
modifications have been made, e.g. on the vehicle front end or the running gear.
Only Volkswagen-approved vehicle paints may be used on the rear bumper. Other vehicle paints can
restrict the function of the system or cause faults.
Tinting foils have been retrofitted on the side windows.
Parking and manoeuvring
Parking
Stopping and parking the vehicle
The actions should be carried out only in the given order:
Stop the vehicle on a suitable surface ⇒ .
Depress and hold the brake pedal until the engine has stopped.
Switch on the electronic parking brake ⇒ Electronic parking brake . The electronic parking brake is
switched on when the indicator lamp in the button ⇒ Fig. 125 lights up yellow and the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster display lights up red.
On vehicles with a manual gearbox, either fully depress or disengage the clutch.
With an automatic gearbox, move the selector lever to position P.
Switch off the engine and take your foot off the brake pedal.
Turn the steering wheel slightly if necessary to engage the steering lock mechanism.
With a manual gearbox, select first gear for flat ground and uphill gradients, or reverse gear for
downhill gradients, and then release the clutch.
Please ensure that all occupants, in particular children, leave the vehicle.
Fig. 126 In the centre console: button for the Auto Hold function.
Description of the Auto Hold function
The Auto Hold function can hold the vehicle stationary. It is not necessary to hold the vehicle with
the foot brake in this case.
The Auto Hold function is active when the indicator lamp in the button ⇒ Fig. 126
(arrow) lights up yellow and the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster display lights up green.
The Auto Hold function stops holding the vehicle as soon as it moves off.
If any of the conditions for the Auto Hold function change while the vehicle is stationary, the Auto
Hold function will switch off automatically. The green indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
display then goes out together with the yellow indicator lamp in the button.
Switching on the Auto Hold function
The Auto Hold function can be switched on when the driver door is closed and the engine has been
started.
Press the button ⇒ . The indicator lamp in the button ⇒ Fig. 126
(arrow) lights up yellow. The Auto Hold function is operational, but the vehicle is not necessarily held
stationary ⇒ .
DSG® dual clutch gearbox: if the selector lever is moved to position N, the Auto Hold function will
not be switched on or will be switched off. As a result, the vehicle will not be held securely in a
stationary position ⇒ .
Holding the vehicle stationary with the Auto Hold function
Make sure that the Auto Hold function is operational. The indicator lamp in the
button lights up yellow.
Bring the vehicle to a standstill using the brake ⇒ Parking .
Manual gearbox: disengage the clutch and either keep the clutch fully depressed or shift to neutral.
Release the brake. The indicator lamp will light up greenon the instrument cluster display. The
vehicle is being held stationary by the Auto Hold function ⇒ .
Switching off the Auto Hold function
Press the button ⇒ . The indicator lamp in the button ⇒ Fig. 126
(arrow) goes out.
The electronic parking brake switches on automatically to hold the vehicle securely. However, the
electronic parking brake will not switch on if the brake pedal is depressed when the Auto Hold
function is switched off ⇒ .
Temporarily switching off the Auto Hold function with the button
It can sometimes be necessary to switch off the Auto Hold function temporarily to enable the vehicle
to roll more easily, for example when manoeuvring.
Press the brake pedal when the engine is on.
Press the button. The Auto Hold function is deactivated.
The Auto Hold function will be reactivated as soon as the brake pedal is depressed again when the
vehicle has come to a standstill.
System limits
If the clutch slips during switching off of the ignition or opening of the driver door, the vehicle may
not be secured against rolling away by either the Auto Hold function or the electronic parking brake
⇒ . After switching off the ignition or opening the driver door, make sure that the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster displaylights upred. The electronic parking brake is switched on.
WARNING
The intelligent Auto Hold function cannot overcome the laws of physics, and operates only within
the limits of the system. Do not let the extra convenience afforded by the Auto Hold function tempt
you into taking any safety risks when driving.
Make sure that the indicator lamp lights up green or red on the instrument cluster display if the
vehicle is to be held securely. The vehicle is being held by the Auto Hold function if the green
indicator lamp is lit and by the electronic parking brake if the red warning lamp is lit.
Never leave the vehicle if the engine is running and the Auto Hold function is switched on.
In some cases, the Auto Hold function cannot sufficiently hold the vehicle on uphill gradients or
brake it sufficiently on downhill gradients, e.g. if the ground is slippery or icy.
NOTICE
Switch off the Auto Hold function before driving into a car wash. Damage may otherwise be caused
by automatic activation of the electronic parking brake.
Safety notes on the parking systems
The parking systems include the following:
Park Distance Control ⇒ Park Distance Control .