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
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 .
Always adjust your speed and driving to match vehicle load levels and visibility, terrain and weather
conditions.
Driving on sand and mud
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Always drive at a steady speed through sand or mud and, do not carry out any manual gear changes
or stop the vehicle.
Check whether ESC is active. The indicator lamp or in the instrument cluster display must not
light up ⇒ Brake support systems .
Keep the vehicle moving constantly.
Use the Offroad driving profile ⇒ Setting a driving profile .
Select a suitable gear and remain in this gear until you have reached more solid ground ⇒ Changing
gear correctly .
If the tyres have lost their grip, turn the steering wheel to and fro quickly. This can briefly give the
tyres on the front wheels better grip for these ground conditions.
Driving through sand
Do not under any circumstances reduce the tyre pressure to drive through sand ⇒ . If the tyre
pressure has been reduced for driving through sand, the correct tyre pressure must always be
restored before driving on. Driving with reduced tyre pressure can lead to a loss of control over the
vehicle and increase the risk of serious and fatal injuries.
Driving through mud
Do not change speed or direction. The tyres can lose their traction when driving through mud. If the
vehicle slides, steer in the direction needed to get the vehicle under control.
WARNING
Driving through mud and sand can be dangerous. The vehicle can slide uncontrollably. This increases
the risk of injury. Always drive carefully through sand and mud.
Never choose an unsafe route or take a risk which could endanger you or your passengers. If you are
in any doubt about the safety of the route, turn round and choose another way.
WARNING
Incorrect tyre pressure can cause severe or even fatal accidents.
Incorrect tyre pressures will increase the levels of wear on the tyres and will negatively affect the
vehicle's handling.
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.
If you make a mistake when rocking free the vehicle, it can sink deeper and you will need assistance
to free the vehicle.
When you cannot move forwards
Carefully dig out all the wheels and check that no other parts of the vehicle are stuck in the sand.
Select reverse gear.
Reverse in your own tracks with gentle use of the accelerator.
If this does not help, place brushwood, foot mats or sacking directly in front of the wheels to
increase grip ⇒ .
Rocking the vehicle free
Never allow the wheels to spin for long periods as this will cause the vehicle to sink deeper ⇒ .
Switch off TCS ⇒ Brake support systems .
Position the steering wheel so that it is facing straight ahead.
Reverse until the point where the wheels just start to spin.
Immediately select first gear and drive forwards until the wheels start to spin again.
Repeat driving back and forth until you have enough momentum to free yourself.
Switch the TCS on after the rocking free procedure is completed ⇒ Brake support systems .
Use the Offroad driving profile.
WARNING
No one must stand either in front or behind the vehicle, particularly if you are attempting to free a
stuck vehicle.
Spinning wheels can propel stones, brushwood, pieces of wood or other objects that are in front or
behind the wheels at enormous speed and cause potentially fatal injury.
People standing in front of or behind the vehicle could be run over if the stuck vehicle starts to move
suddenly.
After offroad driving
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Checklist
Clean the turn signals, lighting system, the number plate and all windows.
If necessary, remove the towing eye and the snow chains.
Check the tyres, suspension struts and axles for damage and remove dirt, stones and other foreign
bodies from the tyre tread.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and remove all items that are jammed in the brake system, on the
wheels, in the running gear, in the exhaust system and in the engine, such as branches, leaves or
pieces of wood . If you see any damage or leaks, take your vehicle to a qualified workshop or seek
expert assistance.
Clean heavy soiling from the radiator grille and the vehicle underbody Vehicle care.
Check the engine compartment to see if any dirt is affecting engine operation In the engine
compartment.
Deselecting the Offroad driving profile Setting a driving profile.
Switch on TCS again Brake support systems.
WARNING
Objects caught underneath the vehicle underbody pose a danger. The vehicle underbody must
always be examined for trapped objects after every journey offroad.
Never drive if objects are trapped in the underbody, brake system, wheels, running gear, exhaust
system and engine.
Inflammable materials, e.g. dry leaves, could ignite on hot vehicle components. A fire can cause
serious injuries.
Trapped objects could damage the fuel lines, brake system, seals and other running gear
components. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and cause accidents.
Driver assist systems
Speed limiter
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Operating the speed limiter with the multifunction steering wheel
⇒ Troubleshooting
The speed limiter helps you to stop exceeding a stored speed.
Speed range
The speed limiter is available when driving forwards at speeds from approx. 30 km/h (20 mph).
Driving with the speed limiter
You can interrupt the speed limiter at any time by depressing the accelerator all the way down past
the point of resistance. As soon as the stored speed is exceeded, the green indicator lamp will
flash and an acoustic warning may sound. The speed remains stored in the memory.
The speed limiter function switches back on automatically as soon as the speed drops back below
the stored speed.
Displays
When the speed limiter is switched on, the instrument cluster display shows the stored speed and
the status of the speed limiter:
Shown small or grey: speed limiter not active.Shown large or white: speed limiter active.
Driving downhill
Driving downhill may cause the set speed to be exceeded.
Apply the foot brake to slow the vehicle down, and change down a gear as required.
WARNING
Always switch off the speed limiter after use to avoid unintentional speed control.
The speed limiter does not relieve the driver of their responsibility for the speed of the vehicle. Do
not drive at full throttle if this is not required.
Use of the speed limiter in adverse weather conditions is dangerous and can cause serious injury,
e.g. through aquaplaning, snow, ice, or leaves. Use the speed limiter only when the road and
weather conditions allow it to be used safely.
The speed limiter cannot limit the vehicle speed when travelling downhill. The vehicle speed can
increase under its own weight. Select a lower gear or use the foot brake to slow the vehicle down.
Operating the speed limiter with the multifunction steering wheel