2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN Rear

Before using your vehicle for the first time, please read and observe the information in this
owner's manual. It will quickly help you to become familiar with your vehicle and all of its
functions as well as making you aware of dangers to yourself and others and of how these
dangers can be avoided.
If you have any further questions about your vehicle, or if you think that the vehicle wallet has not
covered everything, please get in touch with your Volkswagen dealership. They will always be
happy to deal with your questions, suggestions or problems.
We hope you enjoy driving your new vehicle. Happy motoring.
Volkswagen AG
•This owner's manual is valid for all models and versions of the Tiguan.
•An alphabetical index is included at the end of this manual.
•A list of abbreviations at the end of the manual explains the abbreviations used.
•Directions and positions such as left, right, front and rear are normally relative to the vehicle's
direction of travel, unless otherwise indicated.
•Illustrations help with orientation and should be regarded as a general guide.
•This owner's manual was written for left-hand drive vehicles. In right-hand drive vehicles the
controls may sometimes be different to those displayed in illustrations or described in the text
⇒ Overview of driver side.
•Values given in miles instead of kilometres or mph instead of km/h refer to the country-specific
instrument clusters or Infotainment systems.
•Short definitions appear in a different colour before some sections of this manual. They provide
a summary of the function and use of a system or feature. More detailed information about the
features, conditions and limitations of systems and equipment can be found in the relevant
sections.
•Any technical changes that may be made to the vehicle after publication of this booklet are
contained in a supplement that is included with the vehicle wallet.
All equipment and models are described without indicating whether the equipment is optional or
specific to the model type. This means that your vehicle may not have some of the equipment
described, or it may only be available in certain markets. The scope of equipment fitted in your
vehicle can be found in the sales documentation and you can contact your Volkswagen dealership
for further information.
All data in this owner's manual correspond to the information available at the time of going to print.
Because the vehicle is constantly being developed and further improved, there may be differences
between your vehicle and the data in this owner's manual. No discrepancy in data, illustrations or
descriptions shall form the basis for any legal claim.
Please ensure that the complete vehicle wallet is always in the vehicle if you lend or sell the vehicle
to someone else.
Standard booklets in the vehicle wallet:
•Owner's manual
Additional booklets in the vehicle wallet (optionalyf:
•Supplements
•Infotainment system
•Other supplements
Refers to a section within a chapter that contains important information and safety
notes that should always be observed.
Indicates that the section is continued on the next page.
Indicates the end of a section.
Indicates situations in which the vehicle must be stopped as quickly as possible.
®The symbol indicates a registered trademark. However, the absence of this symbol
does not constitute a waiver of the rights concerning any term.
⇒Symbols like these refer you to warnings within the same section or on a given
page. They draw your attention to possible risks of accident or injury and explain
how they can be avoided.
⇒Cross reference to potential risks of damage to property in the same section or on
the page specified.
About this owner's manual
About this owner's manual

Headlight washer system ⇒ Wiper functions
Behind a cover: mounting for towing eye ⇒ Tow-starting or towing
Sensors for assist systems ⇒ Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior
Lights in the bumper ⇒ Lights⇒ Changing bulbs
Side view
Fig. 3 Side view of the vehicle.
Key to ⇒ Fig. 3:
Roof aerial ⇒ Radio reception and aerials
Tank flap ⇒ Fuel and emission control
Roof railing ⇒ Roof carrier
Door release lever ⇒ Doors
Exterior mirrors ⇒ Exterior mirrors
- With display of lane change system (Side Assistyf ⇒ Lane change system (Side Assistyf 
incl. Rear Traffic Alert
- With camera for Area View ⇒ Area View
Lifting points ⇒ Changing a wheel
Rear view
Fig. 4 Rear view of the vehicle.
Key to ⇒ Fig. 4:
High-mounted brake light

Rear window:
- Rear window heating ⇒ Heating and air conditioning system
- Rear wiper ⇒ Wipers⇒ Wiper blades
- Window aerial ⇒ Radio reception and aerials
Tail light clusters ⇒ Lights⇒ Changing bulbs
Area for:
- Number plate lights ⇒ Changing bulbs
- Rear view camera system ⇒ Rear view camera system (Rear Viewyf
- Boot lid release button ⇒ Opening and closing the boot lid
Tail light clusters ⇒ Lights⇒ Changing bulbs
Behind the bumper: radar sensor for assist systems ⇒ Caring for and cleaning the vehicle 
exterior
Sensors for assist systems ⇒ Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior
Towing bracket ⇒ Trailer towing
Behind a cover: mounting for towing eye ⇒ Tow-starting or towing
Luggage compartment
Fig. 5 Overview of the luggage compartment.
Fig. 6 Side areas of the luggage compartment.
Key for ⇒ Fig. 5 and ⇒ Fig. 6:
Luggage compartment cover ⇒ Luggage compartment cover
Release lever for the load-through hatch ⇒ Load-through hatch
Retaining rings for top tether (child seatyf ⇒ Securing child seats with top tether upper 
strap
Spare wheel or fully-functional spare wheel (depends on equipmentyf ⇒ Wheels and tyres
Handle recess for luggage compartment floor ⇒ Luggage compartment floor
Vehicle tool kit ⇒ Vehicle toolkit
Lower holder for the net partition ⇒ Net partition

Upper holder for the net partition ⇒ Net partition
Rigid fastening rings ⇒ Fastening rings
Removable light ⇒ Removeable lights
Button for unlocking the ball head ⇒ Trailer towing
Bracket for the luggage compartment floor ⇒ Luggage compartment floor
Backrest remote release mechanism ⇒ Folding the backrests on the rear bench seat 
forwards and backwards
230-volt socket ⇒ Electrical sockets
Foldable fastening rings ⇒ Fastening rings
Stowage area behind trim
12-volt socket ⇒ Electrical sockets
Bag hook ⇒ Bag hook
Luggage compartment light
Driver door
Fig. 7 Overview of the controls in the driver door (left-hand drive vehiclesyf7KHFRQWUROVDUH
mirrored for right-hand drive vehicles.
Key to ⇒ Fig. 7:
Central locking indicator lamp ⇒ Central locking system
Door release lever ⇒ Doors
Central locking buttons for locking and unlocking the vehicle ⇒ Central locking system
Switch for adjusting the exterior mirrors ⇒ Exterior mirrors
Boot lid release button ⇒ Opening and closing the boot lid
Bottle holder ⇒ Drink holder
Stowage compartment for high-visibility waistcoat ⇒ In an emergency
Reflector
Buttons for operating the electric windows ⇒ Windows
Overview of driver side

Depending on the vehicle equipment level, symbols may be displayed in the instrument cluster
instead of warning lamps.
Some warning and indicator lamps are not available in all markets.
For details on indicator lamps which light up in the light switch, see Chapter Lights ⇒ Lights.
SymbolMeaning
Central warning lamp. Observe the additional information on the
instrument cluster display.
Do not drive on!
The electronic parking brake is switched on ⇒ Electronic parking 
brake.
Do not drive on!
Brake fluid level too low or fault in the brake system ⇒ Brake fluid.
Do not drive on!
Coolant level too low ⇒ Engine coolant, engine coolant temperature
too high or fault in the cooling system ⇒ Coolant temperature display.
Do not drive on!
Engine oil pressure too low ⇒ Engine oil.
Flashing: Do not drive on! Fault in the electronic steering column
lock ⇒ Steering.
Lit up: electromechanical steering has failed ⇒ Steering.
Driver or front passenger seat belt not fastened ⇒ Seat belts.
OR: there are objects on the front passenger seat ⇒ Seat belts.
Brake or take evasive action.
Collision warning from area monitoring system (Front Assistyf ⇒ Area 
monitoring system (Front Assistyf.
OR: collision warning from Pedestrian Monitoring ⇒ Pedestrian 
Monitoring.
Depress the brake pedal. ⇒ DSG dual clutch gearbox, ⇒ Adaptive 
Cruise Control (ACCyf.
Fault in the alternator ⇒ 12-volt vehicle battery.
Front brake pads worn. Go to a qualified workshop immediately. All
brake pads should be checked and renewed as necessary
⇒ Information on the brakes.
Central warning lamp. Observe the additional information on the
instrument cluster display.
Electronic Stability Control (ESCyf ⇒ Brake support systems.
Traction control system (TCSyf ⇒ Brake support systems.
OR: off-road driving profile active ⇒ Driving profile selection and 
4MOTION Active Control.
Anti-lock brake system faulty or not functioning ⇒ Brake support 
systems.
Electronic parking brake fault ⇒ Electronic parking brake.
Rear fog light switched on ⇒ Lights.
Partial or complete failure of the vehicle lighting, excluding cornering
light ⇒ Changing bulbs.
Lit up: there is a fault that affects the exhaust emissions
⇒ Troubleshooting.
Flashing: misfiring, which damages the catalytic converter
⇒ Troubleshooting.
Engine management system fault (Electronic Power Controlyf
⇒ Troubleshooting.
Engine speed limited (protection against overheatingyf
⇒ Troubleshooting.
Lit up: electromechanical steering reduced
OR: the 12-volt battery has been disconnected and reconnected
⇒ Steering.
Flashing: steering column is wound-up or is not unlocked/locked
⇒ Steering.
Lit up: tyre pressure too low ⇒ Tyre monitoring systems.
Flashing: fault in tyre monitoring system ⇒ Tyre monitoring systems.
Fault in the rain/light sensor ⇒ Wipers.
Fault in wipers ⇒ Wipers.
Washer fluid level too low ⇒ Wipers.
Fuel tank almost empty ⇒ Fuel gauge.
Lit up: engine oil level too low ⇒ Engine oil.
Flashing: engine oil system fault ⇒ Engine oil.
®

Economical mode
While driving, the instrument cluster will show whether the vehicle is in a fuel-efficient mode ,
e.g. due to active cylinder management (ACTyf ⇒ Driving economically or coasting of the
automatic gearbox ⇒ DSG dual clutch gearbox.
Engine code
Press and hold the button in the instrument cluster (for approximately 15 secondsyfWRVKRZ
the vehicle's engine code (ECyfLQWKHGLVSOD\7KHLJQLWLRQPXVWEHVZLWFKHGRQEXWWKHHQJLQHPXVW
not be running ⇒ Analogue instrument cluster or ⇒ Digital instrument cluster (Active Info Displayyf.
Trailer drawbar load display
If the vehicle drives with a trailer attached (depends on equipment and not available in all marketsyf
the drawbar load and the trailer weight can be shown in the instrument cluster display.
Different instrument clusters are available, which means that the versions and displays may
vary. In displays without warning or information texts, faults are indicated exclusively by indicator
lamps.
Some displays in the instrument cluster may be overridden by sudden alerts, e.g. incoming
telephone calls.
Depending on the vehicle equipment level, some settings and displays may also appear in
the Infotainment system.
If several warning reports are detected, the symbols will appear for several seconds, one
after another. The symbols will continue to appear until the faults are rectified.
If warning messages about malfunctions are displayed when the ignition is switched on, it
may not be possible to adjust some settings as described, or the information display may appear
differently. If this is the case, take the vehicle to a qualified workshop to have the malfunction
rectified.
Instrument cluster menus
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The range of content and layout of the menus and displays depend on the vehicle electronics and
the level of vehicle equipment.
Qualified workshops can programme and modify other functions depending on the vehicle
equipment level. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Some menu options can only be opened when the vehicle is stationary.
◾Driving data⇒ Driving data display (multifunction displayyf
◾Assist systems
◾Lane Assist on/off ⇒ Lane keeping system (Lane Assistyf
◾Front Assist on/off ⇒ Area monitoring system (Front Assistyf
◾Pedestrian Monitoring on/off ⇒ Pedestrian Monitoring
◾Lane change system on/off ⇒ Lane change system (Side AssistyfLQFO5HDU7UDIILF$OHUt
◾Rear Traffic Alert on/off ⇒ Lane change system (Side AssistyfLQFO5HDU7UDIILF$OHUt
◾ACC (display onlyyf ⇒ Adaptive Cruise Control (ACCyf
◾Views⇒ Instrument cluster
◾Navigation⇒BookletInfotainment system,
◾Audio⇒BookletInfotainment system,
◾Telephone⇒BookletInfotainment system,
◾Vehicle status⇒ Warning and information messages
◾Lap timer⇒ Lap timer
◾Personalisation (user selectionyf⇒ Personalisation
®
®
Streets and bridges can be iced over at outside temperatures above freezing point.
•The snowflake symbol indicates that there is a risk of black ice.
•There may be black ice on the roads even when outside temperatures are above +4 °C
(+39 °FyfHYHQZKHQQRVQRZIODNHV\PEROLVGLVSOD\HG.
•You should never rely solely on the outside temperature display!
WARNING
1yf

MenuFunction
Side AssistSwitching the lane change system (Side AssistyfRQDQGRII
⇒ Lane change system (Side AssistyfLQFO5HDU7UDIILF$OHUt.
Rear Traffic AlertSwitches Rear Traffic Alert on and off ⇒ Lane change system 
(Side AssistyfLQFO5HDU7UDIILF$OHUt.
ACCAdaptive Cruise Control (ACCyfGLVSOD\ ⇒ Adaptive Cruise Control 
(ACCyf.
Operation and display in the Infotainment system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Vehicle settings menu
⇒ Performance monitor
⇒ Lap timer
⇒ Personalisation
The Infotainment system brings
together key vehicle systems in a
central operating unit, e.g. menu
settings, radio or navigation system.
General information on operating the unit
The following section contains information on the settings that can be adjusted in the Vehicle
settings menu. Basic information on operating the Infotainment system and on warning and safety
instructions are contained in a separate manual ⇒BookletInfotainment system,.
Systems settings and display of vehicle information
After pressing the button or touching the function button followed by the Vehicle
function button, touch the corresponding function buttons to display information or make settings.
Touching the function button in the Vehicle status menu queries the current status of the
systems and displays system faults.
•Vehicle settings (setupyf ⇒ Vehicle settings menu.
•Think Blue. Trainer. ⇒ Think Blue. Trainer.
•Performance monitor ⇒ Performance monitor.
•Lap timer ⇒ Lap timer.
•Off-road display ⇒ Off-road display.
•Auxiliary heater settings ⇒ Auxiliary heater and ventilation.
•Active media.
•Driving data.
•Vehicle status.
•Convenience consumers.
•Radio station selection.
When you start the engine after the 12-volt vehicle battery has been totally discharged or
changed, you may find that system settings (time, date, personal convenience settings and
programmingyfDQGXVHUDFFRXQWVKDYHEHHQFKDQJHGRUGHOHWHG&KHFNDQGFRUUHFWWKHVHWWLQJVDV
necessary once the 12-volt vehicle battery has been sufficiently charged.
Vehicle settings menu
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Opening the Vehicle settings menu
•Switch on the ignition.
•If necessary, switch on the Infotainment system.
•Press the button or function button.
•Touch the Vehicle and function buttons to open the Vehicle settings menu.
•Touch the corresponding function button to open additional menus in the Vehicle settings
menu, or to adjust settings in the menu items.
Accidents and injuries can occur if the driver is distracted. Operating the Infotainment
system can distract you from the road.
•Always drive carefully and responsibly.
WARNING

If the checkbox in the function button is ticked , the respective function is switched on.
Press the function button to return to the previous menu.
Menu overview
The following menu overview is an example of the Infotainment system menu structure. The actual
scope of the menus and the names of the individual menu items depend on the vehicle electronics
and the level of vehicle equipment.
Some menus and functions are not available in all countries or all vehicles.
MenuSubmenuSetting optionsFurther
information
ESC system–
– Traction control system (TCSyf
– Electronic Stability Control (ESCyf
– Electronic Stability Control sport
mode (ESC Sportyf
⇒ Brake support 
systems
Tyre settings
Tyre Pressure
Monitoring
System
Select load level:
– Standard
– Comfort
– Fully loaded
⇒ Tyre monitoring 
systems
Tyre Pressure
Loss IndicatorStore the tyre pressures SET.
Winter tyres
Activation or deactivation of the speed
warning.⇒ Wheels and 
tyres
Setting the speed warning value.
Driver assist
settings
ACC (Adaptive
Cruise Controlyf
Activation or deactivation of the last
selected distance.
⇒ Adaptive 
Cruise Control 
(ACCyf
– Gearbox programme
– Active distance setting (time interval
to the vehicle aheadyfZKHQ$&&LV
switched on
Front Assist (area
monitoring
systemyf
– Area monitoring system
– Advance warning
– Distance warning display
⇒ Area 
monitoring 
system (Front 
Assistyf
Pedestrian
Monitoring
– Pedestrian Monitoring
– Advance warning
⇒ Pedestrian 
Monitoring
Lane Assist (lane
keeping systemyf
– Lane keeping system
– Adaptive lane guidance
⇒ Lane keeping 
system (Lane 
Assistyf
Side Assist (lane
change systemyf
Activation and deactivation of the lane
change system (Side Assistyf.
⇒ Lane change 
system (Side 
AssistyfLQFO5HDU 
Traffic Alert
Setting the brightness of the display in
the exterior mirror.
Does not apply in
Japan:Dynamic
Road Sign
Display
– Show detected road signs in the
driving data display (multifunction
displayyf
– Trailer recognition (display of traffic
signs for vehicles with a traileryf
– Activation and deactivation of the
speed warning
⇒ Dynamic Road 
Sign Display 
(Sign Assistyf
Driver Alert
System
Activation or deactivation of the Driver
Alert System.
⇒ Driver Alert 
System 
(recommendation 
for rest breaksyf
Proactive pass.
protection
Activation and deactivation of the
proactive occupant protection system.
⇒ Proactive 
occupant 
protection system
Parking and
manoeuvring
settings
ParkPilot
Activation or deactivation of the Park
Distance Control
⇒ Park Distance 
Control
Activation or deactivation of automatic
activation of the Park Distance
Control.
– Front and rear volume
– Front and rear tone setting
– Entertainment fading
Rear Traffic AlertActivation and deactivation of Rear
Traffic Alert.
⇒ Lane change 
system (Side 
AssistyfLQFO5HDU 
Traffic Alert
Light settingsLight assistance– Dynamic Light Assist
– Dynamic cornering light
– Automatic headlight control (in rainyf
– Convenience turn signal
⇒ Lights