
Explanation of some technical terms
Fig. 131 Illustration: angle of gradient.
The terrain might look harmless, but there could be hidden dangers. Potholes, hollows, 
ditches, precipices, obstacles, shallows, soft and boggy surfaces are often not 
recognisable as such and can be covered either fully or partly by water or grass or 
branches lying on the ground. Driving off-road over such terrain could cause accidents, 
serious injury and also a vehicle breakdown.
•Check any unknown sections of the route on foot carefully before driving.
•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 back and choose 
another route.
•Always adjust your speed and driving to match vehicle load levels and off-road, 
visibility and weather conditions.
WARNING
•Always avoid traversing a slope ⇒ Traversing a slope.
•Vehicle occupants should never leave the vehicle via the doors facing down the hill 
when parked sideways on a steep hill. The combined centre of gravity of the vehicle 
and its payload (vehicle occupants and payloadyf  F D Q  V K L I W  D Q G  F D X V H  W K H  Y H K L F O H  W R  U R O O  
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 off-road and may even be hazardous. If you use the 
cruise control system while driving off-road, you may lose control over the vehicle and 
sustain severe injuries.
•Never use the cruise control system when driving off-road.
WARNING
The area monitoring system (Front Assistyf  Z D V  G H Y H O R S H G  I R U  X V H  R Q  S D Y H G  U R D G V  R Q O \   
The area monitoring system is not suitable for use off-road and may even be hazardous. If 
you use the area monitoring system while driving off-road, you may lose control over the 
vehicle and sustain severe injuries.
•Never use the area monitoring system when driving off-road.
WARNING
Driving the vehicle when the fuel level is too low could lead to your vehicle breaking down 
off-road, 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.
WARNING
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 off-road.
NOTICE 

If the vehicle is not approved for use with a roof carrier, do not use or retrofit a roof carrier.
Securing a roof carrier
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Special roof carriers must be used to transport luggage, bicycles, skis, surfboards or boats safely ⇒
. Suitable accessories are available from your Volkswagen dealership.
Attaching roof bars and load carrier system (vehicles with roof railingsyf
Mount roof bars to the roof railing according to the installation instructions provided.
Once you have fitted the base carrier bars, you can then secure the respective carrier system on 
them.
Loading the roof carrier
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Maximum permissible roof load
The maximum permitted roof load is 75 kg.
The roof load limit refers to the combined weight of the roof carrier and the load carried on the roof 
⇒.
When transporting heavy or bulky items on the roof carrier, the vehicle handling will 
change due to the shift in the centre of gravity and increased susceptibility to crosswinds.
•Always secure loads properly using suitable and undamaged securing straps.
•Cargo that is large, heavy, bulky, long or flat will have a negative effect on the vehicle 
aerodynamics, centre of gravity and overall handling.
•Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking manoeuvres.
•Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic 
conditions.
WARNING
A roof carrier that has not been approved for the vehicle or a roof carrier that is fitted to a 
vehicle that is not approved for use with a roof carrier may cause accidents or injuries.
•Use only roof carriers that have been approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle type.
•Never use a roof carrier on a vehicle that has not been approved for use with a roof 
carrier.
•A roof carrier that is fitted nevertheless may become loose whilst the vehicle is in 
motion and fall from the vehicle roof.
WARNING
Securing a roof carrier of any kind to a vehicle that is not approved for use with a roof 
carrier may lead to severe damage to the vehicle.
NOTICE
Incorrectly attaching and using the roof bars and load carrier could cause the whole roof 
carrier system to fall off the roof. This could cause accidents and injuries.
•Only use roof bars and load carrier systems when they are undamaged and fitted 
correctly.
•Always fit roof bars and load carriers correctly. Always observe the installation 
instructions provided by the manufacturer.
•Attach the roof bars only at the specified mounting points.
•Special roof carriers for items such as bicycles, skis, surfboards, etc. should always be 
properly installed. Always observe the installation instructions provided by the 
manufacturer.
•Check that the roof carrier is secured before starting your journey and tighten as 
necessary after driving a short distance. During a long trip, check all bolts and 
fasteners at each stop.
•Do not carry out any changes or repairs to the roof bars or the load carrier system.
WARNING 

Trailer towing
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Headlight adjustment
Towing a trailer can raise the front end of the vehicle enough for the dipped beam to blind other 
road users. Use the headlight range control to lower the light cone as required. Vehicles with 
automatic headlight range adjustment are adjusted automatically.
Things to note when driving with a trailer
•If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the brakes gently at first and then firmly. This will 
prevent the jerking that can be caused by the trailer wheels locking.
•The combination weight causes the braking distance to increase.
•Engage a lower gear prior to inclines (manual gearbox or Tiptronic mode of the automatic 
gearboxyf  W R  D G G L W L R Q D O O \  P D N H  X V H  R I  H Q J L Q H  E U D N L Q J   7 K H  E U D N H  V \ V W H P  F R X O G  R W K H U Z L V H  
overheat and fail.
•The vehicle's centre of gravity and, in turn, the vehicle's handling, will change because of the 
trailer load and the increased combined towing weight of the vehicle and trailer.
•The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen towing vehicle is very unfavourable. 
When driving in this situation, drive particularly carefully and slowly.
Pulling off on slopes when towing a trailer
A vehicle towing a trailer is liable to roll back a short distance when moving off on a slope, 
depending on the angle of the slope and the total weight of the trailer and vehicle.
When towing a trailer, pull off on slopes as follows:
•Depress and hold the brake pedal.
•Press button  once to switch off the electronic parking brake ⇒ Electronic parking 
brake.
•Manual gearbox: depress the clutch fully.
•Select first gear ⇒ Manual gearbox: selecting a gear or selector lever position D/S⇒ DSG dual 
clutch gearbox.
•Pull on the  button and hold it in this position to hold the vehicle and trailer with the 
electronic parking brake.
•Release the brake pedal.
•Pull away slowly. To do this, slowly release the clutch pedal for a manual gearbox.
•Only let go of the  button when the engine has sufficient power to move off.
Trailer stabilisation
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The trailer stabilisation function can detect if an attached trailer is starting to lurch from side to side 
and can provide countersteer.
Trailer stabilisation is a subsidiary function of the Electronic Stability Control (ESCyf .
®
Incorrect trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
•Towing a trailer and transporting heavy or bulky items can change the way the vehicle 
handles and increase the braking distance.
•Always drive carefully and think ahead. Brake earlier than in normal driving.
•Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic 
conditions. Reduce your speed, particularly when going downhill.
•Accelerate carefully and gently. Avoid abrupt and sudden driving and braking 
manoeuvres.
•Take special care when overtaking. Reduce your speed immediately if the trailer shows 
even the slightest sign of snaking.
•Never try to stop a trailer from snaking by increasing your speed.
•Keep to speed limits which may be lower for vehicles with trailers than for vehicles 
without trailers.
WARNING