Get Driving -> Off-road driving situations Guide for Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door 2023

Switch off the driver assistance systems and parking systems when off-roading.

Checklist

The following steps should be taken before the ﬁrst trip to operate and drive the vehicle safely off-road.

Observe the general safety precautions when driving off-road ⇒ Safety precautions for driving off-road.

Adjust the seating position so there is clear visibility in front of the vehicle and fasten safety belts ⇒ Seating position.

Always wear suitable and well-ﬁtted footwear that gives the feet good traction on the pedals.

A responsible driver also treats nature with care when driving off-road. Driving over shrubs and meadows can destroy the habitats of animals and plants.

Leaking operating ﬂuids resulting from vehicle damage can contaminate the environment. Catch any leaking operating ﬂuids and dispose of them correctly

according to environmental regulations.

Take any suitable equipment with you for driving off-road.

Safety precautions for driving off-road

Refer to ⇒

and

WARNING

ABS and ESC cannot replace the driver's attention, can only operate within the limitations of the system and were developed only for driving on developed

roads. ABS and ESC are not suitable for use off-road. If you are careless, there is a risk of accidents, serious injuries and death.

Always stay attentive and do not rely solely on the systems. The driver is always responsible for control of the vehicle.

Always adapt the speed and driving style to the predominant terrain. Unfavorable ground conditions can lead to vehicle instability even with ABS and an

activated ESC, e.g. under hard braking or in corners.

WARNING

Driving off-road can be difﬁcult and dangerous and lead to critical driving situations for vehicle occupants. It can lead to loss of control over the vehicle, damage

to the vehicle, failure of the vehicle far away from any assistance, accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Never choose a dangerous route and do not take risks.

Turn around and choose a different route if you can go no further or you have doubts about the safety of the route.

Explore the terrain on foot beforehand even if it looks easy to negotiate.

Drive with extreme caution and anticipation when driving off-road.

Never drive faster than is appropriate for the predominant terrain, road conditions, trafﬁc and weather.

WARNING

Driving over embankments, ramps or hillsides at excessively high speeds can cause the vehicle to lose contact with the ground. The vehicle can roll over if the

wheels are turned inward when coming back into contact with the ground. This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle and lead to accidents with serious

or fatal injuries.

Do not drive off-road at excessive speeds.

If the vehicle does lift off the ground, always align the front wheels so they face straight ahead.

WARNING

Utility vehicles have a signiﬁcantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.

In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is signiﬁcantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.

The vehicle has a higher center of gravity and has a greater risk of rolling over while driving than a “regular” passenger vehicle that is not suited for

offroad driving.

Never drive too fast, especially around curves, or perform any extreme driving maneuvers.

Always adapt the speed and driving style to the predominant terrain.

Luggage and other objects transported on the roof of the vehicle also increases the center of gravity and thus the risk of a rollover accident.

WARNING

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Sections of terrain that seem safe could be very dangerous and put vehicle occupants in danger. Potholes, depressions, ditches, hollows, obstacles, shallow

areas, and soft and swampy ground are often not detected as such and can be completely or partially covered by snow, water, grass, or branches on the

ground. Driving over such sections of terrain can cause failure of the vehicle, accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Before driving on unknown terrain, explore the route carefully on foot.

Never choose unsafe routes and do not take risks.

Turn around and choose a different route if you have doubts about the safety of the route.

Always adapt the speed and driving style to the load, visibility, terrain and weather conditions.

WARNING

Driving at an angle on a hill can be dangerous. The combined center of gravity of the vehicle and its load (passengers and cargo) can cause it to shift and

cause the vehicle to tip over and roll down the hill. This can cause vehicle damage, accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Always avoid driving at an angle on a hill ⇒ Driving at an angle on a hill.

If it is necessary, always exit the vehicle carefully using the doors on the side of the vehicle that is facing uphill ⇒ Driving at an angle on a hill.

If the vehicle stops at a side angle on a hill, never exit the vehicle through the doors that are facing in the downhill direction.

WARNING

The driver assistance systems were developed only for driving on developed roads. The driver assistance systems are not suitable for use off-road and can

thus be dangerous in off-road situations. This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle and lead to accidents with serious or fatal injuries.

Never use driver assistance systems off-road.

WARNING

Driving with an insufﬁcient fuel level can lead to a vehicle breakdown off-road. The steering and braking support systems will not work if the engine is

“sputtering” or malfunctioning due to fuel shortage or irregular fuel supply. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Always refuel your vehicle with enough fuel before driving off-road.

NOTICE

If the windows and sunroof are open, rain could enter the vehicle and soak the interior, causing vehicle damage.

Always keep the windows and power sunroof closed when driving off-road.

Explanations of technical terms

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

Fig. 129 General example: incline angle

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Fig. 130 General example: tilt angle

Center of gravity The center of gravity of a vehicle influences the risk of rollover accidents. When driving off-road, the vehicle has a larger ground clearance and

thus a higher center of gravity compared to “normal” road vehicles. Due to the higher center of gravity, there is an increased risk that the vehicle could

roll over while driving. Always consider this fact while driving and always observe the safety tips and warnings listed in this Owner's Manual.

Ground clearance The distance between the road surface and the lowest point of the vehicle underbody.

Incline angle The maximum angle the vehicle can drive up an incline on its own. A rising difference in altitude (incline) on a 100 m (330 ft) stretch is given in

percentage or degrees fig. 129. The maximum incline angle the vehicle can handle depends on the road surface and the engine power, among other

things.

Tilt angle The maximum angle that the vehicle can drive diagonally or perpendicularly to the fall line on a hill without tipping over (depends on the center of

gravity) fig. 130.

Ramp angle Maximum angle that the vehicle can drive over a ramp at slow speeds without the vehicle underbody coming into contact with the edge of the ramp.

Slope angle The transition from the horizontal plane on an incline or from the slope back to level ground. Maximum angle that the vehicle can handle without the

vehicle underbody coming into contact with the edge of the slope.

Fall line The line that is the most direct path downhill.

Axle articulation The torsional flexibility of a vehicle when driving over an object on one side.

Checklist “before driving off-road”

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

Checklist

For your safety and the safety of your passengers, always observe the following points before driving off-road:

Learn about the quality of the upcoming terrain before driving off-road.

Fill up the fuel tank. Fuel consumption is signiﬁcantly higher off-road than it is on developed roads.

Check if the tire proﬁle and the type of all the tires is sufﬁcient for the planned off-road trip.

Check and adjust the tire pressure on all tires.

Check the engine oil level and add engine oil if necessary. When the vehicle is on sloping ground, the engine will only supplied with engine oil if the engine o

level is sufﬁcient.

Fill the windshield washer ﬂuid reservoir completely with water and windshield washer ﬂuid.

Stow any luggage as low as possible in the vehicle and distributed evenly. Secure all loose objects safely.

General rules and driving instructions

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

Volkswagen recommends to never drive off-road alone. At least two off-roading vehicles should drive together off-road. An unexpected situation could occur at

any time. Therefore, it is especially wise to have equipment that can be used to call for emergency assistance.

Stop and explore the path on foot, especially before critical passages.

Drive over bumps slowly so that the vehicle does not lift up, which could cause damage and prevent you from maneuvering the vehicle.

Drive slowly through difﬁcult sections of the route. Upshift on slippery ground and always keep the vehicle in motion.

There is usually a lot of soft ground on off-road terrain, where the tires could sink into the ground. This reduces the ground clearance and the wading depth.

Whenever possible, drive on level and solid ground.

Even at low speeds, always maintain a safe distance to other vehicles. If the ﬁrst vehicle suddenly becomes stuck, the vehicle following it would be able to stop

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in time without also getting stuck.

NOTICE

Severe damage to the underbody can occur if the vehicle hits the ground. This damage can cause vehicle breakdowns and make it impossible to continue

driving.

Always make sure there is enough ground clearance under the vehicle.

Shifting gears correctly

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

Correct gear selection depends on the terrain.

Before driving on a difﬁcult stretch of the route, it may be helpful to stop and consider which gear to select. After several off-roading trips, you can learn which gear

in conjunction with gear reduction is best suited for certain areas of terrain.

When the correct gear is selected, the vehicle must normally be braked less with the brake pedal because the engine braking effect will be sufﬁcient in the

majority of cases.

Only accelerate as much as is necessary. Too much acceleration can cause the wheels to spin and thus loss of control of the vehicle.

Use the D selector lever position on normal, level stretches of off-road land.

Adjust your speed when driving on soft or slippery ground and drive at the highest possible gear in tiptronic mode.

Drive using tiptronic in gear 1 when on steep hills or on a steep incline.

Drive using tiptronic in gears 3 or 2 when on mud, sand, water, or hilly areas ⇒ Automatic transmission: selecting the selector lever position.

Use the off-road display ⇒ Offroad display.

Driving over brush and rock

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

1. Select a suitable driving mode ⇒ Selecting the driving mode and drive no faster than walking speeds over rocky ground.

2. If you are unable to drive around a stone, drive carefully onto the stone with one of the front wheels and then drive slowly over it

⇒

Even objects that are lower than the available ground clearance can come into contact with the vehicle underbody and cause vehicle damage and malfunctions.

This is especially true if there is a depression or soft ground in front of or behind the object. This is also true if the vehicle drives too fast over an object and then the

suspension compresses.

NOTICE

If driven over, objects that are higher than the ground clearance will damage vehicle components on the underbody. This damage can cause vehicle

breakdowns and make it impossible to continue driving.

Never drive over a very large object such as boulders or tree trunks if it is under the vehicle or on one side.

Driving through still or ﬂowing water

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

Driving through ﬂooded terrain or bodies of water could cause vehicle damage.

You can carefully drive through water that comes up to the lower edge of the vehicle body.

1. Note the maximum wading depth of the vehicle.

2. Only drive through water in an area where the ground is solid underneath it remains lower than the maximum permissible wading depth.

3. Note the additional information for driving through water on paved roads ⇒ Driving through water on roads.

Before driving through water

Stop, get out and assess the situation ⇒

1. Measure the depth of the water all the way over to the other side. Make sure that the ground is ﬁrm enough and identify any dips and obstacles

2. Make sure that it is possible to safely enter and exit the water.

⇒

3. Check the ramp angle and ﬁrmness of the banks.

4. Select a suitable driving mode ⇒ Selecting the driving mode.

Driving through still or slow-ﬂowing water

As long as the ground is ﬁrm enough, you can drive your vehicle through still or slow-ﬂowing water

⇒

1. Drive into the water slowly and in the direction of the current. Never exceed the ramp or tilt angle.

2. Drive at a constant speed all the way to the opposite bank.

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Driving at a constant speed prevents engine damage caused by the ingress of water. It also allows an air pocket to form in front of the engine, which fuels the

engine with the oxygen it requires. If you drive into the water too fast or drive through the water too fast, you will create a bow wave in front of the vehicle. Water fro

this bow wave may ﬁnd its way into the engine's air intake port and seriously damage the engine.

Driving through fast-ﬂowing water

The strength and speed of the current and the depth of the water can be dangerous and unpredictable

⇒

. Vehicles can be swept away by the current. Even

vehicles with generous ground clearance can get stuck if the ground beneath their tires is swept away. Flowing water backs up against one side of the vehicle,

making the water deeper on that side.

Do not take any risks. Look for a shallower place to cross the water or turn back.

After driving through water

1. Check the vehicle for damage.

2. Gently apply your brakes to dry them off.

WARNING

Flowing water generates enormous power and can carry a vehicle away. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Never let the vehicle stop in water.

WARNING

Soft ground, obstacles under the water, shallows, or water in the engine compartment can lead to critical driving situations and vehicle failure. This can cause

accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Do not exceed the wading depth of your vehicle.

Always make sure there is enough ground clearance under the vehicle.

NOTICE

If you drive through salty water, vehicle components such as the engine, drivetrain, suspension, or vehicle electrical system could become severely damaged.

Never drive over salt, salty surfaces, or through salt water, because salt can cause corrosion.

Using fresh water, immediately rinse down any parts of the vehicle that may have come into contact with salt or salty water.

NOTICE

Objects in the water can enter the openings of the extended spray nozzles of the headlight washer system. The spray nozzles then cannot move back to their

basic position.

Do not use the headlight washer system when you are driving through water.

Driving in sand and mud

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

The ESC and ASR must be turned on ⇒ Braking assistance systems.

1. Select a suitable driving mode ⇒ Selecting the driving mode.

2. Select a suitable gear and stay in that gear until solid ground is reached ⇒ Shifting gears correctly.

3. Always drive at a consistent speed through sand or mud, do not shift manually, and do not stop.

The tires can lose their grip in sand or mud.

Do not change the speed or direction.

If the vehicle slides, steer in the direction in which it is sliding to regain control of the vehicle.

If the tires are no longer gripping the ground, turn the steering wheel back and forth quickly. This can brieﬂy create better tire traction between the ground at the

front wheels.

WARNING

The vehicle could slide out of control if driven through sand and mud. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Always drive carefully when you have to drive through sand, mud, or slush.

Turn around or choose a different route if you can go no further or you have doubts about the safety of the current route.

Never select a dangerous route or undertake a risk that would endanger other vehicle occupants.

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WARNING

Incorrect tire pressures cause increased tire wear and impair vehicle handling. This can cause overheating, sudden tire damage including tire blow-outs, and

stripping of the tread, which can then result in loss of vehicle control. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

If you reduce the tire pressures to drive through sand, inﬂate the tires back to the correct pressure afterwards.

Recommendations if the vehicle is stuck

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

The vehicle becomes stuck when the wheels have sunk so deeply into the ground that the vehicle can no longer move forward or backward under its own power.

To rock the vehicle out of sand or mud, training and a lot of strength are necessary. If one makes a mistake when rocking a vehicle out of place, the vehicle can sink

even farther and additional assistance will be needed to continue.

Never let the wheels spin for a long time, because this will only make the vehicle sink deeper into the ground

⇒

Preparations

1. Carefully dig out all of the wheels and make sure no other vehicle components are stuck in sand or mud.

2. Select the reverse gear.

3. Press the accelerator pedal gently and reverse in the same track.

If this does not help, place brushwood, ﬂoor mats, or burlap cloth directly behind the tires to create traction to help the vehicle to move

⇒

Rocking the vehicle out of place

1. Switch off ASR ⇒ Braking assistance systems.

2. Adjust the steering wheel so that it is straight.

3. Drive in reverse until the wheels begin to spin straight.

4. Engage the ﬁrst gear immediately and begin to drive forward until the wheels begin to spin again.

5. Drive back and forth in this way until there is enough momentum to release the vehicle.

6. Reactivate ASR after the vehicle is rocked out of place.

WARNING

Spinning wheels can greatly accelerate stones, brushwood, pieces of wood, or other objects under the wheels. Persons in front or to the rear of the vehicle could

be injured. In the event of sudden vehicle movement, persons in front or to the rear of the vehicle could be injured or run over. This can cause serious or fatal

injuries.

Make sure that no one is present in front or to the rear of the vehicle when attempting to move a stuck vehicle out of place.

Driving on steep terrain

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

Driving on inclines or slopes

Before driving up an incline or down a hill, stop, exit the vehicle, and assess the situation:

Go along the path and check the ground for sufﬁcient ﬁrmness, obstacles, or other hidden hazards

Look to see how the path continues after the incline.

⇒

If the route is too steep, too uneven, or the ground is too loose, then do not drive on this path and choose another route.

Drive uphill or downhill slowly and continuously on a straight path.

Never stop or turn around on a hillside.

Only accelerate enough to overcome the incline. Too much acceleration can cause the wheels to spin and the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Too little

acceleration increases the likelihood of stalling the engine.

Vehicles with an automatic transmission Do not shift gears while driving on an incline.

Use the off-road display ⇒ Offroad display.

If the vehicle can no longer drive up an incline

Never turn around on an incline.

If the engine has stopped, press the brake pedal and restart the engine.

Select reverse gear and drive slowly and carefully along the same path.

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Maintain a consistent speed using the brake pedal until you reach safe and level ground.

Driving downhill

There is increased risk of rollover accidents when driving downhill. Concentrate very carefully on steering the vehicle when driving downhill.

Drive in ﬁrst gear when driving down steep hills.

Use the brakes gently to reduce the risk of losing control of the vehicle.

Never exceed the tilt angle of the vehicle.

If it is possible and not dangerous, drive straight downhill along the fall line (maximum slope).

Use the off-road display and the hill hold assist when driving on steep hills ⇒ Offroad display.

WARNING

If you drive on an uphill or downhill gradient that is too steep for the vehicle, the vehicle could slip, slide away or roll over. This could cause loss of vehicle

control, accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Ensure that the incline angle or tilt angle is not larger than the maximum permissible value for the vehicle.

When driving uphill or downhill, always follow the fall line.

Never change direction or turn round when driving uphill or downhill. The vehicle could tip over or slide.

If the engine stalls or if your vehicle can go no further, carry out the tasks described → page , If the vehicle can no longer drive up an incline .

If the engine will not start, press the brake pedal down, applying constant pressure, and allow the vehicle to roll back the same way you came. Keep to a

steady, low speed.

Never allow the vehicle to coast backward down the incline.

Driving at an angle on a hill

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

Fig. 131 General example: steering downhill along the fall line.

Fig. 132 General example: exit through the side of the vehicle that is facing uphill.

Driving at an angle on a hill is dangerous when driving off-road ⇒

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Before driving, always check if there are other safer routes available.

If you must drive at an angled position:

The vehicle’s center of gravity should be as low as possible. Larger or heavier individuals should sit on the more elevated side of the vehicle. Luggage on the

roof should be removed and heavy objects should be secured, because the vehicle could tip over due to objects suddenly sliding out of place ⇒

The ground must be as ﬁrm as possible. The vehicle can skid sideways and tip over more easily on slippery or soft ground. Always make sure the angle will no

become too large from bumps in the road. The vehicle can tip and roll over when the tilt angle is too large.

If the vehicle is positioned at a high angle, the wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never drive over depressions or dips in the ground. The wheels on

the higher side of the vehicle must never drive over elevated objects, such as stones, tree trunks, or other obstacles.

If it seems the vehicle is about to tip, immediately steer toward the downhill direction and accelerate lightly ﬁg. 131. If it is not possible to steer downhill, steer

uphill and accelerate lightly.

WARNING

A vehicle that is driven or positioned sideways to the incline of a hill can slip out of control, roll over and roll down the hill. This can cause accidents and serious

or fatal injuries.

Never attempt to drive at an angle on a hill, especially if the hill is too steep for the vehicle.

Never select a dangerous route or undertake a risk that would endanger the vehicle occupants.

Turn around and choose a different route if you can go no further or you have doubts about the safety of the route.

Never underestimate the risks and dangers of driving at an angle on a hill.

Never let the wheels on the lower side of the vehicle drive through depressions or dips in the ground.

Never let the wheels on the higher side of the vehicle drive over elevated objects, such as stones, tree trunks, or other obstacles.

Before driving at an angle on a hill, make sure that you can steer toward the fall line. If that is not possible, choose another path.

If it seems the vehicle is about to tip, immediately steer toward the downhill direction and accelerate lightly ﬁg. 131.

WARNING

It is dangerous to exit the vehicle positioned with a substantial sideways tilt on a hill. The overall center of gravity could shift to the side and the vehicle can lose

hold, tip or ﬂip over and roll down the hill. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Avoid abrupt and uncontrolled movements in the vehicle.

If it is necessary, always exit the vehicle carefully using the doors on the side of the vehicle that is facing uphill ﬁg. 132.

Never leave the vehicle through a door on the downhill side.

When exiting the vehicle, ensure that the upwards opening door does not shut and cause injury due to its own weight or passenger inattention.

Driving through ditches

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

1. Check if the slope and tilt angle is small enough to drive over the ditch with the vehicle. The tilt angle must not be too large when driving through the ditch

⇒

2. Find a suitable point to drive through the ditch.

3. If possible, cross the ditch at a sharp angle ⇒

WARNING

If the slope and tilt angle is too steep for the vehicle and the ditch is too deep, the vehicle could tip, slide away and roll over. This can cause accidents and

serious or fatal injuries.

Do not attempt to drive across a ditch if the ramp angle or tilt angle is too steep and the ditch is too deep for the vehicle.

NOTICE

If driving into the ditch at a right angle, the front wheels will fall in. The vehicle could bottom out, be damaged, and no longer be drivable.

Do not attempt to drive across a ditch if the ramp angle or tilt angle is too steep and the ditch is too deep for the vehicle.

Note that it will most likely be impossible to drive out of the ditch, even with all-wheel drive.

After off-road driving

Refer to ⇒

and Safety precautions for driving off-road.

185

Checklist

Clean the vehicle.

Check the vehicle for damage.

Check the tires for damage and remove any thick dirt, stones, and foreign objects from the tread.

Inspect the vehicle underbody and remove any and all objects that are stuck in the brake system, wheels, suspensions, exhaust system and in the engine,

such as twigs, leaves, or pieces of wood ⇒

. If any damage or leaks are discovered, seek assistance from suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen

recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Inspect the engine compartment for any contamination that may be impairing engine operation ⇒ Safety precautions for working in the engine compartment

WARNING

Any objects stuck under the vehicle underbody present a hazard. Fuel lines, the brake system, seals and other suspension parts can be damaged or ﬂammable

materials, such as dry leaves, can ignite near hot vehicle components. This could cause an accident, a ﬁre and serious or fatal injuries.

Always inspect the vehicle underbody for stuck objects and remove them after every off-road trip.

Never drive the vehicle if objects are stuck on the underbody, in the brake system, in the wheels, in the suspension, in the exhaust system, or in the

engine.

Remove ﬂammable materials, such as dry leaves, from the vehicle underbody.

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Driving -> Off-road driving situations for Your Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door 2023

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