Off-road driving situations
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Selecting th e right gear
Off-road mode
Driving in rough terrain
Driving through water
Driving over snow-covered terrain
Driving in st e ep te rr a in
Driving crosswise on a slope
Avoiding deep ruts and depressions
Crossing ditches
Driving in sand and mud
If the vehicle is stuck
After driving off-road
Driving off-road: Drive at a crawl; don't speed! Even harml ess-looking areas can be dangerous ⇒
Volkswagen recommends that you get out of the vehicle and explore the terrain personally before
trying to cross it. Walk the area and make sure that the ground is firm enough. Check for obstacles or
other hidden dangers. Always obey local requirements and regulations; follow commonly accepted
safety practices and use common sense .
The examples discussed in this chapter ar e int e nd ed t o hel p yo u d rive s afely off-road. But the
situation facing you may not fit any of these examples.
The wide range of terrain you can come up against, as well the risks and dangers it may hide, make it
impossible to deal with every conceivable situation in this Manual. The exam pl es in this chapter are
only general guidelines to help you drive safely off-road. The guidelines may n ot apply in eve ry
situation you encounter. Therefore, it is vital that you know what lies ahead and evaluate possible
dangers before you try to drive over difficult or unfamiliar terrain. This will help you to evaluate and
prepare for possible dangers.
If necessary, use traction assistance syst e ms while driving off-road but do not use any other driver
assistance systems. All ot her dri ver assistance systems were designed o nly for driving on paved
roads and must not be used for off-road driving.
More information:
Starting assistance systems
Some basics
WARNING
.
Areas that look harmless can, in fact, be very dangerous. Potholes, ditches, trenches, dropoffs, different kinds of obstacles, and soft or swampy ground often cannot be seen and can
be partially or fully covered by water, grass, branches, or other things. Driving over such
terrain can cause accidents and severe injuries.
Before crossing an unknown area, CARefully explore th e route you plan to ta ke on f oot.
Never choose a risky route or run a risk that will endanger you and your passengers. If
you have any doubts as to whether the route is safe, turn around use a different r ou te.
Always adapt driving speed and style to load, ter r a in, visibility, and weather conditions.
.
Selecting the right gear
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
.
Different kinds of terrain require different gears. Selecting the right one helps you to get through
safely.
Before driving over a difficult section, think CARefull y ab out which gear you should select. Wit h time,
you will learn which gear is best for various types of terrain.
Basics
If you select the right gear you will usually not have to slow th e vehicle down with the foot brake
when driving down slopes - the engine will brake the vehicle. You will then only have to use the brake
when the braking power of the engine is not enough.
Never accelerate more than necessary wh en dri ving off-road. If you accelerate too hard, the
wheels could lose traction and you could lose control of the vehicle.
Automatic transmission
Use selector lever position (D) when driving on ordinary level areas.
Use Tiptronic mode and put the vehicle in 2nd or 3rd gear when driving through mode rat ely
difficult off-road terrain, for example mud, sand, water, or hills .
Use Tiptronic mode and shift into 1st gear when dri v ing up or down steep hills 1st. Use Hill Hold.
On soft or slippery surfaces, drive at an appropriate speed and in the highest possible driving
range of the Tiptronic.
Off-road mode
Fig. 282 In the lower front center console: Rotary knob (4MOTION).
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
.
Off-road mode is a special driving program that adjusts the vehicle's performance f o r off-road driving
situations ⇒
ESC, ASR, EDL, and ABS.
Hill Descent Assist.
The speeds at which the automatic transmi s si on shifts gears are affected.
. This setting affects the following systems and features:
Switching off ASR and ESC on some models
On all models, you can switch off Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) by pushing the « button in the lower front
center console
On some models, you can also use this button to switch off the entire Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) when the vehicle is in Off-road mode.
Press and hold button Status
Up to 3 seconds ASR switched off.
3 to 10 seconds ESC switched off.
If you switch from Off-road mode back to On-road mode, ESC is automatically switched back on again
if it was off. However, ASR remains disabled.
WARNING
.
Never drive on paved roads in Off-road mode. This can cause dangerous driving situations,
accidents, and severe personal injuries.
This mode is designed solely for off-road dr iving. If used on paved roads, the ESC, ASR,
EDL, and ABS systems can affect vehicle handling and make it unstable.
Always make sure to switch off Off-road mode as soon as you are back on a paved road.
Driving in rough terrain
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
.
Driving tips
Drive no faster than a crawl over rocky sections.
Drive around obstacles such as rocks wherever possible. If this is not possible:
CARefully advance until one front wheel is on the rock and then slowly drive over it ⇒
NOTICE
.
If you are facing a large rock or tree stump or other large obstacle, do no t att empt to drive
straight over it or to climb over it with just 2 wheels. A rock or other obstacle that is too high
for your vehicle to clear will damage and may disa ble the vehicle if you try to drive over it. You
could be stranded far away from help. Never let large obstacles pass under the vehicle. If there
is no way around them and they are too large to drive over, back up and find another route.
Even obstacles that are lower than your vehicle' s gr ound clearance can come into contact
with the underbody and damage or disable your vehicle. Such obstacles are especially
dangerous when the ground arou nd them is sof t o r there is a dip right in front of or behind
them. They are also dangerous if you drive over them too quickly and the shock absorbers are
compressed.
Leaking engine oil and brake fluid can pollute the environment. Collect leaking operating fluids
.
and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicabl e en viro nm ent al laws and regulations.
.
Driving through water
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
.
Important factors when deciding whether to drive through water:
Water depth.
Strength of the current.
Firmness of stream bed and bank.
Shape of the bank.
Objects in the water.
Maximum fording depth of the vehicle.
Before driving through water
Stop, get out of the vehicle, and assess the situation ⇒ :
Measure water depth from one side to the other. Check t he firmn es s of the bed an d banks; check
for drop-offs and obstacles in the water ⇒
Make sure it is possible to enter and exit the water safely.
Check the angle of the embankment and the firmness of the ground on each bank.
Switch to off-road mode.
.
Driving through standing and slow-moving water
The vehicle can drive through standing water if the ground under the water is firm enough ⇒ .
Never exceed maximum fording depth.
Drive slowly into a river in the direction of the flow. Never exceed the departure/approach angle
and lateral angle (vehicle slope).
Always drive at a constant speed to the other side.
This will help prevent engine damage from the water. It also allows an air pocket to f orm in front of the
engine that can supply it with the necessary air.
Entering t h e water quickly or driving too fast thro u gh the water wi ll create a bow w a ve. A bow wave
can force its way into the engine air intake duct and seriously d am ag e th e engine.
Driving through fast-moving water
Driving through fast-moving water is very dangerous ⇒ .
The vehicle can be swept away by the current. Even v ehicles with high ground clearance can get
stuck if the ground is washed out from under the tires. Fast-moving water wil l buil d up agai nst the side
of your vehicle. This will make the water deeper. Always think about this before entering the water.
Water volume, speed, and depth can be very unpredictabl e an d dange rous.
If you are uncertain how fast the water is flowing, look for a shallower place where you can cross in
safety. If you cannot find a safe place to cross, turn back.
Headlight washer system instructions
Do not use the headlight washer system when driving through water. Things in the water can enter
into the openings when the washer nozzles are extended. This can prevent the washer nozzles from
retracting to their normal position. If this should happen, CARefully remove the objects.
After driving through water
After crossing through deep water, st op t he en gine an d check the oil dipstick. If there are beads of
water on the oil dipstick or the oil level has increase d, do not start the engine. Change the engine oil
immediately. Depending on the amount of wat e r in th e oil, runnin g o r st art ing the engine can result in
engine failure or serious engine damage.
Always dry the brakes by braking a couple of times.
WARNING
.
Flowing water is very powerful and can sw eep your vehicle away. This can lead create an
extremely dangerous situation an d cau se an a cci d ent with serious personal injuries.
Never take routes or risks that could put you or your passengers in danger. If you cannot
go on or have doubts about the saf ety o f your r oute, turn back and take a new route.
Never stop in the water.
If water gets into the engine, your vehi cle can break down. You will lose control of a
broken down vehicle, and it can be swept away.
Soft surfaces, mud, underwater obstacles, and holes can cause accidents and c an cause
the vehicle to break down in the water. This can lead pose extreme dan ger .
Rapidly flowing water can develop strong forces that can pull the vehicle downstream.
This can cause accidents and fatal injuries.
Drive through water only where the banks and bottom are firm enough and the water is
shallower at all points than the maximum permissible fording depth for your vehicle ⇒ table .
NOTICE
.
Vehicle components such as the engine, drive train, suspension or electrical system may
be severely damaged by driving through water.
Avoid stopping in deep water. This can let water get inside the vehicle.
On soft ground, the tires dig into the surface. This reduces fording depth. Make sure that
the ground is sufficiently firm.
Avoid creating a bow wave in front of the vehicle while driving throu gh water. A bow wave
could force its way into the engine air intake duct and seriously damage the engin e.
If you even briefly exceed the maximum fording depth when driving through water, severe
engine damage will result. This engine damage will lead to a vehicle breakdown. This can
disable the vehicle in the water.
Never drive over salt flats or through salt or salty water. Salt causes vehicle corrosion.
Rinse all parts of the vehicle that were exposed to salt or salt water right aw ay wi th fresh
water.
Driving over snow-covered terrain
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
.
Install snow chains on all 4 tires before driving over snow-covered terrain.
Snow-covered terrain may look harmless but the snow can hide many dangers. This is particularly
true for stretches where you can't see the tracks left by other vehicles.
WARNING
.
Driving through snow-cover ed terrain is very dangerous.
Never take routes or risks that could put you or your passengers in danger. If you cannot
go on or have doubts about the saf ety o f your r oute, turn back and take a new route.
Potholes, ruts, ditches, drop-offs, and other obstacles are often partially or completely
hidden by the snow, especially when it is dee p.
Snow-covered dangers can lead to an accident, serious person al injury, or stranding
under extreme weather conditions.
Always adapt driving speed and style to load, ter r a in, visibility, and weather conditions.
Driving in steep terrain
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
.
Driving on slopes
Before driving up or down a slope, get out of the vehicle, explore the terrain, and assess the situatio n.
Walk the grade you intend to drive, check the stretch for firmness and obstacles or other hidden
dangers ⇒
Find out how the route continues at the end of a steep angle.
If the route is too steep or too uneven or the ground is too loose, do not drive this route. Find an
alternative.
Drive at a constant speed straight up or down a slope.
Use just as much power as needed to get up the slope. Too much power makes the tires slip, spin,
or lose traction. This can increase your risk of losing cont rol. However, too little power will increase the
likelihood of stalling.
Never stop or try to turn around on a slope.
Do not let the engine stall.
Do not change gears while climbing the slope.
If you get stuck while driving up a slope
Never try to turn around.
If your engine stalls, apply the foot break and restart the engine.
Shift into reverse and back your vehicle CARefull y straight down the slope.
Use the brake to keep the speed steady when backing down to a safe place.
.
Driving down a slope
Never exceed the vehicle's maximum lateral angle (vehicl e slope ) . If an emergen cy fo rces you to
cross the slope and the vehicle threatens to roll over, immediately steer the vehicle downhill along the
fall line.
There is an increased risk of rollover when driving down a slope. For this reaso n, conc ent rate on
steering safely down the slope.
Use Hill Descent Assist on steep descents.
Drive down steep slopes in first gear.
Gently apply the foot b rake to help ke ep the vehicl e under cont rol.
If it is possible and if it is not dangerous, drive straight down the fall line (maximum slope).
Do not shift into Neutral (N).
WARNING
.
Never try to drive up or down slopes that ar e too st eep for your vehicle. The vehicle could
slide away, tip over, or roll over.
Never take routes or risks that could put you or your passengers in danger. If you cannot
go on or have doubts about the saf ety o f your r oute, turn back and take a new route.
The lateral angle must never be more than the maximum angle approved for the vehicle.
Always drive along the fall line when driving up or down a slope.
Never try to turn the vehicle arou nd on a slope. The vehicle could tip over or roll down the
slope.
If the engine stalls or you can no longer drive up the slope for any reason, stop and apply
the foot brake. If stalled, apply the foot brake and restart the engine . Then shift into Reverse
(R) and CARefully back your vehicle straight down the slope along the fall line. Keep the
vehicle speed slow and even.
If the engine will not restart, apply constant pressure to the foot brake and CARefully back
straight down the slope the same way you drove up. Keep the vehicle speed slow and even.
If the engine is running, select Reverse and CARefully back straight down the slope the
same way you drove up. Use engine braking power and the foot brake to keep the vehicle
speed slow and even.
Never just roll down a slope with the transmission in Neutral (N). You could lose cont r ol of
the vehicle.
Driving crosswise on a slope
Fig. 283 Steer downhill along the fall line.
Fig. 284 On a slope, always exit on the uphill si de of th e vehicl e.
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
.
Driving crosswise on a slope is one of the most dangerous off - roa d driving situations ⇒
.
Even if it seems harmless, never underestimate the difficulties and hazards when driving crosswise on
a slope. A vehicle perpendicular to the slope of the hill can be come uncontrollable and slide away, tip,
or roll over. This could cause severe or fatal injuries to all occupants.
Driving at an angle to the slope
Before driving crosswise on a slope, check whether there is a different, safer route.
If you have to drive across a slope, first make sure the groun d is fi rm an d ev en along your route. If the
ground is soft or slippery, the vehicle is more likely to slip away to the side. Make sure that the angle
does not become too great due to surface unevenness. This can make the vehicle tip and roll over.
The steeper the slope across which the v ehicle is moving, the more important it becomes t o make
sure the wheels on the lower side do not run over holes or depressi on s. The w he els o n th e high sid e
must never run over protruding rocks, tree stump s , o r other obst acles.
If the vehicle threatens to tip, immediately steer downhill into the “fall line” and gently accelerate
⇒ fig. 283. If it is not possible to steer down the fall line, steer uphill and gently accelerate.
The vehicle center of gravity should be as low as possible. The weight of all passeng e rs s hould be
evenly distributed. Taller or heavier passengers should sit on the higher side of the vehicle. Luggage
on the roof should be removed and heavy objects should be secured, as the vehicle could tilt due to
the sudden shifting of objects in the vehicle ⇒
.
While driving across the slope, passengers on the rear bench should always sit on the uphill side of
the vehicle. In extreme cases, passengers on the downhill side m ust get out of the vehicle until the hill
has been safely crossed.
Exiting on a hillside
If the vehicle comes to a standstill at a significantly tilted angle on the hillside, all passengers should
exit the vehicle on the uphill side ⇒ fig. 284. This applies even if the uphill door is hard to open. The
uphill-side door may swing shut due to it s weight or C A Rele ss ness.
WARNING
.
Never try to drive crosswise on a slope, especially one that is too steep for your vehicle. The
vehicle could slide sideways and tumble down the slope. To reduce the risk of accidents and
serious injuries:
Never underestimate the difficulties and dangers of driving crosswise on a slope. Never
take routes or risks that could put you or your pas sen gers in danger. If you cannot go on or
have doubts about the safety of your route, turn back and take a different route.
When driving crosswise on a hill, the vehicle can lose its hold, slide sideways, tip or turn
over and roll down the hill.
Make certain that the wheels on the downhill side of the vehicle do not run over holes or
depressions. Make certain that the wheels on the high side of the vehicl e do not run o ver
rocks, tree stumps, or protruding obj ects.
Before driving crosswise on a hill, check whether it is possibl e to s teer into the fall line
along the selected route. If this is not possible, select a different route. If the vehicle
threatens to tip, immediately ste er downhill into the fall line and gently accelerate ⇒ fig. 283.
If the vehicle is stopped a hillside and is laterally tilted, avoid sudden and uncontrolled
movement in the vehicle The vehicle can lose its hold, slide sideways, tip, or turn over and
roll down the hill.
If the vehicle is stopped at while pointed crosswise on a steep slope, make certain that no
one exits the vehicle through a door on the downhill side. This can shift the vehicle center of
gravity to the downhill side. The can tilt or roll over and roll down the hill. To help minimize
this risk, always exit the vehicle through the doors that are facin g uphill ⇒ fig. 284.
When getting out, make certain that doors opened on the up hil l side are not clo se d
CARelessly and do not swi ng shut due to their own weight and injure anybod y.
Avoiding deep ruts and depressions
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
.
Ruts are very common on forest trails, in grassland and fiel ds, as well an on much -used cross-country
lanes.
If the ruts and depressions are firm and shallow, simply follow the ruts.
Do not drive in ruts and depressions that are too deep ⇒
avoided, turn around.
NOTICE
.
If ruts and depressions become too deep, the vehicle underbody can bottom out and get stuck.
This can damage or even disable the vehicle.
. If deep ruts and depressions cannot be
Crossing ditches
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
.
Check whether the approach/de parture angle and the lateral angle (tilt) are sm all enoug h to allow
the vehicle to cross the ditch.
If possible, cross the ditch at an acute angle ⇒
This is only possible if the lateral angle (side-to-side tilt) is not too large.
.
WARNING
.
If the approach/departure angle or the lateral angle o f the di tch are too s te ep for th e vehicl e,
do not attempt to cross the ditch. The vehi cle can fall over on its side, slide sideways, or turn
over.
NOTICE
.
If you enter at right angles to the ditch, the front wheels will fall into the ditch. The underbody
of the vehicle can get stuck and the vehicle can b e dam ag ed or di sabled. Getting out of a ditch
without assistance is rarely possible, even with all-wheel drive.
Driving in sand and mud
Please first read and note the introductory infor matio n and he ed the WARNINGS
Always drive at a constant speed through sand and mud; do not shift gears manually and do not stop.
Check whether ESC is active. The indicator l i ght
Select a suitable gear and remain in this gear until solid ground is reached
Always keep the vehicle moving.
Never drive too fast through sand and mud. The whe el s may spi n and the vehicle can get stuck. If the
tires no longer grip, turn the steering wheel back and forth slightly in short, quick movements. This can
improve front wheel traction when driving in sand and mud.
or B in the instrument cluster must both be off
ö
Driving through sand
Never reduce tire inflation pressure before driving through sand ⇒ . If you have reduc ed the tire
pressure to drive through sand, make sure to correct the tire pressure afterwards before drivi ng any
farther. Driving with reduced tire pressure can make you lose c ont rol of the vehi cle a nd inc reas e the
risk of serious or fatal injuries.
Driving through mud
Do not change your speed or your direction. The tires can lose their gri p in mud. If the vehicle skids,
steer in the direction the vehicle is sliding to try to get it back under contr ol.
WARNING
.
Driving through sand and mud can be dang er ou s. The vehicle can skid out of control and
crash, causing serious injuries. A lways drive CARefully when driving in sand and mud.
Never take routes or risks that could put you or your passengers in danger. If you cannot
go on or have doubts about the saf ety o f your r ou te, turn back and take a different route.
WARNING
.
Driving on tires that are not inflated to the correct cold tire inflation pressure can cause an
accident with serious or fatal injuries.
If the tires are not inflated to the correct pressure, they will wear out faster and the vehicle
will not handle as well.
Incorrect tire pressure can make tires overheat, resulting in tire damage including tire
tread separation and sudden blowouts that can make you lose control of the vehicle.
If the vehicle is stuck
Please first read and note the introductory infor matio n and he ed the WARNINGS
It takes experience and a fine touch to “rock” a vehicle bac k a nd fort h to get it going when it is stuck.
If you go about it the wrong way, you'll dig the vehicle in even deeper and need someone t o tow you
free.
If the vehicle won't budge
CARefully dig out all 4 wheels and make sure that no other parts of the vehicle are stuck in the
sand.
Select reverse gear.
CARefully accelerate and try to back up in your own track.
If this doesn't help, try placing brushwoo d, floor mats, or burlap sackcloth directly in front of the tires t o
improve grip and traction ⇒
Rocking the vehicle free
Don't spin the wheels. It's unlikely to help you get going and all but certain to dig you in even deeper if
you do it too much ⇒
Switch off Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)
Switch to off-road mode.
Turn the steering wheel so that it points straight ahead.
Shift into reverse and accelerate just to the point wher e the w heels first start to spin.
Immediately engage first gear and accelerate again until the wheels just begin to spin.
Repeat this process to get the vehicle to rock back and forth and then hopefully develop enough
forward momentum to get going again.
Once the vehicle is free, switch ASR back on
.
.
WARNING
.
Make sure there are no people or animals in front of or behind the vehi cle, especially when it
is stuck and you are trying to rock it loose.
Stones, brush, pieces of wood, and other objects under the wheels can be thrown at great
velocity when they spin. This can cause serious or even fatal injuries.
If the stuck vehicle suddenly regains traction, it wi l l lurch forward and can run over
anybody who is standing too close to it in the front or in the back.
After driving off-road
Please first read and note the introductory infor matio n and he ed the WARNINGS
After an off-road drive, you always need to check the vehicl e's u nderbody for damage and may need
to clean the radiator grille ⇒
Checklist
Checklist: Perform after every off-road drive ⇒ :
Turn the rotary knob in the front center console ba ck to On-road mode and switch ASR/ESC back
on
Clean the turn signal lights, the headlights and taillights, the license plate, and all windows.
If required, remove the towing eye(s) and snow chains.
.
Check tires, suspension struts, and axles for dam ag e an d remove coarse dirt, stones, and foreign
objects from the tire tread.
Examine the vehicle underbody and remove objects such as twigs, leaves, or bits of wood that
have gotten stuck in the brake system, the wheels, the suspension, the exhaust system, of the
engine ⇒
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Remove coarse dirt from the radiator grille and the vehicle underbody, Exterior CARe and
cleaning.
Check the engine compartment to for dirt that interferes with engine operation Preparations for
working in the engine compartment.
WARNING
.
Objects trapped under the vehicle floor can damage the brake system, fuel lines, gaskets,
and other underbody parts. Such objects can also ignite on contact wi th hot vehicle
components. You must check after each off-road outing to see whether any foreign objects
have gotten stuck in the vehicle underbody.
Never drive the vehicle if any foreign objects are stuck in the brak e system, th e wheels,
the suspension, the exhaust system, or the engine or engin e com partment.
Flammable materials such as dry leaves or twigs can catch fire from contact with hot
vehicle components. A fire can cause serious personal injuries.
Trapped objects can damage or block the fuel lines, the brake system, gasket s, and other
parts of the suspension system. This can cause you to lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident.
. If damage or leaks are d etected, see an author ized Volksw agen deale r or an
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