Volkswagen Tiguan (2015 year). Instruction

Vehicle payload consists of the combined weight of the following:

Passengers.
Total luggage and other cargo.

Roof load, including the roof rack system if permitted

⇒ Roof rack.

Factory-installed or retrofitted accessories.

Hitch weight and tongue weight for trailer towing

⇒ Loading the trailer.

Please refer to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross front and rear Axle Weight
Ratings (GAWR) for your vehicle, which are printed on the vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification

Label on the driver door jamb

⇒ Important vehicle labels.

WARNING

Exceeding maximum permissible weight ratings can result in vehicle damage, accidents, and
serious personal injury.

Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the permissible Gross Axle

Weight Rating. Also, never let the total of these actual weights exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating.

Always remember that the vehicle's handling and braking will be affected by extra load

and the distribution of this load. Adjust your speed accordingly.

NOTICE

Always distribute the load evenly and as low as possible in the vehicle. The vehicle capacity

weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers and
luggage).

When transporting a heavy load in the luggage compartment, carry the load as close to the

rear axle (as far forward) as possible so that the vehicle's handling and braking are affected as
little as possible.

Luggage compartment

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Folding the rear seat backrest forward and back into place

Removing and reinstalling the rear seat

Luggage compartment cover

Luggage compartment pass-through

Tie-downs

Shopping bag hooks

Luggage net

Variable luggage compartment floor

Always stow heavy objects in the luggage compartment and make sure that the rear seat backrests
are securely latched in their upright position. Always secure objects to the tie-downs with suitable
straps. Never overload the vehicle. Remember that the vehicle load, as well as how it is distributed,

can affect vehicle handling and braking

⇒

More information:

  Adjusting the seating position
  Safety belts
  Airbag system
  Lights
  Transporting
  Trailer towing
  Tires and wheels

WARNING

An open or unlocked luggage compartment poses special risks for children.

Close and lock the rear hatch and all doors when the vehicle is not in use. First, make

certain that no one is left inside.

Never leave your vehicle unattended or let children play around the vehicle, especially

with the rear hatch left open. A child could crawl into the vehicle and pull the hatch shut,
becoming trapped and unable to get out. This could cause severe or fatal injuries.

A closed vehicle can become very hot or very cold, depending on the season.

Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness or death, particularly
to small children.

Never let children play in or around the vehicle.

Never let anyone ride in the luggage compartment.

WARNING

Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the vehicle, causing serious personal
injury during hard braking or sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be struck
and thrown through the passenger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help
reduce the risk of serious personal injury:

Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put luggage and heavy items in the

luggage compartment.

Always secure objects in the passenger compartment properly with suitable straps so that

they cannot move into the deployment zone of a side or front airbag during a sudden braking,
in a sudden maneuver, or in a collision.

Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.
Never stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in the vehicle's open storage compartments, on

the shelf behind the rear seat bench, or on the top of the instrument panel.

Always remove hard, heavy, or sharp objects from clothing and bags in the vehicle

interior and stow them securely in the luggage compartment.

WARNING

Transporting heavy objects causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change and
increases braking distances. Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the
vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause serious person injury.

Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change by

shifting the vehicle's center of gravity.

Always distribute luggage evenly and as low as possible within the vehicle. The vehicle

capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers
and luggage).

Always stow luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment as far forward of the

rear axle as possible and secure them with appropriate straps to the tie-downs provided.

Never exceed the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Axle Weight Ratings,

which are printed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the door jamb of
the driver door. Exceeding the permissible weight can cause the vehicle to skid and behave
differently.

Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate your payload and its weight

distribution within your vehicle.

Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the accelerator pedal and avoid

sudden braking and other maneuvers.

Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.

NOTICE

The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that

rub against them.

The ventilation slots between the rear window and the luggage compartment cover must not be

blocked so that stale air can escape from the vehicle.

Folding the rear seat backrest forward and back into place

Fig. 99 Folding the backrest forward and back.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The rear backrest is divided into 2 sections. Each section of the rear seat backrest can be folded down
individually to increase the luggage space.

Folding the rear seat backrest forward

Push the head restraint all the way down

⇒ Adjusting the seating position.

Push the rear seat all the way back

⇒ Adjusting the rear seat.

Pull the pull strap forward in the direction of the arrow

⇒

fig. 99

while folding the rear backrest

forward.

If the rear backrest is folded down, no one, including children, may ride on the rear seat.

Folding the rear backrest back into place

Fold the rear backrest back until it engages securely

⇒

The rear backrest must be securely latched into place for the safety belts on the rear seats to

provide optimal protection.

WARNING

Improper folding and improper latching of the rear seat backrest can cause serious personal
injury.

Always make sure there are no people or animals in the area around the rear seat backrest

when folding it forward.

Never fold the rear seat backrest up or down while the vehicle is moving.
When folding the rear seat backrest back up, make sure that the safety belt does not get

caught or damaged.

Keep hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of the away when folding the rear seat

backrest up and down.

Each rear seat backrest must be securely latched into place in the upright position so that

the safety belts on the rear seats can provide protection. This is particularly the case for the
middle seat on the rear bench.

If a seat is used with an unsecured backrest, the passenger will move forward together

with the rear seat backrest during sudden braking, driving maneuvers, or a collision.

No one, including children, may ride on the rear seats if the rear seat backrest is folded

down or not correctly latched.

NOTICE

Before folding the rear seat backrest forward, adjust the front seats so that the rear seat's head
restraint or backrest cushion will not touch the front seats.

NOTICE

Items in the luggage compartment could be damaged or cause damage when the rear seat is
adjusted in the fore and aft direction.

Removing and reinstalling the rear seat

Fig. 100 Front attachment of the rear seat.

Fig. 101 Rear attachment of the rear seat.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Perform the following work yourself only if you have the necessary knowledge and experience to do so
safely. Volkswagen recommends having the work performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

The lug wrench from the vehicle tool kit is required for removing and installing the rear seat

⇒ Vehicle

tool kit.

Removing the rear seat

1. Push the driver seat and front passenger seat as far forward as possible

⇒ Adjusting the seating

position.

2. Remove all rear head restraints

⇒ Adjusting the seating position.

3. Remove the luggage compartment cover

⇒ Luggage compartment cover.

4. Remove the luggage compartment floor

⇒ Variable luggage compartment floor.

5. Remove the spare wheel and foam insert from the vehicle

⇒ Compact spare wheel.

6. Move the backrests to the upright position and lock them

⇒ Adjusting the rear seat.

7. Push the rear seats as far back as possible

⇒ Adjusting the rear seat.

8. Unclip the small covers (not pictured) on the hexagonal nuts in the rear footwell

⇒

fig. 100

(arrows).

9. Remove all hexagonal nuts

⇒

fig. 100

(arrows) with the lug wrench.

10. Remove the 3 plastic covers.

11. Push the rear seats all the way forward

⇒ Adjusting the rear seat.

12. Remove all hexagonal nuts

⇒

fig. 101

(arrows) in the luggage compartment using the lug wrench.

13. First, lift the smaller rear seat on the right from the vehicle through the right rear door.

14. Then lift the left rear seat from the vehicle through the rear hatch.

Installing the rear seat

1. Push the driver seat and front passenger seat as far forward as possible

⇒ Adjusting the seating

position.

2. Then lift the left rear seat into the vehicle through the rear hatch.

3. Set the seat rails of the rear seat first on the front anchoring studs and then on the rear studs.

4. Secure both seat rails of the rear seat in front and back with 2 hexagonal nuts each, tightening the

nuts by hand - do not tighten them with the lug wrench yet.

5. Lift the right rear seat into the vehicle through the right rear door.

6. Set the seat rails of the rear seat first on the front anchoring studs and then on the rear studs.

7. Secure both seat rails of the rear seat in front and back with 2 hexagonal nuts each, tightening the

nuts by hand - do not tighten them with the lug wrench yet.

8. To align the seat rails, press the left rear seat all the way to the left in the vehicle.

9. To align the seat rails, press the right rear seat all the way to the right in the vehicle.

10. Tighten the hexagonal nuts in the luggage compartment

⇒

fig. 101

(arrows) to 44 ft-lbs (60 Nm)

using a torque wrench. If no torque wrench is available, tighten the hexagonal nuts using the lug
wrench and have the torque checked at a qualified workshop as soon as possible.

11. Push the rear seats as far back as possible

⇒ Adjusting the rear seat.

12. Remove the hexagonal nuts in the rear of the footwell again, set the 3 plastic covers

⇒

fig. 100

the studs and screw on with the hexagonal nuts.

13. Tighten the hexagonal nuts

⇒

fig. 100

(arrows) to 44 ft-lbs (60 Nm) using a torque wrench. If no

torque wrench is available, tighten the hexagonal nuts using the lug wrench and have the torque
checked at a qualified workshop as soon as possible.

14. Clip on the small covers (not pictured) on the hexagonal nuts

⇒

fig. 100

(arrows).

15. Install the foam insert and spare wheel in the vehicle

⇒ Compact spare wheel.

16. Install the luggage compartment floor

⇒ Variable luggage compartment floor.

17. Install the luggage compartment cover

⇒ Luggage compartment cover.

18. Install all rear head restraints

⇒ Adjusting the seating position.

WARNING

No one may ride in the back of the vehicle when the rear seat has been removed.

WARNING

An improperly installed rear seat can separate from its mountings during an accident.

All securing bolts must be tightened to the specified torque after the rear seat has been

installed.

CAUTION

Sharp-edged parts are located on the underside of the rear seat.

Protect your hands when you lift the rear seat in or out.

NOTICE

Have at least one person help to lift the rear seat in or out. One person should be in the

vehicle and one outside.

The lever

⇒

fig. 45

for the fore and aft adjustment of the rear seat must not be operated

while the seat is removed. If the position of the fore and aft adjustment is changed, the rear
seat can only be installed by a qualified workshop.

Luggage compartment cover

Fig. 102 Installing and removing the luggage compartment cover.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

When you open or close the rear hatch, the supporting straps, when attached, will automatically raise
or lower the luggage compartment cover.

You can put light articles of clothing on the luggage compartment cover. But remember that your view
through the rear window must not be obstructed.

Removing the luggage compartment cover

Unhook the supporting straps from the rear hatch

⇒

fig. 102

(top arrows).

Pull the luggage compartment cover back and out of the side brackets

⇒

fig. 102

(bottom arrows).

Installing the luggage compartment cover

Slide the luggage compartment cover forward into the side brackets

⇒

fig. 102

(bottom arrows).

Hook the supporting straps onto the rear hatch

⇒

fig. 102

(top arrows).

WARNING

In a sudden braking or other maneuver, or in a collision, unsecured or improperly secured
objects or animals on the luggage compartment cover could cause serious injury.

Never leave hard, heavy or sharp objects in bags or loose on the luggage compartment

cover.

Never let animals ride on the luggage compartment cover.

NOTICE

To help prevent damage to the luggage compartment cover, the luggage compartment may
only be loaded to a height at which the luggage compartment cover will not press on the cargo
when the rear hatch is closed.

Things on the luggage compartment cover can damage it.
The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that

rub against them.

Do not cover the ventilation slots in the side consoles. Otherwise, stale air cannot escape from

the vehicle.

Luggage compartment pass-through

Fig. 103 In the rear backrest: Opening the luggage compartment pass-through.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

There is a pass-through for transporting things like skis in the rear seat backrest behind the center
armrest.

To help prevent soiling the vehicle interior, cover dirty items before sliding them into the pass-through.

If the center armrest is folded down, no one can sit on the middle seat of the rear bench.

Opening the pass-through

Open the rear hatch.

Push the head restraint for the center seat all the way down

⇒ Adjusting the seating position.

Pull the loop in the direction of the arrow

⇒

fig. 103

and fold down center armrest.

  Remove the cushion
  Slide long objects from the luggage compartment through the pass-through.
  Secure objects with the safety belt.
  Close the rear hatch.

Closing the pass-through

  Open the rear hatch.
  Unfasten the items secured with the safety belt.
  Remove items from the luggage compartment through the pass-through.
  Fold the center armrest back until it engages securely.
  Reinstall the cushion
  Close the rear hatch.

The pass-through can also be opened from the luggage compartment. Push down the release

button (arrow) and push the center section of the rear seat backrest (pass-through) all the way
forward.

Tie-downs

Fig. 104 In the luggage compartment: Tie-downs.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

There are 4 tie-downs in the front and rear of the luggage compartment, which you can use to secure

luggage or other items

⇒

fig. 104

Pull-down tie-downs (close-up)
Rigid tie-downs (arrows)

Elastic straps can snap back towards you if they are not properly attached.

If you use elastic straps to secure items in the luggage compartment, be sure to fist securely attach
them to the tie-downs just behind the rear seat backrest first and then to the and then to the tie-downs
at the loading edge of the luggage compartment.

Remove the hooks from the tie-downs in the reverse order described above, first from the tie-downs at
the loading edge and then from the tie-downs behind the rear seat backrest so that if the hooks come
loose suddenly, they will move away from you.

WARNING

Unsuitable, worn, or damaged tie-down straps (elastic or non-elastic) can snap or come loose
during braking or other maneuvers or in a collision. Objects secured with these straps can
then come loose and fly through the passenger compartment, causing severe personal
injuries or death.

To help prevent baggage or other items from coming loose and flying around, always use

suitable undamaged tie-down straps.

Securely fasten the tie-down straps to the tie-downs.
Loose or improperly secured objects in the luggage compartment can slide about

suddenly and change the vehicle's handling.

Secure even small and light objects. Loose objects in the luggage or passenger

compartment can fly about during sudden braking maneuvers or in the event of an accident
and injure occupants.

Never exceed the maximum allowable load on the tie-downs when securing objects.

Never secure a child restraint to the tie-downs.

WARNING

Elastic straps have to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the luggage
compartment Hooks on elastic straps can cause serious personal injury if not handled
properly and attached securely.

Always protect eyes and face from injury from the hooks when attaching them to the

vehicle and do not let them snap back and hit you.

Always hold the hooks on elastic straps firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do not let

them snap back and hit you.

First attach hooks on the straps to the tie-downs at the rear seat backrest in the luggage

compartment and then to the tie-downs near the loading edge of the luggage compartment.
This way, if one of the hooks on the elastic straps snaps back, it will move away from you,
decreasing the risk of personal injury.

The maximum load for the tie-downs is about 785 lbs. (356 kg).

For suitable ratchet straps and luggage stowage systems, please see an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Shopping bag hooks

Fig. 105 In the luggage compartment: Shopping bag hooks.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

A pull-down shopping bag hook in the upper left part of the luggage compartment can be used for
conveniently holding light shopping bags.

Press at the bottom to fold out the shopping bag hook

⇒

fig. 105

Press at the top to fold out the shopping bag eye

⇒

fig. 105

WARNING

Never use the shopping bag hooks as tie-downs. The hooks could break off during sudden
breaking maneuvers or in a collision.

NOTICE

The maximum load for the shopping bag hook is 6.6 lbs. (3 kg).

Luggage net

Fig. 106 In the luggage compartment: Luggage net hooked in place.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The luggage net helps prevent lighter luggage from shifting. The luggage net also has a pocket that
can hold smaller items.

There are several ways to install the luggage net in the luggage compartment.

Example 1: Securing the luggage net flat on the luggage compartment floor

First secure the luggage net hooks to the tie-downs at the rear seat backrest

⇒

fig. 106

⇒

. The

luggage net pocket opening must face upwards.

Secure the luggage net hooks to the tie-downs at the loading edge of the luggage compartment

⇒

fig. 106

Example 2: Securing the luggage net to the loading edge

First attach the loops to the shopping bag hooks.

Then secure the short luggage net hooks to the tie-downs at the loading edge of the luggage

compartment

⇒

fig. 106

⇒

. The luggage net pocket opening must face upwards.

Removing the luggage net

The installed luggage net is stretched tight

⇒

Remove the hooks and loops of the luggage net from the tie-downs in the reverse order described

above so that if the hooks come loose suddenly, they will move away from you.

Stow the luggage net in the luggage compartment.

WARNING

The elastic luggage net has to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the
luggage compartment. The hooks can cause serious personal injury if not handled properly
and attached securely.

Always hold the hooks on the luggage net bag firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do

not let them spring back and hit you.

Always protect eyes and face from injury from the metal hooks when attaching them to the

tie-downs in the luggage compartment.

First attach the luggage net bag hooks to the tie-downs on the rear seat backrest or on the

shopping bag hooks in the luggage compartment and then to the tie-downs near the loading
edge of the luggage compartment. If one of the hooks on the luggage bag net snaps back, it
will move away from you and not towards you, increasing the risk of injury.

Variable luggage compartment floor

Fig. 107 In the luggage compartment: Opening and securing the variable luggage compartment floor.

Fig. 108 Extending the luggage compartment floor forward or downward.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Opening and closing the luggage compartment floor

To open, grasp the handle and pull in the direction of the arrow and raise the luggage compartment

floor completely

⇒

fig. 107

To secure, push the retaining pin

⇒

fig. 107

to the right.

To close, push the retaining pin

(1)

to the left and guide the luggage compartment floor

downwards.

Extending the luggage compartment floor forward

Remove the luggage compartment cover

⇒ Luggage compartment cover.

Remove the rear head restraints

⇒ Adjusting the seating position.

Push both sections of the rear seat forward

⇒ Adjusting the seating position.

Fold the rear backrests forward

⇒ Adjusting the seating position.

Fold the cover forward

⇒

fig. 108

(1)

Extending the luggage compartment floor downward

Remove the luggage compartment cover

⇒ Luggage compartment cover.

Raise the luggage compartment floor, pull from the side pins

(2)

and remove it from the vehicle to

the rear.

There may be a foam element with the spare wheel

⇒

fig. 107

located beneath the variable luggage

compartment floor. If a spare wheel is present, remove it

⇒ Compact spare wheel and remove the

foam element from the luggage compartment.

WARNING

During hard braking or an accident, loose objects can fly through the passenger
compartment and cause serious or even fatal injuries.

Even if the luggage compartment floor panel is properly raised, it is still necessary to

secure all objects.

Objects stowed between the rear seat bench and the luggage compartment floor panel

must never be more than 2/3 as high as the raised floor panel.

Objects stowed between the rear seat bench and the raised luggage compartment floor

panel must never weigh more than about 16.5 lbs. (7.5 kg).

NOTICE

Do not let the luggage compartment floor fall freely when closing it. Always guide it down into
place. The trim or the luggage compartment floor could be damaged.

If you slide the rear seats forward, there is a gap between the luggage compartment floor and

the rear seats. Make certain there are no objects in this space before sliding the rear seats back again.

Roof rack

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Attaching the roof rack base carrier and roof rack

Securing a load on the roof rack

The roof of your vehicle has been designed to optimize aerodynamics and does not have traditional
rain gutters that are used to attach many kinds of roof racks.

Since the rain gutters are molded into the roof to provide efficient aerodynamics, only Volkswagen-
approved base carrier mounts and roof racks can be used.

When should the roof rack be removed?

  When it is no longer needed.
  Before driving through an automatic car wash.
  When the vehicle would otherwise be too high for minimum clearance to enter, for example, a

garage.

More information:

  Lights
  Transporting
  Tires and wheels
  Saving fuel and helping the environment
  Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications

WARNING

Transporting heavy or bulky loads on the roof rack will change the way the vehicle handles
by shifting the vehicle's center of gravity and increasing the wind drag.

Always secure the load properly with suitable and undamaged straps so that the load will

not shift.

Cargo that is large, heavy, bulky, long or flat will have a negative effect on the vehicle's

aerodynamics, center of gravity and overall handling.

Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the

vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.

NOTICE

Always remove the roof rack before driving through an automatic car wash.
Your vehicle is higher when the roof rack is installed, especially when it is loaded. Compare

the vehicle height with existing clearance heights, such as underpasses and garage doors.

Always make sure that the roof rack system and anything being carried on it does not

interfere with the roof antenna or the movement of the power sunroof or the rear hatch.

Make sure that the rear hatch does not touch items on the roof rack when opened.

If a roof rack is installed, fuel consumption increases due to increased air resistance.

Volkswagen Tiguan (2015 year). Instruction - part 10