Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual: Driving with an open rear hatch

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject 

Driving with an open rear hatch can lead to serious personal injury. If you have to drive with an open rear hatch, make sure that all objects and the lid itself are properly secured and take appropriate measures to keep toxic exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.

Warning

Driving with an unlatched or open rear hatch can lead to serious personal injury.

• Never transport objects larger than those fitting completely into the luggage compartment, because the luggage compartment lid cannot be closed properly.

• After closing the lid, always pull up on it to make sure that it is properly closed and cannot open suddenly when the vehicle is moving.

• Always stow all objects securely in the luggage compartment. Loose objects can fall out of the luggage compartment and injure others on the road behind you.

• Drive carefully; anticipate what other drivers will do.

• Avoid abrupt or sudden acceleration, steering, or braking, because the unlatched rear hatch can move suddenly.

• Always mark objects sticking out from the luggage compartment clearly for others to see. Obey all applicable legal requirements.

• Never use the rear hatch to “clamp” or “hold” objects that stick out of the luggage compartment.

• Always remove any luggage rack or other rack mounted on the rear hatch (along with any luggage on the rack) before driving with an open rear hatch.

Warning

Driving with an open rear hatch can cause poisonous carbon monoxide in the engine exhaust to get into the passenger compartment.

• Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness, inattentiveness, poisoning, and loss of consciousness. It can lead to accidents and severe personal injuries.

• Always keep the rear hatch closed while driving to help keep poisonous exhaust fumes from being drawn into the vehicle.

• Never transport objects that are too large to fit completely into the luggage area, because then the rear hatch cannot be fully closed.

• If you absolutely must drive with an open rear hatch, do the following to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning:
  • Close all windows and the power sunroof.
  • Switch off the climate control system's air recirculation feature.
  • Open all air vents in the instrument panel.
  • Set the fresh air fan to the highest speed.

Note

The open rear hatch changes the vehicle's length and height.