Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual:  Introduction to the subject

In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:

⇒ Mounting 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 ⇒ Lights 

• Transporting ⇒ Transporting 

• Saving fuel and helping the environment ⇒ Saving fuel and helping the environment 

• Tires and wheels ⇒ Tires and wheels 

• Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications ⇒ 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.

Note

• 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.