Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual:  Introduction to the subject

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

⇒ Warning light 

⇒ Getting ready to work in the engine compartment 

⇒ Opening and closing the engine compartment 

Always position the vehicle on a firm and level surface before doing any work in the engine compartment.

The engine compartment of a vehicle is a hazardous area. Never do any work on the engine or in the engine compartment unless you

• know exactly how to carry out the job,

• have the correct technical information and the proper tools and supplies, and

• are familiar with the necessary safety precautions ⇒  !

If you are uncertain in any way, have the work done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed work.

More information:

• Exterior views ⇒ Exterior views 

• Windshield wiper and washer ⇒ Windshield wiper and washer 

• Starting and stopping the engine ⇒ Starting and stopping the engine 

• Brake fluid ⇒ Braking, stopping, and parking 

• Checks while refueling ⇒ Refueling 

• Engine oil ⇒ Engine oil 

• Engine coolant ⇒ Engine coolant 

• Vehicle battery ⇒ Vehicle battery 

• Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications ⇒ Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications 

Warning

Unintended vehicle movement during maintenance work can cause serious personal injuries.

• Never work under the vehicle unless you have safely secured the vehicle from moving. If you must work under the vehicle with the wheels on the ground, always make sure that the vehicle is on level ground, that all four wheels are chocked to keep them from moving, and that the key is not in the ignition.

• If you must work under a vehicle raised on a floor jack, always make sure that the vehicle is safely supported on safety stands intended for that purpose that are strong enough to support the weight of the vehicle. The jack supplied with the vehicle is not strong enough for this purpose and can collapse causing serious personal injury.

Warning

The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially dangerous area and can cause serious personal injury.

• Always use extreme caution when doing any work in the engine compartment. Always follow commonly accepted safety practices and use common sense. Never risk personal injury.

• Never perform any work in the engine compartment unless you know exactly how to carry out the job and have the correct technical information and the correct tools.

• If you are uncertain about what to do, have the work performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed work.

• We strongly recommend that you always have HID - High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) lamps and H7/H15 bulbs replaced by a qualified technician. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed work.

• Never open or close the engine hood if steam or coolant is escaping. Hot steam or coolant can cause serious burns. Always wait until you no longer see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine.

• Always let the engine cool down completely before carefully opening the hood.

• Hot parts of the engine and the exhaust system will burn skin on contact.

• When the engine has cooled down and you are ready to open the hood:
  • Firmly apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only).
  • Take the vehicle key out of the ignition.
  • On vehicles with Keyless Access, make sure that the remote control vehicle key is out of range of the vehicle and that the vehicle cannot be started by depressing the starter button.
  • Always keep children and others away from the engine compartment and never leave them unsupervised.

• The engine coolant system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never unscrew the coolant expansion tank cap when the engine is hot. Hot coolant can spray out and cause severe burns and other serious injuries.
  • Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counterclockwise direction while applying light downward pressure on the top of the cap.
  • Always protect your face, hands, and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by covering the cap with a large, thick rag.

• Never spill fluids on the engine or exhaust system when refilling. Spilling fluids onto hot parts of the engine or exhaust system can cause a fire.

Warning

High voltage systems in the engine compartment can cause electrical shocks or even electrocution, severe burns, other serious injuries, and even death!

• Never short-circuit the electrical system. Be especially careful when using jumper cables. The vehicle's battery could explode!

• To reduce the risk of electrical shock and personal injury while the engine is running or being started:
  • Never touch ignition cables. Never touch other components of the high voltage electronic ignition system.
  • Never touch the wiring of the HID - High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) headlights.

Warning

Moving parts in the engine compartment can cause serious personal injury on contact.

• Never reach into the area around or touch the radiator fan. Contact with the blades can cause serious personal injury. Always remember that the radiator fan is temperature-controlled and can come on suddenly even when the engine has been switched off for a while and the key has been removed from the ignition.

• If you have to perform a check or repair when the engine is running, there are more risks from the rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan, etc., and from the high-voltage ignition system. Always use extreme care.
  • Always make sure that jewelry, loose clothing and long hair do not get caught in rotating engine parts. Before starting any work remove your jewelry, take off your necktie, tie back and cover your hair, and do not wear clothing that can hang down and get caught in moving engine parts.
  • Always use extreme caution if the accelerator pedal has to be depressed to perform a check. The vehicle will start to move even if the electronic parking brake is on.

• Never leave any objects in the engine compartment, for example cleaning rags and tools. Objects left behind can cause malfunctions, engine damage, and even fires.

Warning

Operating fluids and some materials in the engine compartment can catch fire easily, causing burns and other serious personal injuries!

• Do not smoke.

• Never work next to open flames or sparks.

• Never pour or spill operating fluids or other flammable liquids on the engine. These fluids can ignite on hot engine parts and cause injuries.

• If work on the fuel system or the electrical system is necessary:
  • Always disconnect the 12 Volt vehicle battery. Make sure the vehicle is unlocked when you disconnect the battery, or the alarm will go off. Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
  • Never work near heaters, water heaters, or other open flames.

• Always have a functional, approved fire extinguisher nearby.

Note

When changing or topping off fluids, make sure that you pour the fluids into the correct reservoirs. Adding the wrong type of operating fluids will cause serious malfunctions and engine damage.

Fluid leaks are harmful to the environment. Regularly check the ground underneath your vehicle for this reason. If you find spots of oil or other fluids, have your vehicle checked by your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Dispose of leaked operating fluids properly.