My 2008 V6 TDI does not do this. I think a trip to the dealer is your best action.

Stuart..

 

Unfortunately, I found that to be normal on my 2011. My previous car (2006 E-class) combined both throttle and brakes in the cruise control. I was very disappointed to discover that my Touareg - which didn't cost much less than the E-class - apparently uses simple throttle control. After beng accumtomed to the Benz, free-wheeling down hill is a little disconcerting.

//greg//

 

I don't think mine uses brakes under cruise control, but i have found that the Diesel engine seems to have sufficient engine braking to stop the speed running away.

Stuart..

 

.. i have found that the Diesel engine seems to have sufficient engine braking to stop the speed running away.

Perhaps I should have specified that the Benz in my previous post was a diesel as well. Yes - if your previous vehicle was petrol - the diesel may seem to decelerate faster. But when compared to a vehicle - petrol or diesel - that incorporates ABS into the cruise control system, the Touareg does a lot of freewheeling downhill.

//greg//

 

My 09 is the same engine and it certainly doesn't have this problem...neither did my V10. Unless you are going down some extremely steep slope this sounds off?

 

Something is wrong with it. I don't experience this on my 10 which is a TDI nor did I experience it on my 04 which was gas. Something is awry with your system.

 

Are we talking about engine braking or cruise computer applying the brakes?

VW doesn't apply brakes to control the cuise downhill speed in case it goes over the set value.

My previous Audi Q5 did apply brakes and almost every long downhill (Rockies) I ended up turning the cruise off as it would keep the brakes on all the way down but didn't shift to smaller gear to use the engine braking and the excessive braking on steep downhills was actually what I was trying to avoid while towing. By using the proper gearing and engine braking I barely needed brakes at all.

Point is, some brands apply, some doesn't, VW Touareg doesn't so if the reason is the cruise applying the brakes then don't bother taking to dealer as they will tell you there is nothing wrong with it.

 

Thank you so much. I really appreciate all of you taking the time to reply.

I only just got my car back from the dealer today! They had it three days, but it wasn't all for the cruise control. They got the towball in stock and fitted that but it screwed up the electrics because it was the first of the new model they had fitted. Needed some intervention from Melbourne diagnostic guru or something. Anyway, it's back today and I still love it.

And, they told me there is nothing wrong with the cruise control. Surprise.

That's how VW do it, and it looks like the only thing I don't like. I get that it may not be so good to have the brakes applied all the time, but I would expect the car to make moves to modify the speed by gearing down. I live in Brisbane Queensland, which must surely be one of the hilliest major cities in Australia and I need better speed control down hills. Speed traps and cameras are a common sight.

Surely there are bigger hills in Germany.

Anyway, thanks so much for responding.

 

My old T2 and my current T3 both do the same. It changes down gears to a certain point and then when it gets to much (incline) it lets go - not the best but I don't think I would want it using the brakes IMHO.