
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine DRIVING TIPS
Driving a four-wheel drive vehicle*
The drive concept
-h e syncro is equipped with a four-wheel
dri ve whi ch automatically distributes the
jnve force to the front and rear wheels by
eans of a viscous coupling.
n e distribution of the drive
is so regulated
- at in normal driving conditions the front
• heels alway s receive slightly more drive
' h an the
rear wheels.
owever , on very slippery surfaces when
-'l e grip at the front wheels is not adequate
t ransfer the drive to the road , the viscous
:ou pling automatically diverts more drive to
-'le rear wheels.
e four-wheel drive remains
in operation in 'ev erse gear.
Attention The style of driving must always be adapted to suit road surface and traffic conditions. The increased safety offered by this type of vehicle must not encourage one to take unnecessary risks.
In particular, one must always remember that the braking ability is limited by the adhesion of the tyres on the road surface and no different from a two-wheel drive vehicle. For this reason, one should never be tempted by the good acceleration capabilities, even on slippery road surfaces, into driving too fast. It should be noted that the front wheels can aquaplane when driving at high speeds on wet road. When this happens -contrary to vehicles with front wheel drive only -the start of the aquaplaning is not indicated by a sudden revving up of the engine. For this reason, do not drive too fast, always adapt the speed to the existing road conditions.
What else should be noted?
Using winter tyres
With the four-wheel drive the vehicle has
good traction in winter road conditions even
with the standard tyres. However the use of
winter/all-we ather tyres on
all four wheels is recommended to further improve handl
ing and braking.
Using snow chains
Snow chains must also be used on vehicles
with four wheel drive when snow chains are
obligatory . F urther details about using
snow chai ns are given on page 109
Renewing wheels/tyres
On the syncro all four wheels must always have the same rolling circumference. For
further information see page 107.
Output testing
If any time an output test is to be carried out
on a sin gle axle test stand the propshaft
must be detached
at the front
79

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine GENERAL MAINTENANCE
W ashing the vehicle by hand
~In the interests ofe n vironmental ~protection the vehicle s hould only be washed in specially provided wash bays. In some districts, washing cars elsewhere may even be forbidden .
First soften the dirt
with plenty of water and
rinse off as well as possible.
Th en clean the car with a soft sponge, glove
or brush starting on the roof and going from
t o p to bottom using only slight pressure.
Pain t sham poo should only be used for very
p ersis tent dirt.
Rinse the s ponge or glove out thoroughly at
s l
lort intervals.
Wheels and sill panels should be cleaned
last, using a different sponge if possible.
After clea nin g the vehicle, rinse thoroughly
with water and leather it off.
Notes
• The vehicle should not be washed In strong sunshine.
• If the vehicle
is rinsed with a hose, do not
direct the jet of water at the lock cylinders
- they can freeze up in the winter.
Washing vehicle with high pressure
cleaner
• The operating instructions for the high
pressure cleaner must be followed closely
- particularly with regard to pressu re and working distance.
•
Do not use a concentrated Jet. • The water temperature must not be
above 60°e.
Attention
Tyres must never be cleaned with
a concentrated jet! Even at a rela
tively large working distance and
a very short spraying time, dam
age can occur.
Waxing
A good coat of "vax pro tects the vehicle
paintwork to a large extent again st the envi
ronmental influences listed under "Washing" on the previous page an d even against
light mechanical damage
At the latest
when water on th e clean paint
does not form small drops an d roll off, the
vehicle should be protec te d b y applying a
coat of good hard wax. Even when a wax
solution
is used regular ly in the washing water it is advisable to prote ct th e paint vVlth a coat of hard wax at least twice a year.
Polishing
Should only be done if paint has lost its
shine and gloss cannot be brought back
with wax. If the polish used does not con
tain preservative compounds, th~ pain t must be waxed afterwards.
Note
Matt painted and plastic parts should
not be treated with pol is h or hard wax.
86

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine GENERAL MAINTENANCE
I S1H-053 I
Changing the wheels round
, the front tyres are worn more than the
r ear it is advi sable to change the wheels
r o und as shown . All tyres wi ll then have ap
proximately the same length of servic e life.
N ith certain types of tread wear it
can be an advantag e to change the wheels diagonally. Jo lkswagen dealers have the necessa ry in
:or mation.
Renewing wheels/tyres
N heels and ty res are important design fea
. u res. The w heels and tyres approved by us sh ou ld be used. They are special ly matched ~o the model concerned and contribute argely to the excellent roadhold ing and safe
driving characteri stics.
Volkswagen dealers are fully informed as to which makes of tyre
are approved by us. Furthermore, many Volkswagen dealers keep a wide range of tyres and wheels.
• Fitting and repairing tyres requires ex
pert knowledge and specia l tools. This work may only be carried out by spec ialist person
nel.
r.Q:., Because of the problem of dis'{!J!J posing of the old tyres, the special tools necessary and the specialist knowledge required, tyre changing should preferably be done by a Vo/kswagen dealer.
• For saf ety reasons the tyres shou ld be renewed in pairs and not singly. The tyres with the dee pest tread should always be on the front w heels.
• Only combin e r
adial ply tyres of the
same type, size (rolling circumference) and
if possible the same tread pattern . Apart
from th
is, on the Golf syncro the ve
h icl e m ust be fitted with tyres of th e same mak e. Other w ise the resulting speed dif
ference between th e axles wil l cause the
viscous coupling to increase the drive sp lit
to t he rear axle unnece ssa rily Thi s can lead
to damage.
D i
fferent tread depths front to rear tyres,
e.g. due to wear is insignif icant. It is though
recommended that tyres with the most
tread are fitted on the front If the front tyres
are noticeably more worn than the rear they
have a smal ler ro lli ng radius and therefore
rotate quicker. This wi ll cause wind-up in the
transmission resulti ng in more rapid tyre wear. However increased wear to the four
wheel drive system need not be feared .
To pre vent wind-u p from occurring , the Golf
syncro is equ ipped with a larger temporar y
spare wheel than the normal
Golf models
see page 1 39.
The temporary spare from the normal Golf m odels must not be used.
• If the spare wheel differs from the ver
sion fitted on the vehicle (e.g. winter tyres
or wide tyres) the spare may only be used
briefly to replace a flat tyre and with an ap
propriately careful style of drivi ng . It mus t be replaced with the normal w heel as soon as possib le
107

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Winter tyres
winter conditions win ter tyres w ill dis
- n ctly improve the vehicle's handling even
th e case of four
wheel drive ve hicles. This
ap plies In particular to veh icles that are
eq uipped with wide/high -speed tyres (Code
e
tters H or V in the tyre designation on the
: r e wall). Because of their construction
,lIdth, rubber mixture, tread formation etc) :n se tyres provide less traction on ice and
sn ow.
h
en fitting winter tyres note the follow
n g:
• Onl y radial ply winter tyres may
be fitted.
h e factory recommended tyre sizes are given on page 139.
•
To obtain the best possible handling ch aracteristics, wint er tyres must be fitted o n all fou r wheels.
• The pressures for
winter tyres must be
0.2 bar higher than with summer tyres
s e e Technical Data on page 142.
•
Winter tyres are no longe r fully effec tive
h en the tread has worn down to a depth
o f 4 mm.
The following speed limits are valid for winter tyres:
Code letter
Q max. 160 km/h
Code letter T max. 190 km/h
Code letter H ma
x. 210 km/h
In Germany, vehicles w hich can exceed this
speed must have an appropriate sticker in the driver's field of view. Suitable stickers
are available from Volkswagen dealers.
Please note regulations to this effect
in your
cou ntry .
• All-weath er t yres
can also be used in
stead of winter ty res .
• If you have a flat tyre the remarks on
using the spare wheel on page 114 should
be noted .
•
Do not leave winter tyres fitted for an un
necessary long period because w hen the
roads are free of
snow and ice the handling with summer tyres is better.
r:lil:.-. For environmental reasons (!Jtf summer tyres should be fitted again as soon as possible because normally they are quieterin running, tyre wear is reduced and the fuel consumption is lower_
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on all tyre sizes
listed on page 139. The chains may only be fitted on the front wheels -this applies also to the syncro.
The use of sno w chains on the temporary
spare wheel is not permitted for technical
reasons. Further details are given on page
114 .
Only use thin chains w hich do not stand
clea r
more than 15 mm (including ten
sioner).
When using snow chains wheel trim plates
and trim rings must be ta ken off . For sa fety
reasons the w heel bolts must then be fitted with caps w hich are available from Volks
wagen dealers.
When driving over roads whic h are free of snow you must remo ve the chains. On such
road s they are detrimental to vehic le handl
ing, damage
the tyres and wear out Quickly .
In Germany , the maximum permissible
speed w ith snow chains is 50 m/h
109

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TECHNICAL DATA
Wheels
Golf saloon and
Golf syncro
Normal tyres
Tyre size on wheel, offset1)
Recom mended winter tyres
Tyre size on wheel, offset1
)
Petrol engines: 40, 44, 55, 66 kW
Diesel engines: 47,55,66 kW
175 /70 R 13 82 T21
185/60 R 14 82 T / H
195/ 50 R 15 82 V 5
1/2
J x 1321
, 0/5 : 38
6
J x 14, 0 /5 : 45
6 J x 15 , 0/5 : 45 175
/
70 R 13 82 Q M + S21 or
175 / 65 R 14
82 Q M + S or
185 / 60 R 14 82 Q M
+ S
5 1/2 J x 132
) , 0 /5 : 38
6 J x 14, 0/5 : 45
6
J x 14, 0 / 5 : 45
85 kW petrol en gine
GL version
185/ 60 R 14 82 H
195 / 50 R 15 82 V 6 J x 14, 0/5 :
45
6 J x 15 , 0/5 : 45 185/55 R
1581 T M + S 6 J x 15, 0/5 38
85 kW petrol engine
GTI version
195/ 50 R 15 82 V
1 95 / 50 R 15 82 V
205 /
50 R 15 86 V 6
J x 15, 0/5 : 38
6 1/2
J x 15, 0 /5 : 43
6 1/2 J x 15 , 0/5 : 43
185/55 R 1581 T M + S 6 J x 15, 0 /5 : 38
110 kW petrol engine 195 / 50 R 15 82 V
1 95 / 50 R 15 82 V
205 /
50 R 15 86 V 6
J x 1
5 , 0/5 : 38
6 1/2
J x 15, 0/5 : 43
6 1/2
J x 15 , 0 /5 : 43 1
85/55 R
1581 T M + S 6 J x 15, 0/5 : 38
128, 140 kW petrol 205 / 50 R 15 86 V 6 1/2 J x 15, 0/5 43 185 / 55 R 1585 T M +S rei nforced
6 J x 15, 0/5 : 38
Temporary spare wheel
853
), 110,128 kW T 115 / 70 R 15 90 M 3 1/2 J x 1 5 , 0/5 : 38
all other engines T 105 /70 R 14 84 M 3 1 /2 J x 14, 0 /5 : 45
syncro 66 kW T 125 / 75 R 1595 M
3 1/2 J x 15 , 0/5 : 40
syncro 140 kW T 125 / 80 R 1 5 95 M 3 1/2 J x 15, 0/5 : 38
See notes on next page. 1 1 Off se t in mm
2 ) Not for 66 kW G T m odel

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TECHNICAL DATA
Golf estate Normal tyres
Tyre size on wheel, offset1
)
Recommended winter tyres
Tyre size on wheel, offset 1)
40, 44 kW petrol 175 / 70 R 13 82 T
185 / 60 R 14 82 H
1 95 / 50 R 15 82 V 5
1/2 J x 13 , o/s :
38
6 J x 1
4, o/ s : 45
6 J x 15 , o/s : 45 175 /70 R 1382 Q M + S
o
r
1 75 / 65 R 14 82 Q M + S or
1 85 / 60 R 1 4 82 Q M + S 5
1/2 J x
13, o/s : 38
6 J x 14, o/s : 45
6 J x 14 , o/s : 45
55 kW petrol 47, 55 kW Diesel
185 / 60 R 14 82 H
1 95 / 60 R 14 85 H
1 95 / 50 R 15 82 V 6 J
x 14, o/s 45
6 J x 14 , o/s : 45
6 J x 15, o/ s : 45 175
/ 65 R 14 82 Q M + S or
185 / 60 R 14 82 Q M + S 6
J x 14 , o/s :
45
6 J x 14 , o/ s : 45
66 kW petrol 66 kW Diesel
195 / 60 R 14 85 H
1 95 / 50 R 15 82 V 6 J
x 14 , o/s : 45
6 J x 1
5, o/s : 45 175
/ 65 R 14 82
Q M + S 6 J
x 14, o/s
: 45
85 kW petrol 195 / 60 R 14 85 H
195 / 50 R 15 82 V 6J x 14 , 0/s : 45
6 J x 1
5, o/s :
45 1
75 / 65 R 14 82
Q M + S 6
J x 14, o/s
45
Temporary spare wheel
all engines T 115 / 70 R 1 5 90 M 3 1/2 J x 15 , o/s : 40
The tyre/wheel combinat ions in the tab le
ar e valid f or s teel and alloy w heels. De ta ils
on wheth er other ty re s or wheel s can be
used can be obtained from Volkswagen
dea lers.
F or win te r t yres the most su it
abl e tyre / wheel c o m bina tion is given . The wint er tyre recommendatio n a pplie s also to AIIweath e r tyr es. Furt he r remarks on the u se
o f w int er tyres are giv e n on page 109
1 ) O ffs et in m m
Attention If you wish to fit your car with non-standard wheels or tyres (e.g. alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres), you must read the appropriate notes in the centre and right-hand columns on page 108.
On th e Golf syncro all f our wheels must have t he same rol l circumfere nce -see
page 107.
Snow chains may be used on the front
w hee ls in th e c ase of all summer an d w inter
ty re s listed (no t on tem pora ry sp are) -see
page 109 also .
F o r ty re press ures, see next page
140

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TECHNICAL DATA
up to half payload / up to full payload
Golf estate 175/70R13 185/60R14 195/60 R 14 195/50 R 15 185/60R14
195/50 R 15
bar Front
40, 44 kW petrol 18/20
47,55 kW Diesel
55 kW petrol
66 kW petrol
66 kW Diesel
Spare wheel
T
emporary
Normal
-
-
Rear Front Rear Front Rear Fron t Rear
18 / 26 ------
-
2. 2/ 2.4 2.2 / 3.0 19/ 21 19/27 2.2 / 2.4 2.2/3.0
-21 /2.4 2.1/ 3 0 18/21 18/27 2.1 / 2.4 2.1 /3.0
--18/21 18/27 2.1/2.4 2.1/3.0
---2.0 / 2.2
2.0 / 2.8 2. 3 /2.6 2 3/ 32
4.2
Ma ximum permissib le tyre pressure for vehicle .
These pressures are for cold tyres. When
t y res are wa rm the pressure is higher but do Attention not reduce it. The tyre pressures must be checked at least once a month. When using winter tyres, increase pres
They are very important particusures give b y 0.2 bar.
larly at high speeds -see page
105.
The inf lation pressures are given on a
sticker on the inside of the glo ve box lid. As
the pressures may be alt ered at short notice
for technic al reasons there may be differ
ences between sticker and Instruction
Manual. If this shou ld
be th e case, ask your Volkswagen dealer for the correct pres
sures.
142

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ALPHABETICAL INDEX
w
Warning lamps ... .. . . . 46
Warning triangle. . . . . . . . . 112
Warranty 2
Washing 85
Weights . 143
Wheels .... .... . . 105,139
Windows 10
-De-icing. 87
-Defrosting. 57 , 60, 62
Windscreen washer system .
103
Windscreen w ipe/wash system 55
Windscreen w iper 55
Windscreen wiper blades 104
Winter operation
- Care of vehicle 85
- Cooling system 97
- Engine oil 92
-Tyres 109
-Windscreen washer system 103
-Snow chains
109
Winter tyres 109
Wiper blades .. . . .. .. . 104
..
152