
Cockpit
54
WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always bear in mind the safety 
warnings ⇒ page 180.
Caution
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. At 
high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the 
engine overheating.Fuel gauge 
 and reserve indicator
Instrument panel: fuel gauge
The fuel tank has a capacity of approx. 45 litres. When the needle reaches the reserve zone 
⇒fig. 34  the warning lamp will 
light and an acoustic signal will sound  reminding the driver to refuel. At this 
point there are still about 7 litres of fuel in the tank.
SpeedometerThe speedometer is equipped with a digital odometer and a trip counter, in 
addition to a service intervals display.
During the running-in period, the instructions shown on  ⇒page 151 should 
be followed.Digital display in the instrument panelDigital clock* – Turn the setting knob  ⇒page 52, fig. 32    anti-clockwise to 
the stop to set the hour. If the kn ob is turned briefly anti-clock-
wise the clock will advance one hour further.
– Turn the setting knob clockwise to the limit stop to set the  minutes. If the knob is turned briefly clockwise the clock will 
advance one minute further.
Fig. 34  Fuel gauge
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 123
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
– Turn the fan control to one of  the two levels depending on the 
speed required.
– Rotate the temperature control to the desired level.
– Close outlets  .
– Open and turn outlets   towards side windows.
Temperature selector  ⇒page 123
Blower control. There are four speed settings for the blower. The blower 
should always be set at the lowest speed when driving slowly.
Air distribution control  ⇒page 123
Air recirculation button    ⇒page 124
Button   – Coolant on button  ⇒page 123WARNING
For your safety, the windows should never be fogged up or covered with 
snow or ice. This is essential to ensu re good visibility. Please familiarise 
yourself with the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, 
including the demist/defrost functions for the windows.
Note
Please observe the general notes.
Vehicle interior heating or cooling system Heating of the vehicle interior
– Disconnect the cooling system using button  ⇒fig. 95    (the 
button light goes off).
– Turn the temperature selector   to set the desired temperature.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution control   to the air flow configuration  desired:   (towards the windsc reen),  (towards the chest), 
 (towards the foot rest) and   (towards the windscreen and 
foot rest areas).
Cooling the passenger compartment
– Connect the cooling system with button   (the button light  should  light up).
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Fig. 95  On the instru-
ment panel: air condi-
tioning controls
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
124
– Turn the temperature control switch until the desired interior temperature is obtained.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution control to the air flow configuration  desired:   (towards the windsc reen),   (towards the chest), 
 (towards the foot rest) and   (towards the windscreen and 
foot rest areas).Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is 
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Coolant system
When the cooling system is switched on, not only the temperature, but also 
the air humidity in the vehicle interior is reduced. This improves comfort for 
the vehicle occupants and prevents misting of the windows when the outside 
air humidity is high.
If the cooling system cannot be switched on this may be due to the following 
reasons:•
the engine is not running.
•
The blower is switched off.
•
The outside temperature is lower than +5°C.
•
the cooling system compressor has been temporarily switched off 
because the engine coolant temperature is too high.
•
The air conditioning fuse is faulty.
•
Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioning checked by a qual-
ified workshop.
Air recirculation  
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells 
from entering the vehicle.When air recirculation mode is switched on (button  ⇒page 123, fig. 95    
with warning lamp) strong odours in the  outside air do not enter the vehicle 
interior, for example when passing through a tunnel or in queuing traffic.
When the outside temperature is low, us ing air recirculation mode provides 
more effective heating by heating air from the vehicle interior instead of cold 
air from outside.
When the outside temperature is high,  using air recirculation mode provides 
more effective cooling by cooling air fr om the vehicle interior instead of warm 
air from outside.
For reasons of safety, air recirculation is  not possible when the control for air 
distribution is set to the windscreen setting 
.
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no ambient air enters the vehicle interior. If the 
air conditioning system is switched off, the windows can quickly mist over. 
Therefore, you should never leave the air recirculation mode switched on 
for longer periods, as this increases the risk of an accident.
Note
•
When reverse gear is engaged the air recirculation connects automatically 
to prevent the entrance of exhaust fumes in the vehicle on travelling back-
wards. The control light on th e button   does not light up.
•
If the temperature control is turned to the coldest setting (blue point) and 
the switch   is activated, the “Air recirculation” function is automatically 
activated in order to cool the passenger compartment rapidly using a 
minimum of energy and the function indicator will light.
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 127
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Climatronic maintains a constant tem
perature level fully automatically. The 
temperature of the air supplied to the interior, the blower speed and the air 
distribution are regulated automatically. The system also allows for the effect 
of strong sunlight, so there is no ne ed for manual adjustment. Therefore, 
automatic mode  provides the best comfort for the vehicle occupants in virtu-
ally all conditions throughout the year.
Automatic mode is switched off whenever an adjustment is made using the 
buttons for the air distribution, blower or  . The temperature continues 
to be regulated.
Manual mode
In manual mode you can adjust the air temperature, flow, and 
distribution yourself.Switching on manual mode
– Press one of the buttons  ⇒page 125, fig. 96    to  , or turn 
the blower control  . The display is switched off  .Temperature
It is possible to select interior te mperatures from +18°C (64°F) to +29°C 
(86°F). These are approximate temperat ures and the actual temperature may 
be slightly higher or lower depending on the outside conditions.
If a temperature below 18°C (64°F) is selected, the display switches to  LO. In 
this setting the system runs at maximum cooling output and the temperature 
is not regulated.
If a temperature above 29°C (86°F) is selected the display indicates  HI. In this 
setting the system runs at maximum heating output and the temperature is 
not controlled. Blower
The blower can be infinitely adjusted with the blower control  . Always have 
the blower running at a low setting to ensure a constant flow of fresh air into 
the vehicle. If the blower is switched off (no level displayed  ) and the 
control is turned further to the left, the Climatronic is switched off. Then 
OFF 
is displayed on the screen.
Air distribution
The air distribution is adjusted using the buttons  ,   and  . It is also 
possible to open and close some  of the air outlets separately.
Switching the air conditioning system on and off
Pressing the button   switches off the air cooling system to save fuel. 
The temperature continues to be regulated. The set temperature can then 
only be reached if it is higher than the outside temperature.
Air recirculation mode 
Air recirculation mode prevents  fumes or unpleasant smells 
from entering the vehicle.– Press the button   to switch air recirculation mode on or off. 
This is ON if the symbol 
 ⇒ page 125, fig. 96    is displayed 
on the screen.
Air recirculation mode prevents strong odours in the ambient air from 
entering the vehicle interior, for example when passing through a tunnel or in 
queuing traffic.
When the outside temperature is low, using air recirculation mode provides 
more effective heating by heating air from the vehicle interior instead of cold 
air from outside.
ECON
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
128When the outside temperature is high, using air recirculation mode provides 
more effective cooling by cooling air from the vehicle interior instead of warm 
air from outside.
For reasons of safety, air recirculation is  not possible when the control for air 
distribution is set to the windscreen setting 
.
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no ambient ai r enters the vehicle interior. If the 
air conditioning system is switched off, the windows can quickly mist over. 
Therefore, you should never leave the  air recirculation mode switched on 
for longer periods, as this increases the risk of an accident.
Note
When reverse gear is engaged the air recirculation connects automatically to 
prevent the entrance of exhaust fumes in the vehicle on travelling backwards. 
In this case the symbol   for air recirculation is not displayed.General notesThe pollen filter
The pollution filter (a combined part iculate filter and active carbon filter) 
serves as a barrier against impurities in the ambient air, including dust and 
pollen.
For the air conditioning system to work with maximum efficiency, the pollen 
filter must be replaced at the intervals specified in the Maintenance Program.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas with very high 
levels of air pollution, the pollen filte r must be changed more frequently than 
stated in the Service Schedule.
Caution
•
If you suspect that the air conditioning is damaged, switch off the air 
conditioning with button   to prev ent further damage and have it 
checked by a qualified workshop.
•
Repairs to the air conditioning system require specialist knowledge and 
special tools. Therefore, we recommend  that you take the vehicle to a quali-
fied workshop should problems occur.Note
•
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high,  condensa-
tion  can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool under-
neath the vehicle, this is completely no rmal and there is no need to suspect 
a leak.
•
Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and 
leaves to ensure heating and cooling is not impaired, and to prevent the 
windows misting over.
•
The air from the vents flows through the passenger compartment and is 
extracted by slots designed for this purpose. Do not cover these slots with 
articles of clothing or other objects.
•
The air conditioning system operates most effectively with the windows 
and the sliding/tilting roof* closed. Howe ver, if the sun has heated up the 
vehicle, the air inside can be cooled more quickly by opening the windows for 
a short period.
•
Do not smoke while air recirculation mode is on, as smoke drawn into the 
air conditioning system leaves a r esidue on the evaporator, producing a 
permanent unpleasant odour.
•
At low outside temperatures the compressor switches off automatically. 
The   button cannot be switched on either.
•
It is advisable to connect the air conditioning at least once a month, to 
lubricate the system gaskets and prevent leaks. If a decrease in the cooling 
capacity is detected, an Authorised Service Centre should be consulted to 
check the system.
ECON
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Accessories, parts replacement and modifications
176If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the vehicle is purchased, this must be 
completed according to the instructions of the towing bracket manufacturer.
The attachment points for the towing bracket   are underneath the vehicle.
The distance between the centre of the ball coupling and the ground should 
never be lower than the  measurement indicated when the vehicle is fully 
loaded including the maximum resting weight.
Measurement for securing the towing bracket:
65 mm (minimum)
from 350 mm to 420 mm (fully laden vehicle)
960 mm
345 mm
188 mm
Fitting a towing bracket•
Driving with a trailer implies additional work for the vehicle. Therefore, 
before fitting a towing bracket, please contact an Authorised Service Centre 
to check whether your cooling system needs modification.
•
Observe the legal requirements in your country (e.g. the fitting of a sepa-
rate warning lamp).
•
Certain vehicle components, e.g. the  rear bumper must be removed and 
reinstalled. The towing bracket securin g bolts must be tightened using a 
torque wrench, and an electrical sock et must be used to connect to the 
vehicle's electrical system. This requ ires specialist knowledge and tools.
•
The figures in the illustration show the dimensions and attachment points 
which must be observed if you are retrofitting a towing bracket.
WARNING
Towing brackets should be fitted by specialists.•
If the towing bracket is incorrectly installed, there is serious danger of 
an accident.
•
For your own safety, please observe the instructions provided by the 
manufacturer of the towing bracket.Caution
•
If the electrical socket is incorrectly installed, this could cause damage to 
the vehicle's electrical system.Note
For the sports model (FR, SPORT, CUPRA...), fitting of a trailer bracket is not 
recommended due to the design of the bumpers.
AA
ABACADAEAF
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels181
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
this reason we recommend that you have service fluids and consumables 
replaced by an Authorised Service Centre. Please observe the relevant 
instructions 
⇒page 172. The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a 
hazardous area  ⇒.
WARNING
All work on the engine or in the engine compartment, e.g. checking and 
refilling fluids, involves the danger of injury and scalding as well as the risk 
of accident or fire.•
Never open the bonnet if you see steam, smoke or coolant escaping 
from the engine compartment. Otherwis e, there is a risk of sustaining 
burns. Wait until no more steam or  coolant is emitted, then allow the 
engine to cool before carefully opening the bonnet.
•
Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
•
Apply the handbrake and move the gear stick to neutral or selector 
lever to position P.
•
Keep children away from the vehicle.
•
Never touch hot engine parts. There is a risk of burns.
•
Never spill liquids on a hot engine or on a hot exhaust gas system. This 
is a fire hazard.
•
Avoid causing short-circuits in the electrical system, particularly at the 
points where the jump leads are attached  ⇒page 231. The battery could 
explode.
•
Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature controlled and could 
start automatically, even when the engine has been switched off and the 
key removed from the ignition!
•
Do not unscrew the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot. 
If the coolant is hot, the cooling system will be pressurised!
•
Protect face, hands and arms by covering the cap with a large, thick 
cloth to protect against escaping coolant and steam.
•
Always make sure you have not left any objects, such as cleaning cloths 
and tools, in the engine compartment.
•
If you have to work underneath the vehicle, you must use suitable 
stands additionally to support the vehicle, there is a risk of accident!. A 
hydraulic jack is insufficient for securi ng the vehicle and there is a risk of 
injury.
•
If any work has to be performed when the engine is started or with the 
engine running, there is an additional, potentially fatal, safety risk from the 
rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan, etc., and 
from the high-voltage ignition system. You should also observe the 
following points:
−Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
− Ensure that jewellery, loose cl othing and long hair do not get 
trapped in rotating engine parts. Danger of death. Before starting any 
work remove jewellery, tie back and  cover hair, and wear tight-fitting 
clothes.
− Always think carefully about pressing the accelerator if a gear is 
engaged in either an automatic or manual gearbox. The vehicle could 
move, even if the handbrake is applied. Danger of death.
•
If work has to be carried out on the fuel system or on electrical compo-
nents, you must observe the following sa fety notes in addition to the above 
warnings:
−Always disconnect the battery. The vehicle must be unlocked when 
this is done, otherwise the alarm will be triggered.
− Do not smoke.
− Never work near naked flames.
− Always have a fire extinguisher on hand.WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels187
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings 
⇒ page 180, “Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment”.
•
Wait for the engine to cool down. Hot oil may cause burn injuries.
•
Wear eye protection to avoid injuries caused by splashes of oil.
•
When removing the oil drain plug with your fingers, keep your arm hori-
zontal to help prevent oil from running down your arm.
•
Wash your skin thoroughly if it  comes into contact with engine oil.
•
Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be stored in a safe place out of 
the reach of children until it is disposed of.Caution
No additives should be used with engine  oil. This could result in engine 
damage. Any damage caused by the use of such additives would not be 
covered by the factory warranty.
For the sake of the environment
•
Because of the disposal problems, the necessa ry special tools and 
specialist knowledge required, we reco mmend that you have the engine oil 
and filter changed by an Authorised Service Centre.
•
Never pour oil down drains or into the ground.
•
Use a suitable container when draining the used oil. It has to be large 
enough to hold all the engine oil.
CoolantCoolant specifications
Coolant is a mixture of water and at least 40% coolant addi-
tive.The cooling system must be filled with a mixture of water and at least 40 % of 
our coolant additive G 12+ or an addi tive with the specification TT-VW 774 F 
(it is dyed purple). This mixture gives the necessary frost protection down to 
-25
°C and protects the al loy parts of  the cooling system again st corrosion. It 
also prevents scaling and raises the boiling point of the coolant.
The concentration of coolant must  always be at least 40% - even if frost 
protection is not required.
If greater frost protection is required in  very cold climates, the proportion of 
the antifreeze additive G 12+ can be increased. However, the percentage of 
coolant additives should not exceed 60%, as this would reduce the frost 
protection. It would also reduce th e cooling effect. A mixture with 60% 
coolant addit ive will give f rost protection to approx. -40
°C.
WARNING
•
The coolant additive is toxic. There is a toxic risk. Always keep the 
coolant additive in the original container which should be stored out of the 
reach of children. The same applies to coolant which you have drained off.
•
The coolant additive G 12+ must be added in sufficient quantities to 
provide anti-freeze protection at the coldest ambient temperatures that 
can be expected. At extremely cold ambient temperatures, the coolant 
could freeze, causing the vehicle to breakdown. As the heater would also 
not work in this situat ion, there is a risk of suffering exposure!
WARNING (continued)
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