Towing a trailer213
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Also check the shaft section of the ball joint and its asso-
ciated mechanical parts to make sure they are clean and
undamaged.Continued ⇒page 213, “Fitting the ball joint (step 2)”.
WARNING
It is important to keep the mounti ng fixture clean. Otherwise the
ball joint may fail to engage securely (accident risk).Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracketFitting the ball joint (step 2)The spring mechanism inside the ball joint must
be in the "ready" position.
– Check that the red marking ⇒fig. 209 on the knob is
inside the green zone on the ball joint.
– Check that the locking ball is inside the hole in the shaft section of the ball joint.
– Check that the knob protrudes visibly from the ball joint, so that there is a clear gap between the knob and the
ball joint.
The ball joint can only be installed if the internal spring mechanism
is in the ready position.
Continued ⇒page 213, “Fitting the ball joint (step 3)”.Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracketFitting the ball joint (step 3)Setting the spring mechanism to the "ready"
position (if required)
– Insert the key ⇒fig. 210 for locking the ball joint into
the lock on the knob and turn it clockwise.
Fig. 209 Removable
towing bracket: Ball
joint
A2A1A3
Fig. 210 Removable
towing bracket:
Setting the spring
mechanism to the
"ready" positionFig. 211 Removable
towing bracket:
Inserting the ball joint
A4
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Towing a trailer
214
– Pull out the knob in direction , hold and turn in direc-tion until the locking ball engages ⇒.
Inserting the ball joint
– With the spring mechanism in the “ready” position, insert the ball joint into the mounting fixture and push it
upwards ⇒page 213, fig. 211 in the direction indicated
(arrow) ⇒. The spring mechanism should then
engage automatically wi th an audible click.
– Lock the ball joint by turn ing the key anti-clockwise.
– Take out the key and press the cover cap provided onto the lock.Continued ⇒page 214, “Fitting the ball joint (step 4)”.
WARNING
•
If it is not possible to set th e spring mechanism to the "ready"
position as described abov e, do not use the ball joint. Please take
your vehicle to a qualified workshop.
•
To avoid injury, keep your hand s away from the knob and the
cover piece when inserting the ball joint into the mounting fixture.Note
Make sure that the knob can turn freely when the ball joint is
inserted.
Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracketFitting the ball joint (step 4)Safety check
– Check that the green marking ⇒fig. 212 on the knob
is inside the green zone on the ball joint.
– Check that the knob is directly against the ball joint, so that there is no gap between the knob and the ball
joint.
– Check that the ball joint is locked and the key is removed (so that the knob cannot be pulled out).
Aa
Ab
A5
Fig. 212 Removable
towing bracket: Safety
checkFig. 213 Area below
rear bumper: Electrical
socket for trailer
A6
A7
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Towing a trailer215
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Check that the ball joint fits tightly in the mounting
fixture (try moving it about to check).
Electrical socket for trailer
– The cable of the towing bracket can be connected to the socket ⇒page 214, fig. 213.If the safety check is not satisfactory, the ball joint must be fitted
again properly.
WARNING
To avoid accidents, the ball joint must meet all the safety require-
ments listed in the safety check. The towing bracket must not be
used if any one of these requirements is not met. If this is the case,
you should contact a qualified workshop.Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracketRemoving the ball joint
– Take off the cover cap and insert the key ⇒fig. 214 in
the lock on the knob.
– Unlock the ball joint by turning the key clockwise.
– Take hold of the ball joint and pull out the knob in direc- tion .
– Keep hold of the knob and turn it as far as it will go in direction .
– Release the knob. The spring mechanism will remain in the "ready" position ⇒.
– Pull the ball joint down out of the mounting fixture.
– Then swivel the socket up ⇒fig. 215 as far as it will go .
The mounting fixture will be closed automatically.
– Fit the bumper cover over the opening on the bumper.
– Put away the ball joint attachment under the floor panel in the luggage compartment.
Fig. 214 Removable
towing bracket:
Removing the ball joint
Fig. 215 Area below
rear bumper: Folding
up the socketA8
Aa
Ab
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Fuel and filling the tank
228Filling the tankFilling the tankThe flap that covers the tank cap is unlocked and locked
automatically by the central locking.
Unscrewing the tank cap
– Press the left side of the flap to open it ⇒fig. 218 -arrow-.
– Unscrew the tank cap anti-clockwise.
– Hook the cap onto the open flap ⇒fig. 219. Closing the tank cap
– Screw on the tank cap clockwise until it cannot be turned
further.
– Press the left side of the flap to close it (you should hear it click into place).
When the automatic filler nozzle is operated correctly it will switch
itself off as soon as the tank is “full”. Do not try to put in more fuel
after the nozzle cuts out, as this will fill the expansion chamber in
the fuel tank.
The correct fuel grade for your vehicle is given on a sticker on the
inside of the tank flap. Further notes on fuel ⇒page 227 .
The tank capacity of your vehicle is given in the Technical data
section ⇒page 293 .
WARNING
Fuel is highly inflammable and can cause serious burns and other
injuries.•
For safety reasons always swit ch off the auxiliary heating*
before refuelling the vehicle.
•
For safety reasons we do not recommend carrying a spare fuel
canister in the vehicle. The cani ster could become damaged in an
accident and leak.
•
Observe all relevant statutory regulations on using, storing and
transporting spare fuel canisters.
•
When filling your tank or a spare fuel canister with fuel, do not
smoke and keep away from naked flames. Risk of explosion!
•
If, in exceptional circumstances, you have to carry a spare fuel
canister, please observe the following warnings:
−Never fill fuel into the spare fu el canister with the canister
placed in or on top of the vehicle. An electrostatic charge could
build up during filling, causing th e fuel vapour to ignite. Danger
of explosion. Always place the canister on the ground to fill it.
Fig. 218 Vehicle as
seen from the rear
right: Opening fuel
tank flapFig. 219 Fuel tank flap
with tank cap attached
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Checking and topping up fluids
236otherwise this would reduce the antifreeze protection. In addition,
the cooling effect will be adversely affected.
Vehicles for export to countries with a cold climate (such as Sweden,
Norway and Finland) are supplied with antifreeze protection down
to about -35 °C. The concentration of the antifreeze additive for
these countries should always be at least 50%.
Caution
•
It is advisable to have the cooling system checked before the
winter season to make sure that the antifreeze concentration is
adequate for the conditions to be expected. This applies particularly
if you intend to take the car into a colder climate zone. If necessary,
have the anti-freeze concentration increased to 50 - 60% as required.
•
Use only anti-freeze additive G12+, an additive meeting the spec-
ification “TL-VW 774 F ”. Other additives may give considerably infe-
rior corrosion protection. The resulting corrosion in the cooling
system can lead to a loss of coolant, causing serious damage to the
engine.
•
The coolant additive G12+ can be mixed only with additives G11
and G12.
Checking coolant level
The coolant level can be checked at a glance.
– Switch off the ignition.
– Read off coolant level on radiator expansion tank ⇒fig. 227. When the engine is cold it should be between
the “MIN” and “MAX” marks. When the engine is hot it
may be slightly above the “MAX” mark.The coolant level should be checke d with the engine switched off.
The coolant level is monitored by a warning lamp in the instrument
cluster ⇒page 32 . However, we recommend that it should be
checked occasionally.
Coolant losses
Any loss of coolant normally indicates a leak in the cooling system.
In this case the cooling system should be inspected by a qualified
workshop without delay. It is no t sufficient merely to top up the
coolant.
If there are no leaks in the system, a loss of coolant can only occur
if the coolant boils and is forced out of the system as a result of
overheating.
Caution
Radiator sealants must not be added to the coolant. Such additives
could seriously impair the function of the cooling system.Topping up the coolant
Be careful when topping up coolant.– Switch off the engine.
– Wait for the engine to cool down.
– Cover the cap on the expansion tank ⇒fig. 227 with a
cloth, and carefully unscrew the cap anti-clockwise
⇒ .
Fig. 227 Engine
compartment: Mark-
ings on radiator expan-
sion tank
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Self-help
256If you need the tools, the Tyre Mobili ty System or the jack*, you will
have to open the floor panel and take out the spare wheel*
⇒ page 256 .
The tool kit includes:•
A hook for removing hub caps
•
Pin for mounting a wheel
•
Screwdriver with reversible blade
•
Tool for changing bulbs
•
Interchangeable socket (Torx socket for changing bulbs)
•
Crank handle for jack
•
Adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts*
•
Jack*
•
Box spanner for wheel bolts
•
Towline anchorage
Some of the parts listed are only fitted on certain models or are
optional extras.
Before stowing the jack* again, wind down the arm of the jack as far
as it will go.
WARNING
•
Do not use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle to
tighten the wheel bolts. It is not po ssible to tighten the bolts with
the required torque – risk of accident.
•
The jack supplied by the factor y is only designed for changing
wheels on this model. On no account attempt to use it for lifting
heavier vehicles or other loads – risk of injury.
•
Never start the engine when the vehicle is on the jack - risk of
accident.
•
If work has to be done under the ve h i cl e , e n su re t h a t i t is sa fe l y
supported on stands designed for th e purpose, otherwise there is
a risk of injury.
Applies to vehicles: with compact temporary spare wheelCompact temporary spare wheel*The spare wheel is carried in the wheel well under the
floor panel in the luggage compartment. It is only
intended for temporary use over short distances.Taking out the spare wheel
– Lift the floor panel by the plastic handle ⇒fig. 238.
– Hook the handle onto the luggage compartment weath- erstrip.
– Turn the centre plastic knob ⇒ fig. 238 anti-clockwise.
– Take out the spare wheel.
– Unhook the floor panel before closing the boot lid.
Securing the defective wheel in the spare wheel
well
– Place the wheel in the spare wheel well and secure it with the plastic knob.
– Unhook the floor panel before closing the boot lid.
Fig. 238 Spare wheel
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Self-help
262
Loosening
–Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt
7).
– Grip the box spanner as close to the end as possible and
turn the wheel bolts about one turn anti-clockwise
⇒ page 261, fig. 242 -arrow-.
Tightening
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt7).
– Grip the box spanner as close to the end as possible and
tighten the bolt firmly by turning clockwise.
WARNING
To avoid accidents, the wheel bolts should only be loosened
slightly (about one turn) before ra ising the vehicle with the jack*.
Note
•
Do not use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle to
loosen or tighten the wheel bolts.
•
If the wheel bolt is very tight, it may be possible to loosen it by
pushing down the end of the spanner carefully with your foot. Hold
on to the car for support and take care not to slip.
Raising the vehicle
The vehicle must be raised with the jack* to remove the
wheel.Each jacking point is marked by a recess underneath the
vehicle ⇒fig. 243.
– Place the jack underneath the jacking point closest to
the wheel being changed. Make sure the base plate is
flat on the ground.
– Wind up the jack by the knob until the claw of the jack completely surrounds the seam on your vehicle
⇒ fig. 244.
7)An adapter is required to unscrew or tighten the anti-theft wheel bolts*
⇒page 264 .
Fig. 243 Changing a
wheel: Jacking pointsFig. 244 Changing a
wheel: Jack
AA
AB
AC
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Self-help263
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Now fit the crank handle onto the jack by inserting it
in the opening on the knob ⇒page 262, fig. 244. Turn the
crank handle clockwise or anti-clockwise to secure it in
place.
– Raise the vehicle by windin g the crank handle until the
defective wheel is clear of the ground.Recesses at the front and rear of the door sills mark the jacking
points ⇒page 262, fig. 243. There is one jacking point for each
wheel. The distance from the jacking points to the wheel arches is
approximately 20 cm at the front an d 40 cm at the rear. The jack may
only be applied at the seam of the jacking points shown.
An unstable surface under the jack may cause the vehicle to slip off
the jack. Always provide a firm base for the jack on the ground. If
necessary use a large, strong board or similar support. On a hard,
slippery surface (such as tiles) use a rubber mat or similar to prevent
the jack from slipping.
WARNING
•
Prevent the base of the jack fr om slipping – risk of injury.
•
The car can be damaged if the jack is not applied at the correct
jacking points. There is also a risk of injury since the jack can slip
off suddenly if it is not properly engaged.
Taking off the wheel and putting on the spare wheel
Step-by-step instructions for taking off the wheel and
putting on the spare wheel.Change the wheel as described below after loosening the
wheel bolts and raising the vehicle with the jack*.
Taking off the wheel
–Using the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle
(provided in the vehicle's tool kit) ⇒fig. 245, unscrew the
wheel bolt nearest to the top and place the bolt on a
clean surface.
AD
Fig. 245 Changing a
wheel: Hexagonal
socket in screwdriver
handle to turn the
wheel bolts after they
have been loosenedFig. 246 Changing a
wheel: Mounting pin in
wheel bolt hole nearest
to the top
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