2008 VOLKSWAGEN CC maintenance

Check the information on the container for the brake fluid you want to
use to make sure it meets the requirements for your vehicle.
Brake fluid that complies with VW Standard 501 14 can be pur-
chased from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
If this special brake fluid is not available you may – under these cir-
cumstances – use another high quality brake fluid that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4 ⇒ 
.
Please note, however, that not all brake fluids that comply with U.S.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 have the
same chemical composition. Some of these brake fluids can contain
chemicals that could, over time, degrade or damage internal parts of
the vehicle’s brake system.
Volkswagen therefore recommends that you use brake fluid that ex-
pressly complies with VW Standard 501 14 for optimum brake sys-
tem performance over the long term.
Brake fluid level
The fluid level in the transparent brake fluid reservoir must always be
between the MIN and MAX marking ⇒ .
On some vehicles, engine components block the view of the brake
fluid reservoir and make it impossible to see the brake fluid level. If
you cannot clearly see the brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir,
please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as
the brake pads wear and the brakes are automatically adjusted.
Changing brake fluid
Brake fluid must be changed according to the service schedule in
your ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance. Have the brake fluid
checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility. Refill only with new brake fluid that
meets the standards listed above.

WARNING
Brake failure and reduced brake performance can be caused by
not having enough brake fluid in the reservoir or by old or in-
correct brake fluid.
Check the brake system and brake fluid level regularly.
Always change the brake fluid according to the service
schedule in your ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance.
Hard braking with old brake fluid may cause vapor lock. Va-
por lock reduces braking performance, increases stopping dis-
tances and can even cause total brake failure.
Always make sure that only the correct brake fluid is used.
Only use brake fluid that expressly conforms to VW Standard
501 14 or, if it is not available, only use a high-quality brake flu-
id that conforms to U.S. Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 require-
ments.
Using another brake fluid, or one that is not of high quality,
can impair the function of the brake system and reduce its ef-
fectiveness. If the container does not say that the brake fluid
complies with VW Standard 501 14, or U.S. Standard
FMVSS 116 DOT 4, do not use it.
The brake fluid must be new.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous.
To reduce the risk of poisoning, never use food, beverage or
other non-original containers to store brake fluid. Someone
might be misled by the original label on the container, or by the
shape of the container, and drink the brake fluid. This could oc-
cur even if you relabel the container as “brake fluid.”
Only store brake fluid in the closed, original container and
keep it out of the reach of children.
NOTICE
Brake fluid will damage vehicle paint, plastic parts, and tires.
Wipe any brake fluid off vehicle paint and other vehicle parts
immediately.

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 vehi-
cle is on level ground, that all 4 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, al-
ways 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.

Only use maintenance-free vehicle batteries meeting standards
TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. These standards must date from Au-
gust 2008 or later.
Disconnecting the vehicle battery
If the battery must be disconnected from the vehicle's electrical sys-
tem, note the following:
Switch off all electrical systems and devices and the ignition.
Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery; otherwise the
alarm system will go off.
First disconnect the negative cable (-) and then the positive cable
(+) ⇒ .
Connecting the vehicle battery
Prior to reconnecting the battery, switch off all electrical systems
and devices and the ignition.
Connect the positive cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-)
⇒ .
After the battery is connected and the ignition is switched on, different
indicator lights may come on. They should go out after you drive a
short distance at 10–12 mph (15–20 km/h). If the indicator lights do
not go out, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility and have the vehicle checked.
If the battery was disconnected for a long time, the next scheduled
service may not be correctly calculated and displayed ⇒ page 12,
Instrument cluster. The maximum permissible service and mainte-
nance intervals are shown in the ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Mainte-
nance.
Vehicles with Keyless Access
If the ignition will not start after reconnecting the vehicle battery, lock
the vehicle from the outside and unlock it again ⇒  Unlocking or lock-
ing the vehicle with Keyless Access, ⇒  Unlocking or locking the vehi-
cle with Keyless Access. Then try to start the ignition again. If the
ignition cannot be switched on, contact an authorized Volkswagen
dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another quali-
fied workshop for assistance.

Automatic electrical load deactivation
If the vehicle battery drain is high, the intelligent onboard electrical
system management automatically takes steps to help prevent bat-
tery drain.
The idle speed is increased so that the alternator provides more
power.
The power to devices that consume a lot of electricity is cut back or
switched off completely.
When the engine is started, the power supply to the 12 Volt sockets
is temporarily interrupted.
The onboard electrical system management cannot always keep the
battery from being drained. For example, the battery will drain if the
engine is not running, but the ignition is switched on or the parking
lights are left on for a long time when parked.
Battery disconnection in an accident with airbag deployment
In vehicles with a battery in the luggage compartment, the electrical
connection to the battery is disconnected automatically in a collision
with airbag deployment. This helps to prevent a short-circuit.
What drains the vehicle battery?
Long periods when the engine is not running, especially when the
ignition is on.
Using electrical systems or devices when the engine is switched
off.
Leaving the vehicle unlocked for several days when not in use.
The selector lever is left for a long period of time in any position
other than P when the ignition is switched off ⇒  Automatic transmis-
sion: Selector lever.
WARNING
Failure to use the proper battery with proper mounting and
connections may cause short circuits, fires, and serious per-
sonal injuries.
Always use only maintenance-free or cycle-free, leak-proof
batteries with the same specifications and dimensions as the
original equipment battery. Specifications are listed on the bat-
tery housing.