2008 VOLKSWAGEN EOS Battery

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
If you suspect a malfunction or vehicle damage, read and follow the following advice before contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. You may also find helpful information under “Special considerations” or “Checklist” in the index.

Description Possible causes, among others Possible remedy
Engine does not start.
Vehicle battery dead. – Perform jump-start – Charge vehicle battery.
The wrong vehicle key is used. Use a valid vehicle key
Fuel level too low. Refuel
Vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked using vehicle key.
– Battery in the remote control vehicle key is dead. – Too far away from the vehicle (out of range). – Buttons have been pressed too many times.
– Replace the battery in the remote control vehicle key – Move closer to vehicle. – Synchronize vehicle key – Lock or unlock vehicle manually
Unusual noises. Cold engine, braking assist systems, electronic steering column lock.
Check the “Noises” entry in the index.
Odd driving behavior. Assistance systems activated. Check the “Assistance systems” entry in the index.
DSG® Direct Shift Gearbox too hot. Stop vehicle as soon as you can safely do so.
Front seats cannot be adjusted with power controls.
Vehicle battery dead. Charge vehicle battery
Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace if necessary
CSC roof will not move. CSC roof malfunction. Check whether any technical requirement for opening and closing the CSC roof is not met. If necessary contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Features do not work as described in this manual. Settings were adjusted in the Volkswagen Information System.
Check and reset to factory settings if necessary.
Headlights do not light up the road as they should.
– Headlights incorrectly adjusted. – Light bulbs burned out. – Low beams not switched on.
– Have the headlight range adjusted by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. – Change light bulbs – Switch on low beams
Electrical consumers do not work. Vehicle battery charge too low. Charge vehicle battery
Remaining fuel level too low. Refuel
Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace if necessary

If the emergency flashers are not working, a different method – as permitted by law – must be used to alert other motorists and cyclists to the breakdown.
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common sense.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter get very hot. They can cause fires and serious personal injury.
x Never park where parts of the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite flammable materials, such as dry grass, brush, leaves, spilled fuel, etc.
The vehicle battery will be drained if the emergency flashers are on for a long time – even if the ignition is switched off.

WARNING
Careless opening and closing of the doors, the CSC roof, the luggage compartment lid, and the power sunroof is dangerous and can cause serious personal injury.
x Open or close the doors, the CSC roof, the luggage compartment lid, and the power sunroof only when no one is in the way.
WARNING
Before using the emergency procedure to close the CSC roof, park the vehicle as far away from moving traffic as possible. If necessary, switch on the emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle. Obey all applicable legal requirements.
NOTICE
If the vehicle's battery fails or the power windows won't work, the door windows are not lowered when the door is opened or closed. Always close and open the door carefully to help prevent damage to the window, the paint, or the rubber seal.
NOTICE
x Before using the emergency procedure to close the CSC roof and while doing it, check the area behind the vehicle for possible obstacles and make sure there is enough room to avoid damage. Rear lid assist does not work before and during the emergency closing procedure.
x Never close the CSC roof if the car is on a workshop hoist, parked with one side on a curb, or raised on a car jack or jackstands.
NOTICE
To help prevent vehicle damage, carefully remove and properly reinstall parts after emergency locking or unlocking.

x After emergency roof closing is complete, continue to hold the lever and switch to close all windows.
x OR: After emergency closing, pull switch (1).
x OR: Insert the key in the lock of the driver's door, turn in the closing direction, and hold until all windows are closed.
x Have the vehicle checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Cancel conditions for emergency closing
Emergency closing the CSC roof is canceled if any of the following situations occurs:
x The lever in the center console or the switch in the driver door is released.
x The ignition is switched off.
x Any door is shut.
x The vehicle battery voltage is less than 9 Volts.
x The luggage compartment lid is closed before the roof frames are locked into the mountings on the windshield.
x The vehicle moves at a speed greater than about 0.6 mph (1 km/h).
x The outside temperature is below +5° F (- 15° C).
Emergency closing using the lever-switch combination is possible only if the CSC control unit has detected a malfunction that is caused by one of the listed feasible problems, Possible situations for emergency closing.
Do not interrupt the emergency CSC roof closing process once you have initiated it unless this is absolutely necessary.
If the CSC roof gets stuck while opening or closing, it may be possible to close it using the emergency process before it lowers itself automatically.
Stowing the Automatic Rollover Support System®

Fig. 174 Deployed rollover protection support behind the rear seat backrest.

WARNING
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle with a dead battery can cause the battery to explode, leading to serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery explosion:
x All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety
precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system ⇒ page 366, Vehicle battery.
x Always make sure that the battery providing starting assistance (the booster battery) has the same voltage as the dead battery (12 V) and about the same amperage capacity (see battery label).
x Never jump-start a vehicle with a thawed or frozen vehicle battery. The battery can explode. A dead battery can freeze at temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).
x A battery that is frozen or was frozen, but has since thawed, must be replaced.
x When the vehicle battery is jump-started, it gives off hydrogen gas, which is highly explosive! Always keep fire, sparks, open flame, and smoking materials far away from vehicle batteries. Never use a mobile telephone while connecting or disconnecting jumper cables.
x Jump-start batteries only in well-ventilated areas. Batteries give off highly explosive hydrogen gas during jump-starting.
x Always route the jumper cables so that they cannot get caught in any moving parts in the engine compartment.
x Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals with each other.
x Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to the negative terminal of the dead battery, as this may cause the hydrogen gas given off by the dead battery to explode.
x Never attach the negative cable from the vehicle providing starting assistance to any part of the fuel system or to the brake hoses or brake lines.
x Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to touch.
x Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery terminal to contact metal parts of the vehicle.
x Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufacturer.
NOTICE
To help prevent extensive damage to the vehicle electrical system, read and heed the following:
x Connecting jumper cables improperly can cause a short circuit and do expensive damage to the vehicle's electrical system.
x Do not let the vehicles touch each other while the jumper cables are connected. If they do, electrical current may flow between the vehicles when the positive (+) terminals are connected, causing electrical system damage.

Using jumper cables

Fig. 197 Diagram for attaching the jumper cables: Dead battery 1 and booster battery 2.

Before removing the jumper cables
x Switch off the headlights (if they are on).
x In the vehicle with the dead battery, switch on the heater fan and the rear window defroster. This helps to minimize voltage spikes when the cables are disconnected.
Removing jumper cables
With the engine running, remove the jumper cables in reverse order to the way they were connected.
1. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
3. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
4. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
5. Close the battery cover.
6. If necessary, unscrew the towing eye on the front of the vehicle ⇒ page 469, Installing the front towing eye.
WARNING
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle with a dead battery can cause the battery to explode, leading to serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery explosion:
x All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety
precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system ⇒ page 366, Vehicle battery.
x Always wear proper eye protection. Never lean over the vehicle battery.
x Attach the jumper cables in the correct order: first the positive cable, then the negative cable.
x Never connect the negative cable from the vehicle providing starting assistance to parts of the fuel system or to the brake hoses or brake lines.
x Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to touch.
x Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery terminal to contact metal parts of the vehicle.
x Check the battery acid level indicator window on the vehicle battery. Use a flashlight, never a match, cigarette lighter, or other open flame. If you cannot see the color of the window clearly, or if it is light yellow or colorless, do not jump-start the vehicle. Get expert assistance.
x Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of the vehicle battery. Sparks may cause the hydrogen gas escaping from the vehicle battery to ignite.
x Never jump-start a vehicle with a battery that is damaged or frozen or that was frozen and has thawed. The battery can explode. Replace the battery instead.
x Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufacturer.
x Always make sure that the battery providing starting assistance has the same voltage as the dead battery (12 V) and about the same capacity (see battery label).
x Batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas. Always keep fire, sparks, open flame and smoking materials away from batteries.
x Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to the negative terminal of the dead battery. The hydrogen gas from the battery is explosive.
x Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals with each other.