
Contents
4Accessories, parts replacement and 
modifications
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Accessories and spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Technical modifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Roof aerial*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Mobile telephones and two-way radios . . . . . . . 
Fitting a towing bracket* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Checking and refilling levels
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . 
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Washer fluid and windscreen wiper blades . . . . 
Brake fluid  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
If and when
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Vehicle tools, spare wheel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Wheel change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tyre repair kit (Tyre-Mobility-System)* . . . . . . . . 
Fuses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Bulbs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Changing bulbs. Double headlights  . . . . . . . . . 
Changing bulbs. Single headlight . . . . . . . . . . . 
Changing the rear lights (on the wing)  . . . . . . . 
Changing the rear lights (on the rear lid)  . . . . . 
Side turn signal bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Number plate light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Interior light and front reading lights  . . . . . . . . 
Additional brake lights*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Luggage compartment light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Towing and tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Technical Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General notes on the technical data
 . . . . . . . 
Outstanding information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Data on fuel consumption  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Towing a trailer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Te chni cal Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Checking fluid levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol engine 1.2 51 kW (70 bhp)  . . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol engine 1.4 63 kW (85 bhp)  . . . . . . . . . . . 
Diesel engine 1.6 TDI CR 66 kW (90 bhp)  . . . . . 
Diesel engine 1.6 TDI CR 77 kW (105 bhp) . . . . 
Dimensions and capacities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Index
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
172
172
172
173
173
174
176
176
177
178
179
182
186
188
191
192
194
201
201
202
207
209
213
214
216
218
219
220
221
221
222
222
222
225 229
229
229
231
232
232
234
234
235
236
237
238
240
241
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Cockpit61
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Brake system* / handbrake 
 
The warning lamp lights up if the handbrake is applied, if the 
brake fluid level falls too low or if there is a fault in the brake 
system.
This warning lamp 
 lights up if
•the handbrake is on.•the brake fluid level is too low  ⇒page 191.•there is a fault in the brake system.
This warning lamp can light up together with the ABS system warning lamp.WARNING
•If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up when 
driving, the brake fluid level  ⇒page 191, “Brake fluid” in the reservoir is 
too low. Risk of accident. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. Obtain tech-
nical assistance.•If the brake warning lamp 
 lights up together with the ABS warning 
lamp 
, the control function of the ABS could be out of action. This could 
cause the rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause the 
rear to break away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek technical 
assistance.
Cruise control system* 
The warning lamp comes on when the cruise control system 
is switched on.The warning lamp 
 lights up when the cruise control system is switched on. 
For further information on the cruise control system, see  ⇒page 147.
Tyre pressure* 
The tyre monitor 
5) co m p a r e s  w h e e l  r e v o l u t i o ns  a n d  wi t h  t h is  i n f o r m a t i o n ,  t h e  
diameter of each wheel using the ESP sensors. If the diameter of a wheel 
changes, the tyre monitor indicator lights  . The wheel diameter changes 
when:
•Tyre pressure is insufficient.•The tyre structure is damaged.•The vehicle is unbalanced because of a load.•The wheels of one axle are under more pressure (for example, driving with 
a trailer or on extreme slopes).•The vehicle is fitted with snow chains.•The temporary spare wheel is fitted.•The wheel on one axle is changed.5)Depending on the model version
Fig. 36  Centre console: 
tyre monitor system 
button
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Lights and visibility
92Turn signal and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the 
parking lights and the headlight flasher.The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the following 
functions:
Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up  ⇒fig. 55    to indicate right , and 
all the way down   to indicate left .
Signalling a lane change
– Push the lever up   or down   to the point where you incur  resistance and then release it. The turn signal will flash several 
times. The corresponding warning lamp will also flash. Switching main beam on and off
– Turn the light switch to position 
.
–Press the lever forward  ⇒fig. 55    to switch on the main 
beams.
– Pull the lever back towards you to switch the main beam head- lights off again.
Headlight flashers
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel   to operate the  flasher.
Switching on parking lights
– Switch the ignition off and remove the key from the lock.
– Move the lever up or down to turn the right or left-hand parking  lights on, respectively.
WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other drivers. Risk of accident! Never use the 
main beam headlights or the headlight flasher if they could dazzle other 
drivers.
Note
• The  turn signals  only work when the ignition is switched on. The corre-
sponding warning lamp 
 or  flashes in the instrument panel. The warning 
lamp 
 flashes when the turn signals are operated, provided a trailer is 
correctly attached and connected to the vehicle. If a turn signal bulb is defec-
tive, the warning lamp flashes at double sp eed. If the trailer turn signal bulbs 
are damaged, warning lamp 
 does not light up. Change the bulb.
Fig. 55  Turn signal and 
main beam headlight 
lever
A1
A2A1
A2
A4
A3
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Driving
140Changing gear in Tiptronic mode*
The Tiptronic system allows the driver to select gears manu-
ally
General information about driving in Tiptronic mode
Changing gear in Tiptronic mode
– Press the selector lever from position  D to the right into the 
Tiptronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector forward + to change up into high gears.
– Lightly press the selector lever  backwards - to change down into 
low gears.
Changing gear with the steering wheel paddle levers*
– Press the right paddle lever   towards the steering wheel to  change up.  ⇒fig. 108 .
– Press the left paddle lever   towards the steering wheel to  change down.  ⇒fig. 108 .Using the paddle levers on the steering wheel, you can access manual driving 
mode regardless of the pre-selected driving mode.
General information about driving in Tiptronic mode
When accelerating, the automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox goes 
into a higher gear a little before the engine reaches its maximum permitted 
revolutions.
If a lower gear is selected, the automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox 
will only change down when the engine cannot go over its maximum 
permitted revolutions.
If the “Tiptronic” is selected whilst the vehicle is in motion and the automatic 
gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox is in 3rd gear in gear lever position  D, the 
“Tiptronic” will then also be in 3rd gear.
Fig. 107  Changing gear 
with TiptronicFig. 108  Steering wheel 
with paddle levers for 
automatic gearbox
A+A–
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Driving141
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Changing gears in the normal or sport programme using the steering wheel 
paddle levers
If the paddle levers ⇒
page 140, fig. 108 are used in the normal or sport 
programme, the system switches temporarily to “Tiptronic” mode. To exit 
“Tiptronic” mode again, press the right paddle lever   towards the steering 
wheel for approximately one second. You will also leave “Tiptronic” mode if 
the paddle levers are not moved for a certain time.
Note
•The gear paddle levers on the steering wheel can be operated with the 
gear lever in any position and with the vehicle in motion.Selector lever positions
The selector lever positions and gears are shown on the 
instrument panel screen.
Selector lever positions
The selected gear is displayed on the side of the selector lever and on the 
instrument panel screen. The currently selected gear for the automatic 
gearbox will also be shown on the display.
Tiptronic gear indicator
If the automatic gearbox is shifted manually, the selected gears are shown on 
the screen.
P - parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position, the drive wheels are locked 
mechanically.
Position P on the lever must only be selected if the vehicle is stationary.
To move selector lever from position  P, the locking button on the selector 
lever handle must be pressed and the brake pedal depressed at the same 
time while the ignition is switched on.
To put the selector lever in position  P, simply press the lock button down and, 
if necessary, depress the brake pedal down.
R - Reverse gear
The reverse gear is engaged in this position.
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the vehicle is stationary and the 
engine is idling.
To move the selector lever to position  R, press the lock button down and, at 
the same time, press the brake pedal down, with the ignition switched on.
With the selector lever in position R and the ignition switched on the 
following occurs:•Reverse lights light up.•The air conditioner automatically changes the air recirculation mode.•The wiper starts if the windscreen washer is on.•The parking distance warning system switches on.*
+Fig. 109  Automatic 
gearbox: Instrument 
panel display
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Driving
142N - Neutral (idling)
If this position is selected, the gearbox is in neutral. Power is not transmitted 
to the wheels and the engine does not have a braking function.
Never use the  N position to drive down a hill. The engine does not function as 
a brake and the brakes are subjected to excessive stain.
You could damage the automatic gearbox if you drive down hills with the gear 
lever in position  N and the engine switched off.
D - Drive (forwards)
In this position the gearbox automatically changes to a lower or higher gear, 
according to the engine's requirements, the driving style and speed. The 
braking effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited when the 
selector is in this position. The instrument panel displays the selected gear 
as well as the selector lever in position  D.
If position  N has been selected and you wish to select  D, you must press the 
foot brake if the vehicle is stationary, or travelling at under 5 km/h.
S - Standard driving position (Sport programme)
When the selector lever is in position S, it will automatically change up into a 
higher gear later, and change down into a low gear, if compared with position 
D . This way, it is possible to take full advantage of the engine reserve power, 
depending on the engine demand, driving style and speed. The braking 
effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited. On the instrument 
panel display the selected gear is shown as well as the selector lever to posi-
tion  S.
To se lec t gea r  range   S, press the lock button on the selector lever.
WARNING
If the vehicle moves with no control,  an accident and serious injury may 
occur.
•As a driver, you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is running 
and a gear is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while the engine is 
running, you must always apply the handbrake and engage parking lock P.•If the engine is running and if D or R are engaged, you will need to hold 
the the vehicle stopped by depressing footbrake down. The car would creep 
forward as the power transmission is not fully interrupted even when the 
engine is idling.•Never accelerate when changing gear or you may cause an accident.•Never move the selector lever to “R” or “P” when driving. Risk of acci-
dent.•Before driving down a very steep slope, reduce your speed and shift to 
position 1st.•Always hold the vehicle on the foot brake if you stop uphills. Otherwise, 
the vehicle could roll back.•Never allow the brake to rub and do not use the brake pedal too often 
or for long periods. Constant braking will cause the brakes to overheat and 
will considerably reduce the brake effect. This increases the braking 
distance and could cause the brake system to fail.WARNING
Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is stationary. You could lose 
control of your vehicle. This could cause an accident and serious injury.•The airbags and belt tensioners do not work when the ignition is 
switched off.•The brake servo does not work when the engine is not running. You 
need more force to stop the vehicle.•Power assisted steering does not work when the engine is not running. 
That is why it is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel.WARNING (continued)
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Intelligent technology
154Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*
ESP reduces the danger of skidding by braking the wheels individually.
The system uses the steering wheel angle and road speed to calculate the 
changes of direction desired by the driver, and constantly compares them 
with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If the desired course is not being 
maintained (for instance, if the car is starting to skid), then the ESP compen-
sates automatically by braking the appropriate wheel.
The forces acting on the braked wheel bring the vehicle back to a stable 
condition. If the vehicle tends to oversteer, the system will act on the front 
wheel on the outside of the turn.
WARNING
•It must be remembered that ESP cannot defy the laws of physics. This 
should be kept in mind, particularly  on slippery and wet roads and when 
towing a trailer.•Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and 
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you 
into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.Caution
•In order to ensure that ESP functions correctly, all four wheels must be 
fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can 
cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.•Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running 
gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the effi-
ciency of the ABS, EDL, ESP and TCS.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)The anti-lock brake system prevents the wheels locking during braking 
⇒ page 152.Electronic differential lock (EDL)*
The electronic differential lock  helps prevent the loss of trac-
tion caused if one of the driven wheels starts spinning.EDL helps the vehicle to start moving, accelerate and climb a gradient in slip-
pery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult or even impossible.
The system will control the revolutions of the drive wheels using the ABS 
sensors (in case of an EDL fault the warning lamp for ABS lights up) 
⇒ page 59.
At speeds of up to approximately 80 km/h, it is able to balance out differ-
ences in the speed of the driven wheels of approximately 100 rpm caused by 
a slippery road surface on one side  of the vehicle. It does this by braking the 
wheel which has lost traction and distributing more driving force to the other 
driven wheel via the differential.
To prevent the disc brake of the braking wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts 
out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The vehicle will continue to 
function normally without EDL. For this reason, the driver is not informed that 
the EDL has been switched off.
The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled down.
WARNING
•When accelerating on a slippery surface, for example on ice and snow, 
press the accelerator carefully. Despite EDL, the driven wheels may start to 
spin. This could impair the vehicle's stability.
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Checking and refilling levels
196Tyre ser vice life 
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving 
style and fitting.
Wear indicators
The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators” 
⇒ fig. 129, running across the tread. Depending on the make, there will be 
six to eight of them evenly spaced around the tyre. Markings on the tyre side-
wall (for instance the letters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate the positions of 
the tread wear indicators. The minimum tread depth required by law is 
1.6 mm (measured in the tread grooves next to the tread wear indicators). 
Worn tyres must be replaced. Different figures may apply in export countries 
⇒ .
Tyre pressure
Incorrect tyre pressure causes premature wear and could cause tyre blow-out. 
For this reason, the tyre pressure should be checked at least once per month 
⇒ page 195.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear.
Changing wheels around
If the front tyres are worn considerably more than the rear ones it is advisable 
to change them around as shown  ⇒fig. 130 . All the tyres will then last for 
about the same time.
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors encoun-
tered in normal driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which results 
in steering vibration.
Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause excessive 
wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced 
when a new tyre is fitted.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety of 
the vehicle. If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the wheel align-
ment checked by an Authorised Service Centre.
Fig. 129  Tyre tread wear 
indicatorsFig. 130  Diagram for 
changing wheels
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