
227
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING (Continued)
● If any tests have to be performed with the engine running, there is an
added safety risk from the rotating parts (e.g. drive belts, alternator, ra-
diator fan, etc.) and from the high-voltage ignition system.
● Observe the following additional warnings if work on the fuel system
or the electrical system is necessary:
–Always disconnect the battery.
– Do not smoke.
– Never work near open flames.
– Always keep an approved fire extinguisher immediately available.
CAUTION
When topping up fluids, make sure the correct fluid is put into the correct
filler opening. This can otherwise cause serious malfunctions or engine
damage.
For the sake of the environment
Inspect the ground underneath your vehicle regularly so that any leaks are
detected at an early stage. If you find spots of oil or other fluids, have your
vehicle inspected at the workshop.
● When the external temperature and level of humidity are high or when
the engine stops, it is possible for water to drop from the air conditioning
system evaporator potentially forming a small puddle on the ground. This is
normal and does not indicate a leak.
Note
On right-hand drive vehicles some of the reservoirs mentioned below are lo-
cated on the other side of the engine compartment. Closing the bonnet
–
To close the bonnet, push it down until it overcomes the spring
pressure.
– Let the bonnet engage in the locking part. Do not force it ⇒
.
WARNING
● For safety reasons the bonnet must always be completely closed
when the vehicle is moving. After closing it always check that it is proper-
ly secured. The bonnet must be flush with the adjacent body panels.
● Should you notice that the bonnet is not safely secured when the ve-
hicle is moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet. Fail-
ure to do so could result in an accident.
Engine oil General notes
The engine comes with a special, high quality, multi grade oil that can be
used in all seasons of the year except for those regions affected by extreme
cold.
As the use of good quality oil is necessary for the correct operation and long
service life of the engine, when it becomes necessary to replenish or
change the oil, always use an oil that complies to the VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in the following page should ap-
pear on the container of the service oil; when the container displays the
specific standards for petrol and diesel engines together, it means that the
oil can be used for both types of engines.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

232Checking and refilling levels
–Check the coolant level on coolant fluid expansion tank
⇒ fig. 179. 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.
Its location is shown in the corresponding general overview of the engine
compartment.
The coolant level should be checked with the engine switched off.
The coolant level is monitored by a warning lamp on the instrument panel
display ⇒ page 78. However, we recommend that it should be checked oc-
casionally.
Coolant fluid loss
Any loss of coolant fluid 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 not sufficient merely to top up the coolant fluid.
If there are no leaks in the system, a loss of coolant fluid 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 fluid. Such additives
could seriously impair the function of the cooling system.
Topping up the coolant fluid
Be careful when topping up with coolant fluid. – Switch the engine off.
– Wait for the engine to cool down. –
Cover the cap on the expansion tank ⇒ fig. 179 with a cloth,
and carefully unscrew the cap anti-clockwise ⇒
.
– Add coolant fluid.
– Screw on the cap tightly.
Make sure that the coolant fluid meets the required specifications
⇒ page 230, Coolant fluid. Do not use a different type of antifreeze if G12+
+ antifreeze is not available. In this case, use only water and bring the anti-
freeze concentration back up to the correct level as soon as possible.
Always top up with new coolant fluid.
Do not fill above the “max” mark. Excess coolant fluid is forced out of the
system through the valve in the filler cap when the engine gets hot.
If a lot of coolant fluid has been lost, wait for the engine to cool down before
putting in cold coolant. Failure to do so could result in serious engine dam-
age.
WARNING
● The cooling system is under pressure. Do not unscrew the cap on the
expansion tank when the engine is hot. Failure to comply could result in
burns.
● The antifreeze and coolant fluid can be a health hazard. Therefore,
the antifreeze should be stored in the original container in a safe place
out of reach of children. Failure to comply could result in poisoning.
For the sake of the environment
Drained off coolant should not be used again. Drain off the used coolant in-
to a suitable container and dispose of it in the proper manner (observe envi-
ronmental regulations).

239
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING (Continued)
● A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the battery is
under charge. The batteries should be charged in a well-ventilated room
only.
● Keep children away from acid and batteries.
● Before working on the electrical system, you must switch off the en-
gine, the ignition and all consumers. The negative cable on the battery
must be disconnected. When a light bulb is changed, you need only
switch off the light.
● Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by unlocking the vehicle before you
disconnect the battery! The alarm will otherwise be triggered.
● When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle electrical system,
disconnect first the negative cable and then the positive cable.
● Switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting the battery.
Reconnect first the positive cable and then the negative cable. Never re-
verse the polarity of the connections. This could cause an electrical fire.
● Never charge a frozen battery, or one which has thawed. This could
result in explosions and chemical burns. Always replace a battery which
has frozen. A flat battery can freeze at temperatures around 0 °C.
● Ensure that the vent hose is always connected to the battery.
● Never use a defective battery. This could cause an explosion. Replace
a damaged battery immediately.
CAUTION
● Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the en-
gine is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic com-
ponents.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of time,
as the intense ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.
● If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect
the battery from freezing. If it freezes it will be damaged. Charging the battery
A fully-charged battery is important for reliable starting.
– Note the warnings ⇒
in Important safety warnings for han-
dling a vehicle battery on page 238 and ⇒ .
– Switch off the ignition and all electrical equipment.
– Only if fast-charging: both battery cables must be disconnected
(first the negative cable, then the positive cable).
– Connect the charger cables to the battery terminals, noting the
colour code (red = positive; black or brown = negative).
– Now connect the battery charger to the power socket and switch
on.
– After charging the battery: switch off the battery charger and
disconnect the power point cable.
– Finally disconnect the charger cables from the battery.
– If necessary, reconnect both battery cables to the battery (first
the positive cable, then the negative cable).
When charging with a low current (for instance with a small battery charger)
the battery does not normally have to be disconnected. However, both bat-
tery cables must be disconnected before fast-charging the battery with a
high current. However, always follow the instructions given by the manufac-
turer of the battery charger.
The fast-charging procedure for a battery is dangerous ⇒
in Important
safety warnings for handling a vehicle battery on page 238, as it requires a
special charger and the corresponding level of knowledge. We therefore rec-
ommend that this work should only be performed by a qualified workshop.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

253
If and when
Spare steel rim wheel
The spare steel rim wheel is carried in the wheel well under
the floor panel in the luggage compartment. It is only inten-
ded for temporary use over short distances.
Fig. 192 Spare steel rim
wheel
Taking out the spare wheel
– Turn the plastic knob ⇒ fig. 192 anti-clockwise.
– Take out the spare wheel.
Securing the defective wheel in the spare wheel well
– Place wheel in spare wheel well in the luggage compartment.
– Secure the wheel by turning plastic knob clockwise.
– Replace the floor panel before closing the tailgate.
Your vehicle can be factory-equipped with a spare steel wheel. The spare
wheel does not usually meet the same performance standards as the wheels fitted on the vehicle because of the wheel/tyre dimensions, rubber
composition, tread pattern, etc. Therefore, note the following restrictions:
●
The spare steel wheel is designed only for your vehicle model. Do not
attempt to mount the wheel on any vehicle but your own.
● Your vehicle will have different driving characteristics when the spare
steel rim wheel is mounted ⇒
.
● The spare wheel is only intended for temporary use after having a flat
tyre. Replace the spare wheel with a normal wheel that has the proper tyre
dimensions as soon as possible.
● If the size of the spare steel rim wheel is different to that of the other
wheels, it is unlikely that snow chains suitable for the other wheels will fit it.
WARNING
● After mounting the spare steel rim wheel, the tyre pressure must be
checked and corrected as soon as possible. The tyre pressure must corre-
spond to the vehicle load (consult the table containing the inflation pres-
sures). Otherwise there is danger of causing an accident. Use the highest
tyre pressure as indicated in the table.
● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h, as higher speeds can cause an acci-
dent.
● Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and fast cornering, as this
could cause an accident.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

254If and when
Changing a wheel
Preparation work
What you must do before changing a wheel.
– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the vehicle as far away
from the flow of traffic as possible. Choose a location that is as
level as possible.
– All passengers should leave the vehicle. They should wait in a
safe place (e.g. behind the roadside crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage first gear .
– When towing a trailer: Unhitch the trailer from your vehicle.
– Take the tools and the spare wheel ⇒ page 251 out of the lug-
gage compartment.
WARNING
If you have a puncture in heavy traffic, switch on the hazard warning
lights and place the warning triangle in a visible location. This is for your
own safety and also warns other road users.
CAUTION
If you have to change the tyre on a gradient, block the wheel opposite the
wheel being changed by placing a stone or similar object under it to prevent
the vehicle from rolling away.
Note
Please observe legal requirements when doing so.
Changing a wheel
Change the wheel as described below.
– Remove the wheel cover .
– Loosen the wheel bolts ⇒ page 255.
– Raise the vehicle with the jack ⇒ page 256.
– Take off the wheel with the flat tyre and then put on the spare
wheel ⇒ page 257.
– Lower the vehicle.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly in diagonal sequence with the
box spanner ⇒ page 255.
– Replace the cover.
After changing a wheel
After changing the wheel, there are still tasks to complete. – Place the wheel with the defective tyre in the spare wheel well
and secure it.
– Put the tools and jack back in the luggage compartment.

255
If and when
– The inflation pressure of the newly fitted spare tyre must be
checked as soon as possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon
as possible with a torque wrench. It must be 120 Nm (always
when cold)
– Have the flat tyre replaced as quickly as possible.
Note
● If you notice that the wheel bolts are rusty and difficult to turn when
changing a wheel, they must be replaced before having the tightening tor-
que checked.
● For safety reasons, drive at moderate speeds until the wheel bolt tight-
ening torque has been checked. Loosening and tightening the wheel bolts
The wheel bolts must be loosened before raising the vehicle.
Fig. 193 Changing the
wheel: Loosen the wheel
bolts
Loosening
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt 1)
.
– Grip the box spanner as close to the end as possible and turn
the wheel bolts about one turn anti-clockwise
⇒ fig. 193 -arrow-.
Tightening
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt 1)
.
– Grip the box spanner as close to the end as possible and tight-
en the bolt firmly by turning clockwise.
1)
An adapter is required to unscrew or tighten the anti-theft wheel bolts* ⇒ page 257.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

267
If and when
Halogen headlight bulbs
Fig. 203 Halogen bulbs
Main beam headlights
Side lights
Dipped beam headlights
Side lights
Turn signal
A
BCDE
Changing the turn signal bulb
The procedure for changing the bulb is the same on both
sides.
Fig. 204 Turn signal
– Switch off the ignition and the lights.
– Raise the bonnet.
– Turn the bulb holder anti-clockwise, pulling it by the grip
⇒ fig. 204 and removing the bulb holder and the bulb.
– Replace the blown bulb in the bulb holder (press and turn anti-
clockwise to remove) with a new bulb (press and turn clockwise
to insert).
– Installation is done in the reverse order.
– Check whether the new bulb is working.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

269
If and when
Changing the dipped beam headlight bulb
The procedure for changing the bulb is the same on both
sides.
Fig. 207 Dipped beam
headlights
Fig. 208 Dipped beam
headlights
– Switch off the ignition and the lights. –
Raise the bonnet.
– Move the brace ⇒ fig. 207 1
in the direction of the arrow and
remove the rigid cover, separating the brace side and then re-
moving the two tabs from the other end of the cover.
– Pull the connector ⇒ fig. 208 2
from the bulb.
– Unclip the retainer spring ⇒ fig. 208 3
pressing inwards to the
right.
– Remove the bulb and fit the new one in the headlight casing
with the tab upwards, starting to position it from below.
– Clip on the spring, raising it and pressing it slightly while turn-
ing it anti-clockwise. To ensure correct lighting, the filament
must be vertical. When changing the bulb, you can check the
position of the bulb through the headlight glass.
– Connect the connector to the bulb.
– Fit the cover, first inserting the side tabs and then closing the
cover and the brace. Make sure that the gasket sits well on the
casing cover during the operation.
– Check whether the new bulb is working.
– Have the headlight settings checked as soon as possible.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications