Safety
Passive Safety
General information
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Before setting off
8
Driving safety
8
Safety equipment
8
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the sub-
ject of passive safety in your vehicle.
We have combined everything here which you should be familiar with, for ex-
ample, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and safety of children.
WARNING■ This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants.■
You can find further information on safety concerning you and those trav-
elling with you in the following chapters of this owner's manual.
■
The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This
applies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle.
Before setting off
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please
pay attention to the following points before setting off.
Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning proper-
ly.
Ensure that the function of the wiper and the condition of the wiper
blades are free of any defects.
Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
Adjust the rear-view mirror so that vision to the rear is guaranteed.
Ensure that the mirrors are not covered.
Check the tyre inflation pressure.
Check the engine oil, brake fluid and coolant level.
Secure all items of luggage.
Do not exceed the permissible axle loads and permissible gross weight of
the vehicle.
Close all doors as well as the bonnet and boot lid.
Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
Protect children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat
belts » page 22 , Transporting children safely .
Adopt the correct seated position » page 9, Correct and safe seated
position . Tell your passengers to assume the correct seated position.
Driving safety
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants. If your driving
safety is affected, you place yourself and the oncoming traffic at risk.
The following guidelines must therefore be observed. Do not become distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, e.g.
by your passengers or mobile phone calls.
Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, e.g. due to medication, al-
cohol or drugs.
Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
Always adjust the driving speed to the road, traffic and weather condi-
tions.
Take regular breaks on long journeys – at least every two hours.
Safety equipment
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
The following list contains only part of the safety equipment in your vehicle.
› Three-point seat belts for all the seats.
› Belt force limiter for front and outer rear seats.
› Belt tensioner for front and outer rear seats.
› Seat belt height adjusters for the front seats.
› Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger.
› Driver’s knee airbag.
8Safety
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.Gearbox overheated. Stop! Owner's manual!
do not continue to drive! Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and wait
until the
icon goes out – risk of gearbox damage! You can continue your
journey as soon as the icon disappears.WARNINGIf you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard
warning light system » page 72. The warning triangle must be set up at
the prescribed distance - observe the national legal provisions when doing
so.
Note
■ If the MAXI DOT display shows warning messages, these messages must be
confirmed in order to access the main menu » page 42 .■
As long as the operational faults are not rectified, the symbols are always in-
dicated again. After they are displayed for the first time, the symbols continue
to be indicated without any extra messages for the driver.
Warning lights
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Handbrake
35
Brake system
35
Seat belt warning light
35
Generator
35
Door open
36
Engine oil pressure
36
Coolant
36
Bonnet
36
Boot lid
36
Power steering / steering lock (system KESSY)
36
Engine oil level
37
Traction Control System (ASR)
37
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
37 Anti lock brake system (ABS)38 Rear fog light38
Lamp failure
38
Adaptive headlights (AHL)
38
Exhaust inspection system
38
Glow plug system (diesel engine)
38
Engine performance check (petrol engine)
39
Diesel particulate filter (diesel engine)
39
Fuel reserve
39
Airbag system
40
Tyre inflation pressure
40
Windscreen washer fluid level
40
Brake linings
41
Turn signal system
41
Low beam
41
Fog lights
41
Cruise control system
41
Selector lever lock / starter (system KESSY)
41
Main beam
41
The warning lights indicate certain functions or faults.
Some warning lights can be accompanied by acoustic signals and messages in
the display of the instrument cluster.
After switching on the ignition, some warning lights light up briefly as a func-
tion test.
If the tested systems are OK, the corresponding warning lights go out a few
seconds after switching on the ignition or after starting the engine.
34Operation
WARNING■Ignoring illuminated warning lights and related messages or instructions
in the instrument cluster display may lead to serious personal injury or
damage to the vehicle.■
If you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and activate the hazard
warning light system » page 72. The warning triangle must be set up at
the prescribed distance - observe the national legal provisions when doing
so.
■
The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. The following
warning instructions must be followed at all times when working in the en-
gine compartment » page 186, Engine compartment .
Handbrake
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates if the handbrake is applied.
An acoustic signal will sound if you drive the vehicle above 6 km/h for at least
3 seconds while the handbrake is applied.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Release parking brake!
Brake system
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates if the brake fluid level in the braking system is
too low or there is a fault in the ABS.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Brake fluid: Owner's manual!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the brake flu-
id » page 193 » .
WARNING■
If the warning light together with the warning light » page 38 ,
Anti lock brake system (ABS) illuminates, do not continue to drive! Seek
help from a specialist garage.■
A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – there is a risk of accident.
■
The following guidelines should be observed when opening the bonnet
and checking the brake fluid level » page 186, Engine compartment .
Seat belt warning light
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
is illuminated as a reminder for the driver and front pas-
senger to fasten their seat belts.
The warning light
goes out , after the respective seat belt has been fas-
tened.
If the driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt and the vehicle
speed is more than 20 km/h, the warning light
flashes and you will hear an
acoustic warning signal.
The warning signal is switched off and the warning light
remains perma-
nently illuminated if the driver and front passenger have not fastened their
seat belts within the next 90 seconds.
Generator
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
is illuminated , when the engine is running, the vehicle
battery is not being charged.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately. The electrical system re-
quires checking.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the warning light (coolant system fault) illumi-
nates in addition to the warning light while you are driving. Stop the engine
- there is a risk of engine damage. Seek help from a specialist garage.35Instruments and Indicator Lights
Door openRead and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates if one or several doors are opened.
Engine oil pressure
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
When the warning light is flashing
, the engine oil pressure is too low.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Oil pressure: Engine off. Owner's manual!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the engine oil lev-
el » page 190 .
If the warning light
flashes do not drive any further , even if the oil level is
correct! Also do not leave the engine running at an idling speed.
Seek help from a specialist garage.
Coolant
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
illuminates or flashes , either the coolant temperature is
too high or the coolant level is too low.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Check coolant! Owner's manual!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and check the coolant lev-
el » page 192 .
›
If the coolant level is too low, top up coolant » page 192.
If the warning light
does not illuminate , after adding coolant and switching
on the ignition, you may continue your journey.
If the coolant level is within the specified range and the warning light is still
illuminated , then there may be a malfunction of the cooling fan.
›
Check the fuse for the radiator fan, replace if necessary » page 222, Fuses in
the engine compartment .
If the coolant level and fan fuse are both OK but the warning light is never-
theless still illuminated, do not continue your journey!
Seek help from a specialist garage.WARNING■ Carefully open the coolant expansion bottle. If the engine is hot, the cool-
ing system is pressurized - risk of scalding! It is therefore best to allow the
engine to cool down before removing the cap.■
Do not touch the radiator fan. The radiator fan may switch itself on auto-
matically even if the ignition is off - a danger of injury is present!
CAUTION
■ Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant.■
Never cover the radiator - there is a risk of the engine overheating.
Bonnet
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates if the bonnet is unlocked.
Boot lid
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates if the boot lid is opened.
Power steering / steering lock (system KESSY)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
Power steering
If the warning light
is illuminated , this indicates a partial failure of the Pow-
er Steering and the steering forces can be greater.
If the warning light
is illuminated , this indicates a complete failure of the
power steering and the steering assist has failed (significantly higher steering
forces).
›
Stop the car, turn the ignition off and on again.
The powered steering is fully functional again if the
or
warning light does
not illuminate after you switch the engine back on.
36Operation
Operational problemsRead and observe
and on page 110 first.
If the cooling system does not operate at outside temperatures higher than +5°C, there is a problem in the system. The reasons for this may be.
› One of the fuses has blown. Check the fuse and replace if necessa-
ry » page 220 .
› The cooling system has switched off automatically for a short time because
the coolant temperature of the engine is too hot » page 31.
If you are not able to resolve the operational problem yourself, or if the cooler
output has reduced, switch off the cooling system and seek assistance from a
specialist garage.
Air conditioning system (manual air conditioning system)
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Control elements
112
adjusting
114
Recirculated air mode
114
The cooling system operates only if the following conditions are met. The cooling system is switched on » page 112.
The engine is running.
The outside temperature is above approximately +2 °C.
The blower is switched on.
Under certain circumstances, air at a temperature of about 5 °C can flow out of
the vents when the cooling system is switched on.
If the desired interior temperature can also be achieved without activating the
cooling system, fresh air mode should be selected.
The cooling system is switched off at a high coolant temperature in order to
provide cooling at a high load of the engine.
CAUTION
Lengthy and uneven distribution of the air flow out of the vents (especially
around the feet) and large differences in temperature, for example, when get-
ting out of the vehicle, can cause susceptible individuals to catch a cold.Note■ We recommend that you have the air conditioning system cleaned by a spe-
cialist garage once every year.■
During operation of the air conditioning, an increase in engine idle speed may
occur under certain circumstances in order to ensure sufficient heating com-
fort.
Control elements
Fig. 125
The air conditioning system: Control elements
Read and observe
on page 112 first.
Functions of the individual controls » Fig. 125 :
Set the temperature (turn to the left: to reduce the temperature, turn to
the right: to increase the temperature)
Set the blower level (level 0: blowers off, level 4: the highest blower
speed)
Set the direction of the air outlet » page 110
Switch the cooling system on/off
Switching the rear window heater on/off » page 75
Aux. heating on/off » page 118
Switch recirculation on/off » page 114
Control the seat heater on the front left seat » page 85
Control the seat heater on the front right seat » page 85
ABC112Operation
NoteAs soon as the windscreen mists up, press the symbol button . Press the
button once the windscreen has demisted.
Controlling blower
The Climatronic system controls the blower stages automatically in line with
the interior temperature.
However, the blower stages can be manually adapted to suit your particular
needs.
›
Repeatedly pressing the symbol button on the left or right reduces or in-
creases blower speed.
If the blower is switched off, the Climatronic system is switched off.
The set blower speed is displayed above the symbol button when the re-
spective number of warning lights illuminate.
WARNING■ “Stale air” may result in fatigue in the driver and occupants, reduce atten-
tion levels and also cause the windows to mist up. The risk of having an ac-
cident increases.■
Do not switch off the Climatronic system for longer than necessary.
■
Switch on the Climatronic system as soon as the windows mist up.
Defrosting windscreen
Switching on
›
Press the
button » Fig. 126 on page 115 .
›
Press the
button » Fig. 126 on page 115 .
Switching off
›
Press the symbol button
again or press the symbol button
.
›
Press the
button again.
More air flows out of the air outlet vents 1 » Fig. 123 on page 110 . The tempera-
ture control is controlled automatically.
Auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventilation)
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Switching on/off
119
Radio remote control
120
Functional requirements of the auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventila-
tion)
The charge state of the vehicle battery is sufficient.
The fuel supply is adequate (the warning icon is not lit in the display of
the instrument cluster).
Auxiliary ventilation
The auxiliary ventilation enables fresh air to flow into the vehicle interior by
switching off the engine, whereby the interior temperature is effectively de-
creased (e.g. with the vehicle parked in the sun).
Additional heating (hereinafter only as a aux. heating)
The auxiliary heating can be used when both when stationary, when the en-
gine is switched off, to preheat the vehicle and also while driving (e.g. during
the heating phase of the engine).
The aux. heating functions in connection with the air conditioning system or
Climatronic.
The auxiliary heating also warms up the engine. This is not valid for vehicles
with the 3.6 l/191 kW FSI engine.
The auxiliary heating warms up the coolant by combusting fuel from the vehi-
cle tank. This warms the air flowing into the passenger compartment (if the
blower is turned on).
Depending on the environmental conditions, the automatic on or off of the
heater occurs, which causes the best possible conditions for the engine run-
ning and the interior heating.
For vehicles with petrol engines, the automatic switching on and off of the
heater can be disabled at a specialist workshop.
118Operation
WARNING■The auxiliary heating must never be operated in closed rooms (e.g. garag-
es) – risk of poisoning!■
The auxiliary heating must not be allowed to run during refuelling – risk
of fire.
■
The exhaust pipe of the auxiliary heating is located on the underside of
the vehicle. If you want to use the heater, then the car should not be
parked in places where the exhaust gases can come into contact with flam- mable materials such as dry grass, undergrowth, leaves, spilled fuel or simi-
lar - Risk of fire.
CAUTION
■ The running auxiliary heater consumes fuel from the vehicle tank and auto-
matically controls the filling level. If only a low quantity of fuel is present in the
fuel tank, the auxiliary heating switches off.■
The exhaust pipe of the auxiliary heating, which is located on the underside
of the vehicle, must not be clogged and the exhaust flow must not be blocked.
■
If the auxiliary heating is running, the vehicle battery discharges. If the auxili-
ary heating and ventilation has been operated several times over a longer peri-
od, the vehicle must be driven a few kilometres in order to recharge the vehi-
cle battery.
■
The air inlet in front of the windscreen must be free (e.g. of ice, snow or
leaves) to ensure that the auxiliary heating operates properly.
Note
■ The auxiliary heating switches on the blower B » Fig. 125 on page 112
or » Fig. 126 on page 115 only if it has achieved a coolant temperature of ap-
prox. 50 °C.■
At low outside temperatures, this can result in a formation of water vapour in
the area of the engine compartment. This is quite normal and is not an operat-
ing problem.
■
So that warm air can flow into the vehicle interior after switching on the aux-
iliary heating, you must maintain the comfort temperature normally selected
by you, leave the fan switched on and leave the air outlet vents in an open po-
sition. It is recommended to put the air flow in the position
or
.
Switching on/offFig. 127
Button for switching on/off the system directly on the operating
part of the air conditioning/Climatronic
Read and observe
and on page 119 first.
The auxiliary heating can be switched on/off as follows.
Manually switching on using the button on the operating part of the manual air conditioning/Cli-
matronic. The warning light in the button illuminates » Fig. 127.
by using the radio remote control » page 120.
Manually switching off using the button on the operating part of the manual air conditioning/Cli-
matronic. The warning light in the button goes out » Fig. 127,
by using the radio remote control » page 120.
After switching off the auxiliary heating, the coolant pump still runs for a short period.
Automatic switching on/off
The following menu items can be selected from the Aux. heating menu item in
the information display » page 47 (depending on the vehicle equipment):
■ Day of the week - set the current day of the week;
■ Running time - Set the required running time in 5 minute increments. The
running time can be 10 to 60 minutes.
■ Mode - Set the desired heating/ventilation mode;
119Air conditioning system
ReplenishingRead and observe
and on page 189 first.
›
Check the oil level » page 190.
›
Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening » Fig. 164 on page 188 .
›
Replenish the oil in portions of 0.5 litres in accordance with the correct speci-
fications » page 189 .
›
Check the oil level » page 190.
›
Carefully screw on the oil filler opening cap and push the dipstick in fully.
Coolant
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Capacity
191
Checking the coolant level
192
Replenishing
192
The coolant consists of water with coolant additive. This mixture guarantees
antifreeze protection, protects the cooling/heater system against corrosion
and prevents lime formation.
Vehicles exported to countries with a mild climate are already factory-filled
with a coolant which offers antifreeze protection down to about -25 ℃. In
these countries, the concentration of coolant additive should be at least 40%.
Vehicles exported to countries with a cold climate are already factory-filled
with a coolant which offers antifreeze protection down to about -35 °C. In
these countries, the concentration of coolant additive should be at least 50%.
If a higher concentration of antifreeze is required for climatic reasons, the con-
centration of coolant additive can be increased up to a maximum of 60% (anti-
freeze protection down to approx. -40 °C).
When refilling, only use the same antifreeze identified on the coolant expan-
sion vessel » Fig. 167 on page 192 .
WARNINGThe engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. The following
warning instructions must be followed at all times when working in the en- gine compartment » page 186.
CAUTION
■
Do not continue if for some reason it is not possible to fill with coolant un-
der the current circumstances! Switch off the engine and seek assistance from
a specialist garage.■
If the expansion tank is empty, do not top up with coolant. The system could
ventilate - there is a risk of engine damage,
do not continue driving! Switch
off the engine and seek assistance from a specialist garage.
■
The concentration of coolant additive in the coolant must never be under
40%.
■
Over 60% of coolant additive in the coolant reduces the antifreeze protec-
tion and cooling effect.
■
A coolant additive that does not comply with the correct specifications can
significantly reduce the corrosion protection.
■
Any faults resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of coolant and can con-
sequently result in major engine damage!
■
Do not fill the coolant above the mark
A
» Fig. 167 on page 192 .
■
If a fault causes the engine to overheat, we recommend visiting a specialist
garage, as otherwise serious engine damage may occur.
■
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant.
■
Never cover the radiator - there is a risk of the engine overheating.
Capacity
Read and observe
and on page 191 first.
Coolant capacity (in litres) 1)
Petrol enginesCapacity1.4 l/92 kW TSI7.71.8 l/112 kW TSI
1.8 l/118 kW TSI8.6 1)
The coolant capacity is approximately 1 Litre greater on vehicles that are fitted with an auxiliary heater
(auxiliary heating and ventilation).
191Inspecting and replenishing