2012 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER warning light

Flashes Possible cause Solution
The lock button in the selector lever is not Engage the selector lever lock 265. engaged. The vehicle cannot drive off.
Dual clutch gearbox DSG®. Drive to the nearest qualified workshop immedi-
/ ./ flashes alternately with selector lever dis-ately at a low engine speed to have the system play, e.g. D.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will go out after a few seconds.
A WARNING
Failure to observe illuminated warning lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and can cause acci-dent and serious injury.
• Never ignore any illuminated warning lamps or text messages.
Pedals
Fig. 218 In vehicles with a manual gearbox, ac-celerator pedal G), brake pedal@ and clutch ped-al@.
r-T'n First read and observe the introductory L-Wl information and safety warnings & on page 260.
The operation and freedom of movement of all pedals must never be impaired by objects or floor mats.
Only use floor mats that leave the pedal area free and can be securely fastened in the footwell.
If a brake circuit fails, you will have to depress the brake pedal further than normal in order to bring the vehicle to a stop.
262 I While driving
checked.
A WARNING (Continued)
• Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.
• If the vehicle is stationary or has to be parked for repairs, always park the vehicle at a safe distance from the road, switch on the hazard warning lights, switch off the engine and take other precautionary measures In or-der to warn traffic behind you.
CD
Failure to observe Illuminated indicator lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle be-Ing damaged. Fig. 219 In vehicles with a dual clutch gearbox. accelerator pedal G) and brake pedal @.
A wARNING
Objects in the driver footwell can hinder ped-al operation. This can lead to loss of control of the vehicle and increase the risk of serious Injury.
• Please ensure that all pedals can always be operated without any hindrance.
• The foot mats must always be properly se-cured in the footwell. .,.

• Reduce your speed.
• Push the selector lever from position D to the right into the Tiptronic gate 266.
• Gently push the selector lever to the rear to change down gear.
Stopping the vehicle and pulling away when driving uphill
The steeper the incline, the lower the gear that is required.
If you wish to stop the vehicle or pull away when driving uphill, you should use the Hill Hold Assist function 282.
Vehicles without Hill Hold Assist: when the vehi-cle is stopped on an incline and remains in gear, the vehicle must always be prevented from rolling by depressing the brake pedal or by applying the handbrake. The brake pedal or the handbrake should not be released until you start to pull away
Kickdown
The kickdown mechanism enables maximum ac-celeration in the selector lever positions D and S, or in the Tiptronic position.
If the accelerator pedal is depressed fully, the gear-box will automatically shift to a lower gear, depend-ing on the speed and engine revs. This will make use of the full vehicle acceleration &.
The gearbox does not shift up to the next gear until the engine reaches the maximum engine speed for the gear.
Freewheel driving with 7-speed dual clutch gearbox DSG®
In coasting mode, the momentum of the vehicle can be used to save fuel in conjunction with a fore-sighted driving style. The engine is declutched and no longer brakes the vehicle -the vehicle can roll out over a longer distance.
Switch-on condition: the selector lever must be in position D.
Fault in the DSG® dual clutch gearbox
r-f"'n First read and observe the introductory l-J::,JJ information and safety warnings & on page 260.
Emergency programme
There is a fault in the system if all the displays on the instrument cluster for the selector lever posi-tions have a light background. The automatic gear-
Triggering coasting
• Remove foot from accelerator pedal. The en-gine will be disengaged and run in freewheel mode. The vehicle rolls without the braking effect of the engine.
Cancelling coasting mode
• Depress the brake pedal briefly.
Coasting can be switched on and off in the Set-tings menu of the Volkswagen Information sys-tem 24.
A WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, particularly on slippery roads. This can cause you to lose control of the ve-hicle, which can lead to accidents and seri-ous injuries.
• Always adjust your driving style in ac-cordance with the flow of traffic.
• Only use kickdown or fast acceleration if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit, and other road users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and the driving style.
• You should never endanger other road users through the acceleration of your vehi-cle or through your driving style.
CD
• If you stop the vehicle on an incline, do not attempt to stop it from rolling back by depress-Ing the accelerator while a position is still se-lected. The automatic gearbox could overheat and be damaged.
• Never allow the vehicle to roll in position N, particularly if the ignition is switched off. The automatic gearbox will not be lubricated and could be damaged. <1
box is running in an emergency programme. The vehicle can still be driven in the emergency pro-gramme, but only at reduced speed and not in all gears.
In vehicles with a DSG® dual clutch gearbox, you may no longer be able to select reverse gear. The gearbox should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible. .,..
Starting the engine, changing gear and parking 267

Braking, stopping and parking
COl Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Warning and indicator lamps Handbrake ............................ .
Parking . . . . . . . ............. .
Information on the brakes ................ . Brake support systems .................. .
Switching the TCS on and off ............. .
Brake fluid ............................ .
270 271
272 272
274
276
277
The brake support systems are the anti-lock brake system (ASS), the Brake Assist system (SAS), the electronic differential lock (EDS), the traction control system (TCS) and the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
Additional information and warnings:
• Towing a trailer 139
• Pull-away assist systems 282
• Wheels and tyres 367
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts 394
A WARNING
Driving with worn brake pads or with a faulty brake system can cause accidents and seri-ous Injuries.
• If the warning lamp 0 lights up either on its own or with a text message In the display of the Instrument cluster, go to a qualified workshop Immediately, have the brake pads checked and any worn brake pads replaced.
A WARNING
Incorrect parking can cause serious Injuries.
• Never remove the vehicle key from the lg-nltlon lock when the vehicle Is In motion. The steering lock may be activated and you will no longer be able to steer or control the vehl-cl e.
A WARNING (Continued)
• Never park the vehicle where parts of the exhaust system can come into contact with inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. undergrowth, leaves, dry grass, spilt fuel.
• Always apply the handbrake when the ve-hicle Is parked.
• Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone In the vehicle. They could release the handbrake, move the selector lev-er or gearshift lever and thus set the vehicle In motion. This can lead to accidents and se-rious injuries.
• Always take all vehicle keys with you ev-ery time you leave the vehicle. The engine can be started and electrical equipment such as the window controls can be used which could cause serious injury.
• Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle. They could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergen-cy and may not be able to get themselves to safety. For example, locked vehicles may be subjected to very high or very low tempera-tures, according to season. This can cause serious Injuries and illness or fatalities, espe-cially for small children.
CD
• To avoid unintentional movement when parking the vehicle, first apply the handbrake and then remove your foot from the brake ped-al.
• Always take care when driving in car parks with protruding kerbstones or bollards. Objects that protrude from the ground can damage the bumper and other components when parking the vehicle. In order to avoid any damage, stop the vehicle before the wheels can touch the bollards or kerbs.
• Drive carefully through dips in the road, over driveways, ramps, kerbstones and other objects. Low-lying vehicle components such as the bumper, spoiler and parts of the running gear, engine or exhaust system could be dam-aged.
Starting the engine, changing gear and parking I 269

Warning and indicator lamps
[Q First read and observe the Introductory information and safety warnings & on page 269.
Lit up Possible cause=>&
Handbrake is applied.
Brake system fault.
Brake fluid level is too low.
Together with ABS indicator lamp El: ABS not functioning.
-...-Brake pads worn .
ESC switched off by the system.
ESC fault.
In conjunction with ABS indicator lamp CS>: ABS fault.
Vehicle battery has been reconnected.
TCS switched off manually.
In conjunction with ESC indicator lamp
((oil ABS fault.
In conjunction with warning lamp ID: ABS not functioning.
Brake pedal not depressed.
Flashes Possible cause
'• ESCITCS is taking corrective action.
Trailer stabilisation controlled.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will go out after a few seconds.
A WARNING
Failure to observe illuminated warning lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and can cause acci-dent and serious injury.
270 I While driving
Solution
f; Do not drive on I Seek expert assistance immediately =>page 273.
a:. Do not drive on I Check the brake fluid level =>page 277.
Go to a qualified workshop. The vehicle can be braked without ABS.
Go to a qualified workshop immediately. All brake pads should be checked and renewed as necessary.
Switch the ignition on and off. If necessary, drive a short distance.
Go to a qualified workshop.
Go to a qualified workshop. The vehicle can be braked without ABS.
Drive a short distance at a speed of 15 -20 km/ h (10 -12 mph). if the indicator lamp remains lit up, the vehicle should be checked by a qualified workshop =>page 362.
Switch on TCS =>page 276. Switch on TCS au-tomatically by switching the ignition off and on.
Go to a qualified workshop. The vehicle can be braked without ABS.
To select a position, press the brake pedal.
Solution
Remove foot from accelerator pedal. Adapt driv-ing style to suit road conditions.
Remove foot from accelerator pedal. If possible, do not turn the steering wheel =>page 139.
A WARNING (Continued)
• Never ignore any illuminated warning lamps or text messages.
• Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.
A WARNING
Driving with poor brakes can result in acci-dents and serious injuries.

A WARNING (Continued)
• If the brake warning lamp ID does not go out, or if it lights up when driving, the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low or there is a fault in the brake system. Stop the vehi-cle Immediately and seek expert assistance 277, Brake fluid.
• If the brake warning lamp@ lights up to-gether with the ABS indicator lamp S, the control function of the ABS may have failed. This can cause the rear wheels to lock quick-ly when you brake. Locked rear wheels can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. If pos-sible, reduce your speed and drive carefully at low speed to the nearest qualified work-shop in order to have the brake system tes-ted. Avoid sudden braking and driving ma-noeuvres on the way.
• The ABS Is not functioning correctly if the ABS indicator lampS does not go out or comes on while the vehicle is in motion. The
Handbrake
Fig. 223 Handbrake between the front seats.
r--fl1 First read and observe the introductory L-J,::.IJ information and safety warnings & on page 269.
Applying the handbrake
• Lift the handbrake lever up fully.
• The handbrake is applied when the indicator lamp ID lights up in the instrument cluster =-page 270.
Releasing the handbrake
• Lift the handbrake lever up slightly and press the lock button ::.Fig. 223 (arrow).
• Guide the handbrake lever down whilst the lock button is pressed.
A WARNING (Continued)
vehicle can be stopped using the normal brakes only (without ABS). The protection provided by ABS is no longer available. Go to a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
• If the warning lamp 0 lights up either indi-vidually or together with a text message in the display of the instrument cluster, go to a qualified workshop immediately to have the brake pads checked or any worn brake pads replaced.
CD
Failure to observe illuminated indicator lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle be-Ing damaged. A WARNING
Incorrect use of the handbrake can cause ac-cidents and serious Injuries.
• The handbrake should never be used to brake the vehicle, except in emergencies. The braking distance is considerably longer as only the rear wheels are braked. Always use the foot brake.
• Never drive the vehicle with the handbrake lightly applied. This can overheat the brakes and adversely affect the brake system. lt can also cause premature wear to the rear brake pads.
• Never activate the accelerator from the en-gine compartment if a position or gear has been selected and the engine is running. The vehicle can start to move even if the hand-brake Is applied.
CD
To avoid unintentional movement when parking the vehicle, first apply the handbrake and then remove your foot from the brake pedal.
r::l An acoustic warning is given if the car is driv-L.!:.J en faster than approximately 6 km/h (4 mph) with the handbrake applied. Starting the engine, changing gear and parking I 271

Parking
r--f"n First read and observe the Introductory L-J.:.lJ information and safety warnings & on page 269.
Please adhere to relevant legislation when stop-ping and parking your vehicle.
Stopping the vehicle
The steps should only be carried out in the speci-fied order.
• Stop the vehicle on a suitable surface &.
• Depress and hold the brake pedal until the en-gine has stopped.
• Apply the handbrake.
• With a DSG® dual clutch gearbox, move the se-lector lever to position P.
• Switch off the engine and take your foot off the brake pedal.
• Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.
• Turn the steering wheel slightly if necessary to engage the steering lock mechanism.
• With a manual gearbox, select the first gear for flat ground and uphill inclines, or the reverse gear for downhill inclines, and then release the clutch pedal 263.
• Please ensure that all occupants, in particular children, leave the vehicle.
• Take all vehicle keys with you when you leave the vehicle.
• Lock the vehicle.
Additional points for ascending and descending inclines
Before switching off the engine, turn the steering wheel so that the front wheels will roll against the kerb if the parked vehicle starts to move.
• When facing downhill, turn the wheels so that they face the kerb.
• When facing uphill, turn the wheels so that they face the centre of the road.
Information on the brakes
r--f"n First read and observe the Introductory L-J.:.lJ information and safety warnings & on page 269.
New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 200 to 300 km and must first be "run in" &. However, you can compensate for
2721 While driv1ng
A WARNING
The components of the exhaust system be-come very hot. This can cause fires and seri-ous Injuries.
• Never park the vehicle where parts of the exhaust system can come Into contact with any Inflammable material underneath the ve-hicle, e.g. undergrowth, leaves, dry grass, split fuel.
CD
• To avoid unintentional movement when parking the vehicle, first apply the handbrake firmly and then remove your foot from the brake pedal.
• Always take care when driving in car parks with protruding kerbstones or bollards. Objects that protrude from the ground can damage the bumper and other components when parking the vehicle. In order to avoid any damage, stop the vehicle before the wheels can touch the bollards or kerbs.
• Drive carefully through dips in the road, over driveways, ramps, kerbstones and other objects. Low-lying vehicle components such as the bumper, spoiler and parts of the running gear, engine or exhaust system could be dam-aged.
• If the handbrake Is not applied fully when the vehicle Is stationary and the brake pedal Is released when then selector lever Is in posi-tion P, the vehicle may move a few centimetres forwards or backwards. the slightly reduced braking force by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. During the run-in pe-riod, the braking distance Is longer when the brakes are depressed fully or during emergen-cy braking than with brakes that have been fully run in. In the run-in period, the brakes should not be depressed fully and situations that create a .,.

A WARNING (Continued)
• If the brake servo does not function or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have to be depressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be Increased due to the lack of assistance for the brake system.
CD
• Never let the brakes "rub" by applying light pressure to the brake when it is not necessary to brake. Continual pressure on the brake pedal will overheat the brakes. This can considerably reduce the brake effect, increase the braking distance and, In certain circumstances, cause the brake system to fail completely.
Brake support systems
r-f'n First read and observe the Introductory l..-Wl information and safety warnings&. on page 269.
The brake support systems ESC, ABS, BAS, TCS and EDL only function when the engine is running. They make a considerable contribution to active driving safety.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
The ESC helps to reduce the risk of skidding and to improve driving stability by braking individual wheels in certain driving situations. The ESC de-tects critical driving situations such as oversteer, understeer and wheelspin. The system helps to stabilise the vehicle through targeted application of the brakes or by reducing engine torque.
ESC has its limitations. lt is important to realise that ESC cannot overcome the laws of physics. ESC will not be able to assist in every situation faced by a driver. For example, ESC will not be able to assist every time that there is a sudden change in the road surface quality. If a section of dry road is suddenly covered with water, mud or snow, ESC will not be able to assist in the same manner as on a dry road. If the vehicle aquaplanes (drives on a layer of water rather than on the road surface), ESC will not be able to assist in steering the vehicle as the contact to the road surface has been interrupted and it is therefore no longer pos-sible to steer or brake the vehicle. When driving at speed through bends, particularly on stretches of road with many bends, the ESC will not always be able to process complicated driving situations as
2741 While dnvang
• Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce speed and change to a lower gear or move the selector lever to a lower position. This will make use of the engine braking effect and relieve the load on the brakes. The brakes could otherwise overheat and possibly fall. The brakes should only be used to slow or stop the vehicle.
m If the front brake pads are tested, the rear L!..J brake pads should be tested at the same time. Regularly check the thickness of the brake pads through the openings in the rims or from the underside of the vehicle. If necessary, remove the wheels to carry out a comprehensive check. Volks-wagen Commercial Vehicles recommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose. effectively as at lower speeds. When towing a trail-er, ESC is unable to assist the driver in regaining control over the vehicle.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions. ESC cannot defy the laws of motion, improve the availa-ble power output, or keep the vehicle on the road if insufficient care and attention on the part of the driver causes the vehicle to leave the road. In-stead, the ESC improves the chances of keeping the vehicle under control and, in extreme on-road driving situations, exploits the driver's steering in-put to keep the vehicle travelling in the desired di-rection. If the vehicle is driving at a speed that leads it to leave the road before the ESC can pro-vide any kind of support, the ESC will be unable to provide any assistance.
The ASS, BAS, TCS and EDL systems are integra-ted into the ESC. The ESC is always on. If the trac-tion achieved in certain situations is not sufficient, TCS can be switched off by pressing the ASR (TCS) button =>Fig. 224. Always ensure that ASR (TCS) is switched back on again once traction is sufficient.
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
In the event of an accident, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System can help the driver to re-duce the risk of skidding, and the danger of secon-dary collisions, through automatic braking.

Brake fluid
B7E.02AO
Fig. 225 In the engine compartment: cap on the brake fluid container.
r-111 First read and observe the Introductory l-Jr:,U Information and safety warnings&. on page 269.
Brake fluid will gradually absorb water from the surrounding air. The brake system will be damaged if there is too much water in the brake fluid. The boiling point of the brake fluid is also considerably reduced by the water content. Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock in the brake sys-tem if the water content is too high. Vapour locks reduce levels of braking power, considerably in-crease braking distance and can even cause the brake system to fail completely. Your own safety and that of other road users depends on having a brake system that functions properly at all times
Brake fluid specification
Volkswagen has developed a brake fluid that has been optimised for the brake system in the vehicle. To ensure optimal operation of the brake system, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends the use of brake fluid compliant with VW stand-ard 501 14.
Before using a particular brake fluid, check that the specifications printed on the container correspond to the vehicle requirements.
Brake fluid that is compliant with VW stand-ard 501 14 is available from Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles dealerships.
If this brake fluid is not available and it is necessa-ry to use another high-quality brake fluid instead, brake fluid that is compliant with DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 can be used.
Not all brake fluids that are compliant with DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 have the same chemical com-position. Some of these brake fluids may contain chemicals that can damage or destroy brake sys-tem components over time.
To ensure sustained optimal operation of the brake system, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles there-fore recommends the use of brake fluid that is compliant with VW standard 501 14.
Brake fluid that is compliant with VW stand-ard 501 14 fulfils the requirements of DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4.
Brake fluid level
The brake fluid level must always be between the MIN and MAX marking of the brake fluid container or above the MIN marking &.
The brake fluid level cannot be checked accurately in all models as engine components may partially conceal the brake fluid container. If the brake fluid level cannot be read exactly, please go to a quali-fied workshop.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehi-cle is being used as the brake pads wear and the brakes are automatically adjusted.
Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid must be changed as indicated in the service schedule Service schedule. The brake fluid should be changed by a qualified workshop. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles rec-ommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehi-cles dealership for this purpose. Only brake fluid that confonns with the required specification should be used.
A WARNING
Brake failure or reduced braking effect can be caused by the brake fluid level being too low or by brake fluid that Is too old or unsuitable.
• The brake system and brake fluid level must be checked regularly.
• The brake fluid should be changed regu-larly, according to the service schedule Service schedule.
• Heavy use of the brakes may cause a va-pour lock If the brake fluid Is left In the sys-tem for too long. Vapour locks reduce levels
Starting the engine, changing gear and parking I 277