2012 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER rims

be repaired by a qualified workshop. Volkswagen Commercial Vehides recommends using a Volks-wagen Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose => &.
Rims with bolted-on trims
Rims may have removable trims that are attached to the rim with self-locking bolts. Damaged trims may only be repaired by a qualified workshop. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends us-ing a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose => &.
Rim identification
In some countries, new rims are legally required to contain certain specifications on them. The follow-ing information may appear on the rims (varying from region to region):
• Seal of conformity
• Rim size
• Name of manufacturer or brand name
• Date manufactured (month/year)
• Country of origin
• Production number
New wheels and tyres
r--f'n First read and observe the introductory L-Wl information and safety warnings & on page 367.
New tyres
• Drive particularly carefully for the first 600 km with new tyres as the tyres have to be run in. Tyres that have not been run in have reduced grip=>& and braking effect => &.
• All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumference) and the same tread.
• The tread depth of new tyres may vary, accord-ing to the type and make of tyre and the tread pat-tern.
370 I Clcanmg and maintenance
• Raw materials batch number
• Product code
A WARNING
The use of unsuitable or damaged rims can impair vehicle safety and cause accidents and serious injury.
• Only use rims that have been approved for the vehicle.
• Check the rims regularly for damage and replace as necessary.
A WARNING
Incorrect loosening and tightening of the bolts on rims with bolted-on rings can cause accidents and serious Injury.
• Never remove the bolts on rims with bot-ted-on rings.
• All work on rims with bolted-on rings must be carried out by a qualified workshop. Volks-wagen Commercial Vehicles recommends us-ing a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles deal-ership for this purpose.
Replacing tyres
• Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and not individually (i.e. both front tyres or both rear tyres together) => &.
• Old tyres should only be replaced by tyres that have been approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for the vehicle type. Make sure that the tyres used are correct in respect of size, diameter. load-carrying capacity and maximum speed.
• Never use tyres with an effective size that is larger than tyres approved by Volkswagen Com-mercial Vehicles. Larger wheels could rub against the body or other parts of the vehide.
Additional information for vehicles with tyre monitoring system
For vehides with a tyre monitoring system, the sys-tem will have to be "re-synchronised" after any wheel changes, regardless of whether the wheel in question is being fitted in the same or in a different position =>page 318.
Further information about the tyre monitoring sys-tem, how it functions and what you must know
=>page 318. Jl>

A WARNING (Continued)
• Worn tyres reduce the possibility of con-trolling the vehicle well in normal and difficult driving situations and Increase braking dis-tance and the risk of sliding. Tyre damage
...--m First read and observe the introductory l-.W.I Information and safety warnings&,. on page 367.
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily visi-ble. Any unusual vibrations or signs that the car is pulling to one side may indicate that one of the tyres is damaged =:. &,..
• Reduce your speed immediately if you suspect that a wheel is damaged.
• Check the tyres and rims for damage.
• If the tyre is damaged, do not drive on. Seek expert assistance.
• If there is no visible damage, drive slowly and cautiously to the next qualified workshop in order to have the vehicle checked.
Foreign bodies in the tyre
• Leave the foreign body in the tyre if it has en-tered the inner tyre. However, foreign bodies that are stuck between the tyre tread blocks can be re-moved.
• For vehicles with a spare wheel: where appro-priate, change the damaged wheel =:>page 420 If required, seek expert assistance when changing the damaged wheel. Volkswagen Commercial Ve-hicles recommends using a Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles dealership for this purpose.
• For vehicles with a breakdown set: the tyre can be sealed and pumped up using the tools in the breakdown set =:.page 425. Go to a qualified workshop. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles rec-ommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehi-cles dealership for this purpose.
Tyre wear
The tyre wear is affected by several factors, for ex-ample:
• Driving style.
• Unbalanced wheels.
• Running gear setting.
Driving style-fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear. The run-ning gear should be checked by a qualified work-shop if the tyres show excessive wear despite a normal driving style.
Unbalanced wheels -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. Un-balanced wheels will affect levels of wear on the steering system and the suspension. In this case the wheels should be balanced again. New tyres have to be balanced after fitting.
Running gear setting-incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety of the vehicle. The wheel alignment should be checked by a qualified workshop if tyres show ex-cessive wear.
A WARNING
If you notice unusual vibration or the car pull-Ing to one side while the vehicle is In motion, this may indicate that one of the tyres is dam-aged.
• Reduce speed immediately and park the vehicle without obstructing traffic.
• Check the tyres and rims for damage.
• Never drive on if wheels or tyres are dam-aged. Seek expert assistance Instead.
• If there Is no visible damage, drive slowly and cautiously to the next qualified workshop In order to have the vehicle checked. Wheels and tyres 373

Cleaning and caring for chrome and aluminium trim parts
r-('n First read and observe the Introductory l..Jo:-1.1 Information and safety warnings & on page 380.
• Use a damp, clean, lint-free and soft cloth to clean the surfaces.
• For heavy soiling use a special solvent-free cleaning product.
• Polish the chrome and aluminium trim parts us-ing a soft, dry cloth.
CD
To ensure that the chrome and aluminium parts are not damaged:
• Do not clean or polish In direct sunlight.
• Do not clean or polish in sandy or dusty en-vironments.
CD
• Do not use any abrasive care products (e.g. cream cleaners).
• Never clean with Insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar products.
• Do not polish any dirty surfaces.
• Do not use solvent-based cleaning prod-ucts.
• Do not use hard wax.
CD
Chrome rims or wheel covers may also have an additional varnish finish and should not be treated using chrome or aluminium cleaning agents or chrome or aluminium polish. A nor-mal commercially available paint cleaning product should be used instead. Cleaning and caring for the decorative film
r-('n First read and observe the introductory l..Jo:-1.1 information and safety warnings & on page 380.
Decorative film is a design feature and is made up of soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
In the areas of the vehicle where there is decora-tive film, the underlying paint layer is protected from weather and environmental conditions.
If the decorative film remains on the vehicle for a long time, the appearances of paint on the area protected by the decorative film and the area not covered by the film may begin to show differences. This can usually be rectified by polishing.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that you seek advice from a Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles partner or workshop as to a suitable care product.
Durability of the decorative film
Environmental conditions such as sunlight, mois-ture, pollution, stone impact, etc. affect the durabili-ty and colour of the decorative film. Signs of wear and age are normal and do not indicate a defect in quality.
After the decorative film is fitted, bubble formation may appear due to strong summer heat for exam-ple. These bubbles will usually go away without in-tervention. This will not limit the serviceability of the film in any way.
In warm or moderate climates slight bubble forma-tion may be noticeable after two or three years. In warm or hot climates the decorative film can show signs of wear and slight bubble formation may ap-pear after just one year.
Decorative film may become faded within one year in very hot climates, particularly when there is a build-up of heat due to exposure to sunlight.
Cleaning the decorative film
Decorative film is suitable for automatic car washes provided you do not select a programme with hot wax.
Please pay attention to the information and notes on washing the vehicle =>page 381 and on wash-ing using a high-pressure cleaner =>page 382.
When using presprays and vapour jets always maintain a distance of at least 20 cm between the spray nozzle and the decorative film =>CD.
Insect residue, bird droppings, road dirt, industrial deposits. tar, soot, road salt and other aggressive deposits can cause damage to the decorative film.
The longer the aggressive deposits remain on the decorative film, the worse the negative impact will be. High temperatures (for instance in strong sun-light) accelerate the corrosion process. Immediate-ly wash the vehicle thoroughly using warm water or soapy water =>CD. .,.
Vehicle care and maintenance 385

r1ih In the interests of environmental protection, 'r!!S the engine compartment should be washed only in specially provided wash bays. This pre-vents toxic waste water containing oil, grease and
fuel from entering the sewerage system. In some districts, washing the engine compartment any-where else may be prohibited. Cleaning and caring for the interior
o::JJ Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Handling seat covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Cleaning cloth seat covers, fabric trim and Alcantara® upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Cleaning and caring for natural leather covers 391
Cleaning leatherette upholstery . . 392
Cleaning stowage compartments, drink holders and ash trays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 Cleaning and caring for the dash panel, wooden trims and plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . 392
Cleaning seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 Cleaning cool box . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . 393
Cleaning seat rails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Cleaning opaque shades 393
Modern fabrics, such as dark denim, are often not colourfast. Light-coloured upholstery (soft materials or leather) is particularly sensitive to staining caused by these fabrics, even if you are careful. This is not caused by a fault in the upholstery, but by the non-colourfast nature of the garments.
Leaving stains, dirt and other deposits on the sur-face of vehicle components and cloth seat covers for a long time can make it difficult to clean and treat them. Stains, dirt and deposits may become impossible to remove, particularly if left for a long time.
Additional information and warnings:
• Cleaning and caring for the vehicle exterior 380
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts 394
A WARNING
Car care products can be toxic and hazard-ous. Unsuitable care products and Incorrect application of care products can cause acci-dents, serious injuries, burns or poisoning.
388 Cleaning and maintenance
A WARNING (Continued)
• The care product must be kept In its origi-nal sealed container.
• Read the manufacturer's Instructions.
• Never store car care products in empty food containers, bottles or any other non-original containers as people finding these containers may not know that they contain care products.
• Keep children away from care products.
• The products can give off harmful fumes during use. They should therefore only be used outside or In well-ventilated spaces.
• Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other volatile fluids to wash, clean or care for your vehicle. These substances are toxic and highly Inflammable.
A WARNING
Incorrect care and cleaning of vehicle parts can Impair the safety features of the vehicle and cause serious Injury.
• Vehicle parts must be cleaned according to the manufacturer's Instructions.
• Only use approved or recommended cleaning products.
CD
• Cleaning products that contain solvents at-tack the material and may cause Irreparable damage.
• Stains, dirt and other deposits containing aggressive and solvent-based Ingredients at-tack the material and may cause Irreparable damage, even If only left for a short time.
• Stains, dirt and other deposits should be re-moved as quickly as possible and not allowed to dry In.
• To avoid damage, stubborn stains should be removed by a specialist cleaning company, .,.

m Suitable care products are available from a W Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership. Handling seat covers
r--f'n First read and observe the introductory L-J,::.U Information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Checklist
Please note the following for the cleaning and maintenance of the seat covers =>Q):
v' Before getting into the vehicle, close all Vel-era fasteners that could touch the cloth seat covers and fabric trims. Open Velcro fasten-ers can cause damage to cloth seat covers and fabric trims.
v' Avoid the direct contact of sharp-edged items and accessories to the upholstery and fabric trims in order to prevent damage. Ac-cessories include zips, studs, rhinestones on clothing or belts.
v' Dust and grit in upholstery pores, folds and seams should be removed regularly so that no lasting damage is caused to the surface of the seats by scratching.
v' Always check whether garments are colour-fast to prevent damage to the upholstery. This is especially important for light-col-oured upholstery.
CD
Ignoring any ofthe items on this important checklist for maintaining the seat covers can lead to damage or discolouration of the seat covers and fabric trims.
• Follow the Instructions on the checklist.
m Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recom-l!.J mends that stained upholstery is cleaned by a specialist company. Cleaning cloth seat covers, fabric trim and Alcantara® upholstery
r--f'n First read and observe the introductory L-J,::.IJ information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Cleaning upholstery on seat cushions with seat heating, electrically adjustable seats, or seats containing airbag components
Airbag-related components and electrical connec-tors may be installed in the driver seat, passenger seat and sometimes also in the rear outer seats. Seat cushions or backrests that are damaged, in-correctly cleaned or treated, or that become wet, may cause damage to the vehicle electrics or trig-ger a fault in the airbag system => &.
Electrical components and connectors are installed in electrically adjustable seats and seat cushions with seat heating. These can be damaged if cleaned or treated incorrectly =>Q). This can also result in damage to other parts of the vehicle elec-trics.
To avoid this please follow these cleaning guide-lines:
• Do not use high-pressure cleaners, steam cleaners or coolant spray.
• Do not use washing paste or fine detergent sol-utions.
• Avoid getting the seat wet.
• Only use detergents that have been approved by Volkswagen.
• If in doubt, consult a specialist cleaning compa-ny.
Cleaning upholstery on seat cushions without seat heating, seats that are not electrically adjustable, and seats that do not contain airbag components
• Please read and follow the instructions, notes and warnings on the package before using clean-ing products.
• Upholstery, fabric trims, Alcantara® seat covers and carpeting should be cleaned regularly with a vacuum cleaner (brush).
• Do not use high-pressure cleaners, steam cleaners or coolant spray.
Vehicle care and maintenance 389

• We recommend that you use a soft sponge or commercially available lint-free microfibre cloth for cleaning jobs
• Clean Alcantara® surfaces with a slightly damp cotton or woollen cloth or a commercially available lint-free microfibre cloth
General surface soiling of the upholstery and fabric trim can be cleaned with a commercially available foam cleaner.
If the upholstery and fabric trims are generally heavily soiled, consult a Volkswagen dealership for information on suitable cleaning methods before attempting any cleaning. If required, take the vehi-cle to a specialist cleaning company.
Treating stains
When treating stains, it may be necessary to clean the entire surface and not just the stain itself. This particularly applies if the surface shows general signs of wear. The cleaned area could otherwise be lighter than the surrounding area. If in doubt, consult a specialist cleaning company.
Type of stain Recommended cleaning method for seat cushions and upholstery
Water-based stains, e.g. cof-fee, fruit juice. -Moisten a sponge using water from a spray bottle and treat the stain by wiping in a circular motion. -Wipe clean with an absorbent, dry cloth.
Stubborn stains, e.g. choco--Only use detergents that have been approved by Volkswagen. late, foundation. -If required, have the upholstery cleaned by a specialist cleaning compa-ny.
Oily stains, e.g. oil, lipstick. -Only use detergents that have been approved by Volkswagen. -If required, have the upholstery cleaned by a specialist cleaning compa-ny.
A WARNING CD
If there is a fault in the airbag system, the air-bag may not trigger correctly, may not trigger at all or may trigger unexpectedly. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.
• The airbag system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Q)
If the upholstery on electrically adjustable seats or on seat cushions containing airbag components gets wet, electric components and the vehicle electrics could be damaged.
• Wet seat cushions should be promptly dried out, and their system components checked, at a qualified workshop.
• Do not use steam cleaners as the steam pushes the soiling into the fabric and sets it.
390 Cleaning and maintenance
• High-pressure cleaners and coolant sprays can damage the upholstery.
Q)
• Brushes should be used on carpets and mats only. Other surfaces could be damaged by brushes.
• When washing paste or fine detergent solu-tions are applied with a damp cloth or sponge, visible edges may appear on the upholstery once it has dried. This can be due to substan-ces such as surfactants. These edges are usu-ally difficult or even Impossible to remove.
Q)
• Do not soak Alcantara® under any circum-stances.
• Do not use leather care products, solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, stain removers or sim-ilar products on Alcantara®.
• Do not use brushes if cleaning with liquids. This could damage the surface of the material.

Cleaning leatherette upholstery
,......-('n First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Only use water and neutral detergents to clean the ieatherette upholstery.
CD
Do not use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, spot removers or similar products on the leath-erette upholstery. These may cause the materi-al to become hard and brittle prematurely. Cleaning stowage compartments, drink holders and ash trays
,......-('n First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Cleaning stowage compartments and drink holders
Some stowage compartments and drink holders have a removable rubber insert in the base.
• Moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with water and clean the parts.
• If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a special solvent-free plastic cleaning product.
Cleaning the ashtray
• Remove and empty the ashtray.
• Wipe the ashtray with a cloth to clean it.
To clean the snuffer, use a toothpick or similar ob-ject to pick out the ashes. Cleaning and caring for the dash panel, wooden trims and plastic parts
,......-('n First read and observe the introductory Information and safety warnings & on page 388.
• Moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with water and clean the parts.
• Treat plastic parts (inside and outside the vehi-cle) and the dash panel with a special solvent-free plastic cleaning and care product that has been approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
""'&.
• Treat wooden trims with a mild soap solution.
Cleaning seat belts
,......-('n First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Large particles of dirt on the automatic belt prevent it from roiling back properly and thus from working effectively.
The seat belts must never be removed for cleaning purposes.
3921 Cleaning and maintenance
A WARNING
Cleaning agents that contain solvents cause the surface of the airbag modules to become porous. In an accident that triggers the air-bag, loose plastic parts can cause serious in-jury.
• Never clean the dash panel or the airbag covers with cleansers that contain solvents. • Remove dirt with a soft brush ,., &.
• Carefully pull the dirty seat belt right out and leave it out.
• Clean the seat belt with a mild soap solution.
• Allow the seat belt fabric to dry completely.
• Do not allow the seat belt to roil up until it has dried completely. 11>

Wheel cover
Fig. 295 Removing the wheel covers.
r-f"n First read and observe the Introductory information and safety warnings & on page 417.
Removing the wheel covers
• Take the box spanner and wire hook from the vehicle toolkit 416.
• Insert the wire hook into one of the holes in the wheel cover.
• Push the box spanner through the wire hook 295 and remove the wheel cover in the di-rection of the arrow.
Fig. 296 Removing the wheel bolt caps.
Fitting the wheel covers
Before fitting the wheel cover, the anti-theft wheel bolt must be screwed into position 298 ®or @. Otherwise, it will not be possible to fit the wheel cover.
The wheel covers must be pushed on to the rims with the hole for the valve aligned with the valve 298 G). When fitting the wheel cover make sure that it engages securely on the entire circum-ference. r-f"n First read and observe the introductory 1.-Wl information and safety warnings & on page 417.
• Take the wire hook from the vehicle tool kit 416.
• Insert the hook through the opening in the cap 296 and pull off in the direction of the arrow.
The caps protect the wheel bolts and must be re-placed after changing the tyre.
The anti-theft wheel bolt has a separate cap. it only fits onto the anti-theft wheel bolts and not onto conventional wheel bolts. Practical tips I 419