2012 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER tailgate

Fig. 54 Holding points for removal and installation on 3-seat bench.
,....-m First read and observe the introductory L-W.I information and safety warnings & on page 72.
Moving 3-seat bench
The 3-seat bench can be moved from the front =>Fig. or from the rear [ru.
• Push the single seats forwards.
• Push the central table forwards I fold the folding table into the side panel.
• Adjust the head restraints to the lowest posi-tion.
• Unhook the luggage compartment cover and roll it up manually => • Open the centre below the bench seat, pull the loop @ under the seat cushion, and hold it in this position.
• Move the 3-seat bench, and release the loop. The 3-seat bench must engage in a position.
• Close the centre cover® under the bench seat.
Folding out the table
• Fold the armrest back into the backrest.
• Remove the luggage compartment cover.
• Adjust the head restraints to the lowest position and remove the centre head restraint.
• Pull out the lever Q) completely, until the red marking is visible.
• OR Pull on loop @ ]], and hold it in this posi· lion.
• Fold the backrest forwards onto the seat cush· ion.
• Make sure that the lever has returned to its original position. The red marking should no longer be visible.
• Pull the backrest to ensure that it is securely engaged.
Setting up the bed
• Remove the luggage compartment cover.
• Move the 3-seat bench so that the head re· straints on the folded backrest do not touch the tailgate.
• Push each belt holder and latch plate all the way up.
• Pull out the lever Q) until the red marking is visible.
• Fold the backrest right back.
• Release the lever Q) The backrest must click into place.
• Fit the elasticised cover to the bed.
• To extend the bed: convert the single seat on the left or right into a table and push the single seat towards the 3-seat bench.
• OR: Use the bed extension (multi-flex board) =>page 77.
Removing the 3-seat bench
The removal of the 3-seat bench should be carried out by two people => &.
• Prevent the vehicle from rolling away: apply the handbrake, move the selector lever to P or engage a gear.
• Remove all protective covers from the seat rails =>page 133.
• Remove single seats and central table, fold the folding table into the side panel.
• Remove the luggage compartment cover.
• Adjust the head restraints to the lowest position and remove the centre head restraint.
• Fold the backrest forwards onto the seat cush-ion.
• Push the 3-seat bench forwards in the seat rails to the point where it can be lifted out of the slots.
• Lift the 3-seat bench at the points shown =>Fig. 54 (arrows).
• Place the removed covers on the open slots in the seat rails.
Fitting the 3-seat bench
The installation of the 3-seat bench should be car-ried out by two people => &. .,.
Sitting correctly and safely

If you have to drive a right-hand drive vehicle in a left-hand drive country, or vice versa, the asymmet-ric dipped beam halogen headlights may dazzle oncoming traffic. Therefore, the headlights must be masked over if you are driving abroad.
Therefore you must apply stickers to certain parts of the headlighllenses if you are driving abroad. A qualified workshop can provide you with further in-formation. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles rec-ommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehi-cles dealership for this purpose.
m The use of the stickers on the headlights is L!J only permissible if the period of use is limited. Please contact a qualified workshop for a perma-nent alteration. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Ve-hicles dealership for this purpose. Coming Home and Leaving Home functions (orientation lighting)
,.....-.(')1 First read and observe the introductory l....-.lo:.l.l Information and safety warnings & on page 106.
The Coming Home function is switched on manual-ly. However, the "Leaving Home" function is con-trolled automatically by a rain sensor.
"Coming Home"
Switching on
Switching off
"Leaving Home"
Switching on
Switching off
!Action
-Switch off the ignition. -Activate the headlight flasher for approximately one second 107. The Coming Home lighting is switched on when the driver door is opened. The switch-off delay starts when the last vehicle door or the tailgate has been closed.
-Automatically after the set switch-off delay has elapsed. -Automatically if a door or the tailgate is opened approximately 30 seconds after switch on. -Turn light switch to position 0. -Switch on the ignition.
Action
-Unlock vehicle when light switch is in position AUTO and rain sensor has detected that it is dark.
-Automatically after the switch-off delay. -Lock the vehicle. -Turn light switch to position 0. -Switch on the ignition.
m When the Coming Home function is switched L!J on, no signal tone will be given as a reminder that a light is still switched on when the driver door is opened. 112 Before the JOurney

Interior and reading lights
0 ( )
ITT·0116
Fig. 88 In the headliner: switch for the interior or reading lights
871·01ll
Fig. 89 In the passenger compartment: interior lights with rotary knob and reading lights in the roof
[Q] First read and observe the Introductory information and safety warnings&. on page 106.
Button/Po-Function sition or switch position
0 Switches interior lights or reading lights off.
Switches on the interior lights.
Switches on door contact switch (central position). The interior lights are switched on automatically when the vehicle is unlocked, a door is opened or the vehicle key is removed from the ignition lock. The light extinguishes a few seconds after all doors are closed, when the vehicle is locked or the ignition is switched on.
Switches the reading lights on or off.
Lights in the stowage compartments and luggage compartment
A light will be switched on or off automatically when the stowage compartment on the front pas-senger side or the tailgate is opened or closed.
1141 Before the journey
m The reading lights go out when the vehicle is W locked or after a delay of a few minutes when the vehicle key is removed from the ignition lock. This prevents the battery from discharging.

Transporting items
Driving notes
ClJl Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Stowing items of luggage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Stowing cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Buckle straps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Ratchet straps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Driving with an open tailgate or open wing doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Driving a loaded vehicle .... 130
Always secure the load transported in the luggage compartment or load compartment, on the roof car-rier, on the load surface or trailer. Always use suita-ble securing straps with the fastening rings to se-cure heavy items. Never exceed the vehicle's max-imum payload. Both the payload and the distribu-tion of the load in the vehicle will have an effect on the driving response and braking distance &.
Using securing straps
• Follow the instructions for the securing straps.
• Observe specifications for maximum load rat-ing.
• The securing straps must be long enough for the item you wish to secure.
Damaged securing straps
Never use the securing straps if:
• Damage to the warp and weft of the webbing (cuts or fraying) accounts for more than 10% of the webbing.
• The seams are damaged.
• The webbing is deformed by friction or heat.
• The securing straps are cracked, especially if cracked across the strap, or if the straps have notches.
• The securing straps have splits or corrosion damage.
• There is damage to the tightening device and connection elements.
Additional information and warnings:
• Tailgate 49
• Wing doors 52
• Lights 106
• Luggage compartment 130
• Roof carrier 137
• Towing a trailer 139
• Wheels and tyres 367
• Vehicle weight and axle weight rating 450
A WARNING
Objects that are not secured, or are secured incorrectly, can cause serious injuries in the event of a sudden driving or braking manoeu-vre or accident. This applies particularly if objects are struck by the airbag when activa-ted and then flung through the vehicle interi-or. To reduce the risk of accidents, please ob-serve the following guidelines:
• Always stow all objects in the vehicle se· curely.
• Always use suitable straps to prevent ob-jects entering the deployment zones of the curtain alrbag, the combined curtain and side airbag or the front airbag during a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre.
• Objects should be stowed in the vehicle interior In such a way that they can never en-ter the alrbag deployment zones while the ve-hicle is In motion.
• Always keep stowage compartments closed while the vehicle is In motion.
• The front airbag must be switched off and the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF 'Ji; must light up for as long as the front passenger seat backrest is folded forwards.
• Stowed objects must never cause passen-gers to assume an incorrect sitting position.
• If an item is being stowed on a seat, this seat must not be used by any passengers.
A WARNING
Transporting heavy objects changes the vehi-cle driving characteristics and increases the braking distance. Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause se-rious injury. .,..
Transporting items 125

Fig. 104 Tightening the ratchet strap
r--f'n First read and observe the Introductory l.-..lr:=-ll information and safety warnings & on page 125.
Tightening the ratchet strap
• Press the slider =:>Fig. 103 ® outwards in the direction of the arrow.
• Pivot the lever CD to position@.
• Pull the belt@ from the rear through the slot in the spool@ tight.
• Pivot the lever CD back and forth alternately be-tween positions ® and @ until the belt strap has wound itself around the spool 2 -3 times ::. &.
• Press the slid er® outwards and pivot the lever CD to position @. The ratchet is now closed and locked in position.
Releasing the ratchet strap
• Before releasing the ratchet strap, make sure the load cannot fall over.
• Press the slider =:>Fig. 104 ® outwards.
• Pivot the lever CD to position @, until the slider ® engages in the slot@. The spool @) now ro-tates freely.
• Pull the ratchet strap @ out of the ratchet.
A WARNING
Ratchet straps, if used Incorrectly, may get detached in the event of a sudden braking manoeuvre or accident. This could cause ob-jects to be flung through the Interior and lead to severe or fatal injuries.
• "Wind" the strap around the spool 2-3 times.
• Never use ratchet straps to secure loads to the side panels. Driving with an open tailgate or open wing doors
r--f'n First read and observe the Introductory l.-..lr:=-ll Information and safety warnings & on page 125.
Driving with an open tailgate or open wing doors is particularly dangerous. All objects and the open tailgate or open wing doors must be secured prop-erly. Take the appropriate measures to reduce the amount of poisonous exhaust fumes that could en-ter into the vehicle.
Make sure you observe any legal requirements when driving with an open tailgate or open wing doors.
A WARNING
Driving with an unlocked or open tailgate or unlocked/open wing doors can cause serious injuries.
• Always drive with the tailgate or wing doors closed.
• Always stow all items in the luggage com-partment securely. Loose objects can fall out of the luggage compartment and injure other road users.
• Always drive carefully and ensure that you think ahead.
• Avoid any abrupt or sudden driving and braking manoeuvres as this could cause the open tailgate or open wing doors to move un-pred lctably. .,.
Transporting items 129

A WARNING (Continued)
• Any objects protruding from the luggage compartment must be marked to ensure that they are visible to other road users. Comply with legal regulations.
• If items protrude out of the luggage com-partment, never use the tail gate or wing doors to "hold them in position".
• If you drive with the tailgate or wing doors open, remove any racks and luggage from the tail gate or a wing door.
A WARNING
Poisonous exhaust fumes can get into the in-terior when the tailgate or wing doors are open. This can result in loss of conscious-ness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious Injury and accidents.
Driving a loaded vehicle
1"''l1 First read and observe the introductory L--Wl information and safety warnings & on page 125.
For good vehicle handling when driving a loaded vehicle, please observe the following:
• Stow all items of luggage page 127.
• Accelerate carefully and gently.
• Avoid sudden braking and driving manoeuvres.
• Brake earlier than in normal driving.
• If applicable, heed the information about driving with a trailer 139.
• If applicable, observe the information concern-ing the roof carrier 137.
Luggage compartment
CO Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Luggage compartment cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
130 Before the JOUrney
A WARNING (Continued)
• Always drive with the wing doors or tail-gate closed to prevent poisonous exhaust fumes getting into the vehicle.
• If exceptional circumstances require you to drive with an open tallgate or open wing doors, do the following to reduce the amount of poisonous exhaust fumes that could enter into the vehicle:
CD
-Close all windows and the sliding/tilting roof.
-Switch off air reclrculatlon mode.
-Open all vents In the dash panel.
-Switch the blowers to the highest set-ting.
The vehicle length and height are different when the wing doors or tailgate are open.
A wARNING
Moving loads can severely impair the vehi-cle's stability and driving safety which could cause accidents and severe Injuries.
• Secure objects properly to prevent them from sliding.
• Use suitable straps when securing heavy objects.
• Engage the rear seat backrests securely In
an upright position. Always use suitable securing straps with the fas-tening rings. Never exceed the vehicle's maximum payload. Both the payload and the distribution of the load in the vehicle will have an effect on the driving response and braking "'

Additional information and warnings:
• Airbag system =:.page 87
• Lights =:.page 106
• Transporting =:.page 125
• Towing a trailer=> page 139
• Luggage net, California =>page 192
• Wheels and tyres =>page 367
A WARNING
When the vehicle is not in use or is not being supervised, always lock the doors and tail-gate to reduce the risk of severe or fatal inju-ries.
• Never leave children unattended, especial-ly when the tailgate is open. Children could make their way into the luggage compart-ment, close the tailgate and be unable to get out. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.
• Never let children play in or around the ve-hicle.
• Do not travel with people in the luggage compartment.
A WARNING
Objects that are not secured, or are secured Incorrectly, can cause serious injuries in the event of a sudden driving or braking manoeu-vre or accident. This applies particularly if objects are struck by the alrbag when activa-ted and then flung through the vehicle interi-or. To reduce the risk of accidents, please ob-serve the following guidelines:
• Always stow all objects In the vehicle se· curely. Always stow luggage and heavy ob-jects in the luggage compartment.
• Always use suitable straps to prevent lug-gage from being thrown through the vehicle Interior and entering the deployment zones of
A WARNING (Continued)
the curtain alrbag, the combined curtain and side airbag or the front airbag In the event of a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre.
• Always keep stowage compartments closed while the vehicle is In motion.
• Do not stow any hard, heavy or sharp ob· jects loose in any of the vehicle's open stow-age areas, on the luggage compartment cov-er or on the dash panel.
• Remove any hard, heavy or sharp objects from items of clothing and bags Inside the vehicle and stow them securely.
A WARNING
Transporting heavy objects changes the vehi-cle's handling and increases the braking dis-tance. Heavy loads that are not properly stowed or secured in the vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and can cause serious injury.
• Transporting heavy objects changes the vehicle's handling and the centre of gravity.
• The payload should be distributed as evenly as possible in the vehicle.
• Always secure heavy objects In the lug-gage compartment as far in front of the rear axle as possible.
CD
Hard objects on the shelf can chafe against the wires of the heating element in the rear window and cause damage.
m Always ensure that the venlilalion openings L!J between the rear window and the stowage area are uncovered to allow stale air to escape from the vehicle. Transporting items 131

Loading the roof carrier
ill1 First read and observe the introductory L-l.:.l.l information and safety warnings & on page 137.
Loads can only be attached securely when the roof carrier system is fitted correctly &.
Maximum permissible roof load
The maximum permissible roof load for vehicles with a normal roof is 150 kg and for vehicles with a pop-up roof it is 50 kg. The roof load limit refers to the combined weight of the roof carrier and the load carried on the roof &.
Each mount can bear a maximum load of 50 kg if the weight of the load is evenly distributed over the entire length of the mount.
Ensure that you know the weight of the roof rack and the items to be transported on the roof, and weigh them if necessary. Never exceed the maxi-mum permissible roof load.
However, you will not be able to carry the maxi-mum roof load if you are using a roof carrier with a lower weight rating. In this instance, do not exceed the maximum weight limit for the roof carrier. This weight limit is listed in the fitting instructions.
Distributing the load
Distribute the load evenly and secure it correctly
Checking the fittings
After the mounts and roof carrier have been at-tached, check the bolted connections and fasten-ings once you have travelled a short distance and then at regular intervals.
Towing a trailer
o:n Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Technical requirements . . . . . . . . . . 141 Fitting the removable ball coupling 142
Removing the ball coupling . . . . . . . . . 144
Hitching and connecting the trailer . . . 144 Loading the trailer . . . . . . . . . .. . . 146 Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Trailer stabilisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Retrofitting a towing bracket............... 149
A WARNING
Accidents and vehicle damage can occur if the maximum permitted roof load is excee-ded.
• Never exceed the quoted roof load, the maximum permissible axle loads, and the permissible gross vehicle weight for the vehi-cle.
• Do not exceed the weight rating of the roof carrier, even if the maximum roof load has not been reached.
• Secure heavy objects as far forwards as possible and distribute the load evenly.
A WARNING
Loose and Incorrectly secured loads can fall off the roof carrier and cause accidents and injuries.
• Always use suitable and undamaged se-curing straps.
• Secure loads properly.
Take care not to let the tailgate strike the roof load when open. Risk of damage to the vehicle. Observe any country-specific regulations when towing a trailer and using a towing bracket.
The additional load will affect the durability, fuel consumption and performance of the vehicle and, in certain circumstances, could shorten the service intervals.
Driving with a trailer not only places an extra load on the vehicle, but also requires increased concen-tration on the part of the driver.
Transporting items 139