Table of Contents
Abbreviations
Safety
Passive Safety
6
General information
6
Correct and safe seated position
7
Seat belts
10
Using seat belts
10
Inertia reels and belt tensioners
13
Airbag system
14
Description of the airbag system
14
Airbag overview
15
Deactivating airbags
18
Transporting children safely
20
Child seat
20
Fastening systems
22
Using the system
Cockpit
25
Overview
24
Instruments and Indicator Lights
26
Instrument cluster
26
Indicator lights
30
Information system
37
Driver information system
37
Multifunction display (MFD)
39
MAXI DOT display
42
Service interval display
43
Unlocking and opening
45
Unlocking and locking
45
Anti-theft alarm system
49Luggage compartment lid50Electric power windows51
Lights and visibility
53
Lights
53
Interior lighting
58
Visibility
59
Windscreen wipers and washers
60
Rear mirror
62
Seats and head restraints
64
Seats and head restraints
64
Seat features
66
Transporting and practical equipment
68
Useful equipment
68
Luggage compartment
75
Variable loading floor in the luggage
compartment (Estate)
80
Roof rack system
83
Heating and air conditioning
84
Heating, ventilation, cooling
84
Communication and multimedia
89
Universal telephone installation GSM II
89
Voice control
93
Multimedia
94
Driving
Starting-off and Driving
97
Starting and turning off the engine
97
Brakes and parking
99
Manual gear changing and pedals
100
Automatic gearbox
101
Driving in an economical driving style
104
Driving through water and driving off made-
up roads
105Assist systems106Braking and stabilisation systems106
Parking aid
107
Cruise Control System
108
START-STOP
109
Hitch and trailer
112
Hitch
112
Trailer
116
General Maintenance
Care and maintenance
119
Service work, adjustments and technical alterations
119
Washing vehicle
122
Cleaning vehicle exterior
123
Interior care
126
Inspecting and replenishing
129
Fuel
129
Engine compartment
131
Engine oil
134
Coolant
136
Brake fluid
137
Vehicle battery
138
Wheels
142
Tyres and wheel rims
142
Tyre control display
145
Reserve and temporary spare wheel
146
Winter operation
147
Do-it-yourself
Emergency equipment and self-help
149
Emergency equipment
149
Changing a wheel
151
Tyre repair
155
Jump-starting
157
Towing the vehicle
1583Table of Contents
AbbreviationsAbbreviationDefinitionrpmEngine revolutions per minuteA2DPa Bluetooth software profile for a one-way transfer of audio
dataABSAnti-lock brake systemAGAutomatic gearboxAGMVehicle battery typeTCSTraction controlCO 2 in g/kmdischarged quantity of carbon dioxide in grams per driven
kilometreDPFDiesel particle filterDSGAutomatic double clutch gearboxEDLElectronic differential lockECEEconomic Commission for EuropeEPCEPC fault lightESCElectronic Stability ControlEUEuropean UnionGSMGlobal System for Mobile communicationsHBAHydraulic brake assistHHCUphill start assistkWKilowatt, measuring unit for the engine outputMDIInputs for connecting external devicesMFDMultifunction displayMGManual gearboxMPIGasoline engine with a multi-point fuel injectionN1Panel van intended exclusively or mainly for the transporta-
tion of goodsNmNewton meter, measuring unit for the engine torquePINpersonal identification numberSIM carda card for the identification of the mobile network operatorAbbreviationDefinitionTDI CRDiesel engine with turbo charging and common rail injection
systemTSIPetrol engine with turbocharging and direct injection5Abbreviations
Safety
Passive Safety
General information
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Before setting off
6
Driving safety
6
Safety equipment
6
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 6 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 wipers 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 20 , Transporting children safely .
Adopt the correct seated position » page 7, Correct and safe seated
position . Tell your passengers to assume the correct seated position.
Driving safety
Read and observe
on page 6 first.
The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants. If your driving
safety is effected, 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 6 first.
The following list contains only part of the safety equipment in your vehicle.
› Three-point seat belts for all the seats.
› Belt force limiters for the front seats.
› Belt tensioners for the front seats.
› Seat belt height adjusters for the front seats.
› Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger.
› Side airbags.
6Safety
Using the system
Cockpit
OverviewElectric window levers
52
Door opening lever
49
Electric exterior mirror adjustment
63
Air outlet vents
85
Parking ticket holder
69
Operating lever:
› Turn signal light, headlight and parking light, headlight
flasher
55
› Speed regulating system
108
Steering wheel:
› With horn
› With driver’s front airbag
15
›with push-buttons for radio, navigation system and mobile
phone
89
› with buttons for the operation of the information system
37
Instrument cluster
26
Operating lever:
› Windscreen wiper and wash system
61
›Information System
37
Air outlets in the central part of the dash panel
85
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Radio
› Navigation system
Button for hazard warning light system
57
Warning light for the deactivated front seat passenger airbag
18
Interior rear-view mirror
62
Key switch for switching off the passenger airbag (in front pas-
senger storage compartment)
18
Front passenger airbag
15
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
73
Air outlet vents
85
Power window in the front passenger door
5112345678910111213141516171819Door opening lever49
Light switch and headlight beam control (on the dash panel)
53, 54
Bonnet release lever
132
Fuse box in the dashboard
164
Lever for adjusting the steering wheel
8
Ignition lock
98
Pedals
101
Bar with keys depending on the equipment fitted:
›
Seat heater on the front left seat
66
›
TCS
106
›
Central locking system
48
›
Rear window heater
59
›
START - STOP
109
›
Seat heater on the front right seat
66
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Gearshift lever (manual gearbox)
101
›Selector lever (automatic gearbox)
102
Handbrake lever
100
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Cup holder
70
›Multimedia holder
72
›Ashtray
71
Storage compartment
69
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Operating controls for the heating
86
›Operating controls for the air conditioning system
86
›Operating controls for Climatronic
87
Note
The arrangement of the controls right-hand drive models may differ from the
layout shown in » Fig. 18 . The symbols on the controls and switches are the
same as for left-hand drive models.2021222324252627282930313225Cockpit
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.Gearbox overheated. Stop! Log book!
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 symbol 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 switch on the hazard
warning lights » page 57. The warning triangle must be set up at the pre-
scribed 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 37, Using the informa-
tion system .■
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.
Indicator lights
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Handbrake
30
Brake system
31
Seat belt warning light
31
Generator
31
Door open
31
Engine oil
31
Coolant
32
Power steering
32
Stability Control (ESC)
32
Traction control (ASR)
33
Antiblock brake system (ABS)
33
Rear fog light
33
Lamp failure
33 Exhaust inspection system34 Glow plug system (diesel engine)34
Engine performance check (petrol engine)
34
Diesel particle filter (diesel engine)
34
Fuel reserve
35
Airbag system
35
Tyre inflation pressure
35
Windscreeen washer fluid
36
Turn signal system
36
Fog lights
36
Cruise control system
36
Brake pedal (automatic gearbox)
36
Main beam
36
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.
WARNING■ Ignoring illuminated indicator 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 switch on the hazard
warning lights » page 57. The warning triangle must be set up at the pre-
scribed 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 131, Engine compartment .
Handbrake
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The warning light
illuminates if the handbrake is applied.
30Using the system
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 30 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: Log book!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the brake flu-
id » page 138 » .
WARNING■
If the warning light is displayed simultaneously with warning light
» page 33 , Antiblock brake system (ABS) , do not continue your
journey! Seek help from a specialist garage.■
A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – risk of accident!
■
The following guidelines should be observed when opening the bonnet
and checking the brake fluid level » page 131, Engine compartment .
Seat belt warning light
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The warning light
illuminates as a reminder for the driver and front passen-
ger to fasten 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 signal.
The warning signal is switched off and the indicator 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 30 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.
If the warning light (cooling system fault) lights up in addition to the
warning light while driving,
do not continue driving!
Stop the engine - there is a risk of engine damage! Seek help from a specialist garage.
Door open
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The warning light
illuminates , if one or several doors or luggage compart-
ment lid are opened.
Engine oil
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The warning light flashes (low oil pressure)
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.
Oil pressure: Engine off! Log book!
› Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the engine oil lev-
el » page 135 .
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.
The warning light lights up (oil quantity too low)
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.
Check oil level!
31Instruments and Indicator Lights
If the warning light illuminates immediately after you start the engine, the
ESC might be switched off due to technical reasons.›
Switch the ignition off and on again.
If the warning light
does not illuminate again after the engine is switched
on again, the ESC is fully functional again.
Further information » page 106, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) .
Note
If the vehicle battery has been disconnected and then reconnected, the indica-
tor light comes on after switching on the ignition. If the indicator light does
not go out after moving a short distance, this means that there is an error in
the system. Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Traction control (ASR)
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
If the warning light
flashes , the ASR is currently operating.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the ASR.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Error: Traction control (ASR)
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
If the warning light
illuminates immediately after you start the engine, the
ASR might be switched off due to technical reasons.
›
Switch the ignition off and on again.
If the warning light does
not illuminate any more after the engine is
switched on again, then the ASR is fully functional again.
Further information » page 106, Traction Control System (TCS) .
Note
If the vehicle battery has been disconnected and then reconnected, the indica-
tor light comes on after switching on the ignition. If the indicator light does
not go out after moving a short distance, this means that there is an error in
the system. Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately. Antiblock brake system (ABS)
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the ABS.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Error: ABS
The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake system without the ABS.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
In the event of an ABS fault, the other braking and stabilization systems are
turned off » page 106 , Braking and stabilisation systems .
WARNING■
A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – risk of accident!■
If the warning light
is displayed simultaneously with warning light
» page 31 ,
Brake system ,
do not continue your journey! Seek help
from a specialist garage.
Rear fog light
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the rear fog light is switched on.
Lamp failure
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The warning light
illuminates if a lamp is faulty or if an external vehicle lamp
is faulty .
The warning light
illuminates within a few seconds after switching on the
ignition or when a light with a faulty lamp is switched on.
The following message, for example, may be shown in the MAXI DOT display. INFORMATION Check front right low beam!
33Instruments and Indicator Lights
Windscreeen washer fluidRead and observe
on page 30 first.
If the windscreen washer fluid level is too low, the warning light
illumi-
nates .
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.
Top up wash fluid!
Top up with liquid » page 134, Windscreen washer system .
Turn signal system
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
Either the left or the right
warning light
flashes depending on the position
of the turn signal lever.
If there is a fault in the turn signal system, the warning light flashes at twice
its normal rate.
Switching off the hazard warning light system is switched on will cause all of
the turn signal lights as well as both warning lights to flash.
Fog lights
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the fog lights are operating.
Cruise control system
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the cruise control is active » page 108.
Brake pedal (automatic gearbox)
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
If the warning light
illuminates , operate the brake pedal.
Main beam
Read and observe
on page 30 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the main beam or the headlight flasher
is operated.
36Using the system