CAUTION■Despite such intervention by the vehicle electric system management, the vehi-
cle battery may be drained. For example, when the ignition is switched on a long
time with the engine turned off or the side or parking lights are turned on during longer parking.■
Consumers that are supplied via a 12-V power socket can cause the vehicle bat-
tery to discharge when the ignition is switched off.
Note
Driving comfort is not impaired by consumers being deactivated. The driver is of-
ten not aware of it having taken place.
219Inspecting and replenishing
Wheel boltsFirst read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 220.
Wheels and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. Each time
you fit other wheels rims, e.g. light alloy wheel rims or wheels with winter tyres,
you must also use the matching wheel bolts with the correct length and dome
shape. The right fastening of wheels depends on this.
Winter operation
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Winter tyres
226
Snow chains
226
Winter tyres
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 226.
Fitting winter tyres will significantly improve the handling of your vehicle whendriving in wintry road conditions. Summer tyres have less grip on ice, snow and attemperatures below 7 °C. This is especially true of vehicles fitted with wide tyres
or high-speed tyres .
In order to achieve the best possible handling properties, winter tyres must be fit-
ted on all 4 wheels, the minimum tread depth must be 4 mm and tyres must be no older than 4 years.
Winter tyres of a lower speed category can be used provided that the permissible
maximum speed of these tyres is not exceeded even if the possible maximum
speed of the vehicle is higher.
The speed limit for winter tyres can be set in the MAXI DOT display in the menu
item Winter tyres » page 29 .
For the sake of the environmentFit the summer tyres on again in good time as they provide better handling prop-
erties, a shorter braking distance, less tyre noise, and reduced tyre wear on roadswhich are free of snow and ice as well as at temperatures above 7 °C. The fuelconsumption is also lower.
Snow chains
First read and observe the introductory information given on page 226.
When driving in wintry road conditions, snow chains improve not only traction,
but also the braking performance.
Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.
For technical reasons, it is only permissible to fit snow chains with the following wheel/tyre combinations.
Wheel sizeDepth (D)Tyre size7J x 16 a)45 mm205/556J x 16 a)50 mm205/556J x 1745 mm205/50a)
Not valid for vehicles with 3.6 l/191 kW FSI engine.
Only use fine-link snow chains . They must not project more than 9 mm - includ-
ing the chain lock.
CAUTION
■ The chains must be removed when driving on roads which are free of snow.
They adversely affect the handling of your vehicle, damage the tyres and are rap-
idly destroyed.■
Remove the full wheel trims before installing the snow chains.
226General Maintenance
WARNING■The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model of vehicle.
Under no circumstances use it to lift heavier vehicles or other loads – risk of
injury!■
Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely secured in the boot.
■
Ensure that the box is always secured with the strap.
Changing a wheel
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Preliminary work
229
Changing a wheel
230
Follow-up work
230
Loosening/tightening wheel bolts
230
Raising the vehicle
231
Securing wheels against theft
231WARNING■ If you are in flowing traffic, switch on the hazard warning light system and
set up the warning triangle at the prescribed distance! The national legal re-
quirements must be observed.■
Park the vehicle as far away as possible from the flow of traffic. Park on as
flat and firm a surface as possible.
■
The following instructions must be followed if the vehicle is subsequently
fitted with tyres or rims that differ from the factory-fitted ones » page 222,
New tyres .
WARNINGObserve the following instructions for lifting the vehicle.■If the wheel has to be changed on a slope, first of all block the opposite
wheel with a stone or similar object to prevent the vehicle from unexpectedly
rolling away.■
Secure the base plate of the lifting jack with suitable means to prevent pos-
sible moving. A soft and slippery ground under the base plate may move the lifting jack, causing the vehicle to fall down. It is therefore always necessary to
place the lifting jack on a solid surface or use a wide and stable base. Use a non-slip base (e.g. a rubber foot mat) if the surface is smooth, such as cobbled
stones, tiled floor, etc.
■
Only attach the lifting jack to the attachment points provided for this pur-
pose.
■
Always raise the vehicle with the doors closed.
■
Never position any body parts, such as arms or legs under the vehicle, while
the vehicle is raised with a lifting jack.
■
Never start the engine when the vehicle is raised – risk of injury.
CAUTION
■ The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy
wheels is 120 Nm.■
If the wheel bolts are fastened too tightly, this can cause damage to the anti-
theft wheel bolt or the adapter.
Note
The national legal requirements must be observed when changing a wheel.
Preliminary work
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 229.
Always change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
The following steps must be carried out before actually changing the wheel:
›
Let all of the occupants get out. While changing a tyre, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (instead they should remain behind a crash
barrier).
229Emergency equipment and self-help
›Switch off the engine.›Move the gearshift lever into
Neutral or move the selector lever for the auto-
matic gearbox into position P .›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
If a trailer is connected, uncouple it.
›
Remove the vehicle tool kit » page 228 and the spare wheel » page 224 from
the boot.
Changing a wheel
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 229.
›
Remove the full wheel trim » page 225 or caps » page 225 .
›
First of all slacken the anti-theft wheel bolt and then the other wheel
bolts » page 230 .
›
Jack up the vehicle until the wheel that needs changing is clear of the
ground » page 231 .
›
Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper, etc.).
›
Remove the wheel carefully.
›
Attach the spare wheel and slightly screw on the wheel bolts.
›
Lower the vehicle.
›
Alternately tighten wheel bolts opposite (diagonally) with the wheel wrench.
Tighten the anti-theft wheel bolt last » page 230.
›
Replace the wheel trim or the caps.
Note
■
All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.■Under no circumstances grease or oil the wheel bolts!■
When fitting unidirectional tyres, ensure that the direction of rotation is cor-
rect » page 220 .
Follow-up work
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 229.
The following steps must also be performed after changing the wheel.
› Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well using a special
bolt » page 224 .›
Stow the tool kit in the space provided and secure using the band.
›
Check the tyre pressure on the installed spare wheel as soon as possible.
›
Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked with a torque wrench
as soon as possible.
›
Replace the damaged wheel or consult a specialist garage about repair options.
Note
■ If it is determined that the wheel bolts are corroded and difficult to turn when
changing the wheel, the bolts must be replaced before checking the tightening
torque.■
Drive cautiously and only at a moderate speed until the tightening torque has
been checked.
Loosening/tightening wheel bolts
Fig. 179
Changing a wheel: Loosening
the wheel bolts
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings on page 229.
Loosening
›
Push the wheel wrench onto the wheel bolt up to the stop 1)
.
›
Grasp the end of the wrench and turn the bolt about one turn in the direction of
the arrow » Fig. 179.
Tightening
›
Push the wheel wrench onto the wheel bolt up to the stop 1)
.
1)
Use the appropriate adapter for undoing and tightening the anti-theft wheel bolts
» page 231.
230Do-it-yourself
Breakdown kitFig. 183
Components of the breakdown kit
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 232.
The kit is located in a box under the floor covering in the luggage compartment.
Components of the breakdown kit Valve remover
Sticker with speed designation “max. 80 km/h”/“max. 50 mph”
Inflation hose with plug
Air compressor
Tyre inflation hose
Tyre inflation pressure indicator
Air release valve
ON and OFF switch
12 volt cable connector
Tyre inflator bottle with sealing agent
Replacement valve core
The valve remover
1
has a slot at its lower end which fits into the valve core.
This is the only way in which you can remove and re-install the valve core from
the tyre valve. The same also applies to the replacement valve core
11
.
1234567891011Preparations for using the breakdown kit
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 232.
The following preparatory work must be carried out before using the breakdown
kit.
›
Park the vehicle as far away as possible from the flow of traffic. Park on as flat and firm a surface as possible.
›
If you are in flowing traffic, switch on the hazard warning light system and setup the warning triangle at the prescribed distance! The national legal require-
ments must be observed.
›
Let all of the occupants get out. While changing a tyre, the occupants of the
vehicle should not stand on the road (instead they should remain behind a crash
barrier).
›
Switch off the engine and move the gearshift lever into Neutral or move the se-
lector lever on the automatic gearbox into position P.
›
Firmly apply the handbrake.
›
Check that you can carry out the repairs with the breakdown kit » page 232.
›
If a trailer is connected, uncouple it.
›
Remove the breakdown kit from the boot.
›
Stick the sticker
2
» Fig. 183 on page 233 on the dash panel in view of the driv-
er.
›
Do not remove the foreign body, e.g. screw or nail, from the tyre.
›
Unscrew the valve cap.
›
Use the valve remover
1
to unscrew the valve core and place it on a clean sur-
face (rag, paper, etc.).
Sealing and inflating the tyre
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 232.
Sealing
›
Forcefully shake the tyre inflator bottle
10
» Fig. 183 on page 233 several times.
›
Firmly screw the inflation hose
3
onto the tyre inflator bottle
10
in a clockwise
direction. The film on the cap is pierced automatically.
›
Remove the plug from the inflation hose
3
and plug the open end fully onto
the tyre valve.
›
Hold the bottle
10
with the bottom facing upwards and fill all of the sealing
agent from the tyre inflator bottle into the tyre.
233Emergency equipment and self-help
›Remove the empty tyre inflator bottle from the valve.›Screw the valve core back into the tyre valve using the valve remover 1.
Inflating›
Screw the tyre inflation hose
5
» Fig. 183 on page 233 of the air compressor
firmly onto the tyre valve.
›
Check that the air release valve
7
is closed.
›
Start the engine and run it in idle.
›
Plug the connector
9
into 12 Volt socket » page 77, Cigarette lighter .
›
Switch on the air compressor with the ON and OFF switch
8
.
›
Allow the air compressor to run until a pressure of 2.0 - 2.5 bar is achieved. Max-
imum run time of 8 minutes » !
›
Switch off the air compressor.
›
If you cannot reach an air pressure of 2.0 – 2.5 bar, unscrew the tyre inflation
hose
5
from the tyre valve.
›
Drive the vehicle 10 metres forwards or backwards to allow the sealing agent to
“distribute” in the tyre.
›
Firmly screw the tyre inflation hose
5
back onto the tyre valve and repeat the
inflation process.
›
If you cannot reach the required tyre inflation pressure here either, this means
the tyre has sustained too much damage. You cannot seal with tyre with the breakdown kit »
.
›
Switch off the air compressor.
›
Remove the tyre inflation hose
5
from the tyre valve.
Once a tyre inflation pressure of 2.0 – 2.5 bar is reached, continue the journey at a
maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).
Check the tyre inflation pressure after driving for 10 minutes » page 234.
WARNING■
The tyre inflation hose and air compressor may get hot as the tyre is being
inflated – there is a risk of injury.■
Do not place the hot tyre inflation hose or hot air compressor on flammable
materials – there is a risk of fire.
■
If you cannot inflate the tyre to at least 2.0 bar, this means the damage sus-
tained was too serious. The sealing agent cannot be used to seal the tyre.
Do not drive the vehicle. Seek help from a specialist garage.
CAUTIONSwitch off the air compressor after running 8 minutes at the latest – there is a
risk of overheating. Allow the air compressor to cool a few minutes before switch- ing it on again.
Check after 10 minutes' driving
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 232.
Check the tyre inflation pressure after driving for 10 minutes!
If the tyre pressure is 1.3 bar or less
›
Do not drive the vehicle! You cannot properly seal with tyre with the break-
down kit.
If the tyre pressure is 1.3 bar or more
›
Adjust the tyre inflation pressure to the correct value (see inside of fuel filler cap).
›
Continue driving carefully to the nearest specialist garage at a maximum speed
of 80 km/h (50 mph).
Jump-starting
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicle
235
Jump-starting in vehicles with the START-STOP system
236
Jump-starting vehicles with the vehicle battery in the boot
236
234Do-it-yourself
WARNING■A discharged vehicle battery may already freeze at temperatures just below
0 °C. If the battery is frozen, do not jump start with the battery of another ve- hicle – there is a risk of explosion.■
Pay attention to the warning instructions relating to working in the engine
compartment » page 206.
■
The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never touch each other
– there is a risk of short circuit.
■
The jump-start cable connected to the positive terminal of the battery must
not come into contact with electrically conducting parts of the vehicle – there is a risk of short circuit.
■
Do not clamp the jump-start cable to the negative terminal of the dis-
charged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out the battery
being ignited by the strong spark which results from the engine being started.
■
Route the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotating
parts in the engine compartment.
■
Do not bend over the battery – there is a risk of caustic burns.
■
The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
■
Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, lit cigarettes, etc.) away from the
battery – there is a risk of explosion.
■
Never jump-start vehicle batteries with insufficient acid levels – risk of ex-
plosion and chemical burns.
CAUTION
■ There must not be any contact between the two vehicles otherwise current
may flow as soon as the negative terminals are connected.■
The discharged battery must be properly connected to the system of the vehi-
cle.
■
We recommend you buy jump-start cables from a car battery specialist.
Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicleFig. 184
Jump-starting: A – flat battery, B
– battery providing current
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 234.
The battery of another vehicle can be used to jump-start your vehicle if the en-
gine will not start because the battery is flat. Jump-start cables are required for
this purpose.
The jump-start cables must be attached in the following sequence.
›
Attach clamp
1
to the positive terminal of the discharged battery
A
» Fig. 184 .
›
Attach clamp
2
to the positive terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach clamp
3
to the negative terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach the clamp
4
to a solid metal component firmly connected to the engine
block or to the engine block itself.
Starting engine
›
Start the engine on the vehicle providing the power and allow it to idle.
›
Start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
›
If the engine does not start, halt the attempt to start the engine after 10 sec- onds and wait for 30 seconds before repeating the process.
›
Disconnect the cables in exactly the reverse order
to the one described above.
Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the battery
supplying the power must not be significantly less than the capacity of the dis-
charged battery in your vehicle.
Jump-start cables
Only use jump-start cables which have an adequately large cross-section and in-
sulated terminal clamps. Observe the instructions of the jumper lead manufactur-
er.
Positive cable - colour coding in the majority of cases is red.
235Emergency equipment and self-help
Negative cable - colour coding in the majority of cases is black.
Jump-starting in vehicles with the START-STOP system
Fig. 185
Engine earth: START-STOP sys-
tem
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings on page 234.
On vehicles with the START-STOP system, the jump-start cable of the charger
must never be connected directly to the negative pole of the vehicle battery, but
only to the engine earth » Fig. 185.
Jump-starting vehicles with the vehicle battery in the boot
Fig. 186
Detail of the engine compart-
ment: Jump-starting pointFirst read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 234.
On vehicles with the vehicle battery in the boot, the positive terminal of the bat-
tery supplying the power can only be connected to the jump-starting point in the
engine compartment of the vehicle being started by means of a jump-start ca-
ble » Fig. 186 !
›
Open the protective cap of the jump-starting point in the direction of the ar-
row » Fig. 186 .
›
Connect the positive terminal of the battery supplying the power with the jump-
starting point.
›
Attach the negative terminal of the battery supplying the power to a solid metal
part firmly connected to the engine block or to the engine block itself.
›
Start the engine.
›
After starting the engine, close the protective cap of the jump-starting point.
Towing the vehicle
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye
237
Rear towing eye
238
Vehicles with a tow hitch
238
Vehicles with manual transmission may be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope
or with the front or rear wheels raised.
Vehicles with automatic transmission may be towed in with a tow bar or a tow
rope or with the front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the automatic
gearbox is damaged!
A tow bar is the safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimises any shocks.
Only use a tow rope if a suitable tow bar is not available.
When towing, the following guidelines must be observed.
Driver of the tow vehicle
›
Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off or depress the accelera-
tor particularly gently if the vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox.
›
On vehicles with a manual transmission, only push down on the accelerator pedal once the rope is taught.
236Do-it-yourself