2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI Owners Manual

Removing the luggage compartment cover
x Unhook the supporting straps from the rear hatch ⇒ fig. 98 (top arrows).
x Pull the luggage compartment cover back and out of the side brackets (bottom arrows).
Installing the luggage compartment cover
x Slide the luggage compartment cover forward into the side brackets (bottom arrows).
x Hook the supporting straps onto the rear hatch (top arrows).
WARNING
In a sudden braking or other maneuver, or in a collision, unsecured or improperly secured
objects or animals on the luggage compartment cover can cause serious personal injury.
x Never leave hard, heavy or sharp objects in bags or loose on the luggage compartment
cover.
x Never let animals ride on the luggage compartment cover.
NOTICE
To help prevent damage to the luggage compartment cover, the luggage compartment may
only be loaded to a height at which the luggage compartment cover will not press on the cargo
when the rear hatch is closed.
Luggage compartment pass-through

Fig. 99 In the rear seat backrest: Opening the luggage compartment pass-through.

Fig. 100 In the luggage compartment: Opening the pass-through.

Tie-downs

Fig. 101 In the luggage compartment: Tie-downs.

WARNING
Elastic straps have to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the luggage
compartment. Hooks on these straps can cause serious personal injury if not handled
properly and attached securely.
x Always protect eyes and face from injury from the hooks when attaching them to the tie-
downs in the luggage compartment.
x Always hold the hooks on elastic straps firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do not let
them snap back and hit you.
x First attach the hooks on the straps to the tie-downs at the rear seat backrest in the
luggage compartment and then to the tie-downs near the loading edge of the luggage
compartment. This way, if one of the hooks on the elastic straps snaps back, it will move
away from you, decreasing the risk of personal injury.
The maximum load for the tie-downs is about 380 lbs. (172 kg).
For suitable straps and luggage stowage systems, please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer
or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Shopping bag hooks

Fig. 102 In the luggage compartment: Shopping bag hooks.

NOTICE
The maximum load for each shopping bag hook is 5 lbs. (2.5 kg).

Roof rack
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Attaching the roof rack base carrier and roof rack
Securing a load on the roof rack
The roof of your vehicle has been designed to optimize aerodynamics and does not have traditional
rain gutters that are used to attach many kinds of roof racks.
Since the rain gutters are molded into the roof to provide efficient aerodynamics, only Volkswagen-
approved base carrier mounts and roof racks can be used.
When should the roof rack be removed?
x When it is no longer needed.
x Before driving through an automatic car wash.
x When the vehicle would otherwise be too high for minimum clearance to enter, for example, a
garage.
More information:
x Lights
x Transporting
x Saving fuel and helping the environment
x Tires and wheels
x Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
WARNING
Transporting heavy or bulky loads on the roof rack will change the way the vehicle handles
by shifting the vehicle's center of gravity and increasing the wind drag.
x Always secure the load properly with suitable and undamaged straps so that the load will
not shift.
x Cargo that is large, heavy, bulky, long or flat will have a negative effect on the vehicle's
aerodynamics, center of gravity and overall handling.
x Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
x Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the
vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.
NOTICE
x Always remove the roof rack before driving through an automatic car wash.
x Your vehicle is higher when the roof rack is installed, especially when it is loaded. Compare
the vehicle height with existing clearance heights, such as underpasses and garage doors.
x Always make sure that the roof rack system and anything being carried on it does not
interfere with the roof antenna, the power sunroof or the rear hatch.
x Make sure that the rear hatch does not touch items on the roof rack when opened.
If a roof rack is installed, fuel consumption increases due to increased air resistance.

Securing a load on the roof rack