2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF warning

Section width
The linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of an inflated tire, excluding elevations due
to labeling decoration, or protective bands.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the bead and the tread.
Sidewall separation
The parting of the rubber compound from the cord material in the sidewall.
Speed rating (letter code)
A standardized letter code indicating the maximum speed at which a tire is designed to be driven for
extended periods of time. The ratings range from 93 mph or 150 km/h (“P”) to 186 mph or (300 km/h)
“Y”.
The speed rating letter code, where applicable, is molded on the tire sidewall 270. You may not find
this information on all tires because it is not required by law.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
A system that detects when at least one of a vehicle's tires is underinflated and illuminates a low tire-
pressure warning light.
Tread
The portion of a tire that normally touches the road.
Tread rib
A tread section running circumferentially around a tire.
Tread separation
Tire failure caused by the tread pulling away from the tire carcass.
Tread wear indicators (TWI)
Raised areas within the main tread grooves that show, visually, when tires are worn and near the end
of their useful life 264, Tread depth and tread wear indicators.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
A tire information system developed by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) that is designed to help buyers compare tires. UTQG is not a safety rating, nor is it a
guarantee that a tire will last for a certain number of miles or perform a certain way. It gives tire buyers
more information to compare with factors such as price, brand loyalty and dealer recommendations.
Under UTQG, tires are graded by the tire manufacturers in 3 areas: tread wear, traction and
temperature resistance. UTQG information is molded into the tire sidewalls.
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
A tire's serial number. It begins with the letters “DOT” (“Department of Transportation”) and indicates
that the tire meets all federal standards. The next 2 numbers or letters indicate the plant where the tire
was manufactured. The last 4 numbers represent the week and year of manufacture.
For example, the numbers 1709 mean that the tire was produced in the 17th week of 2009. Any other
numbers are marketing codes used by the tire manufacturer. This information is used to help identify
affected consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.
Vehicle capacity weight
The total rated cargo, luggage and passenger load. Passenger load is 150 lbs (68 kilograms) times the
vehicle's total seating capacity (as listed on the label inside the driver door).

WARNING
Overloading a vehicle can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, serious
personal injury, and even death.
x Carrying more weight than your vehicle was designed to carry will prevent the vehicle
from handling properly and increase the risk of the loss of vehicle control.
x The brakes on a vehicle that has been overloaded may not be able to stop the vehicle in a
safe distance.
x Tires on a vehicle that has been overloaded can fail suddenly, including a blowout and
sudden deflation, causing loss of control and a crash.
x Always make sure that the total load being transported – including the weight of a trailer
hitch and the tongue weight of a loaded trailer – does not make the vehicle heavier than the
vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Determining the correct load limit

WARNING
Inappropriate spare parts and accessories as well as improperly performed work,
modifications and repairs can cause vehicle damage, accidents and serious personal
injuries.
x Volkswagen strongly recommends to only use accessories approved by Volkswagen and
Genuine Volkswagen Parts®. These parts and accessories have been evaluated by
Volkswagen for their suitability, reliability and safety.
x Have repairs and vehicle modifications performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized
Volkswagen Service Facilities have the required tools, diagnostic equipment, repair
information, and trained personnel to properly replace any airbag in your vehicle and assure
system effectiveness in a crash.
x Only install parts on the vehicle that are consistent with factory-installed parts with
respect to design and characteristics.
x Never store, mount, or attach objects, such as cup holders or phone cradles, on or next to
the airbag module covers or within the airbags deployment zones.
x Only use wheel rim/tire combinations approved by Volkswagen for the respective vehicle
type.
Break-in period

WARNING
A mobile phone on the seat, instrument panel or in other places can be thrown around the
inside of the vehicle during a sudden braking maneuver, a crash or other accident and injure
vehicle occupants.
x Never place or attach accessories or other objects (such as cup holders, telephone
brackets, note pads, navigation systems, large, heavy or bulky objects) on the doors, on the
windshield, over or near the area marked “AIRBAG” on the steering wheel, instrument panel,
backrests or between these areas and the occupant. Such objects could cause serious injury
in a collision, especially if an airbag inflates.
WARNING
Using a mobile phone or CB radio inside the vehicle without a properly installed and separate
outside antenna can be dangerous to your health and that of your passengers because the
electromagnetic radiation energy that cell phones and CB radios emit may be above
established limits. This also applies if the outside antenna is not installed properly.
x Always keep the mobile phone antenna at least 8 in. (20 cm) away from pacemakers. Heart
specialists advise that cell phones can adversely affect the way pacemakers work.
x Never carry a mobile phone that is switched on in the breast pocket directly over a
pacemaker.
x If you suspect there may be interference with a pacemaker or other medical device, switch
the mobile phone off immediately.

x If vehicle components bearing safety certificates, stickers, or labels are replaced, make certain that
the firm doing the work attaches new conforming certificates, stickers, or labels to the same part of the
new components.
Safety Compliance Certification Label
A safety certificate affixed to the door jamb in the driver door confirms that at time of production all
necessary safety standards and requirements of the traffic safety agency of the respective country
were met. The month and year of production as well as the vehicle identification number may be listed
as well.
Radiator fan and high voltage warning sticker
A warning sticker about the radiator fan and the high voltage of the electrical system is located in the
engine compartment next to the engine hood release. The vehicle ignition system complies with the
Canadian standard ICES-002.
Operating your vehicle outside of the United States and Canada

WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Volkswagen service information

Obey all legal requirements regarding protecting a broken-down vehicle. For example, turning on the
emergency flashers and wearing a safety vest are mandatory in many countries.
Checklist
For your own safety and that of your passengers, carry out the following steps in the order listed ⇒ :
1. Park the vehicle at a safe distance from traffic and on a suitable surface ⇒ .
2. Switch on emergency flashers by pressing the  switch ⇒ fig. 169.
3. Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving
4. Shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only)
5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch
6. Have all passengers exit and go to a safe location away from moving traffic, such as behind a
guard rail.
7. Take all vehicle keys with you when leaving your vehicle.
8. Set up a warning triangle or other warning device in order to alert other motorists and cyclists.
9. Let the engine cool down and get expert assistance if necessary.
If the emergency flashers are on, use the turn signal lever to indicate a direction or lane change, for
example when the vehicle is being towed. This temporarily interrupts the emergency flashers.
Switch on the emergency flashers when:
x Traffic suddenly slows down or stops in front of you to warn those approaching from behind.
x In any emergency situation.
x If the vehicle breaks down.
x When being towed.
Always obey traffic laws that govern the use of emergency flashers where you are driving.
If the emergency flashers are not working, a different method – as permitted by law – must be used to
alert other motorists and cyclists to the breakdown.
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common
sense.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter get very hot.
They can cause fires and serious personal injury.
x Never park where parts of the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite
flammable materials, such as dry grass, brush, leaves, spilled fuel, etc.
The vehicle battery will be drained if the emergency flashers are on for a long time – even if the
ignition is switched off.

WARNING
Never shift the transmission out of Park (P) without first firmly applying the parking brake.
Otherwise, the vehicle can start to roll unexpectedly, especially on hills or inclines, and cause
an accident and serious injuries.
NOTICE
Even with the selector lever is in Neutral (N), the automatic transmission will be damaged if the
vehicle is towed (or you let it coast) for an extended period or at high speed with the engine
shut off.