2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF engine

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response

One or more driving lights not working or
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
malfunction.
Replace burned out bulb 303, or
If all light bulbs are OK, visit an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.

Fog lights switched on (indicator light on
the headlight switch or the instrument
cluster).





Left or right turn signal.
The indicator light blinks twice as fast if a
turn signal is not working on the vehicle or
the trailer.
Check the turn signals on the vehicle and
the trailer.
' Daytime running lights (DRL) on.
$2,
 High beams switched on or headlight
flashers in use.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check. They go out after a few seconds.
WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to
break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.
x Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
x Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, stop
the engine, turn on the emergency flashers, and use other warning devices to warn
approaching traffic.
x Never park the vehicle in areas where the hot catalytic converter and exhaust system can
come into contact with dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, oil, or other material that can catch fire.
x A broken down vehicle presents a high accident risk for itself and others. Switch on
emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle to warn oncoming traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights provide bright, uniform lighting to help you see and be
seen. The light comes from an electric arc between two electrodes in the gas-filled bulb. Over time, the
electrodes can wear down and the gap between them will get wider. The HID lamp’s control unit then
increases the voltage to keep the arc’s brightness constant. However, the commonly called “Xenon”
bulbs will also ultimately burn out. Before they burn out, HID lamps can flicker. A message will then
appear in the MFI. This is your reminder to see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service facility to check the headlights.

Move the lever to the desired position ⇒:
(B) zº
Intermittent wiping for the windshield.
Adjust the interval settings with switch ⇒ fig. 90 (1).
(C) LOW Slow wiper speed.
(D) HIGH Fast wiper speed.
(E) 1x One-tap wiping – brief wiping. Hold the lever pressed down longer to wipe more
often.
(F) W Pull the lever toward the steering wheel to activate the front windshield washers, then
release.
(G) Z Intermittent wiping for the rear window. The wiper wipes about every 6 seconds.
(H) \ Press the lever forward as far as it will go to activate the rear window washers, then
release.

NOTICE
To help prevent damage to the wiper blades and the wiper motor when it is cold outside,
always make sure that blades are not frozen to the windshield before operating the wipers.
Using the service position can be helpful in cold weather so the wipers do not freeze to the
windshield
x If the ignition is switched off while the wipers are running, the wipers will continue at the
same wiping speed when the ignition is switched on again. Frost, ice, snow, leaves, and other
objects on the windshield can damage the wipers and the wiper motor.
x Remove snow and ice from the wipers before you begin driving.
x If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them carefully. Volkswagen
recommends using a deicing spray.
NOTICE
Never switch on the windshield wipers when the windshield is dry because the windshield can
be scratched.
On some vehicles, the windshield wipers work only if the ignition is switched on and the engine
hood is closed. The windshield wipers turn off automatically when the engine hood is opened. The
rear window wiper turns off when the rear hatch is opened.
The intermittent wiping for the front windshield depends on the driving speed. The higher the
speed, the faster the wipers move.
If the front wipers are on, the rear wiper is switched on automatically when backing up.
If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them carefully. Volkswagen recommends
using a deicing spray.

Checking and refilling windshield washer fluid

Fig. 93 In the engine compartment: Cap of the windshield washer fluid reservoir.

Driving with an open rear hatch can lead to serious personal injury. If you have to drive with an open
rear hatch, make sure that all objects and the hatch itself are properly secured and take appropriate
measures to keep toxic exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.
WARNING
Driving with an unlatched or open rear hatch can lead to serious personal injury.
x Never transport objects larger than those that fit completely in the luggage compartment,
because the rear hatch cannot be fully closed properly.
x After closing the rear hatch, always pull up on it to make sure that it is properly closed
and cannot open suddenly when the vehicle is moving.
x Always stow all objects securely in the luggage compartment. Loose objects can fall out
of the luggage compartment and injure others on the road behind you.
x Drive carefully; anticipate what other drivers will do.
x Avoid abrupt or sudden acceleration, steering, or braking, because the unlatched rear
hatch can move suddenly.
x Always mark objects sticking out from the luggage compartment clearly for others to see.
Obey all applicable legal requirements.
x Never use the rear hatch to “clamp” or “hold” objects that stick out of the luggage
compartment.
x Always remove any luggage rack or other rack mounted on rear hatch (along with any
luggage on the rack) before driving with an open rear hatch.
WARNING
Driving with an open rear hatch can cause poisonous carbon monoxide in the engine exhaust
to get into the passenger compartment.
x Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness, inattentiveness, poisoning, and loss of
consciousness. It can lead to accidents and severe personal injuries.
x Always keep the rear hatch closed while driving to help keep poisonous exhaust fumes
from being drawn into the vehicle.
x Never transport objects that are too large to fit completely into the luggage area, because
then the rear hatch cannot be fully closed.
x If you absolutely must drive with an open rear hatch, do the following to reduce the risk of
carbon monoxide poisoning:
– Close all windows and the power sliding and tilting sunroof.
– Switch off the climate control system's air recirculation feature.
– Open all air vents in the instrument panel.
– Set the fresh air fan to the highest speed.
NOTICE
The open rear hatch changes the vehicle length and height.
Driving a loaded vehicle

If you are driving a new vehicle or a vehicle with a new or rebuilt engine, do not tow a trailer
during the break-in period, about 600 miles (1000 km)
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need maintenance more often because of the extra load it
has to move.
When you are not towing, remove the trailer hitch ball. This helps keep the trailer hitch from
causing damage to your vehicle and to others if your vehicle is hit from behind.
Some models need a trailer hitch to tow or tow-start other vehicles. You may want to always
carry the ball mount in the vehicle after it has been removed. Be sure to stow it securely.
Technical requirements

WARNING
Improper connections to the vehicle electrical system can cause malfunctions that affect the
entire vehicle electrical system, which can lead to accidents and serious personal injury.
x Have any work on the electrical system done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
x Never connect the electrical system for the trailer directly to the electrical connections for
the rear lights or to any other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to
provide power to the trailer.
NOTICE
Never attach a trailer to the vehicle or leave it attached to the vehicle when the trailer is
supported by a trailer jack or blocks. Various things (such as a change in trailer or vehicle load
or a flat tire) can lower or raise the vehicle. This subjects the trailer hitch and the trailer to
strong forces that can damage the vehicle or the trailer.
If the engine is switched off and accessories in the trailer are on and use electricity from the
vehicle, the vehicle battery will be drained as long as the electrical systems of the vehicle and the
trailer are connected.
Loading the trailer

x Weight distribution is especially bad if the towing vehicle is empty and the trailer is loaded. If you
absolutely must drive with this combination, drive with extra care and at a reduced speed.
Starting off with a trailer on hills
Depending on how steep the hill is and the combined towing weight, a parked vehicle with trailer can
roll backwards when you first start moving.
When starting off with a trailer on a hill:
x Depress and hold the brake pedal and depress and hold the clutch (manual transmission).
x Shift into first gear or Drive D, Shifting.
x Unlock the parking brake and gently release it while holding the unlock button. At the same time,
release the brake pedal and gradually depress the accelerator and, for a manual transmission, let out
the clutch until you can feel the car moving forward. If applicable, follow the instructions for the Hill
Hold feature , Starting assistance systems.
x Do not release the parking brake lever until the engine starts to move the vehicle forward. If your
vehicle has an automatic transmission, you can also depress and hold the brake pedal for added
braking and then let up on the brake pedal when you feel that the vehicle “wants” to move forward.
x Drive ahead slowly.
WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or bulky items changes the way the vehicle
handles and increases the distance it needs to stop safely.
x Always watch what is happening up ahead and around you. Brake earlier than you would
if you were not towing a trailer.
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.
x Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under
unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.
x Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently. Always avoid sudden maneuvers and
hard braking.
x Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows even the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower
than for vehicles without trailers.

WARNING
Exceeding the gross trailer weight rating and tongue weight can cause accidents and serious
personal injury.
x Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Never let the combined front and rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR).
NOTICE
Exceeding the gross weight ratings can cause extensive vehicle damage that is not covered by
any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
NOTICE
Towing a trailer of any kind with a vehicle that has a diesel engine and DSG automatic
transmission will cause overheating and expensive engine as well as other damage to your
vehicle that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. Never install a trailer
hitch on one of these vehicles.