
 
  WARNING 
Working on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid 
burns, fires, explosions, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS 
and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system. 
 x Before working on the electrical system, always switch off the ignition and all electrical 
consumers and disconnect the negative (-) cable from the standard 12 Volt battery. 
 x When you change a light bulb, always switch off the light first. 
 x Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries in general. 
 x Always wear eye protection. Never let battery acid or lead particles come into contact with 
your eyes, skin, or clothing. 
 x Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness. 
Always wear protective gloves and eye protection. To reduce your risk of injury, never tilt the 
batteries, as this could spill acid through the vents and burn you. 
 x If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for 
several minutes and then get immediate medical attention. If you swallow any battery acid, 
get medical attention immediately. 
 x When disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle electrical system, always disconnect 
the negative cable (-) first and then the positive cable (+). 
 x Always switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting 12 Volt batteries. 
Reconnect the plus cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-). Never reverse the polarity of 
the connections. This could cause a fire. 
 x A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the battery is being charged. 
 x Do not smoke and avoid fires, sparks, and open flames when working. Never create 
sparks or electrostatic charges when handling cables and electrical equipment. Never short 
circuit the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause serious personal injury. 
 x Never use or attempt to charge a damaged or frozen battery, or a battery that was frozen 
but has thawed. Charging a frozen or thawed battery could cause explosions and chemical 
burns! Replace damaged or frozen vehicle batteries immediately. A dead battery can freeze at 
temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C). 
 x If the battery has a vent line or tube, make sure that it is properly connected to the battery. 
 x Always make sure that the vent line is securely attached to a vehicle battery that is located 
in the luggage compartment.  
  WARNING 
California Proposition 65 Warning 
 x Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead components, 
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash 
your hands after handling.  
  NOTICE 
 x Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an extended period of time as 
ultraviolet rays may damage the battery housing. 
 x If the vehicle is left standing in the cold for a long time, protect the vehicle battery from 
freezing. A battery will be permanently damaged by freezing. 
  Undeployed battery isolator modules are classified as Perchlorate Material. Special handling 
may apply – see http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all applicable legal  

 
requirements regarding handling and disposal of the vehicle or parts of its restraint system, including 
airbag modules and safety belts with pretensioners. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized 
Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the requirements, and we recommend that you have 
them perform this service for you. 
  Emergency starting and starting the engine with a very weak vehicle battery or after the vehicle 
battery has been replaced may change or delete settings (including time, date, personal convenience 
settings and programming). Check the settings and correct as necessary once the vehicle battery has 
built up a sufficient charge. 
Warning light 
 

 
Applicable only in the United States and Canada 
Frequently asked questions 
If you suspect a malfunction or vehicle damage, read and follow the following advice before contacting 
an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. You may also find 
helpful information under “Characteristics” and “Checklist” in the index. 
 
Description Possible causes, among 
others Possible remedy 
Engine does not start. 
Vehicle battery dead. – Perform jump-start. 
– Charge vehicle battery. 
The wrong vehicle key is used. Use a valid vehicle key. 
Fuel level too low.  Refuel. 
AdBlue fill level too low.  Refill AdBlue. 
Vehicle cannot be locked 
or unlocked using vehicle 
key. 
– Battery in the remote control 
vehicle key dead. 
– Too far away from vehicle 
(out of range). 
– Buttons have been pressed 
too many times. 
– Replace the battery in the remote 
control vehicle key. 
– Move closer to vehicle. 
– Synchronize vehicle key. 
– Lock or unlock vehicle manually. 
Unusual noises. 
Cold engine, braking assist 
systems, electronic steering 
column lock. 
Check the “Noises” entry in the index. 
Odd driving behavior. 
Assistance systems activated. Check the “Assistance systems” entry 
in the index. 
DSG® Direct Shift Gearbox too 
hot. 
Stop vehicle as soon as you can do so 
safely 
Outside mirrors move 
when vehicle is unlocked. 
Convenience settings are 
stored. Correct convenience settings. 
Front seats cannot be 
adjusted with power 
controls. 
Vehicle battery dead.  Charge vehicle battery. 
Fuse blown.  Check fuse and replace if necessary. 
Features do not work as 
described in this manual. 
Settings were adjusted in the 
Volkswagen Information 
System. 
Check and reset to factory settings if 
necessary. 
Headlights do not light up 
the road as they should. 
– Headlights adjusted too high.
– Light bulbs burned out. 
– Low beams not switched on. 
– Have the headlight range adjusted by 
an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an 
authorized Volkswagen Service 
Facility. 
– Change light bulbs. 
– Switch on low beams. 
Electrical consumers do 
not work. 
Vehicle battery charge too low. Charge vehicle battery. 
Remaining fuel level too low.  Refuel. 
Fuse blown.  Check fuse and replace if necessary. 
Fuel consumption higher 
than indicated. 
– Short hauls. 
– “Jumpy” accelerator pedal. 
– Avoid short distance driving. 
– Drive defensively. 
– Accelerate smoothly.  

 
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. 189. 
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.