2013 VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO warning

WARNING
Improper folding and improper latching of the rear seat backrest can cause serious personal injury.
x Always make sure there are no people or animals in the area around the rear seat backrest when folding it forward.
x Never fold the rear seat backrest forward or back while the vehicle is moving.
x When folding the rear seat backrest back up, make sure that the safety belt does not get caught or damaged.
x Keep hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of the way when folding the rear seat backrest forward or back.
x Each rear seat backrest must be securely latched in the upright position so that the safety belts on the rear seats can provide protection. This is particularly the case for the middle seat on the rear seat bench.
x If a seat is used with an unsecured backrest, the passenger will move forward together with the rear seat backrest during sudden braking, driving maneuvers, or in a collision.
x If the red marking on the button (2) is visible, this indicates that the backrest is not latched into place. Always check to make sure that the red marking is not visible whenever the rear seat backrest is in the upright position.
x No one, including children, may ride on the rear seats if the rear seat backrest is folded down or not correctly latched.
NOTICE
Before folding the rear seat backrest forward, adjust the front seats so that the rear seat's head restraint or backrest cushion will not touch the front seats.
Luggage compartment cover

Fig. 91 In the luggage compartment: Installing and removing the luggage compartment cover.

Removing the luggage compartment cover
x Unhook the supporting cords from each side of the rear hatch ⇒ fig. 91 (top arrows).
x Pull the luggage compartment cover upward (bottom arrows) until it releases from the side brackets.
x If necessary, stow the luggage compartment cover under the variable luggage compartment floor
⇒ Variable luggage compartment floor.
Installing the luggage compartment cover
x Press the luggage compartment cover into the side brackets from above (bottom arrows).
x Hook the supporting cords 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.
NOTICE
Things on the luggage compartment cover can damage it.
x The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that rub against them.
Luggage compartment pass-through

Fig. 92 In the rear seat backrest: Opening the luggage compartment pass-through.

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. 95 In the luggage compartment: Shopping bag hooks.

x Insert the luggage compartment floor into the guides at the required height and push it forward as far as it will go.
WARNING
During hard braking or an accident, loose objects can fly through the passenger compartment and cause serious or even fatal injuries.
x Even if the luggage compartment floor panel is properly raised, it is still necessary to secure all objects.
x The maximum weight rating of the variable luggage compartment floor is 330 lbs (150 kg) in the upper position
NOTICE
Do not let the luggage compartment floor fall freely when closing it. Always guide it down into place. The trim or the luggage compartment floor could be damaged.
If you store the luggage compartment cover under the variable luggage compartment floor, insert the luggage compartment floor into the upper guides.

Once you have installed the base carrier correctly, you can secure the roof rack on the base carrier according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Mounting the roof rack base carrier and roof rack on 4-door vehicles
Always attach the base carrier and roof rack correctly.
Always carefully follow the installation instructions from the base carrier or roof rack manufacturer.
The front mounting holes are on the underside of the roof frame. They are sealed with plastic screws
that must be removed before installation ⇒ fig. 99 (magnified view on left). The rear markings for the base carrier are on the underside of the roof frame (magnified view on right).
The holes and markings are only visible when the door is open.
Only mount the roof rack base carrier on the markings shown in the illustration.
Once you have installed the base carrier correctly, you can secure the roof rack on the base carrier according to the manufacturer's instructions.
WARNING
Installing or using a base carrier or roof rack improperly can cause the entire system to fly off the vehicle, causing accidents and injuries.
x Always follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.
x Use the base carrier and roof rack only if they are undamaged and properly installed.
x Secure the roof rack base carrier only at the attachment points shown in the illustration
⇒ fig. 98 or ⇒ fig. 99.
x Always install the base carrier and roof rack properly.
x Make sure that all bolts and fasteners are properly installed and properly tightened before every trip and retighten them as needed after driving a short distance. During a long trip, check all bolts and fasteners at each stop.
x Always properly install special fixtures for items such as bicycles, skis, surfboards, etc.
x Do not modify or repair the base carrier or roof rack.
Follow the installation instructions provided for installing the roof rack system. Always carry them in the vehicle.
Securing a load on the roof rack

Distributing the load
Distribute the load evenly and secure it properly ⇒ .
Checking the mountings
After the base carrier and roof rack have been installed, check all bolts and fasteners after driving a short time and at regular intervals thereafter.
WARNING
If the maximum permissible roof load is exceeded, accidents and substantial vehicle damage may occur.
x Never exceed the specified roof load, the maximum Gross Axle Weight Rating, or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
x Do not exceed the loading capacity of the roof rack, even if the permissible roof load is not fully utilized.
x Always make sure that loads are evenly distributed and that heavier items are, as far as possible, toward the front.
WARNING
Loose or improperly secured items can fall off the roof rack and cause accidents and injuries.
x Always use suitable, undamaged tie-down ropes and ratchet straps.
x Secure the load properly.

WARNING
Improper use of the trailer hitch can cause accidents and injuries. An improperly installed, incorrect, or damaged trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the towing vehicle and cause serious personal injuries.
x Only use an undamaged, properly mounted trailer hitch.
x Never repair or modify the trailer hitch.
x To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk to pedestrians and cyclists when the vehicle is parked, always remove the ball mount when you are not towing a trailer.
x Never install a “weight distributing” or “load equalizing” trailer hitch on your vehicle. The vehicle was not designed for these kinds of trailer hitches. The trailer hitch attachment can fail, causing the trailer to tear loose from the vehicle.
WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or large things can change the way the vehicle handles, increase the distance it needs to stop safely, and cause accidents.
x Always secure the load properly with suitable and undamaged straps so that the load will not shift.
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 Trailers with a high center of gravity tip more easily than trailers with a low center of gravity.
x Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
x Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas, the speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower than for vehicles without trailers. Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h; under exceptional circumstances, 60 mph - 100 km/h) when towing a trailer. This applies even if the local speed limit is higher.
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) ⇒ Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifications.
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.

WARNING
x An improperly installed or incorrect trailer hitch can cause a trailer to separate from the tow vehicle and cause serious personal injuries.
x If you don't have to tow a trailer any more, remove the entire trailer hitch. Always seal all bolt holes to prevent water and deadly exhaust fumes from getting into the vehicle.
NOTICE
x If the trailer lights are not connected properly, the vehicle's electronics may be damaged.
x If the trailer uses too much electricity, the vehicle's electronics may be damaged.
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.
If you tow a trailer frequently, Volkswagen recommends having the vehicle serviced between the regular maintenance and inspection intervals because of the extra load it has to pull.
Hitching up and connecting a trailer