The auto-dimming feature can be switched on and off with the switch on the inside mirror (2). When
auto-dimming is activated, the indicator light (1) is on.
If the ignition is switched on, the sensor (3) automatically darkens the inside mirror depending on the
amount of light shining into the vehicle from the rear.
The auto-dimming feature is deactivated when you shift the transmission into reverse or switch on the
interior lights or the reading light.
Do not attach external navigation devices to the windshield or in the vicinity of the auto-dimming inside
mirror ⇒ .
WARNING
The illuminated display on an external navigation device can cause the auto-dimming inside
mirror to malfunction, which can result in crashes and serious injuries.
x Malfunctions in the auto-dimming function can result in the rearview mirror being unable
to evaluate the exact distance of vehicles in the rear or other objects.
If the light striking the sensor is filtered or blocked (such as by a sunshade), the auto-dimming
inside mirror will not work properly or may not work at all.
Outside mirrors
Fig. 95 In the driver door: Adjusting knob for outside mirrors.
Brakes coated with road salt also react slower and need longer stopping distances. If there is salt on
the roads and you are not braking regularly, brake carefully and gently from time to time to remove any
salt coating from the brake disks and pads ⇒ .
Brake disc corrosion (rust) and dirt buildup on the brake pads are more likely to occur if the vehicle is
not driven much or is driven only for short distances with little braking. If the brakes have not been
used and there is some rust on the discs, clean the brake discs and pads once in a while by carefully
braking a couple of times while driving at relatively high speed to help clean the brake discs and pads.
Make sure nobody is behind you and that you do not endanger yourself or others ⇒ .
Brake system malfunction
If you brake and find that vehicle doesn't brake nearly as well as it used to (sudden increase in
stopping distance), a brake circuit may have failed. The brake warning light BRAKE or h will come on
and a message may appear in the instrument cluster display. If you believe the vehicle is safe to drive,
immediately take it to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility for repair. Drive slowly and very carefully, allow for the longer stopping distance, and be ready
to push longer and harder on the brake pedal to slow the vehicle down.
Brake booster
The brake booster works only when the engine is running. It increases the force on the brakes above
and beyond the pressure put on the brake pedal by the driver.
If the brake booster is not working, or if the vehicle has to be towed, you will have to push the brake
pedal harder to make up for the lack of booster assistance and the resulting longer stopping distance
⇒ .
WARNING
New brake pads do not provide maximum braking performance.
x New brake pads do not have the best stopping power for the first miles ( km) and must
be “broken in”. You can compensate for the slightly reduced braking force by putting more
pressure on the brake pedal.
x Drive with extra care while the new brake pads are being broken in. This reduces the risk
of collisions and serious personal injuries due to a loss of control over the vehicle.
x Never follow other vehicles too closely or put yourself into other situations that might
require sudden, hard braking, especially when the brake pads have not been broken in.
WARNING
Overheated brakes will reduce the vehicle's stopping power and increase stopping distances
considerably.
x When driving downhill, the brakes have to work especially hard and heat up quickly.
x Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, always reduce speed
and shift into lower gear (manual or automatic transmission). This will let the vehicle use
engine braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake system could
overheat and possibly fail. Only use the brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down
more or to stop.
x A damaged front spoiler or a nonstandard spoiler can reduce airflow to the brakes and
make them overheat.
met while the vehicle is stopped, Hill Hold disengages and the brakes are automatically released and
will no longer hold the vehicle.
Hill Hold is activated automatically when the following conditions are all met at the same
time.
Points 1 to 3 must all be met at the same time:
Manual transmission Automatic transmission
1. Hold the stopped vehicle on an incline with the foot or parking brake.
2. The engine must be running “smoothly.”
3. A manual transmission vehicle must be in 1st
gear (1) if headed up a hill or in Reverse (R) if
backing up a hill; you must hold the clutch
down and the foot brake must be depressed to
keep the vehicle from moving.
An automatic transmission vehicle must be in
Reverse (R), Drive (D), or Sport Drive (S) and
the foot brake must be depressed to keep the
vehicle from moving.
4. To drive off, take your foot off the brake pedal
as you let the clutch out and gently depress
the accelerator within 2 seconds.
To drive off, take your foot off the brake pedal
and gently depress the accelerator within
2 seconds.
Release the brake as you let the clutch out
and gently depress the accelerator.
Release the brake as you gently depress
the accelerator.
Hill Hold is immediately deactivated:
x If any requirement listed in the table above is no longer met (see , Hill Hold is activated
automatically when the following conditions are all met at the same time.).
x If the engine is not running smoothly or the engine malfunctions.
x If the engine stalls or is switched off.
x Automatic transmission vehicles: If the transmission is in Neutral (N).
x Automatic transmission vehicles: If a tire does not have enough road contact (such as when the
vehicle is tipped or at an angle).
WARNING
The intelligent technology of Hill Hold cannot overcome the laws of physics. Never let the
increased convenience provided by Hill Hold tempt you into taking risks.
x The Hill Hold feature cannot hold the vehicle in all hill start situations (for example, if the
surface is icy or slippery).
x Hill Hold can only help keep the vehicle from moving for less than 2 seconds. After that,
the brakes will be released and the vehicle can roll down the hill.
If there is a malfunction in the Park Distance Control, a brief continuous warning tone will sound. Have
it immediately checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility.
Special considerations when using Park Distance Control
x In some cases, the Park Distance Control interprets water and ice on the sensors as an obstacle.
x If the distance remains the same, the warning tone volume decreases after a few seconds. If a
continuous tone sounds, its volume remains the same.
x If the vehicle moves away from the obstacle, the beeping sound stops automatically. The beep
turns on again automatically if the vehicle approaches the obstacle again.
x For vehicles with automatic transmissions, there is no beeping when the transmission is in Park
(P).
x The volume of the audible signals can be adjusted by an authorized Volkswagen dealership or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Never rely completely on the PDC for information about people and objects that might be in
the way of the vehicle and could be struck by the vehicle causing serious personal injury.
x The PDC sensors have blind spots where they cannot detect people or objects.
x Always watch for people, especially small children and animals, because the sensors may
not always be able to detect them.
If you hear a long beep lasting about 3 seconds when you first turn PDC on, this means there is a
malfunction in the Park Distance Control system. Have it immediately checked by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.