Table of Contents
Board literature4
Notes
5
Structure and more information about the
Operating Instructions
6
Abbreviations
Safety
Passive Safety
8
General information
8
Correct and safe seated position
9
Seat belts
12
Using seat belts
12
Inertia reels and belt tensioners
15
Airbag system
16
Description of the airbag system
16
Airbag overview
17
Deactivating airbags
20
Transporting children safely
22
Child seat
22
Fastening systems
25
Using the system
Cockpit
29
Overview
28
Instruments and Indicator Lights
30
Instrument cluster
30
Indicator lights
34
Information system
41
Driver information system
41
Multifunction display (MFD)
43MAXI DOT display46Service interval display47
Unlocking and opening
49
Unlocking and locking
49
Anti-theft alarm system
53
Luggage compartment lid
54
Power windows
55
Mechanical windows
57
Lights and visibility
58
Lights
58
Interior lighting
63
Visibility
64
Windscreen wipers and washers
65
Rear mirror
66
Seats and head restraints
69
Seats and head restraints
69
Seat features
71
Transporting and practical equipment
73
Useful equipment
73
Luggage compartment
80
Roof rack
84
Heating and air conditioning
85
Heating, ventilation, cooling
85
Communication and multimedia
90
Universal telephone installation GSM II
90
Voice control
94
Multimedia
96
SmartGate
98
Driving
Starting-off and Driving
100
Starting and turning off the engine
100
Brakes and parking
102
Manual gear changing and pedals
103
Automatic gearbox
104Retraction and economical driving107Driving through water and driving off of
made-up roads107
Assist systems
109
Braking and stabilisation systems
109
Parking aid
110
Cruise Control System
111
START-STOP
112
Tyre pressure monitoring
115
Hitch and trailer
116
Hitch
116
Trailer
121
General Maintenance
Care and maintenance
124
Service work, adjustments and technical alterations
124
Washing vehicle
127
Cleaning vehicle exterior
128
Interior care
132
Inspecting and replenishing
134
Fuel
134
Engine compartment
137
Engine oil
140
Coolant
142
Brake fluid
143
Vehicle battery
144
Wheels
148
Tyres and wheel rims
148
Manufacturer-approved tyre variants
151
Winter operation
1522Table of Contents
AbbreviationsAbbreviationDefinitionrpmEngine revolutions per minuteA2DPa Bluetooth software profile for a one-way transfer of audio
dataABSAnti-lock brake systemAGAutomatic gearboxAGMVehicle battery typeTCSTraction controlCO 2Carbon dioxideDPFDiesel particle filterDSGAutomatic double clutch gearboxEDLElectronic differential lockECEEconomic Commission for EuropeEPCEPC fault lightESCElectronic Stability ControlETRim depthEUEuropean UnionGSMGlobal System for Mobile communicationsHBAHydraulic brake assistHHCUphill start assistkWKilowatt, measuring unit for the engine outputMDIInputs for connecting external devicesMFDMultifunction displayMGManual gearboxMPIGasoline engine with a multi-point fuel injectionN1Panel van intended exclusively or mainly for the transporta-
tion of goodsNmNewton meter, measuring unit for the engine torquePINpersonal identification numberSIM carda card for the identification of the mobile network operatorAbbreviationDefinitionTDI CRDiesel engine with turbo charging and common rail injection
systemTSIPetrol engine with turbocharging and direct injectionVINVehicle identification numberWi-Fiwireless data network7Abbreviations
Safety
Passive Safety
General information
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Before setting off
8
Driving safety
8
Safety equipment
8
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the sub-
ject of passive safety in your vehicle.
We have combined everything here which you should be familiar with, for ex-
ample, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and safety of children.
WARNING■ This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants.■
You can find further information on safety concerning you and those trav-
elling with you in the following chapters of this owner's manual.
■
The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This
applies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle.
Before setting off
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please
pay attention to the following points before setting off.
Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning proper-
ly.
Ensure that the function of the wipers and the condition of the wiper
blades are free of any defects.
Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
Adjust the rear-view mirror so that vision to the rear is guaranteed.
Ensure that the mirrors are not covered.
Check the tyre inflation pressure.
Check the engine oil, brake fluid and coolant level.
Secure all items of luggage.
Do not exceed the permissible axle loads and permissible gross weight of
the vehicle.
Close all doors as well as the bonnet and boot lid.
Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
Protect children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat
belts » page 22 , Transporting children safely .
Adopt the correct seated position » page 9, Correct and safe seated
position . Tell your passengers to assume the correct seated position.
Driving safety
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
The driver is fully responsible for himself and his occupants. If your driving
safety is effected, you place yourself and the oncoming traffic at risk.
The following guidelines must therefore be observed. Do not become distracted from concentrating on the traffic situation, e.g.
by your passengers or mobile phone calls.
Never drive when your driving ability is impaired, e.g. due to medication, al-
cohol or drugs.
Keep to the traffic regulations and the permissible speed limit.
Always adjust the driving speed to the road, traffic and weather condi-
tions.
Take regular breaks on long journeys – at least every two hours.
Safety equipment
Read and observe
on page 8 first.
The following list contains only part of the safety equipment in your vehicle.
› Three-point seat belts for all the seats.
› Belt force limiters for the front seats.
› Belt tensioners for the front seats.
› Seat belt height adjusters for the front seats.
› Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger.
› Side airbags.
8Safety
Using the system
Cockpit
OverviewElectrical power windows
56
Door opening lever
51
Electric exterior mirror adjustment
68
Air outlet vents
86
Parking ticket holder
74
Operating lever:
› Turn signal light, headlight and parking light, headlight
flasher
60
› Speed regulating system
111
Steering wheel:
› With horn
› With driver’s front airbag
17
›with pushbuttons for radio, navigation system and mobile
phone
90
› With buttons for the operation of the information system
41
Instrument cluster
30
Operating lever:
› Windscreen wiper and wash system
66
›Information system
41
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Radio
› Navigation system
Button for hazard warning light system
62
Warning light for the deactivated front seat passenger airbag
20
Air outlets in the central part of the dash panel
86
Interior rear-view mirror
67
Key switch for switching off the passenger airbag (in front pas-
senger storage compartment)
20
Front passenger airbag
17
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
78
Air outlet vents
86
Power window in the front passenger door
5512345678910111213141516171819Door opening lever51
Light switch
58
Headlight range control (in the dashboard)
59
Bonnet release lever
138
Fuse box in the dashboard
169
Lever for adjusting the steering wheel
10
Ignition lock
101
Pedals
104
Storage compartment
74
Handbrake lever
103
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Gearshift lever (manual gearbox)
104
›Selector lever (automatic gearbox)
105
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Cup holder
74
›Multimedia holder
77
›Ashtrays
76
Multi-Device Interface (MDI) input
97
Bar with keys depending on the equipment fitted:
›
Seat heater on the front left seat
71
›
stabilization control (ESC)
109
›
Central locking system
52
›
Rear window heater
64
›
START STOP
112
›
Seat heater on the front right seat
71
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Operating controls for the heating
87
›
Operating controls for the air conditioning system
88
›Operating controls for Climatronic
88
Note
The position of some of the controls on right-hand drive models may differ
from that shown in » Fig. 19. The symbols on the controls and switches are the
same as for left-hand drive models.20212223242526272829303132333429Cockpit
Some error messages and other information are displayed in the MAXI DOT
display. The messages are displayed simultaneously with the icons in the MAXI
DOT display or with the warning lights in the instrument cluster » page 34,
Indicator lights .
The menu item Vehicle status is shown in the main menu of the MAXI DOT
display whenever at least one fault message exists. After selecting this menu,
the first of the error messages is displayed.
If there are several error messages, the display will show 1/3, for example, be-
low the message. This indicates that the first of a total of three error messag-
es is being displayed.
Warning symbols in the MAXI DOT displayEngine oil pressure too low» page 36Check engine oil level,
engine oil sensor defective» page 36Problem with the engine oil pressure» page 34Clutches of the automatic DSG gearbox are
too hot» page 34
Problem with the engine oil pressure
If the symbol is shown in the MAXI DOT display, you must have your vehicle
checked immediately by a specialist garage. The information about the maxi-
mum permissible engine speed is displayed together with this symbol.
Clutches of the automatic DSG gearbox are too hot
A symbol in the MAXI DOT display indicates that the temperature of the au-
tomatic gearbox DSG clutches is too high.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Gearbox overheated. Stop! Owner's manual!
do not continue to drive! Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and wait
until the icon goes out – risk of gearbox damage! You can continue your
journey as soon as the symbol disappears.
WARNINGIf you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and switch on the hazard
warning lights » page 62. The warning triangle must be set up at the pre-
scribed distance - observe the national legal provisions when doing so.
Note
■ If the MAXI DOT display shows warning messages, these messages must be
confirmed in order to access the main menu » page 42, Using the information
system .■
As long as the operational faults are not rectified, the symbols are always in-
dicated again. After they are displayed for the first time, the symbols continue
to be indicated without any extra messages for the driver.
Indicator lights
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Handbrake
35
Brake system
35
Seat belt warning light
35
Generator
35
Door open
36
Engine oil
36
Coolant
36
Power steering
37
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
37
Traction Control System (ASR)
37
Antilock brake system (ABS)
37
Rear fog light
38
Lamp failure
38
Exhaust inspection system
38
Glow plug system (diesel engine)
38
Engine performance check (petrol engine)
38
Diesel particulate filter (Diesel motor)
38
Fuel reserve
39
Airbag system
39
34Using the system
Tyre inflation pressure40 Windscreen washer fluid level40
Turn signal system
40
Fog lights
40
Cruise control system
41
Brake pedal (automatic gearbox)
41
Main beam
41
The warning lights indicate certain functions or faults.
Some warning lights can be accompanied by acoustic signals and messages in
the display of the instrument cluster.
After switching on the ignition, some warning lights light up briefly as a func-
tion test.
If the tested systems are OK, the corresponding warning lights go out a few
seconds after switching on the ignition or after starting the engine.
WARNING■ Ignoring illuminated indicator lights and related messages or instructions
in the instrument cluster display may lead to serious personal injury or
damage to the vehicle.■
If you have to stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe
distance from the traffic, switch off the engine and switch on the hazard
warning lights » page 62. The warning triangle must be set up at the pre-
scribed distance - observe the national legal provisions when doing so.
■
The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area. The following
warning instructions must be followed at all times when working in the en-
gine compartment » page 137, Engine compartment .
Handbrake
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates if the handbrake is applied.
An acoustic signal will sound if you drive the vehicle above 6 km/h for at least
3 seconds while the handbrake is applied.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Release parking brake!
Brake system
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The indicator light
illuminates if the brake fluid level in the braking system
is too low or there is a fault in the ABS.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.
Brake fluid: Owner's manual!
›
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, and check the level of the brake flu-
id » page 144 » .
WARNING■
If the warning light together with the warning light » page 37 ,
Antilock brake system (ABS) illuminates, do not continue to drive!
Seek help from a specialist garage.■
A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – risk of accident!
Seat belt warning light
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates as a reminder for the driver and front passen-
ger to fasten seat belts.
The indicator light
goes off after the respective seat belt has been fastened.
If the driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt and the vehicle
speed is more than 20 km/h, the warning light
flashes and you will hear an
acoustic signal.
The warning signal is switched off and the indicator light is
permanently lit
if the driver and front passenger have not fastened their seat belts within the
next 90 seconds.
Generator
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
lights up when the engine is running, the vehicle battery
is not being charged.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
35Instruments and Indicator Lights
WARNING■Carefully open the coolant expansion bottle. If the engine is hot, the cool-
ing system is pressurized – risk of scalding! It is therefore best to allow the
engine to cool down before removing the cap.■
Do not touch the radiator fan. The radiator fan may switch itself on auto-
matically even if the ignition is off - a danger of injury is present!
CAUTION
■ Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant.■
Never cover the radiator - there is a risk of the engine overheating.
Power steering
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the indicator light
is illuminated , there is a fault in the power steering sys-
tem.
The power steering operates with reduced steering assist or does not function
at all.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
flashes to show that the ESC is currently operating.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the ESC.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Error: stabilization control (ESC)
or Error: Traction control (TCS)
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
If the warning light
illuminates immediately after you start the engine, the
ESC might be switched off due to technical reasons.
›
Switch the ignition off and on again.
If the warning light does not illuminate after you switch the engine back on,
the ESR is fully functional again.
Further information » page 109, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) .
Note
If the vehicle battery has been disconnected and then reconnected, the warn-
ing light comes on after switching on the ignition. If the warning light does
not go out after moving a short distance, this means that there is an error in
the system. Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Traction Control System (ASR)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light flashes
to show that the ASR is currently operating.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the ASR.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Error: Traction control (TCS)
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
If the warning light
illuminates immediately after you start the engine, the
ASR might be switched off due to technical reasons.
›
Switch the ignition off and on again.
The ASR is fully functional again if the warning light
no longer illuminates
after you switch the engine back on.
Further information » page 109, Traction Control System (TCS) .
Note
If the vehicle battery has been disconnected and then reconnected, the warn-
ing light comes on after switching on the ignition. If the warning light does
not go out after moving a short distance, this means that there is an error in
the system. Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Antilock brake system (ABS)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the ABS.
37Instruments and Indicator Lights
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display.Error: ABS
The vehicle will only be braked by the normal brake system without the ABS.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
In the event of an ABS fault, the other braking and stabilization systems are
turned off » page 109 , Braking and stabilisation systems .WARNING■
A fault to the ABS system or the braking system can increase the vehi-
cle's braking distance – risk of accident!■
If the warning light
together with the warning light
» page 35 ,
Brake system illuminates,
do not continue to drive! Seek help from a
specialist garage.
Rear fog light
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates when the rear fog light is switched on.
Lamp failure
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates if a lamp is faulty or if an external vehicle lamp
is faulty .
The indicator light
illuminates within a few seconds after switching on the
ignition or when a light with a faulty lamp is switched on .
The following message, for example, may be shown in the MAXI DOT display. INFORMATION Check front right low beam!
The rear side lights and the licence plate lighting have several light bulbs. The indicator light only lights up if all bulbs in the parking light (in one rear light)
or the licence plate lighting are faulty 1)
. For this reason, regular check that
these light bulbs are working correctly.
Exhaust inspection system
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the exhaust inspection
system. The system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Glow plug system (diesel engine)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light
illuminates after the ignition has been switched on. Once
the light has gone out, the engine can be started immediately.
There is a fault in the glow plug system if the warning light
does not come
on at all or lights up continuously .
If the warning light begins to
flash while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. The system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Engine performance check (petrol engine)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the indicator light
illuminates , there is a fault in the engine control. The
system allows the vehicle to run in emergency mode.
Seek assistance from a specialist garage immediately.
Diesel particulate filter (Diesel motor)
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The diesel particulate filter separates the soot particles from the exhaust. The soot particles collect in the diesel particulate filter where they are burnt on a
regular basis.
If the indicator light
illuminates , soot has accumulated in the filter.
1)
Applies to vehicles with START-STOP system.
38Using the system