be repaired by a qualified workshop. Volkswagen Commercial Vehides recommends using a Volks-wagen Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose => &.
Rims with bolted-on trims
Rims may have removable trims that are attached to the rim with self-locking bolts. Damaged trims may only be repaired by a qualified workshop. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends us-ing a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose => &.
Rim identification
In some countries, new rims are legally required to contain certain specifications on them. The follow-ing information may appear on the rims (varying from region to region):
• Seal of conformity
• Rim size
• Name of manufacturer or brand name
• Date manufactured (month/year)
• Country of origin
• Production number
New wheels and tyres
r--f'n First read and observe the introductory L-Wl information and safety warnings & on page 367.
New tyres
• Drive particularly carefully for the first 600 km with new tyres as the tyres have to be run in. Tyres that have not been run in have reduced grip=>& and braking effect => &.
• All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumference) and the same tread.
• The tread depth of new tyres may vary, accord-ing to the type and make of tyre and the tread pat-tern.
370 I Clcanmg and maintenance
• Raw materials batch number
• Product code
A WARNING
The use of unsuitable or damaged rims can impair vehicle safety and cause accidents and serious injury.
• Only use rims that have been approved for the vehicle.
• Check the rims regularly for damage and replace as necessary.
A WARNING
Incorrect loosening and tightening of the bolts on rims with bolted-on rings can cause accidents and serious Injury.
• Never remove the bolts on rims with bot-ted-on rings.
• All work on rims with bolted-on rings must be carried out by a qualified workshop. Volks-wagen Commercial Vehicles recommends us-ing a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles deal-ership for this purpose.
Replacing tyres
• Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and not individually (i.e. both front tyres or both rear tyres together) => &.
• Old tyres should only be replaced by tyres that have been approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for the vehicle type. Make sure that the tyres used are correct in respect of size, diameter. load-carrying capacity and maximum speed.
• Never use tyres with an effective size that is larger than tyres approved by Volkswagen Com-mercial Vehicles. Larger wheels could rub against the body or other parts of the vehide.
Additional information for vehicles with tyre monitoring system
For vehides with a tyre monitoring system, the sys-tem will have to be "re-synchronised" after any wheel changes, regardless of whether the wheel in question is being fitted in the same or in a different position =>page 318.
Further information about the tyre monitoring sys-tem, how it functions and what you must know
A wARNING
New tyres will have to be run in as they will Initially have reduced grip and braking effect.
• Drive particularly carefully for the first 600 km in order to prevent accidents and se-rious injury.
A WARNING
Wheels must have the necessary freedom of operation. If the wheels do not have the nec-essary freedom of operation, the tyre could rub on parts of the running gear, the vehicle body and the brake lines. This can lead to a fault in the brake system and to tread separa-tion and thus to a tyre bursting.
Tyre pressure
r-T'n First read and observe the introductory L-k.U Information and safety warnings & on page 367.
The correct tyre pressure for factory-fitted tyres is shown on the tyre pressure label and applies to all-season, summer and winter tyres. The tyre pres-sure label is located on the lock column on the left front door.
If the tyre pressure is too low or too high, the tyres will wear prematurely and the vehicle will not han-dle well => &. The correct tyre pressure is particu-larly important at high speeds. Incorrect tyre pres-sure causes premature wear and can cause a tyre burst.
The pressure should therefore be checked at least once a month and before starting a journey.
The given tyre pressure applies to cold tyres. Tyre pressure is always higher in warm tyres than it is in cold tyres.
For this reason, never reduce the pressure in warm tyres to adjust the tyre pressure. This would result in low tyre pressures that could potentially cause the tyre to burst suddenly.
Checking tyre pressure
Always check the tyre inflation pressure on "cold" tyres. A "cold" tyre can be defined as one on a ve-hicle that has only been driven a few kilometres (miles) within 3 hours prior to the test and at low speeds.
A WARNING (Continued)
• The actual tyre size must not exceed the tyre dimensions of manufacturers approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and must not rub on any vehicle body parts.
m Despite identical size details, the actual size L!..J of the various tyre makes may vary from these specified dimensions, or the tyre contours may vary considerably.
m Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles-approved L!..J tyres are guaranteed to have the dimensions that are suitable for the vehicle. The salesperson will have to provide a certificate from the tyre man-ufacturer for other tyre makes to prove that the tyre is also suitable for the vehicle. This certificate must be stored in a safe place in the vehicle.
• The tyre pressures must be adjusted to suit a heavy vehicle load.
• After altering the tyre pressures, please ensure that the valve caps are screwed on and observe any information and instructions on setting the tyre monitoring system =>page 318.
The temporary spare wheel is filled to the highest tyre pressure permissible for the vehicle.
A WARNING
Too high or too low a pressure may cause the tyre to suddenly lose pressure or burst while the vehicle is in motion. This can cause seri-ous accidents and fatal Injuries.
• If the tyre pressure Is too low, it is possi-ble that the tyre temperature will increase to such an extent when driving that the tread peels off and the tyre bursts.
• Fast speeds or overloading of the vehicle can cause overheating, sudden tyre damage including tyre bursts and ripping of the tread surface and thus to a loss of control of the vehicle.
• If the tyre pressure is too low or too high, the tyres will wear prematurely and the vehi-cle will not handle well. .,.
Wheels and tyres 371
A WARNING (Continued)
• Worn tyres reduce the possibility of con-trolling the vehicle well in normal and difficult driving situations and Increase braking dis-tance and the risk of sliding.
...--m First read and observe the introductory l-.W.I Information and safety warnings&,. on page 367.
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily visi-ble. Any unusual vibrations or signs that the car is pulling to one side may indicate that one of the tyres is damaged =:. &,..
• Reduce your speed immediately if you suspect that a wheel is damaged.
• Check the tyres and rims for damage.
• If the tyre is damaged, do not drive on. Seek expert assistance.
• If there is no visible damage, drive slowly and cautiously to the next qualified workshop in order to have the vehicle checked.
Foreign bodies in the tyre
• Leave the foreign body in the tyre if it has en-tered the inner tyre. However, foreign bodies that are stuck between the tyre tread blocks can be re-moved.
• For vehicles with a spare wheel: where appro-priate, change the damaged wheel =:>page 420 If required, seek expert assistance when changing the damaged wheel. Volkswagen Commercial Ve-hicles recommends using a Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles dealership for this purpose.
• For vehicles with a breakdown set: the tyre can be sealed and pumped up using the tools in the breakdown set =:.page 425. Go to a qualified workshop. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles rec-ommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehi-cles dealership for this purpose.
Tyre wear
The tyre wear is affected by several factors, for ex-ample:
• Driving style.
• Unbalanced wheels.
• Running gear setting.
Driving style-fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear. The run-ning gear should be checked by a qualified work-shop if the tyres show excessive wear despite a normal driving style.
Unbalanced wheels -the wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors encoun-tered in normal driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which results in steering vibration. Un-balanced wheels will affect levels of wear on the steering system and the suspension. In this case the wheels should be balanced again. New tyres have to be balanced after fitting.
Running gear setting-incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety of the vehicle. The wheel alignment should be checked by a qualified workshop if tyres show ex-cessive wear.
A WARNING
If you notice unusual vibration or the car pull-Ing to one side while the vehicle is In motion, this may indicate that one of the tyres is dam-aged.
• Reduce speed immediately and park the vehicle without obstructing traffic.
• Check the tyres and rims for damage.
• Never drive on if wheels or tyres are dam-aged. Seek expert assistance Instead.
• If there Is no visible damage, drive slowly and cautiously to the next qualified workshop In order to have the vehicle checked.
Vehicle care and maintenance
Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior
o:n Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382 Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors . . . . . . 382
Cleaning and changing wiper blades 383
Waxing and polishing the vehicle 384
Cleaning and caring for chrome and aluminium trim parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Cleaning and caring for the decorative film . . 385
Cleaning wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Care of rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
De-icing door lock cylinders . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . 387
Undersea! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Cleaning the engine compartment . 387
Regular and expert care helps to maintain the val-ue of the vehicle. Proper maintenance may also be one of the requirements for the approval of warran-ty claims in the event of corrosion or paint defects.
Suitable care products are available from Volkswa-gen Commercial Vehicles dealers.
Additional information and warnings:
• Preparation for working in the engine compart-ment ::-page 350
• Cleaning and caring for the interior ::-page 388
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts ::-page 394
A WARNING
Car care products can be toxic and hazard-ous. Unsuitable care products and Incorrect application of care products can cause acci-dents, serious Injuries, burns or poisoning.
• The care product must be kept In Its origi-nal sealed container.
380 Cleaning and maintenance
A WARNING (Continued)
• Read the manufacturer's Instructions .
• Never store car care products in empty food containers, bottles or any other non-original containers as people finding these containers may not know that they contain care products.
• Keep children away from care products .
• The products can give off harmful fumes during use. They should therefore only be used outside or In well-ventilated spaces.
• Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other volatile fluids to wash, clean or care for your vehicle. These substances are toxic and highly Inflammable.
A WARNING
Incorrect care and cleaning of vehicle parts can Impair the safety features of the vehicle and thus cause serious Injury.
• Vehicle parts must be cleaned according to the manufacturer's Instructions.
• Only use approved or recommended cleaning products.
CD
Cleaning agents that contain solvents attack the material and can cause damage.
r:Q:... In the interests of environmental protection, "C!S the vehicle should only be washed in special-ly provided wash bays. This prevents waste water contaminated with oil, grease or fuel from entering the sewerage system. In some countries, washing vehicles anywhere else may be prohibited.
r:Q:... Environmentally-friendly care products "C!S should be used.
r:Q:... Leftover car care products should not be dis-"C!S posed of with ordinary household waste. Read the manufacturer's instructions.
Washing the vehicle
r-f'n First read and observe the introductory Information and safety warnings & on page 380.
The longer substances such as insects, bird drop-pings, resinous tree sap, road dirt, industrial de-posits, tar, soot or road salt and other corrosive materials remain on the vehicle, the more damage they do to the paintwork. High temperatures (for in-stance in strong sunlight) accelerate the corrosion process. The underside of the vehicle should also be cleaned thoroughly and regularly.
Car washes
Please observe the signs on the automatic car wash. Before using an automatic car wash take the usual precautions, such as closing all windows and folding in the exterior mirrors, in order to avoid damage to the vehicle. You must consult the car wash operator if there are special parts on your ve-hicle such as spoilers, roof luggage carrier systems or radio aerials ::.CD.
The paint is so hard-wearing that the car can nor-mally be washed without problems in an automatic car wash. However, the effect on the paint de-pends to a large extent on the design of the car wash. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recom-mends the use of car washes without brushes.
To remove any wax residue from the windows and to stop wipers rubbing, please note the following points ::.page 382, Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors.
Washing the car by hand
When washing by hand, first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off as well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a glove or a brush using only light pressure. Start with the roof and work from the top to the bottom. Use a shampoo for very stubborn dirt only.
The sponge or glove should be wrung out thor-oughly at regular intervals.
Clean the wheels, sill panels etc. last. Use a differ-ent sponge for this purpose.
A WARNING
Parts of the vehicle with sharp edges can cause Injury.
• Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp parts, for example when cleaning the underbody or the inside of the wheel hous-lngs.
A WARNING
After the car has been washed, the braking effect could set in later than normal and ex-tend the braking distance as the brake discs and brake pads will be wet, or iced up In win-ter.
• You can "dry and de-ice" the brakes by performing careful braking manoeuvres. Make sure that you do not endanger any oth-er road users or violate any legal regulations when doing so.
CD
• The water should be no warmer than +so•c (+140.FJ.
• Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight in order to avoid damage to the vehicle palntwork.
• Never clean with insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar products as these can damage the surface.
• Never clean the headlights with a dry cloth or sponge. Always use a wet cloth or sponge. lt is best to use soapy water.
• Washing the vehicle In cold weather: if the vehicle is rinsed with a hose, do not direct the water at the lock cylinders or the gaps around the doors, boot, or bonnet. The locks and seals could freeze.
CD
Observe the following guidelines before driving the vehicle into an automatic car wash in order to avoid damage to the vehicle:
• Ensure that the gap between the guide rails In the car wash is sufficient for the vehicle track. If the track is too narrow your wheels and tyres will be damaged.
• Switch off the rain sensor before driving the vehicle Into an automatic car wash.
• Check that the car wash is tall and wide enough for your vehicle.
• Fold In the exterior mirrors. Electrically fold-Ing exterior mirrors must be moved electrically. Do not fold them in and out by hand.
• In order to prevent damage to the palntwork on the bonnet, fold the wipers back onto the windscreen after drying the wiper blades. Do not drop the wipers onto the glass.
• Lock the tailgate to prevent it from opening accidentally In the car wash.
Washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner
I""""'T'n First read and observe the Introductory L.-lo:oJ.I information and safety warnings & on page 380.
Follow the instructions provided by the manufactur-er when cleaning your vehicle using a high-pres-sure cleaner. This applies in particular to the pres-sure and the spraying distance=>&.
Maintain sufficient distance to soft materials such as rubber hoses, insulation, and the ParkPilot sen-sors. The ParkPilot sensors are located in the front bumper, and in some cases also in the rear bump-er =>
A WARNING
The incorrect use of a high-pressure cleaner can cause visible and invisible long-term damage to tyres and other materials. This can cause accidents and serious injuries.
• Maintain sufficient distance between the washer jet and the tyres.
• Never clean the tyres with concentrated jet nozzles (dirt blasters). The tyres may incur visible and invisible damage even if cleaned briefly with the spray at a distance.
A WARNING
After the car has been washed, the braking effect could set in later than normal and ex-tend the braking distance as the brake discs and brake pads will be wet, or iced up in win-ter.
• You can "dry and de-ice" the brakes by performing careful braking manoeuvres. Make sure that you do not endanger any oth-er road users or violate any legal regulations when doing so.
CD
• The water may be no warmer than +so·c (+140.FJ.
• Do not wash the vehicle In direct sunlight In order to avoid damage to the vehicle palntwork.
• The ParkPilot sensors In the bumpers must be kept clean and free of Ice. When cleaning with pressure hoses or steam cleaners, the sensors should only be sprayed briefly and the steam/hose nozzle must be kept more than 10 cm away.
• Do not clean windows that are iced over or covered In snow with a high-pressure cleaner.
• Washing the vehicle in cold weather: If the vehicle is rinsed with a hose, do not direct the water Into the lock cylinders or the gaps round the doors, boot, or bonnet. The locks and seals could freeze.
I""""'T'n First read and observe the introductory L.-lo:oJ.I information and safety warnings & on page 380.
Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors
Moisten the windows and exterior mirrors with commercially available, alcohol-based glass clean-er.
382 Cleaning and maintenance
Dry the glass surfaces with a clean chamois leath-er or a lint-free cloth. Chamois leathers that have been used on painted surfaces are not suitable for use on glass surfaces. They will be soiled with wax deposits which could smear the surfaces.
Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to clean off rubber, oil, grease and silicone deposits =>
Removing wax
Car washes and care products could leave wax deposits on the glass surfaces. Wax residue can only be removed using a special cleaning product or cleaning cloths. Wax deposits on the wind-screen can cause the wiper blades to rub. Volks-wagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that a glass cleaning cloth G 052 522 A1 be used to re-move wax deposits from the windows and exterior mirrors each time the vehicle is washed.
A window cleaning agent specifically for removing wax will stop the blades rubbing if added to the windscreen wash water. Dilute the cleaner as in-structed. Grease-removing cleaners will not re-move wax deposits =-CD.
Special cleaners, glass cleaners and glass clean-ing cloths are available from Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles dealerships.
Removing snow
Use a small brush to remove snow from the win-dows and exterior mirrors.
Removing ice
The best method for removing ice is to use a de-icer spray. If you use an ice scraper, do not move it to and fro, but push it in one direction only. Mov-ing the ice scraper backwards can cause dirt to scratch the window.
Cleaning and changing wiper blades
Fig. 285 Changing the wiper blades.
1"'111 First read and observe the introductory l..-J,:.U information and safety warnings & on page 380.
A WARNING
Dirty or misted windows reduce visibility and Increase the risk of accidents and severe in-juries.
• Only drive when you have a clear view through all windows.
• Ice, snow and mist must be removed from the inside and outside of all windows.
CD
• Never combine the recommended cleaning agents with other cleaning agents for use in the windscreen washer fluid. This can cause the in-gredients to separate and block the windscreen washer jets.
• Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and Ice from windows and mirrors. This can cause the glass to crack.
• The heating elements for the rear window heater are on the Inside of the rear window. Never apply stickers over the heating elements and never clean the inside of the rear window with corrosive or acidic detergents or any other chemicals.
The factory-fitted wiper blades are coated with graphite. The graphite coating ensures that the wiper blade moves quietly over the windscreen. If the graphite coating is damaged, the windscreen wiper will become louder. .,..
Vehicle care and maintenance 383
Check the condition of the wiper blades on a regu-lar basis. Rubbing wiper blades should be changed if damaged or cleaned if dirty
Damaged wiper blades should be replaced imme-diately. Wiper blades can be bought from a quali-fied workshop.
Cleaning wiper blades
Note for the front wipers: move the wiper arms to the service position before lifting them 116.
• When lifting the wiper arm hold it only by the wiper blade mounting.
• Clean the wiper blade carefully using a damp cloth
• Place the wiper arm back onto the windscreen.
Changing the wiper blades
• Move the wiper arms to the service position be-fore lifting 116.
• When lifting the wiper arm hold it only by the wiper blade mounting.
• Press and hold the release button 285 G) and simultaneously pull off the wiper blade in the direction of the arrow.
• Insert a new wiper blade with the same length and design onto the wiper arm. Push it on until it engages.
• Place the wiper arm back onto the windscreen.
Changing the wiper blade for the rear window
• When lifting the wiper arm hold it only by the wiper blade mounting.
• Lift and fold back the wiper arm.
Waxing and polishing the vehicle
r--f"n First read and observe the Introductory L-J,::,JJ Information and safety warnings & on page 380.
Waxing
waxing protects the paintwork. You will need to re-wax the vehicle with a good hard wax if water no longer clearly forms small drops and runs off the paintwork when it is clean.
Even if a wax solution is used regularly in the car wash, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recom-mends protecting the paint with a coat of hard wax at least twice a year.
384 I Cleaning and maintenance
• Release the wiper blade in the direction of the arrow 286 G).
• Pull off the wiper blade in the direction of the ar-row®.
• Insert a new wiper blade with the same length and design on to the wiper arm against the direc-tion of the arrow. Push it on until it engages®.
• Push the release against the direction of the ar-row G) in order to lock the wiper blade.
• Place the wiper arm back onto the rear window.
A WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and Increase the risk of accidents and severe Injuries.
• Therefore, always change wiper blades If they are damaged and worn and or longer clean the windscreen properly.
CD
• Damaged or dirty wipers could scratch the windscreen.
• Detergents containing solvents, hard sponges and other sharp objects can damage the graphite coating.
• Do not use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to clean the win-dows.
Polishing Is only necessary If the paint has lost its shine, and the gloss cannot be brought back by applying wax.
The car must be waxed after polishing if the polish used does not contain wax compounds to seal the paint.
CD
• In order to avoid damage, painted parts with a matt finish, plastic parts, headlight lenses and the tail lights should not be treated with polish or hard wax.
• Do not polish your vehicle in a sandy or dusty environment or when the vehicle is dirty.