2015 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER warning light

Automatic switch-off for electrical consumers
The intelligent vehicle electrical system automati-cally implements a range of measures to prevent the battery from discharging under high loads:
• The idling speed is increased so that the alter-nator provides more electricity.
• The performance of large electrical consumers may be reduced or they may be switched off com-pletely.
• The supply of electricity to the 12-volt sockets and the cigarette lighter is interrupted temporarily while the engine is being started.
The vehicle electrical system cannot always pre-vent the vehicle battery from discharging. For ex-ample, if the ignition is left on for an extended peri-od of time with the engine off, or if the parking light is left on when the vehicle is parked for an exten-ded period.
What can cause the vehicle battery to discharge?
• Long periods at a standstill in which the engine is not running, especially if the ignition is switched on.
• The use of electrical consumers when the en-gine is switched off.
• When the supplementary heater is in operation =>page 332.
A WARNING
Incorrectly attaching the battery and using In-correct vehicle batteries can cause short cir-cuits, fire and serious Injuries.
366 I Cleaning and maintenance
A WARNING (Continued)
• Always use maintenance-free and leak-proof batteries that have the same properties, specifications and dimensions as the factory-fitted vehicle battery.
A WARNING
A highly explosive mixture of gases Is given off when the vehicle battery is being charged.
• Vehicle batteries should only be charged in well-ventilated spaces.
• Never charge a vehicle battery once it has been frozen. Discharged vehicle batteries can even freeze at temperatures of around o•c (+32.FJ.
• The vehicle battery has to be replaced if it has ever been frozen.
• Incorrectly connected cables can cause a short circuit. First connect the positive cable and then the negative cable.
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• Never make or break connections between vehicle batteries if the ignition is switched on or the engine is running. Never use a vehicle battery that does not correspond with the vehi-cle's specifications. The vehicle's electrical system or electronic components could be damaged, which could lead to electrical faults, for example In the start/stop system.
• Never connect equipment that provides electricity, such as solar panels or a battery charger, to the 12-volt socket or to the cigarette lighter to charge the vehicle battery. This can damage the vehicle electrical system.
Dispose of the vehicle baltery as required by legislation. Batteries may contain toxic sub-stances such as sulphuric acid and lead.
Electrolyte can pollute the environment. Clean up any service fluid leakages and dis-pose of them property.

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.
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• 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.
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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. Vehicle care and maintenance 381

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 => Never use concentrated jet nozzles or dirt blast-ers=>&.
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.
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• 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. Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors
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 =>

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
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.
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• 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.

Cleaning and caring for chrome and aluminium trim parts
r-('n First read and observe the Introductory l..Jo:-1.1 Information and safety warnings & on page 380.
• Use a damp, clean, lint-free and soft cloth to clean the surfaces.
• For heavy soiling use a special solvent-free cleaning product.
• Polish the chrome and aluminium trim parts us-ing a soft, dry cloth.
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To ensure that the chrome and aluminium parts are not damaged:
• Do not clean or polish In direct sunlight.
• Do not clean or polish in sandy or dusty en-vironments.
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• Do not use any abrasive care products (e.g. cream cleaners).
• Never clean with Insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar products.
• Do not polish any dirty surfaces.
• Do not use solvent-based cleaning prod-ucts.
• Do not use hard wax.
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Chrome rims or wheel covers may also have an additional varnish finish and should not be treated using chrome or aluminium cleaning agents or chrome or aluminium polish. A nor-mal commercially available paint cleaning product should be used instead. Cleaning and caring for the decorative film
r-('n First read and observe the introductory l..Jo:-1.1 information and safety warnings & on page 380.
Decorative film is a design feature and is made up of soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
In the areas of the vehicle where there is decora-tive film, the underlying paint layer is protected from weather and environmental conditions.
If the decorative film remains on the vehicle for a long time, the appearances of paint on the area protected by the decorative film and the area not covered by the film may begin to show differences. This can usually be rectified by polishing.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that you seek advice from a Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles partner or workshop as to a suitable care product.
Durability of the decorative film
Environmental conditions such as sunlight, mois-ture, pollution, stone impact, etc. affect the durabili-ty and colour of the decorative film. Signs of wear and age are normal and do not indicate a defect in quality.
After the decorative film is fitted, bubble formation may appear due to strong summer heat for exam-ple. These bubbles will usually go away without in-tervention. This will not limit the serviceability of the film in any way.
In warm or moderate climates slight bubble forma-tion may be noticeable after two or three years. In warm or hot climates the decorative film can show signs of wear and slight bubble formation may ap-pear after just one year.
Decorative film may become faded within one year in very hot climates, particularly when there is a build-up of heat due to exposure to sunlight.
Cleaning the decorative film
Decorative film is suitable for automatic car washes provided you do not select a programme with hot wax.
Please pay attention to the information and notes on washing the vehicle =>page 381 and on wash-ing using a high-pressure cleaner =>page 382.
When using presprays and vapour jets always maintain a distance of at least 20 cm between the spray nozzle and the decorative film =>CD.
Insect residue, bird droppings, road dirt, industrial deposits. tar, soot, road salt and other aggressive deposits can cause damage to the decorative film.
The longer the aggressive deposits remain on the decorative film, the worse the negative impact will be. High temperatures (for instance in strong sun-light) accelerate the corrosion process. Immediate-ly wash the vehicle thoroughly using warm water or soapy water =>CD. .,.
Vehicle care and maintenance 385

r1ih In the interests of environmental protection, 'r!!S the engine compartment should be washed only in specially provided wash bays. This pre-vents toxic waste water containing oil, grease and
fuel from entering the sewerage system. In some districts, washing the engine compartment any-where else may be prohibited. Cleaning and caring for the interior
o::JJ Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Handling seat covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Cleaning cloth seat covers, fabric trim and Alcantara® upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Cleaning and caring for natural leather covers 391
Cleaning leatherette upholstery . . 392
Cleaning stowage compartments, drink holders and ash trays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 Cleaning and caring for the dash panel, wooden trims and plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . 392
Cleaning seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 Cleaning cool box . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . 393
Cleaning seat rails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Cleaning opaque shades 393
Modern fabrics, such as dark denim, are often not colourfast. Light-coloured upholstery (soft materials or leather) is particularly sensitive to staining caused by these fabrics, even if you are careful. This is not caused by a fault in the upholstery, but by the non-colourfast nature of the garments.
Leaving stains, dirt and other deposits on the sur-face of vehicle components and cloth seat covers for a long time can make it difficult to clean and treat them. Stains, dirt and deposits may become impossible to remove, particularly if left for a long time.
Additional information and warnings:
• Cleaning and caring for the vehicle exterior 380
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts 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.
388 Cleaning and maintenance
A WARNING (Continued)
• The care product must be kept In its origi-nal sealed container.
• 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 cause serious Injury.
• Vehicle parts must be cleaned according to the manufacturer's Instructions.
• Only use approved or recommended cleaning products.
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• Cleaning products that contain solvents at-tack the material and may cause Irreparable damage.
• Stains, dirt and other deposits containing aggressive and solvent-based Ingredients at-tack the material and may cause Irreparable damage, even If only left for a short time.
• Stains, dirt and other deposits should be re-moved as quickly as possible and not allowed to dry In.
• To avoid damage, stubborn stains should be removed by a specialist cleaning company, .,.

m Suitable care products are available from a W Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership. Handling seat covers
r--f'n First read and observe the introductory L-J,::.U Information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Checklist
Please note the following for the cleaning and maintenance of the seat covers =>Q):
v' Before getting into the vehicle, close all Vel-era fasteners that could touch the cloth seat covers and fabric trims. Open Velcro fasten-ers can cause damage to cloth seat covers and fabric trims.
v' Avoid the direct contact of sharp-edged items and accessories to the upholstery and fabric trims in order to prevent damage. Ac-cessories include zips, studs, rhinestones on clothing or belts.
v' Dust and grit in upholstery pores, folds and seams should be removed regularly so that no lasting damage is caused to the surface of the seats by scratching.
v' Always check whether garments are colour-fast to prevent damage to the upholstery. This is especially important for light-col-oured upholstery.
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Ignoring any ofthe items on this important checklist for maintaining the seat covers can lead to damage or discolouration of the seat covers and fabric trims.
• Follow the Instructions on the checklist.
m Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recom-l!.J mends that stained upholstery is cleaned by a specialist company. Cleaning cloth seat covers, fabric trim and Alcantara® upholstery
r--f'n First read and observe the introductory L-J,::.IJ information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Cleaning upholstery on seat cushions with seat heating, electrically adjustable seats, or seats containing airbag components
Airbag-related components and electrical connec-tors may be installed in the driver seat, passenger seat and sometimes also in the rear outer seats. Seat cushions or backrests that are damaged, in-correctly cleaned or treated, or that become wet, may cause damage to the vehicle electrics or trig-ger a fault in the airbag system => &.
Electrical components and connectors are installed in electrically adjustable seats and seat cushions with seat heating. These can be damaged if cleaned or treated incorrectly =>Q). This can also result in damage to other parts of the vehicle elec-trics.
To avoid this please follow these cleaning guide-lines:
• Do not use high-pressure cleaners, steam cleaners or coolant spray.
• Do not use washing paste or fine detergent sol-utions.
• Avoid getting the seat wet.
• Only use detergents that have been approved by Volkswagen.
• If in doubt, consult a specialist cleaning compa-ny.
Cleaning upholstery on seat cushions without seat heating, seats that are not electrically adjustable, and seats that do not contain airbag components
• Please read and follow the instructions, notes and warnings on the package before using clean-ing products.
• Upholstery, fabric trims, Alcantara® seat covers and carpeting should be cleaned regularly with a vacuum cleaner (brush).
• Do not use high-pressure cleaners, steam cleaners or coolant spray.
Vehicle care and maintenance 389

• We recommend that you use a soft sponge or commercially available lint-free microfibre cloth for cleaning jobs
• Clean Alcantara® surfaces with a slightly damp cotton or woollen cloth or a commercially available lint-free microfibre cloth
General surface soiling of the upholstery and fabric trim can be cleaned with a commercially available foam cleaner.
If the upholstery and fabric trims are generally heavily soiled, consult a Volkswagen dealership for information on suitable cleaning methods before attempting any cleaning. If required, take the vehi-cle to a specialist cleaning company.
Treating stains
When treating stains, it may be necessary to clean the entire surface and not just the stain itself. This particularly applies if the surface shows general signs of wear. The cleaned area could otherwise be lighter than the surrounding area. If in doubt, consult a specialist cleaning company.
Type of stain Recommended cleaning method for seat cushions and upholstery
Water-based stains, e.g. cof-fee, fruit juice. -Moisten a sponge using water from a spray bottle and treat the stain by wiping in a circular motion. -Wipe clean with an absorbent, dry cloth.
Stubborn stains, e.g. choco--Only use detergents that have been approved by Volkswagen. late, foundation. -If required, have the upholstery cleaned by a specialist cleaning compa-ny.
Oily stains, e.g. oil, lipstick. -Only use detergents that have been approved by Volkswagen. -If required, have the upholstery cleaned by a specialist cleaning compa-ny.
A WARNING CD
If there is a fault in the airbag system, the air-bag may not trigger correctly, may not trigger at all or may trigger unexpectedly. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.
• The airbag system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Q)
If the upholstery on electrically adjustable seats or on seat cushions containing airbag components gets wet, electric components and the vehicle electrics could be damaged.
• Wet seat cushions should be promptly dried out, and their system components checked, at a qualified workshop.
• Do not use steam cleaners as the steam pushes the soiling into the fabric and sets it.
390 Cleaning and maintenance
• High-pressure cleaners and coolant sprays can damage the upholstery.
Q)
• Brushes should be used on carpets and mats only. Other surfaces could be damaged by brushes.
• When washing paste or fine detergent solu-tions are applied with a damp cloth or sponge, visible edges may appear on the upholstery once it has dried. This can be due to substan-ces such as surfactants. These edges are usu-ally difficult or even Impossible to remove.
Q)
• Do not soak Alcantara® under any circum-stances.
• Do not use leather care products, solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, stain removers or sim-ilar products on Alcantara®.
• Do not use brushes if cleaning with liquids. This could damage the surface of the material.