Care and maintenance
– Rin se the
vehic
le thoroughly with water.
– Dry the vehicle surface gently with a cha-
mois le
ather.
– In cold temperature, dry the rubber seals
and their surf
aces to prevent them from
freezing. Apply silicone spray to the rubber
seals.
After washing the vehicle – After washing, avoid sudden and sharp
braking. “Dr
y” the brakes by braking sever-
al times. WARNING
● Wash y
our vehicle with the ignition switch-
ed off.
● Protect your hands and arms from cuts on
sharp metal
edges when cleaning the under-
body, the inside of the wheel housings etc.
Risk of injury.
● Water, ice and salt on the brake system can
reduce brak
ing effectiveness. Risk of acci-
dent. CAUTION
● Never remo v
e dirt, mud or dust if the vehi-
cle surface is dry. Never use a dry cloth or
sponge for cleaning purposes. This could
scratch the paintwork or glass on your vehi-
cle. ●
Washin g the
vehicle in low temperatures:
when washing the vehicle with a hose, do not
direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors, rear lid, or sunroof.
Risk of freezing. For the sake of the environment
To protect the environment, the vehicle
shou ld be w a
shed only in specially provided
wash bays, to prevent toxic, oil-laden waste
water from entering the sewer system. In
some places, washing vehicles outside wash
bays is prohibited. Note
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight. Washing the vehicle with a high pres-
s
ur
e c l
eaner Be particularly careful when using a high
pr
e
ss
ure cleaner!
– Always observe the instructions for the
high-press
ure cleaner, particularly those
concerning the pressure and the spraying
distance.
– Increase the spraying distance for soft ma-
terials
and painted bumpers. –
Do not use a high pre
ssure cleaner to re-
move ice or snow from windows
››› page 194.
– Never use concentrated jet nozzles (“rotat-
ing jets”) ››
› .
– After washing, avoid sudden and sharp
br ak
ing. “Dr
y” the brakes by braking sever-
al times ››› page 152. WARNING
● Never wa sh ty
res with a concentrated jet
(“rotating nozzle”). Even at large spraying
distances and short cleaning times, damage
can occur to the tyres. This may cause an ac-
cident.
● Water, ice and salt on the brake system can
reduce brak
ing effectiveness. Risk of acci-
dent. CAUTION
● Do not use w at
er hotter than +60 °C
(+140 °F). This could damage the vehicle.
● To avoid damage to the vehicle, keep a suf-
ficient dis
tance from sensitive materials such
as flexible hoses, plastic, soundproofing ma-
terial, etc. This also applies to bumpers pain-
ted in the colour of the bodywork. The closer
the nozzle is to the surface, the greater the
wear on the material. 193
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Care and maintenance
painted surfaces are not suitable to clean
w indo
ws
because they are soiled with wax
deposits which could smear the windows.
If possible, use a de-icing spray to remove
ice. If you use an ice scraper, push it in one
direction only without swinging it.
Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to
clean rubber, oil, grease and silicone depos-
its off.
Wax deposits can only be removed with a
special cleaner available at your Technical
Service. Wax deposits on the windscreen
could cause the wiper blades to judder. Add-
ing a window cleaner that dissolves wax to
the windscreen washer fluid prevents wiper
blades from juddering, but wax deposits are
not removed. CAUTION
● Never use w arm or hot
water to remove
snow and ice from windows and mirrors. This
could cause the glass to crack!
● The heating element for the rear window is
located on the inner side of
the window. To
prevent damage, do not put stickers over the
heating elements on the inside of the win-
dow. Cleaning windscreen wiper blades
Clean wiper blades improve visibility. 1. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt
from the w
inds
creen wiper blades.
2. Use window cleaner to clean the wind- screen w
iper blades. Use a sponge or a
cloth to remove stubborn dirt.
Care of rubber seals If rubber seals are well looked after, they will
not freez
e so quic
kly.
1. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the rubber seal s.
2.
Apply a specialist care product to the rub-
ber seals.
The rubber strip
s on the doors, windows, etc.
will remain pliable and last longer if they are
treated with a suitable rubber care product
from time to time (for example silicone
spray).
Caring for rubber seals will also prevent pre-
mature ageing and leaks. The doors will be
easier to open. If rubber seals are well looked
after, they will not freeze so quickly in winter.
Door lock cylinder The door lock cylinders can freeze up in win-
t
er
. T
o de-ic
e the lock cylinders you should only
use spra
y with lubricating and anti-corrosive
properties.
Cleaning chrome parts 1. Clean chrome parts with a damp cloth.
2. Polish chrome parts with a soft, dry cloth.
If this
doe
s not provide satisfying results, use
a specialist chrome cleaning product.
Chrome cleaning products will remove stains
from the surface. CAUTION
To prevent scratching chrome surfaces:
● Never use an abrasive cleaning product on
chrome.
● Do not c
lean or polish chrome parts in a
sandy or dus
ty environment. Steel wheel rims
–
Clean steel wheel rims regularly using a
sep ar
at e s
ponge.
Use an industrial cleaner to remove brake
dust. Any damage to the paint on steel wheel
rims should be repaired before starting to
rust. »
195
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Care and maintenance
●
Befor e openin
g the bonnet, switch the en-
gine off, apply the handbrake firmly and al-
ways remove the key from the ignition.
● Allow the engine to cool before you clean
the engine compar
tment.
● Do not clean, for example, the vehicle un-
derbody, wheel arc
hes or wheel trims without
protecting your hands and arms. You may cut
yourself on sharp-edged metal parts. Failure
to comply could result in injury.
● Moisture, ice and salt on the brake system
may aff
ect braking effectiveness. Risk of acci-
dent. Directly after washing, avoid sudden
and sharp braking.
● Never touch the radiator fan. It is tempera-
ture-contr
olled and could start automatically,
even when the key is removed from the igni-
tion! For the sake of the environment
Fuel, grease and oil deposits can be removed
when the engine is w
ashed. The polluted wa-
ter must be cleaned in an oil separator. For
this reason, engine washing should be car-
ried out only by a specialised workshop or a
petrol station. Caring for the vehicle interior
C l
e anin
g plastic parts and the dash
panel –
Use a clean, damp cloth to clean plastic
parts and the d
ash panel.
– If this does not provide satisfactory results,
use a speci
al solvent-free plastic cleaning
product. WARNING
Never clean the dash panel and the airbag
module s ur
face with cleaners containing sol-
vents. Solvents cause the surface to become
porous. If the airbag triggered, plastic parts
could become detached and cause injuries. CAUTION
Cleaning products which contain solvents will
damag e the m
aterial. Cleaning wooden trim*
–
Clean the wooden trim with a water-mois-
tened c
le
an cloth.
– If this does not provide satisfactory results,
use a gentle
soap solution. CAUTION
Cleaning products which contain solvents will
damag e the m
aterial. Cleaning upholstery and fabric trim
Cloth seat covers and fabric trim on the
doors, hea
dlinin
g etc. can be cleaned with a
special interior cleaner or with dry foam and
a soft brush.
Cleaning the radio and climate con-
trol s To clean the radio and/or climate controls,
u
se a sof
t d
amp cloth. For more resistant dirt,
a neutral soap solution may be used.
Cleaning leather* Normal cleaning
–
Moisten a cotton or woollen cloth with wa-
ter and w
ipe ov
er the leather surfaces.
Cleaning stubborn stains – More stubborn dirt can be removed using a
mild soap so
lution (pure liquid soap; two
tablespoons diluted in one litre of water)
and a cloth. »
197
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Checking and refilling levels
Checking and refilling levels
R ef
uel lin
g
Refuelling Read the additional information carefully
›››
p
age 41
The tank flap is released manually and is lo-
cated at the rear of the vehicle on the right.
The tank holds approximately 45 litres.
Opening the fuel tank cap
– Lift the lid.
– Hold the cap firmly with one hand, then in-
sert the k ey
into the lock and rotate 180° to
the left.
– Unscrew the cap, turning it anticlockwise.
Closin
g the fuel tank cap
– Screw the tank cap to the right until it
“clicks”.
– T
urn the key in the lock, without releasing
the cap, cloc
kwise through 180°.
– Remove the key and close the flap until it
clicks
into place. The tank cap is secured
with an anti-loss attachment
If the automatic filler nozzle is operated cor-
rectly, it will switch itself off as soon as the tank is “full”. Never attempt to fill beyond
this point, as
this will fill the expansion
chamber. Fuel may leak out if ambient condi-
tions are warm.
The correct fuel grade for your vehicle is giv-
en on a sticker on the inside of the fuel tank
flap. WARNING
● Fuel i s
highly flammable and can cause se-
rious burns and other injuries.
–Never smoke or come into contact with
sparks when filling the fuel tank of the
vehicle or a spare fuel canister with fuel.
This is an explosion hazard.
– Follow legal requirements for the use of
spare fuel canisters.
– For safety reasons we do not recommend
carrying a spare fuel canister in the vehi-
cle. The canister could be damaged in an
accident and leak.
● If, in exceptional circumstances, you have
to carry
a spare fuel canister, please observe
the following:
–Never fill the spare fuel canister inside
the vehicle or on it. An electrostatic
charge could build up during filling, caus-
ing the fuel fumes to ignite. This could
cause an explosion. Always place the
canister on the ground to fill it.
– Insert the fuel nozzle into the mouth of
the canister as far as possible. –
If the sp ar
e fuel canister is made of met-
al, the filling nozzle must be in contact
with the canister during filling. This
helps prevent an electrostatic charge
building up.
– Never spill fuel in the vehicle or in the
luggage compartment. Fuel vapours are
explosive. Danger of death. CAUTION
● Fuel s pi
lls should be removed from the
paintwork immediately.
● Never run the tank completely dry. Irregular
fuel sup
ply can cause misfiring. As a result,
unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic convert-
er and cause damage.
● When filling the fuel tank after having run it
complet
ely dry on a vehicle with a diesel en-
gine the ignition must be switched on for at
least 30 seconds before starting the engine.
Subsequently, when you start the engine it
may take longer than normal to start firing
(up to one minute). This is due to the fact that
the fuel system has to purge itself of air be-
fore starting. For the sake of the environment
Do not try to put in more fuel after the auto-
matic fi l
ler nozzle has switched off, this may
cause the fuel to overflow if it becomes warm. 199
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Checking and refilling levels
Note
● You ma y
use petrol with a high octane num-
ber than the one recommended for your
engine.
● In those countries where unleaded petrol is
not avail
able, you may refuel with a fuel with
a low lead content. Diesel fuel
Please note the information on the inside of
the f
uel
tank
flap.
We recommend the use of diesel fuel which
complies to European standard EN 590. If
diesel fuel which meets European standard
EN 590 is not available, the Cetane number
(CZ) must, at minimum, be 51. If the engine
is equipped with a particulate filter, the sul-
phur content of the fuel must be below 50
parts per million.
Winter-grade diesel
Summer fuel becomes thicker in winter and it
is more difficult to start the engine. For this
reason, petrol stations in some countries al-
so offer winter diesel with improved fluidity
when cold (winter-grade diesel). Water in the fuel filter
1)
If your
vehicle has a diesel engine and is
equipped with a fuel filter with a water sepa-
rator, the instrument panel may display the
following warning: Water in the
fuel filter. If this is the case, take the
vehicle to a specialised workshop so that
they can drain the fuel filter. CAUTION
● The vehic l
e is not designed for the use of
FAME fuel (biodiesel). The fuel system would
be damaged if you used biodiesel.
● Do not mix fuel additives, the so-called
“thinners”, petrol
or similar additives with
diesel fuel.
● If poor-quality diesel fuel is used, it may be
necess
ary to drain the fuel filter more fre-
quently than is specified in the Maintenance
Programme. We recommend having this done
by a specialised workshop. If water is allowed
to collect in the filter, this can cause engine
performance problems. Working in the engine compart-
ment
saf
ety not
es for work in the engine
compartment Read the additional information carefully
›››
p
age 10
Before starting any work on the engine or in
the engine compartment:
1. Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
2. Ap p
ly the handbrake.
3. Move the gear lever to neutral or the selec- tor lever t
o position P.
4. Wait for the engine to cool down.
5. Keep children away from the vehicle.
6. Raise the bonnet ›››
p
age 203.
You should not do any work in the engine
compartment unless you know exactly how to
carry out the jobs and have the correct tools!
Have the work carried out by a specialised
workshop if you are uncertain.
All service fluids and consumables, e.g. cool-
ant, engine oil, spark plugs and batteries, »1)
Valid for the market: Algeria.
201
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Checking and refilling levels
●
Only open and c lo
se the bonnet when there
is nobody within its range. CAUTION
When topping up service fluids, make sure
not to mi s
take them. Using the wrong fluids
could cause serious malfunctions and engine
damage! For the sake of the environment
Service fluids leaks are harmful to the envi-
ronment. F or thi
s reason you should make
regular checks on the ground underneath
your vehicle. If you find spots of oil or other
fluids, have your vehicle inspected in a speci-
alised workshop. Opening the bonnet
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
p
age 10
The bonnet is released from inside the vehi-
cle.
Before opening the bonnet ensure that the
windscreen wipers are in rest position. WARNING
Hot coolant can scald! ●
Never open the bonnet if
you see steam,
smoke or coolant escaping from the engine
compartment.
● Wait until no more steam, smoke or coolant
is emitted fr
om the bonnet, then carefully
open the bonnet.
● When working in the engine compartment,
alway
s observe the safety warnings
››› page 201. Closing the bonnet
–
Slightly lift the bonnet.
– Release the bonnet stay and replace it in its
sup
por t
.
– At a height of approximately 30 cm let it fall
so it locks.
If
the bonnet does not close, do not press
downwards. Open it again and let it fall as
mentioned above. WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could
open while y
ou are driving and completely
obscure your view of the road. Risk of acci-
dent.
● After closing the bonnet, always check that
it is pr
operly secured. The bonnet must be
flush with the surrounding body panels. ●
If y ou notic
e that the bonnet latch is not se-
cured when the vehicle is moving, stop the
vehicle immediately and close the bonnet
properly. Risk of accident. 203
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Checking and refilling levels
The specifications (VW standards) set out in
the f o
llo
wing page should appear on the con-
tainer of the service oil; when the container
displays the specific standards for petrol and
diesel engines together, it means that the oil
can be used for both types of engines.
We recommend that the oil change indicated
in the Maintenance Programme, be per-
formed by a technical service or specialised
workshop.
The correct oil specifications for your engine
are listed in the ›››
page 41.
Service intervals
Service intervals can be flexible (LongLife
service) or fixed (dependent on time/dis-
tance travelled).
If the PR code that appears on the back of the
Maintenance Programme booklet is PR QI6,
this means that your vehicle has the LongLife
service program. If it lists the codes QI1, QI2,
QI3, QI4 or QI7, the interval service is de-
pendent on the time/distance travelled.
Flexible service intervals (LongLife service
intervals*)
Special oils and processes have been devel-
oped which, depending on the characteris-
tics and individual driving profiles, enable
the extension of the oil change service (Long-
Life service intervals). Because this oil is essential for extending the
service int
ervals, it must only be used ob-
serving the following indications:
● Avoid mixing it with oil for fixed service in-
terval
s.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the
engine oil l
evel is too low ››› page 206 and
LongLife oil is not available, it is permitted to
top up (once) with oil for fixed service inter-
vals ›››
page 41 (up to a maximum of 0.5
litres).
Fixed service intervals*
If your vehicle does not have the “LongLife
service interval” or it has been disabled (by
request), you may use oils for fixed service
intervals, which also appear in
››› page 41. In this case, your vehicle
must be serviced after a fixed interval of 1
year/15,000 km (10,000 miles)(whatever
comes first) ››› Booklet Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
● In exceptional circumstances, if the engine
oil lev
el is too low ››› page 206 and you can-
not obtain the oil specified for your vehicle,
you can add a small quantity of oil conform-
ing to the specification ACEA A2 or ACEA A3
(petrol engines) or ACEA B3 or ACEA B4 (die-
sel engines) (up to 0.5 l). Vehicles with diesel particulate filter*
The Maintenanc
e Programme states whether
your vehicle is fitted with a diesel particulate
filter.
Only VW 507 00 engine oil, with reduced ash
formation, may be used in diesel engines
equipped with particulate filter. Using other
types of oil will cause a higher soot concen-
tration and reduce the life of the DPF. There-
fore:
● Avoid mixing this oil with other engine oils.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the
engine oil l
evel is too low ››› page 206 and
you cannot obtain the oil specified for your
vehicle, you can use a small quantity of oil
(once) conforming to the VW 506 00,
VW 506 01, VW 505 00, VW 505 01 or
ACEA B3/ACEA B4 specification. (up to 0.5 l). Note
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an
engine oil th
at conforms to the correspond-
ing VW specifications and recommend keep-
ing it in the vehicle. This way, the correct en-
gine oil will always be available for a top-up if
needed. Warning lamp
If this warning lamp
is
r ed it
indicates
that the engine oil pressure is too low. »
205
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
Oil is highly inflammable! Ensure that no oil
comes int
o contact with hot engine compo-
nents when topping up. CAUTION
If the oil level is above the area A do not
star t
the engine. This could result in damage
to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact
a specialised workshop. For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area A .
Otherwi se oi
l can be drawn in through the
crankcase breather and escape into the at-
mosphere via the exhaust system. Changing engine oil
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
p
age 41
The engine oil must be changed at the inter-
vals given in the service schedule.
We recommend that you have the engine oil
changed by a Technical Service.
The oil change intervals are shown in the
Maintenance Programme. WARNING
Only change the engine oil yourself if you
have the s pec
ialist knowledge required!
● Before opening the bonnet, read and ob-
serve the warnin
gs ››› page 201, safety notes
for work in the engine compartment .
● Wait for the engine to cool down. Hot oil
may c
ause burn injuries.
● Wear eye protection to avoid injuries, such
as acid b
urns, caused by splashes of oil.
● When removing the oil drain plug with your
fingers, k
eep your arm horizontal to help pre-
vent oil from running down your arm.
● Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into
contact w
ith engine oil.
● Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be
stored in a s
afe place out of the reach of chil-
dren. CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil.
This c ou
ld result in engine damage. Any dam-
age caused by the use of such additives
would not be covered by the factory warranty. For the sake of the environment
● Becau se of
disposal problems and the spe-
cial tools and specialist knowledge required,
we recommend that you have the engine oil
and filter changed by a Technical Service. ●
Never pour oil do
wn drains or into the
ground.
● Use a suitable container when draining the
used oil. It
must be large enough to hold all
the engine oil. Cooling system
Contro l
lamp There is a fault if:
● The l amp does not go out again after a
f ew sec ond
s.
● The lamp lights up or flashes while the
vehicl
e is running, and three acoustic warn-
ing signals are emitted ››› .
Thi s
me an
s that either the coolant level is too
low or the coolant temperature is too high.
Coolant temperature too high
If the lamp lights up, stop the vehicle,
turn off the engine and wait for it to cool
down. Check the coolant level.
If the coolant level is correct, the overheating
may be caused by a malfunction of the radia-
tor fan. Check the radiator fan fuse and have
it replaced if necessary ››› page 81.
If the control lamp lights up again after driv-
ing on for a short distance, stop the vehicle»
207
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety