
No blower speed is displayed in the rotary control when Climatronic is in automatic mode.
– Air recirculation mode
•Press the button.
Air distribution
– air distribution to the upper body via the vents in the dash panel.
– air distribution to footwell.
– air distribution to the upper body and the footwell.
– air distribution to the windscreen and the footwell.
– air distribution to the windscreen.
| – Defrost function
•m/k/a995MK Manual air conditioning system: turn the right rotary control to position
⇒ Fig. 109.
•m/k/a995MK Climatronic: press the button ⇒ Fig. 110.
m/k/a995MKManual air conditioning system: in the defrost function, the air recirculation
mode switches off and the air conditioning compressor for the cooling system switches on in order
to dehumidify the air. When the defrost function is switched on, it is not possible to switch the air
recirculation mode on or the air conditioning compressor off.
m/k/a995MK Climatronic: the air is dehumidified and the blower is set to a high speed.
– Windscreen heating
•Press the button.
•Touch the function button in the air conditioning menu to switch the windscreen heating
on and off when the engine is running ⇒ Windscreen heating.
The windscreen heating will switch off after a few minutes.
– Rear window heating
•Press the button to switch the rear window heating on or off while the engine is running.
The rear window heating will switch off after a maximum of 10 minutes.
In some countries, the air conditioner compressor can be switched off.
Operating the Climatronic system via the Infotainment system
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Opening the Air conditioning menu
•Press the button on the control panel.
Display of air conditioning settings
The upper area of the screen shows the current air conditioning settings.
The air conditioning system operating conditions are highlighted in colour:
•Blue: cooling.
•Red: heating.
Adjusting settings
– Switches Climatronic on and off.
– Applies temperature settings of driver's seat to all seats.
1)
To prevent damage to the rear window heating system, do not put stickers over the heating
elements on the inside of the window.
NOTICE
1)

– Switches Air Care on and off ⇒ Air Care Climatronic.
– Locks the rear temperature selectors ⇒ Rear controls.
– Opens the auxiliary heater menu ⇒ Auxiliary heater and ventilation.
– Switches windscreen heating on and off ⇒ Windscreen heating.
– Switches steering wheel heating on and off ⇒ Steering wheel heating.
– Switches the seat heating on and off ⇒ Seat heating.
– General settings submenu
Automatic air recirculation – Switches automatic air recirculation mode on and off ⇒ Air
recirculation mode.
Automatic auxiliary heater – Allows or prevents auxiliary heating ⇒ Fuel and emission
control.
Automatic windscreen heating – Switches automatic windscreen heating on and off
⇒ Windscreen heating.
– Submenu for air conditioning settings
– Adjusts the blower speed.
– Switches cooling system on and off.
– Air distribution to the upper body via the vents in the dash panel.
– Air distribution to footwell.
– Air distribution to the windscreen.
– Switches air recirculation mode on and off.
Presettings – submenu for presettings
– Switches automatic mode on.
– Switches maximum cooling output on or off.
– Switches the defrost function on or off.
– Display for manual control of the cooling system.
Air conditioning profiles
Air con. profile – Adjusts the blower speed in mode.
Rear controls
Fig. 111 In the rear centre console: controls for the rear seats.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Temperature
•Press the and ⇒ Fig. 111 buttons to set the temperature.
Setting the temperature using the Infotainment system
•Press the button on the control panel.
•Touch the function button for the temperature for the rear row of seats.
•Touch the and function buttons to set the temperature.
The display now shows the set temperature.

– Seat heating
Press the buttons or to switch the seat heating on and off ⇒ Seat heating.
If the function button is activated in the Infotainment system, it is not possible to
operate the rear controls.
Air recirculation mode
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
In air recirculation mode, no outside air enters the vehicle interior.
Manual air recirculation mode
•Press the button on the control panel to switch manual air recirculation mode on
and off.
Automatic air recirculation mode (Climatronic)
In automatic air recirculation mode, fresh air will enter the vehicle interior. The air recirculation
mode will switch on automatically if the system detects an increase in the concentration of noxious
substances in the outside air. The air recirculation mode will switch off as soon as the level of
noxious substances has returned to normal. The system cannot detect unpleasant odours.
•Press the button on the control panel.
•Touch function button .
•Touch the Automatic air recirculation function button.
Air recirculation mode with Air Care Climatronic
The vehicle is fitted with an allergen filter. When Air Care is activated ⇒ Air Care Climatronic, the
air recirculation mode of the air conditioning system is maximised as far as is permitted by the risk
of window fogging depending on the interior humidity and outside temperature. The air recirculation
mode is automatically regulated and features continuous adjustment in order to prevent fatigue of
the vehicle occupants.
When is the air recirculation mode deactivated?
Air recirculation mode is deactivated in the following situations ⇒:
•If the button on the Climatronic control panel is pressed.
•If the air distribution regulator of the manual air conditioning system is turned to position.
•If the sensor detects that the vehicle's windows might mist up.
When reversing the vehicle or when the wash and wipe system is being used, the air
recirculation mode will switch on to prevent odours from entering the vehicle interior.
•m/k/a999MK Climatronic
If the outside temperature is very high, brief activation of manual air recirculation mode helps
to cool the vehicle interior more quickly.
Seat heating
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Stale air can quickly make the driver tired and affect their concentration, which in turn can
cause collisions, accidents and serious injuries.
•Never use the air recirculation mode for an extended period as no fresh air will enter
the vehicle interior.
•If the cooling system is switched off, the windows can mist up very quickly in air
recirculation mode and reduce visibility considerably.
•Switch off the air recirculation mode when it is no longer required.
WARNING
In vehicles with an air conditioning system, do not smoke when the air recirculation mode
is switched on. The smoke can leave a residue on the evaporator and the dust and pollen
filter with pollution filter insert, producing a lasting unpleasant odour.
NOTICE

Why does the cooling system switch off automatically or cannot be
switched on?
•The engine is not running.
•The blower is switched off.
•The air conditioning system fuse has blown.
•The ambient temperature is lower than approximately +3°C (+38°F).
•The air conditioning compressor of the cooling system has been temporarily switched off
because the engine coolant temperature is too high.
•There is a vehicle fault. The air conditioning system should be checked by a qualified workshop.
Settings for optimal road visibility
•Keep the air intake in front of the windscreen free from ice, snow or leaves to improve the
heating and cooling performance and prevent condensation on the windows ⇒ Vehicle care.
•Do not cover the air vents in the rear of the luggage compartment to allow air to flow through
the vehicle from the front to the rear.
•The maximum heating output and the fastest window defrosting results are achieved when the
coolant has reached its operating temperature.
Recommended settings for the heating and fresh air system or manual air
conditioning system
•Switch off air recirculation mode.
•Set blower to setting or .
•Set the temperature selector to the middle position.
•Open and position all vents on the dash panel.
•Turn the air distribution regulator to the desired position.
•Manual air conditioning system: press the button on the control panel to switch the
cooling system on.
Recommended Climatronic setup
•Press the button.
•Set the temperature to +22°C (+72°F).
•Open and position the vents on the dash panel.
Air Care Climatronic
The allergen filter of Air Care Climatronic can additionally reduce the amount of pollutants and also
allergens that enter the vehicle interior.
The filters must be changed regularly to avoid impairing the performance of the air conditioning
system. If the vehicle is frequently used in severely polluted air, the filter must be replaced between
service events.
•Press the button on the control panel.
•Touch the Air Care function button.
•Touch the Active function button to switch the Air Care function on or off.
Dust and pollen filter
The dust and pollen filter must be replaced regularly to prevent impaired performance of the manual
air conditioning system. If the vehicle is frequently used in severely polluted air, the filter must be
replaced between service events.
Water under the vehicle
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensation can drip off the
evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool underneath the vehicle. This is normal and does
not indicate a leak.
If the outside humidity is high and the outside temperature low, condensation may evaporate when
the auxiliary heater is running ⇒ Auxiliary heater and ventilation. If this is the case, steam may
appear underneath the vehicle. This is not a sign that the vehicle is damaged.
Auxiliary heater and ventilation
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Switching the auxiliary heater and auxiliary ventilation on and off
⇒ Programming the auxiliary heater and auxiliary ventilation
⇒ Remote control

The auxiliary heater runs on for a short time after it is switched off manually or automatically so that
the remaining fuel in the system can be burnt off.
When the vehicle is at a standstill, the auxiliary heater can be activated up to three times in
succession for the maximum operating duration.
Operating noises can be heard if the auxiliary heater is switched on.
The 12-volt battery will discharge if the auxiliary heater or ventilation is run several times
over an extended period. Drive the vehicle for an appropriate distance in order to recharge the 12-
volt vehicle battery.
When parked on an incline, the fuel gauge indication (just above the reserve quantity) may
be inaccurate and lead to functional restrictions of the auxiliary heater.
The auxiliary heater may switch on automatically as a supplementary heating measure when
the engine is started at temperatures below +5°C (+41°F). The supplementary heating function is
switched off again automatically after a short time.
Programming the auxiliary heater and auxiliary ventilation
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Opening the Auxiliary heater menu
The auxiliary heater is programmed in the Infotainment system.
m/k/a997MK Manual air conditioning system
•Press the button on the Infotainment system.
•Touch the Vehicle and function buttons.
m/k/a997MK Climatronic
•Press the button on the control panel.
•Touch the function button.
Changing the operating mode
•Open the Auxiliary heater menu.
•Touch the Heating or Ventilation function buttons to change the operating mode.
At high outside temperatures, the auxiliary ventilation function supplies fresh air to the vehicle
interior and helps prevent a build-up of heat.
Programming the auxiliary heater
Activation is always for one heating or ventilation period only. The departure time must be activated
for every start.
•Before programming, check that the date and time set in the vehicle are correct ⇒ Vehicle
settings menu.
•Open the Auxiliary heater menu.
•Press the Adjust button.
•Choose one of the memory locations for a Departure time.
•Touch the Activate function button.
m/k/a995MKManual air conditioning system: the programmed departure time determines
the time at which the auxiliary heater or ventilation should switch off. The point at which the heating
or ventilation process starts is determined depending on the programmed operating period.
m/k/a995MK Climatronic: on the basis of the programmed departure time, the vehicle
automatically calculates the start time for heating or ventilation to the currently set temperature
depending on the outside temperature.
•Touch the Running time function button under Adjust to set the auxiliary heater
running time after the heater is switched on with the immediate heat button or using the
remote control.

m/k/a995MK Vehicles with manual gearbox: change from first to second gear immediately
after setting off. Change to higher gears rapidly.
m/k/a995MK Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: accelerate slowly and avoid using the
kickdown function.
Gear-change indicator ⇒ Gear-change indicator.
Eco driving profile ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control.
Avoid full throttle
Never fully use the maximum speed of the vehicle. Driving at excessive speeds, e.g. above 130
km/h on the motorway, will increase air resistance and thus the amount of force needed to move
the vehicle.
Reduce idling
Drive off immediately with low revs. If you are stopped for a long period, do not allow the engine to
idle but switch it off, e.g. when in a traffic jam or at a railway crossing.
In vehicles with an activated start/stop system, the engine will switch off automatically when the
vehicle is stopping and when the vehicle is stationary ⇒ Start/stop system .
Refuel with moderation
A full fuel tank increases the weight of the vehicle. A fuel tank that is half to three quarters full is
sufficient for urban journeys in particular.
Avoid short journeys
A cold engine has a very high fuel consumption. The optimum operating temperature is reached
only after driving a few miles. The fuel consumption is above average at very low ambient
temperatures, e.g. in winter ⇒ Fig. 116. Plan journeys economically and combine short distances.
Carry out regular maintenance
Regular maintenance is an essential prerequisite for economical driving and increases the service
life of the vehicle.
Observe the correct tyre pressures
An inadequate tyre pressure does not just mean greater wear, but also increases the rolling
resistance of the tyres and thus the fuel consumption. Use optimised rolling resistance tyres.
Adjust the tyre pressure according to the vehicle load. Observe the information on the tyre pressure
sticker ⇒ Useful information about wheels and tyres
Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator or Tyre Pressure Monitoring System ⇒ Tyre monitoring systems.
Use low viscosity engine oil
Fully synthetic engine oils with a low viscosity decrease frictional resistance in the engine and
spread better and more quickly, especially for cold starts.
Do not drive with unnecessary loads in the vehicle
You can reduce fuel consumption by clearing out the luggage compartment before setting off, for
example by removing empty drink crates or unused child seats.
In order to keep the drag coefficient of the vehicle as low as possible, remove attachments and
add-on parts such as ski, bicycle or roof carriers after use.
Save electrical energy
The alternator is driven by the engine and generates power for convenience consumers such as the
air conditioning system, window heating and ventilation. Saving electrical energy is easy, e.g.:
•At high ambient temperatures, ventilate the car before starting a journey and drive a short
distance with open window. Only then switch on the air conditioning system.
•Switch off convenience systems as soon as they have served their purpose.
Adapt your speed and distance from the vehicles ahead to suit visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions.
WARNING

situations should be avoided that create a heavy load on the brakes, e.g. when driving up close to
the vehicle ahead.
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under which the
vehicle is operated and the way in which the vehicle is driven. If the vehicle is used for regular
urban trips, short journeys, and is driven with a sporty driving style, the brake pads must be
regularly checked by a qualified workshop.
When driving with wet brakes, for example after driving through water, after heavy rainfall or after
washing the vehicle, the braking effect may be delayed as the brake discs will be wet, or possibly
iced up (in winter). The brakes must be dried as quickly as possible by careful braking at higher
speed. Please ensure that no following vehicle and no other road user is put at risk as a result of
this action ⇒.
Any salt layer accumulating on the discs and pads will delay the braking effect and increase the
braking distance. If the brakes on the vehicle have not been applied for a long time on roads that
have been gritted with salt, the layer of salt must be reduced through careful braking ⇒.
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt in the brake pads are facilitated through long periods of
inactivity, low mileage and low load levels. If the brake pads have been hardly used, or if they are at
all corroded, Volkswagen recommends that the brake discs and brake pads be cleaned by braking
strongly several times from high speed. Please ensure that no following vehicle and no other road
user is put at risk as a result of this action ⇒.
Brake servo
The brake servo will only function when the engine is running and reinforces the pressure applied
by the driver on the brake pedal.
If the brake servo is not functioning or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have to be
depressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to the lack of assistance for
the brake system ⇒.
Driving with worn brake pads or with a faulty brake system can cause accidents and
serious injuries.
•If the warning lamp lights up either alone or together with a text message in the
instrument cluster display, go to a qualified workshop immediately to have the brake
pads checked and the worn brake pads replaced.
WARNING
New brake pads will not have the optimal braking effect when first fitted.
•New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 300 km (186
miles) and must first be run in. A reduced braking effect can be increased by applying
more pressure to the brake pedal.
•You must drive particularly carefully when driving with new brake pads in order to
reduce the risk of accidents, serious injuries and loss of control of the vehicle.
•Never drive too close to other vehicles when running in new brake pads, and never
create a driving situation that will place a heavy load on the brakes.
WARNING
Overheated brakes reduce the braking effect and considerably increase the braking
distance.
•When driving downhill the brakes are placed under particular strain and become hot
very quickly.
•Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce speed and change to a lower gear
(with manual gearboxes or in Tiptronic mode with the DSG dual clutch gearbox). This
will make use of the engine braking effect and relieve the load on the brakes.
•Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the brakes and
cause them to overheat.
WARNING

Driving through water on roads
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Please follow these rules to help prevent damage to your vehicle when driving through water, for
example if the road is flooded:
•Check the depth of the water before driving through it. The water level must be no higher than
the lower edge of the vehicle body ⇒.
•Do not drive faster than walking speed.
•Never stop the vehicle, reverse or switch off the engine while in water.
•Oncoming vehicles will create waves that could increase the water level for your vehicle to such
an extent that it is not safe to drive through the water.
•Always deactivate the start/stop system manually when driving through water ⇒ Start/stop
system .
Driving with an unlocked or open boot lid can cause serious injuries.
•Always drive with the boot lid closed.
•Always stow all items in the luggage compartment securely. Loose objects can fall out
of the luggage compartment and injure other road users.
•Always drive carefully and ensure that you think ahead.
•Avoid any abrupt or sudden driving and braking manoeuvres as this could cause the
open boot lid to move unpredictably.
•Any objects protruding from the luggage compartment must be marked to ensure that
they are visible to other road users. Comply with legal regulations.
•If items protrude out of the luggage compartment, never use the boot lid to wedge
them into place or hold them in position.
•If you drive with the boot lid open, you must remove any racks and luggage from the
boot lid.
WARNING
Poisonous exhaust fumes could enter the vehicle interior if the boot lid is open. This could
result in loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious injury and
accidents.
•You should always drive with the boot lid closed in order to prevent poisonous gases
from entering the vehicle.
•If exceptional circumstances require you to drive with an open boot lid, you must do
the following to reduce the amount of poisonous exhaust fumes that could enter into
the vehicle:
- Close all windows and the glass roof.
- Switch off the air recirculation mode of the heating and fresh air system or
switch off the air conditioning system.
- Open all vents in the dash panel.
- Switch the blowers for the heating and fresh air system, or for the air
conditioning system, to the highest setting.
WARNING
The vehicle height, and possibly the length, are different when the boot lid is open.
NOTICE