•Switch off all electrical consumers and the ignition.
•Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery in order to avoid triggering the anti-theft
alarm.
•First disconnect the negative cable and then the positive cable ⇒.
Connecting the 12-volt vehicle battery
•Switch off all electrical consumers and the ignition before reconnecting the 12-volt vehicle
battery.
•First reconnect the positive cable and then the negative cable ⇒.
Various indicator lamps may light up after the 12-volt vehicle battery has been connected and the
ignition is switched on. They will go out if you drive a short distance at a speed of approximately
15 – 20 km/h (10 – 12 mph). If the indicator lamps remain lit up, the vehicle should be checked by a
qualified workshop.
If the 12-volt vehicle battery was disconnected for an extended period, the system may not able to
calculate or correctly display the time when the next service is due ⇒ Instrument cluster. Observe
the maximum permissible service intervals ⇒ Service.
Vehicles with Keyless Access:⇒ Central locking system: if the ignition cannot be switched on after
connecting the 12-volt vehicle battery, lock and unlock the vehicle from the outside. Then try to start
the ignition again. Please contact an expert if the ignition cannot be switched on.
Automatic switch-off for electrical consumers
The intelligent vehicle electrical system management automatically implements a range of
measures to prevent the 12-volt battery from discharging under high loads:
•The idling speed is increased so that the alternator provides more electricity.
•The performance of large electrical consumers may be reduced or they may be switched off
completely.
•The power supply to the 12-volt socket and the cigarette lighter is interrupted temporarily while
the engine is being started.
The vehicle electrical system management function cannot always prevent the 12-volt vehicle
battery from discharging. For example when the ignition is switched on for an extended period with
the engine off, or when the side or parking lights are on when the vehicle is parked for an extended
period.
Battery switch-off in an accident in which the airbag is triggered
In vehicles with 12-volt vehicle battery in the luggage compartment, the electrical connection to the
12-volt vehicle battery is disconnected pyrotechnically in the event of an accident in which the
airbags are triggered. This prevents short-circuiting.
What can cause the 12-volt 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 engine is switched off.
•When the auxiliary heater is being used ⇒ Auxiliary heater and ventilation.
Displays: use a Volkswagen Genuine cleaning cloth (- 000 096 166 A -) with a little water, a
suitable glass cleaner or LCD cleaner. Do not clean displays with a dry cloth.
Rubber seals: clean with a soft, lint-free cloth and plenty of water. Treat with Volkswagen Genuine
rubber care agent (- 000 096 310 -) on a regular basis.
Seat belts: carefully pull the seat belt right out and leave it out ⇒. Remove large particles of dirt
with a soft brush. Clean the seat belt with a mild soap solution. Leave the belt fabric to dry
completely and then allow it to roll up.
Wooden trims: clean with a soft cloth and some mild soap solution.
Cleaning upholstery fabrics
If clothing that is not sufficiently colour-fast, e.g. denim, leaves stains on the seat cushion, this does
not a defect in the cover fabric. The seat padding may contain components for the airbag system
and electrical connections. Seat padding that is damaged, incorrectly cleaned or treated, or that
becomes wet, may cause damage to the vehicle electrical system or trigger a fault in the airbag
system ⇒.
Depending on the equipment, seat cushions with seat heating feature electrical components and
connectors that may be damaged in the event of incorrect cleaning or treatment ⇒. This can
also result in damage to other parts of the vehicle electrics.
•Do not use high-pressure cleaners, steam cleaners or coolant spray.
•Do not switch on the seat heating to dry the seats.
•Do not use washing paste or fine detergent solutions.
•Avoid getting the seat wet.
•In the event of uncertainty, contact a Volkswagen dealership.
Mild soap solution: a maximum of two tablespoons of neutral soap diluted in one litre of water.
Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of
parts
Accessories and parts
Volkswagen recommends that you seek advice from a Volkswagen dealership before purchasing
accessories, replacement parts or service fluids, for example if the vehicle is to be retrofitted with
accessories or if parts have to be renewed. Volkswagen dealerships can recommend accessories,
parts and service fluids suitable for your requirements. They can also answer any questions you
might have regarding official regulations.
Volkswagen recommends you use only approved Volkswagen accessories and Volkswagen
Genuine Parts. These parts and accessories have been specially tested by Volkswagen for
suitability, reliability and safety. And Volkswagen dealerships are qualified to install them correctly.
Although the market is constantly scrutinised, Volkswagen cannot assume responsibility for the
reliability, safety and suitability of products Volkswagen has not approved. Volkswagen can
therefore assume no responsibility for these parts, even if they have been approved by an official
testing agency or are covered by an official approval certificate.
Any retro-fitted equipment which has a direct effect on the control of the vehicle must be
approved by Volkswagen for use in your vehicle and bear the e mark (the European Union's
1)
Failure to clean the parts properly can cause damage to the seat belts, the fastenings and
the belt retractor.
•Never use chemical cleaning agents on the seat belts or their components. The seat
belts must also not come into contact with corrosive fluids, solvents or sharp objects.
•Dry the cleaned seat belt fully before allowing it to retract.
•Avoid allowing foreign bodies or liquids to enter the slot for the seat belt buckle.
•Never try to repair, modify or remove the seat belts yourself.
WARNING
Incorrect cleaning and care may cause vehicle damage.
•Sharp objects, such as zips, rivets on clothing or belts may damage surfaces. Open
Velcro fasteners can also cause damage.
•Do not use a steam cleaner, brushes or hard sponges etc. for cleaning under any
circumstances.
•To avoid damage, stubborn stains should be removed by a specialist cleaning
company.
NOTICE
1)
®
authorization symbol). These devices include cruise control systems or an electronically controlled
suspension.
Any additional electrical components fitted that do not serve to control the vehicle itself must
bear the mark (manufacturer conformity declaration in the European Union). Such devices
include refrigerator boxes, laptops and ventilator fans.
Repairs and technical modifications
Repairs and technical modifications must always be carried out according to Volkswagen
specifications⇒.
Unauthorised modifications to the electronic components or software in the vehicle may cause
malfunctions. As the electronic components are linked together in networks, these faults may
indirectly affect the working of other systems. This can seriously impair safety, lead to excessive
wear of components, and also invalidate the type approval for the vehicle.
The Volkswagen dealership cannot be held liable for any damage caused by technical
modifications and/or work performed incorrectly.
The Volkswagen dealership is not responsible for damage caused by technical modifications and/or
work performed incorrectly. Such damage is not covered by the Volkswagen guarantee.
Volkswagen recommends that all repairs and technical modifications be performed by an
authorised Volkswagen workshop using Volkswagen Genuine Parts.
Volkswagen repair information
Volkswagen Service information and official Volkswagen repair information can be purchased for a
fee.
Customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Central and South America: please contact a
Volkswagen dealership or qualified workshop or register on the online portal erWin (electronic
repair and workshop information):
https://erwin.volkswagen.de
erWin is available in numerous languages.
Vehicles with special auxiliary equipment or body parts
The manufacturer of these components must ensure that these parts (fittings) adhere to the
stipulated environmental laws and regulations, particularly the EU directive 2000/53/EC concerning
end-of-life vehicles and EU directive 2003/11/EC concerning the restriction on the marketing and
use of certain dangerous substances and preparations.
The vehicle owner should keep all assembly documentation for these auxiliary fittings, and pass it
on to any scrapping company later engaged. This is to facilitate environmentally responsible
disposal for all vehicles, including refitted vehicles.
Windscreen repairs
To function properly, some items of equipment require an electrical or electronic module, which is
located on the inside of the windscreen near the interior mirror. If the windscreen has been
damaged in the viewing field of the electrical or electronic module, e.g. by stone impact, the
windscreen must be replaced. Repairing the crack can lead to malfunctions or functional faults in
the equipment.
After changing the windscreen, the camera and sensors must be set up and calibrated by a
qualified workshop.
Impairment or damage to sensors and cameras
Incorrect repairs, retrofit structural modifications to the vehicle, e.g. lowering the body, add-on parts
on the vehicle or trailer ⇒ Trailer towing, or changes to the trim may lead to the sensors or
cameras being disrupted or damaged. This can also be caused by collisions, e.g. when parking.
Failure to observe this may impair important functions (driver assist systems) and damage the
vehicle.
The area in front of and around the sensors and cameras must not be covered by stickers,
additional headlights, trim frames for number plates or similar.
Incorrectly performed repairs or modifications to your vehicle can impair the effectiveness
of the airbags, cause malfunctions, accidents and fatal injury.
•Never secure or mount objects such as drink holders or telephone holders either on or
next to the airbag covers or within the deployment zones of the airbag modules.
•Objects either on or next to the airbag module covers or are in the deployment zone of
the airbags can cause serious or even fatal injuries should the airbags be activated.
WARNING
®
Mobile communication in the vehicle
Electromagnetic radiation
If a mobile telephone or radio device is used without being connected to the external aerial, the
electromagnetic radiation will not be optimally directed to the outside of the vehicle. Increased
levels of radiation in the vehicle interior can occur in particular in the event of poor reception, e.g. in
rural areas. This could constitute a health hazard ⇒.
Depending on the equipment, you may be able to use a suitable mobile phone interface to connect
the mobile telephone to the external aerial ⇒BookletInfotainment system,. The connection quality is
improved and the range of the mobile communication device is increased.
Using a telephone
Many countries require a hands-free system to be used when using a telephone inside the vehicle,
e.g. via a Bluetooth connection. Before use, secure the mobile telephone to a suitable bracket ⇒
or stow it in a storage compartment so that it cannot slip around, e.g. in the centre console.
Use a compatible mobile telephone if the mobile phone interface uses the remote SIM Access
Profile (rSAP) technology.
Two-way radios
Observe legal regulations and the manufacturer's operating instructions for operation of two-way
radios. Approval is required for retrofitting two-way radio systems.
Ask your Volkswagen dealership for further information on installation of two-way radio systems.
Customer information
Incorrect repairs and modifications can cause malfunctions and damage to the vehicle
and impair the effectiveness of the airbag system. This can result in accidents and serious
or even fatal injuries.
•Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified
workshop.
•Airbag modules cannot be repaired. They must be replaced.
•Never use recycled airbag components or components that have been taken from end-
of-life vehicles in your vehicle.
WARNING
Modifications to the vehicle's suspension, including the use of unsuitable tyre/rim
combinations, can cause the airbag system to work differently and increase the risk of
serious or fatal injuries in the event of an accident.
•Never install any components in the suspension system that do not have the same
characteristics as the original factory-fitted components.
•Never use tyre/rim combinations that have not been approved by Volkswagen.
WARNING
®
Mobile telephones which are loosely placed in the vehicle or not properly secured could
be flung through the vehicle interior and cause injuries during a sudden driving or braking
manoeuvre, or in the event of an accident.
•Secure any mobile telephones and accessories located beyond the deployment zone of
the airbags, or stow them safely.
WARNING
If mobile telephones or two-way radios that are not connected to an external aerial are
used, electromagnetic radiation in the vehicle could exceed limit values and thus be a
health hazard for drivers and other vehicle occupants. This also applies to external aerials
which have not been correctly installed.
•Keep a distance of at least 20 cm between a device's aerial and an active medical
implant, e.g. a pacemaker.
•Do not carry an operational device close to or directly above an active medical implant,
e.g. in a breast pocket.
•Switch off the device immediately if you suspect it may be interfering with an active
medical implant or any other medical device.
WARNING
Data storage and services
Your vehicle is fitted with electronic control units. Some of these are required to make sure your
vehicle remains safe while others provide support while driving (driver assist systems).
Furthermore, your vehicle is equipped with convenience and Infotainment functions, which are also
made possible using electronic control units.
Electronic control units contain data memories that can store information regarding the vehicle
status, component load levels, maintenance requirements, technical events and faults on a
temporary or permanent basis. This information generally documents the status of a component, a
module, a system or the environment, e.g.:
•Operating states of system components, e.g. filling levels, tyre pressure, battery status.
•Status messages from the vehicle or its individual components, e.g. wheel revolutions or speed,
deceleration, lateral acceleration, display of fastened seat belts.
•Faults or malfunctions in important system components, e.g. lights, brakes.
•Information on events which damaged the vehicle.
•System reactions to specific driving situations, triggering of an airbag, intervention the stability
control systems.
•Ambient conditions, e.g. temperature, rain.
As well as performing the actual control unit functions, these data are also used to detect and
rectify faults and help Volkswagen to improve vehicle functions. The majority of these data are
temporary are processed only within the vehicle itself. Only a very small amount of data is stored in
the event memories or possibly on the vehicle key.
Reading out the vehicle's event memory
There is a diagnostic interface in the vehicle interior for reading out the event memories (on-board
diagnostic system) ⇒.
If you have service work performed on your vehicle, the technical data can be read out of the
vehicle together with the vehicle identification number by service employees, e.g. workshops, or
third parties such as breakdown services. Service work includes, for example, repairs,
maintenance, warranty work or quality assurance measures. The service workshop or third party
collects, processes and uses the data. The data document the vehicle's technical status, help in
troubleshooting and in improving quality and may be sent to Volkswagen in some cases.
Furthermore, the manufacturer is subject to legal product safety requirements. To make sure it
complies with these requirements, the manufacturer requires technical data from the vehicles.
Event memories in the vehicle can be reset by a service workshop as part of repair or service work.
The event memory should only be read and reset by a qualified workshop. Additional information on
the stored data is available from qualified workshops.
After a fault has been rectified, the information in the memory pertaining to the fault is deleted.
Other memory content is overwritten on an ongoing basis.
Event data recorder
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder. The main task of an event data recorder is to
record data in particular accident scenarios or accident-like situations, e.g. in the event of airbags
being triggered or a collision with an obstacle on the road. These data help in analysis of how a
vehicle system behaved in these situations. The event data recorder records data relating to driving
dynamics and the restraint system for a short period of 10 s or less. This information includes, for
example:
•how various systems in your vehicle have functioned.
•whether the seat belts of the driver and front passenger were fastened.
•the extent to which the driver pressed the brake or accelerator pedal.
•how fast the vehicle was travelling.
These data help to obtain a better understanding of the circumstances in the situations where
accidents and injuries have occurred.
Data from driver assist systems are also recorded. In addition to information about whether the
systems were switched on or off, available only to a restricted extent or inactive, it is also possible
to determine whether these functions steered, accelerated or braked the vehicle in the above-
described situations. Depending on the vehicle equipment, these systems include the following:
•Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
•Lane keeping system (Lane Assist).
•Park Assist.
•Park Distance Control.
•Emergency braking functions (Front Assist).
The data of the event data recorder are recorded only if a particular accident-like situation occurs.
No recordings occur under normal driving conditions. Audio or video data from the vehicle interior
or vehicle surroundings are not stored. Personal data such as name, gender age or accident
location are also not recorded at any time. However, third parties such as law enforcement
agencies can use corresponding means to link the content of the event data recorder with other
sources of data and thus establish a reference to persons as part of an accident investigation.