Fig. 222 Front bumper, right-hand side: screwing in the towing eye.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The towing eye is screwed into a threaded hole behind a cover on the right of the front bumper
⇒ Fig. 221.
The towing eye must always be kept in the vehicle.
Observe the notes on towing ⇒ Notes on tow-starting and towing.
Fitting the towing eye at front
•Remove the towing eye from the vehicle tool kit in the luggage compartment.
•Push the area of the cover pointing towards the vehicle ⇒ Fig. 221 in the direction of the arrow
to release the cover fastener.
•Remove the cover and leave it hanging from the vehicle.
•Turn the towing eye anti-clockwise into the threaded hole and tighten as far as possible
⇒ Fig. 222⇒. Use a suitable object to screw the towing eye fully and securely into the
mounting.
•After you have finished towing, remove the towing eye by unscrewing it with a suitable object
clockwise.
•Insert the lug on the cover on the opening pointing towards the vehicle side in the bumper and
push on the opposite area of the cover until the lug engages in the bumper.
•If necessary clean the towing eye and place them back in the vehicle tool kit in the luggage
compartment.
Driving notes when towing
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow rope. Both drivers should be
familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexperienced drivers should not attempt to tow.
When driving, remember not to pull too hard on the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking
movements. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of overloading and damaging
the anchorage points.
It is still possible to activate the turn signals in a vehicle that is being towed, even if the hazard
warning lights are switched on. To do this, operate the turn signal lever in the required direction
while the ignition is switched on. The hazard warning lights will not flash while the turn signal is
being used. The hazard warning lights will start flashing automatically as soon as the turn signal
lever is moved back to the neutral position.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle:
•Leave the ignition of the vehicle being towed switched on to prevent the steering wheel from
locking, to enable the electronic parking brake to be switched off, and to ensure that the turn
signals, wipers and washer system can be used.
•As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not running, you will need more
strength to steer than you normally would.
•You will need to depress the brake pedal more vigorously than normal as the brake servo is not
working. Do not drive too close to the towing vehicle.
•Read and comply with the information and notes in the owner's manual of the towing vehicle.
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle:
•Accelerate carefully and gently. Avoid any sudden driving manoeuvres.
•Brake earlier than normal by pressing lightly on the brake pedal.
•Read and comply with any information and notes in the owner's manual of the towed vehicle.
Checking and refilling
In the engine compartment
The towing eye must always be screwed firmly into the mounting. Otherwise, the towing
eye can be ripped out of the mounting when the vehicle is being tow-started or towed.
NOTICE
Handling wheels and tyres
Fig. 235 Diagram showing how to swap wheels.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The wheels and tyres approved by Volkswagen have been carefully selected.
Rotating wheels front to rear
Regularly rotating the wheels as shown in the illustration ⇒ Fig. 235 is recommended to help
ensure that tyres wear evenly. All the tyres will then last for about the same time.
Volkswagen recommends having the wheels changed by a qualified workshop.
Avoiding damage to the rims and tyres
•Always drive over kerbs slowly and at a right angle.
•Check the tyre pressure regularly.
•Never exceed the top speed and load permitted for the tyres that are fitted ⇒ Tyre lettering and
tyre type.
•Damaged or worn tyres must be replaced immediately ⇒ Tyre damage.
•Protect the wheels from contact with corrosive substances, including oils, lubricants, fuel and
brake fluid ⇒.
•Replace missing dust caps immediately.
Tyres that are older than 6 years
Tyres age through physical and chemical processes that can impair their function. Tyres that have
been stored unused for an extended period of time age quicker than tyres that are used all the time.
New tyres or tyres which are old, worn down or damaged cannot provide full levels of
vehicle control and braking power.
•Incorrect handling of wheels and tyres can reduce vehicle safety and cause accidents
and serious injuries.
•All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling
circumference) and the same tread.
•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
serious injury.
•Check tyre pressures regularly when the tyres are cold, and always keep to the
specified value. If the tyre pressure is too low, it is possible that the tyre temperature
will increase to such an extent when driving that the tread peels off and the tyre bursts.
•Never drive with worn tyres or tyres that are damaged (cuts, cracks or blisters). Driving
with tyres in this condition can result in blown tyres, accidents and serious injuries.
Worn or damaged tyres must be replaced as soon as possible.
•Never exceed the top speed and load permitted for the fitted tyres.
•The effectiveness of the driver assist systems and brake support systems depends on
the tyre grip.
•If you notice unusual vibrations or if the vehicle pulls to one side when driving, stop
the car immediately and check the wheels and tyres for damage.
•In order to reduce the risk of losing control of the vehicle, and the risk of accident and
serious injury, never loosen the bolts on wheel rims with bolted on wheel rim rings.
•Do not use wheels or tyres if you do not know their history. Used wheels and tyres
could be damaged, even if the damage is not visible.
•Even if they have not been used, old tyres can suddenly lose pressure or burst,
especially at high speeds, and thus cause accidents and serious injuries. Avoid using
tyres that are more than six years old. If you have no alternative, drive slowly and with
extra care at all times.
WARNING
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
®
Repairs and structural modifications should be carried out by a qualified workshop. Volkswagen
recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
•Repainting and paint touch-ups in the area around the sensors may impair the function of the
system in question.
•As the Volkswagen badge influences the view of the radar sensor in the front area, drive the
vehicle only with the original Volkswagen badge.
Engine and transmission guard
An engine and transmission guard can reduce the risk of damage to the underside of the vehicle
and to the engine oil sump.
Depending on where the vehicle is used, it may be a good idea to have an engine and transmission
guard installed, e.g. if the vehicle will be driven over kerbs, on driveways or on unsurfaced roads. If
you wish to have one fitted, Volkswagen recommends contacting your Volkswagen dealership.
Repairs and faults in the airbag system
Repairs and technical modifications must always be carried out according to Volkswagen
specifications⇒.
Modifications and repairs to the front bumper, the doors, the front seats, the headliner, or the
bodywork should be carried out by a qualified workshop. System components and airbag system
sensors might be fitted on these vehicle components.
If you work on the airbag system or remove and install parts of the system when performing other
repair work, parts of the airbag system may be damaged. The consequence may be that, in the
event of an accident, the airbag inflates incorrectly or does not inflate at all.
Regulations must be observed to ensure that the effectiveness of the airbags is not reduced and
that removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution. Qualified workshops are
familiar with these requirements.
Any modifications to the vehicle's suspension could prevent the airbag system from working
properly during a collision. For example, using tyre/rim combinations that have not been approved
by Volkswagen, lowering the vehicle, making modifications to the suspension rate including work on
the springs, struts and shock absorbers could change the forces that are measured by the airbag
sensors and sent to the electronic control unit. Some changes to the suspension could cause the
forces measured by the sensors to increase, for example. This can lead to the airbag system being
triggered in collision scenarios where it normally would not be triggered if modifications to the
suspension had not been made. Other modifications can cause the forces measured by the
sensors to decrease, therefore preventing the airbag system from being triggered when it should
have been.
Incorrect repairs and modifications can cause malfunctions and damage to the vehicle
and impair the effectiveness of the driver assist systems. This can result in accidents and
severe injuries.
•Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should be carried out only by a qualified
workshop.
WARNING
Unsuitable spare parts and accessories, incorrectly carried out work, modifications and
repairs can lead to damage to the vehicle and cause accidents and serious injuries.
•Volkswagen strongly 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.
•Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified
workshop. Qualified workshops have the necessary tools, diagnostic equipment, repair
information and qualified personnel.
•Never fit parts to your vehicle that are in any way different from the factory-fitted parts.
•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.
•Only use rim/tyre combinations which have been approved by Volkswagen for your
vehicle type.
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.
Information in accordance with the EU Chemicals Regulation
REACH
In accordance with the European regulations on chemicals, known as REACH, Volkswagen would
like to inform you about the substances that may be found in your vehicle.
You can access this information online using your vehicle identification number ⇒ Technical data:
https://reachinfo.volkswagen.com
Declaration of conformity
The individual manufacturer declares herewith that the following products conform, at the time of
vehicle production, with the basic requirements and other relevant laws and regulations, including
FCC Part 15.19, FCC Part 15.21 and RSS-Gen Issue 1:
Radio-based equipment
•Electronic immobiliser.
•Vehicle key.
•Keyless Access locking and starting system.
•Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
•Area monitoring system (Front Assist) including City Emergency Brake.
•Lane change system (Side Assist)
•Remote control for the auxiliary heater ⇒ Auxiliary heater and ventilation.
•Trailer manoeuvring system (Trailer Assist) ⇒ Trailer Assist
Electrical equipment
•12-volt socket.
•230-volt Euro socket, 115-volt socket, 100-volt socket.
Recycling and scrapping end-of-life vehicles
Recycling end-of-life vehicles
Volkswagen has already made provision for you to recycle your vehicle in an environmentally
responsible manner. The recycling system operating in many European countries will take back
your vehicle at the end of its useful life. Once the vehicle has been recycled, a certificate of
destruction will be issued to show that the vehicle has been disposed of correctly.
End-of-life vehicles are recycled free of charge, provided that national legislation is complied with.
Further information on the recycling of end-of-life vehicles can be found at a Volkswagen
dealership.
Scrapping
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or components of the airbag
and the belt tensioners are scrapped. Qualified workshops are familiar with these requirements.
Information about vehicles with N1 approval (light commercial
vehicle)
Please observe the following information for vehicles used to transport goods with a maximum
permitted weight of up to 3.5 t (N1 approval in Europe):
Variants and number of seats
N1 vehicles based on a Volkswagen passenger car models are available in different versions. The
number of seats may be restricted to two or four.
Vehicles with two seats: there is no floor covering in the rear of the vehicle interior because there is
no rear bench seat ⇒.
Vehicles with four seats: the centre seat on the rear bench seat cannot be used⇒.
Safe transport of children
Like in vehicles with passenger car approval (M1), approved child restraint systems can be used on
the seats ⇒ Safe transport of children.
Towing a trailer
If the vehicle is approved for towing a trailer, observe any local regulations for driving with a trailer
and using a towing bracket.