
Owner's manual*Owner's manual
Owner's manual
RCD 210, RCD 215
Replacement service schedule
Edition: 11.2012
Item number: 132.5R1.BUP.20
Refers to a section within a chapter that contains important information and safety 
notes  that should always be observed.
Indicates that the section is continued on the next page.
Indicates the end of a section.
Indicates situations in which the vehicle must be stopped as quickly as possible.
®Indicates a registered trademark. However, the absence of this symbol does not 
constitute a waiver of the rights concerning any term.
⇒
Symbols like these refer you to warnings within the same section or on a given 
page. They draw your attention to possible risks of accident or injury and explain 
how they can be avoided.
⇒Cross reference to information about possible damage to your vehicle within the 
same section or on a given page.
Texts with this symbol contain additional information on the protection of the environment.
Texts with this symbol contain additional information.
Thank you for choosing Volkswagen
By purchasing this Volkswagen, you have become the owner of a vehicle fitted with the most up-to-
date technology and a multitude of convenience functions for your use and enjoyment.
Before using your vehicle for the first time, please read and observe the information in this 
owner's manual. It will quickly help you to become familiar with your vehicle and all of its 
functions as well as making you aware of dangers to yourself and others and of how these 
dangers can be avoided.
If you have any further questions about your vehicle, or if you think that the vehicle wallet has not 
covered everything, please get in touch with your Volkswagen dealership. They will always be 
happy to deal with your questions, suggestions or problems.
up!
Description of symbols
Texts with this symbol indicate dangerous situations which will lead to fatal or severe injuries 
if you do not observe the warning.
DANGER
Texts with this symbol indicate dangerous situations which could lead to fatal or severe 
injuries if you do not observe the warning.
WARNING
Texts with this symbol indicate dangerous situations which could lead to slight or severe 
injuries if you do not observe the warning.
CAUTION
Texts with this symbol indicate situations which could cause vehicle damage if you do not 
observe the warning.
NOTICE
Description of symbols 
Thank you for choosing Volkswagen 
About this owner's manual 
Overview of the vehicle 
Before the journey 
While driving 
Cleaning and maintenance 
If and when 
Abbreviations 
Index 
Epilog  

Exterior door release lever ⇒ Doors
Exterior mirrors ⇒ Mirrors
Additional turn signal ⇒ Lights⇒ Changing bulbs
Jacking points ⇒ Changing a wheel
Front view
Fig. 2 Overview of the front of the vehicle
Key for ⇒ Fig. 2:
Mirror base with laser sensor for the city emergency brake function ⇒ City emergency 
brake function
Windscreen
Front windscreen wipers ⇒ Windscreen wiper and washer
Bonnet ⇒ Preparation for working in the engine compartment
Bonnet release lever ⇒ Preparation for working in the engine compartment
Headlights ⇒ Lights, ⇒ Changing bulbs
Fog lights ⇒ Lights⇒ Changing bulbs
Mounting for the front towing eye behind a cover ⇒ Tow-starting and towing
Front number plate holder
Rear view
Fig. 3 Overview of the rear of the vehicle
Key for ⇒ Fig. 3: 

Roof aerial ⇒ Consumer information
High-mounted brake light
Rear window
- Rear window heating ⇒ Heating, ventilating, cooling
Rear wiper ⇒ Windscreen wiper and washer
Tailgate ⇒ Tailgate
Tail light cluster ⇒ Lights⇒ Changing bulbs
Grip with tailgate release button ⇒ Tailgate
Number plate lights ⇒ Changing bulbs
Rear number plate holder
ParkPilot sensors ⇒ ParkPilot
Vehicle interior
Overview of the driver door
Fig. 4 Overview of the controls in the driver door (left-hand drive vehiclesyf   7 K H  F R Q W U R O V  D U H  
mirrored in right-hand drive vehicles
Key for ⇒ Fig. 4:
Button for operating the electric window in the driver door ⇒ Windows or stowage 
compartment ⇒ Stowage area
Door release lever ⇒ Doors
Indicator lamp for SAFELOCK mechanism ⇒ Central locking system
Rotary knob for adjusting the electrical exterior mirrors ⇒ Mirrors
- Exterior mirror setting 
- Exterior mirror heating 
Central locking button for locking and unlocking the vehicle ⇒ Central locking 
system
Handle for releasing the bonnet ⇒ Preparation for working in the engine compartment
Stowage compartment with drink holder ⇒ Stowage area⇒ Drink holder
Other available control elements
Depending on the level of equipment, the vehicle may have manual windows and/or manual 
adjustment of the exterior mirrors ⇒ Mirrors.
Overview of the driver side 

Fig. 5 Overview of the driver side (left-hand drive vehiclesyf
Fig. 6 Overview of the driver side (right-hand drive vehiclesyf
Key for ⇒ Fig. 5 and ⇒ Fig. 6:
Light switch ⇒ Lights
- Light switched off or daytime running lights --
- Side light and dipped beam 
- Fog lights 
Headlight range control ⇒ Lights
Vent ⇒ Heating, ventilating, cooling
Lever for: ⇒ Lights
- Main beam headlights 
- Headlight flasher 
- Turn signal 
- Cruise control system (CCSyf   \f

- Lever with buttons for operating the Volkswagen information system - , /
⇒ Volkswagen information system
Horn (works only when the ignition is switched onyf
Ignition lock ⇒ Starting and stopping the engine
Pedals ⇒ Changing gear
Lever for adjusting the steering column ⇒ Adjusting the seat position
Driver front airbag ⇒ Airbag system
Stowage compartment ⇒ Stowage area
Overview of the centre console
Upper section of the centre console
Fig. 7 Overview of the upper section of the centre console
Key for ⇒ Fig. 7:
Air vent, non-adjustable ⇒ Heating, ventilating, cooling
Hazard warning lights button ⇒ In an emergency
Indicator lamp for the front passenger front airbag switch-off 
function PASSENGER AIRBAG ⇒ Airbag system
Button for the right-hand seat heating ⇒ Seat functions or button for the rear window 
heating  (alternative fitting locationyf  ⇒ Heating, ventilating, cooling
Radio (factory fittedyf 

Fig. 8 Overview of the lower section of the centre console
Key for ⇒ Fig. 8:
Stowage compartment with drink holder in the centre console ⇒ Drink holder
Ashtray ⇒ Ashtray and cigarette lighter
12-volt socket or cigarette lighter ⇒ Socket⇒ Ashtray and cigarette lighter
Handbrake ⇒ Braking, stopping and parking
Lever for:
- Manual gearbox ⇒ Changing gear
- Automated manual gearbox ⇒ Changing gear
Button for city emergency brake function ⇒ City emergency brake function
Overview of the front passenger side
Fig. 9 Overview of the front passenger side (left-hand drive vehiclesyf   7 K H  F R Q W U R O V  D U H  P L U U R U H G  L Q  
right-hand drive vehicles
Key for ⇒ Fig. 9:
Location of front passenger front airbag in the dash panel ⇒ Airbag system
Vent ⇒ Heating, ventilating, cooling
To the side of the dash panel: key-operated switch for disabling the front passenger front 
airbag ⇒ Airbag system
Opening lever for the stowage compartment or open stowage compartment ⇒ Stowage 
area
Symbols in the roof
SymbolMeaning
Interior lights and reading lights ⇒ Lights
Electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof ⇒ Electric panorama 
sliding/tilting glass roof
Instrument cluster
Warning and indicator lamps
The warning and indicator lamps indicate various warnings ⇒, faults ⇒ or certain functions. 
Some warning and indicator lamps light up when the ignition is switched on and should go out once 
the engine is running or the vehicle is in motion.
Acoustic warning signals are sounded when some warning or indicator lamps light up.
SymbolMeaning ⇒See
Handbrake is applied.
⇒ Braking, stopping 
and parkingDo not drive on!
Brake fluid level too low or fault in the brake system.
Flashing: Do not drive on!
Coolant level too low, coolant temperature too high or 
coolant level system faulty.
⇒ Coolant
Flashing: Do not drive on!
Engine oil pressure too low.⇒ Engine oil
⇒ Steering 

SymbolMeaning ⇒See
Do not drive on!
The electromechanical steering is faulty or not working.
Driver or front passenger seat belt not fastened.
⇒ Seat belts
There are objects on the front passenger seat.
Fault in the alternator.⇒ Vehicle battery
Vehicles with start/stop system: manual engine start 
required.
⇒ Pull-away assist 
systems
Fault in the automated manual gearbox.⇒ Changing gear
Lit up: there is a fault in the ESC, or it has been switched of 
for system-related reasons
OR: together with the ABS indicator lamp : ABS fault.
OR: the vehicle battery has been reconnected.
⇒ Braking, stopping 
and parking
Flashing: ESC/TCS is taking corrective action.
Lit up: Traction Control fault or switched off for system-
related reasons.
Flashes: Traction Control active.
ABS faulty or not functioning.
The rear fog light is switched on.⇒ Lights
Lit up or flashing: catalytic converter fault.⇒ Engine 
management 
system and exhaust 
purification system
Engine management system fault (Electronic Power 
Controlyf .
Electromechanical steering function reduced.⇒ Steering
Petrol tank nearly empty.⇒ Filling the tank
Natural gas tank nearly empty.⇒ Filling the tank
Fault in airbag and belt tensioner system.⇒ Airbag system
Automated manual gearbox overheated, or the gears 
cannot be selected correctly.⇒ Changing gear
Flashing: vehicle with an automated manual gearbox is not 
secured from rolling away.
Changing gear 
⇒ Changing gear
Braking, stopping 
and parking 
⇒ Braking, stopping 
and parking
Turn signal left or right.⇒ Lights
Hazard warning lights switched on.⇒ In an emergency
Cruise control system is controlling the speed.⇒ Cruise control 
system (CCSyf
Depress the brake pedal.
Changing gear 
⇒ Changing gear
Braking, stopping 
and parking 
⇒ Braking, stopping 
and parking
Main beam is switched on or the headlight flasher is being 
operated.⇒ Lights
Engine coolant temperature is too low in vehicles with 
natural gas engine.⇒ Coolant
Seat belt fastened for a rear seat passenger.
⇒ Seat belts
Seat belt not fastened for a rear seat passenger.
Immobilizer active.⇒ Starting and 
stopping the engine
After switching on the ignition: Display to indicate that a 
service is due soon.
⇒ Instruments
Black ice warning. The outside temperature is below 
+4°C (+39°Fyf .
Flashing quickly: City emergency brake function braking 
automatically or has braked automatically.
⇒ City emergency 
brake function
Flashing slowly: City emergency brake function currently 
not available.
City emergency brake function has been switched on 
manually. Switches off after approx. 5 seconds.
City emergency brake function has been switched off 
manually.
Lit up: start/stop system is available. 
Flashing: start/stop system is not available.⇒ Pull-away assist 
systemsStart/stop system is available, but an automatic engine stop 
is not possible. 

SymbolMeaning ⇒See
⇒ Changing gear
Flashing in conjunction with the remaining segments of the 
fuel tank display: fuel tank nearly empty.⇒ Filling the tank
Note about information in the vehicle wallet.
Instruments
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Instrument overview
⇒ Displays
⇒ Service interval display
When the outside temperature is low, the display in the instrument cluster may take slightly longer 
to appear than it does when the outside temperatures is higher.
Additional information and warnings:
\f