
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  

- 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:
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Fig. 11 Instrument cluster in the dash panel: type 2
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Depending on the equipment level, the scale divisions may look slightly different in type 2 ⇒ Fig. 11
.
Descriptions of the instruments ⇒ Fig. 10 or ⇒ Fig. 11:
Speedometer in km/h or in mph and km/h, depending on vehicle.
Displays⇒ Displays.
Reset button for the trip recorder display (tripyf .
- Press the  button briefly to switch between the trip recorder and the 
odometer.
- Press the  button for about 5 seconds to reset the trip recorder and any 
other indicators in the multifunction display ⇒ Volkswagen information system.
Fuel gauge⇒ Filling the tank.
Rev counter (running engine speed in revolutions x 1,000 per minuteyf .The start of the red 
zone on the dial indicates the maximum engine speed that may be used in each gear when the 
engine is warm and after it has been run in properly. It is advisable to change up a gear or lift 
your foot off the accelerator before the needle reaches the red zone ⇒.
Setting button for the clock or for switching between outside temperature display and 
clock.
- To set the clock, select the time display if not already selected. To do this, push the 
rocker switch ⇒ Fig. 12② up or down, or press setting button ⇒ Fig. 11⑥.
- Press and hold the  button to mark the hour display so that it flashes.
- Press the  button to continue. Press and hold to scroll through quickly.
- Press the  button again briefly to select the minute display so that it flashes.
- Press the  button to continue. Press and hold to scroll through quickly.
- Press the  button again to finish setting the clock.
Changing up a gear early will help to save fuel and minimise engine noise.
Other instruments, such as the outside temperature display, can be shown in the screen of 
the portable navigation device (delivered by Volkswagenyf  ⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs and 
renewal of parts.
Displays
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Depending on the vehicle equipment level, a variety of information can be displayed in the 
instrument cluster ⇒ Fig. 10② or ⇒ Fig. 11②:
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Warning and information displays
The system checks certain components and functions in the vehicle when the ignition is switched 
on or while the vehicle is in motion. Functional faults are indicated by warning symbols on the 
instrument cluster display (⇒ Warning and indicator lampsyf   $ Q  D F R X V W L F  Z D U Q L Q J  L V  D O V R  J L Y H Q  L Q  
certain cases. Different instrument cluster designs will have different displays.
Distance displays
The odometer registers the total distance travelled by the car.
The trip recorder (tripyf  V K R Z V  W K H  G L V W D Q F H  W U D Y H O O H G  V L Q F H  W K H  W U L S  U H F R U G H U  Z D V  O D V W  U H V H W   7 K H  I L Q D O  
digit shows distances of 100 m.
Outside temperature display
If the outside temperature falls below +4°C (+39°Fyf   W K H  G L V S O D \  D O V R  V K R Z V  D  V Q R Z I O D N H  V \ P E R O   L F H  
warningyf   7 K L V  V \ P E R O  I O D V K H V  D Q G  W K H Q  U H P D L Q V  F R Q V W D Q W O \  O L W  X Q W L O  W K H  R X W V L G H  W H P S H U D W X U H  U L V H V  
above +6°C (+43°Fyf  ⇒.
When the vehicle is stationary or travelling at very low speeds, the temperature displayed may be 
slightly higher than the actual outside temperature as a result of the heat radiated from the engine.
The measuring range lies between -40℃ (-40°Fyf  D Q G     
       r ) \f.
Selector lever positions
The chosen selector lever position is indicated by luminous lettering on the selector lever. In 
position D the selected gear and the current position are shown in the instrument cluster display. In 
position  (Tiptronicyf  R Q O \  W K H  V H O H F W H G  J H D U  L V  V K R Z Q  ⇒ Changing gear.
Gear-change indicator (manual gearboxyf
While the vehicle is in motion, the instrument cluster may show which gear should be selected to 
reduce fuel consumption ⇒ Changing gear.
Belt status display for the rear seats
Once the ignition has been switched on, the driver can see the belt status display in the instrument 
cluster display and therefore can tell whether or not the rear passengers have fastened their seat 
belts ⇒ Seat belts.
Start/stop system status display
The instrument cluster display shows information about the current status ⇒ Pull-away assist 
systems.
The design and content of displays may vary, as different instrument clusters are available.
Failure to observe the warning lamps could lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and 
to accidents and serious injuries.
\f

If several warning reports are detected, the symbols will appear for several seconds, one 
after another. The symbols will continue to appear until the faults are rectified.
Service interval display
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The service display is shown on the instrument cluster ⇒ Fig. 10 or ⇒ Fig. 11②.
Service schedules at Volkswagen are divided into two categories, with oil change, e.g. interval 
service, and without oil change, e.g. inspection service. This service interval display only provides 
information on services that include oil change. The sticker on the door pillar of the vehicle and the 
service schedule booklet provide information on all other services, for example, the next inspection 
service or brake fluid service.
In vehicles with service dependent on the time/distance travelled, the service intervals are fixed.
Service
If a service is due, an acoustic signal will sound and a service reminder in text form  will 
appear for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on. Volkswagen recommends that the 
scheduled service should be carried out within the next 100 km (approximately 62 milesyf .
Resetting the service interval display
If the service was not performed by a Volkswagen dealership, the display can be reset in the 
instrument cluster as follows:
Switch off the ignition.
Press and hold the  button.
Restart the ignition.
Release the  button and press it again briefly within approximately 10 seconds.
Do not reset the service interval display between service intervals otherwise incorrect data may be 
shown.
The service message will go out after a few seconds once the engine is running or when the 
 button in the windscreen wiper level ⇒ Fig. 12① is pressed.
If the vehicle battery is disconnected for long periods, the system will not be able to calculate 
the time when the next service is due. The service displays could then display incorrect information. 
If this is the case then please observe the maximum service intervals shown in ⇒BookletService 
schedule,.
Volkswagen information system
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Using the displays in the instrument cluster
⇒ Multifunction display (MFDyf
Various different displays can be accessed via the instrument cluster display once the ignition has 
been switched on.
The scope of the displays in the instrument cluster depends on the vehicle electronics and the level 
of vehicle equipment.
A qualified workshop can program and modify other functions depending on the vehicle equipment 
level. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Additional information and warnings:
\f