
 
Engine   Engine 
ID 
code  
Trailer with 
brakes  
Trailer 
without 
brakes  
Trailer 
hitch 
tongue 
weight  
All gasoline 
engines  
all   2000 lbs 
(907 kg)  
1650 lbs 
(748 kg)  
200 lbs 
(91 kg)  
 
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and the Gross Axle Weight Rating 
must not be exceeded, even with a trailer. These ratings are listed on 
the safety compliance label on the driver door jamb ⇒ page 55, Im-
portant vehicle labels. When a trailer is towed, the weight of the ball 
mount and the tongue weight of the trailer are added to the vehicle 
weight ⇒  Determining the correct load limit. 
The trailer weight ratings given above are valid only up to altitudes of 
3000 ft (1000 m) above sea level. The maximum permissible com-
bined towing weight must be reduced by about 10% for every 3000 ft 
(1000 m), or portion thereof, of additional altitude. 
  WARNING 
Exceeding the gross trailer weight rating and tongue weight 
can cause accidents and serious personal injury. 
  Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed 
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Never let the combined 
front and rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 
(GVWR).  
  NOTICE 
Exceeding the gross weight ratings can cause extensive vehicle 
damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warran-
ty. 
   

 
There are limits to the load any vehicle or any tire can carry. A vehicle 
that is overloaded will not handle well and is more difficult to stop. 
Overloading can damage important parts of the vehicle. Overloading 
can also lead to blowout, sudden loss of pressure or other tire failure 
that can cause loss of control. 
Your safety and the safety of your passengers depends on making 
sure that load limits are not exceeded. Vehicle load includes every-
body and everything in and on the vehicle. These load limits are 
technically referred to as the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 
(GVWR). 
The GVWR includes the weight of the basic vehicle, all factory-
installed and other accessories, a full tank of fuel, oil, coolant and 
other fluids plus maximum load. The maximum load includes the 
number of passengers that the vehicle is intended to carry (seating 
capacity) with an assumed weight of 150 lbs (68 kg) for each passen-
ger at a designated seating position and the total weight of any lug-
gage in the vehicle. If you tow a trailer, the weight of the trailer hitch 
and the tongue weight of the loaded trailer must be included as part 
of the vehicle weight. At altitudes above 3000 ft (1000 m), combined 
towing weight (vehicle plus trailer) must be reduced by 10% for every 
3000 ft (1000 m). 
The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum load that 
can be carried at each of the vehicle's 2 axles (by the front or rear 
tires). GVWR and GAWR are listed on the safety compliance label on 
the driver door jamb. Because there is an upper limit to your vehicle's 
total weight (GVWR), the weight of whatever is being carried (includ-
ing the weight of a trailer hitch and the tongue weight of the loaded 
trailer) is also limited. More passengers, or passengers who are heav-
ier than the assumed 150 lbs (68 kg), mean that less weight can be 
carried as luggage or other cargo. The tire pressure label on your 
Volkswagen also lists the maximum combined weight of all of the oc-
cupants and luggage or other cargo that the vehicle can carry.  

 
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit:  
4.   The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and 
luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there 
will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of 
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-
750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)  
5.   Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being 
loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the 
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.  
6.   If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will 
be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this Manual to determine 
how this reduces the available cargo and luggage capacity of 
your vehicle.  
 Check the tire sidewall to determine the load index specified for 
the tire.  
 
UTQG classification 
 

 
(2) Strap indicating the location of the storage compartment handle 
(3) MDI (MEDIA-IN) jack in the pull-down storage compartment 
Opening and closing the glove compartment 
If necessary, unlock the glove compartment with the emergency key 
⇒  Vehicle key set. It is locked when the key slot is vertical. 
To open, pull the handle ⇒ fig. 124. 
To close, push the lid up. 
Opening and closing the storage compartment for the Owner's 
Manual or MDI (MEDIA-IN) jack 
Depending on equipment, the storage compartment at the top of the 
glove compartment is designed to hold either the Owner's Manual or 
the MDI (MEDIA-IN) jack. 
The Owner's Manual compartment or MDI (MEDIA-IN) jack is located 
in a storage compartment at the top, which can be pulled down to 
open ⇒ fig. 125 (3). 
The strap  (2) indicates the handle for opening the storage compart-
ment. 
If the vehicle is not equipped with the MDI (MEDIA-IN) jack, always 
keep the Owner's Manual in this storage compartment. To stow the 
Owner's Manual, place it in the slot with the binding facing the inside 
of the glove compartment door. 
Holders 
Depending on the model, there may be holders for a pen and a note-
pad in the glove compartment. 
Cooling the glove compartment 
There is an air vent (1) in the back of the glove compartment. Cool air 
can be directed into the glove compartment if the air conditioner is on. 
Open or close the air vent by turning it.  

 
  WARNING 
Never leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. 
The vehicle could move suddenly, especially when the vehicle 
is in gear, resulting in accidents and personal injury.  
  WARNING 
“Starting fluids” can explode and can cause a “run-away” vehi-
cle condition. 
  Never use starting assist fluids.  
  NOTICE 
  You can damage the starter or the engine if you try to start the 
engine when the vehicle is still moving, or if you try to restart the 
engine right after switching it off. 
  Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle acceleration, and heavy 
engine loads when the engine is cold. 
  Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle. 
Unburned fuel can get into the catalytic converter and damage it. 
The steering column may also be locked. 
  Do not let your vehicle warm up while standing; instead, start 
driving right away after making sure that you have good visibility 
through all windows. This will help the engine reach operating tem-
perature faster and keep down emissions. 
  If the remote control vehicle key battery is weak or dead, the 
starter button will not start the engine. In this case, start the engine by 
inserting the vehicle key in the ignition switch ⇒ Vehicle key positions 
in the ignition switch. 
  Major consumers of electricity are temporarily switched off when 
the engine is being started. 
  After starting a cold engine, there may be increased operating 
noises for a few seconds. This is normal and harmless.