ripping of the tread surface and thus to a loss of control over the vehicle.
Driving on steep terrain
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Driving uphill or downhill
Get out of the vehicle and assess the situation before you attempt to drive up or down a hill:
Walk along the section and check the firmness of the ground. Look out for obstacles and other
hidden dangers
Check the section beyond the hill.
You should not follow the route if it is too steep, uneven or if the ground surface is too loose. Select
another route.
Drive slowly and at constant speed straight up or down a slope.
Accelerate only to the speed you need to climb the slope. Too much acceleration can cause the
wheels to spin and lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. Insufficient throttle increases the
probability of stalling the engine.
Never attempt to stop or turn on a slope.
Avoid allowing the engine to stall.
Do not change gear or engage the clutch when climbing a slope.
Use the offroad display Offroad display
If you cannot continue to drive up a hill
Never turn the vehicle around on an uphill gradient.
If the engine has stalled, depress the footbrake and start the engine again.
Select reverse gear and reverse back slowly in a straight line.
Use the foot brake to keep a constant speed until you have reached a safe place.
Driving downhill
Never exceed the tilt angle of the vehicle! If, in an emergency, you have to traverse the slope when
driving down it and the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer into the fall line immediately.
There is an increased risk of rolling over when driving downhill. Concentrate on steering the vehicle
when driving downhill in particular.
Use the offroad display on steep downhill stretches Offroad display
Drive down steep inclines in first gear.
Use the foot brake sparingly in order not to lose control of the vehicle.
Do not press the clutch and do not select neutral.
WARNING
Never try driving up or down an incline if it is too steep for the vehicle. The vehicle could slide away,
tip over or roll.
The uphill or downhill gradient must be no greater than the maximum permissible gradient for the
vehicle.
Always drive up and down gradients in the fall line.
Never turn the vehicle when driving up or down gradients. The vehicle could tip over or slide away
sideways.
If the engine stops or if you cannot drive on for any reason, stop the vehicle and depress the brake
pedal. Start the engine again. Select reverse gear, release the brake pedal and using the engine
braking effect to carefully reverse in a straight line along the fall line. Keep the vehicle speed low and
constant.
If you are unable to start the engine, keep your foot steady on the brake pedal and allow the vehicle
to roll back down the track you made when driving up the hill. Keep the vehicle speed low and
constant.
Never let the vehicle roll backwards down a slope in neutral. You could lose control over the vehicle.
Traversing a slope
Fig. 115 Steering into the fall line.
Lock the vehicle.
Additional points to note on uphill and downhill gradients
Before switching off the engine, turn the steering wheel so that the front wheels will roll against the
kerb if the parked vehicle starts to move.
When facing downhill, turn the wheels so that they face the kerb.
When facing uphill, turn the wheels so that they face the centre of the road.
WARNING
The components of the exhaust system become very hot. This can cause fires and serious injuries.
Never park the vehicle where parts of the exhaust system can come into contact with inflammable
material underneath the vehicle, e.g. undergrowth, leaves, dry grass, spilt fuel, oil etc.
WARNING
The vehicle may roll away if you leave and park the vehicle incorrectly. This can cause accidents and
serious injuries.
Ensure that the electronic parking brake is switched on before you leave the vehicle and the
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up red after you switch off the ignition.
Never remove the vehicle key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The steering lock may be
activated and you will no longer be able to steer or control the vehicle.
Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle. They could switch off the
electronic parking brake, or move the selector lever or gearshift lever, and thus set the vehicle in
motion.
Always take all vehicle keys with you every time you leave the vehicle. The engine can be started and
electrical equipment such as the window controls can be operated. This can cause serious injury.
Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle. They could become trapped
in the vehicle in an emergency and may not be able to get themselves to safety. For example, locked
vehicles may be subjected to very high or very low temperatures depending on the season. This can
cause serious injuries and illness or fatalities, especially in the case of small children.
NOTICE
Objects that protrude from the ground can damage the bumper and other components when
parking the vehicle or driving out of a parking space. Always take care when driving into parking
spaces with high kerbs or fixed boundaries. Stop before the wheels touch the fixed boundaries or
kerbs.
stopped using the foot brake
Pull the button. The vehicle brakes hard. A signal tone can be heard at the same time.
WARNING
Incorrect use of the electronic parking brake can cause accidents and serious injuries.
Never use the electronic parking brake to brake the vehicle, except in emergencies. The braking
distance is considerably longer as only the rear wheels are braked. Always use the foot brake.
WARNING
Failing to park the vehicle properly before leaving it may result in the vehicle rolling away. This can
cause accidents, serious injuries and damage to property.
Always park the vehicle in the specified order Parking
Ensure that the electronic parking brake is switched on before you leave the vehicle and the
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up red after you switch off the ignition.
Troubleshooting
Fault in electronic parking brake
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. Go to a qualified workshop or a Volkswagen dealership.
Electronic parking brake does not switch off
The prerequisites for switch off are not met.
OR: the 12-volt vehicle battery is discharged.
Check whether all requirements for switching off the electronic parking brake are met Switching
off
Use jump leads Jump starting the vehicle
Noises from the electronic parking brake
You may hear noises when the electronic parking brake is switched on and off.
If the electronic parking brake has not been used for a long period, the system will carry out
occasional automatic and audible checks when the vehicle is parked.
Auto Hold function
Fig. 126 In the centre console: button for the Auto Hold function.
Description of the Auto Hold function
The Auto Hold function can hold the vehicle stationary. It is not necessary to hold the vehicle with
the foot brake in this case.
The Auto Hold function is active when the indicator lamp in the button Fig. 126
(arrow) lights up yellow and the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster display lights up green.
The Auto Hold function stops holding the vehicle as soon as it moves off.
If any of the conditions for the Auto Hold function change while the vehicle is stationary, the Auto
Hold function will switch off automatically. The green indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
display then goes out together with the yellow indicator lamp in the button.
Switching on the Auto Hold function
The Auto Hold function can be switched on when the driver door is closed and the engine has been
started.
Press the button button Fig. 126
(arrow) lights up yellow. The Auto Hold function is operational, but the vehicle is not necessarily held
stationary
DSG
WARNING
Improper use of the cigarette lighter can cause fires, burns and other serious injuries.
Always use the cigarette lighter properly, and only use it to light tobacco products.
Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. The cigarette lighter can be used when the ignition
is switched on.
The cigarette lighter socket can also be used as a 12-volt socket Electrical sockets
Electrical sockets
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
Electrical sockets in the vehicle
Electrical equipment can be connected to the sockets in the vehicle.
The electrical devices must be in good condition. Do not use faulty devices.
The 12-volt socket will work only when the ignition is switched on.
WARNING
Improper use of the sockets and electrical accessories can cause fires and severe injuries.
Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. Sockets and the devices connected to them can be
used when the ignition is switched on.
If the electrical device gets too hot, switch off the device immediately and disconnect it from the
socket.
NOTICE
In order to prevent damage to the electrical system, never connect equipment that supplies electric
power, such as solar panels or battery chargers for charging the 12-volt battery, to the 12-volt
socket.
Use only electrical devices that have been approved in accordance with current guidelines
concerning electromagnetic compatibility.
In order to avoid damage due to voltage fluctuations, always switch off any electrical devices before
switching the ignition on or off and before starting the engine. When the start/stop system
WARNING
A roof carrier that has not been approved for the vehicle or a roof carrier that is fitted to a vehicle
that is not approved for use with a roof carrier may cause accidents or injuries.
Use only roof carriers that have been approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle type.
Never use a roof carrier on a vehicle that has not been approved for use with a roof carrier.
A roof carrier that is fitted nevertheless may become loose whilst the vehicle is in motion and fall
from the vehicle roof.
NOTICE
Securing a roof carrier of any kind to a vehicle that is not approved for use with a roof carrier may
lead to severe damage to the vehicle.
Securing roof carriers
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Special roof carriers must be used to transport luggage, bicycles, skis, surfboards or boats safely
Attaching the roof bars and load carrier
Mount roof bars to the roof railing according to the installation instructions provided.
Once you have fitted the roof bars, you can then secure the respective carrier system on them.
WARNING
Incorrectly attaching and using the roof bars and load carrier could cause the whole roof carrier to
fall off the roof. This could cause accidents and injuries.
Only use roof bars and load carriers when they are undamaged and fitted correctly.
Always fit roof bars and load carriers correctly. Always observe the installation instructions provided
by the manufacturer.
Attach the roof bars only at the specified mounting points.
Special roof carriers for items such as bicycles, skis, surfboards etc. should always be properly
installed. Always observe the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Check that the roof carrier is secured before starting your journey and tighten as necessary after
driving a short distance. During a long trip, check all screw connections and fasteners at each stop.
Do not carry out any modifications or repairs to the roof bars or the load carrier.
The vehicle height exceeds the required clearance height, e.g. in a garage.
NOTICE
Always remove the roof carrier before driving through an automatic car wash.
The height of the vehicle is changed by the installation of a roof carrier and the load secured to it.
Check and compare the height of the vehicle with clearance heights, e.g. for underpasses and garage
doors.
The roof carrier and its load must not obstruct you from opening and closing the glass roof and the
boot lid. The roof aerial must also remain unaffected.
Driving with a fitted roof carrier will increase air resistance and thus increase fuel consumption.
Trailer towing
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
Technical requirements
Fitting the removable ball head
Removing the ball head
Notes on towing a trailer
Loading the trailer
Driving with a trailer
Trailer stabilisation
Retrofitting a towing bracket
The vehicle can be used to tow a trailer if it has the required technical equipment for this. The
additional trailer load will affect the amount of wear, fuel consumption and performance of the
vehicle and, in certain circumstances, could shorten the service intervals.
Driving with a trailer not only places an extra load on the vehicle, but also requires increased
concentration on the part of the driver.
Vehicles with start/stop system
When using towing brackets that were not retrofitted by Volkswagen, the start/stop system must be
deactivated manually using the button in the centre console before towing a trailer, and it must
remain deactivated for as long as a trailer is being towed