
pending on the equipment level, the background lighting provides indirect light in various areas of 
the vehicle interior. 
The front footwell may also be illuminated. 
The brightness of the background lighting can be adjusted in the Infotainment system in the Vehicle 
settings menu Infotainment system controls and displays 
 
The lights go out when the vehicle is locked or after a delay of a few minutes when the vehicle key is 
removed from the ignition lock. This prevents the 12-volt vehicle battery from discharging. 
 
Some settings can be stored in the user accounts of the personalisation function and therefore 
change automatically when the user account changes Personalisation 
Visibility 
Wipers 
Operating the wiper lever 
 
Fig. 83 On the right of the steering column: operating the windscreen wipers. 
 
Fig. 84 On the right of the steering column: operating the rear window wiper. 
The wipers will work only when the ignition is switched on and the bonnet and boot lid are closed. 
Move the wiper lever to the desired position   

to the windscreen, the wiper blades and the wiper motor: 
The wiper lever is located in the basic position. 
Snow and ice have been removed from the wiper blades and door windows. 
Wiper blades that have become frozen onto the glass have been carefully loosened. Volkswagen 
recommends using a de-icer spray for this. 
 
NOTICE 
Do not switch on the wipers when the window is dry. Using the wipers when the window is dry can 
damage the glass. 
 
When switched on, the wipers will temporarily be switched to the next setting down when the 
vehicle is stationary. 
 
When parking the vehicle in cold weather, it may be helpful to leave the front windscreen wipers in 
the service position to make it easier to loosen the wiper blades Wiper blades 
Wiper function 
Automatic activation of the rear window wiper 
The rear window wiper is switched on automatically if the windscreen wipers are switched on and 
reverse gear is engaged. Automatic switch-on when reverse gear is selected can be activated and 
deactivated in the Infotainment system in the Vehicle settings menu Infotainment system controls 
and displays 
Heated washer jets 
The heating defrosts frozen washer jets. The heating output is automatically regulated depending on 
the ambient temperature when the ignition is switched on. Only the jets are heated, not the hoses 
that the washer fluid flows through. 
Rain/light sensor 
 
Fig. 85 On the right of the steering column: wiper lever.  

-back 
function is not active. 
The roll-back function does not prevent fingers or other body parts from being pressed against the 
roof frame and being injured. 
 
When the glass roof is open, the electric sun blind can be closed only up to the front edge of the 
glass roof. 
Heating and air conditioning system 
Heating, ventilating, cooling 
 Introduction 
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects: 
Front controls
Air recirculation mode
Seat heating
Steering wheel heating
Troubleshooting
The following systems may be installed in the vehicle 
Both the manual air conditioning system and Climatronic heat, cool and dehumidify the air. It works 
most effectively when the windows and the glass roof are closed. If heat has built up in the vehicle 
interior, ventilating the vehicle can speed up the cooling process. 
Display of activated functions 
Lit up LEDs on rotary knobs and buttons indicate that the function is switched on. 
 
WARNING 
Poor visibility through the windows increases the risk of collisions and accidents, which can cause 
serious injuries. 
Keep all windows free from ice, snow and condensation to maintain good visibility. 
Adjust the heating, air conditioning system and rear window heating so that condensation does not 
form on the windows. 
Only set off once all windows are clear. 
Use air recirculation mode for a short period only. If the cooling system is switched off, condensation 
can form on the windows very quickly in air recirculation mode and reduce visibility considerably.  

button in the air conditioning block. 
Touch the Air Care function button. 
Touch the Active function button to switch the Air Care function on or off. 
Synchronising the temperature settings 
Press the  button to adopt the temperature settings of the driver side for the front passenger 
side. 
Automatic mode 
The automatic mode ensures constant temperatures in the vehicle interior. The air temperature, air 
quantity and air distribution are regulated automatically. Automatic mode switches off if ventilation 
is adjusted manually. 
Cooling mode 
Press the button in the air conditioning block to switch cooling mode on or off. 
In cooling mode, the air is dehumidified. 
Maximum cooling 
Manual air conditioning system: turn the left rotary control to position . Air 
recirculation mode is switched on automatically. 
Climatronic: press the  button. Air recirculation mode is switched on automatically 
and the air distribution is set to the position. 
/ Temperature 
Manual air conditioning system: turn the left rotary control Fig. 91 
Climatronic: turn the outer rotary controls Fig. 92to adjust the temperatures for the driver 
and front passenger sides. 
The set temperatures are displayed above the rotary controls for Climatronic. 
Seat and steering wheel heating 
Press the buttons  or  to switch the seat heating on and off Seat heating 
To operate the seat heating and steering wheel heating at the same time with the button, link 
the two functions via the air conditioning settings in the Infotainment system Switching the 
steering wheel heating on or off together with the seat heating (only for Climatronic) 
/ Auxiliary heater  

 
Steering wheel heating 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The steering wheel heating works when the engine is running. 
Switching the steering wheel heating on and off via the Infotainment system 
Manual air conditioning system: press the  button on the Infotainment system and 
touch the Vehicle and function buttons. 
Climatronic: open the air conditioning settings in the Infotainment system. 
Touch the function button to switch the steering wheel heating on and off. 
Switching the steering wheel heating on or off together with the seat heating (only for Climatronic) 
Open the air conditioning settings in the Infotainment system. 
Touch the function button. 
Touch the Link seat/steering wheel heating function button to link the steering wheel heating with 
the seat heating. 
Press the button to switch the steering wheel heating on or off together with the seat heating. 
Selecting a temperature setting (only for Climatronic) 
Open the air conditioning settings in the Infotainment system. 
Touch the function button. 
Touch the Setting function button to select a temperature setting. 
Three temperature settings are available. The selected setting is saved when the ignition is switched 
off. The temperature setting for the steering wheel heating is unrelated to the temperature setting 
for the seat heating. 
Switch-off conditions 
The steering wheel heating will be switched off automatically if one of the following conditions is 
met: 
Seat heating for the driver seat is switched off (if Link seat/steering wheel heating is active). 
Power consumption is too high. 
There is a fault in the steering wheel heating system. 
Troubleshooting 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings 

pping the engine 
Ignition lock 
 
Fig. 99 To the right of the steering wheel: positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock. 
When there is no vehicle key in the ignition lock, the steering column lock may be activated. 
Vehicle key positions Fig. 99
Ignition switched off. The vehicle key can be removed. 
Ignition switched on. Steering lock can be released. The diesel engine is pre-heated and the 
indicator lamp  lights up yellow. 
Depress the brake pedal when the indicator lamp  lights up green. Start the engine. Release 
the vehicle key as soon as the engine starts. Once released, the vehicle key moves back to position 
Fig. 
0 
Ignition switched on warning 
A warning message appears in the instrument cluster display if the driver door is opened while the 
ignition is switched on. A signal tone may also be given. 
The warning is a reminder that the ignition must be switched off before leaving the vehicle. 
 
WARNING 
Improper or unsupervised use of the vehicle keys can cause accidents or serious injuries. 
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 when the vehicle is locked. 
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. 
Never remove the vehicle key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The steering column lock 
may be activated and you will no longer be able to steer the vehicle.  

 
Only attach light objects weighing less than 100 g to the vehicle key. 
 
NOTICE 
The 12-volt battery may be discharged unintentionally and prevent the engine from restarting if the 
ignition is switched on while the engine is switched off. 
Always switch off the ignition before you leave the vehicle. 
 
For vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox in some markets: if the vehicle key cannot be 
removed from the ignition lock when the vehicle is stopped, move the selector lever to P. If 
necessary, press the lock button in the selector lever and then release it. 
Starter button 
The starter button replaces the ignition lock (Press & Drive). 
 
Fig. 100 In the lower section of the centre console: starter button for starting the engine. 
The starter button is used to start the vehicle (Press & Drive). 
The vehicle can be activated only if there is a valid vehicle key in the vehicle. 
When leaving the vehicle, the electronic steering column lock will be activated when the ignition is 
switched off and the driver door is opened Steering 
Switching the ignition on and off 
Press the starter button once without depressing the brake or clutch pedal  
Automatic ignition switch-off 
The ignition switches off automatically after a short time if the driver moves away from the vehicle 
with the vehicle key when the ignition is switched on. If the dipped beam headlights were switched 
on at the time, the side lights will remain switched on for approximately 30 minutes. The side lights 
can be switched off manually or by locking the vehicle Lights 
Automatic ignition switch-off in vehicles with a start/stop system  

 
The brake servo will not work when the engine is switched off. More force is required on the brake 
pedal to stop the vehicle. 
If the vehicle key is removed from the ignition, the steering lock may activate and you will no longer 
be able to steer the vehicle. 
 
WARNING 
The components of the exhaust system become very hot. This can cause fires and serious injuries. 
Never park the vehicle so that parts of the exhaust system can come into contact with any 
inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. undergrowth, leaves, dry grass, spilt fuel etc. 
Never apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, catalytic 
converters, heat shields or particulate filter. 
 
NOTICE 
If the vehicle has been driven at high load for a long period, the engine can overheat when it is 
switched off. In order to avoid damage to the engine, allow the engine to run in neutral position for 
approximately 2 minutes before switching it off. 
 
After the engine is switched off, the radiator fan in the engine compartment may run on for some 
minutes, even if the ignition is switched off or the vehicle key has been removed. The radiator fan 
will switch itself off automatically. 
Electronic immobiliser 
The immobiliser helps to prevent the engine from being started and driven with an unauthorised 
vehicle key. 
There is a chip in the vehicle key. The immobiliser is automatically deactivated by this when a valid 
vehicle key is inserted in the ignition lock. 
The electronic immobiliser is automatically activated when the vehicle key is removed from the 
ignition lock. In vehicles with Keyless Access, the vehicle key must be outside the vehicle. 
The engine can be started only using a Volkswagen Genuine vehicle key with the correct code. 
Coded vehicle keys are available from a Volkswagen dealership. 
 
Problem-free operation of the vehicle is guaranteed only with Volkswagen Genuine vehicle keys. 
Troubleshooting