Depending on the vehicle equipment level, symbols may be displayed in the instrument cluster
instead of warning lamps.
Some warning and indicator lamps are not available in all markets.
For details on indicator lamps which light up in the light switch, see Chapter Lights ⇒ Lights.
SymbolMeaning
Central warning lamp. Observe the additional information on the
instrument cluster display.
Do not drive on!
The electronic parking brake is switched on ⇒ Electronic parking
brake.
Do not drive on!
Brake fluid level too low or fault in the brake system ⇒ Brake fluid.
Do not drive on!
Coolant level too low ⇒ Engine coolant, engine coolant temperature
too high or fault in the cooling system ⇒ Coolant temperature display.
Do not drive on!
Engine oil pressure too low ⇒ Engine oil.
Flashing: Do not drive on! Fault in the electronic steering column
lock ⇒ Steering.
Lit up: electromechanical steering has failed ⇒ Steering.
Driver or front passenger seat belt not fastened ⇒ Seat belts.
OR: there are objects on the front passenger seat ⇒ Seat belts.
Brake or take evasive action.
Collision warning from area monitoring system (Front Assistyf ⇒ Area
monitoring system (Front Assistyf.
OR: collision warning from Pedestrian Monitoring ⇒ Pedestrian
Monitoring.
Depress the brake pedal. ⇒ DSG dual clutch gearbox, ⇒ Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACCyf.
Fault in the alternator ⇒ 12-volt vehicle battery.
Front brake pads worn. Go to a qualified workshop immediately. All
brake pads should be checked and renewed as necessary
⇒ Information on the brakes.
Central warning lamp. Observe the additional information on the
instrument cluster display.
Electronic Stability Control (ESCyf ⇒ Brake support systems.
Traction control system (TCSyf ⇒ Brake support systems.
OR: off-road driving profile active ⇒ Driving profile selection and
4MOTION Active Control.
Anti-lock brake system faulty or not functioning ⇒ Brake support
systems.
Electronic parking brake fault ⇒ Electronic parking brake.
Rear fog light switched on ⇒ Lights.
Partial or complete failure of the vehicle lighting, excluding cornering
light ⇒ Changing bulbs.
Lit up: there is a fault that affects the exhaust emissions
⇒ Troubleshooting.
Flashing: misfiring, which damages the catalytic converter
⇒ Troubleshooting.
Engine management system fault (Electronic Power Controlyf
⇒ Troubleshooting.
Engine speed limited (protection against overheatingyf
⇒ Troubleshooting.
Lit up: electromechanical steering reduced
OR: the 12-volt battery has been disconnected and reconnected
⇒ Steering.
Flashing: steering column is wound-up or is not unlocked/locked
⇒ Steering.
Lit up: tyre pressure too low ⇒ Tyre monitoring systems.
Flashing: fault in tyre monitoring system ⇒ Tyre monitoring systems.
Fault in the rain/light sensor ⇒ Wipers.
Fault in wipers ⇒ Wipers.
Washer fluid level too low ⇒ Wipers.
Fuel tank almost empty ⇒ Fuel gauge.
Lit up: engine oil level too low ⇒ Engine oil.
Flashing: engine oil system fault ⇒ Engine oil.
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If the front brake pads are tested, the rear brake pads should be tested at the same time.
Regularly check the thickness of the brake pads through the openings in the rims or from the
underside of the vehicle. If necessary, remove the wheels to carry out a comprehensive check.
Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Driving with a loaded vehicle
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
For good vehicle handling when driving a loaded vehicle, please observe the following:
•Stow all items of luggage securely ⇒ Stowing luggage and loads.
•Accelerate particularly cautiously and carefully.
•Avoid sudden braking and driving manoeuvres.
•Brake earlier than in normal driving.
•If applicable, observe the information concerning the roof carrier ⇒ Roof carrier.
•If applicable, observe the information about driving with a trailer ⇒ Trailer towing.
Driving with an open boot lid
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Driving with an open boot lid is particularly dangerous. All objects and the open boot lid must be
secured properly. Take the appropriate measures to reduce the amount of poisonous exhaust
fumes that could enter into the vehicle.
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react more slowly and require longer
braking distances.
•Carefully apply the brakes to test them.
•Always dry brakes and clean off any coating of ice and salt with a few cautious
applications of the brake when visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
WARNING
Driving without the brake servo can considerably increase the braking distance and thus
cause accidents and serious injuries.
•Never switch the engine or ignition off while the vehicle is in motion.
•If the brake servo does not function or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will
have to be depressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to
the lack of assistance for the brake system.
WARNING
Moving loads can severely impair the vehicle's stability and driving safety which could
cause accidents and severe injuries.
•Secure objects properly to prevent them from sliding.
•Use suitable straps when securing heavy objects.
•Engage the rear seat backrests and the adjustable rear bench seat securely.
WARNING
•Gently push the selector lever forwards ⊕ or back ㊀ to shift gear up or down ⇒ Fig. 124.
When moving the selector lever in the Tiptronic gate, do not press the lock button on the selector
lever.
Operating Tiptronic with the paddles
•Pull the right paddle ⇒ Fig. 125 towards the steering wheel to change up a gear.
•Pull the left paddle towards the steering wheel to change down a gear.
•To leave Tiptronic mode, pull the right paddle towards the steering wheel for approximately one
second.
Tiptronic is automatically deactivated if the selector paddles are not operated for some time and the
selector lever is not in the Tiptronic gate.
Driving with DSG dual clutch gearbox
The gearbox changes the forward gears up and down automatically.
Driving down hills
The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear you will need. Lower gears increase the braking effect
of the engine. Never allow the vehicle to roll down mountains or hills in the neutral position N.
•Reduce your speed.
•Push the selector lever from position D/S to the right into the Tiptronic gate ⇒ Changing gear
using Tiptronic.
•Gently push the selector lever to the rear to change down gear.
•OR: shift down using the paddles on the steering wheel ⇒ Changing gear using Tiptronic.
Stopping and pulling away on an uphill gradient
The steeper the uphill gradient, the lower the gear you will need.
If you wish to stop the vehicle or pull away when driving uphill you should use the Auto Hold
function ⇒ Electronic parking brake.
When you stop the vehicle on an incline and the vehicle remains in gear, the vehicle must always
be prevented from rolling by depressing the brake pedal or by applying the electronic parking brake.
The brake pedal or the electronic parking brake should not be released until you pull away ⇒.
Coasting with DSG dual clutch gearbox
In coasting mode, the momentum of the vehicle can be used to save fuel in conjunction with a
foresighted driving style. With the engine-off coasting function, the engine is not just disengaged,
but is also switched off. The engine no longer brakes the vehicle – the vehicle can roll for a longer
distance. The function is available only in the selector lever position D/S and at speeds of
approximately 30 – 130 km/h (18 mph – 80 mphyf .
An automatic engine start may take place in order to ensure reliable engine restarting and to
guarantee the power supply of the vehicle electrical system.
Triggering coasting
•Select the Eco driving profile from the driving profile selection menu ⇒ Driving profile selection
and 4MOTION Active Control.
•Remove your foot from accelerator pedal. The engine is disengaged and runs in coasting mode.
The vehicle rolls without the braking effect of the engine. The engine is automatically switched
off on vehicles with engine-off coasting function.
Cancelling coasting mode
•Depress the brake pedal briefly.
•OR: depress the accelerator or brake pedal briefly.
•OR: pull a paddle towards the steering wheel.
•OR: press the selector lever to the Tiptronic position.
Kickdown
The kick down function enables maximum acceleration in the selector lever position D/S or in the
Tiptronic position.
•When accelerating, the gearbox automatically shifts up to the next gear shortly before
the maximum permitted engine speed is reached.
•When shifting down a gear manually, the gearbox will not change gear until the engine
can no longer be overrevved.
NOTICE
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Electronic Stability Control (ESCyf
ESC helps to reduce the risk of skidding and to improve driving stability in certain driving situations
⇒.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, ESC can be switched to a Sport mode ⇒ Switching TCS on
and off.
When ESC is regulating, the yellow indicator lamp is shown on the instrument cluster display.
Traction control system (TCSyf
The TCS reduces the drive output if wheelspin occurs and adapts the output to suit road surface
conditions. The TCS makes it easier to pull away, accelerate and drive up hills.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the TCS can be switched off in exceptional circumstances
⇒ Switching TCS on and off.
When the TCS is regulating, the yellow indicator lamp is shown on the instrument cluster
display.
Anti-lock brake system
The anti-lock brake system can prevent the wheels from locking when the brakes are applied up
until the point where the vehicle is nearly stationary and assists the driver in steering the vehicle
and keeping it under control.
Brake assist system
The brake assist system can help to reduce the stopping distance. The brake assist system
reinforces brake pressure when the driver depresses the brake pedal quickly in an emergency
situation.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal when the brake assist system is regulating. If you
reduce the pressure on the brake pedal, the brake assist system will switch off the brake servo.
Electronic differential lock (EDL and XDSyf
EDL brakes the wheel that has lost traction and distributes the driving force to the other drive
wheels.
The EDL switches off automatically under unusually heavy loads to prevent the disc brake from
overheating. The EDL switches back on again automatically as soon as the brake has cooled down.
XDS applies pressure to the brake of the wheel on the inside of the bend. This will improve traction,
helping the vehicle to remain in the required lane longer.
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
In the event of an accident, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System can help the driver to
reduce the risk of skidding, and the danger of secondary collisions, through automatic braking.
The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System functions only in front, side and rear collisions when
the airbag control unit detects a corresponding trigger threshold during the accident.
The ESC brakes the vehicle automatically, provided that the hydraulic braking system, the ESC and
the electrical system are undamaged in the accident and remain functional.
The following actions override automatic braking in the event of an accident:
•When the driver depresses the accelerator. No automatic braking occurs.
•When the brake pressure transmitted through the depressed brake pedal is greater than the
brake pressure provided by the system. The vehicle is braked manually.
•Switch off TCS: press the button for around one second.
•Switch on ESC Sport: press the button for longer than three seconds.
•Switch on TCS: press the button again. ESC Sport is switched off.
Troubleshooting
Warning and indicator lamps in the event of faults
Do not drive on! Brake system fault. Seek expert assistance immediately ⇒.Lit
up: ABS failure or defect. Go to a qualified workshop. The vehicle can be braked without ABS.
Lit up: ESC switched off by the system. Switch the ignition on and off. Drive a short distance at a
speed of 15 – 20 km/h (9 – 12 mphyf L I Q H F H V V D U \ , I still lights up, seek expert assistance.
Notes on the brake support systems
If you suspect that there is a malfunction in the systems, read and observe the following notes:
•The ESC and TCS can function properly only if all four wheels are fitted with the same tyres.
Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can cause the system to reduce engine power
unexpectedly.
•If there is a fault in the anti-lock brake system, the ESC, TCS and EDL will also stop working.
•Operating noises may be heard during the self-regulation processes of the systems explained
above.
Practical equipment
Stowage areas
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Stowage compartment on the driver side
⇒ Stowage compartment on the front passenger side
⇒ Stowage compartment in the dash panel
⇒ Stowage compartment in the front centre armrest
⇒ Stowage compartment in the roof console (glasses compartmentyf
⇒ Folding table
⇒ Drawers
⇒ Coat and bag hooks
Use stowage compartments only to stow light or relatively small objects.
A factory-fitted CD changer, Apple iPod adapter, USB connection or multimedia socket
(MEDIA-INyf may be located in the stowage compartment in the centre armrest.
•If the brake warning lamp lights up together with the ABS indicator lamp , the
control function of the anti-lock brake system may have failed. This can cause the rear
wheels to lock quickly when you brake. Locked rear wheels can lead to a loss of
control of the vehicle. If possible, reduce your speed and drive carefully at low speed
to the nearest qualified workshop in order to have the brake system tested. Avoid
sudden braking and driving manoeuvres on the way.
•The anti-lock brake system is not functioning correctly if the ABS indicator lamp
does not go out or comes on while the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle can be stopped
using the normal brakes only (without the anti-lock brake systemyf 7 K H S U R W H F W L R Q
provided by the anti-lock brake system is no longer available. Go to a qualified
workshop as soon as possible.
WARNING
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Waxing
Waxing protects the paintwork. At the latest when water no longer clearly forms small drops and
runs off the paintwork when the vehicle is clean, you should re-wax the vehicle with a good wax
solution.
Even if a preservative wax is applied regularly in the automatic car wash, Volkswagen recommends
protecting the vehicle paintwork at least twice a year using Volkswagen Genuine hard wax (-
000 096 317 -yf .
Polishing
Polishing is only necessary if the paint has lost its shine, and the gloss cannot be brought back by
applying wax.
Wash the vehicle only in specially provided wash bays This prevents waste water
contaminated with oil, grease or fuel from entering the sewerage system.
Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior
Fig. 251 Between the engine compartment and the windscreen: plenum chamber (illustrationyf .
Fig. 252 In the rear of the vehicle: rear view camera in the Volkswagen badge or in the number
plate lighting.
The following overview contains recommendations for cleaning and care of individual vehicle
components ⇒.
Windows, glass surfaces: remove wax residue, e.g. from care products, using the Volkswagen
Genuine cleaning cloth - 000 096 166 A - or a suitable glass cleaner.
Use a hand brush to remove snow and ice. If you use a plastic scraper, move it in one direction
only.
After the car has been washed, the braking effect could set in later than normal and extend
the braking distance as the brake discs and brake pads will be wet, or iced up in winter.
•You can dry and de-ice the brakes by performing careful braking manoeuvres. Ensure
that you do not endanger any other road users or violate any legal regulations when
doing so.
WARNING
Incorrectly washing the vehicle can cause serious damage to the vehicle.
•Always follow the instructions exactly.
•Never wash the vehicle in direct sunshine.
•Never aim a water jet directly at locks, doors or the boot lid in cold weather. The locks
and seals could freeze.
NOTICE
Painted parts and surfaces with a matt finish, unpainted plastic parts, headlight lenses and
tail light clusters can be damaged if the vehicle is not washed correctly.
•Use only brushless car washes for matt-painted surfaces.
•Do not use hard or abrasive brushes.
NOTICE