mance by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. But, during the break-in period, the stopping distance for hard braking and emergency braking will be longer until the brakes are fully broken in. Avoid hard braking and situations that might require hard braking (such as following other vehicles too closely) – especially during the break-in period.
Brake pad wear depends mostly on operating conditions and the way the vehicle is driven. If you do a lot of city and short-distance driving and/or have a sporty driving style, you should have the brake pads checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility more often than the regular service intervals.
Wet brakes (for example, after driving through water or washing the vehicle or after heavy rainfall) will not brake as well. Stopping distances will be longer when brake discs are wet or, in winter, even icy. Wet or icy brakes must be dried as soon as possible by carefully applying the brakes a couple of times while traveling at a relatively high speed. Make sure nobody is behind you and that you do not endan-
ger yourself or others ⇒ .
Brakes coated with road salt also react slower and need longer stopping distances. If there is salt on the roads and you are not braking regularly, brake carefully and gently from time to time to remove any
salt coating from the brake discs and pads ⇒ .
Brake disc corrosion (rust) and dirt buildup on the brake pads are more likely to occur if the vehicle is not driven much or is driven only for short distances with little braking. If the brakes have not been used and there is some rust on the discs, clean the brake discs and pads once in a while by carefully braking a couple of times while driving at relatively high speed to help clean the brake discs and pads.
Make sure nobody is behind you and that you do not endanger yourself or others ⇒ .
Brake system malfunction
If you brake and find that the vehicle doesn't brake nearly as well as it used to (sudden increase in stopping distance), a brake circuit may have failed. The brake warning light H or " 2 ! + % will light up and a message may appear in the instrument cluster display. If you believe the vehicle is safe to drive, immediately take it to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for repair. Drive slowly and very carefully, allow for the longer stopping distance, and be ready to push longer and harder on the brake pedal to slow the vehicle down.
Electro-mechanical brake booster
The electro-mechanical brake booster works only when the electric motor is activated. It increases the force on the brakes above and beyond the pressure put on the brake pedal by the driver.
If the electro-mechanical brake booster is not working, you will have to push the brake pedal harder to
make up for the lack of booster assistance and the resulting longer stopping distance ⇒ .
WARNING
New brake pads do not provide maximum braking performance.
x New brake pads do not have the best stopping power for the first 185 miles (300 km) and must be “broken in.” You can compensate for the slightly reduced braking force by putting more pressure on the brake pedal.
x Drive with extra care while the new brake pads are being broken in. This reduces the risk of collisions and serious personal injuries due to a loss of control over the vehicle.
x Never follow other vehicles too closely or put yourself into other situations that might require sudden, hard braking, especially when the brake pads have not been broken in.
the battery fluid coming in contact with skin and eyes. If skin or eyes come into contact with bat-tery fluid, rinse the affected areas with clean flowing water for at least 15 minutes and see a doctor immediately.
(3) The high-voltage battery can burn. The high-voltage battery should never be exposed to fire, sparks or naked flames. Always handle the high-voltage battery with care to prevent damage and fluid leaks.
(4) Always keep children away from the high-voltage battery.
(5) You will find further information and warnings in the Owner's Manual and in the workshop manual.
(6) Never remove the cover from the high-voltage battery nor disassemble the high-voltage battery.
(7) Have maintenance work on the high-voltage battery performed only by properly qualified and
trained specialist staff ⇒ . Never make try to modify the high-voltage battery. The opened high-voltage battery should not come into contact with water or other liquids. Liquids can cause short-circuits, electric shocks and burns.
WARNING
Working on the high-voltage battery can cause severe chemical burns, explosions or life-endangering electric shocks.
x Any necessary work should only be carried out by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility .
WARNING
Damage to the high-voltage battery can cause liquids and gases to leak. Harmful substances can then leak and cause injuries. The emitted gases could also potentially cause a fire.
x Do not touch any fluid that leaks out from the high-voltage battery as it can cause chemi-cal burns.
x Call the fire department in the event of a fire. Inform the fire department that the vehicle has an electric drive and high-voltage components.
x Leave the hazard area.
x If you think that the high-voltage battery has been damaged, have the high-voltage battery checked by properly qualified and trained specialist staff.
Charge level display
Fig. 133 In the instrument cluster: Charge level display for high-voltage battery
The current charge level of the high-voltage battery is displayed in the instrument cluster ⇒ fig. 133.
The current range is also shown on the instrument cluster display ⇒ fig. 9.
When the high-voltage battery is fully charged, the needle in the charge level display points to 1.
the charge level of the high-voltage battery has reached the “reserve range” (A) or the vehicle is driving in the reserve range, various indicator lights will light up in the instrument cluster and text
messages will appear in the instrument cluster display ⇒ fig. 9. Charge the high-voltage battery as soon as possible.
WARNING
Driving when the high-voltage battery charge level is too low can lead to stalling in traffic, collisions and serious personal injury.
x Always make sure that the high-voltage battery has enough charge to get where you are going and that the high-voltage battery can be charged when you get there.
Range of the high-voltage battery