
WARNING 
New brake pads will not have the optimal braking effect when first fitted. 
New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 300 km and must first be run 
in. A reduced braking effect can be increased by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. 
In order to reduce the risk of accidents, serious injuries and the loss of control over the vehicle, you 
must drive particularly carefully when driving with new brake pads. 
Never drive too close to other vehicles during the run-in time for the new brake pads and never 
create a driving situation that will place a heavy load on the brakes. 
 
WARNING 
Overheated brakes reduce the braking effect and considerably increase the braking distance. 
When driving downhill, the brakes are placed under particular strain and become hot very quickly. 
Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce speed and change to a lower gear (with manual 
gearboxes or in Tiptronic mode with the automatic gearbox). This will make use of the engine 
braking effect and relieve the load on the brakes. 
Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the brakes and cause them to 
overheat. 
 
WARNING 
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.  

 
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  

Fig. 101 On the right-hand side of the steering column: emergency start function in vehicles with the 
keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access. 
Fault in engine management system 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
Fault in the engine management system. 
The engine should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible. 
Engine speed limited 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
The engine speed was limited to prevent the engine from overheating. 
The engine speed is shown on the instrument cluster display. 
The engine speed limitation will be cancelled again in the following cases: 
Engine is no longer in a critical temperature range. 
Foot is taken off the accelerator. 
together with engine speed limitation due to fault in the engine management system 
The indicator lamps light up yellow. 
Engine speed limitation is activated due to a fault in the engine management system. 
Make sure that the displayed engine speed is not exceeded. 
The engine should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible. 
Glow plug system/engine management system 
Vehicles with diesel engine: 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
When the diesel engine is being pre-heated, the indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster for 
a few seconds.  

 
Clutch is not transmitting the full engine torque. 
If necessary, remove foot from the clutch pedal. 
Clutch overheated 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
An acoustic warning may also be given  
The clutch can overheat, for example if the vehicle pulls off frequently, travels at a crawl for long 
periods, or in stop and go traffic. 
Overheating is indicated by the warning lamp and in some cases by additional warning lamps and a 
text message in the instrument cluster display. 
You can continue to drive. 
Clutch faulty 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
The clutch is faulty. 
Drive on carefully! 
Seek expert assistance. Failure to do so can cause considerable clutch damage. 
DSG

 
The kickdown function enables maximum acceleration in the selector lever position D/S or in the 
Tiptronic position. 
If the accelerator is depressed fully, the gearbox will automatically shift to a lower gear, depending 
on the speed and engine speed. This will make use of the full vehicle acceleration. 
With the kickdown function, the gearbox does not shift up to the next gear until the engine reaches 
the maximum engine speed for the gear. 
When the Eco driving profile is selected in vehicles with driving profile selection Driving profile 
selection and 4MOTION Active Controland the accelerator is depressed fully beyond the pressure 
point, the engine output is automatically regulated to ensure maximum vehicle acceleration. 
 
WARNING 
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, particularly on slippery roads. This can 
cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents and serious injuries. 
Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic. 
Use the kickdown function or fast acceleration only if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions 
permit, and if other road users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and the driving style. 
Please note that the driven wheels could start to spin and the vehicle could skid if the TCS is 
switched off and especially if the road is slippery. 
 
WARNING 
Never let the brakes rub too often and for too long or operate the brake pedal too often or for too 
long. Constant braking will cause the brakes to overheat. This will considerably reduce the braking 
power, significantly increase the braking distance and could cause the brake system to fail 
completely. 
 
NOTICE 
Never let the brakes rub by applying light pressure when it is not necessary. This will increase levels 
of wear. 
Troubleshooting  

ext message and signal tone are repeated approximately every 10 seconds, park the vehicle 
safely as soon as possible and switch the engine off. Allow the gearbox to cool down. 
Do not drive on until the signal tone stops in order to avoid damage to the gearbox. You should not 
pull away or drive the vehicle at very low speeds while the gearbox is overheated. 
Downhill speed control 
The downhill speed control system helps when braking and travelling downhill in vehicles with a 
DSG

prior to downhill gradients (manual gearbox or Tiptronic mode of the 
automatic gearbox) to additionally make use of engine braking. The brake system could otherwise 
overheat and fail. 
 will change because of the 
trailer load and the increased combined towing weight of the vehicle and trailer. 
When driving with this combination, drive particularly carefully and slowly. 
Pulling off on slopes when towing a trailer 
Depending on the steepness of the uphill gradient and the total weight of the trailer and vehicle, a 
vehicle towing a trailer could roll back a short distance when moving off on a hill. 
When towing a trailer, pull off on slopes as follows: 
 
once to switch off the electronic parking brake Electronic parking brake 
ly. 
Manual gearbox: selecting a gearor selector lever position D/SDSG

Petrol 
Refuelling 
 Checking the engine oil level and refilling the engine oil 
Jump starting the vehicle 
If you notice misfiring, loss of power or uneven running when driving, reduce speed immediately and 
have the vehicle checked by a qualified workshop Troubleshooting
enter the exhaust system and escape into the atmosphere. The catalytic converter can also be 
damaged by overheating. 
 
The emissions may have a sulphur-like smell even when the exhaust purification system is working 
properly. 
Particulate filter 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Function 
Fuel standards 
Refuelling 
Engine oil sta
Jump starting the vehicle 
Periodic regeneration 
The soot in the particulate filter is burnt off at high temperatures on a periodic basis. 
To assist the regeneration of the particulate filter, Volkswagen recommends that you avoid making 
only short journeys. 
Noises, slight smells and increased engine speeds may occur during regeneration. The radiator fan 
may run on while the vehicle is moving or when the engine has been switched off. 
 
During the periodic regeneration process, the yellow indicator lamp does not light up. 
Troubleshooting 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Irregular engine running and faults