
Owner's manual*Owner's manual
Owner's manual
RCD 210, RCD 215
Replacement service schedule
Edition: 11.2012
Item number: 132.5R1.BUP.20
Refers to a section within a chapter that contains important information and safety
notes that should always be observed.
Indicates that the section is continued on the next page.
Indicates the end of a section.
Indicates situations in which the vehicle must be stopped as quickly as possible.
®Indicates a registered trademark. However, the absence of this symbol does not
constitute a waiver of the rights concerning any term.
⇒
Symbols like these refer you to warnings within the same section or on a given
page. They draw your attention to possible risks of accident or injury and explain
how they can be avoided.
⇒Cross reference to information about possible damage to your vehicle within the
same section or on a given page.
Texts with this symbol contain additional information on the protection of the environment.
Texts with this symbol contain additional information.
Thank you for choosing Volkswagen
By purchasing this Volkswagen, you have become the owner of a vehicle fitted with the most up-to-
date technology and a multitude of convenience functions for your use and enjoyment.
Before using your vehicle for the first time, please read and observe the information in this
owner's manual. It will quickly help you to become familiar with your vehicle and all of its
functions as well as making you aware of dangers to yourself and others and of how these
dangers can be avoided.
If you have any further questions about your vehicle, or if you think that the vehicle wallet has not
covered everything, please get in touch with your Volkswagen dealership. They will always be
happy to deal with your questions, suggestions or problems.
up!
Description of symbols
Texts with this symbol indicate dangerous situations which will lead to fatal or severe injuries
if you do not observe the warning.
DANGER
Texts with this symbol indicate dangerous situations which could lead to fatal or severe
injuries if you do not observe the warning.
WARNING
Texts with this symbol indicate dangerous situations which could lead to slight or severe
injuries if you do not observe the warning.
CAUTION
Texts with this symbol indicate situations which could cause vehicle damage if you do not
observe the warning.
NOTICE
Description of symbols
Thank you for choosing Volkswagen
About this owner's manual
Overview of the vehicle
Before the journey
While driving
Cleaning and maintenance
If and when
Abbreviations
Index
Epilog

Fig. 8 Overview of the lower section of the centre console
Key for ⇒ Fig. 8:
Stowage compartment with drink holder in the centre console ⇒ Drink holder
Ashtray ⇒ Ashtray and cigarette lighter
12-volt socket or cigarette lighter ⇒ Socket⇒ Ashtray and cigarette lighter
Handbrake ⇒ Braking, stopping and parking
Lever for:
- Manual gearbox ⇒ Changing gear
- Automated manual gearbox ⇒ Changing gear
Button for city emergency brake function ⇒ City emergency brake function
Overview of the front passenger side
Fig. 9 Overview of the front passenger side (left-hand drive vehiclesyf 7 K H F R Q W U R O V D U H P L U U R U H G L Q
right-hand drive vehicles
Key for ⇒ Fig. 9:
Location of front passenger front airbag in the dash panel ⇒ Airbag system
Vent ⇒ Heating, ventilating, cooling
To the side of the dash panel: key-operated switch for disabling the front passenger front
airbag ⇒ Airbag system
Opening lever for the stowage compartment or open stowage compartment ⇒ Stowage
area
Symbols in the roof
SymbolMeaning
Interior lights and reading lights ⇒ Lights
Electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof ⇒ Electric panorama
sliding/tilting glass roof
Instrument cluster
Warning and indicator lamps
The warning and indicator lamps indicate various warnings ⇒, faults ⇒ or certain functions.
Some warning and indicator lamps light up when the ignition is switched on and should go out once
the engine is running or the vehicle is in motion.
Acoustic warning signals are sounded when some warning or indicator lamps light up.
SymbolMeaning ⇒See
Handbrake is applied.
⇒ Braking, stopping
and parkingDo not drive on!
Brake fluid level too low or fault in the brake system.
Flashing: Do not drive on!
Coolant level too low, coolant temperature too high or
coolant level system faulty.
⇒ Coolant
Flashing: Do not drive on!
Engine oil pressure too low.⇒ Engine oil
⇒ Steering

SymbolMeaning ⇒See
Do not drive on!
The electromechanical steering is faulty or not working.
Driver or front passenger seat belt not fastened.
⇒ Seat belts
There are objects on the front passenger seat.
Fault in the alternator.⇒ Vehicle battery
Vehicles with start/stop system: manual engine start
required.
⇒ Pull-away assist
systems
Fault in the automated manual gearbox.⇒ Changing gear
Lit up: there is a fault in the ESC, or it has been switched of
for system-related reasons
OR: together with the ABS indicator lamp : ABS fault.
OR: the vehicle battery has been reconnected.
⇒ Braking, stopping
and parking
Flashing: ESC/TCS is taking corrective action.
Lit up: Traction Control fault or switched off for system-
related reasons.
Flashes: Traction Control active.
ABS faulty or not functioning.
The rear fog light is switched on.⇒ Lights
Lit up or flashing: catalytic converter fault.⇒ Engine
management
system and exhaust
purification system
Engine management system fault (Electronic Power
Controlyf .
Electromechanical steering function reduced.⇒ Steering
Petrol tank nearly empty.⇒ Filling the tank
Natural gas tank nearly empty.⇒ Filling the tank
Fault in airbag and belt tensioner system.⇒ Airbag system
Automated manual gearbox overheated, or the gears
cannot be selected correctly.⇒ Changing gear
Flashing: vehicle with an automated manual gearbox is not
secured from rolling away.
Changing gear
⇒ Changing gear
Braking, stopping
and parking
⇒ Braking, stopping
and parking
Turn signal left or right.⇒ Lights
Hazard warning lights switched on.⇒ In an emergency
Cruise control system is controlling the speed.⇒ Cruise control
system (CCSyf
Depress the brake pedal.
Changing gear
⇒ Changing gear
Braking, stopping
and parking
⇒ Braking, stopping
and parking
Main beam is switched on or the headlight flasher is being
operated.⇒ Lights
Engine coolant temperature is too low in vehicles with
natural gas engine.⇒ Coolant
Seat belt fastened for a rear seat passenger.
⇒ Seat belts
Seat belt not fastened for a rear seat passenger.
Immobilizer active.⇒ Starting and
stopping the engine
After switching on the ignition: Display to indicate that a
service is due soon.
⇒ Instruments
Black ice warning. The outside temperature is below
+4°C (+39°Fyf .
Flashing quickly: City emergency brake function braking
automatically or has braked automatically.
⇒ City emergency
brake function
Flashing slowly: City emergency brake function currently
not available.
City emergency brake function has been switched on
manually. Switches off after approx. 5 seconds.
City emergency brake function has been switched off
manually.
Lit up: start/stop system is available.
Flashing: start/stop system is not available.⇒ Pull-away assist
systemsStart/stop system is available, but an automatic engine stop
is not possible.

SymbolMeaning ⇒See
⇒ Changing gear
Flashing in conjunction with the remaining segments of the
fuel tank display: fuel tank nearly empty.⇒ Filling the tank
Note about information in the vehicle wallet.
Instruments
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Instrument overview
⇒ Displays
⇒ Service interval display
When the outside temperature is low, the display in the instrument cluster may take slightly longer
to appear than it does when the outside temperatures is higher.
Additional information and warnings:
\f

Warning and information displays
The system checks certain components and functions in the vehicle when the ignition is switched
on or while the vehicle is in motion. Functional faults are indicated by warning symbols on the
instrument cluster display (⇒ Warning and indicator lampsyf $ Q D F R X V W L F Z D U Q L Q J L V D O V R J L Y H Q L Q
certain cases. Different instrument cluster designs will have different displays.
Distance displays
The odometer registers the total distance travelled by the car.
The trip recorder (tripyf V K R Z V W K H G L V W D Q F H W U D Y H O O H G V L Q F H W K H W U L S U H F R U G H U Z D V O D V W U H V H W 7 K H I L Q D O
digit shows distances of 100 m.
Outside temperature display
If the outside temperature falls below +4°C (+39°Fyf W K H G L V S O D \ D O V R V K R Z V D V Q R Z I O D N H V \ P E R O L F H
warningyf 7 K L V V \ P E R O I O D V K H V D Q G W K H Q U H P D L Q V F R Q V W D Q W O \ O L W X Q W L O W K H R X W V L G H W H P S H U D W X U H U L V H V
above +6°C (+43°Fyf ⇒.
When the vehicle is stationary or travelling at very low speeds, the temperature displayed may be
slightly higher than the actual outside temperature as a result of the heat radiated from the engine.
The measuring range lies between -40℃ (-40°Fyf D Q G
r ) \f.
Selector lever positions
The chosen selector lever position is indicated by luminous lettering on the selector lever. In
position D the selected gear and the current position are shown in the instrument cluster display. In
position (Tiptronicyf R Q O \ W K H V H O H F W H G J H D U L V V K R Z Q ⇒ Changing gear.
Gear-change indicator (manual gearboxyf
While the vehicle is in motion, the instrument cluster may show which gear should be selected to
reduce fuel consumption ⇒ Changing gear.
Belt status display for the rear seats
Once the ignition has been switched on, the driver can see the belt status display in the instrument
cluster display and therefore can tell whether or not the rear passengers have fastened their seat
belts ⇒ Seat belts.
Start/stop system status display
The instrument cluster display shows information about the current status ⇒ Pull-away assist
systems.
The design and content of displays may vary, as different instrument clusters are available.
Failure to observe the warning lamps could lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and
to accidents and serious injuries.
\f

If several warning reports are detected, the symbols will appear for several seconds, one
after another. The symbols will continue to appear until the faults are rectified.
Service interval display
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The service display is shown on the instrument cluster ⇒ Fig. 10 or ⇒ Fig. 11②.
Service schedules at Volkswagen are divided into two categories, with oil change, e.g. interval
service, and without oil change, e.g. inspection service. This service interval display only provides
information on services that include oil change. The sticker on the door pillar of the vehicle and the
service schedule booklet provide information on all other services, for example, the next inspection
service or brake fluid service.
In vehicles with service dependent on the time/distance travelled, the service intervals are fixed.
Service
If a service is due, an acoustic signal will sound and a service reminder in text form will
appear for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on. Volkswagen recommends that the
scheduled service should be carried out within the next 100 km (approximately 62 milesyf .
Resetting the service interval display
If the service was not performed by a Volkswagen dealership, the display can be reset in the
instrument cluster as follows:
Switch off the ignition.
Press and hold the button.
Restart the ignition.
Release the button and press it again briefly within approximately 10 seconds.
Do not reset the service interval display between service intervals otherwise incorrect data may be
shown.
The service message will go out after a few seconds once the engine is running or when the
button in the windscreen wiper level ⇒ Fig. 12① is pressed.
If the vehicle battery is disconnected for long periods, the system will not be able to calculate
the time when the next service is due. The service displays could then display incorrect information.
If this is the case then please observe the maximum service intervals shown in ⇒BookletService
schedule,.
Volkswagen information system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Using the displays in the instrument cluster
⇒ Multifunction display (MFDyf
Various different displays can be accessed via the instrument cluster display once the ignition has
been switched on.
The scope of the displays in the instrument cluster depends on the vehicle electronics and the level
of vehicle equipment.
A qualified workshop can program and modify other functions depending on the vehicle equipment
level. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Additional information and warnings:
\f

Lights
up or
flashes
Possible causeSolution
Seat belt not fastened for a rear seat
passenger.Fasten the seat belt.
Seat belt fastened for a rear seat
passenger.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is
switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.
An acoustic signal will sound for a few seconds if the seat belts are not fastened as the car pulls off
and reaches a speed of more than approximately 25 km/h (15 mphyf R U L I W K H V H D W E H O W V D U H
unfastened while the vehicle is in motion. The warning lamp will also flash.
When the ignition is switched on, the warning lamp will not go out until the driver and front
passenger fasten their seat belts.
Belt status display for the rear seats
After the ignition has been switched on, the belt status display ⇒ Fig. 43 in the instrument cluster
display shows the driver whether the rear seat passengers have fastened their seat belts. The
symbol indicates that the passenger on this seat has fastened his or her seat belt.
The belt status display will be shown for approximately 30 seconds if a seat belt is fastened or
unfastened on the rear seats. The display can be hidden by pressing the button in
the instrument cluster.
If a seat belt for one of the rear seats is unfastened while the vehicle is in motion, the belt status
display will flash for a maximum of 30 seconds. If the vehicle is travelling faster than approximately
25 km/h (15 mphyf D Q D F R X V W L F V L J Q D O Z L O O D O V R V R X Q G .
Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 44 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall
Fig. 45 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle striking a brick wall
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The physical principles involved in a frontal collision are relatively simple. As soon as the vehicle is
in motion ⇒ Fig. 44, both the moving vehicle and its passengers gain kinetic energy.
The higher the vehicle speed and the heavier the weight of the vehicle, the greater the amount of
energy that will have to be released in the event of an accident.
However, the most significant factor is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed doubles from
approximately 25 km/h (15 mphyf W R D S S U R [ L P D W H O \ b N P K b P S K \f, for example, the kinetic
energy increases by a factor of four.
The amount of kinetic energy depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the vehicle
and passengers. The higher the speed and the heavier the weight, the greater the amount of
energy that will be released in the event of an accident.
Incorrectly fastened or unfastened seat belts increase the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Seat
belts only offer the optimum level of protection when they are used properly.
WARNING

Fig. 115 In the instrument cluster: variant A: fuel gauge for petrol, variant B: fuel gauge for petrol
Fig. 116 In the instrument cluster display: fuel gauge for petrol
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The fuel gauge can vary according to the vehicle equipment level ⇒ Fig. 115 or ⇒ Fig. 116.
Lit upNeedle position
⇒ Fig. 115
Possible cause ⇒Solution
Red marking ①
Fuel tank nearly empty.
Reserve quantity is being used
⇒ Capacities.
Fill the tank with petrol
as soon as possible ⇒
.
Blue marking ②
Natural gas fuel tank nearly
empty.
Reserve quantity is being used.
Refuel with natural gas
as soon as possible ⇒
.
Flashes for
approximately
10 seconds
Position of the
bar ⇒ Fig. 116
Possible cause ⇒Solution
Reserve fuel
marking flashes for
approximately 10
seconds (four small
segmentsyf
Fuel tank nearly empty.
Reserve quantity is being used
⇒ Capacities.
Fill the tank as soon as
possible ⇒.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is
switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.
Natural gas engines
Things to note: if the vehicle is parked for an extended period directly after refuelling, it may well
occur that the pointer for the natural gas engine does not indicate the fuel level shown directly after
refuelling. This does not mean that there is a leak in the system but but rather that, for technical
reasons the pressure has been decreased in the natural gas tank.
The small arrow next to the petrol pump symbol ⇒ Fig. 115 in the display instrument shows
you the side of the vehicle on which the tank flap is located.
Only applies for vehicles with a fuel gauge in the instrument cluster ⇒ Fig. 115.
Only applies for vehicles with a fuel gauge in the instrument cluster display ⇒ Fig. 116.
Filling the tank with petrol
ayf
byf
Driving the vehicle when the fuel level is too low could lead to your vehicle breaking down in
traffic, accidents and serious injuries.
\f