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If the front brake pads are checked, the rear brake pads should be checked at the same time. A
visual check of the thickness of all brake pads should be carried out regularly by checking 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 a loaded vehicle
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
WARNING
Moving loads can severely impair the vehicle's stability and driving safety which could cause
accidents and serious injuries.
Secure items properly so they cannot slide about.
Use suitable lashing or securing straps when securing heavy objects.
Securely engage the rear seat backrests.
Driving with an open boot lid
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.
WARNING
Driving with an unlocked or open boot lid can cause serious injuries.
Always drive with the boot lid closed.
Always stow all items in the luggage compartment securely. Loose objects can fall out of the luggage
compartment and injure other road users.
Always drive especially carefully and think ahead.
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move unpredictably.
Any objects protruding from the luggage compartment must be marked to ensure that they are
visible to other road users. Comply with legal regulations.
If items protrude out of the luggage compartment, never use the boot lid to wedge them into place
or hold them in position.
If you have to drive with the boot lid open, you must remove any carriers and the loads attached to
them from the boot lid.
WARNING
Poisonous exhaust fumes could enter the vehicle interior when the boot lid is open. This could result
in loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious injury and accidents.
You should always drive with the boot lid closed in order to prevent poisonous exhaust fumes from
entering the vehicle.
If exceptional circumstances require you to drive with an open boot lid, you must do the following to
reduce the amount of poisonous exhaust fumes that could enter into the vehicle:
Close all windows and the glass roof.
Switch off the air recirculation mode of the heating and fresh air system or air conditioning system.
Open all vents in the dash panel.
Switch the blower for the heating and fresh air system or for the air conditioning system to the
highest setting.
NOTICE
The vehicle height, and possibly the length, are different when the boot lid is open.
Driving through water
Please follow these points in order to prevent damage to your vehicle when driving through water,
for example on flooded streets:
Check how deep the water is before driving through it. The water may be no higher than the lower
edge of the body
Do not drive faster than walking speed.
Never stop the vehicle, reverse or switch off the engine while in water.
Oncoming vehicles will create waves that could increase the water level for your vehicle to such an
extent that it is not safe to drive through the water.
Always deactivate the start/stop system manually when driving through water Start/stop system
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WARNING
After driving through water, mud, slush etc., the brakes may react slowly and the braking distance
will be increased as the brake discs and pads will be wet, or possibly iced up in winter.
Dry and de-ice the brakes using careful braking manoeuvres. Make sure that you do not endanger
any other road users or violate any legal regulations when doing so.
Avoid abrupt and sudden braking manoeuvres directly after driving through water.
NOTICE
If you drive through water, parts of the vehicle, such as the engine, gearbox, running gear and
vehicle electrics, could sustain severe damage.
Never drive through salt water as salt can cause corrosion. Immediately rinse all components that
have been exposed to salt water with fresh water.
Running in the engine
A new engine has to be run in during the first 1,500 kilometres. This enables all the moving parts to
bed in together. During the first few operating hours, the engine has higher internal friction than it
does later.
Do not depress the accelerator fully.
Do not drive the vehicle at more than 2/3 of the maximum engine speed.
Gradually increase speed and engine speed.
The style of driving during the first 1,500 kilometres will also affect the engine quality. Even after this
time and especially with a cold engine drive the vehicle at moderate engine speeds in order to
reduce engine wear and to increase the mileage that the engine can cover.
Do not drive at engine speeds which are too low. Always shift down gear if the engine is not running
smoothly.
New tyres Wheels and tyresand brake pads Notes on drivingmust be run in carefully.
If the engine is run in gently, its life will be increased and its oil consumption reduced.
Using the vehicle in other countries and continents
The vehicle is produced at the factory specifically for a certain country and complies with this
country's registration regulations valid at the time of vehicle production.
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instructions should be followed Safety
If the vehicle is going to be sold in another country or used in another country for an extended
period, the legal requirements applicable in that country must be observed.
In some cases, certain equipment will have to be fitted or removed and functions deactivated. The
scope of services and service types could also be affected. This is particularly important if the vehicle
is driven in another climate region for a long period of time.
Because different frequency bands are used in different countries, the factory-fitted Infotainment
system may not work in other countries.
NOTICE
Volkswagen is not responsible for any vehicle damage caused by low-quality fuel, inadequate
servicing work or non-availability of Genuine Parts.
Volkswagen cannot be held responsible if the vehicle does not comply with or only partly complies
with the relevant legal requirements in other countries and continents.
Troubleshooting
Unusual braking behaviour
The warning lamp lights up red.
A text message may also be displayed.
The vehicle does not brake in the usual way or the braking distance is longer than normal.
There is a malfunction in the brake system.
Go to the nearest qualified workshop without delay.
Drive at low speed and be prepared for longer braking distances and the need to apply increased
pedal pressure.
Brake pad wear indicator
The indicator lamp lights up yellow.
Front brake pads are worn.
Go to a qualified workshop immediately.
All brake pads should be checked and renewed as necessary.
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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.
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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
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off automatically when engine stop is active when the vehicle is stationary:
The driver seat belt has been unfastened.
No pedals are depressed.
The driver door is opened.
If the ignition is deactivated automatically while the dipped beam headlights are switched on,
the side lights remain switched on and lit for approximately 30 minutes.
The side lights can be switched off manually or will go off when the vehicle is locked.
Engine restart function
If no valid vehicle key is detected in the vehicle interior once the engine has been switched off, the
engine can be restarted within approximately five seconds. A corresponding message appears on the
instrument cluster display.
After this time, the engine cannot be re-started without a valid vehicle key in the vehicle interior.
WARNING
Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury.
Do not depress the brake or clutch pedal when the ignition is switched on as the engine will start
immediately.
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. Children or unauthorised
persons could lock the vehicle, start the engine, switch on the ignition or operate electrical
equipment such as the electric windows.
Before leaving the vehicle, always switch off the ignition manually and observe any information
shown on the instrument cluster display.
Leaving the vehicle stationary for long periods with the ignition switched on can discharge the 12-
volt vehicle battery so that the engine can no longer be started.
Starting the engine
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Fig.
0
switched on.
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button once. The ignition is switched on.
Vehicles with a diesel engine: during the diesel engine preheating phase, the indicator lamp
lights up in the instrument cluster.
Depress and hold the brake pedal until the electronic parking brake has been switched off.
Vehicles with manual gearbox: fully depress the clutch pedal and hold it until the engine has
been started. Move the gear lever to neutral position.
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: move the selector lever to position P or N.
Vehicles with ignition lock: turn the vehicle key to position Fig.
0do not depress the
accelerator.
Release the vehicle key once the engine has started.
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button Starter buttondo not depress the
accelerator. There must be a valid vehicle key in the vehicle before the engine can be started.
If the engine does not start immediately, switch off the starter and try again after about a minute.
Vehicles with starter button: perform an emergency start if necessary No valid vehicle key
recognised
Vehicles with starter button: the starter button is deactivated if the vehicle was locked with the
vehicle key. If you are in the vehicle and need to start the engine, unlock the vehicle first or perform
an emergency start No valid vehicle key recognised
Switch off the electronic parking brake if you wish to pull away.
WARNING
The risk of serious injury can be reduced with the engine running or when starting the engine.
Never start or run the engine in unventilated or enclosed spaces. The exhaust fumes contain carbon
monoxide, an odourless and colourless toxic gas. Carbon monoxide can cause people to lose
consciousness. It can also cause death.
Never start or run the engine if oil, fuel or any other highly flammable fluids are under or near the
vehicle, or are leaking out of the vehicle, e.g. as the result of damage.