Snow chains
r-"f"'n First read and observe the introductory L-J=.IJ information and safety warnings & on page 367.
Please heed legislation and also the permitted speed when driving your vehicle with snow chains.
In winter conditions, snow chains will not only im-prove acceleration, but also braking response.
Snow chains may only be fitted on the front wheels-even on four-wheel drive vehicles (4MOTION)-and only with the following wheel and tyre combinations:
Tyre size Wheel
205/65 R16 C 6 1/2 J x 16 offset 51 or61/2Jx16off-set 52
215/65 R16 C 6 112 J x 16 offset 51 or61/2 J x 16 off-set 52
215/60 R17 C 7 J x 17 offset 55 or 7 J x 17 offset 56
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that you ask your Volkswagen Commercial Vehi-cles dealership for information about appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size.
If possible, use snow chains with fine-pitch links which do not protrude more than 15 mm, including the tensioner.
Remove wheel centre covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains For safety reasons cover caps must then be fitted over the wheel bolts. These are available from your Volkswagen Com-mercial Vehicles dealership.
A WARNING
The use of snow chains that are unsuitable for your vehicle or the incorrect installation of snow chains can cause accidents and seri-ous Injuries.
• Always use the correct snow chains.
• Follow the assembly instructions provided by the snow chain manufacturer.
• Never exceed the maximum speed permit-ted for the snow chains that are fitted.
Q)
• Remove the snow chains when driving on roads that are free of snow. The snow chains will otherwise impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out very quickly.
• Snow chains that are in direct contact with the wheel can scratch or damage it. Volkswa-gen Commercial Vehicles recommends using non-scratch snow chains.
m Snow chains are available in a range of sizes l!:.J for a vehicle type.
m When using snow chains on vehicles with a l!:.J tyre monitoring system, an incorrect display may be shown as the snow chains increase the tyre circumference 318.
Vehicle care and maintenance
Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior
o:n Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382 Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors . . . . . . 382
Cleaning and changing wiper blades 383
Waxing and polishing the vehicle 384
Cleaning and caring for chrome and aluminium trim parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Cleaning and caring for the decorative film . . 385
Cleaning wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Care of rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
De-icing door lock cylinders . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . 387
Undersea! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Cleaning the engine compartment . 387
Regular and expert care helps to maintain the val-ue of the vehicle. Proper maintenance may also be one of the requirements for the approval of warran-ty claims in the event of corrosion or paint defects.
Suitable care products are available from Volkswa-gen Commercial Vehicles dealers.
Additional information and warnings:
• Preparation for working in the engine compart-ment ::-page 350
• Cleaning and caring for the interior ::-page 388
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts ::-page 394
A WARNING
Car care products can be toxic and hazard-ous. Unsuitable care products and Incorrect application of care products can cause acci-dents, serious Injuries, burns or poisoning.
• The care product must be kept In Its origi-nal sealed container.
380 Cleaning and maintenance
A WARNING (Continued)
• Read the manufacturer's Instructions .
• Never store car care products in empty food containers, bottles or any other non-original containers as people finding these containers may not know that they contain care products.
• Keep children away from care products .
• The products can give off harmful fumes during use. They should therefore only be used outside or In well-ventilated spaces.
• Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other volatile fluids to wash, clean or care for your vehicle. These substances are toxic and highly Inflammable.
A WARNING
Incorrect care and cleaning of vehicle parts can Impair the safety features of the vehicle and thus cause serious Injury.
• Vehicle parts must be cleaned according to the manufacturer's Instructions.
• Only use approved or recommended cleaning products.
CD
Cleaning agents that contain solvents attack the material and can cause damage.
r:Q:... In the interests of environmental protection, "C!S the vehicle should only be washed in special-ly provided wash bays. This prevents waste water contaminated with oil, grease or fuel from entering the sewerage system. In some countries, washing vehicles anywhere else may be prohibited.
r:Q:... Environmentally-friendly care products "C!S should be used.
r:Q:... Leftover car care products should not be dis-"C!S posed of with ordinary household waste. Read the manufacturer's instructions.
Washing the vehicle
r-f'n First read and observe the introductory Information and safety warnings & on page 380.
The longer substances such as insects, bird drop-pings, resinous tree sap, road dirt, industrial de-posits, tar, soot or road salt and other corrosive materials remain on the vehicle, the more damage they do to the paintwork. High temperatures (for in-stance in strong sunlight) accelerate the corrosion process. The underside of the vehicle should also be cleaned thoroughly and regularly.
Car washes
Please observe the signs on the automatic car wash. Before using an automatic car wash take the usual precautions, such as closing all windows and folding in the exterior mirrors, in order to avoid damage to the vehicle. You must consult the car wash operator if there are special parts on your ve-hicle such as spoilers, roof luggage carrier systems or radio aerials ::.CD.
The paint is so hard-wearing that the car can nor-mally be washed without problems in an automatic car wash. However, the effect on the paint de-pends to a large extent on the design of the car wash. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recom-mends the use of car washes without brushes.
To remove any wax residue from the windows and to stop wipers rubbing, please note the following points ::.page 382, Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors.
Washing the car by hand
When washing by hand, first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off as well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a glove or a brush using only light pressure. Start with the roof and work from the top to the bottom. Use a shampoo for very stubborn dirt only.
The sponge or glove should be wrung out thor-oughly at regular intervals.
Clean the wheels, sill panels etc. last. Use a differ-ent sponge for this purpose.
A WARNING
Parts of the vehicle with sharp edges can cause Injury.
• Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp parts, for example when cleaning the underbody or the inside of the wheel hous-lngs.
A WARNING
After the car has been washed, the braking effect could set in later than normal and ex-tend the braking distance as the brake discs and brake pads will be wet, or iced up In win-ter.
• You can "dry and de-ice" the brakes by performing careful braking manoeuvres. Make sure that you do not endanger any oth-er road users or violate any legal regulations when doing so.
CD
• The water should be no warmer than +so•c (+140.FJ.
• Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight in order to avoid damage to the vehicle palntwork.
• Never clean with insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar products as these can damage the surface.
• Never clean the headlights with a dry cloth or sponge. Always use a wet cloth or sponge. lt is best to use soapy water.
• Washing the vehicle In cold weather: if the vehicle is rinsed with a hose, do not direct the water at the lock cylinders or the gaps around the doors, boot, or bonnet. The locks and seals could freeze.
CD
Observe the following guidelines before driving the vehicle into an automatic car wash in order to avoid damage to the vehicle:
• Ensure that the gap between the guide rails In the car wash is sufficient for the vehicle track. If the track is too narrow your wheels and tyres will be damaged.
• Switch off the rain sensor before driving the vehicle Into an automatic car wash.
• Check that the car wash is tall and wide enough for your vehicle.
• Fold In the exterior mirrors. Electrically fold-Ing exterior mirrors must be moved electrically. Do not fold them in and out by hand.
• In order to prevent damage to the palntwork on the bonnet, fold the wipers back onto the windscreen after drying the wiper blades. Do not drop the wipers onto the glass.
• Lock the tailgate to prevent it from opening accidentally In the car wash.
Cleaning and caring for chrome and aluminium trim parts
r-('n First read and observe the Introductory l..Jo:-1.1 Information and safety warnings & on page 380.
• Use a damp, clean, lint-free and soft cloth to clean the surfaces.
• For heavy soiling use a special solvent-free cleaning product.
• Polish the chrome and aluminium trim parts us-ing a soft, dry cloth.
CD
To ensure that the chrome and aluminium parts are not damaged:
• Do not clean or polish In direct sunlight.
• Do not clean or polish in sandy or dusty en-vironments.
CD
• Do not use any abrasive care products (e.g. cream cleaners).
• Never clean with Insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar products.
• Do not polish any dirty surfaces.
• Do not use solvent-based cleaning prod-ucts.
• Do not use hard wax.
CD
Chrome rims or wheel covers may also have an additional varnish finish and should not be treated using chrome or aluminium cleaning agents or chrome or aluminium polish. A nor-mal commercially available paint cleaning product should be used instead.
r-('n First read and observe the introductory l..Jo:-1.1 information and safety warnings & on page 380.
Decorative film is a design feature and is made up of soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
In the areas of the vehicle where there is decora-tive film, the underlying paint layer is protected from weather and environmental conditions.
If the decorative film remains on the vehicle for a long time, the appearances of paint on the area protected by the decorative film and the area not covered by the film may begin to show differences. This can usually be rectified by polishing.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that you seek advice from a Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles partner or workshop as to a suitable care product.
Durability of the decorative film
Environmental conditions such as sunlight, mois-ture, pollution, stone impact, etc. affect the durabili-ty and colour of the decorative film. Signs of wear and age are normal and do not indicate a defect in quality.
After the decorative film is fitted, bubble formation may appear due to strong summer heat for exam-ple. These bubbles will usually go away without in-tervention. This will not limit the serviceability of the film in any way.
In warm or moderate climates slight bubble forma-tion may be noticeable after two or three years. In warm or hot climates the decorative film can show signs of wear and slight bubble formation may ap-pear after just one year.
Decorative film may become faded within one year in very hot climates, particularly when there is a build-up of heat due to exposure to sunlight.
Cleaning the decorative film
Decorative film is suitable for automatic car washes provided you do not select a programme with hot wax.
Please pay attention to the information and notes on washing the vehicle =>page 381 and on wash-ing using a high-pressure cleaner =>page 382.
When using presprays and vapour jets always maintain a distance of at least 20 cm between the spray nozzle and the decorative film =>CD.
Insect residue, bird droppings, road dirt, industrial deposits. tar, soot, road salt and other aggressive deposits can cause damage to the decorative film.
The longer the aggressive deposits remain on the decorative film, the worse the negative impact will be. High temperatures (for instance in strong sun-light) accelerate the corrosion process. Immediate-ly wash the vehicle thoroughly using warm water or soapy water =>CD. .,.
Vehicle care and maintenance 385
Remove stubborn impurities carefully using white spirits. and then rinse using warm water. Do not use any aggressive substances such as petrol, thinner or solvents.
Care of the decorative film
Basically, the same care instructions for vehicle paint apply =>page 384.
Treat the decorative film regularly, every 3 months (no longer) with liquid hot wax. Hot wax smooths the surface and has a dirt-repellent effect.
Only use soft microfibre clothes to apply it.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that you seek advice from a Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles partner or workshop as to a suitable care product.
Cleaning wheels
rill First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 380.
Cleaning steel wheels
An industrial cleaner is needed to remove accumu-lated brake dust. Steel wheels should therefore be cleaned regularly with a separate sponge.
Any damage to the paint on steel wheels should be touched up before the metal starts to rust.
Caring for and cleaning alloy wheels
Wash grit and brake dust from alloy wheels ap-proximately every 2 weeks. Then use an acid-free detergent to clean the wheels. Volkswagen Corn-
Care of rubber seals
rill First read and observe the Introductory Information and safety warnings & on page 380.
The rubber seals on the doors, windows etc. will seal better, remain flexible and last longer if they are treated at regular intervals with a suitable care product.
386 Cleanmg and maintenance
• Depending on the condition of the brushes and car wash, fine scratches may appear In the decorative film.
• Remove impurities on the decorative film as soon as possible using suitable cleaning agents in order to avoid long-term damage to the film.
r::l If the surface of the decorative film is dam-L!.J aged, e.g. by the impact of gravel, the dam-age can only be rectified by replacing the whole decorative film element. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends having the work carried out by a qualified workshop.
it is important to remove road salt and brake dust by washing the wheels at regular intervals, to deter corrosion to the alloy.
Always use an acid-free detergent for alloy wheels. Car polish or other abrasive agents should not be used on the wheels.
If the protective coating is damaged, e.g. by stone impact, the damaged area should be repaired im-mediately.
vehicle at moderate speeds in order to reduce en-gine wear and to increase the mileage that the en-gine can cover. Do not drive at engine speeds that are too low. Always shift down gear if the engine is not running smoothly. The following applies up to 1,000 kilometres:
• Do not depress the accelerator fully.
• Do not drive the vehicle at more than 2/3 of the top engine speed.
• Do not drive with a trailer attached.
Accessories and replacement parts
r-1'11 First read and observe the introductory l-J,:::JJ information and safety warnings & on page 394.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that you seek advice from a Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles dealership before purchasing acces-sories, spare parts or service fluids. For example, if the vehicle is to be retrofitted with accessories or if parts have to be renewed. Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicle dealerships can recommend accesso-ries, parts and service fluids which are suitable for your requirements. They can also answer any questions you might have regarding official regula-tions.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends you use only approved Volkswagen accessories and Volkswagen Genuine Parts®. These parts and accessories have been specially tested by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for suitability, re-liability and safety. A Volkswagen Commercial Ve-hicles dealership is also qualified for correct instal-lation.
Although the market is constantly scrutinised, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles cannot assume responsibility for the reliability, safety and suitability of products Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has not approved. Volkswagen Commercial Vehi-cles can therefore assume no responsibility for these parts, even if they have been approved by an official testing agency or are covered by an offi-cial approval certificate.
Service fluids and consumables
r-1'11 First read and observe the introductory l-J,:::JJ information and safety warnings & on page 394.
From 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres, gradually in-crease driving performance to top speed and high-est engine speed.
Running in new tyres and brake pads
• New wheels and tyres =>page 367
• Information on the brakes =>page 272
r:lib If the engine is run in gently, the life of the en-W gine will be increased and its oil consumption
Any retro-fitted equipment which has a direct ef-fect on the vehicle and/or the way it is driven must be approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for use in your vehicle and bear the e mark (the European Union's authorization symbol). These devices include cruise control systems or an elec-tronically controlled suspension.
Any additional electrical components fitted that do not serve to control the vehicle itself must bear the
Incorrectly performed repairs or modifica-tions to your vehicle can impair the effective-ness of the airbags, cause faults, accidents and fatal injury.
• Never secure or mount objects such as drink holders, telephone holders either on or next to the airbag covers or within the de-ployment zone of the airbag.
• Objects either on or next to the airbag module covers or are in the deployment zone of the airbags can cause serious or even fatal injuries should the airbags be activated.
All service fluids and consumables, e.g. toothed belts, tyres, coolant, engine oil, spark plugs and vehicle batteries, are being constantly developed. For this reason, service fluids and consumables
Vehicle care and maintenance I 395
If and when
Practical tips
Frequently asked questions
If you suspect that a vehicle fault has arisen or your vehicle has been damaged, read and observe the following information before contacting a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership or
qualified workshop. You may also find useful infor-mation in the index under the headings "Things to note" or "Checklist".
To note Some possible causes Possible solution
Vehicle battery is discharged. -How to jump start =>page 443. -Recharge vehicle battery 362.
Engine does not start. The incorrect vehicle key is be-Use a valid vehicle key 36. ing used.
Fuel level is too low. Fill the tank 340.
Supplementary heating system Switch off the supplementary heating
Smoke is coming from the is running. system 332. wing. Supplementary heater is run-No solution 345. ning.
-Battery in the remote control -Replace the battery 36. Vehicle cannot be locked or key is flat. -Move closer to the vehicle. unlocked with the remote -Located too far away from the -Synchronise the vehicle key =>page 36. vehicle. control key. -Buttons were pressed outside -Lock or unlock the vehicle manually
the range. 413.
Cold engine. brake assist sys-Refer to the index under entries for Unusual noises. tems, supplementary heating "Noises". system.
Assist systems are active. Refer to the index under entries for "As-sist systems". Unusual handling. DSG® dual clutch gearbox is too Stop the vehicle immediately hot. 266.
Front seats cannot be ad-Vehicle battery is discharged. Recharge vehicle battery 362.
justed electrically. Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace as necessary 429.
The vehicle has no vehicle No direct solutions possible as it depends
jack, spare wheel or break-Equipment depends on type of on the equipment level. Contact a Volks-vehicle. wagen Commercial Vehicles dealership if down set. necessary 416.
-Windows or sliding roof are open. The interior monitoring sys--Item attached to the interior Remove any objects that could trigger a tem triggers a false alarm. mirror is moving. false alarm 44. -A mobile telephone is vibrating inside the vehicle.
Functions are not working Settings have been made in the Check and if necessary reset back to fac-as described in the owner's manual. Volkswagen information system. tory settings 24.
410 I If and when
To note Some possible causes Possible solution
-Headlights are adjusted for -Change over the headlights for driving driving on the left or right. on the left or right 106. The road ahead is not lit up -Headlight beams set too high. -Set the headlight range 106. properly. -Bulbs are defective. -Change the bulbs 432. -The dipped beam headlights -Switching on dipped headlights are not switched on. 106.
Low vehicle battery charge. Recharge vehicle battery 362.
Electrical consumers not Low fuel level. Fill the tank 340. working. Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace as necessary 429.
-Short journeys. -Avoid short journeys.
-Uneven acceleration. -Think ahead when driving. -Accelerate evenly.
An electrical consumer is switch-Switch off all consumers that are not nee-ed on. de d.
Fault in engine management Have the fault rectified 407. Fuel consumption is higher system. than indicated. Tyre pressure too low. Adjust the tyre pressure 367.
Driving in hilly regions. No direct solutions possible.
Driving with a trailer or roof carri--Check whether it is needed. er. -Remove when not being used.
Driving with a heavy load. No direct solutions possible.
Driving at high engine speed. Select a high gear.
In an emergency
COl Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Making you and your vehicle safe . . 412
First aid kit. warning triangle, high-visibility waistcoat and fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
Additional information and warnings:
• Braking, stopping and parking 269
• Manual opening and closing 413
• Vehicle toolkit 416
• Changing a wheel 420
A WARNING
Any broken-down vehicle Increases the risk of accidents in road traffic-both for you and other road users.
• Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so. Park the vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic In order to lock all doors securely In an emergency. Switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users.
• Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone In the vehicle when the doors are locked. This may mean that they are locked In the vehicle in an emergency. People locked In the vehicle may be subjec-