
Symbol Meaning 
  Engine speed limited ⇒ Troubleshooting . 
  Electromechanical steering function reduced ⇒ Troubleshooting . 
  Tyre monitoring system ⇒ Troubleshooting for Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator . 
  Fault in the rain/light sensor ⇒  Fault in rain/light sensor , ⇒  Fault in rain/light 
sensor . 
  Fault in wipers ⇒ Troubleshooting . 
  Washer fluid level too low ⇒ Troubleshooting . 
  Fuel tank almost empty ⇒ Fuel gauge . 
  Particulate filter clogged up ⇒  Particulate filter clogged with soot . 
  Fault in airbag and belt tensioner system ⇒ Indicator lamp . 
  Front passenger front airbag switched off ⇒ Indicator lamp . 
  Front passenger front airbag switched on ⇒ Indicator lamp . 
  Tank cap open ⇒ Fuel gauge . 
  Lane keeping system (Lane Assist) ⇒ Driving with the lane keeping system . 
  Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) not available ⇒  ACC not available. . 
  Fault in DSG® dual clutch gearbox: gearbox fault ⇒ Troubleshooting . 
Manual gearbox: clutch temperature high or clutch is defective ⇒ Troubleshooting . 
  
Area monitoring system (Front Assist) switched off ⇒ Operating the area monitoring 
system (Front Assist) . 
  Adaptive chassis control (DCC) ⇒  Fault in the adaptive chassis control (DCC) . 
  Rear Traffic Alert ⇒ Rear Traffic Alert . 
  Turn signal ⇒ Switching turn signals on and off . 
  Depress the brake pedal.  

General notes 
Checklist 
Observe the following information both before and during every journey to ensure your own safety, 
and the safety of all passengers and other road users ⇒ : 
 
Check that all lights and turn signals are working properly. 
 
Check the tyre pressure and fuel level Tyre pressure, Fuel gauge. 
 
Check the washer fluid level Washer fluid. 
 
Make sure that you have a good, clear view through all of the windows Caring for and cleaning the 
vehicle exterior. 
 
Secure any objects and luggage in the stowage compartments, the luggage compartment or on the 
roof Transporting items. 
 
Ensure that you are able to operate the pedals freely at all times. 
 
Secure any children travelling in the vehicle in a restraint system suitable for their weight and size 
Safe transport of children. 
 
Adjust the front seats, head restraints and mirrors properly to match the size of the occupants 
Sitting position, Mirrors. 
 
Wear shoes that provide proper support for your feet when using the pedals. 
 
The floor mat in the footwell on the driver side must leave the pedal area free and must be securely 
fastened. 
  

Are there any Volkswagen dealerships in the destination country? 
 
Is fuel in the adequate quality available Fuel and emission control? 
 
Are the correct service fluids that comply with Volkswagen specifications available in the destination 
country Service fluids and consumables? 
 
Will the navigation function in the factory-fitted Infotainment system work with the available 
navigation data in the destination country? 
 
Are special tyres necessary for travelling in the destination country? 
 
Is a fire extinguisher a requirement in your destination country? 
 
Which requirements must be observed regarding high-visibility waistcoats? 
Checklist 
Do not work on the engine and in the engine compartment unless you are familiar with the task, are 
aware of the general safety procedures and have the correct equipment, service fluids and suitable 
tools ⇒ In the engine compartment ! The work should be carried out by a qualified workshop if you 
are uncertain. Make sure you check the following on a regular basis: 
 
Washer fluid level Washer fluid 
 
Engine oil level Engine oil 
 
Coolant level Coolant 
 
Brake fluid level Brake fluid 
 
Tyre pressure Wheels and tyres  

Eco driving profile ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control . 
Avoid driving at full throttle 
Never drive the vehicle at its top speed. The drag coefficient increases at excessively high speeds. 
This in turn increases the force needed to move the vehicle. 
Reduce idling 
Pull away immediately with low engine speeds. If you are stopped for a long period, do not allow the 
engine to idle but switch it off, e.g. when in a traffic jam or at a railway crossing. 
In vehicles with an activated start/stop system, the engine can switch off automatically when the 
vehicle is stopping and when the vehicle is stationary ⇒ Start/stop system . 
Refuel moderately 
A full fuel tank increases the weight of the vehicle. A fuel tank that is half or two thirds of the way 
full is sufficient for journeys in urban traffic in particular. 
Avoid short journeys 
A cold engine has very high fuel consumption. The optimum operating temperature is reached only 
after driving a few kilometres. The fuel consumption is above average at very low ambient 
temperatures, e.g. in winter ⇒ Fig. 97 . Plan journeys economically and combine short journeys. 
Carry out regular maintenance 
Regular maintenance is an essential prerequisite for economical driving and increases the service life 
of the vehicle. 
Observe the tyre pressures 
Low tyre pressures does not just mean greater wear, but also increase the rolling resistance of the 
tyres and thus the fuel consumption. Use optimised rolling resistance tyres. 
Adjust the tyre pressure according to the load. Observe the information on the tyre pressure sticker 
⇒ Useful information about wheels and tyres  
Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator or Tyre Pressure Monitoring System ⇒ Tyre monitoring system . 
Use low viscosity engine oils 
Fully synthetic engine oils with a low viscosity decrease frictional resistance in the engine and are 
distributed better and more quickly, especially during cold starts. 
Do not drive with unnecessary loads in the vehicle 
You can reduce fuel consumption by clearing out the luggage compartment before setting off, for 
example by removing empty drink crates or unused child seats. 
To keep the vehicle's air resistance as low as possible, remove any add-on parts and equipment such 
as ski racks, bicycle racks and roof carriers once you have finished using them. 
Save electrical energy  

Checklist 
To ensure your own safety and the safety of your passengers, observe the following points before 
driving offroad: 
 
Obtain sufficient information before driving into offroad terrain with the vehicle. 
 
Do not plan day stages that are too long. Take increased fuel consumption for offroad driving into 
account. 
 
Fill up the tank. Fuel consumption is considerably higher offroad. 
 
Check that your tyres are suitable for the offroad journey you have planned. Recommendation for 
difficult offroad terrain: always have offroad tyres fitted to your vehicle. 
 
Check the tyre pressure on all tyres and correct if necessary. This includes the temporary spare 
wheel, if present. 
 
Check engine oil level and refill engine oil as necessary. The engine will be supplied with engine oil 
when it is driven on or across a slope only if the engine oil level is sufficient. 
 
Completely refill the washer fluid reservoir with water and washer fluid. 
 
Fit the towing eye at the front or rear. It is not always possible to fit the towing eye when the vehicle 
is stuck. 
 
Check the vehicle toolkit and add tools according to individual requirements Useful accessories for 
offroad driving. 
 
Stow luggage in the vehicle as evenly and as low as possible. Secure all loose items. 
Before driving offroad, Volkswagen recommends attending an offroad driving course, particularly if 
you have no or very little experience.  

Always adjust your speed and driving to match vehicle load levels and visibility, terrain and weather 
conditions. 
Driving on sand and mud 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
Always drive at a steady speed through sand or mud and, do not carry out any manual gear changes 
or stop the vehicle. 
Check whether ESC is active. The indicator lamp or in the instrument cluster display must not 
light up ⇒ Brake support systems . 
Keep the vehicle moving constantly. 
Use the Offroad driving profile ⇒ Setting a driving profile . 
Select a suitable gear and remain in this gear until you have reached more solid ground ⇒ Changing 
gear correctly . 
If the tyres have lost their grip, turn the steering wheel to and fro quickly. This can briefly give the 
tyres on the front wheels better grip for these ground conditions. 
Driving through sand 
Do not under any circumstances reduce the tyre pressure to drive through sand ⇒ . If the tyre 
pressure has been reduced for driving through sand, the correct tyre pressure must always be 
restored before driving on. Driving with reduced tyre pressure can lead to a loss of control over the 
vehicle and increase the risk of serious and fatal injuries. 
Driving through mud 
Do not change speed or direction. The tyres can lose their traction when driving through mud. If the 
vehicle slides, steer in the direction needed to get the vehicle under control. 
 
WARNING 
Driving through mud and sand can be dangerous. The vehicle can slide uncontrollably. This increases 
the risk of injury. Always drive carefully through sand and mud. 
Never choose an unsafe route or take a risk which could endanger you or your passengers. If you are 
in any doubt about the safety of the route, turn round and choose another way. 
 
WARNING 
Incorrect tyre pressure can cause severe or even fatal accidents. 
Incorrect tyre pressures will increase the levels of wear on the tyres and will negatively affect the 
vehicle's handling.  

An incorrect tyre pressure can cause overheating, sudden tyre damage including tyre bursts and 
ripping of the tread surface and thus to a loss of control over the vehicle. 
Driving on steep terrain 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
Driving uphill or downhill 
Get out of the vehicle and assess the situation before you attempt to drive up or down a hill: 
Walk along the section and check the firmness of the ground. Look out for obstacles and other 
hidden dangers ⇒ . 
Check the section beyond the hill. 
You should not follow the route if it is too steep, uneven or if the ground surface is too loose. Select 
another route. 
Drive slowly and at constant speed straight up or down a slope. 
Accelerate only to the speed you need to climb the slope. Too much acceleration can cause the 
wheels to spin and lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. Insufficient throttle increases the 
probability of stalling the engine. 
Never attempt to stop or turn on a slope. 
Avoid allowing the engine to stall. 
Do not change gear or engage the clutch when climbing a slope. 
Use the offroad display ⇒ Offroad display . 
If you cannot continue to drive up a hill 
Never turn the vehicle around on an uphill gradient. 
If the engine has stalled, depress the footbrake and start the engine again. 
Select reverse gear and reverse back slowly in a straight line. 
Use the foot brake to keep a constant speed until you have reached a safe place. 
Driving downhill 
Never exceed the tilt angle of the vehicle! If, in an emergency, you have to traverse the slope when 
driving down it and the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer into the fall line immediately. 
There is an increased risk of rolling over when driving downhill. Concentrate on steering the vehicle 
when driving downhill in particular. 
Use the offroad display on steep downhill stretches ⇒ Offroad display . 
Drive down steep inclines in first gear. 
Use the foot brake sparingly in order not to lose control of the vehicle.  

Electronic differential lock (EDL and XDS) 
EDL brakes a spinning wheel automatically and distributes the drive force to the other drive wheels. 
The EDL switches off automatically under unusually heavy loads to prevent the brake from 
overheating. The EDL switches back on again automatically as soon as the brake has cooled down. 
XDS improves traction in order to keep the vehicle on its intended course. 
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System 
In the event of a collision, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System can help the driver to reduce 
the risk of skidding, and the danger of secondary collisions, through automatic braking. 
The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System functions only for collisions that are detected as a 
collision by the airbag control unit. 
The vehicle is braked automatically if the required systems have not been damaged in the collision 
and have remained functional. 
The following actions override automatic braking in the event of a collision: 
When the driver depresses the accelerator. 
When the brake pressure transmitted through the depressed brake pedal is greater than the brake 
pressure provided by the system. 
 
WARNING 
The intelligent technology used in brake support systems cannot overcome the laws of physics, and 
functions only within the limits of the systems. Driving fast on icy, slippery or wet roads can lead to a 
loss of control of the vehicle and could cause serious injury to the driver and passengers. 
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions. Do 
not let the extra safety afforded by the brake support systems ABS, BAS, EDL, TCS and ESC tempt you 
into taking any risks when driving. 
The brake support systems cannot overcome the laws of physics. Slippery and wet roads will remain 
dangerous, even when the ESC and other systems are active. 
Driving too fast on wet roads can cause the wheels to lose contact with the road surface and 
aquaplane. The vehicle cannot be braked, steered or controlled once it has lost contact with the 
road surface. 
Brake support systems cannot prevent an accident if, for example, you are driving too close to the 
vehicle in front or are driving too fast for the individual situation. 
Although the brake support systems are very effective and can help to control the vehicle in difficult 
driving situations, please always remember that the driving stability of the vehicle depends on the 
tyre grip.