Before setting off and before switching on the ignition, always check the following to avoid damage
to the windscreen, the wiper blades and the wiper motor:
The wiper lever is located in the basic position.
Snow and ice have been removed from the wiper blades and door windows.
Wiper blades that have become frozen onto the glass have been carefully loosened. Volkswagen
recommends using a de-icer spray for this.
NOTICE
Do not switch on the wipers when the window is dry. Using the wipers when the window is dry can
damage the glass.
When switched on, the wipers will temporarily be switched to the next setting down when the
vehicle is stationary.
When parking the vehicle in cold weather, it may be helpful to leave the front windscreen wipers in
the service position to make it easier to loosen the wiper blades ⇒ Wiper blades .
Wiper function
Automatic activation of the rear window wiper
The rear window wiper is switched on automatically if the windscreen wipers are switched on and
reverse gear is engaged. Automatic switch-on when reverse gear is selected can be activated and
deactivated in the Infotainment system in the Vehicle settings menu ⇒ Infotainment system controls
and displays .
Heated washer jets
The heating defrosts frozen washer jets. The heating output is automatically regulated depending on
the ambient temperature when the ignition is switched on. Only the jets are heated, not the hoses
that the washer fluid flows through.
Rain/light sensor
Fig. 85 On the right of the steering column: wiper lever.
For safety reasons, it is important that the driver positions the exterior and interior mirrors correctly
before starting a journey ⇒ .
Looking in the exterior mirrors and the interior mirror does not allow the driver to see the entire
side and rear area around the vehicle. The area that cannot be seen is known as the blind spot.
There may be objects and other road users in the blind spot.
WARNING
Adjusting the exterior and interior mirrors while the vehicle is moving may cause the driver to
become distracted. This could lead to accidents and serious injuries.
Exterior and interior mirrors should be adjusted only when the vehicle is at a standstill.
When parking, changing lane, or performing an overtaking or turning manoeuvre, always pay careful
attention to the area around the vehicle as objects and other road users may be located in the blind
spot.
Always ensure that the mirrors are positioned correctly and that the rear view is not restricted by
ice, snow, condensation or any other objects.
WARNING
If you estimate the distance from traffic behind you incorrectly, you can cause accidents and serious
injuries.
Curved mirrors (convex or aspheric) enlarge the field of vision and can make objects in the mirror
seem smaller and further away than they actually are.
Using curved mirrors to estimate the distance from other vehicles behind you when changing lanes
can provide inaccurate results and can lead to accidents and serious injuries.
Whenever possible, use the interior mirror to check the exact distance between your vehicle and
following traffic or other objects.
Ensure that you have a good view to the rear of the vehicle.
WARNING
Automatic anti-dazzle mirrors contain an electrolyte fluid which could leak if the mirror is broken.
The leaking electrolyte fluid can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory organs, especially in
people who suffer from asthma or similar illnesses. Immediately ensure that there is a sufficient
supply of fresh air and get out of the vehicle. If this is not possible, open all of the windows and
doors.
If the electrolyte fluid gets into the eyes or onto the skin, immediately wash the area with plenty of
water for at least 15 minutes and consult a doctor.
Swivel the rotary knob forwards, backwards, right or left in the direction of the arrow in order to
adjust the exterior mirror.
Electrically fold in the exterior mirrors ⇒ .Switch on the exterior mirror heating. The
exterior mirror heating heats only at ambient temperatures below +20°C (+68°F) and initially with
the highest setting. Heating takes place dependent on the ambient temperature after around
two minutes.Adjust the left-hand exterior mirror.Adjust the right-hand exterior mirror.Zero
position. The exterior mirror cannot be adjusted and all functions are switched off.
Activating the exterior mirror functions
The following exterior mirror functions must be activated once in the Infotainment system in
the Vehicle settings menu ⇒ Infotainment system controls and displays :
Synchronous mirror adjustment
Synchronous mirror adjustment means that the right-hand exterior mirror is also adjusted at the
same time when you adjust the left-hand exterior mirror.
Turn the rotary knob to position .
Adjust the left-hand exterior mirror. The right-hand exterior mirror will be adjusted at the same time
(synchronously).
Correct the settings for the right-hand exterior mirror if necessary: swivel the rotary knob to
position and adjust the right-hand exterior mirror.
Folding in the exterior mirrors while parking
When the vehicle is locked or unlocked from the outside, the exterior mirrors fold in or out
automatically. For this, the rotary knob must be in position , , or .
If the rotary knob for the electrically adjustable exterior mirrors is in position , the exterior
mirrors stay folded in.
Saving and recalling the front passenger exterior mirror settings for reversing
Unlock the vehicle with the vehicle key to which the settings should be assigned.
Switch on the electronic parking brake.
Switch on the ignition.
Put the gearbox into neutral.
Select reverse gear.
Adjust the front passenger exterior mirror so that you have a good view of the kerb area, for
example.
The set mirror position will be saved and assigned to the vehicle key.
Turn the rotary knob for the exterior mirrors to position .
Vehicles with ignition lock: turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ Fig. 99① . The ignition is
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. 99② – do not depress the
accelerator.
Release the vehicle key once the engine has started.
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button ⇒ Starter button – do 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.
Components with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily when the engine is
started.
The engine cannot be started with the starter button, for example, if the button cell in the vehicle
key is weak or flat. In this case, use the emergency start function ⇒ No valid vehicle key recognised .
When starting from cold, the engine may be a little noisy for the first few seconds. This is quite
normal, and no cause for concern.
At outside temperatures of less than +5°C (+41°F), fumes may be detected under a vehicle with a
diesel engine if the fuel-powered supplementary heater is switched on.
Switching off the engine
Bring the vehicle to a standstill ⇒ .
Park the vehicle ⇒ Parking .
Vehicles with ignition lock: turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ Fig. 99⓪ in the ignition lock.
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button briefly ⇒ Fig. 100 . If the engine cannot
be switched off, carry out the emergency switch-off procedure ⇒ Engine cannot be switched off .
Follow the instructions in the instrument cluster ⇒ Instrument cluster .
Ignition warning
In order to indicate an active ignition when leaving the vehicle, an acoustic warning signal sounds
when opening the driver door and corresponding warning messages appear on the display of the
instrument cluster.
Warning before leaving the vehicle
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: if the selector lever is not in position P, an acoustic
warning signal will sound when the driver door is opened and the warning message Please move
selector lever to position P. will be shown on the instrument cluster display. In this way, a warning is
given that the vehicle could potentially roll away. When you leave the vehicle, the electronic parking
brake also switches on to prevent the vehicle rolling away.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine while the vehicle is in motion. This can lead to a loss of vehicle control,
accidents and serious injuries.
Use fast acceleration only if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit, and other road
users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and driving style.
Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic.
When the TCS is switched off, the drive wheels may spin, especially if the road surface is wet,
slippery or dirty. This may result in you no longer being able to steer or control the vehicle.
WARNING
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a gear is engaged and the
clutch is released. This also applies when the electronic parking brake has been switched on.
Never engage reverse gear while the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING
Shifting gears incorrectly to gears that are too low can lead to a loss of control over the vehicle, with
accidents and serious injuries as a consequence.
NOTICE
Serious damage to the clutch and gearbox could occur if the gear lever of the manual gearbox is
shifted to a gear which is too low when travelling at high speeds or at high engine speeds. This also
applies if the clutch remains depressed and the gears do not engage.
NOTICE
Please note the following points in order to avoid damage and premature wear:
Do not rest your hand on the gear lever when driving. The pressure from your hand is passed onto
the selector forks in the gearbox.
Ensure that the vehicle has come to a full stop before engaging reverse gear.
Always fully depress the clutch pedal when changing gear.
Do not hold the vehicle by riding the clutch on uphill gradients with the engine running.
Changing up a gear early will help to save fuel and minimise engine noise.
Troubleshooting
Clutch slipping
gearbox the clutch can be opened at idling speed, thus saving fuel. Thanks to its efficiency, low
weight and intelligent control system, the DSG® dual clutch gearbox usually enables fuel
consumption that is equal to or lower than a manual gearbox.
However, just like the manual gearbox, the clutch in the DSG® dual clutch gearbox is subject to wear.
Regular maintenance is necessary depending on the type of DSG® dual clutch gearbox; further
information ⇒ Scope of service . In the event of a fault in one gear train half, the DSG® dual clutch
gearbox also allows one gear train half to be deactivated and the journey to be continued using the
other gear train half ⇒ Troubleshooting . The gearbox must then be checked as soon as possible by a
qualified workshop.
DSG® dual clutch gearbox: selecting a gear
Fig. 105 Left-hand drive vehicles: selector lever for dual clutch gearbox DSG with lock button (arrow).
The location is mirrored in right-hand drive vehicles.
When the ignition is switched on, the selected gear or gearbox programme is displayed in the
instrument cluster display.
Instrument cluster display
Selector lever position Display
P P
R R
N N
D/S E, D or S ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control
Tiptronic gate M ⇒ Changing gear using Tiptronic
– Parking lock
The drive wheels are locked mechanically. May be selected only when the vehicle is stationary. To
disengage this selector lever position while the ignition is switched on, depress the brake pedal and
press the lock button in the selector lever.
WARNING
Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury.
The driver must never leave the driver seat when the engine is running and a position has been
selected. If you have to leave the vehicle while the engine is running, always switch on the electronic
parking brake and move the selector lever to position P.
If the engine is running and the selector lever is in position D/S or R, the vehicle must be held by the
foot brake. The vehicle will creep forward even when the engine is idling, as power transmission is
even then not fully interrupted.
Never select reverse or selector lever position P when the vehicle is in motion.
Never leave the vehicle in selector lever position N. The vehicle will roll downhill irrespective of
whether or not the engine is running.
NOTICE
If the electronic parking brake is not switched on when the vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal
is released when the selector lever is in position P, the vehicle may move a few centimetres forwards
or backwards.
If the lever is moved accidentally to N when driving, take your foot off the accelerator. Wait for the
engine to reach idling speed in the neutral position before selecting a position again.
If the selector lever is left in any position other than P for long periods when the engine is switched
off, the 12-volt vehicle battery will discharge.
Changing gear using Tiptronic
With a DSG® dual clutch gearbox, Tiptronic allows the gears to be shifted up and down manually.