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Fig. 94 In the footwell: pedals in vehicles with a manual gearbox.
Fig. 95 In the footwell: pedals in vehicles with a dual clutch gearbox.
Key to ⇒ Fig. 94 and ⇒ Fig. 95 :
Accelerator
Brake pedal
Vehicles with manual gearbox: clutch pedal
The operation and freedom of movement of all pedals must never be impaired by objects or floor
mats.
Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area free and can be securely fastened in the footwell so
that they do not slip.
WARNING
Objects in the driver footwell can interfere with pedal operation. This can lead to loss of control of
the vehicle and increase the risk of serious injury.
Make sure that all pedals can always be operated without any interference.
The floor mats must always be properly secured in the footwell.
Never place additional floor mats or other floor coverings over the fitted floor mat.
Make sure that no objects can enter the driver footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
If there are any objects in the footwell, remove them when the vehicle is parked.
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NOTICE
Free access to the pedals must be ensured at all times. For example, a larger brake pedal travel will
be necessary in order to stop the vehicle if a brake circuit fails. The brake pedal will have to be
depressed further and harder than normal.
Gear-change indicator
Fig. 96 On the instrument cluster display: gear-change indicator.
Key to ⇒ Fig. 96 :
Currently selected gear.
Recommended gear.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment level, the instrument cluster display may indicate a gear
which should be selected to reduce fuel consumption while the vehicle is in motion.
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: the selector lever must be in the Tiptronic position for
this ⇒ Changing gear using Tiptronic .
No recommended gear is indicated if the most suitable gear is already selected. The currently
selected gear is displayed.
Information on cleaning the particulate filter
The engine management system recognises when the particulate filter is becoming saturated and
supports regeneration of the filter by recommending the most suitable gear when driving. Compared
with normal driving, this may mean driving with an increased engine speed ⇒ Particulate filter .
CAUTION
The gear-change indicator is designed only to assist the driver and cannot replace the driver's own
judgement.
The driver has full responsibility for selecting the correct gear in all situations, e.g. when overtaking
or when driving up and down hills.
Driving in the correct gear can help to reduce fuel consumption.
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The gear-change indicator display goes out when the clutch is depressed in vehicles with a manual
gearbox or when Tiptronic position is deselected in vehicles with a DSG® dual clutch gearbox.
Driving economically
Fuel consumption, environmental impact and wear of the engine, brakes and tyres can be reduced
by adopting the correct driving style. A few tips are provided below which will help you protect the
environment and also save money.
Fig. 97 Fuel consumption in l/100 km at two different ambient temperatures.
Think ahead when driving
The fuel consumption will increase if you do not adopt a steady driving style. Keeping a close eye on
the traffic can help to avoid frequent acceleration and braking. Keeping a sufficient distance from
the vehicle in front will help you to think ahead when driving.
With a gear engaged, allow the vehicle to come to a halt by itself to make use of the engine braking
effect, e.g. when approaching traffic lights.
Use coasting
Vehicles with a DSG dual clutch gearbox: when the selector lever is in position D and neither
the accelerator nor the brake pedal is depressed, the vehicle will roll (coast) with practically no
energy being consumed.
Change gears in an energy-saving way
Shifting up early at an engine speed of 2,000 rpm will save energy. Do not drive gears to the limit
and avoid high revs.
Vehicles with manual gearbox: change from first to second gear immediately after setting off.
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: accelerate slowly and avoid using the kickdown
function.
Gear-change indicator ⇒ Gear-change indicator .
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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
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The alternator is driven by the engine and generates electrical power for convenience consumers
such as the air conditioning system, windscreen heating and ventilation. Saving electrical energy is
easy, e.g.:
Open the windows and doors before driving at high outside temperatures and drive for a short
distance with a window open. Only then switch the air conditioning system on.
Switch the convenience consumers off as soon as they have served their purpose.
WARNING
Adapt your speed and distance from the vehicles ahead to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic
conditions.
Inform yourself about other ways of protecting the environment. Think Blue. is the global
Volkswagen trademark for sustainability and environmental compatibility.
Your Volkswagen dealership can provide you with further information on maintenance and energy-
efficient replacement parts, e.g. new tyres.
Think Blue. Trainer.
The Think Blue. Trainer analyses and visualises your driving style and helps you to drive more
economically.
Fig. 98 In the Infotainment system: Think Blue. Trainer.
Key to ⇒ Fig. 98 :
Blue Score:
The higher the displayed value on a scale from 0 to 100, the more efficient your driving style. A blue
border symbolises an efficient and constant driving style. A grey border indicates an inefficient
driving style.
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Touch the display to open the statistics of the last 30 driving minutes Since start.
Acceleration and braking:
At a constant speed, two arcs appear in the central area. The arcs move up and down during
acceleration and braking.
Progress display:
The efficiency of the driving style is indicated by the blue bars. The white bar stores a blue bar
approximately every five seconds.
The larger the bar, the more efficient the driving style has been.
Driving tips:
Think ahead when driving.
Gear-change indicator.
Adapt your speed.
Economical driving style.
Fuel consumption:
The display shows the average fuel consumption Since start in l/100 km. A blue border symbolises an
efficient and constant driving style. A grey border indicates an inefficient driving style.
Touch the display to open the statistics of the last 30 driving minutes Since start.
Tips for saving energy:
Touch the Think Blue. function button to access additional tips.
Opening the Think Blue. Trainer.
Press the button or function button on the Infotainment system according to the equipment
level.
Touch the function buttons Vehicle, Selection, Think Blue. Trainer..
WARNING
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Accidents and injuries can occur if the driver is distracted. Operating the Infotainment system can
distract you from the road.
Always drive carefully and responsibly.
Information on the brakes
New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 200 to 300 km and must first
be run in ⇒ . The slightly reduced brake pressure can however be compensated for by increasing
pressure on the brake pedal. During the run-in period, the braking distance is longer for full or
emergency braking than when the brake pads have been run in. In the run-in period, full braking
should be avoided and also situations that create a heavy load on the brakes, e.g. when driving up
close to the vehicle ahead.
The wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under which the vehicle is
operated and the way the vehicle is driven. If the vehicle is used for regular urban trips, short
journeys, and is driven with a sporty driving style, the brake pads must be regularly checked by a
qualified workshop.
When driving with wet brakes, for example after driving through water, after heavy rainfall or after
washing the vehicle, the braking effect may be delayed as the brake discs will be wet, or possibly
iced up (in winter). The brakes must be dried as quickly as possible by careful braking at higher
speed. Please ensure that no following vehicle and no other road user is put at risk as a result of this
action ⇒ .
A layer of salt that accumulates on the discs and pads will reduce the braking effect and increase the
braking distance. If the vehicle has not been braked for a long time on roads which have been gritted
with salt, the layer of salt must be reduced through careful braking ⇒ .
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt in the brake pads are facilitated through long standstill times,
low mileage and low load levels. If the brake pads have been hardly used or if they are corroded,
Volkswagen recommends that the brake discs and brake pads be cleaned by braking strongly several
times from high speed. Please ensure that no following vehicle and no other road user is put at risk
as a result of this action ⇒ .
Brake servo
The brake servo will function only when the engine is running and reinforces the pressure applied by
the driver on the brake pedal.
If the brake servo does not function or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have to be
depressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to the lack of assistance for
the brake system ⇒ .
WARNING
Driving with worn brake pads or with a faulty brake system can cause accidents and serious injuries.
If the warning lamp lights up either alone or together with a text message in the instrument
cluster display, go to a qualified workshop immediately to have the brake pads checked and the
worn brake pads replaced.
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WARNING
New brake pads will not have the optimal braking effect when first fitted.
New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 300 km and must first be run
in. A reduced braking effect can be increased by applying more pressure to the brake pedal.
In order to reduce the risk of accidents, serious injuries and the loss of control over the vehicle, you
must drive particularly carefully when driving with new brake pads.
Never drive too close to other vehicles during the run-in time for the new brake pads and never
create a driving situation that will place a heavy load on the brakes.
WARNING
Overheated brakes reduce the braking effect and considerably increase the braking distance.
When driving downhill, the brakes are placed under particular strain and become hot very quickly.
Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce speed and change to a lower gear (with manual
gearboxes or in Tiptronic mode with the automatic gearbox). This will make use of the engine
braking effect and relieve the load on the brakes.
Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the brakes and cause them to
overheat.
WARNING
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react more slowly and require longer braking
distances.
Carefully apply the brakes to test them.
Always dry brakes and clean off any coating of ice and salt with a few cautious applications of the
brake when visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
WARNING
Driving without the brake servo can considerably increase the braking distance and thus cause
accidents and serious injuries.
Never switch the engine or ignition off while the vehicle is in motion.
If the brake servo does not function or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have to be
depressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to the lack of assistance for
the brake system.