
NOTICE 
Food, medicine and other items that are sensitive to heat or cold could be either damaged or 
rendered useless by the air flowing out of the vents. 
Never leave food, medicines or other temperature-sensitive objects in front of the vents. 
Switching the auxiliary heater and ventilation on and off 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
The auxiliary heater can be operated only when the ignition is switched off. If the ignition is switched 
on while the auxiliary heater is working, the auxiliary heater continues to run to provide additional 
heat. 
Switching on the auxiliary heater 
Press the immediate heat button in the air conditioning block ⇒ Front controls . 
OR: press the button on the remote control ⇒ Remote control . 
OR: program the departure time ⇒ Programming the auxiliary heater and ventilation . 
The auxiliary heater heats the vehicle interior to at least 22 ℃. 
The auxiliary heater will not switch on if the 12-volt vehicle battery is low or the fuel tank is empty. 
Switching off the auxiliary heater manually 
Press the immediate heat button in the air conditioning block ⇒ Front controls . 
OR: press the button on the remote control ⇒ Remote control . 
OR: touch the function button on the Infotainment system ⇒ Programming the auxiliary heater 
and ventilation . 
Auxiliary heater switches off automatically 
When the programmed departure time is reached, or after the programmed operating period has 
elapsed ⇒ Programming the auxiliary heater and ventilation . 
When the indicator lamp lights up (fuel gauge) ⇒ Fuel gauge . 
If the charge level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is too low ⇒ 12-volt vehicle battery . 
The auxiliary heater runs on for a short time after it has been switched off manually or automatically 
so that the remaining fuel in the system can be burnt off. 
 
When the vehicle is at a standstill, the auxiliary heater can be activated up to three times in 
succession for the maximum operating duration. 
  

Before programming, check that the date and time set in the vehicle are correct ⇒ Time . 
Open the Auxiliary heater menu. 
Touch the Set function button. 
Select one of the memory locations for a Departure time. 
Touch the Activate function button. 
Manual air conditioning system: the programmed departure time determines the time at which 
the auxiliary heater or ventilation should switch off. The point at which the heating or ventilation 
process starts is determined depending on the programmed running time. 
Climatronic: on the basis of the programmed departure time, the vehicle automatically 
calculates the start time for heating or ventilation to the currently set temperature depending on 
the outside temperature. 
Press the Running time function button under Adjust in order to select the running time when the 
auxiliary heater is switched on using the immediate heat button  or remote control. 
Checking programming 
If a departure time has been activated, the LED in the immediate heat button  will light up on the 
Climatronic control panel for approximately 10 seconds after the ignition is switched off. 
 
WARNING 
Never program the auxiliary heating system so that is switched on and run in unventilated or 
enclosed spaces. Among other things, the emissions from the auxiliary heater contain carbon 
monoxide, which is an odourless and colourless poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide can cause people 
to lose consciousness. It can also cause death. 
Remote control 
 
Fig. 93 Auxiliary heater: remote control (left) with battery compartment (right). 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction   

Remove the battery cover. 
Remove the button cell. 
Insert a new button cell of the same type, paying attention to the correct polarity. 
Insert the battery cover into the remote control housing. 
Slide the battery cover in the opposite direction of the arrow ⇒ Fig. 93  until it clicks into place. 
 
DANGER 
Swallowing batteries with a diameter of 20 mm or other button cells can result in serious or even 
fatal injuries within a very short period of time. 
Always keep the remote control key, key ring with batteries, spare batteries, button cells and other 
batteries that are larger than 20 mm out of the reach of children. 
Call for medical help immediately you suspect that someone has swallowed a battery. 
 
NOTICE 
The remote control contains electronic components. For this reason, protect the remote control 
from moisture, excessive vibration and direct sunlight. 
Unsuitable batteries can damage the remote control. Replace discharged batteries only with new 
batteries of the same voltage rating, size and specification. 
Make sure the polarity is correct when inserting the battery. 
 
Dispose of discharged batteries in accordance with environmental regulations. 
 
The battery in the remote control may contain perchlorate. Observe the applicable legislation 
regarding disposal. 
Driving 
Notes on driving 
Pedals  

 
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 .  

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  

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.  

 
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 tyres  and brake pads ⇒ Notes on driving  must 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.  

If you want to use the vehicle abroad temporarily or for a short period, all relevant information and 
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.