The vehicle can lose its grip when traversing a slope and slide away sideways, tip over or roll over
and roll down the hill.
The wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never enter dips or hollows. The wheels on the
higher side of the vehicle must never drive over bumps, for example stones, tree trunks or other
obstacles.
Before traversing a slope, make sure that it is possible to steer into the fall line. Choose another
route if this is not guaranteed. If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer immediately into the fall line
and depress the accelerator slightly ⇒ Fig. 115 .
If the vehicle is stopped at a large tilt angle when traversing a slope, avoid sudden and uncontrolled
movements in the vehicle. The vehicle can lose its grip and slide away sideways, tip over or roll over
and roll down the hill.
Vehicle occupants should never leave the vehicle via the doors facing down the hill when the vehicle
is stopped sideways on a slope with a large tilt angle to one side. This could cause the centre of
gravity to move to the side. The vehicle could then tip over or roll over and roll down the hill. To
avoid this, always leave the vehicle carefully on the side that is facing uphill ⇒ Fig. 116 .
When getting out the vehicle, make sure that the vehicle door which opens uphill does not close
with its own weight or through carelessness, thus potentially causing injury.
Driving through ditches
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Check whether the ramp and tilt angles are small enough to drive through the ditch with the vehicle
⇒ .
If possible, drive through the ditch at an acute angle ⇒ .
The tilt angle must not become too large when driving through the ditch.
WARNING
Never drive through a ditch if the ramp and tilt angles are too steep for the vehicle and the ditch is
too deep. The vehicle could slide away, tip over or roll.
NOTICE
If you drive into the ditch at a right angle, the front wheels will fall in. The underbody of your vehicle
could bottom, get stuck and be damaged. It is then almost impossible to get out of the ditch despite
having all-wheel drive.
Stuck vehicle
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Rocking free a vehicle requires training and feeling for the vehicle.
⇒ Operating the speed limiter with the multifunction steering wheel
⇒ Troubleshooting
The speed limiter helps you to stop exceeding a stored speed.
Speed range
The speed limiter is available when driving forwards at speeds from approx. 30 km/h (20 mph).
Driving with the speed limiter
You can interrupt the speed limiter at any time by depressing the accelerator all the way down past
the point of resistance. As soon as the stored speed is exceeded, the green indicator lamp will
flash and an acoustic warning may sound. The speed remains stored in the memory.
The speed limiter function switches back on automatically as soon as the speed drops back below
the stored speed.
Displays
When the speed limiter is switched on, the instrument cluster display shows the stored speed and
the status of the speed limiter:
Shown small or grey: speed limiter not active.Shown large or white: speed limiter active.
Driving downhill
Driving downhill may cause the set speed to be exceeded.
Apply the foot brake to slow the vehicle down, and change down a gear as required.
WARNING
Always switch off the speed limiter after use to avoid unintentional speed control.
The speed limiter does not relieve the driver of their responsibility for the speed of the vehicle. Do
not drive at full throttle if this is not required.
Use of the speed limiter in adverse weather conditions is dangerous and can cause serious injury,
e.g. through aquaplaning, snow, ice, or leaves. Use the speed limiter only when the road and
weather conditions allow it to be used safely.
The speed limiter cannot limit the vehicle speed when travelling downhill. The vehicle speed can
increase under its own weight. Select a lower gear or use the foot brake to slow the vehicle down.
Operating the speed limiter with the multifunction steering wheel
Low-lying vehicle components such as the bumper, spoiler and parts of the running gear, engine or
exhaust system could be damaged. Drive carefully through dips in the road and over drive entrances,
ramps, kerbstones and other objects.
Please adhere to relevant legislation when stopping and parking your vehicle.
Electronic parking brake
Operating the electronic parking brake
Fig. 125 In centre console: button for the electronic parking brake.
Switching on
When the vehicle is stationary, pull and hold the button.
If the indicator lamp in the button ⇒ Fig. 125 and the red indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster light up, the electronic parking brake is switched on.
Release the button.
Switching off
Switch on the ignition.
The indicator lamp in the button ⇒ Fig. 125 and the red indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster display will go out.
Moving off on steep uphill gradients or with increased vehicle weight
You can prevent the electronic parking brake from switching off automatically by pulling the
button upwards and holding it while pulling away.
If higher engine power is required to move off, the electronic parking brake will be deactivated only
when you release the button.
This can make it easier to move off with a high trailer weight ⇒ Trailer towing .
Emergency braking function
Coat hooks are located on the centre door pillars and on the rear roof grab handles.
Bag hooks are located in the luggage compartment ⇒ Luggage compartment equipment .
WARNING
Hanging up items of clothing can restrict the driver's field of vision and cause accidents and serious
injuries.
Always hang items of clothing on the coat hook in such a way that they do not restrict the driver's
field of vision.
The coat hooks in the vehicle should be used only for lightweight clothing. Never leave any heavy,
hard or sharp objects in the pockets.
NOTICE
Each coat hook may be loaded with a maximum of 2.5 kg.
Drink holders
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Drink holder in the rear centre armrest
Bottle holders
Bottle holders for bottles up to a maximum volume of 1.5 l are located in the stowage
compartments in the driver and front passenger door.
WARNING
Incorrect use of the drink holders can cause injury.
Never place hot drinks in a drink holder. Hot drinks in a drink holder could be spilled and cause
scalding in any sudden braking manoeuvre or accident.
Ensure that drink bottles or any other objects do not enter the driver footwell and obstruct the
pedals while the vehicle is in motion.
Never place heavy cups, food or any other heavy items in the drink holders. These heavy objects
could be flung through the vehicle interior during an accident and cause serious injuries.
WARNING
Always stow luggage and heavy objects in the luggage compartment ⇒ .
Place heavy objects as far forward in the luggage compartment as possible.
Observe gross axle weight ratings and the gross vehicle weight rating ⇒ Technical data .
Secure luggage to the fastening rings in the luggage compartment using suitable lashing, fixing and
securing straps ⇒ Luggage compartment equipment .
Also stow small objects safely.
If necessary, fold back the rear seat backrest and engage it securely.
If necessary, adjust the headlight range ⇒ Headlights .
Adjust the tyre pressure according to the vehicle load. Observe the tyre pressure sticker ⇒ Tyre
pressure .
In vehicles with a tyre monitoring system, set the new vehicle load level as necessary ⇒ Tyre
monitoring system .
WARNING
Objects that are not secured, or are secured incorrectly, can cause serious injuries in the event of a
sudden driving or braking manoeuvre or accident. This applies particularly if objects are struck by an
airbag when activated and then flung through the vehicle interior. Please observe the following rules
to reduce the risk of accidents:
Always stow all objects in the vehicle securely.
Small and light objects should also be secured.
Objects should be stowed in the vehicle interior in such a way that they can never enter the airbag
deployment zones while the vehicle is in motion.
Always keep stowage compartments closed while the vehicle is in motion.
Stowed objects must never cause passengers to assume an incorrect sitting position.
If an item is being stowed on a seat, this seat must not be used by any passengers.
Do not stow any hard, heavy or sharp objects loose in any of the vehicle's open stowage areas, on
the surface behind the rear seat backrest or on the dash panel.
Remove any hard, heavy or sharp objects from items of clothing and bags inside the vehicle and
stow them securely.
WARNING
Transporting heavy objects changes the vehicle's handling and increases the braking distance. Heavy
loads that are not properly stowed or secured in the vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and
can cause serious injury.
Loading roof carriers
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Maximum permitted roof load
The maximum permitted roof load is 75 kg.
The roof load limit refers to the combined weight of the roof carrier and the load carried on the roof
⇒ .
Make sure you are aware of the weight of the roof carrier system and the load to be transported.
Weigh the load if necessary.
However, you will not be able to carry the maximum permitted roof load if you are using a roof
carrier with a lower load rating. In this case, do not exceed the maximum weight limit for the load
carrier system which is specified in the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Distributing the load
Distribute the load evenly and secure it correctly ⇒ .
WARNING
Accidents and significant vehicle damage can occur if the maximum permitted roof load is exceeded.
Never exceed the stated roof load, the maximum permissible axle loads, and the permissible gross
vehicle weight for the vehicle.
Do not exceed the load rating of the roof carrier, even if the maximum roof load has not been
reached.
WARNING
Loose and incorrectly secured loads can fall off the roof carrier and cause accidents and injuries.
Always use suitable and undamaged lashing, retaining or securing straps.
NOTICE
When opening the boot lid, take care not to let it hit the roof load.
Notes on use
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Remove the roof carrier in the following situations
The roof carrier is no longer needed.
DANGER
It is dangerous to transport people in a trailer and it may also be illegal.
WARNING
Improper use of the towing bracket can lead to a loss of vehicle control, accidents and serious
injuries.
Only use the towing bracket if it is fitted properly and is not damaged.
Do not carry out any alterations or repairs to the towing bracket.
Wherever possible, swivel in or remove the ball head when a trailer is not being used in order to
reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists when
the vehicle is parked.
Never install a weight-distributing or load-balancing towing bracket to the vehicle. The vehicle is not
designed for these kinds of towing brackets. The towing bracket can fail, causing the trailer to tear
loose from the vehicle.
WARNING
Towing a trailer and transporting heavy or bulky items can change the vehicle handling and increase
the braking distance. This can lead to accidents.
Always secure loads properly using suitable and undamaged lashing, retaining or securing straps.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Reduce your speed, particularly when going downhill.
Trailers with a high centre of gravity are more likely to tip over than trailers with a low centre of
gravity.
Always drive carefully and think ahead. Accelerate very carefully and gently. Avoid abrupt and
sudden driving and braking manoeuvres.
Take special care when overtaking. Reduce your speed immediately if the trailer shows even the
slightest sign of snaking.
Never drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph) when towing a trailer, also 100 km/h (60 mph) in
exceptional cases. This also applies to countries where higher speeds are permitted. Keep to
country-specific speed limits, which may be lower for vehicles with trailers than for vehicles without
trailers.
Never try to stop a trailer from snaking by increasing your speed.
Never install a weight-distributing or load-balancing towing bracket on the vehicle.
If you park the trailer using the support wheel or other trailer supports, the trailer must be
unhitched from the vehicle. The vehicle could move up and down if the load changes or if there is
damage to the tyres, for example. If this happens, a great deal of force will be exerted on the towing
bracket and trailer, which could lead to damage to the vehicle and trailer.
If there is a fault in the vehicle or trailer electrical systems or in the anti-theft alarm, have the vehicle
checked by a qualified workshop.
If the 12-volt vehicle battery charge level is low, the electrical connection to the trailer will be
interrupted automatically.
Loading the trailer
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Trailer weight and drawbar load
The trailer weight is the weight that the vehicle can pull ⇒ .
The drawbar load is the load that is exerted vertically from above onto the ball head of the towing
bracket.
The figures for trailer weights and drawbar weights that are given on the data plate of the towing
bracket are for certification purposes only. The correct values for your specific model, which may be
lower than these figures, are given in the vehicle registration documents. All data in the official
vehicle documents take precedence over these data.
The maximum permitted drawbar load exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball head of the towing
bracket must not exceed 80 kg.
In the interest of driving safety, Volkswagen recommends that you always use the maximum
drawbar load. The handling of the vehicle combination will be impaired if the drawbar load is too
low.
The drawbar load increases the weight on the rear axle and reduces the maximum payload of the
vehicle as a result.
Gross combination weight
The gross combination weight is made up of the actual weight of the loaded vehicle and of the
loaded trailer.
In some countries, trailers are divided into different classes. Volkswagen recommends that you
contact a qualified workshop to find out about suitable trailers.
Loading the trailer
The weight of the load should be distributed evenly. The maximum permitted drawbar load should
be utilised. Do not place the load only at the front or the rear of the trailer: