
 
If the front brake pads are checked, the rear brake pads should be checked at the same time. A 
visual check of the thickness of all brake pads should be carried out regularly by checking the brake 
pads through the openings in the rims or from the underside of the vehicle. If necessary, remove the 
wheels to carry out a comprehensive check. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen 
dealership for this purpose. 
Driving a loaded vehicle 
For good vehicle handling when driving a loaded vehicle, please observe the following: 
Stow all items of luggage securely ⇒ Stowing luggage and loads . 
Accelerate particularly cautiously and carefully. 
Avoid sudden braking and driving manoeuvres. 
Brake earlier than in normal driving. 
If applicable, observe the information concerning the roof carrier ⇒ Roof carrier . 
 
 
WARNING 
Moving loads can severely impair the vehicle's stability and driving safety which could cause 
accidents and serious injuries. 
Secure items properly so they cannot slide about. 
Use suitable lashing or securing straps when securing heavy objects. 
Securely engage the rear seat backrests. 
Driving with an open boot lid 
Driving with an open boot lid is particularly dangerous. All objects and the open boot lid must be 
secured properly. Take the appropriate measures to reduce the amount of poisonous exhaust fumes 
that could enter into the vehicle. 
 
WARNING 
Driving with an unlocked or open boot lid can cause serious injuries. 
Always drive with the boot lid closed. 
Always stow all items in the luggage compartment securely. Loose objects can fall out of the luggage 
compartment and injure other road users. 
Always drive especially carefully and think ahead.  

Avoid any abrupt or sudden driving and braking manoeuvres as this could cause the open boot lid to 
move unpredictably. 
Any objects protruding from the luggage compartment must be marked to ensure that they are 
visible to other road users. Comply with legal regulations. 
If items protrude out of the luggage compartment, never use the boot lid to wedge them into place 
or hold them in position. 
If you have to drive with the boot lid open, you must remove any carriers and the loads attached to 
them from the boot lid. 
 
WARNING 
Poisonous exhaust fumes could enter the vehicle interior when the boot lid is open. This could result 
in loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious injury and accidents. 
You should always drive with the boot lid closed in order to prevent poisonous exhaust fumes from 
entering the vehicle. 
If exceptional circumstances require you to drive with an open boot lid, you must do the following to 
reduce the amount of poisonous exhaust fumes that could enter into the vehicle: 
Close all windows and the glass roof. 
Switch off the air recirculation mode of the heating and fresh air system or air conditioning system. 
Open all vents in the dash panel. 
Switch the blower for the heating and fresh air system or for the air conditioning system to the 
highest setting. 
 
NOTICE 
The vehicle height, and possibly the length, are different when the boot lid is open. 
Driving through water 
Please follow these points in order to prevent damage to your vehicle when driving through water, 
for example on flooded streets: 
Check how deep the water is before driving through it. The water may be no higher than the lower 
edge of the body ⇒ . 
Do not drive faster than walking speed. 
Never stop the vehicle, reverse or switch off the engine while in water. 
Oncoming vehicles will create waves that could increase the water level for your vehicle to such an 
extent that it is not safe to drive through the water. 
Always deactivate the start/stop system manually when driving through water ⇒ Start/stop system .  

Do not slip the clutch or rest your foot on the clutch when driving offroad. When travelling over 
uneven ground, you could press the clutch by mistake and lose control of the vehicle. This also 
prevents power being transferred between the engine and the gearbox. In addition, driving with the 
clutch partially engaged causes premature wear to the clutch lining. 
Useful accessories for offroad driving 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
The checklist contains just a few items of equipment that can be very useful for offroad driving. If 
you have an instruction manual or fitting instructions for these accessories, you should always take 
them with you and observe them as necessary when driving offroad. 
Checklist 
Useful items when driving offroad: 
 
Water, compass, maps and torch with spare batteries. 
 
Winch, tow bar or rope with sufficient strength. 
 
Mobile telephone, shovel, blankets and rubber boots. 
 
Electrical air compressor for connection to the 12-volt sockets in the vehicle to inflate the tyres. 
 
A wooden board approx. 4 cm thick and approx. 1 metre long or an aluminium frame of similar size: 
this can be used to free a vehicle stuck in the mud and provide a platform for a vehicle jack. 
 
Snow chains, additional spare wheels, a breakdown set, jack and box spanner. 
Changing gear correctly 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
The correct choice of gear depends on the offroad terrain. 
Before attempting to drive through difficult terrain it can be helpful to stop and consider which gear 
you should select. After several trips offroad, you will learn which gear to select in conjunction with 
the step-down ratio and differential locks for different types of terrain. 
General rules  

Rear view camera system (Rear View) ⇒ Rear view camera system (Rear View) . 
Park Assist ⇒ Park Assist . 
The available systems vary according to the vehicle equipment level. 
Limits of the parking systems 
The sensors or cameras may not always be able to detect objects such as thin rails, fences, posts, 
trees, very low or high obstacles and open or opening boot lids. 
In some cases, dirt and ice on the sensors or cameras could be registered as an obstacle. 
Limits of the rear view camera system 
The rear view camera system shows only two-dimensional images on the screen. The lack of depth 
of field means that potholes and protruding objects on the ground may only be detected with 
difficulty, or may not be detected at all. 
The system displays the orientation lines irrespective of the area surrounding the vehicle. There is no 
automatic obstacle detection. Drivers must judge for themselves whether the vehicle will fit into the 
parking space. 
 
WARNING 
The intelligent technology used in the parking systems cannot overcome the laws of physics, and 
functions only within the limits of the system. Never let the extra convenience afforded by the 
parking systems tempt you into taking any risks when driving. The parking systems cannot replace 
the full concentration of the driver. 
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions. 
Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury. 
Keep looking in the direction in which you are parking and at the relevant area surrounding the 
vehicle. 
Do not allow the displays in the instrument cluster and the images shown in the Infotainment 
system to distract you from the traffic. 
Always monitor the area around the vehicle as the parking systems will not always detect infants, 
animals and objects. 
The parking systems have blind spots in which obstacles and people are not registered. 
External sources of sound and certain surfaces on objects and clothing may influence the signals of 
the sensors. In certain circumstances, the systems will be unable to detect or properly detect people 
and objects. 
Certain objects, for example narrow posts or railings, may be difficult or impossible to see on the 
screen because of its resolution or poor light conditions.  

Switching on and off 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
Switching on the rear view camera system 
Select reverse gear. 
OR: press the button. 
Switching off the rear view camera system 
Drive forwards at a speed of at least 10 km/h (6 mph). 
Display representation 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
The functions and displays of the rear view camera system image vary according to the equipment 
level and may differ from each other. 
The display of the reversing camera picture varies if the factory-fitted towing bracket is electrically 
connected to the trailer ⇒ Notes on towing a trailer . 
Functions and symbols of the rear view camera system 
You can make settings by means of the function buttons when the rear view camera system is 
switched on. Some setting options depend on the vehicle equipment. 
xClose current display.Adjust display: brightness, contrast, colour.Switch to Park 
Distance Control ⇒ Park Distance Control .Show Park Distance Control display.Hide Park 
Distance Control display. 
Orientation lines 
Red line: safety distance to the rear. 
Green lateral lines: extension of the vehicle. 
Prerequisites 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
The prerequisites for parking using the rear view camera system must be met. 
Do not exceed a speed of approximately 15 km/h (9 mph). 
Width of the parking space: vehicle width + 0.2 m. 
The following conditions must be met in order to display a correct image: 
The boot lid is closed. 
The surrounding area has a flat surface. 
Vehicle does not have a heavy load at the rear.  

Never exceed the vehicle's maximum payload. Both the payload and the distribution of the load in 
the vehicle will have an effect on the handling and braking distance of the vehicle. 
Transporting heavy objects changes the vehicle's handling and the centre of gravity. 
The load should be distributed as evenly as possible in the vehicle. 
Always secure heavy objects in the luggage compartment as far in front of the rear axle as possible. 
Loose objects in the luggage compartment can suddenly slide and change the way the vehicle 
handles. 
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions. 
Accelerate very carefully and gently. 
Avoid sudden braking and driving manoeuvres. 
Brake earlier than in normal driving. 
 
NOTICE 
Objects rubbing against the rear windows may damage or destroy the heating wires or, depending 
on the vehicle equipment, also the aerial. 
Luggage compartment cover 
 
Fig. 146 In the luggage compartment: removing and installing the luggage compartment cover. 
When the boot lid ⇒ Boot lid  is opened and closed, the luggage compartment cover is also raised 
and lowered if the retaining straps are attached. 
Light items of clothing can be placed on the luggage compartment cover. Make sure that the view to 
the rear of the vehicle is not obstructed. 
Removing the luggage compartment cover 
Unhook the retaining straps from the boot lid ⇒ Fig. 146  (upper arrows). 
Pull the luggage compartment cover out of the side retainers ⇒ Fig. 146  (lower arrows). 
Installing the luggage compartment cover  

Push the luggage compartment cover into the side retainers ⇒ Fig. 146  (lower arrows). 
Hook the retaining straps onto the boot lid ⇒ Fig. 146  (upper arrows). 
 
WARNING 
Objects that are not secured or secured incorrectly or animals on the luggage compartment cover 
may cause severe injuries in the event of sudden driving or braking manoeuvres or accidents. 
Do not stow any hard, heavy or sharp items on the luggage compartment cover either loosely or in 
bags. 
Do not transport animals on the luggage compartment cover. 
 
NOTICE 
To prevent damage to the luggage compartment cover, do not load the luggage compartment to 
such a height that the luggage compartment cover presses against the load when the boot lid is 
closed. 
Luggage compartment floor 
Luggage compartment floor – Functions 
 
Fig. 147 In the luggage compartment: opening the luggage compartment floor. 
 
Fig. 148 In the luggage compartment: locking the luggage compartment floor. 
Opening the luggage compartment floor 
Grip the recessed handle in the luggage compartment floor ⇒ Fig. 147  and lift it upwards.  

 
Fig. 153 In the rear seat backrest: opening the load-through hatch. 
 
Fig. 154 In the luggage compartment: opening the load-through hatch. 
Depending on the vehicle equipment, a load-through hatch may be located behind the centre 
armrest on the rear seat backrest. This can be used to transport long objects in the vehicle interior, 
such as skis. 
Opening the load-through hatch 
Fold the centre armrest forwards ⇒ Seat functions . 
Opening the load-through hatch from the vehicle interior: pull the release lever in the direction of 
the arrow ⇒ Fig. 153  and fold the cover of the load-through hatch fully forward ⇒ . 
Open the boot lid. 
OR: opening the load-through hatch from the luggage compartment: push the release lever down in 
the direction of the arrow ⇒ Fig. 154  and push the cover of the load-through hatch forward. 
Push long objects through the load-through hatch from the luggage compartment. 
Secure the objects with the seat belt as required. 
Close the boot lid. 
 
WARNING