reduce braking efficiency, considerably increase braking distance and can cause the brake system to
fail completely.
with VW standard 501 14.
fluid or low-quality brake fluid can affect the functioning of the brakes and reduce
their effectiveness.
501 14 is not available, use a high-quality brake fluid
compliant with DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or the US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4, but only in exceptional
circumstances.
WARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
brake fluid. There is always a risk of someone drinking from such containers, even if they are labelled
appropriately.
children.
NOTICE
Brake fluid that has leaked or been spilt can damage the vehicle paintwork, plastic parts and tyres.
Immediately wipe off brake fluid that has leaked or been spilt from all parts of the vehicle.
Brake fluid can pollute the environment. Any service fluids that have escaped or been spilt must be
collected and disposed of properly.
12-volt vehicle battery
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Checking the electrolyte level of the 12-volt vehicle battery
⇒ Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the 12-volt vehicle battery
⇒ Troubleshooting
The 12-volt vehicle battery is a component of the electrical system and serves to supply power in the
vehicle.
-volt vehicle battery. Discharged 12-volt vehicle batteries can already freeze
at temperatures of around 0°C (+32°F). Frozen 12-volt vehicle batteries must be renewed
immediately.
NOTICE
Do not expose the 12-volt vehicle battery to direct daylight for an extended time.
NOTICE
Protect the 12-volt vehicle battery against frost if the vehicle is left standing for extended periods.
-volt vehicle battery can freeze and be destroyed as a result.
When you start the engine after the 12-volt battery has been totally discharged or after jump
starting, you may find that system settings (time, date, personal convenience settings and
programming) have been changed or deleted. Check and correct the settings as necessary once the
12-volt vehicle battery has been sufficiently charged.
Checking the electrolyte level of the 12-volt vehicle battery
Fig. 191 In the engine compartment: folding open the 12-volt vehicle battery cover.
te is very aggressive. It can burn the skin and can cause blindness. When working with the
12-volt vehicle battery, ensure that your hands, arms and face in particular are protected from acid
spillages.
-volt vehicle battery. Electrolyte may spill out of the battery vents and cause
chemical burns.
-volt vehicle battery.
Then consult a doctor immediately.
lyte is swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.
Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the 12-volt vehicle battery
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
If you suspect that the 12-volt vehicle battery is damaged or faulty, go to a qualified workshop and
have the 12-volt vehicle battery checked.
Charging the 12-volt vehicle battery
The 12-volt vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop, as the technology used in
factory-fitted 12-volt vehicle batteries requires voltage-limited charging ⇒ . Volkswagen
recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Replacing the 12-volt vehicle battery
The 12-volt vehicle battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its installation location and
has special safety features. If a 12-volt vehicle battery has to be replaced, find out about the
electromagnetic compatibility, size and necessary maintenance, power and safety requirements for
the new 12-volt vehicle battery at a Volkswagen dealership before purchase. The ventilation opening
of the vehicle battery must always be on the negative terminal side: the ventilation opening on the
positive terminal side must always be sealed.
Only maintenance-free vehicle batteries compliant with the standards TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73
should be used. These standards must be dated October 2014 or later.
Always have the 12-volt vehicle battery replaced by a qualified workshop, as the vehicle electronics
must be adapted as part of the replacement process. Only qualified workshops have the technology
required to carry out this adjustment correctly. Volkswagen recommends that the 12-volt vehicle
battery is replaced by a Volkswagen dealership.
Disconnecting the 12-volt vehicle battery
Please observe the following if the 12-volt vehicle battery has to be disconnected from the electrical
system in the vehicle:
-theft
alarm.
⇒ .
in this condition can result in blown tyres, accidents and serious injuries. Worn or damaged tyres
must be replaced as soon as possible.
grip.
he vehicle pulls to one side when driving, stop the car
immediately and check the wheels and tyres for damage.
injury, never loosen the bolts on wheel rims with bolted-on rim rings.
damaged, even if the damage is not visible.
ally at high
speeds, and thus cause accidents and serious injuries. Avoid using tyres that are more than six years
old. If you have no alternative, drive slowly and with extra care at all times.
WARNING
If the wheels are incorrectly fastened or if wheel bolts are missing, the wheels could come loose,
leading to a loss of control over the vehicle, causing accidents and serious injuries.
type.
available, tighten the wheel bolts with the wheel wrench and have the torque checked without delay
by the nearest qualified workshop.
Handling wheels and tyres
Fig. 193 Illustration: diagram showing how to swap wheels
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
The tyres and wheel rims approved by Volkswagen have been carefully selected.
Rotating wheels
Regularly rotating the wheels as shown in the illustration ⇒ Fig. 193 is recommended to help ensure
that tyres wear evenly. All the tyres will then last for about the same time.
Volkswagen recommends having the wheels changed by a qualified workshop.
Avoiding damage to the wheel rims and tyres
⇒ Tyre lettering and
tyre type .
worn tyres must be replaced immediately ⇒ Tyre damage .
fluid ⇒ .
Tyres that are older than 6 years
Tyres age through physical and chemical processes that can impair their function. Tyres that have
been stored unused for an extended period of time age more quickly than tyres that are used all the
time.
Volkswagen recommends replacing tyres that are older than 6 years with new tyres. This also applies
to tyres which appear to still be in good condition and whose tread depth has not yet reached the
minimum value stipulated by legislation ⇒ .
Winter and all-year tyres also largely lose their effectiveness through ageing – regardless of the
remaining tread depth.
The age of each tyre can be determined using the manufacturing date ⇒ Tyre lettering and tyre
type .
Storing tyres
es mounted on the
wheel rim vertically.
should be stored vertically (standing on the tread).
New tyres
with new tyres as the tyres have to be run in. Tyres
that have not been run in have reduced grip ⇒ and braking efficiency ⇒ .
Changing a wheel can be dangerous, especially when carried out at the side of a road. Please
observe the following steps in order to reduce the risk of serious injuries:
as soon as possible and when safe to do so. Park the vehicle at a safe distance
from moving traffic in order to carry out the wheel change.
work during the wheel change.
board or similar support for the vehicle jack.
urself when you feel confident with carrying out the procedure. If not,
seek expert assistance.
ver
to the position P or select a gear on a manual gearbox in order to reduce the risk of unintended
vehicle movement.
immediately after changing a wheel.
n the case of vehicles with a Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator, the system must be re-synchronised
immediately after a wheel change⇒ Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator .
Preparations for changing a wheel
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Checklist
The following actions must always be carried out in the given order in preparation for changing the
wheel ⇒ :
If your vehicle has a flat tyre, park the vehicle on a firm and level surface at a safe distance from
moving traffic.
Switch on the electronic parking brake Parking and manoeuvring.
DSG® dual clutch gearbox: move the selector lever to position P DSG® dual clutch gearbox.
Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
On wheels with a wheel cover, the anti-theft wheel bolt must be screwed into position
⇒ Fig. 204② or ③ according to the position of the tyre valve ①. The wheel cover can otherwise
not be fitted.
Tightening torque of wheel bolts
Specified tightening torque for wheel bolts for steel or alloy wheels:
Nm
If the wheel bolts are corroded and difficult to turn, they must be replaced before the tightening
torque is checked and the wheel hub threads cleaned.
Never grease or oil the wheel bolts or the threads of the wheel hub.
The tightening torque should be checked with a properly functioning torque wrench immediately
after changing a wheel.
WARNING
Incorrectly tightened wheel bolts can loosen while the vehicle is in motion and cause accidents,
serious injury, and loss of control of the vehicle.
easily.
bolts.
the wheel bolts only by approximately one turn before raising the vehicle with the vehicle
jack.
loosen while the vehicle is in motion, even if they have been tightened with the specified tightening
torque.
-on rings.
while the vehicle is in motion. The wheel bolts and the threads could be damaged if the tightening
torque is too high. Check the tightening torque regularly using a torque wrench.
WARNING
The wrong wheel bolts can loosen while the vehicle is in motion and cause accidents, serious injury,
and loss of control of the vehicle.
Fig. 212 At the rear of the vehicle: rear view camera system in the Volkswagen badge or in the
number plate light (illustration).
The following overview contains recommendations for cleaning and care of individual vehicle
components ⇒ .
Windows, glass surfaces:
Remove wax residue, e.g. from care products, using the Volkswagen Genuine cleaning cloth -
000 096 166 A - or a suitable glass cleaner.
Use a hand brush to remove snow and ice. If you use a plastic scraper, move it in one direction only.
Use the Volkswagen Genuine de-icing agent (- 000 096 322 -) to remove ice.
Wiper blades:⇒ Wiper blades .
Paint:
Always treat surfaces carefully in order to prevent damage to the paint coat. Use a clean, soft cloth
and a mild soap solution1) or cleaning clay to remove any light dirt immediately, e.g. deposits, insect
residue, or cosmetics.
Repair minor paint damage with a touch-up pen. Refer to the vehicle data sticker for the paint code
⇒ Technical data . Consult a qualified workshop in the event of damage to surfaces with matt paint.
n deposits with a soap solution. Then remove any deposits with
cleaning clay.
Volkswagen Genuine hard wax (- 000 096 317 -).
cleaning to remove dirt and dust.
Plenum chamber, engine compartment:
Remove leaves and other loose objects with a vacuum cleaner or by hand ⇒ Fig. 211 ⇒ . Cleaning
of the engine compartment should always be performed by a qualified workshop ⇒ .
Water that has entered the plenum chamber via a manual process (e.g. from a high-pressure
cleaner) can cause considerable damage to the vehicle.