Press the button in the air conditioning block to switch the auxiliary heater on and off when the
ignition is switched off ⇒ .
Touch the function button in the Infotainment system air conditioning settings to access the
Auxiliary heater menu ⇒ Auxiliary heater and ventilation .
The auxiliary heater provides additional heating when the ignition is switched on.
– Blower
Turn the middle rotary control.
When Climatronic is in automatic mode, no blower speed is displayed in the rotary control.
– Air recirculation mode
Press the button.
Air distribution
– air distribution to the upper body via the vents in the dash panel.
– air distribution to footwell.
– air distribution to the upper body and the footwell.
– air distribution to the windscreen and the footwell.
– air distribution to the windscreen.
| – Defrost function
Manual air conditioning system: turn the right rotary knob to position ⇒ Fig. 91 .
Climatronic: press the button ⇒ Fig. 92 .
Manual air conditioning system: in the defrost function, the air recirculation mode switches off
and the air conditioning compressor for the cooling system switches on in order to dehumidify the
air. When the defrost function is switched on, it is not possible to switch the air recirculation mode
on or the air conditioning compressor off1).
– Rear window heating
Press to switch the rear window heating on or off while the engine is running.
The rear window heating will switch off after 10 minutes at the latest.
Recommended settings for manual air conditioning system
Switch off air recirculation mode.
Set blower to setting or .
The cooling system cannot be switched on or its function is restricted
The cooling system functions only when the engine is running and at ambient temperatures above
+3°C (+38°F).
The cooling system is switched off when the engine is very warm.
Switch on the blower.
Check the fuse of the air conditioning system ⇒ Fuses in the dash panel .
Change the dust and pollen filter ⇒ Service .
If the fault persists, seek expert assistance.
The heating and fresh air system cannot be switched on or its function is restricted
The heating and defrost function are more effective when the engine is warm.
If the fault persists, seek expert assistance.
Condensation on the windows
Keep the air intake in front of the windscreen free of ice, snow or leaves in order to improve heating
and cooling performance ⇒ Vehicle care .
Do not cover the air vents in the rear of the luggage compartment to allow air to flow through the
vehicle from the front to the rear.
Press the button or turn the rotary knob to position in order to switch on the defrost
function ⇒ .
The wrong unit of temperature is set
Change the unit of temperature for all temperature displays in the vehicle using the Infotainment
system ⇒ Infotainment system controls and displays .
Change the unit of temperature in the instrument cluster menu ⇒ Instrument cluster .
Water under the vehicle
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensation can drip off the
evaporator of the cooling system and form a pool underneath the vehicle. This is normal and does
not indicate a leak!
If the outside humidity is high and the outside temperature low, condensation may evaporate when
the auxiliary heater is running ⇒ Auxiliary heater and ventilation . If this is the case, steam may
appear underneath the vehicle. This is not a sign that the vehicle is damaged.
WARNING
Poor visibility through all windows increases the risk of collisions and accidents, which can cause
serious injuries.
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.
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 .
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.
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
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.
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.