Symbol Meaning
Engine speed limited ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Electromechanical steering function reduced ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Tyre monitoring system ⇒ Troubleshooting for Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator .
Fault in the rain/light sensor ⇒ Fault in rain/light sensor , ⇒ Fault in rain/light
sensor .
Fault in wipers ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Washer fluid level too low ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Fuel tank almost empty ⇒ Fuel gauge .
Particulate filter clogged up ⇒ Particulate filter clogged with soot .
Fault in airbag and belt tensioner system ⇒ Indicator lamp .
Front passenger front airbag switched off ⇒ Indicator lamp .
Front passenger front airbag switched on ⇒ Indicator lamp .
Tank cap open ⇒ Fuel gauge .
Lane keeping system (Lane Assist) ⇒ Driving with the lane keeping system .
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) not available ⇒ ACC not available. .
Fault in DSG® dual clutch gearbox: gearbox fault ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Manual gearbox: clutch temperature high or clutch is defective ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Area monitoring system (Front Assist) switched off ⇒ Operating the area monitoring
system (Front Assist) .
Adaptive chassis control (DCC) ⇒ Fault in the adaptive chassis control (DCC) .
Rear Traffic Alert ⇒ Rear Traffic Alert .
Turn signal ⇒ Switching turn signals on and off .
Depress the brake pedal.
Are there any Volkswagen dealerships in the destination country?
Is fuel in the adequate quality available Fuel and emission control?
Are the correct service fluids that comply with Volkswagen specifications available in the destination
country Service fluids and consumables?
Will the navigation function in the factory-fitted Infotainment system work with the available
navigation data in the destination country?
Are special tyres necessary for travelling in the destination country?
Is a fire extinguisher a requirement in your destination country?
Which requirements must be observed regarding high-visibility waistcoats?
Checklist
Do not work on the engine and in the engine compartment unless you are familiar with the task, are
aware of the general safety procedures and have the correct equipment, service fluids and suitable
tools ⇒ In the engine compartment ! The work should be carried out by a qualified workshop if you
are uncertain. Make sure you check the following on a regular basis:
Washer fluid level Washer fluid
Engine oil level Engine oil
Coolant level Coolant
Brake fluid level Brake fluid
Tyre pressure Wheels and tyres
Vehicles with ignition lock: turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ Fig. 99① . The ignition is
switched on.
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button once. The ignition is switched on.
Vehicles with a diesel engine: during the diesel engine preheating phase, the indicator lamp
lights up in the instrument cluster.
Depress and hold the brake pedal until the electronic parking brake has been switched off.
Vehicles with manual gearbox: fully depress the clutch pedal and hold it until the engine has
been started. Move the gear lever to neutral position.
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: move the selector lever to position P or N.
Vehicles with ignition lock: turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ Fig. 99② – do not depress the
accelerator.
Release the vehicle key once the engine has started.
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button ⇒ Starter button – do not depress the
accelerator. There must be a valid vehicle key in the vehicle before the engine can be started.
If the engine does not start immediately, switch off the starter and try again after about a minute.
Vehicles with starter button: perform an emergency start if necessary ⇒ No valid vehicle key
recognised .
Vehicles with starter button: the starter button is deactivated if the vehicle was locked with the
vehicle key. If you are in the vehicle and need to start the engine, unlock the vehicle first or perform
an emergency start ⇒ No valid vehicle key recognised .
Switch off the electronic parking brake if you wish to pull away.
WARNING
The risk of serious injury can be reduced with the engine running or when starting the engine.
Never start or run the engine in unventilated or enclosed spaces. The exhaust fumes contain carbon
monoxide, an odourless and colourless toxic gas. Carbon monoxide can cause people to lose
consciousness. It can also cause death.
Never start or run the engine if oil, fuel or any other highly flammable fluids are under or near the
vehicle, or are leaking out of the vehicle, e.g. as the result of damage.
With the correct gear selected, the vehicle will normally not have to be braked so much using the
foot brake when driving downhill as the engine braking effect will normally be sufficient.
You should only depress the accelerator as much as is required. If you accelerate too hard, the
wheels could lose traction and you could lose control of the vehicle.
DSG® dual clutch gearbox
Select position D when driving in normal, flat offroad terrain.
Adjust your speed when driving on soft or slippery ground, and select the highest suitable position
for the Tiptronic.
If driving through mud, sand, water or hilly terrain, drive with Tiptronic in the positions 3 or
2⇒ DSG® dual clutch gearbox .
Use the offroad display ⇒ Offroad display .
Driving on rough terrain
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Use the offroad driving profile ⇒ Setting a driving profile .
You should drive through rocky terrain at no faster than walking pace.
If you are not able to drive around a rock, drive carefully onto the rock with one front wheel and
drive over it slowly ⇒ .
NOTICE
You should never drive straight over large obstacles, e.g. boulders or tree stumps, or drive over such
obstacles with one side of the vehicle. Obstacles which require more ground clearance than is
available could damage vehicle components when you drive over them and thus cause the vehicle to
break down.
Even obstacles that are smaller than the available ground clearance could come into contact with
the vehicle underbody and thus cause damage which could lead to a vehicle breakdown. This applies
in particular if there is a hollow or soft ground either in front of or behind the obstacle. This also
applies in cases when you drive too quickly over the obstacle causing the vehicle to bounce.
Escaping engine oil and brake fluid can pollute the environment. Spilt service fluids must be
collected and then disposed of properly and in an environmentally responsible way.
Driving through water
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Driving through flooded terrain could damage the vehicle ⇒ Checklist before driving offroad .
unattended.
expansion tank when the engine is hot. Coolant may spray out and cause serious burns and other
injuries.
-clockwise while exerting
gentle downward pressure on the cap.
face, hands and arms from hot coolant or steam with a large, thick cloth.
spilt service fluids can start a fire.
WARNING
High voltages in the electrical system can cause electric shocks, burns, serious injuries and death!
-volt battery could explode.
started, never touch the electrical cables in the ignition system.
WARNING
There are rotating components in the engine compartment that can cause serious injury.
rotor blades can result in serious injuries. The fan is temperature-controlled and can start
automatically, even when the ignition has been switched off or the vehicle key has been removed
from the ignition lock.
e engine is started or with the engine running, there is an
additional, potentially fatal safety risk from the rotating parts, such as the poly V-belt, alternator,
radiator fan, and from the high-voltage ignition system. Always be particularly careful.
Always ensure that no body parts, jewellery, ties, loose items of clothing or long hair can be
caught up in rotating engine components. Before starting work, remove any jewellery and ties, tie
up long hair and pull clothes in tightly to avoid them getting caught on engine parts.
could move, even if the electronic parking brake is applied.
s and tools, in the engine
compartment. Any forgotten items can cause malfunctions, engine damage and fires.
WARNING
Refill only with distilled water. All other types of water can cause corrosion in the engine due to
the chemical components contained in the water. This can also lead to engine failure. If any other
type of water apart from distilled water has been refilled, the fluid in the cooling system should be
completely replaced immediately by a qualified workshop.
⇒ Fig. 188 . Otherwise the excess coolant will
be forced out of the cooling system when the engine is hot and could cause damage.
completely. Heavy coolant loss is an indication of leaks in the cooling system. The cooling system
should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible. Failure to do so can result in engine
damage.
have entered the cooling system. Do not drive on! Seek expert assistance. Failure to do so can result
in engine damage.
correct openings. The use of incorrect service fluids could result in serious malfunctions and engine
damage.
Brake fluid
Fig. 190 In the engine compartment: cap on the brake fluid reservoir.
Brake fluid will gradually absorb water from the surrounding air over the course of time. The brake
system will be damaged if there is too much water in the brake fluid. The boiling point of the brake
fluid is also considerably reduced by the water content. Heavy use of the brakes and full braking may
cause a vapour lock in the brake system if the water content is too high. Vapour locks reduce levels
of braking power, considerably increase braking distance and can even cause the brake system to fail
completely. Your own safety and that of other road users depends on having a brake system that
functions properly at all times ⇒ .
Brake fluid specification
Volkswagen has developed a brake fluid that has been optimised for the brake system in the vehicle.
To ensure optimal operation of the brake system, Volkswagen expressly recommends the use of
brake fluid compliant with VW standard 501 14.
Before using a particular brake fluid, check that the brake fluid specifications printed on the
container correspond to the vehicle requirements.
Brake fluid that is compliant with VW standard 501 14 is available from Volkswagen dealerships.
If this brake fluid is not available and it is necessary to use another high-quality brake fluid instead,
brake fluid that is compliant with DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 can be
used.
Not all brake fluids that are compliant with DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4
have the same chemical composition. Some of these brake fluids may contain chemicals that can
damage or destroy brake system components over time.
Volkswagen therefore recommends the use of brake fluid that is compliant with VW standard 501 14
to ensure sustained proper operation of the brake system.
Brake fluid that is compliant with VW standard 501 14 fulfils the requirements of DIN ISO 4925
CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4.
Brake fluid level
The brake fluid level must always be between the MIN and MAX marking on the brake fluid reservoir
or above the MIN marking ⇒ .
The brake fluid level cannot be checked accurately in all models as engine components may partially
conceal the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir. If the brake fluid level cannot be read exactly,
please go to a qualified workshop.
The brake fluid level drops slightly during vehicle operation as the brake pads wear and the brakes
are automatically adjusted.
Brake fluid level
The indicator lamp lights up red.
Brake fluid level is too low.
Do not drive on! Check the brake fluid level.
If the brake fluid level is too low, inform a qualified workshop. Have the brake system checked.
Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid should be changed by a qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using a
Volkswagen dealership for this purpose. Only brake fluid that conforms with the required
specification should be used.
WARNING
Brake failure or reduced braking efficiency can be caused by the brake fluid level being too low or by
brake fluid that is too old or unsuitable.
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.