
 
WARNING 
New brake pads will not have the optimal braking effect when first fitted. 
New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 300 km and must first be run 
in. A reduced braking effect can be increased by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. 
In order to reduce the risk of accidents, serious injuries and the loss of control over the vehicle, you 
must drive particularly carefully when driving with new brake pads. 
Never drive too close to other vehicles during the run-in time for the new brake pads and never 
create a driving situation that will place a heavy load on the brakes. 
 
WARNING 
Overheated brakes reduce the braking effect and considerably increase the braking distance. 
When driving downhill, the brakes are placed under particular strain and become hot very quickly. 
Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce speed and change to a lower gear (with manual 
gearboxes or in Tiptronic mode with the automatic gearbox). This will make use of the engine 
braking effect and relieve the load on the brakes. 
Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the brakes and cause them to 
overheat. 
 
WARNING 
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react more slowly and require longer braking 
distances. 
Carefully apply the brakes to test them. 
Always dry brakes and clean off any coating of ice and salt with a few cautious applications of the 
brake when visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit. 
 
WARNING 
Driving without the brake servo can considerably increase the braking distance and thus cause 
accidents and serious injuries. 
Never switch the engine or ignition off while the vehicle is in motion. 
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.  

The airbags and belt tensioners will not work if the ignition is switched off. 
The brake servo will not work when the engine is switched off. More force is required on the brake 
pedal to stop the vehicle. 
If the vehicle key is removed from the ignition, the steering lock may activate and you will no longer 
be able to steer the vehicle. 
 
WARNING 
The components of the exhaust system become very hot. This can cause fires and serious injuries. 
Never park the vehicle so that parts of the exhaust system can come into contact with any 
inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. undergrowth, leaves, dry grass, spilt fuel etc. 
Never apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, catalytic 
converters, heat shields or particulate filter. 
 
NOTICE 
If the vehicle has been driven at high load for a long period, the engine can overheat when it is 
switched off. In order to avoid damage to the engine, allow the engine to run in neutral position for 
approximately 2 minutes before switching it off. 
 
After the engine is switched off, the radiator fan in the engine compartment may run on for some 
minutes, even if the ignition is switched off or the vehicle key has been removed. The radiator fan 
will switch itself off automatically. 
Electronic immobiliser 
The immobiliser helps to prevent the engine from being started and driven with an unauthorised 
vehicle key. 
There is a chip in the vehicle key. The immobiliser is automatically deactivated by this when a valid 
vehicle key is inserted in the ignition lock. 
The electronic immobiliser is automatically activated when the vehicle key is removed from the 
ignition lock. In vehicles with Keyless Access, the vehicle key must be outside the vehicle. 
The engine can be started only using a Volkswagen Genuine vehicle key with the correct code. 
Coded vehicle keys are available from a Volkswagen dealership. 
 
Problem-free operation of the vehicle is guaranteed only with Volkswagen Genuine vehicle keys. 
Troubleshooting  

 
Fig. 101 On the right-hand side of the steering column: emergency start function in vehicles with the 
keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access. 
Fault in engine management system 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
Fault in the engine management system. 
The engine should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible. 
Engine speed limited 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
The engine speed was limited to prevent the engine from overheating. 
The engine speed is shown on the instrument cluster display. 
The engine speed limitation will be cancelled again in the following cases: 
Engine is no longer in a critical temperature range. 
Foot is taken off the accelerator. 
together with engine speed limitation due to fault in the engine management system 
The indicator lamps light up yellow. 
Engine speed limitation is activated due to a fault in the engine management system. 
Make sure that the displayed engine speed is not exceeded. 
The engine should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible. 
Glow plug system/engine management system 
Vehicles with diesel engine: 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
When the diesel engine is being pre-heated, the indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster for 
a few seconds.  

The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
Clutch is not transmitting the full engine torque. 
If necessary, remove foot from the clutch pedal. 
Clutch overheated 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
An acoustic warning may also be given ⇒ . 
The clutch can overheat, for example if the vehicle pulls off frequently, travels at a crawl for long 
periods, or in stop and go traffic. 
Overheating is indicated by the warning lamp and in some cases by additional warning lamps and a 
text message in the instrument cluster display. 
You can continue to drive. 
Clutch faulty 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
The clutch is faulty. 
Drive on carefully! 
Seek expert assistance. Failure to do so can cause considerable clutch damage. 
DSG® dual clutch gearbox 
Function of the DSG® dual clutch gearbox 
Description 
The vehicle is equipped with a DSG® dual clutch gearbox. 
The DSG® dual clutch gearbox is a gearbox which uses dual-clutch technology to change gear 
automatically. It uses a dual clutch and two gear train halves to enable very fast gear changes with 
no loss of torque. The DSG® dual clutch gearbox thus combines the performance and economy of a 
manual gearbox with the comfort and convenience of a conventional automatic gearbox. 
Function 
Engine power is transferred to the drive shaft via the gearbox. In order to change gears, the power 
transmission between the engine and the gearbox has to be interrupted. This is what the clutch is 
for. 
With the DSG® dual clutch system with its two gear train halves, the engine power is always 
connected to one gear train half when driving. Before a gear shift, the next-higher or lower gear is 
already preselected in the load-free second gear train half. The clutch on the non-driven gear is then 
closed, and the other is opened at the same time. This makes very fast gear changes possible. 
Thanks to its design, the DSG® dual clutch gearbox is more efficient than an automatic gearbox. 
Whereas in an automatic gearbox the torque converter is constantly in use, in the DSG® dual clutch  

Kickdown function 
The kickdown function enables maximum acceleration in the selector lever position D/S or in the 
Tiptronic position. 
If the accelerator is depressed fully, the gearbox will automatically shift to a lower gear, depending 
on the speed and engine speed. This will make use of the full vehicle acceleration. 
With the kickdown function, the gearbox does not shift up to the next gear until the engine reaches 
the maximum engine speed for the gear. 
When the Eco driving profile is selected in vehicles with driving profile selection ⇒ Driving profile 
selection and 4MOTION Active Control  and the accelerator is depressed fully beyond the pressure 
point, the engine output is automatically regulated to ensure maximum vehicle acceleration. 
 
WARNING 
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, particularly on slippery roads. This can 
cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents and serious injuries. 
Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic. 
Use the kickdown function or fast acceleration only if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions 
permit, and if other road users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and the driving style. 
Please note that the driven wheels could start to spin and the vehicle could skid if the TCS is 
switched off and especially if the road is slippery. 
 
WARNING 
Never let the brakes rub too often and for too long or operate the brake pedal too often or for too 
long. Constant braking will cause the brakes to overheat. This will considerably reduce the braking 
power, significantly increase the braking distance and could cause the brake system to fail 
completely. 
 
NOTICE 
Never let the brakes rub by applying light pressure when it is not necessary. This will increase levels 
of wear. 
Troubleshooting  

After manual unlocking, carefully press the cover into the centre console while ensuring that the 
electrical wires are positioned correctly. 
Using the flat blade of the screwdriver from the vehicle toolkit, carefully push the release lever in the 
direction of the arrow and keep it in this position ⇒ Fig. 109 . 
Press the lock button on the front of the selector lever and move the selector lever into position N. 
After manual unlocking, carefully press the cover into the centre console while ensuring that the 
electrical wires are positioned correctly. 
Emergency programme 
There is a fault in the system if all the displays on the instrument cluster for the selector lever 
positions have a light background. The DSG® dual clutch gearbox is running in an emergency 
programme. The vehicle can still be driven in the emergency programme, but only at reduced speed 
and not in all gears. 
In vehicles with a DSG® dual clutch gearbox, you may no longer be able to select reverse gear. 
In all cases, you should have the DSG® dual clutch gearbox checked by a qualified workshop 
immediately. 
Vehicle does not move even though position is engaged 
If the vehicle will not move in the required direction, the system may have selected the position 
incorrectly. 
Depress the brake pedal and reselect the position. 
If the vehicle still does not move in the required direction, there is a system fault. Seek expert 
assistance and have the system checked. 
 
WARNING 
Never move the selector lever out of the position P if the electronic parking brake is not switched on. 
Otherwise the vehicle could move unexpectedly if it is stopped on an uphill or downhill gradient, 
which could lead to accidents and serious injuries. 
 
NOTICE 
If the vehicle rolls for an extended period or at high speed with the engine switched off and the 
selector lever in the position N, the DSG® dual clutch gearbox will be damaged, e.g. when being 
towed. 
 
NOTICE 
If the display indicates that the gearbox is overheating for the first time, the vehicle must either be 
parked safely or driven faster than 20 km/h (12 mph).  

If the text message and signal tone are repeated approximately every 10 seconds, park the vehicle 
safely as soon as possible and switch the engine off. Allow the gearbox to cool down. 
Do not drive on until the signal tone stops in order to avoid damage to the gearbox. You should not 
pull away or drive the vehicle at very low speeds while the gearbox is overheated. 
Downhill speed control 
The downhill speed control system helps when braking and travelling downhill in vehicles with a 
DSG® dual clutch gearbox ⇒ . The downhill speed control uses the braking power of the engine. 
The DSG® dual clutch gearbox selects the best gear depending on the steepness of the gradient and 
the current speed. The selector lever must be in position D/S. The downhill speed control is not 
active in Tiptronic mode. 
As the downhill speed control can shift down only as far as third gear, it may be necessary to activate 
the Tiptronic mode when driving down particularly steep inclines. When in Tiptronic mode, select 
second or first gear manually in order to make use of the braking effect of the engine and to relieve 
the load on the brakes. 
The start/stop system is automatically deactivated as long as downhill speed control is active. 
Activating downhill speed control automatically: 
If the downhill gradient is greater than approximately 6%. 
AND: if the selector lever is in position D/S. 
In addition, if the cruise control system or Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is switched off: if the 
vehicle speed is less than approximately 80 km/h (50 mph) or the brake pedal is depressed. 
In addition, if the cruise control system or Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is active: if the stored speed 
is exceeded. 
Deactivating downhill speed control automatically: 
If the downhill gradient becomes less steep. 
OR: if the gearbox shifts up a gear because the engine speed is higher than approximately 4,500 rpm. 
Or additionally if the cruise control system or Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is active: if the stored 
speed can be maintained. 
 
WARNING 
The intelligent downhill speed control technology cannot overcome the laws of physics, and 
functions only within the limits of the system. Never let the extra convenience afforded by pull-away 
assist systems tempt you into taking any safety risks when driving. 
Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury. 
The downhill speed control cannot replace the full concentration of the driver. 
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.  

An incorrect tyre pressure can cause overheating, sudden tyre damage including tyre bursts and 
ripping of the tread surface and thus to a loss of control over the vehicle. 
Driving on steep terrain 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
Driving uphill or downhill 
Get out of the vehicle and assess the situation before you attempt to drive up or down a hill: 
Walk along the section and check the firmness of the ground. Look out for obstacles and other 
hidden dangers ⇒ . 
Check the section beyond the hill. 
You should not follow the route if it is too steep, uneven or if the ground surface is too loose. Select 
another route. 
Drive slowly and at constant speed straight up or down a slope. 
Accelerate only to the speed you need to climb the slope. Too much acceleration can cause the 
wheels to spin and lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. Insufficient throttle increases the 
probability of stalling the engine. 
Never attempt to stop or turn on a slope. 
Avoid allowing the engine to stall. 
Do not change gear or engage the clutch when climbing a slope. 
Use the offroad display ⇒ Offroad display . 
If you cannot continue to drive up a hill 
Never turn the vehicle around on an uphill gradient. 
If the engine has stalled, depress the footbrake and start the engine again. 
Select reverse gear and reverse back slowly in a straight line. 
Use the foot brake to keep a constant speed until you have reached a safe place. 
Driving downhill 
Never exceed the tilt angle of the vehicle! If, in an emergency, you have to traverse the slope when 
driving down it and the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer into the fall line immediately. 
There is an increased risk of rolling over when driving downhill. Concentrate on steering the vehicle 
when driving downhill in particular. 
Use the offroad display on steep downhill stretches ⇒ Offroad display . 
Drive down steep inclines in first gear. 
Use the foot brake sparingly in order not to lose control of the vehicle.