2021 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER check engine

• Reduce your speed.
• Push the selector lever from position D to the right into the Tiptronic gate 266.
• Gently push the selector lever to the rear to change down gear.
Stopping the vehicle and pulling away when driving uphill
The steeper the incline, the lower the gear that is required.
If you wish to stop the vehicle or pull away when driving uphill, you should use the Hill Hold Assist function 282.
Vehicles without Hill Hold Assist: when the vehi-cle is stopped on an incline and remains in gear, the vehicle must always be prevented from rolling by depressing the brake pedal or by applying the handbrake. The brake pedal or the handbrake should not be released until you start to pull away
Kickdown
The kickdown mechanism enables maximum ac-celeration in the selector lever positions D and S, or in the Tiptronic position.
If the accelerator pedal is depressed fully, the gear-box will automatically shift to a lower gear, depend-ing on the speed and engine revs. This will make use of the full vehicle acceleration &.
The gearbox does not shift up to the next gear until the engine reaches the maximum engine speed for the gear.
Freewheel driving with 7-speed dual clutch gearbox DSG®
In coasting mode, the momentum of the vehicle can be used to save fuel in conjunction with a fore-sighted driving style. The engine is declutched and no longer brakes the vehicle -the vehicle can roll out over a longer distance.
Switch-on condition: the selector lever must be in position D.
Fault in the DSG® dual clutch gearbox
r-f"'n First read and observe the introductory l-J::,JJ information and safety warnings & on page 260.
Emergency programme
There is a fault in the system if all the displays on the instrument cluster for the selector lever posi-tions have a light background. The automatic gear-
Triggering coasting
• Remove foot from accelerator pedal. The en-gine will be disengaged and run in freewheel mode. The vehicle rolls without the braking effect of the engine.
Cancelling coasting mode
• Depress the brake pedal briefly.
Coasting can be switched on and off in the Set-tings menu of the Volkswagen Information sys-tem 24.
A WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, particularly on slippery roads. This can cause you to lose control of the ve-hicle, which can lead to accidents and seri-ous injuries.
• Always adjust your driving style in ac-cordance with the flow of traffic.
• Only use kickdown or fast acceleration if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit, and other road users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and the driving style.
• You should never endanger other road users through the acceleration of your vehi-cle or through your driving style.
CD
• If you stop the vehicle on an incline, do not attempt to stop it from rolling back by depress-Ing the accelerator while a position is still se-lected. The automatic gearbox could overheat and be damaged.
• Never allow the vehicle to roll in position N, particularly if the ignition is switched off. The automatic gearbox will not be lubricated and could be damaged. <1
box is running in an emergency programme. The vehicle can still be driven in the emergency pro-gramme, 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. The gearbox should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible. .,..
Starting the engine, changing gear and parking 267

In all cases the automatic gearbox should be checked by a qualified workshop Immediately.
Overheating of the DSG® dual clutch gearbox
The dual clutch gearbox can overheat when the vehicle pulls off regularly, travels at a crawl for long periods, or in stop and go traffic. Gearbox over-heating is indicated by the warning lamp (j) and in some cases by a text message in the instrument cluster display. A signal tone may also be given. Stop the vehicle and allow the gearbox to cool down
The vehicle will not move forwards or backwards even though a gear has been selected
If the vehicle will not move in the required direc-tion, the system may have selected the position in-correctly. Depress the brake pedal and reselect the position.
Gear-change indicator
r--f"'n First read and observe the Introductory L-lo:.l.l information and safety warnings & on page 260.
Depending on the vehicle equipment level, the in-strument cluster may indicate the gear which you should select in order to reduce fuel consumption while the vehicle is in motion.
Display Meaning
• The current gear is optimal.
f A higher gear is recommended.
! A lower gear is recommended.
In vehicles with a manual gearbox the recommen-ded gear will be indicated in the form of a number and a recommendation to shift up or down into the recommended gear will be displayed in the form of an arrow 263.
In vehicles with a OSG® dual clutch gearbox if the selector lever is in the Tiptronic position, the cur-rent gear will be indicated in the form of a number and a recommendation to shift up or down a gear will be displayed in the form of an arrow 266.
268 While driving
If the vehicle still does not move in the required di-rection, there is a system fault. Seek expert assis-tance and have the system checked.
CD
• If the display Indicates that the gearbox Is overheating for the first time, the vehicle will have to be parked safely or driven faster than 20 kmlh (12 mph).
• Safely park the vehicle immediately and switch the engine off if the text message and signal tone are repeated approximately every 10 seconds. Allow the gearbox to cool down.
• In order to prevent damage to the gearbox, you should not drive on until the acoustic warning stops. You should not pull away or drive the vehicle at very low speeds while the gearbox is overheated. Information on "cleaning" the diesel partlculate filter
The exhaust management system detects when a diesel particulate filter is filling up and aids the fil-ter's self-cleaning process by recommending the most suitable gear when driving. This may mean driving with Increased engine speed in exceptional cases 407.
A CAUTION
The gear-change Indicator Is only designed to assist the driver and cannot replace the driver's own judgement.
• The driver has full responsibility for se-lecting the correct gear In all situations (e.g. when overtaking, driving up and down hills and when towing a trailer).
Driving in the correct gear can help to reduce fuel consumption.
m On vehicles with a dual clutch gearbox W DSG®, the information on the gear-change indicator disappears when disengaging from the Tiptronic position.
m On vehicles with a manual gearbox, the dis-W play on the gear-change indicator will disap-pear when the clutch pedal is depressed.

Braking, stopping and parking
COl Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Warning and indicator lamps Handbrake ............................ .
Parking . . . . . . . ............. .
Information on the brakes ................ . Brake support systems .................. .
Switching the TCS on and off ............. .
Brake fluid ............................ .
270 271
272 272
274
276
277
The brake support systems are the anti-lock brake system (ASS), the Brake Assist system (SAS), the electronic differential lock (EDS), the traction control system (TCS) and the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
Additional information and warnings:
• Towing a trailer 139
• Pull-away assist systems 282
• Wheels and tyres 367
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts 394
A WARNING
Driving with worn brake pads or with a faulty brake system can cause accidents and seri-ous Injuries.
• If the warning lamp 0 lights up either on its own or with a text message In the display of the Instrument cluster, go to a qualified workshop Immediately, have the brake pads checked and any worn brake pads replaced.
A WARNING
Incorrect parking can cause serious Injuries.
• Never remove the vehicle key from the lg-nltlon lock when the vehicle Is In motion. The steering lock may be activated and you will no longer be able to steer or control the vehl-cl e.
A WARNING (Continued)
• Never park the vehicle where parts of the exhaust system can come into contact with inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. undergrowth, leaves, dry grass, spilt fuel.
• Always apply the handbrake when the ve-hicle Is parked.
• Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone In the vehicle. They could release the handbrake, move the selector lev-er or gearshift lever and thus set the vehicle In motion. This can lead to accidents and se-rious injuries.
• Always take all vehicle keys with you ev-ery time you leave the vehicle. The engine can be started and electrical equipment such as the window controls can be used which could cause serious injury.
• Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle. They could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergen-cy and may not be able to get themselves to safety. For example, locked vehicles may be subjected to very high or very low tempera-tures, according to season. This can cause serious Injuries and illness or fatalities, espe-cially for small children.
CD
• To avoid unintentional movement when parking the vehicle, first apply the handbrake and then remove your foot from the brake ped-al.
• Always take care when driving in car parks with protruding kerbstones or bollards. Objects that protrude from the ground can damage the bumper and other components when parking the vehicle. In order to avoid any damage, stop the vehicle before the wheels can touch the bollards or kerbs.
• Drive carefully through dips in the road, over driveways, ramps, kerbstones and other objects. Low-lying vehicle components such as the bumper, spoiler and parts of the running gear, engine or exhaust system could be dam-aged.
Starting the engine, changing gear and parking I 269

A WARNING (Continued)
• If the brake warning lamp ID does not go out, or if it lights up when driving, the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low or there is a fault in the brake system. Stop the vehi-cle Immediately and seek expert assistance 277, Brake fluid.
• If the brake warning lamp@ lights up to-gether with the ABS indicator lamp S, the control function of the ABS may have failed. This can cause the rear wheels to lock quick-ly when you brake. Locked rear wheels can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. If pos-sible, reduce your speed and drive carefully at low speed to the nearest qualified work-shop in order to have the brake system tes-ted. Avoid sudden braking and driving ma-noeuvres on the way.
• The ABS Is not functioning correctly if the ABS indicator lampS does not go out or comes on while the vehicle is in motion. The
Handbrake
Fig. 223 Handbrake between the front seats.
r--fl1 First read and observe the introductory L-J,::.IJ information and safety warnings & on page 269.
Applying the handbrake
• Lift the handbrake lever up fully.
• The handbrake is applied when the indicator lamp ID lights up in the instrument cluster =-page 270.
Releasing the handbrake
• Lift the handbrake lever up slightly and press the lock button ::.Fig. 223 (arrow).
• Guide the handbrake lever down whilst the lock button is pressed.
A WARNING (Continued)
vehicle can be stopped using the normal brakes only (without ABS). The protection provided by ABS is no longer available. Go to a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
• If the warning lamp 0 lights up either indi-vidually or together with a text message in the display of the instrument cluster, go to a qualified workshop immediately to have the brake pads checked or any worn brake pads replaced.
CD
Failure to observe illuminated indicator lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle be-Ing damaged. A WARNING
Incorrect use of the handbrake can cause ac-cidents and serious Injuries.
• The handbrake should never be used to brake the vehicle, except in emergencies. The braking distance is considerably longer as only the rear wheels are braked. Always use the foot brake.
• Never drive the vehicle with the handbrake lightly applied. This can overheat the brakes and adversely affect the brake system. lt can also cause premature wear to the rear brake pads.
• Never activate the accelerator from the en-gine compartment if a position or gear has been selected and the engine is running. The vehicle can start to move even if the hand-brake Is applied.
CD
To avoid unintentional movement when parking the vehicle, first apply the handbrake and then remove your foot from the brake pedal.
r::l An acoustic warning is given if the car is driv-L.!:.J en faster than approximately 6 km/h (4 mph) with the handbrake applied. Starting the engine, changing gear and parking I 271

heavy load on the brakes should be avoided. For example, when driving too close to the vehicle ahead.
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under which the ve-hicle is operated and the way in which the vehicle is driven. With regular urban trips, short journeys and a sporty driving style, the brake pads must be checked by a qualified workshop more regularly than stated in the service schedule.
When driving with wet brakes, for example after driving through water, after heavy rainfall or after washing the vehicle, the braking effect may be de-layed as the brake discs will be wet, or possibly ic-ed up (in winter). The brakes must be "dried" as quickly as possible by careful braking at higher speed. Ensure that no vehicle behind you or no other road user is put at risk as a result of this ac-
Any salt layer accumulating on the discs and pads will delay the braking effect and increase the braking distance. If the brakes on the vehicle have not been applied for a long time on roads that have been gritted with salt, the layer of salt must be re-duced through careful braking &.
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt in the brake pads are facilitated through long periods of inactivi-ty, low mileage and low load levels. With inactivity or low use levels for the brake pads as well as cor-rosion, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recom-mends that the brake discs and brake pads be cleaned by braking strongly several times from high speed. Ensure that no vehicle behind you or no other road user is put at risk as a result of this
Fault in the brake system
A brake circuit may have failed if you have to re-duce speed and the vehicle does not brake as nor-mal (sudden increase in braking distance). This will be indicated by the warning lamp m and in some cases a text message. Go to the nearest qualified workshop immediately to have the fault corrected. Drive at low speed when doing this and anticipate much longer braking distances and an increase in the pressure required on the pedal.
Brake servo
The brake serve will only function when the engine is running and reinforces the pressure applied by the driver on the brake pedal.
If the brake serve is not functioning or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have to be de-pressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to the lack of assistance for the brake system &.
A 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.
• You must drive particularly carefully when driving with new brake pads In order to re-duce the risk of accidents, serious Injuries and loss of control of the vehicle.
• Never drive too close to other vehicles when running in new brake pads, and never create a driving situation that will place a heavy load on the brakes.
A WARNING
Overheated brakes reduce the braking effect and considerably Increase the braking dis-tance.
• When driving downhill the brakes are placed under particular strain and become hot very quickly.
• Before driving down a long, steep gradi-ent, reduce speed and change to a lower gear or move the selector lever to a lower position. This will make use of the engine braking ef-fect 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.
A 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 coat-Ing of Ice and salt with a few cautious appli-cations of the brake when visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
A WARNING
Driving without the brake servo can consider-ably Increase the braking distance and thus cause accidents and serious Injuries.
• Never allow the vehicle to roll if the engine Is switched off.
Starting the engine, changing gear and parking 273

A WARNING (Continued)
• 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.
CD
• Never let the brakes "rub" by applying light pressure to the brake when it is not necessary to brake. Continual pressure on the brake pedal will overheat the brakes. This can considerably reduce the brake effect, increase the braking distance and, In certain circumstances, cause the brake system to fail completely.
Brake support systems
r-f'n First read and observe the Introductory l..-Wl information and safety warnings&. on page 269.
The brake support systems ESC, ABS, BAS, TCS and EDL only function when the engine is running. They make a considerable contribution to active driving safety.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
The ESC helps to reduce the risk of skidding and to improve driving stability by braking individual wheels in certain driving situations. The ESC de-tects critical driving situations such as oversteer, understeer and wheelspin. The system helps to stabilise the vehicle through targeted application of the brakes or by reducing engine torque.
ESC has its limitations. lt is important to realise that ESC cannot overcome the laws of physics. ESC will not be able to assist in every situation faced by a driver. For example, ESC will not be able to assist every time that there is a sudden change in the road surface quality. If a section of dry road is suddenly covered with water, mud or snow, ESC will not be able to assist in the same manner as on a dry road. If the vehicle aquaplanes (drives on a layer of water rather than on the road surface), ESC will not be able to assist in steering the vehicle as the contact to the road surface has been interrupted and it is therefore no longer pos-sible to steer or brake the vehicle. When driving at speed through bends, particularly on stretches of road with many bends, the ESC will not always be able to process complicated driving situations as
2741 While dnvang
• Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce speed and change to a lower gear or move the selector lever to a lower position. This will make use of the engine braking effect and relieve the load on the brakes. The brakes could otherwise overheat and possibly fall. The brakes should only be used to slow or stop the vehicle.
m If the front brake pads are tested, the rear L!..J brake pads should be tested at the same time. Regularly check the thickness of 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. Volks-wagen Commercial Vehicles recommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose. effectively as at lower speeds. When towing a trail-er, ESC is unable to assist the driver in regaining control over the vehicle.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions. ESC cannot defy the laws of motion, improve the availa-ble power output, or keep the vehicle on the road if insufficient care and attention on the part of the driver causes the vehicle to leave the road. In-stead, the ESC improves the chances of keeping the vehicle under control and, in extreme on-road driving situations, exploits the driver's steering in-put to keep the vehicle travelling in the desired di-rection. If the vehicle is driving at a speed that leads it to leave the road before the ESC can pro-vide any kind of support, the ESC will be unable to provide any assistance.
The ASS, BAS, TCS and EDL systems are integra-ted into the ESC. The ESC is always on. If the trac-tion achieved in certain situations is not sufficient, TCS can be switched off by pressing the ASR (TCS) button =>Fig. 224. Always ensure that ASR (TCS) is switched back on again once traction is sufficient.
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
In the event of an accident, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System can help the driver to re-duce the risk of skidding, and the danger of secon-dary collisions, through automatic braking.

Brake fluid
B7E.02AO
Fig. 225 In the engine compartment: cap on the brake fluid container.
r-111 First read and observe the Introductory l-Jr:,U Information and safety warnings&. on page 269.
Brake fluid will gradually absorb water from the surrounding air. 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 may cause a vapour lock in the brake sys-tem if the water content is too high. Vapour locks reduce levels of braking power, considerably in-crease 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 Commercial Vehicles recommends the use of brake fluid compliant with VW stand-ard 501 14.
Before using a particular brake fluid, check that the specifications printed on the container correspond to the vehicle requirements.
Brake fluid that is compliant with VW stand-ard 501 14 is available from Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles dealerships.
If this brake fluid is not available and it is necessa-ry 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 com-position. Some of these brake fluids may contain chemicals that can damage or destroy brake sys-tem components over time.
To ensure sustained optimal operation of the brake system, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles there-fore recommends the use of brake fluid that is compliant with VW standard 501 14.
Brake fluid that is compliant with VW stand-ard 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 of the brake fluid container or above the MIN marking &.
The brake fluid level cannot be checked accurately in all models as engine components may partially conceal the brake fluid container. If the brake fluid level cannot be read exactly, please go to a quali-fied workshop.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehi-cle is being used as the brake pads wear and the brakes are automatically adjusted.
Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid must be changed as indicated in the service schedule Service schedule. The brake fluid should be changed by a qualified workshop. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles rec-ommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehi-cles dealership for this purpose. Only brake fluid that confonns with the required specification should be used.
A WARNING
Brake failure or reduced braking effect can be caused by the brake fluid level being too low or by brake fluid that Is too old or unsuitable.
• The brake system and brake fluid level must be checked regularly.
• The brake fluid should be changed regu-larly, according to the service schedule Service schedule.
• Heavy use of the brakes may cause a va-pour lock If the brake fluid Is left In the sys-tem for too long. Vapour locks reduce levels
Starting the engine, changing gear and parking I 277

Driver assist systems
Pull-away assist systems
cr:n Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Warning and indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Start/stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . 283
Hill Hold Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Hill Descent Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Rear axle differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Additional information and warnings:
• Volkswagen information system =>page 24
• Braking, stopping and parking =>page 269
• Battery =>page 362
• Wheels and tyres =>page 367
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts =>page 394
• Jump starting =>page 443
Warning and indicator lamps
A WARNING
The intelligent technology of the pull-away assist systems cannot overcome the laws of physics or system-related vehicle limitations. Never let the extra convenience afforded by pull-away assist systems tempt you into tak-ing any risks when driving-this can cause accidents.
• Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious Injury.
• The pull-away assist systems cannot re-place the driver's full concentration.
• Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic con-ditions.
• Pull-away assist systems cannot hold the vehicle in all hill start situations or brake it sufficiently on all slopes going downhill (e.g. if the ground is slippery or icy). m First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 282.
Lit up Possible cause
Rear axle differential lock switched on . ...
Hill Descent Assist switched on.
(A) The start/stop system is available, automat-ic engine stop is active.
ex;
The start/stop system is not available. OR: the start/stop system has switched off the engine automatically.
Flashes Possible cause
The rear axle differential lock cannot be .... switched on .
Hill Descent Assist is regulating.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will go out after a few seconds. .,..
282 I While drivmg
Solution
=>page 286
=>page 285
=>page 283
Check whether all technical requirements have been fulfilled. If necessary, make sure that all technical requirements are fulfilled =>page 283.
Solution
=>page 286
=>page 285