recommends that the protective coating on the underside of the vehicle and on the running gear
should be checked regularly and repaired if necessary.
Cleaning the engine compartment
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a hazardous area ⇒ Preparation for working in the
engine compartment.
The engine compartment should be cleaned by a qualified workshop. An incorrect cleaning
procedure could possibly remove corrosion protection and damage electrical components.
Furthermore, water could enter the vehicle interior directly via the plenum chamber ⇒.
If the engine compartment is very dirty, we recommend that you always proceed to a qualified
workshop to have it cleaned by a professional mechanic. Volkswagen recommends using a
Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Plenum chamber
The plenum chamber is located in the engine compartment between the windscreen and the engine
and has a perforated cover. Air from outside is drawn in from the plenum chamber and is passed
into the vehicle interior via the heating and air conditioning system.
Leaves and other loose objects must be removed from the cover of the plenum chamber at regular
intervals using a vacuum cleaner or by hand.
In the interests of environmental protection, the engine compartment should be washed only
in specially provided wash bays. This prevents toxic waste water containing oil, grease and fuel
from entering the sewerage system. In some districts, washing the engine compartment anywhere
else may be prohibited.
Cleaning and caring for the interior
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Seat covers
⇒ Cleaning cloth seat covers, fabric trim and Alcantara upholstery
⇒ Cleaning and caring for natural leather covers
⇒ Cleaning leatherette upholstery
⇒ Cleaning stowage compartments, drink holders and ash trays
⇒ Cleaning and caring for the dash panel, wooden trims and plastic parts
⇒ Cleaning seat belts
Modern fabrics, such as dark denim, are often not colourfast. Light-coloured upholstery (soft
materials or leather) is particularly sensitive to staining caused by these fabrics, even if you are
careful. This is not caused by a fault in the upholstery, but by the non-colourfast nature of the
garments.
Leaving stains, dirt and other deposits on the surface of vehicle components and cloth seat covers
for a long time can make it difficult to clean and treat them. Stains, dirt and deposits may become
impossible to remove, particularly if left for a long time.
Additional information and warnings:
•Cleaning and caring for the vehicle exterior ⇒ Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior
Underseal and anti-corrosion coatings can ignite on the hot exhaust system or on other hot
engine parts.
•Never apply underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, catalytic converter,
heat shields or other vehicle components that become hot.
CAUTION
All work in the engine compartment carries the risk of injury, scalding, accidents and fire.
•Before carrying out any work ensure that you are familiar with the requisite procedures
and general safety regulations ⇒ Preparation for working in the engine compartment.
•Volkswagen recommends having the work carried out by a qualified workshop.
WARNING
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.
NOTICE
Running-in
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Please follow the regulations concerning running-in new parts.
Running in a new engine
Any new engine has to be run in during the first 1,500 kilometres. During its first few hours of
running, the internal friction in the engine is greater than later on when all the moving parts have
bedded down.
The style of driving during the first 1,500 kilometres will also affect the engine quality. Even after
this time – and especially with a cold engine – drive the vehicle at moderate speeds in order to
reduce engine wear and to increase the mileage that the engine can cover. Do not drive at engine
speeds that are too low. Always shift down gear if the engine is not running smoothly. The
following applies up to 1,000 kilometres:
•Do not depress the accelerator fully.
•Do not drive the vehicle at more than 2/3 of the top engine speed.
From 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres, gradually increase driving performance to top speed and highest
engine speed.
Running in new tyres and brake pads
•New wheels and tyres ⇒ Wheels and tyres
•Information on the brakes ⇒ Braking, stopping and parking
If the engine is run in gently, the life of the engine will be increased and its oil consumption
reduced.
Accessories and parts
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Volkswagen recommends that you seek advice from a Volkswagen dealership before purchasing
accessories, spare parts or service fluids. For example, if the vehicle is to be retrofitted with
accessories or if parts have to be renewed. Volkswagen dealerships can recommend accessories,
parts and service fluids suitable for your requirements. They can also answer any questions you
might have regarding official regulations.
Volkswagen recommends that you only use approved Volkswagen accessories and Volkswagen
Genuine Parts. These parts and accessories have been specially tested by Volkswagen for
suitability, reliability and safety. And Volkswagen dealerships are qualified to install them correctly.
Although the market is constantly scrutinised, Volkswagen cannot assume responsibility for the
reliability, safety and suitability of products Volkswagen has not approved. Volkswagen can
therefore assume no responsibility for these parts, even if they have been approved by an official
testing agency or are covered by an official approval certificate.
Any retro-fitted equipment that has a direct effect on the vehicle and/or the way it is driven must be
approved by Volkswagen for use in your vehicle and bear the e mark (the European Union's
authorization symbol). These devices include cruise control systems or an electronically controlled
suspension.
Any additional electrical components fitted that do not serve to control the vehicle itself must bear
the mark (manufacturer conformity declaration in the European Union). Such devices include
refrigerator boxes, laptops and ventilator fans.
Unsuitable spare parts and accessories, incorrectly carried out work, modifications and
repairs can lead to damage to the vehicle and cause accidents and serious injuries.
•Volkswagen strongly recommends that you only use approved Volkswagen accessories
and Volkswagen Genuine Parts. These parts and accessories have been specially tested
by Volkswagen for suitability, reliability and safety.
•Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified
workshop. Qualified workshops have the necessary tools, diagnostic equipment, repair
information and qualified personnel.
•Never fit parts to your vehicle that are in any way different from the factory-fitted parts.
•Never secure or mount objects such as drink holders or telephone holders on or next to
the airbag covers or within the deployment zone of the airbag.
•Only use rim/tyre combinations that have been approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle
type.
WARNING
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®
Event data recorder
The vehicle is not fitted with an event data recorder.
Event data recorders temporarily store vehicle information. This provides precise information in the
event of an accident. In vehicles with an airbag system, data that might be relevant in the event of
an accident can be stored, e.g. impact speed, belt buckle status, seat positions and trigger speed.
The scope of the data is manufacturer-specific.
An event data recorder may only be fitted if the owner has approved the procedure. This is covered
by legislation in some countries.
Reprogramming control units
All data for the control of components are stored in the control units. Some convenience functions,
such as lane change flash, single door unlocking and displays, can be reprogrammed using special
workshop equipment. If this is the case, the descriptions in your vehicle wallet will no longer
correspond with the original functions. Volkswagen recommends that you have any reprogramming
confirmed in the service schedule under Workshop comments.
Information about possible reprogramming can be obtained from the Volkswagen dealership.
Reading the vehicle's event memory
A diagnostic interface for reading the event memories is located in the vehicle interior ⇒. Data
relating to the function and status of the electronic control units are stored in the event memory.
Additional information on the stored data is available from qualified workshops.
The diagnosis interface is located behind near the fuse box in the footwell on the driver side.
The event memory should only be read and reset by a qualified workshop.
After a fault has been rectified, the information in the memory pertaining to the fault is deleted.
Other memory content is overwritten on an on-going basis.
Using a mobile telephone in the vehicle without a connection to the
external aerial
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Both during telephone calls and in standby mode, mobile telephones transmit and receive radio
waves, which may also be termed "high-frequency energy". Current scientific literature warns us
that radio waves can be harmful to human beings if they exceed certain limits. Government bodies
and international committees have introduced threshold values and guidelines to ensure that
electromagnetic radiation produced by mobile telephones does not pose a hazard to health.
However, there is no proven scientific evidence that demonstrates that cordless telephones are
absolutely safe.
For this reason, some experts are calling for more precautions to be taken in the use of mobile
telephones, by taking steps to reduce the level of personal exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
If a mobile telephone that is not connected to the vehicle's external aerial is used inside the vehicle,
the level of electromagnetic radiation could be higher than when the mobile telephone is connected
to an integrated aerial or any other external aerial.
If the vehicle is fitted with a suitable hands-free unit which enables the use of innumerable
additional functions of Bluetooth compatible mobile telephones, this will satisfy the legal
requirements in many countries which permit the use of a mobile telephone in a vehicle only if a
hands-free unit is used.
The hands-free system of the portable navigation device (delivered by Volkswagen) in your vehicle
has been developed for mobile telephones that are compatible with Bluetooth⇒ Portable
navigation device. Mobile telephones must be located in a suitable telephone holder or be stored
securely in the vehicle. If a telephone holder is used it must be securely attached to the base plate.
This is the only way to ensure that the mobile telephone is securely attached to the dash panel and
always within reach of the driver. Depending on the hands-free system, the connection between the
mobile telephone and the external aerial is established either via the telephone holder or via an
existing Bluetooth connection between the mobile telephone and the vehicle.
Connecting the mobile telephone is to a telephone aerial integrated in the vehicle or to an external
telephone aerial reduces the electromagnetic radiation generated by the telephone which could
affect the human body. Using an aerial also improves the quality of the signal.
Incorrect use of the diagnostic interface can cause faults, which can result in accidents and
serious injuries.
•Never read the event memory using the diagnostic interface yourself.
•The diagnostic interface should only be read by a qualified workshop.
WARNING
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If a mobile telephone is used in the vehicle interior without this hands-free system, it is not safely
secured in the vehicle and also not connected to the vehicle's external telephone aerial.
Furthermore, the mobile telephone is not being charged in the telephone holder. It is also likely that
the telephone connection will be disrupted and the signal strength will be poor.
A mobile telephone should only be used in the vehicle if it is connected to a hands-free unit.
Volkswagen recommends the use of an external aerial when using a mobile telephone in the
vehicle.
Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
Portable navigation device
Fig. 135 In the centre console: removing the navigation device and mounting
Fig. 136 Central console: closing the opening the navigation device mounting
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
In some vehicles other vehicle functions and additional applications can be accessed via the
portable navigation device (delivered by Volkswagen) ⇒.
The tilt and angle can be set by moving the navigation device as required ⇒ Fig. 135A, ⇒.
The user's manual for the portable navigation device (delivered by Volkswagen) can be displayed
on the unit itself.
Functions
In some vehicles the following functions are available in the portable navigation device (delivered
by Volkswagen):
•Extended multifunction display (MFD) with additional instruments ⇒ Instruments.
•Operation of a factory-fitted radio and a connected media player ⇒BookletRadio,.
®®
If a mobile telephone is not secured or is incorrectly secured in the vehicle, it could be flung
though the interior during a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre, or in the event of an
accident. This can cause injuries.
•Mobile telephones, other devices and accessories for the telephone such as telephone
holders, note blocks or portable navigation devices must always be secured properly
outside of the airbag deployment zones whilst the vehicle is in motion or be stored in a
safe place.
WARNING
If mobile telephones or two-way radios that are not connected to an external aerial are used,
electromagnetic radiation in the vehicle could exceed limit values and thus be a health hazard
for drivers and other vehicle occupants. This also applies to external aerials that have not
been correctly installed.
•Keep mobile telephone aerials at least 20 cm away from pacemakers, as the telephones
may affect their functioning.
•Do not carry a mobile telephone in your breast pocket above a pacemaker when the
telephone is switched on or in standby mode.
•Switch off the mobile telephone immediately if you suspect it may be interfering with a
pacemaker.
WARNING
The vehicle battery will discharge if the hazard warning lights are left on over a long period of
time – even when the ignition is switched off.
If you brake hard at speeds over approximately 80 km/h (50 mph), the brake lights will flash
to warn the traffic behind. If you then continue to brake, the hazard warning lights will be switched
on automatically at speeds under approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). The brake light will light up
continuously. Once the vehicle starts to accelerate, the hazard warning lights will switch off again.
First aid kit, warning triangle and fire extinguisher
Fig. 141 In the luggage compartment: warning triangle stowage compartment under the floor
covering
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Warning triangle
In some vehicle models, a warning triangle like the one shown may be stowed in a compartment in
the luggage compartment under the floor covering ⇒ Fig. 141.
First aid kit
The first aid kit must comply with legal requirements. Comply with the expiry dates of the contents.
Fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher may be located in a holder in the footwell in front of the front passenger seat.
The fire extinguisher must comply with the valid legal requirements. It must be fully functional and
checked regularly. See the test certificate on the fire extinguisher.
Manual opening and closing
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Locking or unlocking the driver door and front passenger door manually
⇒ Locking the front passenger door and rear doors manually
⇒ Unlocking the tailgate manually
If the vehicle key or central locking system fails, the doors and tailgate can be locked and, to a
certain extent, unlocked manually.
Additional information and warnings:
Ignoring any of the items on this important safety checklist can lead to accidents and severe
injuries.
•Always follow the instructions in the checklist and observe the general safety procedures.
WARNING
The components of the exhaust system become very hot. This can cause fires and serious
injuries.
•Park the vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can come into contact with any
inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. dry grass, fuel.
WARNING
In the event of a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre or accident, loose objects can be flung
though the vehicle and cause severe injuries.
•Always secure or stow the fire extinguisher, high-visibility waistcoat, first aid kit and
warning triangle safely in the vehicle.
WARNING