Check that all lights and turn signals are working properly.
Check the tyre pressure (Wheels and tyres) and fuel level (Filling the tank).
Ensure that you have a good, clear view through all of the windows.
Secure any objects and luggage in the stowage compartments, the luggage compartment
or on the roof Driving notes.
Ensure that you are able to operate the pedals freely at all times.
Secure any children travelling in the vehicle in a restraint system suitable for their weight
and size Child seats (accessories).
Adjust the front seats, head restraints and mirrors properly in accordance with the size of
the occupants Adjusting the seat position, Mirrors.
Wear shoes that provide good grip for your feet when using the pedals.
The floor mat in the footwell on the driver side must leave the pedal area free and must be
securely fastened.
Assume a correct sitting position before setting off and maintain this position while driving.
This also applies to all passengers Adjusting the seat position.
Fasten your seat belt correctly before setting off and keep it properly fastened throughout
the journey. This also applies to all passengers Seat belts.
Each vehicle occupant must sit in a seat of their own and must have their own seat belt.
Never drive if your driving ability is impaired, e.g. by medication, alcohol or drugs.
Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic, e.g. by passengers, telephone calls,
opening menus and making adjustments to settings.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic
conditions.
Observe traffic regulations and speed limits.
When travelling long distances, stop and take a break regularly – at least every 2 hours.
Secure animals in the vehicle using a system that is suitable for their weight and size.
Additional information and warnings:
•Sitting correctly and safely ⇒ Sitting correctly and safely
•Transporting ⇒ Transporting
•Starting the engine, changing gear and parking the vehicle ⇒ Starting the engine, changing gear
and parking
•Driving with respect for the environment ⇒ Driving with respect for the environment
•Consumer information ⇒ Consumer information
Preparing for a journey and driving safely
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Checklist
Observe the following information both before and during the journey to ensure your own safety
and the safety of passengers and other road users ⇒:
Servicing the vehicle is not only about vehicle maintenance – it also ensures that your
vehicle remains roadworthy and in perfect working order. Servicing work should therefore be
carried out in accordance with the service schedule. Some work may have to be carried out before
the due date of the next service if the vehicle is subjected to severe operating conditions. Severe
operating conditions are, for example, regular stop and go driving and driving in areas with high
levels of dust. Further information can be obtained from your Volkswagen dealership or qualified
workshop.
Driving abroad
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or narcotics can cause serious
accidents and fatal injuries.
•Alcohol, drugs, medication and narcotics can severely impair perception, reaction times
and driving safety. This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
WARNING
Always observe current traffic regulations and speed limits, and think ahead when driving.
Correct interpretation of a driving situation can make the difference between reaching your
destination safely and having an accident with serious injuries.
WARNING
Are any technical modifications required for driving the vehicle abroad, e.g. masking the
headlights?
Are the necessary tools, diagnostic equipment and spare parts available for service and
repair work?
Are there any Volkswagen dealerships in the destination country?
For petrol engines: is unleaded petrol with the correct octane number available?
And for gas engines: is compressed natural gas (CNG) available Fuel?
Are the correct engine oil (Engine oil) and other service fluids that comply with Volkswagen
specifications available in the destination country?
Will the portable navigation unit Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts
work with the navigation data available in the destination country?
Are special tyres necessary for travelling in the destination country?
Checklist
In some countries, special safety standards and emissions-related legislation apply that may
differ from the construction of the vehicle. Volkswagen recommends that you visit your
Volkswagen dealership before travelling abroad to find out about any legal requirements and
the following issues at your destination:
Driving through water on roads
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Please follow these rules to help prevent damage to your vehicle when driving through water, for
example if the road is flooded:
•Check the depth of the water before driving through it. The water level must be no higher than
the lower edge of the vehicle body ⇒.
•Do not drive faster than walking speed.
•Never stop the vehicle, reverse or switch off the engine while in water.
•Oncoming vehicles create waves that could increase the water level for your vehicle to such an
extent that it is not safe to drive through the water.
•When driving through water, always switch off the start/stop system ⇒ Pull-away assist
systems.
Technical data
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Vehicle identification data
⇒ Engine data
⇒ Dimensions
⇒ Performance figures
The vehicle data sticker in the service schedule or the vehicle registration documents show which
engine is installed in your vehicle.
All data in the official vehicle documents take precedence over these data. All data in this manual
apply to the basic model. The figures may be different if additional equipment is fitted, for different
models, for special vehicles and for other countries.
Volkswagen is not responsible for any vehicle damage caused by low-quality fuel, inadequate
servicing work or lack of Genuine Parts.
NOTICE
After driving through water, mud, slush etc., the brakes may react slowly and the braking
distance will be increased as the brake discs and pads will be wet, or possibly iced up in
winter.
•You can dry and de-ice the brakes by performing careful braking manoeuvres. Ensure that
you do not endanger any other road users or violate any legal regulations when doing so.
•Avoid abrupt and sudden braking manoeuvres directly after driving through water.
WARNING
•If you drive through water, parts of the vehicle, such as the engine, drive train, running
gear and vehicle electrics, could sustain severe damage.
•Never drive through salt water as salt can cause corrosion. Rinse all components that have
been exposed to salt water immediately with fresh water.
NOTICE
If the buttons on the vehicle key ⇒ Fig. 21 or one of the central locking buttons ⇒ Fig. 23 are
pressed repeatedly within a short period of time, the central locking system will switch off briefly to
prevent overloading. The vehicle is then unlocked for approximately 30 seconds. If the doors or the
tailgate are not opened during this time the vehicle will lock again automatically.
Locking or unlocking the vehicle from outside
Fig. 21 Buttons on the vehicle key
Fig. 22 Mechanical vehicle key
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Vehicles with central locking
FunctionButtons to be used in
the vehicle key
⇒ Fig. 21
Action with vehicle key ⇒ Fig. 21 in
the lock cylinder or with the
mechanical vehicle key ⇒ Fig. 22.
Unlocking the vehicle.Press the button.Insert the vehicle key in the driver door lock
cylinder and turn anticlockwise.
Locking the vehicle.Press the button.Insert the vehicle key in the driver door lock
cylinder and turn clockwise.
Unlocking the tailgate.Press the
button ⇒ Tailgate.
Insert the vehicle key in the driver door lock
cylinder and turn anticlockwise.
Please note the following: Depending on which central locking function has been activated by a
qualified workshop, all of the doors and the tailgate are only unlocked when the button is
pressed twice.
The vehicle key will lock or unlock the vehicle only when the battery has enough power and the key
is located within a few metres of the vehicle.
•When the vehicle is locked, all turn signals will flash once as confirmation.
•When the vehicle is unlocked, all turn signals will flash twice as confirmation.
If the turn signals do not flash as confirmation, at least one of the doors or the tailgate is not closed.
The vehicle cannot be locked using the vehicle key if the driver door is still open. The vehicle will
lock again automatically within a few seconds of being unlocked if you do not open one of the doors
or the tailgate. This function prevents the vehicle from remaining unlocked if the unlocking button is
pressed by mistake.
Vehicles without central locking
FunctionAction carried out with key ⇒ Fig. 22 in the lock
cylinder.
Locking or unlocking the driver
door and the tailgate.
To unlock, insert the vehicle key in the driver door lock cylinder
and turn anticlockwise.
To lock, insert the vehicle key in the driver door lock cylinder
and turn clockwise.
Locking and unlocking the front
passenger door.
To unlock, insert the vehicle key in the passenger door lock
cylinder and turn anticlockwise.
To lock, insert the vehicle key in the front passenger door lock
cylinder and turn clockwise.
The opened driver door cannot be locked using the vehicle key.
In vehicles without a central locking system, locking and unlocking the passenger door does
not affect the interior light ⇒ Lights.
Locking or unlocking the vehicle from the inside
Fig. 23 In the driver door: central locking button
Fig. 24 In the front passenger door: door opening lever for mechanical locking
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Vehicles with central locking
Press the button ⇒ Fig. 23:
Unlocks the vehicle.
Locks the vehicle.
The central locking button functions with the ignition switched on or off only when all doors are
closed.
If the vehicle has been locked with the vehicle key, the central locking button does not work.
Please note the following when using the central locking button to lock the vehicle:
•The SAFELOCK mechanism will not be activated ⇒ SAFELOCK mechanism.
•It is not possible to open the doors or tailgate from the outside, for instance when stopped at
traffic lights.
•The doors can be unlocked and opened from the inside by pulling the door release handle. You
may have to pull the door release lever more than once.
•If the driver door is open, it will not be locked. This prevents you from locking yourself out of the
vehicle.
Vehicles without central locking
In vehicles without central locking, the doors are locked by pushing in the door opening lever so
that the red marking becomes visible ⇒ Fig. 24①.
Pull the appropriate door opening lever to unlock a door.
The following applies when the vehicle is locked:
•The SAFELOCK mechanism will not be activated ⇒ SAFELOCK mechanism.
•It is not possible to open the doors from outside, for instance when stopped at traffic lights.
•The doors can be unlocked and opened from the inside by pulling the door release handle.
•An open driver door cannot be locked. This prevents you from locking yourself out of the
vehicle.
SAFELOCK mechanism
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
FunctionAction
Press the button on the vehicle key once.
Warning lamp
Fig. 42 Warning lamp in the instrument cluster
Fig. 43 Seat belt status for the rear seats in the instrument cluster display
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Lights
up or
flashes
Possible causeSolution
The driver seat belt and, if the front
passenger seat is occupied, the front
passenger seat belt are not fastened.
Fasten seat belts.
There are objects on the front
passenger seat.
Remove objects from the front passenger
seat and stow them safely.
Incorrectly fastened or unfastened seat belts increase the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Seat
belts will only offer the optimum level of protection when they are fastened and used properly.
•Seat belts are the most effective means of reducing the risk of serious and fatal injuries in
the event of an accident. Seat belts must always be fastened properly when the vehicle is
in motion to protect the driver and all vehicle occupants.
•Before every trip, each vehicle occupant must adopt the correct sitting position, correctly
fasten the seat belt belonging to their seat and keep it fastened properly throughout the
trip. This applies to all vehicle occupants and also in urban traffic.
•While the vehicle is in motion, secure all children travelling in the vehicle in a restraint
system suitable for their weight and height. They must also wear correctly fastened seat
belts ⇒ Child seats (accessories).
•Only start driving when all passengers have correctly fastened their seat belts.
•Only ever insert the latch plate into the buckle of the associated seat, and always ensure
that it engages properly. Using a buckle that does not belong to the seat that you are
occupying reduces the level of protection and can lead to severe injuries.
•Never let any foreign bodies or liquids enter the slot for the seat belt buckle. This could
prevent the belt buckle and seat belt from working properly.
•Never unfasten the seat belt while the vehicle is in motion.
•Never allow more than one person to share the same seat belt.
•Never travel when children or babies are being carried on somebody's lap and fastened
with the same belt.
•Never travel wearing loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat over a jacket). This could
prevent the seat belts from fitting and functioning properly.
WARNING
Damaged seat belts are very dangerous and can cause severe or fatal injuries.
•Never damage the belt by trapping it in the door or in the seat mechanism.
•If the belt webbing or any other part of the seat belt becomes damaged, the seat belt may
tear during an accident or sudden braking manoeuvre.
•Damaged seat belts must be replaced immediately with new seat belts approved by
Volkswagen for your vehicle type. Seat belts subjected to stress and stretched during an
accident must be replaced by a qualified workshop. Renewal may be necessary even if
there is no apparent damage. The belt anchorage should also be checked.
•Never try to repair, modify or remove the seat belts yourself. All repairs to the seat belts,
belt retractors and buckles must be carried out by a qualified workshop.
WARNING
Lights
up or
flashes
Possible causeSolution
Seat belt not fastened for a rear seat
passenger.Fasten the seat belt.
Seat belt fastened for a rear seat
passenger.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is
switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.
An acoustic signal will sound for a few seconds if the seat belts are not fastened as the car pulls off
and reaches a speed of more than approximately 25 km/h (15 mph), or if the seat belts are
unfastened while the vehicle is in motion. The warning lamp will also flash.
When the ignition is switched on, the warning lamp will not go out until the driver and front
passenger fasten their seat belts.
Belt status display for the rear seats
After the ignition has been switched on, the belt status display ⇒ Fig. 43 in the instrument cluster
display shows the driver whether the rear seat passengers have fastened their seat belts. The
symbol indicates that the passenger on this seat has fastened his or her seat belt.
The belt status display will be shown for approximately 30 seconds if a seat belt is fastened or
unfastened on the rear seats. The display can be hidden by pressing the button in
the instrument cluster.
If a seat belt for one of the rear seats is unfastened while the vehicle is in motion, the belt status
display will flash for a maximum of 30 seconds. If the vehicle is travelling faster than approximately
25 km/h (15 mph) an acoustic signal will also sound.
Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 44 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall
Fig. 45 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle striking a brick wall
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The physical principles involved in a frontal collision are relatively simple. As soon as the vehicle is
in motion ⇒ Fig. 44, both the moving vehicle and its passengers gain kinetic energy.
The higher the vehicle speed and the heavier the weight of the vehicle, the greater the amount of
energy that will have to be released in the event of an accident.
However, the most significant factor is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed doubles from
approximately 25 km/h (15 mph) to approximately 50 km/h (30 mph), for example, the kinetic
energy increases by a factor of four.
The amount of kinetic energy depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the vehicle
and passengers. The higher the speed and the heavier the weight, the greater the amount of
energy that will be released in the event of an accident.
Incorrectly fastened or unfastened seat belts increase the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Seat
belts only offer the optimum level of protection when they are used properly.
WARNING
Volkswagen offers 2 different front airbag systems for front passengers:
AB
Features of the front passenger front
airbag that can only be switched off
by a qualified workshop.
Features of the front passenger front
airbag that can be switched off
manually using the key-operated
switch ⇒ Switching the front passenger front
airbag on and off manually using the key-
operated switch.
– Indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.– Indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
– Front passenger front airbag in the dash
panel.
– Indicator lamp in the dash panel
PASSENGER AIR BAG .
– Key-operated switch in the dash panel on the
front passenger side.
– Front passenger front airbag in the dash
panel.
Name: airbag system.Name: airbag system with front
passenger front airbag deactivation.
Indicator lamps
Fig. 53 In the upper part of the centre console: indicator lamp for disabled front passenger front
airbag
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Lit upLocationPossible causeSolution
Instrument
cluster
Fault in airbag and belt
tensioner system.
Proceed to a qualified workshop to
have the system checked
immediately.
Dash panel
Fault in the airbag system.
Proceed to a qualified workshop to
have the system checked
immediately.
Front passenger front airbag
switched off.
Check whether the airbag should
stay switched off.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is
switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.
If the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG is not continuously lit or if it lights up
together with the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster when the front passenger front airbag
is switched off, there may be a fault in the airbag system ⇒.
Description and function of the airbags
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The airbags can protect vehicle occupants during frontal and side collisions by reducing their
movement in the direction of the collision.
If there is a fault in the airbag system, the airbag may not trigger correctly, may not trigger at
all or may trigger unexpectedly. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.
•The airbag system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
•Never fit a child seat to the front passenger seat or remove a child seat that is already
fitted. The front passenger front airbag may trigger during an accident in spite of the fault.
WARNING
To avoid damage to your vehicle, always observe the indicator lamps and associated warning
texts.
NOTICE
Fig. 56 On the front passenger side: key switch for disabling and enabling the front airbag on the
front passenger side
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The front passenger front airbag must be switched off when securing a rear-facing child seat to
the front passenger seat.
Disabling the front passenger front airbag
•Switch off the ignition.
•Open the door on the front passenger side.
•Fold out the key bit of the vehicle key ⇒ Vehicle key set.
•Use the open key bit to turn the key switch ⇒ Fig. 56 to the OFF position.
•Close the door on the front passenger side.
•When the ignition is switched on, the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp will light
up permanently in the dash panel ⇒ Indicator lamps.
Enabling the front passenger front airbag
•Switch off the ignition.
•Open the door on the front passenger side.
•Fold out the key bit of the vehicle key ⇒ Vehicle key set.
•Use the open key bit to turn the key switch ⇒ Fig. 56 to the ON position.
•Close the door on the front passenger side.
•Check that the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp in the dash panel does not
light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ Indicator lamps.
Identifying characteristics for a disabled front passenger front airbag
A disabled front passenger front airbag is identified only when the PASSENGER AIR BAG
indicator lamp is displayed in the dash panel ( lights up yellow continuously)
⇒ Indicator lamps.
If the indicator lamp in the dash panel is not lit up steadily, or if it lights up at the same
time as indicator lamp in the instrument cluster, do not attach any child restraint system to the
front passenger seat for safety reasons. The front passenger front airbag may trigger during an
accident.
Side airbags
Fig. 57 On left-hand side of vehicle: deployment zone of the side airbag (variant A). On the side of
the front seat: location and deployment range of the side airbag (variant B)
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The front passenger front airbag should only be switched off in exceptional circumstances.
•To prevent damage to the airbag system, only switch the front passenger front airbag on
and off when the ignition is switched off.
•It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key-operated switch is set to the correct
position.
•Only switch the front passenger front airbag off if, in exceptional circumstances, a child
seat has to be attached to the front passenger seat.
•Switch the front passenger front airbag back on again as soon as the child seat on the
front passenger seat is no longer being used.
WARNING