Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the vehicle battery
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop, as the technology used in factory-
fitted batteries requires voltage-limited charging ⇒. Volkswagen recommends using a
Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and has special safety
features. If a vehicle battery has to be replaced, discuss the electromagnetic compatibility, size and
necessary servicing, output and safety requirements for the new vehicle battery with a Volkswagen
dealership before purchase. Volkswagen recommends that the vehicle battery is changed by a
Volkswagen dealership.
Only maintenance-free vehicle batteries compliant with the standards TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73
should be used. These standards must be dated April 2008 or later.
Vehicles with start/stop system ⇒ Pull-away assist systems are equipped with a special vehicle
battery. These vehicle batteries may only be replaced by a vehicle battery with the same
specifications.
Disconnecting the vehicle battery
Please note the following if the vehicle battery has to be disconnected from the electrical system in
the vehicle:
•Switch off all electrical consumers and the ignition.
•Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery in order to avoid triggering the alarm.
•First disconnect the negative cable and then the positive cable ⇒.
Connecting the vehicle battery
•Switch off all electrical consumers and the ignition before reconnecting the vehicle battery.
•First reconnect the positive cable and then the negative cable ⇒.
Various indicator lamps may light up after the vehicle battery has been connected and the ignition is
switched on. They will go out if you drive a short distance at a speed of 15–20 km/h (10–12 mph). If
the indicator lamps remain lit up, the vehicle should be checked by a qualified workshop.
If the vehicle battery was disconnected for long periods, the system may not able to calculate or
correctly display the time when the next service is due ⇒ Instruments. Comply with the maximum
permissible service intervals ⇒BookletService schedule,.
Automatic switch-off for electrical consumers
The intelligent vehicle electrical system automatically implements a range of measures to prevent
the battery from discharging under high loads:
•The idling speed is increased so that the alternator provides more electricity.
•The performance of large electrical consumers may be reduced or they may be switched off
completely.
•The power supply to the 12-volt socket and the cigarette lighter is interrupted temporarily while
the engine is being started.
The vehicle electrical system cannot always prevent the vehicle battery from discharging. For
example when the ignition is switched on for an extended period with the engine off, or when the
side or parking lights are on when the vehicle is parked for an extended period.
Any work on the vehicle battery can cause serious chemical burns, explosions and electric
shocks.
•Always wear eye protection and protective gloves.
•Electrolyte is very aggressive. It can burn the skin and can cause blindness. When
working with the battery, protect your hands, arms and particularly your face from acid
spillages.
•Never tilt the vehicle battery. Electrolyte may spill out of the battery vents and cause
chemical burns.
•Never open a vehicle battery.
•If acid is splashed onto your skin or into your eye, rinse immediately for several minutes
with cold water. Then consult a doctor immediately.
•If acid is swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.
WARNING
Winter tyres lose their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to a depth of 4 mm. Winter tyres
also largely lose their effectiveness through ageing – regardless of the tread depth.
The following applies when using winter tyres:
•Observe any country-specific legal requirements.
•Use winter tyres on all four wheels at the same time.
•Only use in winter road conditions.
•Only use the sizes of winter tyre that have been approved for the vehicle.
•Winter tyres must have the same type, size (rolling circumference) and the same tread pattern.
•Heed the maximum speed permitted by the speed index ⇒.
Speed limitation
Winter tyres have a speed limitation depending on the speed index ⇒ Tyre lettering.
In some vehicle versions, a speed warning can be set in the MFD (multifunction display) menu in
the instrument cluster ⇒ Volkswagen information system.
If you use V-rated tyres the speed limits and required tyre pressure will be determined by the
engine size. You must ask a Volkswagen dealership about the highest permitted speed and
required tyre pressure.
Summer tyres should be fitted in good time at the end of the winter. The vehicle handling is
better if summer tyres are fitted at temperatures above +7°C (+45°F). They are quieter, do not wear
so quickly and reduce fuel consumption.
Volkswagen dealerships can provide details on permissible winter tyre sizes.
Snow chains
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Please heed legislation and also the permitted speed when driving your vehicle with snow chains.
In winter conditions, snow chains will not only improve acceleration, but also braking response.
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheels. They may be fitted only to the following tyre
and wheel combinations:
Tyre sizeWheel
165 / 70 R 145 J x 14 offset 35
Volkswagen recommends that you ask your Volkswagen dealership for information about
appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size.
If possible, use snow chains with fine-pitch links which do not protrude more than 15 mm, including
the tensioner.
Remove wheel centre covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains ⇒. For safety reasons
cover caps must then be fitted over the wheel bolts. These are available from your Volkswagen
dealership.
Temporary spare wheel
For technical reasons, snow chains must not be used on the temporary spare wheel ⇒ Spare wheel
or temporary spare wheel.
If you have to use snow chains with the temporary spare wheel fitted, the temporary spare wheel
should be fitted to the rear axle even when a front wheel is damaged. You can then use the wheel
taken from the rear axle to replace the damaged front wheel. Please note the direction of rotation.
Volkswagen recommends fitting the snow chains before mounting the wheel on the car.
The improved winter driving characteristics afforded by the winter tyres should not encourage
you to take any risks.
•Adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
•Never exceed the top speed and load permitted for the winter tyres that are fitted.
WARNING
You will need an external aerial to use a two-way radio in the vehicle.
Any retrofit installation of electrical or electronic equipment in the vehicle will affect its vehicle type
approval. Under certain circumstances, this can negate the type approval for the vehicle.
Volkswagen has approved the vehicle for use with two-way radios subject to the following
conditions:
•Correct installation of external aerial.
•A maximum transmitting power of 10 watts.
An external aerial is needed to give the equipment its optimal range.
Check first with a qualified workshop if you wish to use a two-way radio with a transmitting power of
over 10 watts. A qualified workshop is familiar with the technical options for retrofitting. Volkswagen
recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Please observe legislation and the instructions and information given in the operating manuals for
radio equipment.
Information stored in the control units
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Your vehicle is factory fitted with electronic control units which are responsible for engine and
gearbox management. The control units also monitor the function of the exhaust system and the
airbags.
These electronic control units continuously evaluate data relevant to the vehicle while the vehicle is
being driven. Only these data will be stored if there are any faults recorded or any deviations from
the specified values. This is generally displayed by the indicator lamps on the instrument cluster.
Special units are required to read and evaluate data stored in the control units.
These data are stored so that specialist workshops can diagnose and solve problems. The
following data may have been stored:
•Engine and gearbox-relevant data.
•Speed.
•Direction of travel.
•Braking power.
•Seat belt monitor.
The control units never record conversations that take place in the vehicle. It is neither possible nor
permitted to use the stored data to create movement profiles.
When the vehicle is being used, situations may arise in which the stored data (alone or in
conjunction with other information such as accident reports, vehicle damage, witness statements
etc.) can become assignable to a particular person, in which case it may be necessary to consult an
expert and use the expert's information.
In vehicles with an emergency call function via a mobile telephone or other units, the current
location can be transmitted. In the event of an accident in which the control units register that an
airbag has been triggered, the system can automatically send out a signal. This depends on your
service provider. Transmission is possible only in areas with a sufficiently strong mobile telephone
signal.
Additional functions that are contractually agreed with the customer, e.g. vehicle positioning in an
emergency, allow certain vehicle data to be transmitted from the vehicle.
If radio equipment is not secured or not properly 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.
•While the vehicle is in motion, always secure two-way radios properly outside the airbag
deployment zones or stow them away safely.
WARNING
If 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.
•Two-way radios should only be used in the vehicle if an external aerial is properly
connected.
CAUTION
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