2021 VOLKSWAGEN UP! air suspension

The ESC or the TCS/TC can only function properly if all four wheels have the same tyres.
Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can cause the system to reduce engine power
unexpectedly.
If the ABS fails, the ESC, TCS, TC and EDL will also cease to function.
Control processes running in the systems described may cause operating noises.
Brake fluid
Fig. 101 In the engine compartment: cap on the brake fluid container
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
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
system if the water content is too high. Vapour locks reduce levels of braking power, considerably
increase 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 recommends the use of
brake fluid compliant with VW standard 501 14.
Driving fast on icy, slippery or wet roads can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle and could
cause serious injury to the driver and passengers.
•Adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions. Do
not let the extra safety afforded by the brake assist systems ABS, BAS, EDL, TCS, TC and
ESC tempt you into taking any risks when driving.
•The brake assist systems cannot defy the laws of motion. Slippery and wet roads will
remain dangerous, even when the ESC and other systems are active.
•Driving too fast on wet roads can cause the wheels to lose contact with the road surface
and aquaplane. A vehicle cannot be braked, steered or controlled once it has lost contact
with the road surface.
•Brake assist systems cannot prevent an accident if, for example, you are driving too close
to the vehicle in front or are driving too fast for the individual situation.
•Although the brake assist systems are very effective and can help to control the vehicle in
difficult driving situations, please always remember that the driving stability of the vehicle
depends on the tyre grip.
•When accelerating on a slippery surface, for example on ice and snow, press the
accelerator carefully. The wheels can spin even with active brake assist systems and this
can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle.
WARNING
ESC will be considerably less effective if other components and systems that affect driving
dynamics are not serviced correctly or are not functioning properly. This also applies, but not
exclusively, to the brakes, tyres and other systems that have already been named.
•Please always note that modifications and changes to the vehicle can affect the function of
the ABS, BAS, TCS, TC, EDL and ESC.
•Alterations to the suspension system or the use of non-approved wheel and tyre
combinations can affect the function of ABS, BAS, TCS, TC, EDL and ESC and reduce
their effectiveness.
•Suitable tyres are also crucial if ESC is to function optimally ⇒ Wheels and tyres.
WARNING

Tyre damage
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily visible. Any unusual vibrations or signs that the car is
pulling to one side may indicate that one of the tyres is damaged ⇒.
•Reduce your speed immediately if you suspect that a wheel is damaged.
•Check the tyres and rims for damage.
•If the tyre is damaged, do not drive on. Seek expert assistance.
•If there is no visible damage, drive slowly and cautiously to the next qualified workshop in order
to have the vehicle checked.
Foreign bodies in the tyre
•Leave the foreign body in the tyre if it has entered the inner tyre. However, foreign bodies that
are stuck between the tyre tread blocks can be removed.
•For vehicles with a spare wheel or temporary spare wheel: where appropriate, change the
damaged wheel ⇒ Changing a wheel If required, seek expert assistance when changing the
damaged wheel. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
•For vehicles with a breakdown set: if required, seal the tyre and pump it up using the
breakdown set ⇒ Breakdown set. Proceed to a qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends
using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
•Check the pressure and adjust it as required.
Tyre wear
Tyre wear is affected by several factors. These include:
•Driving style.
•Unbalanced wheels.
•Running gear setting.
Driving style – fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear. The
running gear should be checked by a qualified workshop if the tyres show excessive wear despite a
normal driving style.
Unbalanced wheels – the wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors
encountered in normal driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which results in steering
vibration. Unbalanced wheels will affect levels of wear on the steering system and the suspension.
In this case the wheels should be balanced again. A new tyre will have to be balanced after fitting.
Running gear setting – incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety
of the vehicle. The wheel alignment should be checked by a qualified workshop if tyres show
excessive wear.
Spare wheel or temporary spare wheel
Worn tyres are a safety risk and can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle and cause serious
injury.
•Tyres must be replaced at the latest when the tread is worn down to the tread wear
indicators.
•Worn tyres have considerably less tread, particularly on wet roads, which can cause the
vehicle to glide along the road surface (aquaplaning).
•Worn tyres reduce the possibility of controlling the vehicle well in normal and difficult
driving situations and increase braking distance and the risk of sliding.
WARNING
If you notice unusual vibration or the car pulling to one side while the vehicle is in motion, this
may indicate that one of the tyres is damaged.
•Reduce speed immediately and park the vehicle without obstructing traffic.
•Check the tyres and rims for damage.
•Never drive on if wheels or tyres are damaged. Seek expert assistance instead.
•If there is no visible damage, drive slowly and cautiously to the next qualified workshop in
order to have the vehicle checked.
WARNING

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
®
®

The vehicle owner should keep all assembly documentation for these auxiliary fittings, and pass it
on to any scrapping company later engaged. In this way, environmentally compatible disposal
should be guaranteed for all vehicles, including refitted vehicles.
Windscreen repairs
To function properly, some items of equipment require a camera or sensor, which is located on the
inside of the windscreen near the interior mirror. If the windscreen in the viewing field of the camera
or sensors has been damaged, e.g. by stone impact, the windscreen must be replaced. Repairing
the crack can lead to malfunction or functional faults in the equipment.
After changing the windscreen, the camera and sensors must be set up and calibrated by a
qualified workshop.
Repairs and faults in the airbag system
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Repairs and modifications must always be carried out according to Volkswagen specifications⇒
.
Modifications and repairs to the front bumper, the doors, the front seats, the roof, or the bodywork
should be carried out by a qualified workshop. System components and airbag system sensors can
be located on these vehicle components.
If you work on the airbag system or remove and install parts of the system when performing other
repair work, parts of the airbag system may be damaged. The consequence may be that, in the
event of an accident, the airbag inflates incorrectly or does not inflate at all.
Regulations must be observed to ensure that the effectiveness of the airbags is not reduced and
that removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution. Qualified workshops are
familiar with these requirements.
Any modifications to the vehicle's suspension could prevent the airbag system from working
properly during a collision. For example, using tyre/rim combinations that have not been approved
by Volkswagen, lowering the vehicle, making modifications to the suspension rate including work on
the springs, struts and shock absorbers could change the forces that are measured by the airbag
sensors and sent to the electronic control unit. Some changes to the suspension could cause the
forces measured by the sensors to increase. This can lead to the airbag system being triggered in
collision scenarios where it normally would not be triggered if modifications to the suspension had
not been made. Other modifications can cause the forces measured by the sensors to decrease,
therefore preventing the airbag system from being triggered when it should have been.
Retrofitting two-way radios
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Incorrect repairs and modifications can cause functional problems and damage to the vehicle
and impair the effectiveness of the driver assist systems. This can result in accidents and
severe injuries.
•Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified
workshop.
WARNING
Incorrect repairs and modifications can cause function problems and damage to the vehicle
and impair the effectiveness of the airbag system. This can result in accidents and serious or
even fatal injuries.
•Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified
workshop.
•Airbag modules cannot be repaired. They must be replaced.
•Never use recycled airbag components or components that have been taken from end-of-
life vehicles in your vehicle.
WARNING
Modifications to the vehicle's suspension, including the use of unsuitable tyre/rim
combinations, can cause the airbag system to work differently and increase the risk of serious
or fatal injuries in the event of an accident.
•Never install any components in the suspension system that do not have the same
characteristics as the original factory-fitted components.
•Never use tyre/rim combinations that have not been approved by Volkswagen.
WARNING