
Avoid unnecessary loads
The lighter the vehicle, the more economical and environmentally-friendly it is. An extra weight of 
100 kg can increase fuel consumption by up to 0.3 l/100 km.
Remove all unnecessary objects and loads from the vehicle.
Remove any unnecessary special equipment and accessories
The more aerodynamic a vehicle, the lower its fuel consumption. Special equipment and 
accessories, such as roof carriers or bicycle carriers, make the vehicle less aerodynamic.
You should therefore remove any special equipment and luggage carriers that are not in use, 
especially if you are going to be driving at high speeds.
Steering
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Warning and indicator lamps
⇒ Information on steering
Depending on its equipment level the vehicle may have power steering.
The power steering is not hydraulic. It is an electromechanical system. The advantage of this 
steering system is that no hydraulic hoses, hydraulic oil, pumps, filter or other parts are required. 
The electromechanical system reduces fuel consumption. A hydraulic system requires constant oil 
pressure in the system, whereas an electromechanical steering system only needs an energy 
supply while steering.
The power steering provided by the electromechanical steering system automatically adjusts to the 
vehicle speed, steering wheel torque and steering wheel angle. The electromechanical steering 
only functions when the engine is running.
Additional information and warnings:
•Starting and stopping the engine ⇒ Starting and stopping the engine
•Battery ⇒ Vehicle battery
•Tow-starting and towing ⇒ Tow-starting and towing
Warning and indicator lamps
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Lit upPossible causeSolution
The electromechanical steering is faulty 
or not working.
The steering should be checked by a 
qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Electromechanical steering function 
reduced.
The steering should be checked by a 
qualified workshop as soon as possible.
If the yellow warning lamp remains off after 
the ignition has been restarted and you have 
driven a short distance, you do not need to 
consult a qualified workshop.
The vehicle battery has been 
disconnected and reconnected.
Drive a short distance at a speed of 
15 – 20 km/h (9 – 12 mph).
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is 
switched on. They will go out soon afterwards.
If the power steering is not working, the steering wheel is difficult to turn, which makes it 
difficult to steer the vehicle.
•The power steering only functions when the engine is running.
•Never allow the vehicle to roll if the engine is switched off.
•Never remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock when the vehicle is in motion. The 
steering lock may be activated and you will no longer be able to steer the vehicle.
WARNING 

Fig. 115 In the instrument cluster: variant A: fuel gauge for petrol, variant B: fuel gauge for petrol
Fig. 116 In the instrument cluster display: fuel gauge for petrol
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The fuel gauge can vary according to the vehicle equipment level ⇒ Fig. 115 or ⇒ Fig. 116.
Lit upNeedle position
⇒ Fig. 115
Possible cause ⇒Solution
Red marking ①
Fuel tank nearly empty.
Reserve quantity is being used 
⇒ Capacities.
Fill the tank with petrol 
as soon as possible ⇒
.
Blue marking ②
Natural gas fuel tank nearly 
empty.
Reserve quantity is being used.
Refuel with natural gas 
as soon as possible ⇒
.
Flashes for 
approximately 
10 seconds
Position of the 
bar ⇒ Fig. 116
Possible cause ⇒Solution
Reserve fuel 
marking flashes for 
approximately 10 
seconds (four small 
segments)
Fuel tank nearly empty.
Reserve quantity is being used 
⇒ Capacities.
Fill the tank as soon as 
possible ⇒.
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.
Natural gas engines
Things to note: if the vehicle is parked for an extended period directly after refuelling, it may well 
occur that the pointer for the natural gas engine does not indicate the fuel level shown directly after 
refuelling. This does not mean that there is a leak in the system but but rather that, for technical 
reasons the pressure has been decreased in the natural gas tank.
The small arrow next to the petrol pump symbol ⇒ Fig. 115 in the display instrument shows 
you the side of the vehicle on which the tank flap is located.
 Only applies for vehicles with a fuel gauge in the instrument cluster ⇒ Fig. 115.
 Only applies for vehicles with a fuel gauge in the instrument cluster display ⇒ Fig. 116.
Filling the tank with petrol
a)
b)
Driving the vehicle when the fuel level is too low could lead to your vehicle breaking down in 
traffic, accidents and serious injuries.
•When the fuel level is too low, the fuel supply to the engine could be irregular, especially 
when driving up or down hills and inclines.
•The steering, all driver assist systems and brake assist systems will not function if the 
engine sputters or stops completely due to a lack of fuel or irregular fuel supply.
•Always fill the tank when it is still 1/4 full. This reduces the risk of running out of fuel and 
breaking down.
WARNING
•To avoid damage to your vehicle, always observe the indicator lamps and associated 
warning texts.
•Do not run the tank empty. Irregular filling periods can cause backfiring and allow unburnt 
fuel to enter the exhaust system. This could cause damage to the catalytic converter!
NOTICE
a)
b) 

than the engine requires. However, this does not provide any advantage in terms of fuel 
consumption or engine output.
Volkswagen recommends using fuel with a low sulphur content or sulphur-free fuel for petrol 
engines in order to achieve reduced fuel consumption.
Petrol additives
The quality of petrol influences the running properties, performance and service life of the engine. 
This is why the vehicle should be refuelled with good quality petrol that has only non-metallic 
additives pre-added by the petroleum industry. These petrol additives help to prevent corrosion, 
keep the fuel system clean, and prevent the build-up of deposits in the engine.
If good quality petrol containing non-metallic additives is not available, or if engine problems arise, 
the necessary petrol additives must be added to the petrol when refuelling ⇒.
Not all petrol additives are effective. The use of unsuitable petrol additives can cause considerable 
damage to the engine and catalytic converter. Metallic additives should be avoided at all times.
Petrol additives on sale that are intended to improve knock resistance or increase the octane 
number can also contain metallic additives ⇒.
Volkswagen recommends genuine Volkswagen or Audi fuel additives for petrol engines. These 
additives and information on how to use them are available from your Volkswagen dealership.
Natural gas engines
Run the petrol tank empty every 6 months until the indicator lamp  lights up. This is necessary to 
maintain the required system function for petrol mode and fuel quality.
Natural gas
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Natural gas
Natural gas can be delivered in compressed or liquefied form.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is produced by rapid cooling of the natural gas. This decreases the 
volume considerably in comparison to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). A vehicle equipped with a 
natural gas engine may not be refilled directly with liquefied natural gas as the gas would expand 
too much once in the tank in the vehicle.
Vehicles fitted with a natural gas engine may therefore only be refilled and driven using 
compressed natural gas ⇒.
Natural gas quality and consumption
Natural gas is available in two grades: H-gas and L-gas.
H-gas has a higher calorific value and a lower nitrogen and carbon dioxide content. The higher the 
calorific value of the natural gas the lower the levels of consumption.
The calorific value and the nitrogen or carbon dioxide values may, however, vary within one quality 
group. For this reason, the vehicle consumption may vary when using natural gas of the same 
quality.
•Before filling up with petrol, check whether the fuel corresponds to the vehicle's 
requirements according to the fuel standard information at the pump.
•Only use fuel that complies with EN 228 or DIN 51626-1 and has the correct octane 
number. Otherwise, the engine and the fuel system can suffer considerable damage. The 
engine can also lose power or fail.
•The use of unsuitable petrol additives can cause considerable damage to the engine and 
catalytic converter.
•If, in an emergency, you have to use petrol with an octane number lower than the 
recommended number, drive at medium engine speeds and avoid high engine loading. 
Avoid high engine speeds and heavy engine loads. Failure to do so can result in engine 
damage. Fill the tank with petrol with the correct octane number as soon as possible.
•Fuels that are identified at the fuel pump as containing metallic additives may not be used. 
LRP fuel (lead replacement petrol) also contains high concentrations of metallic additives. 
Risk of engine damage!
•Just one tankful of leaded fuel, or fuel containing other metallic additives, can seriously 
impair the efficiency of the catalytic converter and can also cause considerable damage to 
the catalytic converter and engine.
NOTICE