Fig. 8 Overview of the lower section of the centre console
Key for ⇒ Fig. 8:
Stowage compartment with drink holder in the centre console ⇒ Drink holder
Ashtray ⇒ Ashtray and cigarette lighter
12-volt socket or cigarette lighter ⇒ Socket⇒ Ashtray and cigarette lighter
Handbrake ⇒ Braking, stopping and parking
Lever for:
- Manual gearbox ⇒ Changing gear
- Automated manual gearbox ⇒ Changing gear
Button for city emergency brake function ⇒ City emergency brake function
Overview of the front passenger side
Fig. 9 Overview of the front passenger side (left-hand drive vehicles). The controls are mirrored in
right-hand drive vehicles
Key for ⇒ Fig. 9:
Location of front passenger front airbag in the dash panel ⇒ Airbag system
Vent ⇒ Heating, ventilating, cooling
To the side of the dash panel: key-operated switch for disabling the front passenger front
airbag ⇒ Airbag system
Opening lever for the stowage compartment or open stowage compartment ⇒ Stowage
area
Symbols in the roof
SymbolMeaning
Interior lights and reading lights ⇒ Lights
Electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof ⇒ Electric panorama
sliding/tilting glass roof
Instrument cluster
Warning and indicator lamps
The warning and indicator lamps indicate various warnings ⇒, faults ⇒ or certain functions.
Some warning and indicator lamps light up when the ignition is switched on and should go out once
the engine is running or the vehicle is in motion.
Acoustic warning signals are sounded when some warning or indicator lamps light up.
SymbolMeaning ⇒See
Handbrake is applied.
⇒ Braking, stopping
and parkingDo not drive on!
Brake fluid level too low or fault in the brake system.
Flashing: Do not drive on!
Coolant level too low, coolant temperature too high or
coolant level system faulty.
⇒ Coolant
Flashing: Do not drive on!
Engine oil pressure too low.⇒ Engine oil
⇒ Steering
Starting the engine
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The steps should only be carried out in the specified order.
Manual gearboxAutomated manual gearbox
1.Depress the brake pedal and hold it until
step 5 has been completed.Turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ Fig. 93①.
2.Fully depress the clutch pedal until the
engine has been started.
Depress the brake pedal and hold it until
step 5 has been completed.
3.Shift the gear stick to a neutral position.Place the selector lever in position N.
4.Turn the vehicle key in the ignition lock to position ⇒ Fig. 93② – do not depress the
accelerator.
5.Release the vehicle key once the engine has started.
6.If the engine does not start, stop the procedure and repeat it after approximately one minute.
7.Release the handbrake if you wish to pull away ⇒ Braking, stopping and parking.
Natural gas engines
The gas engine will only start with gas. It is possible to start the engine with petrol under the
following conditions:
•Very low outside temperatures.
•The mixture adjustment after filling is not yet complete.
•Natural gas tank is empty.
Do not warm up the engine by running it while the vehicle is stationary. Instead, pull off as
soon as there is good visibility through the windows. This helps the engine to reach operating
temperature more quickly and reduces emissions.
Components with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily when the engine is
started.
When starting from cold, the engine may be a little noisy for the first few seconds. This is
quite normal, and no cause for concern.
Stopping the engine
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The steps should only be carried out in the specified order.
Manual gearboxAutomated manual gearbox
1.The vehicle must be completely stationary ⇒.
2.Depress the brake pedal and hold it until step 4 has been completed.
3.Place the selector lever in position D or R.
4.Apply the handbrake firmly ⇒ Braking, stopping and parking.
5.Turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ Fig. 93⓪.
6.Select 1st gear or reverse gear.
Never leave the vehicle with the engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly,
particularly if a gear or position is selected, and cause accidents and serious injuries.
WARNING
A start booster can explode or suddenly cause the engine to run at high revs.
•Never use a start booster.
WARNING
•The starter and the engine can be damaged if you attempt to start the engine while the
vehicle is in motion or if the engine is started again immediately after it has been switched
off.
•When the engine is cold, avoid high engine speeds, driving at full throttle and overloading
the engine.
•Do not push-start or tow-start the engine. Unburnt fuel can damage the catalytic converter.
NOTICE
•Tow-starting and towing ⇒ Tow-starting and towing
Warning and indicator lamp
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Lit upPossible causeSolution
Fault in the automated manual gearbox.
Do not drive on!
Seek expert assistance. Failure to do so can
cause considerable damage to the gearbox
⇒ Fault in the automated manual gearbox.
Gears in the automated manual gearbox
cannot be selected correctly.
Switch the ignition on and off. If the indicator
lamp remains lit up, the automated manual
gearbox should be checked by a qualified
workshop .
Automated manual gearbox temporarily
overheated.
Allow the gearbox to cool down in selector
lever position . If the indicator lamp
remains lit up, the automated manual
gearbox should be checked by a qualified
workshop .
Selector lever for the automated manual
gearbox in position and the brake
pedal not depressed.
To select a position, press the brake pedal
⇒ Braking, stopping and parking.
In conjunction with the yellow indicator
lamp for gearbox temperature :
automated manual gearbox overheated.
Depress the break pedal ⇒ Braking, stopping
and parking and allow the gearbox to cool
down. Do not perform pulling-away
manoeuvres in the meantime. If the indicator
lamp remains lit up, the automated manual
gearbox should be checked by a qualified
workshop .
In conjunction with the flashing display
on the instrument cluster: the selector
lever for the automated manual gearbox
is not in position , prompt to start the
engine.
Move the selector lever to and start the
engine ⇒ Starting and stopping the engine.
FlashesPossible causeSolution
Flashing: vehicle with an automated
manual gearbox is not secured from
rolling away.
Apply the handbrake ⇒ Braking, stopping
and parking.
You are prompted in conjunction with
the indicator lamp to depress the brake
pedal : prompt to start the engine.
Move the selector lever to and start the
engine ⇒ Starting and stopping the engine.
During forward travel: attempt to place
automated manual gearbox selector
lever into position .
Stop the car and move the selector lever to
position so that it can then be moved to
position .
The selector lever for the automated
manual gearbox has been moved to
position or but the brake pedal
was not depressed.
Depress the brake pedal ⇒ Braking,
stopping and parking, move the selector
lever to position and then back to the
required position or .
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, particularly on slippery roads. This
can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents and serious injuries.
•The kickdown function or fast acceleration should only be used if the visibility, weather,
road and traffic conditions permit.
WARNING
Never ride the brake pedal. Do not overuse the brake pedal. Constant braking will cause the
brakes to overheat. This can considerably reduce the brake effect, increase the braking
distance and, in certain circumstances, cause the brake system to fail completely.
WARNING
•Never let the brakes rub by applying light pressure to the brake when it is not necessary to
brake. This will increase levels of wear.
•Before driving down a long, steep gradient, reduce speed and change to a lower gear or in
vehicles with an automated manual gearbox in Tiptronic mode, move the selector lever to a
lower position. This will make use of the engine braking effect and relieve the load on the
brakes. The brakes could otherwise overheat and possibly fail. The brakes should only be
used to slow or stop the vehicle.
NOTICE
Fig. 96 Gear shift pattern of a 5-speed manual gearbox
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The positions of the individual driving gears are shown on the gearshift lever ⇒ Fig. 96.
•Fully depress and hold the clutch pedal.
•Move the gear lever to the required position ⇒.
•Release the clutch to engage.
In models for certain countries the clutch pedal will have to be depressed fully in order to start the
engine.
Selecting reverse gear
•Reverse gear should only be selected when the vehicle is stationary.
•Fully depress and hold the clutch pedal ⇒.
•Shift the gear lever to the neutral position.
•Push the gearshift lever fully to the right and then back into the reverse gear position
⇒ Fig. 96Ⓡ.
•Release the clutch to engage.
Shifting down
You should always select the next immediate gear when shifting down a gear whilst the vehicle is in
motion. The engine revs should not be too high when doing this ⇒. Damage to the clutch and
the gearbox could occur if at high speeds or high engine revs one or more gears are skipped when
shifting down gear, even if the clutch is not released when doing this ⇒.
Automated manual gearbox: selecting a gear
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a gear is engaged and
the clutch released. This also applies when the handbrake is on.
•Never engage reverse gear while the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING
Shifting gears incorrectly to a lower gear can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle, which can
cause accidents and serious injuries.
WARNING
Serious damage to the clutch and gearbox can occur if the gear stick on the manual gearbox
is shifted to too low a gear when travelling at high speeds or at high revs. This also applies if
the clutch remains depressed and the gears do not engage.
NOTICE
Please note the following to help avoid damage and premature wear:
•Do not rest your hand on the gear lever when driving. The pressure from your hand is
passed onto the selector forks in the gearbox.
•Ensure that the vehicle has come to a full stop before engaging reverse gear.
•Always fully depress the clutch pedal when changing gear.
•Do not hold the vehicle by riding the clutch on a slope with the engine running.
NOTICE
Fig. 97 Selector lever for the automated manual gearbox
Fig. 98 Gear shift pattern for the automated manual gearbox
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
To move the selector lever out of position N to position D or R, first depress and hold the brake
pedal.
The current gearbox position or the selected gear will be shown in the instrument cluster display if
the ignition is switched on.
Selector
lever
position
DesignationMeaning ⇒
Reverse gearReverse gear is selected.
May only be selected when the vehicle is stationary.
Neutral
The gearbox is in the neutral position. No force is transmitted
to the wheels and the braking effect of the engine is not
available.
Standard forward
driving position
All forward gears are shifted up and down automatically. The
timing of the gear shift is determined by the engine load, your
individual driving style and the speed of the vehicle.
Tiptronic position
for forward travel
(manual shift
programme)
All forward gears can be shifted up and down manually
⇒ Changing gear with Tiptronic. This remains the case until
the system does not perform or prevents a gear change due to
the current driving situation.
If the lever is moved accidentally to N when driving, take your foot off the accelerator. Wait
for the engine revs in the neutral position before selecting a position again.
Changing gear with Tiptronic
Engaging an incorrect selector lever position can cause you to lose control of the vehicle,
which can lead to accidents and serious injuries.
•Never depress the accelerator pedal when selecting a position.
•When the engine is running and a position has been selected, the vehicle starts moving as
soon as the accelerator is depressed.
•Never select the reverse gear while the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING
Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury.
•The driver must never leave the driver seat when the engine is running and a position has
been selected. If you have to leave the vehicle while the engine is running, always firmly
apply the handbrake and move the selector lever to position N.
•Never select position R when the vehicle is in motion.
•Never leave the vehicle if the handbrake is not on. While the is engine running the vehicle
will roll downhill, irrespective of the position selected.
WARNING
Fig. 99 Selector lever in Tiptronic position
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
With Tiptronic the gears in an automated manual gearbox can be shifted up and down manually.
The gear that is currently selected will be maintained when the Tiptronic programme is selected.
This remains the case until the system does not perform a gear change due to the current driving
situation.
Operating Tiptronic
•From position D push the selector lever left into the Tiptronic gate M⇒.
•Gently push the selector lever forwards ⊕ or back ㊀ to shift gear up or down ⇒ Fig. 99.
•Push the selector lever to the left again in the Tiptronic gate M to exit Tiptronic mode ⇒.
In selector lever position D, push the lever towards the ⊕ or the ㊀ to switch briefly into the Tiptronic
programme M.
Driving with an automated manual gearbox
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The gearbox changes the forward gears up and down automatically.
Driving down hills
The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear you will need. Lower gears increase the braking effect
of the engine. Never allow the vehicle to roll down mountains or hills in the neutral position N.
•Reduce your speed.
•Push the selector lever in position D to the left into the Tiptronic gate M⇒ Changing gear with
Tiptronic.
•Gently push the selector lever back ㊀ to change down gear.
Stopping the vehicle and pulling away when driving uphill
The steeper the incline, the lower the gear that is required.
If you wish to stop the vehicle or pull away when driving uphill, you should use the Hill Hold Assist
function ⇒ Pull-away assist systems. Pulling the handbrake switches the Hill Hold Assist off.
Vehicles without Hill Hold Assist: When you stop the vehicle on an incline and a position is still
selected, the vehicle must always be prevented from rolling by depressing the brake pedal or by
applying the handbrake. The brake pedal or the handbrake should not be released until you start to
pull away ⇒.
Kick-down
The kickdown function enables maximum acceleration in the selector lever position D or in the
Tiptronic position M.
If the accelerator pedal is depressed fully, the gearbox will automatically shift to a lower gear,
depending on the speed and engine revs. This will make use of the full vehicle acceleration ⇒.
The gearbox does not shift up to the next gear until the engine reaches the maximum engine speed
for the gear.
•When accelerating, the gearbox automatically shifts up to the next gear shortly before the
maximum permitted engine speed is reached.
•When shifting down a gear manually, the gearbox will not change gear until the engine can
no longer be overrevved.
NOTICE
Driving in the correct gear can reduce fuel consumption.
The display on the gear-change indicator will disappear when the clutch pedal is depressed.
In some vehicles the gear recommendation may be displayed on the screen of the portable
navigation device (delivered by Volkswagen) ⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of
parts.
Braking, stopping and parking
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Warning and indicator lamps
⇒ Handbrake
⇒ Parking
⇒ Information on the brakes
⇒ Brake assist systems
⇒ Brake fluid
The brake assist systems are the electronic brake pressure distribution system (EBV), anti-lock
brake system (ABS), the brake assist system (BAS), the electronic differential lock (EDS), traction
control (TC), the traction control system (TCS) and the electronic stabilisation programme (ESC).
Additional information and warnings:
•Pull-away assist systems ⇒ Pull-away assist systems
•Wheels and tyres ⇒ Wheels and tyres
•Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts ⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs
and renewal of parts
The gear-change indicator is only designed to assist the driver and cannot replace the driver's
own judgement.
•The driver has full responsibility for selecting the correct gear in all situations, e.g. when
overtaking or when driving up and down hills.
CAUTION
Warning and indicator lamps
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Lit upPossible cause ⇒Solution
Handbrake is applied.⇒ Handbrake.
Brake system fault.
Do not drive on!
Seek expert assistance immediately ⇒ Fault
in the brake system.
Brake fluid level is too low.Do not drive on!
Check brake fluid level ⇒ Brake fluid level.
In conjunction with ABS indicator lamp
: ABS and EDV not functioning.
Do not drive on!
Seek expert assistance immediately ⇒ Fault
in the brake system.
ESC switched off by the system.Switch the ignition on and off. If necessary,
drive a short distance.
ESC fault.Proceed to a qualified workshop.
In conjunction with ABS indicator lamp
: ABS fault.
Proceed to a qualified workshop. The
vehicle can be braked without ABS.
Vehicle battery has been reconnected.
Drive a short distance at a speed of
15 – 20 km/h (10 – 12 mph). If the indicator
lamp remains lit up, the vehicle should be
checked by a qualified workshop ⇒ Vehicle
battery.
Traction Control fault or switched off for
system-related reasons.
Go to qualified workshop ⇒ Traction Control
System (TCS) or Traction Control (TC).
In conjunction with ESC indicator lamp
: ABS fault.
Proceed to a qualified workshop. The
vehicle can be braked without ABS.
Driving with worn brake pads or with a faulty brake system can cause accidents and serious
injuries.
•If you have reason to believe that the brakes are worn down or the brake system is faulty,
go to a qualified workshop immediately and have the brake system checked and have any
worn brake pads replaced.
WARNING
Incorrect parking can cause serious injuries.
•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 or control the
vehicle.
•Never park the vehicle where parts of the exhaust system can come into contact with
inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. leaves, dry grass, spilt fuel.
•Always apply the handbrake fully when the vehicle is parked.
•Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle. They could
release the handbrake, move the selector lever or gearshift lever and thus set the vehicle
in motion. This can lead to accidents and serious injuries.
•Always take all vehicle keys with you every time you leave the vehicle. The engine can still
be started and electrical equipment such as the window controls still can be operated,
potentially causing serious injury.
•Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle. They could
become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency and may not be able to get themselves to
safety. For example, locked vehicles may be subjected to very high or very low
temperatures, according to season. This can cause serious injuries and illness or
fatalities, especially for small children.
WARNING
•To avoid unintentional movement when parking the vehicle, first apply the handbrake firmly
and then remove your foot from the brake pedal.
•Always take care when driving in car parks with protruding kerbstones or bollards. Objects
that protrude from the ground can damage the bumper and other components when
parking the vehicle. In order to avoid any damage, stop the vehicle before the wheels
touch the bollards or kerbs.
•Drive carefully through dips in the road, over driveways, ramps, kerbstones and other
objects. Low-lying vehicle components such as the bumper, spoiler and parts of the
running gear, engine or exhaust system could be damaged.
NOTICE