
If fuel in the adequate quality available Fuel and emission control?
Are the correct service fluids that comply with Volkswagen specifications available in the
destination country Service fluids and consumables?
Will the navigation function in the factory-fitted Infotainment system and the navigation
data available work in the destination country?
Are special tyres necessary for travelling in the destination country?
Is a fire extinguisher prescribed in your destination country?
Which requirements must be observed regarding reflective vests?
Windscreen washer fluid level Wipers.
Engine oil level Engine oil.
Engine coolant level Engine coolant.
Brake fluid level Brake fluid.
Tyre pressure Wheels and tyres.
Checklist
Therefore, do not do any work in the engine compartment unless you know exactly how to
carry out the jobs, are aware of the general safety procedures and have the correct
equipment, service fluids and suitable tools to hand ⇒ In the engine compartment! In any
other case all work must be carried out by a qualified workshop. Make sure that the
following are checked regularly:
Vehicle lighting Lights required for the vehicle to be roadworthy:
- Turn signals
- Side lights, dipped beam headlights and main beam headlights
- Tail light cluster
- Brake lights
- Rear fog light
- Number plate light.
Servicing the vehicle is not only about vehicle maintenance – it also ensures that your
vehicle remains roadworthy and in perfect working order. You should therefore have your vehicle
serviced according to Volkswagen guidelines. 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 or driving in areas with high
levels of dust. Further information can be obtained from your Volkswagen dealership or a qualified
workshop.
Sitting position
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Dangers of assuming an incorrect sitting position
⇒ Correct sitting position
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
Volkswagen is not responsible for any vehicle damage caused by low-quality fuel,
inadequate servicing work or lack of Genuine Parts.
NOTICE
Observe the instructions and information relating to vehicles with N1 approval
⇒ Information about vehicles with N1 approval (light commercial vehicleyf.
NOTICE

Warning lamp
Fig. 31 On the instrument cluster display: warning lamp.
Fig. 32 On the instrument cluster display: seat belt status for the rear seats.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
A signal tone will be emitted for a few seconds if the seat belts are not fastened as the vehicle pulls
off and reaches a speed of more than approximately 25 km/h (15 mphyf R U L I W K H V H D W E H O W V D U H
unfastened while the vehicle is in motion. This is accompanied by the flashing warning lamp
⇒ Fig. 31.
The warning lamp does not go out until the driver and front passenger fasten their seat belts
while the ignition is switched on.
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 ⇒ Safe transport of children.
•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.
•Avoid allowing foreign bodies or liquids to 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 jacketyf 7 K L V
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.
•Have damaged seat belts immediately replaced by new seat belts that have been
approved by Volkswagen for the vehicle. 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

Belt status display for the rear seats
After the ignition has been switched on, the belt status display ⇒ Fig. 32 on 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 their seat belt. The symbol
indicates that the seatbelt has not been fastened.
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 mphyf D V L J Q D O W R Q H Z L O O D O V R V R X Q G .
Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 33 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall.
Fig. 34 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. 33, 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. For example, if the speed doubles
from 25 km/h to 50 km/h (15 mph to 31 mphyf W K H N L Q H W L F H Q H U J \ L Q F U H D V H V E \ D I D F W R U R I I R X U .
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.
Passengers not wearing seat belts are not connected to the vehicle. In the event of a frontal
collision they will continue to move forwards at the same speed at which the vehicle was travelling
before impact, until something stops them. Because the passengers in our example are not
restrained by seat belts, the entire amount of kinetic energy will be released only at the point of
impact against the wall ⇒ Fig. 34.
Even at speeds of approximately 30 km/h (19 mphyf W R D S S U R [ L P D W H O \ N P K P S K \f, the forces
acting on bodies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1,000 kgyf 7 K H V H I R U F H V D U H H Y H Q
greater at higher speeds.
This example applies not only to frontal collisions, but to all accidents and collisions.
What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened their
seat belts
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.
WARNING

Troubleshooting
If there is a malfunction in the proactive occupant protection system, the message Proactive
occupant protection unavailable or Proactive occupant protection: function restricted is
shown permanently on the instrument cluster display.
Go to a qualified workshop and have the system checked.
Airbag system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Types of front passenger front airbag system
⇒ Indicator lamp
⇒ Description and function of the airbags
⇒ Front airbags
⇒ Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off
⇒ Side airbags
⇒ Curtain airbags
⇒ Knee airbags
The vehicle is equipped with a front airbag for the driver and front passenger. The front airbags can
provide front seat occupants with additional chest and head protection if the seat, seat belts, head
restraints and, in the case of the driver, steering wheel are adjusted and used correctly. Airbags are
meant only for additional protection. The airbags are not a substitute for seat belts. Seat belts must
always be worn, even when the front seats are equipped with front airbags.
The intelligent technology of the proactive occupant protection system cannot overcome
the laws of physics, and functions only within the limits of the system. Never let the extra
convenience afforded by the proactive occupant protection system tempt you into taking
any risks when driving. The system cannot prevent a collision. The system is not a
substitute for the full concentration of the driver.
•Adapt your speed and distance from the vehicles ahead to suit visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions.
•The system cannot detect objects in all situations.
•The proactive occupant protection system does not react to people, animals, objects
crossing in front of the vehicle, or objects which are hard to make out.
•Reflective objects such as safety barriers, tunnel entrances, heavy rain and ice can
impair the function of the proactive occupant protection system and thus prevent it
from detecting a collision risk.
•Incorrect system activation can occur.
WARNING
Accidents and injuries can occur if the driver is distracted.
•Never change settings in the Infotainment system when the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING
Failure to observe illuminated warning lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle
breaking down in traffic, and can cause accidents and serious injuries.
•Never ignore any illuminated warning lamps or text messages.
•Stop the vehicle as soon as it is possible and safe to do so.
WARNING
Failure to observe illuminated indicator lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle
being damaged.
NOTICE

Volkswagen offers two different front passenger front airbag systems:
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.
– Indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.– Indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
– Front passenger front airbag in the dash
panel.
– PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamp in the upper section of the centre console.
– PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator
lamp in the upper section of the centre console.
– Key-operated switch in the side of the dash
panel on the passenger side (only visible when
the door is openyf .
– Front passenger front airbag in the dash
panel.
Name: airbag system.Name: airbag system with front
passenger front airbag
deactivation.
Indicator lamp
Fig. 43 In the upper section of the centre console: indicator lamp for disabled and enabled front
passenger front airbag.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Lit upLocationPossible causeAction
Instrument cluster.Fault in airbag and belt
tensioner system.
Go to a qualified workshop to have
the system checked immediately.
Upper section of
the centre console
⇒ Fig. 43.
Fault in the airbag
system.
Go to a qualified workshop to have
the system checked immediately.
Front passenger front
airbag switched off.
Check whether the airbag should stay
switched off.
Upper section of
the centre console
⇒ Fig. 43.
Front passenger front
airbag switched on.
No solution – the indicator lamp will
disappear automatically approximately
60 seconds after the ignition is
switched on, or after the front
passenger front airbag is switched on
using the key-operated switch.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is
switched on. They will go out after a few seconds.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp in the upper section of the centre console
does not light up continuously when the front passenger front airbag is deactivated, or if it lights
up with the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster, a fault in the airbag system may have
occurred ⇒.
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
Failure to observe the illuminated indicator lamps could lead to the vehicle being
damaged.
NOTICE

Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off
Fig. 46 In the dash panel on the front passenger side or in the stowage compartment: key-operated
switch for switching the front passenger front airbag on and off.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The front passenger front airbag must be disabled if you fit a rear-facing child seat to the
front passenger seat.
Enabling the front passenger front airbag
•Switch off the ignition.
•Open the door on the front passenger side.
•Fold the key bit of the vehicle key all the way out ⇒ Vehicle key set.
•Insert the fully folded-out key bit of the vehicle key into the key-operated switch in the dash
panel ⇒ Fig. 46 to the second point of resistance. Around three quarters of the key bit should
be inserted in the key switch at this point ⇒.
•Turn the vehicle key, without applying force, to the position.
•Remove the vehicle key from the key-operated switch and fold away the key bit ⇒.
•The indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG in the upper part of the centre console
lights up and goes out after approximately 60 seconds ⇒ Indicator lamp.
•Close the door on the front passenger side.
•Check that the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp in the upper section of the
centre console does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ Indicator lamp.
Disabling the front passenger front airbag
•Switch off the ignition.
•Open the door on the front passenger side.
•Fold the key bit of the vehicle key all the way out ⇒ Vehicle key set.
•Insert the fully folded-out key bit of the vehicle key into the key-operated switch in the dash
panel ⇒ Fig. 46 to the second point of resistance. Around three quarters of the key bit should
be inserted in the key switch at this point ⇒.
•Turn the vehicle key, without applying force, to the position.
•Remove the vehicle key from the key-operated switch and fold away the key bit ⇒.
•Close the door on the front passenger side.
•When the ignition is switched on, the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG will light
up steadily in the upper section of the centre console ⇒ Indicator lamp.
Ensuring that the front passenger front airbag has been deactivated
The only sure sign that the front passenger front airbag has been deactivated is when the
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp is displayed continuously in the upper section of
the centre console ( lights up yellow steadilyyf ⇒ Indicator lamp.
If the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG in the upper section of the centre console is
not lit up steadily, or if it lights up together with the 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.

Behaviour after a collision with active bonnet
Fig. 59 Triggered active bonnet.
In the event of a collision at the front of the vehicle, the active bonnet will be triggered by sensors in
the front bumper in the speed range from around 25 to 55 km/h (15 to 34 mphyf $ V D U H V X O W W K H
bonnet is lifted by a few centimetres in front of the windscreen in order to create an additional
crumple zone above the engine, e.g. in the head area of a pedestrian who has been hit.
The active bonnet system can trigger properly only if the bonnet has not previously been deformed
by external influences.
In some cases, the system may trigger even though the collision has not been with a pedestrian.
The system can be triggered in the following situations:
•Frontal collision with a marker post, street lantern, pillar etc.
•Frontal collision with an animal.
•Driving into a mound of snow.
•Bottoming of the vehicle when driving on very poor roads.
When the active bonnet has been triggered, the bonnet is moved up by a few centimetres in front of
the windscreen ⇒ Fig. 59. Special hinges lock the bonnet in open position ⇒ Fig. 59 (close-upyf
The warning lamp also remains lit in the instrument cluster until the system has been repaired.
The following applies if the active bonnet has been triggered:
•It is necessary to go directly to a qualified workshop.
•The system must be repaired by the qualified workshop.
•It is permitted to continue driving only when the vehicle is roadworthy.
•It is not permitted to drive faster than up to 80 km/h (50 mphyf .
•The seat position must be adjusted if necessary. In spite of the active bonnet having triggered,
there must always still be unrestricted visibility through the windscreen ⇒ Sitting position.
If the active bonnet has been triggered, the warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
Warning lamp
DisplayPossible causeAction
Active bonnet has been triggered.Go to a qualified workshop immediately and
have the system repaired.
Active bonnet: system fault.Go to a qualified workshop to have the
system checked immediately.
With some vehicle equipment levels, a symbol which indicates that the active bonnet has been
triggered may be shown in the instrument cluster instead of a warning lamp.
Repairing the triggered active bonnet
A triggered active bonnet must be repaired only by a qualified workshop⇒. Volkswagen
recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
In the event of a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre or accident, loose objects could be
flung though the vehicle and cause severe injuries.
•Always secure the first aid kit, warning triangle and fire extinguisher safely in the
holders in the vehicle.
•Stow the high-visibility waistcoat in the stowage compartments so that it is easily
accessible.
WARNING

The symbol can differ depending on the version of the instrument cluster.
Information call, breakdown call and Emergency Call Service
Fig. 60 In the roof console: control for voice services.
Depending on the equipment in the vehicle, a control may be installed in the roof console. Pressing
the buttons , and ⇒ Fig. 60 enables you to access the following voice services:
information call, breakdown call and Emergency Call Service.
The required connection is established by a factory-fitted control unit. A connection to a telephone
call centre will be established when you trigger one of the voice services.
Indicator lamp
The control is equipped with an indicator lamp ⇒ Fig. 60 (arrowyf 7 K L V G L V S O D \ V W K H I R O O R Z L Q J
statuses:
•Off: all voice services are disabled.
•Flashing red for around 20 seconds after the ignition is switched on: at least one voice service
is disabled.
•Lit up red: system error. Voice service availability is restricted. Volkswagen recommends
consulting a specialist workshop.
The intelligent technology used in the active bonnet pedestrian protection system cannot
overcome the laws of physics, and functions only within the limits of the system. Never let
the extra convenience afforded by the active bonnet pedestrian protection system tempt
you into taking any safety risks.
•Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic
conditions.
•Do not drive faster than up to 80 km/h (50 mphyf Z K H Q W K H D F W L Y H E R Q Q H W K D V E H H Q
triggered.
WARNING
Failure to observe illuminated warning lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle
breaking down in traffic, and can cause accident and serious injury.
•Never ignore any illuminated warning lamps or text messages.
•Stop the vehicle as soon as it is possible and safe to do so.
WARNING
Incorrect repairs and modifications can cause malfunctions 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 closing of the triggered active bonnet can cause accidents and serious injuries,
particularly to the hands.
•A triggered active bonnet must be repaired only by a qualified workshop. Never
attempt to close the bonnet yourself.
WARNING
Incorrect closing of the triggered active bonnet can damage the vehicle.
•Do not press the active bonnet closed under any circumstances, e.g. by pressing down
on the bonnet with your hand. The bonnet and its hinges could be damaged as a result.
NOTICE