Volkswagen Golf 2012 Owner's Manual

2012 Golf

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NEW

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TDI 2-door with Sunroof and Navigation shown in Reflex Silver Metallic

Better engineering for you.

German engineering isn’t just about creating a faster car.
Or a tighter ride. Or even the most fuel-efficient engine.
We’re not merely designing the sleekest silhouette. Or the
roomiest cargo space. Or the most breathtaking sunroof.
And even though we place safety at the top of our list, we’re
not in this solely to get recognition for our success. Or
to break records. Or to add extra safety features just to
be safe. At Volkswagen, we’re about all of these things
happening together, beautifully and precisely, to create
a car that’s actually fun to drive. Because we’re not just
making any car, we’re making your car. That’s the power
of German engineering.

The Golf

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Loved the world over.

There are hundreds of reasons to love the Golf. Its classic design, unrivaled
versatility, and smile-inducing available TDI® Clean Diesel engine are just a
few of the features that make it one of the most awarded cars around. So
while we were flattered when the Golf was named one of
“10Best Cars for 2011,” especially after Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com named
the Golf TDI one of their Top 10 Green Cars of 2011,* we can’t say we were
surprised. Because for 37 years customers around the world have been
making the Golf one of the most popular compact cars on the road. And
while the awards panelists only have the privilege of driving the Golf for a
few days, our customers get to drive it for years. And the fact that they keep
coming back for more year after year is what keeps us innovating. The awards,
well, they’re just more proof that we’re doing something right.

Car and Driver

’s

When you buy any new VW, you get three years or 36,000 miles of
no-charge scheduled Carefree Maintenance.** That’s right, no extra charge.
If you’d like, stop by in the first 90 days, or 6,000 miles, for your courtesy
vehicle check. Then come by every year, or 10,000 miles, for your remaining
scheduled maintenance checks. If only everything in life could be this carefree.

*For more information about the 2011 Top 10 Green Cars from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book is a
registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. **The Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance Program covers the vehicle’s scheduled
maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Coverage during the term of the new vehicle limited warranty at no
additional charge. Some limitations apply. See dealer or vehicle maintenance program booklet for details.

TDI 2-door shown with Sunroof and Navigation in Shark Blue Metallic

03 | 0 4

TDI Clean Diesel

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TDI

Clean Diesel

Fun: 1. Compromise: 0.

140 horsepower

236 lbs/ft torque

Mileage

highway miles

42

Travel

609

per gallon*

miles per
tank*

TDI Clean Diesel. You may not know that the T in TDI stands for turbo, but you’ll see why

when you get behind the wheel. It’s the perfect union of power, performance, and fuel
efficiency that delivers 140 hp and 236 lbs/ft torque for exceptional acceleration off the
line, all while getting up to 42 highway mpg. That’s up to 609 miles on one tank.* Plus,
the TDI Clean Diesel engine produces 90 percent fewer sooty emissions than previous diesel
engines. That’s what we like to call a win-win-win situation.

Competitive range comparison

CompetitionGolf TDI

609

mile

range

571

mile

range

609

mile

range

529

mile

range

609

mile

range

496

mile

range

609

mile

range

479

mile

range

fewer sooty emissions
compared to previous

90%

95%

*2011 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel, DSG automatic: 30 city/42 highway mpg. Range based on 42 highway mpg EPA estimate and a 14.5-gallon tank. EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary. **Comparisons based on manufacturers’ published data. 2011 1.8L Toyota Prius, ECVT transmission: 51 city/48 highway mpg.

Range based on 48 highway mpg EPA estimate and a 11.9-gallon tank. 2011 1.4L Honda Civic Hybrid, CVT transmission: 40 city/43 highway mpg. Range based on 43 highway mpg EPA estimate and a 12.3-gallon tank. 2011 2.0L Ford Focus SE with SFE Package, automatic transmission: 28 city/40 highway
mpg. Range based on 40 highway mpg EPA estimate and a 12.4-gallon tank. 2011 2.0L Mazda3 i SV, manual transmission: 25 city/33 highway mpg. Range based on 33 highway mpg EPA estimate and a 14.5-gallon tank. All fuel economy values are EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary.

diesel engines

less sulfur content in the
ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel

Golf TDI

Toyota Prius**

Golf TDI

Honda Civic Hybrid**

Golf TDI

Ford Focus SC with SFE**

Golf TDI

Mazda3 i SV**

TDI 4-door shown in Blue Graphite Metallic

Performance

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2.0L, 140 hp, 236 lbs/ft of torque

Six-speed DSG automatic transmission*

Performance at your
fingertips. And your toetips.

No matter where you go in your Golf, getting there is
more than half the fun thanks to all that German
engineering under the hood. The 2.5L Golf sports a
170-hp, in-line five-cylinder engine with 177 lbs/ft of
torque that delivers instant gratification off the line
and impressive fuel efficiency of 23 city/33 highway
mpg on the road.** And the Golf comes equipped with
four-wheel independent suspension, electromechanical
steering, and a laser seam-welded body for increased
rigidity and superior handling. In other words, classic
Volkswagen performance.

DSG transmission. When you get the Golf TDI, you also get the
option of a six-speed DSG
And that means you can push the gearshift into Tiptronic mode
and enjoy the control of imperceptibly fast gear changes that you
can make yourself. It’s like driving stick—only better.

®

automatic transmission with Tiptronic.

®

TDI 2-door shown in Candy White

07 | 08

*Feature available on select models.**2011 2.5L, manual transmission: 23 city/33 highway mpg EPA estimates. Your
mileage will vary.

Comfort

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Small, big, and comfortable all over.

The Golf may be small when you need to park it, but what it lacks
in size on the outside, it more than makes up for on the inside. And
that’s all due to the hatch back there. Open it wide, fold the rear
60/40-split seats, and you’ll have easy access to more than 46 cubic
feet of cargo space. Which makes it easy to haul around all the
little things in your life, like an eight-piece drum set or a friend’s
dresser. Of course, the Golf has plenty of room for hauling people
too, with seating for five adults, including an eight-way adjustable
driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support and available
heated front seats for added comfort. So no matter who, or what,
you load into your Golf, you can be sure your journey will be a
comfortable one.

60/40-split folding rear seat

Heated front seats*

46 cubic feet of available cargo space

Power. Glass. Sunroof. With pinch protection, tilt function, and a manual sunshade.

All of these features equal one major option designed to make your Golf feel even
more comfortable.

*Feature available on select models.

2.5L 4-door shown in Black

09 | 1 0

Technology

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Technology loaded
with technology.

The Golf isn’t just loaded with the latest in technology
beneath the hood, it also comes with an AM/FM
stereo with eight-speaker sound system, in-dash
CD player, and an auxiliary input for seamlessly
connecting your MP3 player. The Golf TDI kicks
things into overdrive with a touchscreen Premium
VIII sound system, Bluetooth® connectivity, iPod®
integration using the Media Device Interface (MDI)
with iPod cable, and a three-month trial subscription
to over 130 channels of SiriusXM Satellite Radio so
you never miss a beat.

TDI shown in Titan Black

11 | 12

Touchscreen navigation. The TDI model has an available
touchscreen navigation system so you’ll always be able to find
your way to wherever you’re going and back home again.
Just in case you want to get lost in the music, or the world, for
a little while.

Multi-function steering wheel. With the available multi-function
steering wheel, you can control the radio, change a song, or
take a phone call all while keeping your eyes on the road and
your hands on the wheel.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

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Safety

There’s safety in acronyms.

When it comes to safety, the Golf has it in spades
or, should we say, features. A lot of them. That’s
because it’s equipped with active and passive safety
features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and the Intelligent
Crash Response System (ICRS)* to help you stay
safe in virtually every situation. Those are just a few
of the reasons the 2011 Golf 4-door has been
named a prestigious Top Safety Pick by the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) three years in a
row.** All of which makes it safe to say we know a
thing or two about safety.

Highlights

ESC

Electronic Stability Control

ESC helps prevent oversteer or understeer during an evasive
maneuver by applying corrective forces to each of the wheels.
In other words, it helps you maintain control.

Active

You have enough to think about without having to
remember to check your tires. So we added the
TPMS to help monitor tire pressure and inform you of
any loss in pressure.

ASR helps prevent your wheels from spinning
when you accelerate by denying engine power in
situations when it senses wheel slippage.

Not only does ABS help keep the brakes from locking
up during sudden stops, it also helps you retain control
over the steering in the event of emergency braking.

HBA helps ensure that you get the maximum power
from the brake system by judging the suddenness of
the braking and applying extra pressure when you
need it most.

Active safety. Active safety features are the things that help you
prevent a collision, such as headlights, turn signals, mirrors, brakes,
steering, and traction control elements like ABS and ESC. They
may sound basic, but those elements can help save your life.

Passive safety. Passive safety features are what help protect you
during an accident, such as safety belts, airbags,† steel-reinforced
seating, a safety cage, and crumple zones. You know that German
engineering you love under the hood? Well, it’s actually throughout
the entire car.

*The Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS) will only activate in a collision where the airbags deploy or safety belt

pretensioners activate. Not all collisions cause airbags to deploy or safety belt pretensioners to activate. **2009-2011 “Top
Safety Pick” based on 31 mph side-impact crash test, 40 mph frontal-offset crash test, 20 mph rear-impact test, roof strength
testing, and the availability of ESC. Test performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. For details, visit www.iihs.org.

See vw.com for more information on safety features.
crash circumstances. Always use safety belts and seat children only in the rear, using restraint systems appropriate for their
size and age. This is an illustration and does not depict what will happen in a crash. All bags will not inflate in real-world
crashes, and if multiple bags do deploy, they will be in various stages of inflating/deflating and will never all be inflated at

the same time.

†

Airbags are supplemental restraints only and will not deploy under all

6 standard airbags†

Passive

Safety cage Crumple zones Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS)Crash-optimized front end

Beneath all that sheet metal, every Golf has a specially
reinforced safety cage complete with anti-intrusion
side beams and heat-formed B-pillars, designed to
help protect you in the event of a collision.

Surrounding the safety cage are crumple zones that
provide space and material to help cushion and
absorb the impact while the safety cage insulates you.

Integrated into the front structure of your Golf are
impact-absorbing elements that allow for
compression during a collision. And that helps
minimize the energy that reaches you.

TDI 2-door with Sunroof and Navigation shown in Shark Blue Metallic

After the airbags have been deployed in a collision,
the ICRS automatically unlocks all doors, disables
the fuel pump, and turns on the hazard lights.* That’s
why we call it intelligent.

Golf 2.5L

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Golf TDI

®

Clean Deisel

Specifications

Standard, at no additional cost

C Convenience
SN Sunroof and Navigation

–

Not Available

Optional, additional cost

CS Convenience and Sunroof
TP Technology Package

Golf 2.5L

Includes: 2.5L, 170-hp engine; 5-speed manual transmission;

15" steel wheels with wheel covers and all-season tires; 4-wheel

independent suspension; electromechanical speed-sensitive

power steering; anti-theft vehicle alarm system; Daytime Running

2.5L in-line 5-cylinder

Light s (DRL); Climatic climate control; power windows; power door

locks; 8-speaker sound system with MP3- and WMA-compatible

in-dash CD player, AM/FM radio, and AUX-in for portable audio

players; cloth sport seats with 8-way manually adjustable driver’s

seat, fully reclining and height-adjustable with adjustable head

restraints; 4-way manually adjustable front passenger’s seat, fully

reclining with adjustable head restraints; 4-wheel disc brakes

with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR),

Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability

Control (ESC), and Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA); Tire Pressure

Monitoring System (TPMS).

Golf 2.5L with Convenience

Includes Golf 2.5L features, plus: heated front seats and washer

nozzles; Bluetooth® technology; adjustable front center armrest.

Golf 2.5L with Convenience and Sunroof

Includes Golf 2.5L with Convenience features, plus: touchscreen

Premium VIII sound system with HD Radio,™ MP3- and WMA

-

compatible in-dash 6-disc CD changer, SD memory card reader, and

SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 3-month trial subscription; power tilting/

sliding sunroof; Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod® cable.

Options

6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic® and Sport mode.

4-door model includes 2-door features, plus: rear doors; rear power

windows; rear child safety door locks; power reclining front seats.

4-wheel independent suspension.

Golf 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel

Includes Golf 2.5L with Convenience features, plus: 2.0L, 140-hp TDI
engine; 6-speed manual transmission; sport suspension; fog lights; 17"
Salamanca alloy wheels; touchscreen Premium VIII sound system with
HD Radio, MP3- and WMA-compatible in-dash 6-disc CD changer,
SD memory card reader, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 3-month
trial subscription; Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod cable;
front and rear floor mats; leather-wrapped multi-function steering
wheel, shift knob and brake handle; split-folding rear seat with center
armrest and pass-through.

Golf 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel with Sunroof and
Navigation

Includes Golf 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel features, plus: power tilting/
sliding sunroof; RNS 315 navigation system with 5" color touchscreen
in center console.

Golf 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel with Technology
Package

Includes Golf 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel with Sunroof and Navigation
features, plus: Dynaudio® premium sound system; keyless access
with push-button start; Bi-Xenon™ high-intensity headlights with LED
Daytime Running Lights and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS).

Options

6-speed DSG® automatic transmission with Tiptronic and Sport mode.
4-door model includes 2-door features, plus: rear doors; rear power
windows; rear child safety door locks; power reclining front seats.

Design

Fully galvanized sheet metal
Crash-optimized front end
Tinted glass
Halogen headlights with clear, lightweight, chip-resistant polycarbonate lenses and

Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Bi-Xenon high-intensity headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights and Adaptive

Front-lighting System (AFS)
Power-operated, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals
Power tilting/sliding tinted sunroof
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
15" steel wheels with wheel covers
17" alloy wheels with anti-theft wheel locks
Windshield wipers, variable intermittent
Heated windshield washer nozzles

Performance

2.5L, 20-valve, DOHC, in-line 5-cylinder engine; 170 hp, 177 lbs/ft of torque

2.0L, 16-valve, in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged TDI Clean Diesel engine with common rail
direct injection; 140 hp, 236 lbs/ft of torque

Power-assisted front vented disc brakes (288 mm) and rear solid disc brakes (260 mm)
Electromechanical power steering with variable assistance and active return
Independent suspension with front MacPherson struts and rear fully independent

4-link suspension
5-speed manual transmission
6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic and Sport mode
6-speed manual transmission
6-speed DSG automatic transmission with Tiptronic and Sport mode

Comfort

Climatic manual single-zone climate control with pollen filter
Anti-theft alarm system for doors, hood, trunk, and radio with audible and visual

activation
Front center armrest, adjustable
Cruise control
Front and rear floor mats
Multi-function trip computer featuring compass, trip time, trip length, average trip speed,

average trip fuel consumption, current fuel consumption, miles to empty, radio station
display, personalizing function

Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip odometer, fuel guage, coolant temperature gauge,
gear indicator (if equipped with automatic transmission), outside temperature, warning lights,
and clock

2 radio-frequency remote transmitter key fobs with lock, unlock, rear hatch release, and
panic button for central locking

Automatic locking feature (doors lock when vehicle reaches 8 mph, unlock automatically
upon airbag deployment)

Child-safety rear door locks (4-door only)
Driver and passenger visor vanity mirrors, illuminated and with covers
8-way manually adjustable driver seat, fully reclining and height-adjustable
Lumbar support, adjustable for driver and front passenger seats
Heated front seats
60/40-split folding rear seat
60/40-split folding rear seat with center armrest and pass-through
3-spoke steering wheel, height-adjustable, with telescoping steering column
3-spoke, leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel, height-adjustable, with

telescoping steering column

*Airbags are supplemental restraints only and will not deploy under all crash circumstances. Always use safety belts and seat children only in the rear, using restraint systems appropriate for their size and age. **The Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS) will only activate in a collision where the airbags deploy or safety belt pretensioners activate. Not all collisions cause airbags
to deploy or safety belt pretensioners to activate.
charge. Some limitations apply. See dealer or vehicle maintenance program booklet for details.

†

Roadside Assistance provided by Signature Motor Club, Inc., and Signature Motor Club of California, Inc. ††The Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance Program covers the vehicle’s scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Coverage during the term of the new vehicle limited warranty at no additional

2.5L TDI

– TP

CS SN, TP

–

C, CS

2.5L TDI

–

–
–

2.5L TDI

C, CS

–

C, CS

–

–

Comfort cont.

Two 12V power outlets: 1 in front, 1 in rear
3 cupholders, 2 front, 1 rear
4 cupholders, 2 front, 2 rear
Titan Black cloth seating surfaces
Power windows with pinch protection and automatic 1-touch feature, operable from

driver's side only

Technology

8-speaker sound system with MP3- and WMA-compatible in-dash CD player, AM/FM

–

–

–
–

radio
Touchscreen Premium VIII sound system with MP3- and WMA-compatible in-dash 6-disc

CD changer, and 8 speakers
RNS 315 navigation and entertainment system with 5" color touchscreen in center console,

SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 3-month trial subscription, SD memory card reader, and
AUX-in

SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 3-month trial subscription
Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod cable
AUX-in for portable audio players
Bluetooth technology
Dynaudio premium sound system with 8 high-end speakers (4 tweeters, 4 bass/midrange),

300-watt amplifier and DSP (Digital Sound Processor) technology
Keyless access with push-butt on start

Safety

Immobilizer III theft-deterrent system
Driver and passenger front airbag supplemental restraint system*
Driver and front passenger side thorax airbag supplemental restraint system*
Rear passenger side thorax airbag supplemental restraint system (4-door only)*
Front seat safety belt pretensioners with load limiters
Height-adjustable front 3-point safety belts and 3 rear 3-point safety belts
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor points
Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock

(EDL), and Engine Braking Assist (EBA)
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD), and

Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS) (In the case of airbag* deployment, the doors

unlock, the fuel pump is shut off, and the hazard lights are activated.)**

Quality

12-year/unlimited mileage Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perforation
5-year/60,000-mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty
3-year/36,000-mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty
3-year/36,000-mile (whichever occurs first) Roadside Assistance
Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance® Program

††

†

Dimensions

Wheelbase 101.5 inches (2,578 mm)
Length 165.8 inches (4,210 mm)

–

–

Width 70.3 inches (1,786 mm)
Height 58.3 inches (1,479 mm)
Cargo volume 15 cu. ft. (0.4 cu. m)
Cargo volume (with rear seats folded down) 46 cu. ft. (1.3 cu. m)

2.5L TDI

–

2.5L TDI

CS

–

CS
CS

C, CS

–

–

SN, TP

TP

TP

2.5L TDI

2.5L TDI

–

–

AccessoriesWheels

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Exterior Interior

17" Salamanca

drivergear.vw.comStandard

MojoMat

Paint Cloth

®

Monster Mat

®

Rear Hatch Spoiler

Candy White

Reflex Silver Metallic United Gray Metallic

Black

Titan Black

Heavy Duty Trunk Liner with CarGo Blocks

17" Bi-Color Onyx

Base Carrier Bars with Bike Holder Attachment

18" Topas 18" Karthoum

Base Carrier Bars with Snowboard/Ski Attachment

Tornado Red

Shark Blue Metallic

Blue Graphite Metallic

2012 Volkswagen Family

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All-new Beetle

All-new Passat

Tiguan

Jetta

CC

Eos

GTI

Golf

Jetta SportWagen

Touareg

Routan

vw.com

©2011 Volkswagen of America, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. Volkswagen of America, Inc., believes the specifications in this brochure to be correct at the time of printing. Specifications, standard equipment, options, fabrics and colors are subject to change without notice. Some features may be unavailable

when your vehicle is built. Some vehicles are pictured with options that may be available at extra cost or may not be available on some models. Ask your dealer about availability of options and verify that the vehicle you ordered includes the equipment you ordered. Tires are supplied and warranted

by their manufacturer. “Volkswagen,” the Volkswagen logo, “Das Auto,” “Golf,” “TDI,” ”DSG,” and “Climatronic” are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. “Carefree Maintenance,” the Carefree Maintenance logo and Side Curtain Protection are registered trademarks of Volkswagen Group of

America, Inc. “Tiptronic” is a registered trademark of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. “Bi-Xenon” is a registered trademark of Hella, Inc. U.S.A. “Bluetooth” is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. “iPod” is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. All rights reserved. iPod is not included. Subscriptions

to all SiriusXM services are sold separately after 3-month trial expires. If you decide to continue your SiriusXM service at the end of your subscription, the plan you choose will automatically renew and bill at then-current rates until you call 1-866-635-2349 to cancel. See SiriusXM

Customer Agreement for complete terms at www.siriusxm.com. Sirius U.S. Satellite service available only to those at least 18 years of age in the 48 contiguous U.S.A., D.C. and P.R. (with coverage limitations). Sirius, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc.

Volkswagen DVD navigation depends on the signals from the worldwide Global Positioning Satellite network. The vehicle’s electrical system, and existing wireless and satellite technologies, must be available and operating properly for the system to function. The system is designed to provide you

with suggested routes to location addresses, destinations, and other points of interest. Changes in street names, construction zones, traffic flow, points of interest, and other road system changes are beyond the control of Volkswagen of America, Inc. Complete detailed mapping of lanes, roads,

streets, toll roads, highways, etc., is not possible, therefore you may encounter discrepancies between the mapping and your actual location. Please rely on your individual judgment in determining whether or not to follow a suggested navigation route. Periodically, the mapping is updated and a new
DVD will be required in order to maintain the latest navigation information available to us. These will be available for purchase from time to time at additional cost. For further information regarding any Volkswagen model, please call 1-800-DRIVE-VW, or just look us up at vw.com. VW12GOLFSBUS