Volkswagen Sharan User Manual

Sharan

Tips and Maintenance

3.2

CONTENTS

FUEL

Petrol 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Diesel 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY

Brakes 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power assisted steering 7. . . . . . . . . .

Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) 8. . Electronic Stabilisation Programme 9

Four-wheel drive (4MOTION) 10. . . .

YOUR VEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The first 1500 km –

and afterwards 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exhaust emission

control system 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Driving economically and with

respect for the environment 13. . . . .

Driving abroad 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Trailer towing 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CLEANING AND CARING FOR

YOUR VEHICLE

Care of vehicle 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Care of vehicle exterior 19. . . . . . . . .

Care of the vehicle interior 24. . . . . . .

Cleaning the engine compartment 26

CHECKING AND REFILLING

Safety notes for working in the

engine compartment 27. . . . . . . . . . .

Bonnet 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Engine compartment 30. . . . . . . . . . .

Engine oil 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Coolant 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Windscreen washer system 35. . . . .

Windscreen wiper blades 36. . . . . . .

Brake fluid 37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Battery and additional battery 38. . . .

Wheels 43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SERVICING AND REPLACING

Accessories, modifications

and renewal of parts 49. . . . . . . . . . . .

Installing radio 51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mobile telephones and

two-way radios 52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IF AND WHEN

First aid kit, Warning triangle 53. . . . .

Vehicle tools, Tow hook,

Spare wheel 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Breakdown set 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Changing wheels 60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sliding/tilting roof 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fuses 66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Replacing bulbs 69. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Emergency starting 73. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tow starting/towing 75. . . . . . . . . . . .

Lifting vehicle 78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Petrol

The fuel used by your vehicle can be found listed in Booklet 3.3 ”Technical Data” and on the inside of the tank flap.

General notes

l Unleaded petrol must comply with DIN

228.

l If in an emergency the octane rating of

the available petrol is lower than that required by the engine, only drive with medium engine speeds and low engine loading. High engine loading with full

throttle or high revs can cause engine damage. Fill tank with petrol of the

correct rating as soon as possible.

l Fuel with a higher octane rating than that

required by the engine can be used without limitation. There are however no advantages regarding output and consumption.

On vehicles with catalytic con-

verter only unleaded petrol may

be used.

Even one tankful of leaded pet-

rol will detract from the effi-

ciency of the catalytic converter.

Please also refer to the notes in Booklet 3.1.1, ”Filling up”.

Euro-Norm

Petrol additives

The quality of the fuel has a decisive influence upon the running behaviour, performance and service life of the engine. The additives which are mixed into the petrol are of particular significance. It is therefore advisable only to use good quality petrol

containing additives.

If such fuel is not available, or if engine troubles such as starting difficulties, stalling during idling, vibration and loss of power occur, the appropriate additives should be mixed with the petrol when filling the tank. At temperatures between about 0 and 15 degrees C, these additives prevent possible icing up of the carburettor, have an anti-corrosion effect, clean the fuel system and prevent deposits building up in the engine.

Not at all petrol additives available in accessory outlets have shown themselves to be effective. Therefore tested additives sold under the name ”Volkswagen/Audi Genuine petrol additives for petrol engines” are available from Volkswagen dealers in Germany and in many export countries. The Volkswagen dealers are also informed concerning the use of additives, and they know what to do in cases where deposits have already built up.

Other petrol additives should not be mixed with the petrol.

2 FILLING-UP

Diesel

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Diesel fuel

Diesel fuel must correspond to DIN EN

590.

not lower than 51.

RME fuel (diester)

corresponding to DIN 51 606. Vehicles with diesel engines can also run on

RME fuel (Rapeseed Methyl Ester). Please use only RME fuel when fill-

ing up with diester!

Please ask your Volkswagen dealer or an automobile club where diester is available.

Please also refer to the notes in Booklet 3.1, ”Filling up”.

Notes

l Performance figures may be slightly

lower.

l Fuel consumption may be slightly higher. l The fuel filter could block up if

fuel is used that deviates from the norm.

l RME can be used in winter to tempera-

tures down to approx. –10°C.

l We recommend that diesel fuel be

tanked at ambient temperatures of under

–10

Euro-Norm

Cetane Number - Measurement of diesel fuel

ignitability.

Driving in winter

When using summer Diesel trouble may be experienced at temperatures below 0 cause the fuel thickens due to wax separation.

For this reason, ”winter Diesel”, which is more resistant to cold, is sold during the winter in Germany.

In countries with different climatic conditions the Diesel fuels offered have a different temperature characteristic. Check with Volkswagen dealers or filling stations in the country concerned regarding the characteristics of Diesel fuels.

The vehicle is fitted with a filter preheater. This will ensure that the fuel system remains operational down to approximately

C provided that the winter Diesel used

–24 is cold resistant down to –15

If, at temperatures below –24 waxed to such an extent that the engine will not start it is sufficient to place the vehicle in a warm room for a while.

Fuel additives (anti-waxing agents), petrol and similar agents may not be mixed into the diesel fuel.

C, the fuel is

C be-

FILLING-UP 3

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Supplementary heating unit*

(TDI engines only)

The supplementary heating unit increases the output of the heating system when the engine is running and the ambient temperature is low. The unit switches itself on and off automatically.

The exhaust gases which are produced as a result are guided out through an exhaust pipe which is fitted under the vehicle.

Smoke could develop if the percentage share of RME in the mix is higher than 50 %, during short journeys or at low ambient temperatures.

l Every time the engine is switched off the

blower will continue to run for a while to cool the heater down quicker. When filling tank it is not necessary to wait to end of run–on.

4 FILLING-UP

Brakes

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

General notes

l Brake lining wear depends to a large ex-

tent on the operating conditions and style of driving. On vehicles which are used mainly in town traffic and stop/start conditions or are driven hard it may be particularly necessary to have the thickness of the brake linings checked in between the intervals given in the Service Schedule.

l Change down in good time when driving

downhill, in order to make use of the engine braking effect. This relieves strain on the brake system. If additional braking power is required, do not apply the brakes continuously, apply and release them alternately.

Warning

l New brake linings must be run

in and thus do not have the optimum friction properties during the first 200 km. The slightly reduced braking effect can be compensated for by more pressure on the brake pedal. This also applies when new linings have been fitted.

What can have a negative effect on the brakes?

Wetness or grit

Warning

l Under certain conditions e.g.

after driving through water, heavy rain falls or after the vehicle has been washed, the brakes could set in later than normal due to damp, or in winter– frozen, brake discs and linings – the brakes must first be dried through careful braking.

l Full braking power might also

set in later than normal even when driving on gritted roads if you have not braked for some time – the layer of salt on the brake discs and brake linings must first be worn down whilst braking.

Please also read the warning notes on the next page.

INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY 5

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Overheating of the brakes

Warning

l Never let the brakes ”rub”, by

pressing the pedal too lightly when you do not really need to brake. This causes the brakes to overheat, leads to longer braking distances and to a higher level of wear.

l Before starting on a long

stretch of road in a very hilly area, please reduce your speed, change to a lower gear (manual gearbox) or choose a lower position (automatic gearbox). In this way you will use the braking power of the engine and relieve pressure on the brakes.

l If a front spoiler, full size

wheel trims etc., is retrofitted, it is necessary to ensure that the flow of air to the front brakes is not restricted – otherwise the brakes can overheat.

Brake servo

Warning The servo is operated by vacuum which is only generated when engine is running. For this reason the vehicle should not be allowed to roll with the engine switched off.

When the brake servo is not working because, for example, the vehicle is being towed or because a defect has occurred on the brake servo itself, the brake pedal must be pressed considerably harder to compensate for the absence of servo assistance.

Anti-locking brake system*

The ABS plays a major part in increasing the active safety of the vehicle. The big advantage when compared with a conventional brake system is that even when braking hard on a slippery road surface the best possible steerability is retained for the road condition because the wheels do not lock.

However, one must not expect the ABS system to shorten the braking distance under all conditions. When driving on gravel or on fresh snow covering a slippery surface, i.e. when one should be driving very slowly and carefully, the stopping distance may even be slightly longer.

Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, brakes system, running gear or a different wheel/tyre combination) can affect the functioning of the ABS, EDL, ESP and TCS. Please refer therefore to the notes on page 49.

6 INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Power assisted steering*

How the ABS system works

An automatic check is made when a speed of approx. 7 km/h is reached. When this happens a pumping noise can be heard.

When the turning speed of a wheel reaches a level which is too low for the vehicle speed and it tends to lock, the brake pressure to this wheel is reduced. On the front axle the brake pressure is regulated for each wheel individually, whereas on the rear axle, the pressure is regulated for both wheels at the same time. As a result the braking effect is the same for both rear wheels and the driving stability is retained as far as possible.

This regulating process makes itself known by movement of the brake pedal and is accompanied by noises.

This is done deliberately as a warning to the driver that a wheel or the wheels are in the locking range. So that the ABS can regulate effectively in this range the brake pedal must remain depressed – on no account should it be pumped!

Warning However the ABS system cannot

overcome the physical limits. This must be borne in mind particularly on slippery or wet roads. When the ABS comes into the control range the speed must immediately be adapted to the road and traffic conditions. The increased amount of safety available must not tempt one into taking risks.

You should never leave the steering wheel at full lock for longer than 15 seconds when the engine is running. The hydraulic oil will be heated to a high temperature by the PAS pump as a result of the extended period of steering lock.

The power assisted steering system could be damaged as a result.

Furthermore, the system will make noises every time a full lock is engaged whilst the vehicle is stationary as the PAS pump is placed under high pressure as a result. The idling speed of the engine will also dip briefly as a result.

INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY 7

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)*

Vehicles with anti-lock brakes (ABS)* can also be equipped with an electronic differential lock.

The EDL makes it much easier, or even possible, to pull away, accelerate and climb steep gradients under unfavourable conditions.

The EDL works fully automatically – the driver does not need to do anything at all.

It uses the ABS sensors to monitor the speed of the drive wheels. Up to a speed of about 80 km/h (50 mph), a difference in speed of the drive wheels of approximately 100 rpm caused by a slippery road surface on one side is balanced out by slowing down the wheel which is slipping and thereby applying more driving force to the other drive wheel through the differential.

This control procedure can be noticed through the sound it makes.

Warning When accelerating on a slippery

road surface, e.g. on ice or snow, use the accelerator pedal carefully. The wheels can spin, even with EDL, and thus impair driving stability.

To ensure that the brake disc of the braked wheel does not overheat, the EDL will automatically switch itself off if excessive demands are placed on it. The vehicle remains operational and has the same characteristics as a vehicle without EDL. For this reason, the switching off of the EDL is not indicated.

As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the EDL will switch itself back on again.

If the ABS warning lamp lights up there may be a fault present in the EDL. Take the vehicle to a qualified dealership as soon as possible!

Warning The style of driving must always be adapted to suit road surface and traffic conditions. The increased safety offered by the EDL should not encourage one to take unnecessary risks.

8 INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Electronic Stabilisation Programme*

The electronic stabilisation programme* (ESP) contains ABS, EDL and TCS.

How the ESP system works

The ESP reduces the risk of spinning by braking individual wheels.

In assessing the angle of the front wheels and the speed of the vehicle, the driver’s in- tended direction of travel is determined and then compared with the actual movement of the vehicle. If any deviations are calculated, e.g. the vehicle is starting to skid, the ESP will automatically brake the appropriate wheel.

The vehicle will be stabilised again through the braking forces acting on the wheel. If the vehicle is oversteering (rear end tends to break away) the brake will primarily be applied to the front outside wheel, and if the vehicle is understeering (tends to push out of the curve) to the rear inside wheel.

Warning The limits defined by the laws of

physics cannot be negated by the ESP. This is particularly applicable to icy and wet roads as well as when driving with a trailer.

The driver’s style of driving must always be adapted to suit the current road quality and traffic situation. The increased safety aspect offered by the ESP should not encourage the driver to take unnecessary risks!

How the TCS system works

The TCS prevents the driving wheels on vehicles with front wheel drive from losing traction during acceleration by reducing the engine output. The system works at all speeds together with ABS. If there is a fault in the ABS, the TCS will not function.

The TCS makes it much easier, or even possible, to pull away, accelerate and climb steep gradients under unfavourable conditions.

Warning The style of driving must always be adapted to suit road surface and traffic conditions. The increased safety offered by the traction control system (TCS) should not encourage one to take unnecessary risks.

General notes

In order to guarantee a fault-free function of the ESP or TCS, all four wheels must have the same tyres. Different roll circumferences on the tyres could lead to an unwanted reduction in engine performance.

INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY 9

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Four-wheel drive* (4MOTION)

The drive concept

The four-wheel drive requires no user operation.

The drive is distributed automatically and is adapted to best suit your driving style and the road conditions.

Warning The style of driving must always be adapted to suit road surface and traffic conditions. The increased safety offered by this type of vehicle must not encourage one to take unnecessary risks.

In particular, one must always remember that the braking ability is limited by the adhesion of the tyres on the road surface and no different from a two-wheel drive vehicle.

For this reason, one should never be tempted by the good acceleration capabilities, even on slippery road surfaces, to drive too fast.

It should be noted that the front wheels can aquaplane when driving at high speeds on wet road. When this happens – contrary to vehicles with front wheel drive only – the start of the aquaplan- ing is not indicated by a sudden revving up of the engine. For this reason, do not drive too fast, always adapt the speed to the existing road conditions.

What else should be noted?

Using winter tyres

With the four-wheel drive the vehicle has good traction in winter road conditions even with the standard tyres. However, the use of winter/all-weather tyres on all four wheels is recommended to further improve handling and braking.

Using snow chains

Snow chains must also be used on vehicles with four wheel drive when snow chains are obligatory. Further details about using snow chains are given on page 48.

Snow chains may only be fitted on the front wheels – this also applies to vehicles with four wheel drive (4 MOTION).

Renewing wheels/tyres Vehicles with four wheel drive must

have wheels which all have the same rolling circumference. For further notes see page 45.

10 INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

The first 1500 km – and afterwards

Running-in

During the first few operating hours the engine internal friction is higher than later on when all the moving parts have bedded down. How well this running-in process is done depends to a considerable extent on the way the vehicle is driven during the first 1500 km.

Up to 1000 kilometres

the following general rules apply:

l Do not use full throttle l Do not drive faster than 3/4 of top

speed

l Avoid high engine speeds l Trailer towing should if possible be

avoided.

Warning

l New tyres must be ”run in” as

they have not yet reached their optimum grip level. This should be taken into account in your driving style during the first 500 km.

l New brake linings must also be

run in and do not have the optimum friction properties during the first 200 km. The slightly reduced braking effect can be compensated for by more pressure on the brake pedal. This also applies when new linings have been fitted.

From 1000 – 1500 km

The speed can be gradually increased to the road or engine maximum.

During and after the running-in period the following applies:

l Do not overrev the engine when cold –

either in neutral or in the gears.

Do not drive with the engine

speed unnecessarily high – changing up early helps to save fuel, reduces noise and protects the environment – see also page 13.

l Do not let engine labour – change down

when engine no longer runs smoothly.

YOUR VEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT 11

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Exhaust emission control system*

Trouble-free functioning of the exhaust emission control system is de-

cisive for the environment-friendly operation of the vehicle.

The following points should therefore be noted:

l Vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter

may only be driven on unleaded petrol – see page 2.

l Never drive until the fuel tank is com-

pletely empty on vehicles with a catalyst. The irregular fuel supply can cause misfiring. This allows unburnt fuel into the exhaust system. This can cause overheating and damage to the catalyst.

l If whilst driving, the engine misfires,

loses power and runs unevenly, this could be due to a fault in the ignition system. In a this case, unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust system and then escape to atmosphere. Furthermore, the catalytic converter could become damaged due to overheating. The vehicle speed must be reduced immediately. The defect should be dealt with at the nearest qualified dealership.

l Do not overfill engine oil – see page 32. l Do not tow start vehicle for more than

50 m – see page 77.

Warning

l Due to high temperatures

which can occur in the catalytic converter in very unfavourable conditions, the vehicle should not be parked so that the catalytic converter can come into contact with inflammable materials.

l Never use additional under

floor protection or anti–cor- rosion agents for the exhaust silencer, exhaust pipe, catalysts or heat shields. This substances could ignite whilst the vehicle is in motion.

Note

Even in the case of a perfectly working exhaust emission control system there can, under certain engine operating conditions, be a sulphurous exhaust smell.

This depends upon the sulphur content in the fuel being used.

Quite often this can be remedied by selecting another brand of fuel or, filling up with unleaded premium petrol.

12 YOUR VEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Driving economically and with respect for the environment

Fuel consumption, environmental compatibility and wear on the engine, brakes and tyres depend largely on three different factors:

l personal driving style, l the individual conditions of use, l technical conditions.

Fuel consumption can be reduced easily by 10–15 percent with a proper and economic driving style. The 10 tips given in this chapter have been drawn up in order to make your driving not only easier on the environment, but also on your wallet!

Tip 1

Look ahead when driving!

A vehicle uses the most fuel when accelerating. Look ahead when you are driving – in that way you will have to brake less and thus accelerate less. You should also, if possible, allow the vehicle to roll to a stop, if it can be seen that the next traffic lights are red, for example.

Tip 2

Correct tyre pressures!

Always ensure that your tyres have the correct pressure. The fuel consumption will increase by up to 5 percent , even at an incorrect pressure of 5 Bar too little. If the tyre pressures are not high enough they will also cause increased road resistance and thus to increased wear on the tyres and a poor driving response.

The tyre pressures should only be checked when the tyres are cold!

Another tip: Do not use winter tyres all year round as they are louder and will cause fuel consumption to rise by up to 10 percent – They should only be used when really needed!

Tip 3

Another effective method of saving fuel is to shift up through the gears: fuel will be used unnecessarily if the gears are driven to a high rev.

The illustration shows the relationship between consumption (ltr/100 km) to speed (km/h) in the gear as selected.

The following guidelines can help: You should only drive the length of one vehicle in first gear. You should always shift up to the next highest gear at approximately 2000 revs.

The accelerator on vehicles equipped with automatic gearboxes should be operated slowly and not be depressed down to the kick-down position. In this way, an economical programme is selected which will shift gears to lower consumption, by shifting up early and shifting down late.

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

B1R–008M

Shifting gear to save energy!

YOUR VEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT 13

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

B45–355P

Tip 4

Slower is more economical!

You should never travel at top speed in your vehicle if at all possible. Fuel consumption, emissions and driving noise all increase at an incredible rate at high speeds.

The illustration above shows the ratio of consumption (ltr/100 km) to speed (km/h).

The fuel consumption of your vehicle will be reduced by approximately 50% if you drive at roughly 75% of its possible top speed.

Tip 5

Idling speed down to a

minimum!

It is worthwhile switching the engine off when in a traffic jam, at level crossings and at traffic lights with a long red phase: The amount of fuel saved after only 30–40 seconds is greater than the amount of fuel needed to switch the engine back on again.

Tip 6

Regular servicing!

An important basis for economic driving can be laid down even before you start driving by taking your vehicle into a Volkswagen dealer for regular servicing! The level of servicing of the vehicle engine will not only have an effect on road safety and the prolonged value of the vehicle, but also on the level of vehicle consumption.

A badly tuned engine can consume up to ten percent more fuel than necessary!

Check the oil level every time you fill up! The consumption of oil is very dependent

on the load and rev of the engine. Oil consumption can be up to 1 ltr/1,000 km, depending on your style of driving.

Extra tip: The use of high lubricity oils can help to reduce the level of consumption.

Tip 7

No unnecessary loads!

There are further possibilities to reduce fuel consumption alongside driving style and regular servicing of the vehicle: Do not carry unnecessary loads.

As every kilogram of weight will increase the fuel consumption, it is worthwhile checking the luggage compartment occasionally to ensure that unnecessary loads are not being transported.

A roof load carrier is often left in place out of convenience, even when it is no longer needed. At a speed of 100 –120 km/h, your vehicle will consume approximately 12 percent more fuel as a result of the increase in wind resistance caused by the roof load carrier – even when it is empty!

14 YOUR VEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

B45–356P

Tip 8

Fewer short trips!

The engine and catalytic converter must reach their proper working temperature in order to be able to reduce consumption and emissions effectively.

The cold engine of a mid–class vehicle will, directly after starting the ignition, consume between 30 and 40 litres of fuel per 100 km. The consumption will sink to 20 litres per kilometre after a further kilometre. The engine will not have reached its full operating temperature until approximately four kilo- metres after starting and the level of consumption will be normal. Short trips should, therefore, be avoided if at all possible.

The ambient temperature is also decisive in this context: The illustration shows the different levels of consumption (ltr/100 km) for the same journey (km), at +20

C. Your vehicle will always consume

–10 more fuel in winter than in summer!

C and

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Tip 9

Save electricity!

Electricity is created and made available by the alternator in your vehicle. The fuel consumption will rise in parallel to the load placed on the the alternator by electrical consumers.

Rear window heating, additional headlights, hot air blowers and air conditioning systems* all require a large amount of energy. The rear window heater will, for example, increase fuel consumption by approximately one litre over ten hours.

Electrical consumers should, therefore, always be switched off when they are no longer needed!

Tip 10

Keep a record!

A record of the trips you have made is also an effective method of reducing consumption. It is possibly to quickly notice any changes (either positive or negative) and – if necessary – take appropriate action to stop them. If the fuel consumption is very high, you should take time to consider how, where and under what sort of conditions you were driving to use the last tank of fuel.

YOUR VEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT 15

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Driving abroad

If the vehicle is to be taken abroad, the following must also be borne in mind:

l If the vehicle has a petrol engine and

catalytic converter, one must ensure that unleaded petrol will be available during the journey – see page 2. The automobile clubs offer information about the unleaded filling station network.

l Although there are more than 10,000

Volkswagen dealers all over the world to service Volkswagen vehicles there are countries in which only a limited amount of service is available or none at all.

l In certain countries it is also possible that

your vehicle model is not sold so that certain spare parts will not be available or that the Volkswagen personnel are not familiar with the repair procedure should anything go wrong.

The Volkswagen Distribution Centres in Germany or the Importer concerned will be only too pleased to give advice on the necessary technical preparation of the vehicle, on the maintenance required and on the repair possibilities.

The addresses can be found in the ”Assist- ance in Europe” booklet.

Adjusting/Attaching adhesive strips to headlights

When the vehicle is driven in a country which drives on the opposite side of the road to the home country, the asymmetric dipped headlights will dazzle oncoming traffic.

Depending on the type of headlight fitted, the headlight must either be adjusted or areas of the headlight lens must be covered with opaque tape to stop this dazzle effect. Further information can be obtained from your Volkswagen dealer.

16 YOUR VEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Trailer towing

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

The vehicle is intended mainly for the transportation of persons and luggage but it can, with the appropriate technical equipment, also be used to tow a trailer.

Technical requirements

l If the vehicle is supplied with a factory-

fitted* tow hook, all that is technically and legally necessary for trailer towing will have been taken into account.

l If the trailer to be towed has a 7-pin plug,

an adapter cable can be used which is obtained from a Volkswagen dealer.

l If the vehicle is retrofitted with a tow

hook, this must be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions – please also refer to Booklet 3.3, ”Technical Data”.

l We recommend that the tow hook be

fitted by a Volkswagen dealer.

Operations instructions

l On vehicles with a factory-fitted tow

hook* the removable ball coupling, together with instructions on fitting, is stored in the luggage compartment.

l The permissible trailer weight must not

be exceeded on any account – see Booklet

3.3, ”Technical Data”.

l Where possible make full use of the

maximum permissible drawbar weight on ball of the tow hook, but do not exceed it.

l If the maximum permissible trailer

weight is not used, correspondingly steeper gradients can be climbed.

l The given trailer weights are only appli-

cable for altitudes up to 1000 m above sea level. As the engine output and thus the climbing ability drops due to the decreasing air density, the combined weight

must also be reduced by 10 % for each further 1000 m or part thereof.

l While observing the permissible trailer

and drawbar weight, distribute the load in the trailer so that heavy objects are as near as possible to the axle. The objects must also be secured so that they cannot slip about.

l Check the tyre pressures on the towing

vehicle, and adjust for full load conditions, and also check the pressures on the trailer.

l Additional mirrors are required if the

traffic behind the trailer is not visible with the exterior mirrors fitted as standard. Both exterior mirrors must be attached to brackets in such a way that a sufficient field of vision to the rear is guaranteed at all times.

The combined weight is made up of the actual weight of the pulling vehicle and the actual weight of the trailer. If the max. permissible towing weight is to be used, the weight of the pulling vehicle might have to be reduced if necessar

YOUR VEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT 17

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

l The headlight settings, should be

checked with trailer attached before moving off and adjusted as necessary.

On vehicles with headlight beam control it is only necessary to turn the knurled disc in dash in the appropriate direction.

Driving tips

To obtain the best possible handling of vehicle and trailer, the following should be noted:

l Always keep the ESP switched on, if

your vehicle is fitted with it, when driving with a trailer. The ESP system will make it easier for you to stabilise a trailer which is skidding from side to side.

l Try to avoid driving with an unladen ve-

hicle and a loaded trailer. If this cannot be avoided, only drive slowly to allow for the unfavourable weight distribution.

l As driving stability of vehicle and trailer

decreases when the speed increases do not drive at the maximum permissible top speed in unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions – particularly when going downhill.

In any case the speed must be reduced immediately the trailer shows the slightest sign of snaking. On no account try to stop the snaking by accelerating.

Please also refer to the notes on trailer towing loads in Booklet 3.3, ”General notes on the technical data”.

l Always brake in good time. If the trailer

has an overrun brake, apply the brakes gently at first then firmly. This will avoid the jerking caused by the trailer wheels locking. Change down before going down a steep hill so that the engine can act as a brake.

l When a long climb in a low gear with ex-

tremely high engine revs must be negotiated at exceptionally high ambient temperatures the coolant temperature gauge must be observed. When the gauge needle moves to the right end of the scale, the road speed must be reduced immediately. If, however, the warning lamp flashes, stop immediately and allow the engine to cool off at idling speed for several minutes.

General notes

l It is advisable to have the vehicle ser-

viced between the Inspection intervals if it is used frequently for towing a trailer.

l The trailer and drawbar load figures on

the data plate of the tow hook are for test certification only. The correct figures for the vehicle, which may be lower than the above figures, are given in the vehicle documents and in Booklet 3.3, ”Technical Data”.

18 YOUR VEHICLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Care of vehicle

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

The following points on caring for your vehicle apply to all Volkswagen passenger vehicle models. For this reason, some points in this chapter will not apply to your vehicle.

Regular and expert care helps to maintain the value of the vehicle.

Furthermore it can be one of the stipulations for the upholding of warranty claims should corrosion damage and paint defects occur.

We recommend that you use Volkswagen approved car care materials which can be purchased from your Volkswagen. The instructions for use on the container should be followed.

Warning

l If misused, car care materials

can be injurious to health.

l Car care materials must al-

ways be stored in a safe place where they are out of the reach of children.

When buying car care materials

one should select products which do not damage the environment. Empty containers which these materials were in do not belong with household waste.

You should never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust when the vehicle surface is dry. A dry cloth should also not be used for this purpose as the paint work or the windows of your vehicle could be damaged.

The dirt, mud or dust should first be soaked with a lot of water before you attempt to remove them.

Care of vehicle exterior

Washing

Warning Dampness and ice in the brake

system can have a negative effect on the braking power.

The best protection against damaging environmental influences is frequent washing and waxing.

How often this treatment is required depends, amongst other things on how much the vehicle is used, how it is parked (garage, in open under trees etc.), the seasons, weather conditions and environmental influences.

The longer bird droppings, insects, tree resin, road and industrial grime, tar spots, soot, road salt and other aggressive materials remain on the vehicle paint the more lasting their destructive effect will be. High temperatures e.g. from strong sunlight intensifies the corrosive effect.

In certain circumstances weekly washing can be necessary, in other conditions monthly washing with appropriate waxing may be fully adequate.

After the period when salt is put on the roads the underside of the vehicle musts always be washed thoroughly.

CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 19

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Automatic car washes

The vehicle paint is so durable that the vehicle can normally be washed without any problem in an automatic car wash. The influence on the paint depends to a large extent, however, on the design of the car wash, the filtering of the wash water, the type of wash and care material, etc. If the paint has a matt appearance after going through the wash or is even scratched this should be brought to the notice of the car wash operator immediately. If necessary a different car wash should be used.

Note

l Before going through the car wash, apart

from the usual precautions (closing windows and sliding roof*) there is nothing further to note. The exterior mirrors should, however, be folded in in order to prevent damage.

l If there are special fittings on the vehicle

– such as spoilers, roof rack, two–way radio aerial etc. it is best to speak to the plant operator.

Washing the vehicle by hand

In the interests of environmental

protection the vehicle should only be washed in specially provided wash bays. In some districts, washing cars elsewhere may even be forbidden.

First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off as well as possible.

Then clean the car with a soft sponge, glove or brush, starting on the roof and going from top to bottom using only slight pressure. Paint shampoo should only be used for very persistent dirt.

Rinse the sponge or glove out thoroughly at short intervals.

Wheels and sill panels should be cleaned last, using a different sponge if possible.

After cleaning the vehicle, rinse thoroughly with water and leather it off.

Warning

l Never wash the vehicle whilst

the engine is running.

l Protect your hands from poss-

ible cuts on sharp metal edges when cleaning the underbody, the underside of the mudguard (wheel house) or the wheel covers.

Note

l The vehicle should not be washed in

strong sunshine.

l If the vehicle is rinsed with a hose, do not

direct the jet of water at the lock cylinders and the door/boot lid shut lines – they can freeze up in the winter.

20 CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Washing vehicle with high pressure cleaner

l The operating instructions for the high

pressure cleaner must be followed closely – particularly with regard to pressure and working distance.

l Do not use a concentrated jet. l The water temperature must not exceed

60°C.

l In order to prevent damage to,

please maintain sufficient distance to soft materials, such as rubber hoses, plastic parts or sealing materials, with the high pressure cleaner. This also applies when cleaning the painted bumpers.

The material will be placed under more pressure the closer the pressure cleaner is to the surface.

Warning Tyres must never be cleaned with a concentrated jet! Even at a relatively large working distance and a very short spraying time, damage can occur.

Waxing

A good coat of wax protects the vehicle paintwork to a large extent against the environmental influences listed under ”Wash- ing” on the previous page and even against light mechanical damage.

At the latest when water on the clean paint does not form small drops and roll off, the vehicle should be protected by applying a coat of good hard wax. Even when a wax solution is used regularly in the washing water it is advisable to protect the paint with a coat of hard wax at least twice a year.

Paint damage

Small marks in the paint such as scratches or stone damage should be touched up immediately with paint (Volkswagen touch-up stick or spray can) before the metal starts to rust.

However, should rust be found at any time it must be removed thoroughly and then the area treated first with an anti-corrosion primer and then the correct paint applied. You can of course have this work done by a Volkswagen dealer.

The number of the original paint of the vehicle is given on the vehicle data sticker – see Booklet 3.3 ”Vehicle Identification Data”.

Door lock cylinder

To de-ice the door lock cylinder we recommend the Genuine Volkswagen Spray, which has lubricating and anti-corrosive qualities.

Door, boot, roof and window seals

The rubber seals will remain supple and last longer if occasionally treated with an appropriate agent (e.g. silicon spray). In this way, a better seat for the rubber lips on the sealing surfaces can be achieved. Furthermore, premature ageing of the seals can be avoided and leaks and large door slamming forces can be stopped. In this way they will also not freeze shut in Winter!

CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 21

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Windows

Remove snow from the windows and mir- rors, preferably using a brush.

Remove ice from windows and mirrors with a soft plastic scraper, or even better with de-icing spray.

To avoid scratches due to dirt on the glass, the scraper should only be pushed in one direction and not moved to and fro.

Never remove snow and ice from windows and mirrors with warm or hot water – there is a risk that the glass could crack!

Traces of rubber, oil, wax cone can be removed with a window cleaning solution or a silicone remover.

The windows should also be cleaned on the inside at regular intervals.

Do not dry the windows with the leather used for the paintwork because traces of paint cleaner will cause streaks to appear on the glass.

To avoid damaging the heating element wires in the rear window do not put stickers over the wires on the inside.

This wax residue can only be removed with a special cleaner. Your Volkswagen dealer will be able to provide you with more detailed information.

, grease or sili-

Plastic parts

Plastic parts are cleaned by washing normally. If this is not sufficient, please use a solvent-free plastic cleaner which has been approved by Volkswagen.

Cleaning agents containing solvents will damage the material.

Polishing

Should only be done if paint has lost its shine and gloss cannot be brought back with wax. If the polish used does not contain preservative compounds, the paint must be waxed afterwards.

Matt painted and plastic parts should not be treated with polish or hard wax.

Cavity preservation

All cavities on the vehicle which could be susceptible to corrosion are given permanent protection at the factory.

This coating does not need checking or any subsequent treatment. Should a small amount of wax run out of the cavities at high ambient temperatures it can be removed with a plastic scraper and some white spirit.

If the wax which has run out is

removed with clean petrol, heed the environmental protection regulations.

22 CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Steel wheels

The wheels and the wheel trims should be cleaned thoroughly at regular intervals when the vehicle is being washed. This will prevent brake dust, dirt and road salt from accumulating on the wheel. Persistent ingrained brake dust can be removed with an industrial grime remover. Paint damage should be repaired before rust can form.

Warning Please note when cleaning the

wheels that dampness, ice and grit can have a negative effect on the braking power.

Alloy wheels*

In order to maintain the smart appearance of alloy wheels for a long period, regular care is necessary. In particular, salt and brake pad dust must be washed off thoroughly at least every two weeks otherwise the surface of the alloy will be damaged. After being washed, the wheels should be treated with an acid-free cleaner for alloy wheels. About every three months it is necessary to give wheels a good rubbing with hard wax. Paint polish or other abrasive solutions must not be used. If the protective paint coat has been damaged, e.g. by stone impact, the damaged spots should be dealt with as soon as possible.

Warning Please note when cleaning the

wheels that dampness, ice and grit can have a negative effect on the braking power.

Undercoating

The underside of the vehicle is coated with a special compound to protect it from corrosion and damage.

However, as this protective layer becomes damaged when the vehicle is in use, the protective coating under the body and on the running gear should be examined at defined intervals – preferably before and after the winter season – and any damage re- paired.

Volkswagen dealers have stocks of the correct compound, have the necessary equipment and are familiar with the application procedure. We advise you, therefore, to have the patching up or additional coating done by a Volkswagen dealer.

Warning Never use additional under floor

protection or anti–corrosion agents for the exhaust silencer, exhaust pipe, catalysts or heat shields. These substances could ignite whilst the vehicle is in motion.

Note for vehicles with a catalytic converter

Due to the high temperatures which occur in the afterburning process, additional heat shields are fitted over the catalytic converter. Underbody sealant must not be applied to these shields, the catalytic converter or the exhaust pipes. Removal of the heat shields is also not permissible.

CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 23

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Care of the vehicle interior

Plastic parts, instrument panel and leatherette

Plastic parts and leatherette are cleaned with a damp cloth. If this is not sufficient, these parts may only be cleaned with special solvent-free plastic cleaners which have been approved by Volkswagen.

Cleaning agents containing solvents will damage the material.

Warning Never clean the instrument panel

and surface of the airbag module with cleaning agents containing solvents. Cleaning agents containing solvents will make the surface porous. Serious injuries could result from the breakage of plastic parts should the airbag ever have to be triggered.

Alcantara (Velours leather imitation)

Do not use leather treatments to clean Alcantara covers!

Removing dust and dirt

The Alcantara covers should be wiped down using a slightly damp, soft cloth or treated with an appropriate shampoo.

Particles of dirt and dust will wear down the leather more quickly because of their abrasive nature.

Removing stains

Dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water or diluted white spirit and treat he stain by moving from the outer edge to the centre.

Stubborn stains should be removed by a specialist company in order to prevent damage.

Natural leather

Ensure that the leather is not exposed to bright, direct sunshine for extended periods as it will otherwise loose its colour.

It must be noted that on no account may solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, spot removers and similar products be used for treating the leather.

Stubborn stains should be removed by a specialist company in order to prevent damage.

Care of the leather

We recommend that, with normal usage, the leather is treated at half-yearly intervals with a leather care agent. This agent is to be applied very sparingly. After it has dried in, wipe with a soft cloth.

Removing dust and dirt

Wipe down the leather areas with a damp cloth. Dirtier areas can be cleaned with a mild soap solution (2 dessert spoonfuls of a neutral soap to 1 litre of water). It is essential to note that the leather must not be made too wet and that no water seeps through the seams. After cleaning, wipe dry with a soft cloth.

Particles of dirt and dust will wear down the leather more quickly because of their abrasive nature.

24 CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

TIPS AND MAINTENANCE

Upholstery cloth and textile trim

Upholstery cloth and textile trim on door panels, luggage compartment covers, headlining etc. are cleaned with special cleaning materials or dry foam and a soft brush.

Care of chrome

Chrome parts should be cleaned with a damp cloth and then polished with a soft, dry cloth. If this is not sufficient, use a chrome cleaning material.

Stains and dirt coatings on the chrome parts can be removed using a chrome cleaning material. You can prevent dirt coatings from building up on the surfaces by using a chrome cleaning material regularly. To this end, ensure that the entire surface is completely and evenly covered with the cleaning material.

Note

l You should, under no circum-

stances, use an abrasive cleaning material.

l The chrome surfaces should not

be cleaned in dusty or sandy environments.

Thermal box*

Before the thermal box is used for the first time it should be cleaned inside with warm water to which a mild cleaning solution has been added.

To prevent mould and damp stains forming when the thermal box is not used for long periods the lid should be propped open slightly by inserting a towel or cloth which has been folded several times.

Cleaning seat belts

Keep belts clean! They may not retract

properly if very dirty.

Dirty belts should be cleaned by washing with a mild soap solution, without taking the belts out of the vehicle.

Note

Inertia reel belts should be completely dry before they are allowed to roll up.

Warning

l The seat belts must not be re-

moved for cleaning.

l Do not have the belts cleaned

chemically because the cleaning compounds damage the webbing material. Ensure that the belts do not come into contact with corrosive fluids.

l You should check the condi-

tion of your seat belts regularly. If you find any damage of the belt webbing, belt connections, the belt retractor or the locking parts, the belt in question must be replaced by a qualified dealer.

CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 25

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