Volkswagen Golf SportWagen (2015 year). Instruction — part 26

Protecting yourself and the vehicle

Fig. 176 In the center of the instrument panel: Button for the emergency flashers.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Obey all legal requirements regarding protecting a broken-down vehicle. For example, turning on the
emergency flashers and wearing a safety vest are mandatory in many countries.

Checklist

For your own safety and that of your passengers, carry out the following steps in the order listed

⇒ :

1. Park the vehicle at a safe distance from traffic and on a suitable surface

⇒ .

2. Switch on emergency flashers by pressing the

button

⇒

fig. 176

.

3. Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving

⇒ Braking and parking.

4. Shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only)

⇒ Shifting.

5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch or turn off the ignition with the starter

button and remove the key from the vehicle

⇒ Starting and stopping the engine.

6. Have all passengers exit and go to a safe location away from moving traffic, such as behind a

guard rail.

7. Take all vehicle keys with you when leaving your vehicle.

8. Set up a warning triangle or other warning device in order to alert other motorists and cyclists.

9. Let the engine cool down and get expert assistance if necessary.

If the emergency flashers are on, use the turn signal lever to indicate a direction or lane change, for
example when the vehicle is being towed. This temporarily interrupts the emergency flashers.

Switch on the emergency flashers when:

Traffic suddenly slows down or stops in front of you to warn those approaching from behind.
In any emergency situation.
If the vehicle breaks down.
When being towed.

Always obey traffic laws that govern the use of emergency flashers where you are driving.

If the emergency flashers are not working, a different method – as permitted by law – must be used to
alert other motorists and cyclists to the breakdown.

WARNING

Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.

Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common

sense.

WARNING

The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter get very hot.
They can cause fires and serious personal injury.

Never park where parts of the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite

flammable materials, such as dry grass, brush, leaves, spilled fuel, etc.

NOTICE

To help prevent damage to the vehicle if you should have to push it a short distance by hand,
never push against spoilers, lights, body panels, windows, or similar parts. Concentrating
force on these parts of the vehicle can cause expensive damage that may not always be obvi-
ous right away.

The vehicle battery will be drained if the emergency flashers are on for a long time – even if the

ignition is switched off.

Emergency closing and opening

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Manually unlocking and locking the driver door

Manually locking the passenger doors

Opening the rear hatch from inside the luggage compartment

Emergency release for the fuel filler flap

Emergency release for the selector lever lock

The doors and the rear hatch can be manually locked and, in some cases, unlocked if necessary, for
instance because the power locking system or the remote control vehicle key malfunctions.

More information:

Vehicle key set
Power locking system
Doors
Rear hatch
In an emergency

WARNING

Serious injuries can result if the emergency closing and opening procedures are used care-
lessly.

Never leave children, disabled persons, or anyone who cannot help themselves in the

vehicle. The doors can be locked with the remote control vehicle key. This could result in
people being trapped in the vehicle in an emergency.

A closed vehicle can become very hot or very cold, depending on the season. Particularly

in the summer, heat buildup in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle
can result in temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures.
Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and death, particu-
larly to small children.

WARNING

Careless opening and closing of the doors, the rear hatch, and the power sunroof is danger-
ous and can cause serious personal injury.

Open or close the doors, the rear hatch, and the power sunroof only when no one is in the

way.

NOTICE

To help prevent vehicle damage, carefully remove and properly reinstall parts after emergency
locking or unlocking.

Manually unlocking and locking the driver door

Fig. 177 Door handle on driver door: Concealed lock cylinder (if applicable).

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

When locking the vehicle manually, all doors are locked. To unlock the vehicle manually, turn (coun-
terclockwise) to the unlocking position. When the vehicle is unlocked manually, only the driver door is

unlocked. Note the instructions for the anti-theft alarm system

⇒ Power locking system.

Unfold the key bit from the remote control vehicle key

⇒ Vehicle key set.

If the vehicle has a concealed lock cylinder, insert the key bit from below into the opening of the

cover cap on the driver door

⇒

fig. 177

(arrow) and lift the cover cap off. Grasping the door handle and

pulling slightly makes it easier to remove the cap.

Insert the key bit into the lock cylinder of the driver door and unlock or lock the door. If the larger

side of the vehicle key touches the door handle during locking or unlocking, either pull the door handle
slightly or reinsert the vehicle key in the lock cylinder with the opposite side facing up.

Reinsert the cover cap from top to bottom and press until it clicks into place. Grasping the door

handle and pulling slightly makes it easier to reinstall the cap.

Special considerations when unlocking:

If the vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft alarm system, the system remains activated for the

unlocked vehicle. But the alarm is not triggered at first

⇒ Power locking system.

Open the driver door. The alarm will sound.
Switch on the ignition. The electronic immobilizer recognizes a valid remote control vehicle key

when the ignition is switched on and deactivates the anti-theft alarm system.

The driver door can be unlocked separately from the inside the vehicle by pulling the door handle

to open the door

⇒ Unlocking or locking the vehicle from the inside.

The anti-theft alarm system, when installed, is not activated when the vehicle is locked manually

with the key bit

⇒ Anti-theft alarm system.

Manually locking the passenger doors

Fig. 178 On the front side of the right rear door: Manual lock, covered by a rubber seal.

Fig. 179 On the front side of the right rear door: Locking the vehicle with the key bit in the vehicle key.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The passenger door and rear doors can each be locked manually. This will not activate the anti-theft
alarm system, when installed.

Open the door.

Remove the rubber seal on the front side of the door. The seal is marked with a lock

⇒

fig. 178

.

Unfold the key bit from the remote control vehicle key

⇒ Vehicle key set.

Insert the key bit into the slot

⇒

fig. 179

. On the passenger side doors, turn the key clockwise. On

the driver side rear door, turn the key counterclockwise.

Reinsert the rubber seal and completely close the door.
Make sure that the door is locked.
Repeat the procedure for other doors if necessary.
Have the vehicle checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility.

The vehicle doors can be unlocked and opened separately from inside the vehicle by pulling the

door handle to open the door

⇒ Power locking system.

Opening the rear hatch from inside the luggage compartment

Fig. 180 Inside the luggage compartment: Cover for the rear hatch release.

Fig. 181 Inside the luggage compartment: Opening the rear hatch.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

If necessary, fold the rear seat backrest forward

⇒ Seat functions.

Remove luggage in order to reach the rear hatch from the inside.

Open the cover

⇒

fig. 180

by turning the release in the direction of the arrow.

Unfold the key bit from the vehicle key fob

⇒ Vehicle key set.

Insert the key into the slot on the rear hatch

⇒

fig. 181

and press the release lever in the direction

of the arrow to unlock the rear hatch. At the same time, push the rear hatch out until it opens.

Emergency release for the fuel filler flap

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

There is no emergency release for the fuel filler flap. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Emergency release for the selector lever lock

Fig. 182 Removing the selector gate cover.

Fig. 183 Releasing the selector lever lock (versions A and B).

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

If the power supply fails (due to a dead vehicle battery, for example) and the vehicle has to be pushed
or towed, the emergency release must be used to move the selector lever to Neutral (N). Depending
on the selector lever in your vehicle, you may need the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit to release

the selector lever

⇒ Vehicle tool kit.

The emergency release is located under the selector gate cover on the right side when viewed in the
driving direction.

Preparations

Set the parking brake. If the parking brake cannot be set firmly, you must find another way to help

prevent the vehicle from moving.

Switch off the ignition.

Removing the selector gate cover

Open the storage compartment in front of the selector lever

⇒ Storage compartment in the front

center console.

Pull upward on the front of the selector lever cover to release it, then pull the selector lever sleeve

upward

⇒

fig. 182

.

Slip the cover up and over the selector lever

⇒ .

Emergency release for the selector lever (version A)

With the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit, carefully push the release lever

⇒

fig. 183

A in the

direction of the arrow and hold it in this position.

Press the release button in the selector lever handle and shift the selector lever to Neutral (N).

Carefully press the selector gate cover back in place, making sure that the electrical wiring stays in

the correct position and is not pinched or damaged.

Emergency release for the selector lever (version B)

Push the colored release lever

⇒

fig. 183

B in the direction of the arrow and hold it in this position.

Press the release button in the selector lever handle and shift the selector lever to Neutral (N).
Carefully press the selector gate cover back in place, making sure that the electrical wiring stays in

the correct position and is not pinched or damaged.

WARNING

Never shift the transmission out of Park (P) without first firmly applying the parking brake.
Otherwise, the vehicle can start to roll unexpectedly, especially on hills or inclines, and cause
an accident and serious injuries.

NOTICE

Even with the selector lever is in Neutral (N), the automatic transmission will be damaged if the
vehicle is towed (or you let it coast) for an extended period or at high speed with the engine
shut off.

Vehicle tool kit

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Storage

Contents

When securing the vehicle after a breakdown, always obey all applicable legal requirements.

More information:

Luggage compartment
Trailer towing
Working in the engine compartment
In an emergency
Changing a wheel

WARNING

Loose tools and other items in the vehicle tool kit and a loose spare (or compact spare) wheel
may be thrown through the passenger compartment if you brake suddenly or steer sharply or
are involved in an accident. This can cause severe injuries.

Always make sure the vehicle tool kit and spare (or compact spare) wheel are securely

stowed in the luggage compartment.

WARNING

Improper or damaged vehicle tools can lead to accidents and injury.

Never work with tools that are damaged or not right for the job.

Storage

Fig. 184 In the luggage compartment: Opening the side storage compartment.

Fig. 185 In the luggage compartment: Opening the luggage compartment floor.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The vehicle tool kit may be in one of several places in the luggage compartment, including in the side

storage compartment

⇒

fig. 184

or under the variable luggage compartment floor

⇒

fig. 185

.

Opening and closing the side storage compartment

To open the storage compartment, turn the latches in the counterclockwise until they stop

⇒

fig. 184

(arrows).

To close the storage compartment, turn the latches clockwise until they stop.
If the vehicle tool kit is held in place by a rubber strap, pull the notched areas of the strap apart to

release.

Opening and closing the variable luggage compartment floor

To open, pull the recessed handle and lift the luggage compartment floor

⇒

fig. 185

in the direction

of the arrow.

Set the outer edges of the rear luggage compartment floor section into the recesses on the sup-

ports

⇒ Luggage compartment.

To close, fold the luggage compartment floor sections to the rear and place them on the supports.

NOTICE

Always guide the luggage compartment floor covering back down carefully. Dropping the floor
covering could damage the vehicle trim and the floor covering itself.

Completely retract the jack after use. Otherwise it will not fit in its compartment and cannot be

stowed safely.

Contents

Fig. 186 Contents of the vehicle tool kit.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The contents of the vehicle tool kit depend on the vehicle's equipment. The following describes the
maximum contents.

Contents of the vehicle tool kit

⇒

fig. 186

(1)

Screwdriver with a hexagonal socket in the handle for removing or inserting previously loos-
ened wheel bolts. The screwdriver blade is reversible. The screwdriver may be stored under the
lug wrench.

(2)

Screw-in towing eye.

(3)

Hubcap puller clip for removing hubcaps, wheel covers, or wheel bolt caps.

(4)

Jack. Before putting the jack back in the foam insert, be sure to completely crank the jack down
to its original position.

(5)

Lug wrench.

(6)

Crank.

Maintaining the vehicle jack

The vehicle jack requires no regular maintenance. If necessary, apply multi-purpose grease to the
joints of the vehicle jack.

Wheel trim

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Hubcaps

Wheel bolt caps

Wheel covers

More information:

Exterior care and cleaning
Vehicle tool kit
Changing a wheel

WARNING

Unsuitable wheel covers and improper installation of wheel covers can cause accidents and
severe injuries.

Improperly installed wheel covers can come loose while driving and endanger other mo-

torists and cyclists.

Do not use damaged wheel covers.
Always make sure that the flow of air for brake system cooling is not blocked or reduced

before installing wheel covers. This applies to both factory-installed wheel covers and after-
market wheel covers. Insufficient air supply may significantly increase stopping distance.

NOTICE

To help prevent damage to the vehicle, be careful when removing wheel covers and be sure to
install them properly.

Hubcaps

Fig. 187 Pulling the hubcap off.

Fig. 188 Twisting the hubcap off.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Depending on the vehicle model, the hubcaps can either be pulled off

⇒

fig. 187

or removed by twist-

ing

⇒

fig. 188

.

Vehicles with pull-off hubcaps

To remove Take the wire clip out of vehicle tool kit and hook it into one of the holes in the hubcap

⇒

fig. 187

.

Pull the hubcap off in the direction of the arrow.
To install Press the hubcap against the rim until it latches.

Vehicles with twist-off hubcaps

To remove Twist the hubcap to the left or right until it loosens from the wheel rim

⇒

fig. 188

.

Grasp behind one of the lugs and pull the hubcap off.
To install Push the hubcap onto the center of the rim.
Press the hubcap against the rim until it latches.

Wheel bolt caps

Fig. 189 Pulling cover caps off wheel bolts.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Take the wire clip out of the vehicle tool kit

⇒ page 418, Vehicle tool kit.

Insert the wire clip through the opening of the cover cap

⇒

fig. 189

and pull off in the direction of

the arrow.

The caps are designed to protect the wheel bolts and should be installed again after the wheel
change.

Wheel covers

Fig. 190 Pulling the wheel cover off.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Pulling off the wheel cover

Take the lug wrench and wire clip out of the vehicle tool kit

⇒ page 418, Vehicle tool kit.

Place the wire clip hook in one of the openings of the wheel cover.

Slide the lug wrench through the clip

⇒

fig. 190

and pull the wheel cover off in the direction of the

arrow.

Installing the wheel cover

Make sure that the valve cutout is aligned with the tire valve, and press the wheel cover onto the
wheel rim. Make sure that the wheel cover is latched onto the rim along the entire circumference.

Changing a wheel

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Preparations for changing a wheel

Wheel bolts

Lifting the vehicle with the vehicle jack

Removing the subwoofer

Changing a wheel

After changing a wheel

Change a wheel by yourself only if the vehicle is parked in a safe location, you are familiar with safety
procedures and the technical steps, and you have proper tools available. Otherwise, get expert assis-
tance.

The vehicle jack can only be safely used to change the wheel on a vehicle that has only one flat or
damaged tire. If the vehicle does not have the support it needs from 3 fully inflated tires, the vehicle
can fall off the jack. If more than 1 tire on the vehicle is flat or damaged, do not lift the vehicle with the
vehicle jack. Instead, get expert assistance.

More information:

Exterior views
Vehicle key set
Tires and wheels
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
In an emergency
Vehicle tool kit
Wheel trim

WARNING

Changing a wheel, especially on the side of the road, can be dangerous. To help reduce the
risk of serious personal injury:

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Move the vehicle a safe distance off

the road where it is safe to change the wheel.

Always make sure that all passengers, especially children, are in a safe place outside the

vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic (such as behind a guard rail).

Turn on the emergency flashers and set up another warning device about 25 yards

(25 meters) behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.

Change a wheel by yourself only if you are familiar with the necessary steps. Otherwise,

get expert assistance.

Always switch the engine off, firmly apply the parking brake, and shift the transmission

into Park (P) (automatic transmission) or any gear (manual only) to help prevent the vehicle
from moving suddenly and slipping off the jack.

Always make sure that the ground is level and firm. If necessary, place the jack on a large

and sturdy board or on a similar ground support.

Always block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel being changed with chocks or other

similar things.

If you are towing a trailer, always unhitch it from your vehicle before starting to change

the wheel. Always apply the trailer brakes firmly and make sure the trailer cannot move unin-
tentionally.

Always use proper and undamaged tools when changing a wheel.
Once a wheel is lifted off the ground, having the transmission in Park (P) or in gear will not

prevent sudden vehicle movement.

Always use a jack that has been approved by the manufacturer for your vehicle. Never use

other jacks, even if they have been approved for use on other Volkswagen models.

To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen

the screws on rims with threaded rim rings.

After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked with an accurate

torque wrench.

After changing a wheel or tire, reset the Tire Pressure Monitoring System

⇒ Tire Pressure

Monitoring System (TPMS).

Preparations for changing a wheel

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Checklist

Getting ready to change a wheel. Follow these steps in the order listed here

⇒ :

1. If you have a flat tire, move as far away from traffic as possible. Park the vehicle on a flat and level

surface where no part of the hot catalytic converter and exhaust system can come into contact with
flammable materials under the vehicle, such as dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, etc.

2. Firmly apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving

⇒ Braking and parking.

3. Automatic transmission: Shift the transmission into Park (P)

⇒ Shifting.

4. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch or turn off the ignition with the starter

button and remove the key from the vehicle

⇒ Starting and stopping the engine.

5. Manual transmission: Engage a gear

⇒ Shifting.