Volkswagen Golf SportWagen (2015 year). Instruction — part 14

Sidewall separation

The parting of the rubber compound from the cord material in the sidewall.

Speed rating (letter code)

A standardized letter code indicating the maximum speed at which a tire is designed to be driven for
extended periods of time. The ratings range from 93 mph or 150 km/h (“P”) to 186 mph or (300 km/h)
“Y”.

The speed rating letter code, where applicable, is molded on the tire sidewall

⇒ page 190. You may

not find this information on all tires because it is not required by law.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

A system that detects when at least one of a vehicle's tires is underinflated and illuminates a low tire-
pressure warning light.

Tread

The portion of a tire that normally touches the road.

Tread rib

A tread section running circumferentially around a tire.

Tread separation

Tire failure caused by the tread pulling away from the tire carcass.

Tread wear indicators (TWI)

Raised areas within the main tread grooves that show, visually, when tires are worn and near the end
of their useful life

Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)

A tire information system developed by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) that is designed to help buyers compare tires. UTQG is not a safety rating, nor is it a guaran-
tee that a tire will last for a certain number of miles or perform a certain way. It gives tire buyers more
information to compare with factors such as price, brand loyalty and dealer recommendations. Under
UTQG, tires are graded by the tire manufacturers in 3 areas: tread wear, traction and temperature
resistance. UTQG information is molded into the tire sidewalls.

U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)

A tire's serial number. It begins with the letters “DOT” (“Department of Transportation”) and indicates
that the tire meets all federal standards. The next 2 numbers or letters indicate the plant where the tire
was manufactured. The last 4 numbers represent the week and year of manufacture.

For example, the numbers 1709 mean that the tire was produced in the 17th week of 2009. Any other
numbers are marketing codes used by the tire manufacturer. This information is used to help identify
affected consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.

Vehicle capacity weight

The total rated cargo, luggage and passenger load. Passenger load is 150 lbs (68 kilograms) times the
vehicle's total seating capacity (as listed on the label inside the driver door).

Vehicle maximum load on the tire

The load on an individual tire that is determined by taking each axle's share of the maximum loaded
vehicle weight (GAWR) and dividing by 2.

Vehicle normal load on the tire

The load on an individual tire that is determined by taking each axle's share of the curb weight, acces-
sory weight, and normal occupant weight (distributed according to the table below) and dividing by 2.

Wheel size designation

Wheel rim diameter and width.

Occupant loading and distribution for vehicle normal load for various designated seating
capacities

Designated seating
capacity, number of
occupants

Vehicle normal load,
number of occupants

Occupant distribution
in a normally loaded
vehicle

2, 3, or 4

2

2 in front

5

3

2 in front, 1 in back

Tires and vehicle load limits

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

There are limits to the load any vehicle or any tire can carry. A vehicle that is overloaded will not
handle well and is more difficult to stop. Overloading can damage important parts of the vehicle.
Overloading can also lead to blowout, sudden loss of pressure or other tire failure that can cause loss
of control.

Your safety and the safety of your passengers depends on making sure that load limits are not ex-
ceeded. Vehicle load includes everybody and everything in and on the vehicle. These load limits are
technically referred to as the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

The GVWR includes the weight of the basic vehicle, all factory-installed and other accessories, a full
tank of fuel, oil, coolant and other fluids plus maximum load. The maximum load includes the number
of passengers that the vehicle is intended to carry (seating capacity) with an assumed weight of
150 lbs (68 kg) for each passenger at a designated seating position and the total weight of any lug-
gage in the vehicle. If you tow a trailer, the weight of the trailer hitch and the tongue weight of the
loaded trailer must be included as part of the vehicle weight. At altitudes above 3000 ft (1000 m),
combined towing weight (vehicle plus trailer) must be reduced by 10% for every 3000 ft (1000 m).

The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum load that can be carried at each of the
vehicle's 2 axles (by the front or rear tires). GVWR and GAWR are listed on the safety compliance
label on the driver door jamb. Because there is an upper limit to your vehicle's total weight (GVWR),
the weight of whatever is being carried (including the weight of a trailer hitch and the tongue weight of
the loaded trailer) is also limited. More passengers, or passengers who are heavier than the assumed
150 lbs (68 kg), mean that less weight can be carried as luggage or other cargo. The tire pressure
label on your Volkswagen also lists the maximum combined weight of all of the occupants and luggage
or other cargo that the vehicle can carry.

WARNING

Overloading a vehicle can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, serious
personal injury, and even death.

Carrying more weight than your vehicle was designed to carry will prevent the vehicle

from handling properly and increase the risk of the loss of vehicle control.

The brakes on a vehicle that has been overloaded may not be able to stop the vehicle in a

safe distance.

Tires on a vehicle that has been overloaded can fail suddenly, including a blowout and

sudden deflation, causing loss of control and a crash.

Always make sure that the total load being transported – including the weight of a trailer

hitch and the tongue weight of a loaded trailer – does not make the vehicle heavier than the
vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

Determining the correct load limit

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

Never overload tires. The following example illustrates how to determine the combined weight of all
vehicle occupants and luggage or other vehicle payloads. Never overload the vehicle!

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit:

1.

Locate the statement “THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS
AND CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED XXX KG OR XXX LBS” on
your vehicle's placard (tire inflation pressure label)

2.

Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.

3.

Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.

4.

The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available car-
go and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs.)

5.

Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available car-
go and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit:

6.

If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this Manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage capacity of your vehi-
cle.

Check the tire sidewall to determine the load index specified for the
tire.

UTQG classification

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

Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire side-
wall between the tread shoulder and maximum section width. Example:

Treadwear (number)
Traction: AA, A, B or C
Temperature: A, B or C

For example: Treadwear 200, Traction AA, Temperature A.

All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.

Treadwear

The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified government test course.

For example, a tire graded 150 (Treadwear-value 150) would wear one-and-one-half (1 1/2) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded 100.

The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.

Traction

The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test

surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance

⇒ .

Temperature

The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C representing the tire's resistance to the genera-
tion of heat, and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel.

Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.

The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of perfor-

mance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law

⇒ .

WARNING

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.

WARNING

The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.

Storage areas

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Storage compartments in the doors

Storage compartment on the driver side

Eyeglass storage compartment in the overhead console

Storage compartment in the front center console

Card holder in the front center console

Storage compartment in the front center armrest

Glove compartment

Storage compartment under the front seat

Other storage compartments

Store only lightweight or small objects in storage compartments.

More information:

Passenger compartment
Power locking system
Driver assistance systems
Interior care and cleaning

⇒ Booklet

Radio, Navigation System

WARNING

Loose objects can be thrown around the inside of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving,
especially during sudden maneuvers and hard braking. This can cause serious personal
injuries and even make the driver lose control of the vehicle.

Never let animals ride in the vehicle's open storage compartments, on top of the instru-

ment panel, or on the luggage compartment cover behind the rear seat backrests.

Never put hard, heavy or sharp objects in these places or in articles of clothing or bags in

the passenger compartment.

Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.

WARNING

Objects in the driver footwell can prevent the pedals from moving freely. This can cause loss
of vehicle control and increase the risk of serious personal injuries.

Always make sure that nothing can interfere with the pedals.
Always fasten floor mats securely to the floor.
Never put floor mats or other floor coverings on top of already installed floor mats.

Always make sure that nothing can fall into the driver footwell while the vehicle is moving.

WARNING

Some kinds of cigarette lighters can be lit unintentionally, or crushed causing a fire that can
result in serious burns and vehicle damage.

Always make sure that there are no lighters in the seat tracks or near other moving parts

before adjusting the seats.

Before closing a storage compartment, always make sure that no cigarette lighter can be

activated, crushed, or otherwise damaged.

Never leave a cigarette lighter in a storage compartment, on the instrument panel, or in

other places in the vehicle. 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, particularly in summer. High temperatures could cause the cigarette lighter to
catch fire.

NOTICE

The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by hard or sharp

things on the shelf below the rear window.

Do not keep any food, medicine, or other items sensitive to heat or cold in the vehicle. They

can be damaged or made unusable by heat or cold.

Things that are made of transparent materials (such as eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, or

transparent suction cups on the windows) can magnify sunlight and damage the vehicle.

The ventilation slots beneath the side windows in the luggage area must not be blocked so that

stale air can escape from the vehicle.

Storage compartments in the doors

Fig. 111 In the driver door: Storage compartment.

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

There is a storage compartment in each vehicle door

⇒

fig. 111

(1)

.

Storage compartment on the driver side

Fig. 112 On the driver side: Storage compartment.

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

To open the compartment, pull the handle

⇒

fig. 112

(1)

in the direction of the arrow.

To close, push the lid up until it latches.

On some vehicles, there is a holder for SD cards on the inside of the storage compartment lid.

Eyeglass storage compartment in the overhead console

Fig. 113 In the overhead console: Storage compartment.

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

Your vehicle may have a storage compartment that can be used for storing eyeglasses or other light
objects.

To open, briefly press and release the button

⇒

fig. 113

(arrow) on the storage compartment cover.

To close, push the lid up until it latches.

Storage compartment in the front center console

Fig. 114 In the front center console: Storage compartment.

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

To open, briefly press the lower edge of the cover in the direction of the arrow

⇒

fig. 114

.

To close, press the lid down completely.

The front center console storage compartment may have an AUX-in jack or a Media Device

Interface (MDI)/(MEDIA-IN)

⇒ Booklet

Radio, Navigation System.

Card holder in the front center console

Fig. 115 In the front center console: Card holder.

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

Depending on equipment, the lower part of the front center console

⇒

fig. 115

may have a card holder

to store coins, gas cards, parking receipts, or similar items.

To prevent theft and unauthorized use, do not use a card holder to store ATM cards or credit

cards.

Storage compartment in the front center armrest

Fig. 116 In the front center armrest: Storage compartment.

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

Depending on equipment, your vehicle may have a storage compartment under the front center arm-
rest.

To open, push the release button (small arrow), and pull the armrest up as far as it will go in the direc-

tion of the large arrow

⇒

fig. 116

.

To close, push the center armrest down.

WARNING

The center armrest can restrict the driver's arm movement and cause crashes and serious
personal injury.

Always keep storage compartments in the center armrest closed while driving.

WARNING

Never let a passenger, especially a child, ride on the center armrest.

There may be a 12 volt socket

⇒ Power outlets or a phone holder in the front center armrest

storage compartment

⇒ Booklet

Radio, Navigation System.

Glove compartment

Fig. 117 On the passenger side: Glove compartment.

Fig. 118 Inside the glove compartment.

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

Key to

fig. 118

:

(1)

SD card holders

(2)

Infotainment system accessories (if equipped)

⇒ Chapter

Radio, Navigation System

(3)

Card holders and coin holder

(4)

Owner's Manual

(5)

Additional holders for coins, cards, or sunglasses

(6)

Air vent

⇒ Heating and air conditioning

Opening and closing the glove compartment

If necessary, unlock the glove compartment. It is locked when the key slot is vertical.

To open, pull the handle

⇒

fig. 117

.

To close, push the lid up.

Infotainment system accessories

Vehicles equipped with an Infotainment system may have a CD player, SD card readers, or other

Infotainment System accessories

⇒

fig. 118

(2)

in the glove compartment. See

⇒ Chapter

Radio,

Navigation System for further information.

Owner's Manual

If the vehicle is not equipped with an Infotainment system, there is a slot for the Owner's Manual in the
upper part of the glove compartment. Always keep the Owner's Manual in this slot or in the glove
compartment as shown in

(4)

.

Holders

Depending on vehicle equipment, there may be holders for SD cards

(1)

, other types of cards

(3)

, and

a coin holder in the upper part of the glove compartment.

There may also be additional holders for coins, cards, or sunglasses in the glove compartment cover

(5)

.

Cooling the glove compartment

There is an air vent

(6)

in the glove compartment. Cool air can be directed into the glove compartment

if the air conditioner is on. Open or close the air vent by turning it.

WARNING

An open glove compartment door can increase the risk of serious injury during sudden brak-
ing or driving maneuvers or in a crash.

Always keep the glove compartment closed while the vehicle is moving.

NOTICE

In some vehicle models, design considerations have made it necessary to have openings in the
glove compartment behind the Owner's Manual slot, for example. Small items may fall through
these openings and get behind the instrument panel. This can cause unusual noises and dam-
age the vehicle. Never put any small objects in the glove compartment for this reason.

Storage compartment under the front seat

Fig. 119 Under the driver seat: Storage compartment.

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

Some vehicles are equipped with a storage compartment

⇒

fig. 119

under the driver or passenger

seat. A first aid kit can be stored in this storage compartment.

Opening and closing the storage compartment

To open: Grasp the opening handle and pull the storage compartment out.

To close: Push the storage compartment toward the seat until it engages securely.

WARNING

An open storage compartment can interfere with the pedals and cause accidents and severe
personal injuries.

Always keep the storage compartment closed when the vehicle is moving. Otherwise, the

storage compartment cover and other objects could get into the driver footwell and interfere
with the pedals.

Other storage compartments

Fig. 120 In the luggage compartment: Side storage compartment.

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

Storage compartments in the luggage compartment

Additional storage compartments may be found underneath the variable luggage compartment floor,
on the sides of the luggage compartment, and in the spare wheel well. The side panels can be re-

moved by pulling upward in the direction of the arrow

⇒

fig. 120

to make room for larger objects in the

luggage compartment.

Additional storage:

In the center console.
Pockets in the backrests of the front seats.
Luggage compartment cover behind the rear seat backrest – only for light clothing or similar ob-

jects that do not interfere with visibility to the rear!

Coat hooks on the center door pillars and the overhead grab handles in the rear.

WARNING

Clothes or other items on the luggage compartment cover behind the rear seat backrest may
limit visibility and cause accidents and severe personal injuries.

Always hang clothes so that they do not limit visibility.
Always use the built-in coat hooks only for lightweight clothing. Never leave any heavy or

sharp-edged items in the pockets that may interfere with airbag deployment and can cause
personal injury in a collision.

NOTICE

The maximum load for each coat hook is 5 lbs. (2.5 kg).

Cup holders

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Cup holders in the front center console

Cup holders in the rear center armrest

Bottle holders

There is a place for bottles in the open compartments in the driver and passenger doors. The bottle

volume must not exceed 16.9 oz (0.5 liter)

⇒ .

More information:

Interior care and cleaning

WARNING

Improper use of beverage holders can cause injuries.

Never put hot drinks in the cup holders. During normal or sudden maneuvers, sudden

braking or in a collision, hot liquid can be spilled and cause burns!

Make certain that bottles or other items cannot fall into the driver's footwell while the ve-

hicle is moving and interfere with the movement of the pedals.

Never put heavy cups, food or other heavy items in the cup holders. Heavy items can fly

through the passenger compartment in a crash and cause serious injury.

WARNING

Hot or freezing temperatures in the passenger compartment can cause closed bottles to ex-
plode or break.

Never leave closed bottles in a very hot or cold vehicle.

WARNING

Bottles and other things can fall into the driver's footwell and interfere with the pedals while
driving.

Make sure that bottles cannot fall into the driver's footwell during driving to avoid ob-

structing the pedals.

Use the bottle holders only for standard beverage bottles holding no more than 16.9 oz

(0.5 liter).

NOTICE

Never put open drinks in the cup holders when the vehicle is moving. The drinks can spill and
damage the vehicle, including the electrical system.

Some cup holder inserts can be removed for cleaning.

Cup holders in the front center console

Fig. 121 In the front center console: Cup holders.

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

Place the drink in the cup holder

⇒

fig. 121

.

Cup holders in the rear center armrest

Fig. 122 Cup holders in the rear center armrest.

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

Your vehicle may be equipped with cup holders in the rear center armrest.

To open, fold the center armrest down.

To close, fold the center armrest up.