Volkswagen Golf GTI (2015 year). Instruction — part 9

The self-dimming feature can be switched on and off with the switch on the inside mirror

(2)

A or

(2)

B. When self-dimming is activated, the indicator light

(1)

is on.

There are two sensors in the interior mirror housing:

One sensor on the side facing the interior to measure light from the rear of the vehicle A

(3)

or B

(3)

.

One sensor on the side facing the windshield to measure light from the front of the vehicle C

(4)

.

If the ignition is switched on, the mirror automatically darkens depending on the amount of light shining
into the vehicle from the rear.

The self-dimming feature is deactivated when you shift the transmission into reverse or switch on the
interior lights or the reading light.

Do not attach external navigation devices to the windshield or in the vicinity of the self-dimming inside

mirror

⇒

.

WARNING

The illuminated display on an external navigation device can cause the self-dimming inside
mirror to malfunction, which can result in crashes and serious injuries.

Malfunctions in the self-dimming function can result in the inside mirror being unable to

evaluate the exact distance of vehicles in the rear or other objects.

If the light striking the sensor is filtered or blocked (such as by a sunshade), the self-dimming

inside mirror will not work properly or may not work at all.

Outside mirrors

Fig. 87 In the driver door: Adjusting knob for the outside mirrors.

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

When the ignition is switched on, turn the knob in the driver door

⇒

fig. 87

to adjust the outside mir-

rors.

Turn the rotary knob to the desired position:

Switch on outside mirror heating. Heats only at outside air
temperatures below +68 °F (+20 °C).

Turn the rotary knob to the desired position:

Adjust the left outside mirror by pressing the knob to left/right
and up/down.

Adjust the right outside mirror by pressing the knob to left/right
and up/down.

Neutral position. Outside mirror folded out, no heating or
adjustment possible.

WARNING

Improper use of the folding outside mirrors can cause personal injury.

Always make sure that nobody is in the way when folding the mirrors in or out.
Make sure that you do not get your finger caught between the mirror and the mirror base

when moving the mirrors.

WARNING

Incorrectly estimating distances with the right outside mirror can cause collisions and seri-
ous injury.

The right outside mirror has a convex (curved) surface. This widens your field of vision.

But vehicles or other objects seen in a convex mirror will look smaller and farther away than
they really are.

If you use the right outside mirror to judge distances from vehicles behind you when

changing lanes, you could estimate incorrectly and cause a crash and serious injuries.

Whenever possible, use the inside mirror to more accurately judge distance and size of

vehicles or other objects seen in the convex mirror.

Always make sure you have a clear view to the rear of the vehicle.

NOTICE

Always fold in the outside mirrors when taking the vehicle through an automatic car wash.

To reduce fuel consumption, use outside mirror heating only when needed.

When first switched on, outside mirror heating works with maximum heat for about 2 minutes.

If power mirror adjustment does not work, the outside mirrors can be adjusted by hand by press-

ing on the edges of the mirror surface.

Driving tips

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Stowing luggage

Driving with an open rear hatch

Driving a loaded vehicle

Weights and axle weights

Always stow heavy objects in the luggage compartment and make sure that the rear seat backrests
are securely latched. Always use the tie-downs in the luggage compartment and secure the objects
with suitable straps. Never overload the vehicle. Remember that the vehicle load, as well as how it is

distributed, can affect vehicle handling and braking

⇒

.

More information:

Rear hatch
Lights
Luggage compartment
Roof rack
Trailer towing
Tires and wheels

WARNING

Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the vehicle, causing serious personal
injury during hard braking or sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be struck
and thrown through the passenger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help
reduce the risk of serious personal injury:

Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle.
Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.
Do not stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in open bins in the vehicle or on top of the in-

strument panel.

Remove hard, heavy, and sharp objects from clothing and bags in the vehicle interior and

stow securely. Always put heavy items in the luggage compartment.

Always secure objects in the passenger compartment properly with suitable straps so that

they cannot move into the deployment area of a side or front airbag during braking, in a sud-
den maneuver, or in a collision.

Always make sure that there is nothing on the front passenger seat when the backrest is

folded forward.

Passengers must never ride in an incorrect seating position because objects are being

transported in the vehicle.

Never let anybody sit in a seat that is blocked by objects being carried in the vehicle.

WARNING

Heavy loads will influence the way your vehicle handles and increase stopping distances.
Heavy loads that are not properly stowed or secured can cause loss of control and serious
injury.

Secure the load properly to keep it from shifting.

Always remember when transporting heavy objects that a change in the center of gravity

also changes the way your vehicle handles:

– Always distribute the load as evenly as possible.

– Secure heavy objects properly as far forward in the luggage compartment as possible.

– Always tie down heavy items securely with suitable straps using the tie-downs in the
luggage compartment.

Securely latch the rear seat backrest in the upright position.
Never exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating on the

safety compliance sticker on the left door jamb. Exceeding permissible weight can cause the
vehicle to skid and handle differently.

Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the

vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.

Always accelerate gently and avoid sudden braking and driving maneuvers.
Always brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.

Stowing luggage

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

Always stow all luggage securely in the vehicle

Distribute the load in the vehicle, on the roof, and in the trailer as evenly as possible.
Put heavy objects as far forward as possible in the luggage compartment and securely latch the

rear seat backrest in the upright position.

Secure luggage in the luggage compartment to the tie-downs with suitable straps

⇒ Luggage

compartment.

Have the headlight range adjusted, if necessary

⇒ Lights.

Check the pressure in all 4 tires when the tires are still cold. Never reduce air pressure in warm

tires to match cold tire inflation pressure. Heed the information on the tire pressure label

⇒ Tires and

wheels.

Pay especially close attention to your vehicle's Tire Pressure Monitoring System when driving with

a heavy load

⇒ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

NOTICE

The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that rub
against them.

Please review the information on loading a trailer

⇒ Trailer towing and a roof rack ⇒ Roof rack.

Driving with an open rear hatch

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

Driving with an open rear hatch can lead to serious personal injury. If you have to drive with an open
rear hatch, make sure that all objects and the hatch itself are properly secured and take appropriate
measures to keep toxic exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.

WARNING

Driving with an unlatched or open rear hatch can lead to serious personal injury.

Never transport objects larger than those that fit completely in the luggage compartment,

because the rear hatch cannot be fully closed properly.

After closing the rear hatch, always pull up on it to make sure that it is properly closed

and cannot open suddenly when the vehicle is moving.

Always stow all objects securely in the luggage compartment. Loose objects can fall out

of the luggage compartment and injure others on the road behind you.

Drive carefully; anticipate what other drivers will do.
Avoid abrupt or sudden acceleration, steering, or braking, because the unlatched rear

hatch can move suddenly.

Always mark objects sticking out from the luggage compartment clearly for others to see.

Obey all applicable legal requirements.

Never use the rear hatch to “clamp” or “hold” objects that stick out of the luggage com-

partment.

Always remove any luggage rack or other rack mounted on the rear hatch (along with any

luggage on the rack) before driving with an open rear hatch.

WARNING

Driving with an open rear hatch can cause poisonous carbon monoxide in the engine exhaust
to get into the passenger compartment.

Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness, inattentiveness, poisoning, and loss of conscious-

ness. It can lead to accidents and severe personal injuries.

Always keep the rear hatch closed while driving to help keep poisonous exhaust fumes

from being drawn into the vehicle.

Never transport objects that are too large to fit completely into the luggage area, because

then the rear hatch cannot be fully closed.

If you absolutely must drive with an open rear hatch, do the following to reduce the risk of

carbon monoxide poisoning:

– Close all windows and the power sunroof.

– Switch off the climate control system's air recirculation feature.

– Open all air vents in the instrument panel.

– Set the fresh air fan to the highest speed.

NOTICE

The open rear hatch changes the vehicle length and height.

Driving a loaded vehicle

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

For good handling when driving a loaded vehicle, please observe the following:

Securely stow all luggage

⇒ Stowing luggage.

Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently.
Avoid sudden braking and driving maneuvers.
Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.

If applicable, observe information about driving with a trailer

⇒ Trailer towing.

If applicable, observe information about driving with a roof rack

⇒ Roof rack.

WARNING

Heavy loads can change the way your vehicle handles and increase stopping distances.
Heavy loads that are not properly stowed or secured can shift suddenly, causing loss of con-
trol and serious injury.

Secure the load properly to keep it from shifting.

Always remember when transporting heavy objects that they change the vehicle's center

of gravity and also the way it handles.

– Always distribute the load as evenly as possible.

– Secure heavy objects as far forward in the luggage compartment as possible.

– Use your vehicle's luggage compartment tie-downs with suitable straps.

Always tie down heavy items securely with suitable straps.
Securely latch the rear seat backrest in the upright position.
Never exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating on the

safety compliance sticker on the left door jamb. Exceeding permissible weight can cause the
vehicle to skid and handle differently.

Always adapt speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the ve-

hicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.

Always accelerate gently and avoid sudden braking and driving maneuvers.
Always brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.

Weights and axle weights

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

The actual gross weight of any vehicle depends on the engine, basic equipment, any factory-installed
optional equipment for the given model, and any accessories that have been installed. The Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross front and Rear Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) for a
given vehicle are printed on the vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification Label on the driver door

jamb

⇒ Important vehicle labels.

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating includes the weight of the vehicle itself with all of its factory-
installed equipment, plus a full tank of gasoline, the engine oil and coolant, all vehicle occupants
(150 lbs/68 kg per seating position) and cargo.

The Gross Axle Weight Ratings specify the maximum allowable load for each axle.

The cargo payload may not be increased by using a roof rack without commensurately reducing the

weight from vehicle occupants

⇒

. Determining the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

⇒ Tires and

wheels.

Luggage compartment

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Folding the rear seat backrest forward and back into place

Luggage compartment cover

Luggage compartment pass-through

Tie-downs

Shopping bag hooks

Variable luggage compartment floor

Always stow heavy objects in the luggage compartment and make sure that the rear seat backrests
are securely latched in their upright position. Always secure objects to the tie-downs with suitable
straps. Never overload the vehicle. Remember that the vehicle load, as well as how it is distributed,

can affect vehicle handling and braking

⇒

.

More information:

Safety belts
Airbag system
Lights
Transporting
Trailer towing
Tires and wheels

WARNING

An open or unlocked luggage compartment poses special risks for children.

Close and lock the rear hatch and all doors when the vehicle is not in use. First, make

certain that no one is left inside.

Never leave your vehicle unattended or let children play around the vehicle, especially

with the rear hatch left open. A child could crawl into the vehicle and pull the hatch shut,
becoming trapped and unable to get out. This could cause severe or fatal injuries.

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

tures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness or death, particularly to small
children.

Never let children play in or around the vehicle.
Never let anyone ride in the luggage compartment.

WARNING

Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the vehicle, causing serious personal
injury during hard braking or sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be struck
and thrown through the passenger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help
reduce the risk of serious personal injury:

Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put luggage and heavy items in the

luggage compartment.

Always secure objects in the passenger compartment properly with suitable straps so that

they cannot move into the deployment zone of a side or front airbag during sudden braking,
in a sudden maneuver, or in a collision.

Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.
Never stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in the vehicle's open storage compartments, on

the luggage compartment cover, or on the top of the instrument panel.

Always remove hard, heavy, or sharp objects from clothing and bags in the vehicle interi-

or and stow them securely in the luggage compartment.

WARNING

Transporting heavy objects causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change and
increases braking distances. Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the
vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause serious personal injury.

Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change by

shifting the vehicle's center of gravity.

Always distribute luggage evenly and as low as possible within the vehicle. The vehicle

capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers
and luggage).

Always stow luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment as far forward of the

rear axle as possible and secure them with appropriate straps to the tie-downs provided.

Never exceed the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Axle Weight Ratings,

which are printed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the door jamb of
the driver door. Exceeding the permissible weight can cause the vehicle to skid and behave
differently.

Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate your payload and its weight

distribution within your vehicle.

Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the accelerator pedal and avoid sud-

den braking and other maneuvers.

Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.

NOTICE

The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that rub
against them.

Folding the rear seat backrest forward and back into place

Fig. 88 A: Rear seat bench: release button 1, red mark 2. B: Seat backrest folded forward.

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

The rear seat backrest is divided into 2 sections. Each section of the rear seat backrest can be folded
down individually to increase luggage space.

Folding the rear seat backrest forward

Push the head restraint all the way down

⇒ Adjusting the seating position.

Pull the release button

⇒

fig. 88

(1)

forward while folding the rear seat backrest forward.

The rear seat backrest is unlocked if the red area

(2)

can be seen on the button.

The rear seat backrest is released and can be folded forward.
If the rear seat backrest is folded down, no one, including children, may ride on the rear seat.

Folding the rear seat backrest back into place

Fold the rear seat backrest back until it engages securely

⇒

.

The red mark on the release button

(2)

should no longer be visible.

The rear seat backrest must be securely latched into place for the safety belts on the rear seats to

provide optimal protection.

WARNING

Improper folding and improper latching of the rear seat backrest can cause serious personal
injury.

Always make sure there are no people or animals in the area around the rear seat backrest

when folding it forward.

Never fold the rear seat backrest forward or back while the vehicle is moving.
When folding the rear seat backrest back up, make sure that the safety belt does not get

caught or damaged.

Keep hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of the way when folding the rear seat

backrest forward or back.

Each rear seat backrest must be securely latched in the upright position so that the safety

belts on the rear seats can provide protection. This is particularly the case for the middle seat
on the rear seat bench.

If a seat is used with an unsecured backrest, the passenger will move forward together

with the rear seat backrest during sudden braking, driving maneuvers, or in a collision.

If the red marking on the button

(2)

is visible, this indicates that the backrest is not latched

into place. Always check to make sure that the red marking is not visible whenever the rear
seat backrest is in the upright position.

No one, including children, may ride on the rear seats if the rear seat backrest is folded

down or not correctly latched.

NOTICE

Before folding the rear seat backrest forward, adjust the front seats so that the rear seat's head
restraint or backrest cushion will not touch the front seats.

Luggage compartment cover

Fig. 89 In the luggage compartment: Installing and removing the luggage compartment cover.

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

When you open or close the rear hatch, the supporting cords, when attached, will automatically raise
or lower the luggage compartment cover.

You can put light articles of clothing on the luggage compartment cover. But remember that your view
through the rear window must not be obstructed.

Removing the luggage compartment cover

Unhook the supporting cords from each side of the rear hatch

⇒

fig. 89

(top arrows).

Pull the luggage compartment cover upward (bottom arrows) until it releases from the side brack-

ets.

If necessary, stow the luggage compartment cover under the variable luggage compartment floor

⇒ Variable luggage compartment floor.

Installing the luggage compartment cover

Press the luggage compartment cover into the side brackets from above (bottom arrows).
Hook the supporting cords onto the rear hatch (top arrows).

WARNING

In a sudden braking or other maneuver, or in a collision, unsecured or improperly secured
objects or animals on the luggage compartment cover can cause serious personal injury.

Never leave hard, heavy or sharp objects in bags or loose on the luggage compartment

cover.

Never let animals ride on the luggage compartment cover.

NOTICE

To help prevent damage to the luggage compartment cover, the luggage compartment may
only be loaded to a height at which the luggage compartment cover will not press on the cargo
when the rear hatch is closed.

NOTICE

Things on the luggage compartment cover can damage it.

The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that

rub against them.

Luggage compartment pass-through

Fig. 90 In the rear seat backrest: Opening the luggage compartment pass-through.

Fig. 91 In the luggage compartment: Opening the pass-through.

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

There is a pass-through for transporting things like skis in the rear seat backrest behind the center
armrest.

To help prevent soiling the vehicle interior, cover dirty items before sliding them into the pass-through.

If the center armrest is folded down, no one can sit on the middle seat of the rear bench.

Opening the pass-through

Fold down the rear center armrest

⇒ Sitting properly and safely.

Pull the release lever

⇒

fig. 90

(1)

in the direction of the arrow and fold the pass-through cover all

the way forward.

Open the rear hatch.
Slide long objects from the luggage compartment through the pass-through.
Secure objects with the safety belt.
Close the rear hatch.

Closing the pass-through

Fold the pass-through cover back until it engages securely. The red marking on the luggage com-

partment side should not be visible.

Close the rear hatch.
If necessary, fold the center armrest up.

The pass-through can also be opened from the luggage compartment. Press the release lever

⇒

fig. 91

in the direction of the arrow and push the cover forward.

Tie-downs

Fig. 92 In the luggage compartment: Tie-downs.

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

There are tie-downs in the front and rear of the luggage compartment, which you can use to secure

luggage or other items

⇒

fig. 92

(arrows).

Some tie-downs may have to be folded open for use.

Elastic straps can snap back toward you if they are not properly attached

⇒

.

If you use elastic straps to secure items in the luggage compartment, be sure to fist securely attach
them to the tie-downs just behind the rear seat backrest first and then to the tie-downs at the loading
edge of the luggage compartment.

Remove the hooks from the tie-downs in the reverse order described above, first from the tie-downs at
the loading edge and then from the tie-downs behind the rear seat backrest so that if the hooks come
loose suddenly, they will move away from you.

WARNING

Unsuitable, worn, or damaged tie-down straps (elastic or non-elastic) can snap or come loose
during braking or other maneuvers or in a collision. Objects secured with these straps can
then come loose and fly through the passenger compartment, causing severe personal inju-
ries or death.

To help prevent baggage or other items from coming loose and flying around, always use

suitable undamaged tie-down straps.

Securely fasten the tie-down straps to the tie-downs.
Loose or improperly secured objects in the luggage compartment can slide about sudden-

ly and change the vehicle's handling.

Secure even small and light objects. Loose objects in the luggage or passenger compart-

ment can fly about during sudden braking maneuvers or in the event of an accident and in-
jure occupants.

Never exceed the maximum allowable load on the tie-downs when securing objects.

Never secure a child restraint to the tie-downs.

WARNING

Elastic straps have to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the luggage
compartment. Hooks on these straps can cause serious personal injury if not handled
properly and attached securely.

Always protect eyes and face from injury from the hooks when attaching them to the tie-

downs in the luggage compartment.

Always hold the hooks on elastic straps firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do not let

them snap back and hit you.

First attach the hooks on the straps to the tie-downs at the rear seat backrest in the lug-

gage compartment and then to the tie-downs near the loading edge of the luggage compart-
ment. This way, if one of the hooks on the elastic straps snaps back, it will move away from
you, decreasing the risk of personal injury.

The maximum load for the tie-downs is about 380 lbs. (172 kg).

For suitable straps and luggage stowage systems, please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer

or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Shopping bag hooks

Fig. 93 In the luggage compartment: Shopping bag hooks.

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

Shopping bag hooks may be located on the upper left and right of the luggage compartment

⇒

fig. 93

(arrows).

WARNING

Never use the shopping bag hooks as tie-downs. The hooks could break off during sudden
braking maneuvers or in a collision.

NOTICE

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

Variable luggage compartment floor

Fig. 94 In the luggage compartment: Opening the variable luggage compartment floor.

Fig. 95 In the luggage compartment: Variable luggage compartment floor folded up.

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

The variable luggage compartment floor is height-adjustable

⇒

.

Opening and closing the luggage compartment floor

To open the luggage compartment floor, lift the recessed handle

⇒

fig. 94

and guide the floor

upward until it is held in position by the brackets on either side of the luggage compartment

⇒

fig. 95

(arrows).

To close, guide the luggage compartment cover out of the brackets and downward into position.

Adjusting the height of the luggage compartment floor

Lift the luggage compartment floor and pull it rearward out of the guides on the sides of the lug-

gage compartment.

Insert the luggage compartment floor into the guides at the required height and push it forward as

far as it will go.

WARNING

During hard braking or an accident, loose objects can fly through the passenger compart-
ment and cause serious or even fatal injuries.

Even if the luggage compartment floor panel is properly raised, it is still necessary to

secure all objects.

The maximum weight rating of the variable luggage compartment floor is 330 lbs (150 kg)

in the upper position

NOTICE

Do not let the luggage compartment floor fall freely when closing it. Always guide it down into
place. The trim or the luggage compartment floor could be damaged.

If you store the luggage compartment cover under the variable luggage compartment floor, insert

the luggage compartment floor into the upper guides.