ESP VOLKSWAGEN CC 2012 Owner's Manual

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.
Never let a passenger, especially a child, ride on the center
armrest. Improper seating position can increase the risk of se-
rious personal injury in a crash.
Never put hot drinks or other liquids in the cup holder. Hot
liquids can spill when the vehicle is moving as well as during
braking or other sudden maneuvers.
NOTICE
Do not press on the cup holder cover when raising the rear cen-
ter armrest. The cup holder could open and be damaged.

WARNING
Daytime running lights are not bright enough to let you see
ahead or be seen by others when it is dark.
Always switch on the low-beam headlights at dusk or when it
is dark and whenever the weather is bad or visibility is poor.
Never use the daytime running lights to see where you are
going. They are not bright enough and will not let you see far
enough ahead for safety, especially at dusk or when it is dark.
Always switch on the low-beam headlights at dusk or when it is
dark.
The taillights do not come on with the daytime running lights.
Unless the taillights are on, a vehicle cannot be seen by others
in bad weather, at dusk, or when it is dark.
Even if automatic headlight control (!54/) is switched on, the
low-beam headlights may still not come on by themselves in
fog or heavy rain. You have to switch on the low-beam head-
lights manually.
In cool or humid weather, the insides of the headlights, the rear
lights, and turn signals can temporarily fog up. This is normal and
does not affect the service life of the vehicle's lighting system.
Lights and vision features

WARNING
Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see
the road ahead and when you cannot be seen by other motor-
ists.
Never use daytime running lights (DRL) to see where you are
going. DRL are not bright enough to light up the roadway and
be seen by other motorists. You will not be able to see far
enough ahead for safety, especially at dusk or when it is dark.
Always switch on the low-beam headlights at dusk or when it is
dark.
The taillights do not come on when the daytime running
lights are switched on. A vehicle without taillights on cannot be
seen by others in bad weather, at dusk, or when it is dark.
If automatic headlight control (!54/) is switched on, the low-
beam headlights still may not be switched on in fog or heavy
rain. You have to switch on the low-beam headlights yourself.
In cool or humid weather, the insides of the headlights, the rear
lights, and turn signals can temporarily fog up. This is normal and
does not affect the service life of the vehicle's lighting system.
“Coming home” and “Leaving home” feature (orientation
lighting)

Push the lever into the desired position ⇒ fig. 94:
(A) Rain sensor off (windshield wiper lever home position).
(B) Rain sensor active – automatic wiping as needed.
(1) Adjusting the sensitivity of the rain sensor:
– Move switch to the right – high sensitivity.
– Move switch to the left – low sensitivity.
After switching the ignition off and back on again, the rain sensor
stays on and works again with the wiper lever in position (B).
Possible reasons for changes in the way the rain sensor works
The rain sensor may misread what is happening in the detection zone
of its sensitive rain-sensor surface ⇒ fig. 95 (arrow) and not work for a
number of reasons, which include:
Worn out wiper blades: Worn out wiper blades may leave a film of
water or wiping streaks; this can cause the wipers to run longer, to
wipe more often, or to wipe continuously at high speed.
Insects: Insects hitting the sensor may trigger the wipers.
Salt streaks: Salt streaks on the windshield from winter driving can
cause wiping more often or continuously on glass that is almost dry.
Dirt: Caked-on dust, wax, any other buildup on the windshield (lo-
tus effect), or car-wash detergent residue can lower the rain sensor's
sensitivity and cause it to react too slowly or not at all.
Crack or chip in the windshield: If a stone hits and chips the wind-
shield while the rain sensor is on, this will trigger a wiper cycle. After
that, the rain sensor will recognize the change and recalibrate itself to
respond to the sensitive surface's reduced detection zone. Depending
on the size of the chip, the sensor's reaction pattern may or may not
change.
WARNING
The rain sensor cannot always recognize rain and activate the
wipers.
Switch the wipers on manually when water on the windshield
reduces visibility.
Clean the rain sensor's sensitive surface ⇒ fig. 95 (arrow) regular-
ly and check the wiper blades for wear or damage.

WARNING
Auto-dimming mirrors contain an electrolyte fluid which can
leak if the mirror glass is broken. Electrolyte fluid can irritate
the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
Repeated or prolonged exposure to electrolyte fluid can irri-
tate the respiratory system, especially among people with
asthma or other respiratory conditions. Get fresh air immediate-
ly by leaving the vehicle or, if that is not possible, open win-
dows and doors all the way.
If electrolyte fluid gets into the eyes, flush them thoroughly
with large amounts of clean water for at least 15 minutes; medi-
cal attention is recommended.
If electrolyte fluid contacts skin, flush affected area with
clean water for at least 15 minutes and then wash affected area
with soap and water; medical attention is recommended. Thor-
oughly wash affected clothing and shoes before reuse.
If swallowed, and the person is conscious, rinse mouth with
water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention immediate-
ly. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a med-
ical professional.
NOTICE
Broken glass in the auto-dimming mirrors can cause electrolyte
fluid leakage. Liquid electrolyte leaked from a broken mirror
glass will damage any plastic surfaces it comes in contact with.
Clean up spilled electrolyte fluid immediately with clear water
and a sponge.

Secure luggage in the luggage compartment using suitable straps
and the tie downs ⇒ Tie-downs. Also see ⇒  Luggage compartment.
Adjust the headlight range, 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 Moni-
toring System when driving with a heavy load ⇒ Tire Pressure Moni-
toring System (TPMS).
NOTICE
Wires in the rear windows such as for heating or for an antenna
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 luggage compartment lid

WARNING
An open or unlocked luggage compartment poses special risks
for children.
Close and lock the luggage compartment lid 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 luggage compartment lid
left open. A child could crawl into the vehicle and pull the lid
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, depend-
ing on the season. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that
can cause unconsciousness or death, particularly to small chil-
dren.
Never let children play in or around the vehicle.
Never let anyone ride 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 characteris-
tics 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 com-
partment 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 ac-
celerator pedal and avoid sudden braking and other maneu-
vers.
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.
The ventilation slots between the rear window and the shelf be-
hind the rear seat backrest must not be blocked so that stale air can
escape from the vehicle.

WARNING
Transporting heavy or bulky loads on the roof rack will change
the way the vehicle handles by shifting the vehicle's center of
gravity and increasing the wind drag.
Always secure the load properly with suitable and undam-
aged straps so that the load will not shift.
Cargo that is large, heavy, bulky, long or flat will have a nega-
tive effect on the vehicle's aerodynamics, center of gravity and
overall handling.
Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and
the weight distribution in the vehicle. Take road, weather, traf-
fic, and visibility conditions into account as well.
NOTICE
Always remove the roof rack before driving through an auto-
matic car wash.
Your vehicle is higher when the roof rack is installed, especial-
ly when it is loaded. Compare the vehicle height with existing
clearance heights, such as underpasses and garage doors.
Always make sure that the roof rack system and anything be-
ing carried on it does not interfere with the roof antenna, the
power sunroof or the luggage compartment lid.
Make sure that the luggage compartment lid does not touch
items on the roof rack when opened.
If a roof rack is installed, fuel consumption increases due to in-
creased air resistance.

WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and
serious personal injury.
Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or large things can
change the way the vehicle handles, increase the distance it
needs to stop safely, and cause accidents.
Always secure the load properly with suitable and undam-
aged straps so that the load will not shift.
Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and
the weight distribution in the vehicle. Take road, weather, traf-
fic, and visibility conditions into account as well.
Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would
when going downhill and under unfavorable load, weather, or
wind conditions.
Trailers with a high center of gravity tip more easily than
trailers with a low center of gravity.
Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest
sign of swaying.
Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
Always obey speed limits. In some areas, the speed limits for
vehicles towing trailers are lower than for vehicles without
trailers. Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h; under excep-
tional circumstances 60 mph - 100 km/h) when towing a trailer.
This applies even if the local speed limit is higher.
If you are driving a new vehicle or a vehicle with a new or rebuilt
engine, do not tow a trailer during the break-in period, about
600 miles (1000 km) ⇒  Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifica-
tions.
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need maintenance more
often because of the extra load it has to move.
When you are not towing, remove the trailer hitch ball. This helps
keep the trailer hitch from causing damage to your vehicle and to oth-
ers if your vehicle is hit from behind.