warning VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF 2019 Service Manual

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.
x Secure the load properly to keep it from shifting.
x 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.
– Secure luggage in the luggage compartment using suitable straps and the tie downs ⇒ 
Tie-downs. Also see ⇒  Luggage compartment.
x Always tie down heavy items securely with suitable straps.
x Securely latch the rear seat backrest in the upright position.
x 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.
x 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.
x Always accelerate gently and avoid sudden braking and driving maneuvers.
x Always brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.
Weights and axle weights

WARNING
Exceeding maximum permissible weight ratings can result in vehicle damage, accidents, and serious personal injury.
x Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the permissible Gross Axle Weight Rating. Also, never let the total of these actual weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
x Always remember that the vehicle's handling and braking will be affected by extra load and the distribution of this load. Adjust your speed accordingly.
NOTICE
x Always distribute the load evenly and as low as possible in the vehicle. The vehicle capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers and lug-gage).
x When transporting a heavy load in the luggage compartment, carry the load as close to the rear axle (as far forward) as possible so that the vehicle's handling and braking are affected as little as possible.

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:
x Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment.
x 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.
x Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.
x 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.
x 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.
x Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change by shifting the vehicle's center of gravity.
x 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).
x 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.
x 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.
x Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate your payload and its weight distribution within your vehicle.
x Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the accelerator pedal and avoid sud-den braking and other maneuvers.
x 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.

WARNING
Improper folding and improper latching of the rear seat backrest can cause serious personal injury.
x Always make sure there are no people or animals in the area around the rear seat backrest when folding it forward.
x Never fold the rear seat backrest forward or back while the vehicle is moving.
x When folding the rear seat backrest back up, make sure that the safety belt does not get caught or damaged.
x Keep hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of the way when folding the rear seat backrest forward or back.
x 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.
x 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.
x 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.
x 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.

Removing the luggage compartment cover
x Unhook the supporting cords from each side of the rear hatch ⇒ fig. 89 (top arrows).
x Push the luggage compartment cover upward from below ⇒ fig. 89 (bottom arrows) until it releases from the side brackets.
x If necessary, stow the luggage compartment cover under the variable luggage compartment floor
⇒  Variable luggage compartment floor.
Installing the luggage compartment cover
x Press the luggage compartment cover into the side brackets from above ⇒ fig. 89 (bottom arrows).
x Hook the supporting cords onto the rear hatch ⇒ fig. 89 (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.
x Never leave hard, heavy or sharp objects in bags or loose on the luggage compartment cover.
x Never let animals ride on the luggage compartment cover.
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.
x Always hang clothes so that they do not limit visibility.
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.
x The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that rub against them.

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.
x To help prevent baggage or other items from coming loose and flying around, always use suitable undamaged tie-down straps.
x Securely fasten the tie-down straps to the tie-downs.
x Loose or improperly secured objects in the luggage compartment can slide about sudden-ly and change the vehicle's handling.
x 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.
x Never exceed the maximum allowable load on the tie-downs when securing objects.
x 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.
x Always protect eyes and face from injury from the hooks when attaching them to the tie-downs in the luggage compartment.
x Always hold the hooks on elastic straps firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do not let them snap back and hit you.
x 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.

Once you have installed the base carrier correctly, you can secure the roof rack on the base carrier according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Mounting the roof rack base carrier and roof rack on 4-door vehicles
Always attach the base carrier and roof rack correctly.
Always carefully follow the installation instructions from the base carrier or roof rack manufacturer.
The front mounting holes are on the underside of the roof frame. They are sealed with plastic screws
that must be removed before installation ⇒ fig. 97 (magnified view on left). The rear markings for the
base carrier are on the underside of the roof frame ⇒ fig. 97 (magnified view on right).
The holes and markings are only visible when the door is open.
Only mount the roof rack base carrier on the markings shown in the illustration.
Once you have installed the base carrier correctly, you can secure the roof rack on the base carrier according to the manufacturer's instructions.
WARNING
Installing or using a base carrier or roof rack improperly can cause the entire system to fly off the vehicle, causing accidents and injuries.
x Always follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.
x Use the base carrier and roof rack only if they are undamaged and properly installed.
x Secure the roof rack base carrier only at the attachment points shown in the illustration
⇒ fig. 96 or ⇒ fig. 97.
x Always install the base carrier and roof rack properly.
x Make sure that all bolts and fasteners are properly installed and properly tightened before every trip and retighten them as needed after driving a short distance. During a long trip, check all bolts and fasteners at each stop.
x Always properly install special fixtures for items such as bicycles, skis, surfboards, etc.
x Do not modify or repair the base carrier or roof rack.
Follow the installation instructions provided for installing the roof rack system. Always carry them in the vehicle.
Securing a load on the roof rack

Distributing the load
Distribute the load evenly and secure it properly ⇒ .
Checking the mountings
After the base carrier and roof rack have been installed, check all bolts and fasteners after driving a short time and at regular intervals thereafter.
WARNING
If the maximum permissible roof load is exceeded, accidents and substantial vehicle damage may occur.
x Never exceed the specified roof load, the maximum Gross Axle Weight Rating, or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
x Do not exceed the loading capacity of the roof rack, even if the permissible roof load is not fully utilized.
x Always make sure that loads are evenly distributed and that heavier items are, as far as possible, toward the front.
WARNING
Loose or improperly secured items can fall off the roof rack and cause accidents and injuries.
x Always use suitable, undamaged tie-down ropes and ratchet straps.
x Secure the load properly.

WARNING
New tires or tires that are old, worn or damaged cannot provide maximum control and brak-ing performance.
x Improper care and handling of tires and wheels can reduce driving safety and cause acci-dents and severe injuries.
x Install only radial tires of the same make, the same dimensions (tread circumference), and similar tread profile on all 4 wheels.
x New tires tend to be slippery and must be broken in. Always drive with special care for the first 350 miles (560 km) to help reduce the risk of losing control, a collision, and serious per-sonal injuries.
x Check tire inflation pressure regularly when the tires are cold and always maintain the prescribed tire pressure. Low tire pressure can cause tires to get too hot, resulting in tread separation, sudden loss of pressure, and blowouts. Tires with excessively low pressure flex (bend) more, which can cause the tire to overheat and fail suddenly without warning.
x Check tires regularly for wear and damage.
x Never drive with worn or damaged tires (for example, tires with punctures, cuts, cracks, blisters, or bumps). Driving with worn or damaged tires can lead to loss of vehicle control, sudden tire failure including blowouts and sudden deflation, crashes, and serious personal injuries.
x Have worn or damaged tires replaced immediately.
x Never exceed the maximum speed rating or the maximum load rating of the tires on your vehicle.
x The effectiveness of the driver assistance systems and the braking support systems de-pends on the tire traction.
x If you notice unusual vibration or if the vehicle pulls to one side when driving, always stop as soon as it is safe to do so and check the wheels and tires for damage.
x To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen the bolts on wheels with bolted rim rings.
x Never mount used tires on your vehicle if you are not sure of their past use. Old, used tires and wheels may have damage that cannot be seen that can lead to sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
x Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly, especially at high speeds, causing loss of vehicle control, accidents, and severe personal injuries. Tires that are more than 6 years old can be used only in an emergency and even then only with special care and at low speed.
For technical reasons it is usually not possible to use wheel rims from other vehicles. Even wheel rims from the same model may not fit properly. Check with an authorized Volkswagen dealer or au-thorized Volkswagen Service Facility if necessary.

mounted according to the specified direction of rotation in order to deliver their best grip, braking performance, low road noise, and good wear as well as good hydroplaning resistance.
If you have to mount a tire opposite to its proper direction of rotation, you must drive more carefully, since the tire is no longer being used as designed. This is particularly important on wet roads. You must replace or remount the tire as soon as possible in order to restore the correct direction of rota-tion.
Rotating tires
To help ensure even wear on all tires, regular tire rotation according to the diagram ⇒ fig. 98 is rec-ommended. In this way all tires can have about the same service life.
Volkswagen recommends that you have your tires rotated by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Tires more than 6 years old
Tires age even if they are not being used. Physical and chemical processes reduce tire strength and performance and cause them to harden and become brittle. Old tires can fail suddenly and without warning.
Volkswagen recommends replacing tires that are 6 years and older. This also applies to tires that look new (including the tire on the compact spare wheel) or that seem to still be usable with tread depth
that has not yet reached the legal minimum depth ⇒ .
The age of each tire can be determined with the manufacturing date that is part of the U.S. DOT tire
identification number (TIN) ⇒  Tire labeling.
Tire storage
Mark tires before removing them to help make sure that the previous location (left, right, front, rear) and rolling direction can be maintained when remounting them. Store tires in a cool, dry and preferably dark place. Do not store tires mounted on wheels standing up.
Tires not mounted on wheels should be covered to help protect them from dirt and stored vertically (sitting on the tread).
WARNING
Aggressive fluids and materials can cause visible and invisible tire damage that can cause tire blowouts.
x Always keep chemicals, oils, grease, fuels, braking fluids and other aggressive substanc-es away from tires.
WARNING
Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly, especially at high speeds, causing loss of vehicle control, accidents, and severe personal injuries.
x Tires that are more than 6 years old can be used only in an emergency and even then only with special care and at low speed.
Always dispose of old tires in accordance with legal requirements.
Wheel rims