warning VOLKSWAGEN EOS 2011 Owners Manual

Changing the vehicle's suspension system can change the way that the airbag system works in a crash. For example, using tire-rim combinations not approved by Volkswagen, lowering the vehicle, changing the stiffness of the suspension, including the springs, suspension struts, shock absorbers etc. can change the forces that are measured by the airbag sensors and sent to the electronic control unit. Some suspension changes can, for example, increase the force levels measured by the airbag sensors and sent to the electronic control unit and make the airbag system deploy in crashes in which it would not deploy if the changes had not been made. Other kinds of changes may reduce the force levels measured by the sensors and prevent the airbag from deploying when it should.
Never install leather upholstery on a vehicle that originally had cloth upholstery. Never install cloth upholstery on a vehicle that originally had leather upholstery. The weight-sensing mat for the Advanced Airbag system will not work properly if different upholstery is installed on the passenger seat than the upholstery originally installed on the vehicle when it was originally manufactured.
WARNING
Changing the vehicle's suspension including use of unapproved tire-rim combinations can change airbag performance and increase the risk of serious personal injury in a crash.
x Never install suspension components that do not have the same performance characteristics as the components originally installed on your vehicle.
x Never use tire-rim combinations that have not been approved by Volkswagen.
WARNING
Leaving the optional safety belt extender attached to the safety belt buckle on the front passenger seat when the safety belt is not being used will prevent the Advanced Airbag System from working properly and can increase the risk of serious personal injury in a collision.
x Leaving the extender attached to the safety belt buckle when the front seat is occupied and the safety belt is not being used will signal to the airbag control unit that the front passenger seat is occupied and that the safety belt is being used. The electronic control unit for the airbag system will then receive incorrect information that will
– cause the safety belt pretensioner to deploy unnecessarily in collisions and
– cause the front passenger airbag to deploy later in collisions in which the front airbag would otherwise be triggered earlier to help protect an unrestrained front seat passenger.
x Always remove the safety belt extender when it is not needed and stow it safely.
x Never use the safety belt extender to secure a child restraint.
WARNING
Items stored between the safety belt buckle and the center console can cause safety belt buckle to send the wrong information to the airbag control unit and prevent the Advanced Airbag System from working properly.
x Always make sure that nothing can interfere with the safety belt buckles and that they are not obstructed.

WARNING
Improper care and servicing, and improper modification and repair work, can increase the risk of personal injury and death by preventing an airbag from deploying when needed or deploying an airbag unexpectedly:
x Never repair, adjust, or change any parts of the airbag system.
x All work on the airbag system, steering wheel, instrument panel, front seats or electrical system (including the installation of audio equipment, mobile telephones and CB radios, etc.) should be performed by authorized Volkswagen dealers or authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities. They have the necessary manuals, training, and special equipment.
x The airbag system can be activated only once. After an airbag has inflated, it must be replaced.
x Use only original equipment airbags approved by Volkswagen. Have them installed by a trained technician who has the necessary tools and diagnostic equipment to properly replace any airbag in your vehicle and assure system effectiveness in a crash.
x Never permit salvaged or recycled airbags to be installed in your vehicle.
Undeployed airbag modules and safety belt pretensioners are classified as Perchlorate Material. Special handling may apply – see http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all applicable legal requirements regarding handling and disposal of the vehicle or parts of its restraint system, including airbag modules and safety belts with pretensioners. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the requirements, and we recommend that you have them perform this service for you.
Notice about data recorded by vehicle control modules

human body. Limits and guidelines have been established by governmental authorities and international committees in an effort to keep the electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones at levels that will not cause health problems. However, there is no scientifically based proof that wireless phones are absolutely safe.
Therefore, some experts recommend a precautionary approach regarding the use of mobile phones by taking measures that lower the personal exposure to electromagnetic fields. When using a mobile telephone inside a motor vehicle without a proper connection to an integrated vehicle telephone antenna, the personal exposure to electromagnetic fields will be higher than when using the mobile telephone while properly connected to an integrated or other outside vehicle telephone antenna.
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional hands-free system that will permit many of the features of compatible Bluetooth® enabled mobile telephones to be used for greater convenience and is consistent with the laws of an increasing number of states and localities that prohibit the use of mobile telephones without some kind of hands-free device.
The hands-free system in your vehicle can be used with certain mobile phones that are connected by wire and hardware connector or via compatible Bluetooth® enabled phones with a cradle that is designed to fit your mobile telephone. The special cradle offers several advantages: The phone cradle must be safely secured to the base plate. Your phone is firmly attached to the instrument panel and is within reach at all times. Placing the phone in its cradle permits it to be charged, but more importantly connects the mobile phone to the vehicle's outside antenna. A mobile telephone that is properly connected to the integrated or other outside vehicle telephone antenna will lower the personal exposure to electromagnetic fields. You should also experience a better quality of service. Although a mobile telephone can be used inside your vehicle without a cradle, the phone will not be securely attached to the vehicle, will not be charged through the cradle wiring, and more importantly will not be connected to the vehicle's integrated telephone antenna. The mobile phone will also not be recharged. You might also experience more dropped calls and an overall impaired quality of the connection.
Therefore we strongly recommend that you use your mobile telephone in your vehicle only when it is properly attached to an appropriate cradle mounted on a base plate on the instrument panel.
Because of the large number and variety of mobile telephones on the market and the frequency with which new models are introduced, Volkswagen does not offer cradles for mobile telephones. Please check with the manufacturer of the mobile telephone that you plan to use.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth® SIG, Inc.
WARNING
A mobile phone on the seat, instrument panel or in other places can be thrown around the inside of the vehicle during a sudden braking maneuver, a crash or other accident and injure vehicle occupants.
x Never place or attach accessories or other objects (such as cup holders, telephone brackets, note pads, navigation systems, large, heavy or bulky objects) on the doors, on the windshield, over or near the area marked “AIRBAG” on the steering wheel, instrument panel, backrests or between these areas and the occupant. Such objects could cause serious injury in a collision, especially if an airbag inflates.

WARNING
Using a mobile phone or CB radio inside the vehicle without a properly installed and separate outside antenna can be dangerous to your health and that of your passengers because the electromagnetic radiation energy that mobile phones and CB radios emit may be above established limits. This also applies if the outside antenna is not installed properly.
x Always keep the mobile phone antenna at least 8 in. (20 cm) away from pacemakers. Heart specialists advise that mobile phones can adversely affect the way pacemakers work.
x Never carry a mobile phone that is switched on in the breast pocket directly over a pacemaker.
x If you suspect there may be interference with a pacemaker or other medical device, switch the mobile phone off immediately.

Lights up Possible cause Proper response
B
Engine control/monitoring system malfunction (engine Malfunction Indicator Light - MIL)
Ease off the accelerator. Carefully drive to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Have engine checked.

Flashes Possible cause Proper response
B Misfire, which can damage the catalytic converter.
Ease off the accelerator. Carefully drive to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Have engine checked.
When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function check. They go out after a few seconds.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
As long as the indicator lights B or %0# are on, expect engine malfunctions, increased fuel consumption, and loss of engine efficiency.
Catalytic converter

WARNING
Improperly lifting your vehicle with a workshop hoist or a floor jack can cause the vehicle to fall off and cause serious personal injury.
x Always read and heed the operating instructions from the floor jack manufacturer and legal regulations if necessary before using the floor jack to lift the vehicle.
x Never let anyone stay in the vehicle when it is being lifted or when it is off the ground.
x Always lift your vehicle only at the designated lift points shown in the illustrations
⇒ fig. 161 and ⇒ fig. 162. Not using the designated lift points can cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack when heavy parts such as the engine or transmission are removed.
x Always make sure that the vehicle's lift points lie as flat as possible and centered on the carrier plates of the floor jack.
x Never start the engine when you have raised the vehicle on the floor jack. The engine vibrations and vehicle movements could knock the vehicle off the floor jack.
x If you must work under a vehicle raised on a floor jack, always make sure that the vehicle is safely supported on safety stands intended for that purpose that are strong enough to support the weight of the vehicle.
x Never use the floor jack as a ladder or step ladder.
x Always make sure that the weight of the vehicle is not heavier than the lifting capacity of the floor jack and safety stands being used.
NOTICE
x To help prevent serious vehicle damage, never lift the vehicle by the engine oil pan, transmission housing, or by the front or rear axles or suspension.
x To help prevent damage to the underbody or chassis, always insert a rubber pad between the hoist and the lifting points. In addition make sure the lifting arms have enough clearance.
x The lifting arms should not touch side sills or other parts of the vehicle.

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.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common sense.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter get very hot. They can cause fires and serious personal injury.
x 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.
The vehicle battery will be drained if the emergency flashers are on for a long time – even if the ignition is switched off.

WARNING
Careless opening and closing of the doors, the CSC roof, the luggage compartment lid, and the power sunroof is dangerous and can cause serious personal injury.
x Open or close the doors, the CSC roof, the luggage compartment lid, and the power sunroof only when no one is in the way.
WARNING
Before using the emergency procedure to close the CSC roof, park the vehicle as far away from moving traffic as possible. If necessary, switch on the emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle. Obey all applicable legal requirements.
NOTICE
If the vehicle's battery fails or the power windows won't work, the door windows are not lowered when the door is opened or closed. Always close and open the door carefully to help prevent damage to the window, the paint, or the rubber seal.
NOTICE
x Before using the emergency procedure to close the CSC roof and while doing it, check the area behind the vehicle for possible obstacles and make sure there is enough room to avoid damage. Rear lid assist does not work before and during the emergency closing procedure.
x Never close the CSC roof if the car is on a workshop hoist, parked with one side on a curb, or raised on a car jack or jackstands.
NOTICE
To help prevent vehicle damage, carefully remove and properly reinstall parts after emergency locking or unlocking.

Volkswagen recommends having the work performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Do not attempt to push the deployed rollover supports back down unless this is absolutely necessary. When the CSC roof is down, the deployed rollover supports push against the CSC roof and are under considerable tension. For this reason, a lot of strength is required to push and hold the supports down, and you must assume a very uncomfortable position while doing so:
x Push the release lever ⇒ fig. 174 (1) in the direction of the arrow (2) and hold it in this position.
x Then, push down the top part of the rollover support down about 11.8 inches (30 cm) (3) and let go of the release lever (1).
x Make sure that nobody touches the release lever when the support is pushed down the rest of the way.
x Push the support down completely until it locks into place.
WARNING
Stowing the deployed rollover supports can be dangerous and can lead to serious injury.
x Do not try to push the rollover support back down if there is any object in its channel. A foreign object can keep the rollover support system from working or locking properly or cause it to deploy unexpectedly.
x The rollover protection supports must properly lock into place after being stowed. Otherwise, they can deploy unexpectedly.
Emergency release for the selector lever lock

Fig. 175 Removing the selector gate cover.

WARNING
Changing a wheel, especially on the side of the road, can be dangerous. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x 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.
x 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).
x Turn on the emergency flashers and set up another warning device about 25 yards (25 meters) behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
x Change a wheel by yourself only if you are familiar with the necessary steps. Otherwise, get expert assistance.
x 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.
x 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.
x Always block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel being changed with chocks or other similar things.
x 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 unintentionally.
x Always use proper and undamaged tools when changing a wheel.
x Once a wheel is lifted off the ground, having the transmission in Park (P) or in gear will not prevent sudden vehicle movement.
x 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.
x To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen the screws on rims with threaded rim rings.
x After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked with an accurate torque wrench.
x After changing a wheel or tire, reset the Tire Pressure Monitoring System ⇒ page Error! Bookmark not defined., Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and recalibration with the SET button.
Preparations for changing a wheel