maintenance VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 2012 Owner's Guide

m Suitable care products are available from a W Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership. Handling seat covers
r--f'n First read and observe the introductory L-J,::.U Information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Checklist
Please note the following for the cleaning and maintenance of the seat covers =>Q):
v' Before getting into the vehicle, close all Vel-era fasteners that could touch the cloth seat covers and fabric trims. Open Velcro fasten-ers can cause damage to cloth seat covers and fabric trims.
v' Avoid the direct contact of sharp-edged items and accessories to the upholstery and fabric trims in order to prevent damage. Ac-cessories include zips, studs, rhinestones on clothing or belts.
v' Dust and grit in upholstery pores, folds and seams should be removed regularly so that no lasting damage is caused to the surface of the seats by scratching.
v' Always check whether garments are colour-fast to prevent damage to the upholstery. This is especially important for light-col-oured upholstery.
CD
Ignoring any ofthe items on this important checklist for maintaining the seat covers can lead to damage or discolouration of the seat covers and fabric trims.
• Follow the Instructions on the checklist.
m Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recom-l!.J mends that stained upholstery is cleaned by a specialist company. Cleaning cloth seat covers, fabric trim and Alcantara® upholstery
r--f'n First read and observe the introductory L-J,::.IJ information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Cleaning upholstery on seat cushions with seat heating, electrically adjustable seats, or seats containing airbag components
Airbag-related components and electrical connec-tors may be installed in the driver seat, passenger seat and sometimes also in the rear outer seats. Seat cushions or backrests that are damaged, in-correctly cleaned or treated, or that become wet, may cause damage to the vehicle electrics or trig-ger a fault in the airbag system => &.
Electrical components and connectors are installed in electrically adjustable seats and seat cushions with seat heating. These can be damaged if cleaned or treated incorrectly =>Q). This can also result in damage to other parts of the vehicle elec-trics.
To avoid this please follow these cleaning guide-lines:
• Do not use high-pressure cleaners, steam cleaners or coolant spray.
• Do not use washing paste or fine detergent sol-utions.
• Avoid getting the seat wet.
• Only use detergents that have been approved by Volkswagen.
• If in doubt, consult a specialist cleaning compa-ny.
Cleaning upholstery on seat cushions without seat heating, seats that are not electrically adjustable, and seats that do not contain airbag components
• Please read and follow the instructions, notes and warnings on the package before using clean-ing products.
• Upholstery, fabric trims, Alcantara® seat covers and carpeting should be cleaned regularly with a vacuum cleaner (brush).
• Do not use high-pressure cleaners, steam cleaners or coolant spray.
Vehicle care and maintenance 389

• We recommend that you use a soft sponge or commercially available lint-free microfibre cloth for cleaning jobs
• Clean Alcantara® surfaces with a slightly damp cotton or woollen cloth or a commercially available lint-free microfibre cloth
General surface soiling of the upholstery and fabric trim can be cleaned with a commercially available foam cleaner.
If the upholstery and fabric trims are generally heavily soiled, consult a Volkswagen dealership for information on suitable cleaning methods before attempting any cleaning. If required, take the vehi-cle to a specialist cleaning company.
Treating stains
When treating stains, it may be necessary to clean the entire surface and not just the stain itself. This particularly applies if the surface shows general signs of wear. The cleaned area could otherwise be lighter than the surrounding area. If in doubt, consult a specialist cleaning company.
Type of stain Recommended cleaning method for seat cushions and upholstery
Water-based stains, e.g. cof-fee, fruit juice. -Moisten a sponge using water from a spray bottle and treat the stain by wiping in a circular motion. -Wipe clean with an absorbent, dry cloth.
Stubborn stains, e.g. choco--Only use detergents that have been approved by Volkswagen. late, foundation. -If required, have the upholstery cleaned by a specialist cleaning compa-ny.
Oily stains, e.g. oil, lipstick. -Only use detergents that have been approved by Volkswagen. -If required, have the upholstery cleaned by a specialist cleaning compa-ny.
A WARNING CD
If there is a fault in the airbag system, the air-bag may not trigger correctly, may not trigger at all or may trigger unexpectedly. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.
• The airbag system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Q)
If the upholstery on electrically adjustable seats or on seat cushions containing airbag components gets wet, electric components and the vehicle electrics could be damaged.
• Wet seat cushions should be promptly dried out, and their system components checked, at a qualified workshop.
• Do not use steam cleaners as the steam pushes the soiling into the fabric and sets it.
390 Cleaning and maintenance
• High-pressure cleaners and coolant sprays can damage the upholstery.
Q)
• Brushes should be used on carpets and mats only. Other surfaces could be damaged by brushes.
• When washing paste or fine detergent solu-tions are applied with a damp cloth or sponge, visible edges may appear on the upholstery once it has dried. This can be due to substan-ces such as surfactants. These edges are usu-ally difficult or even Impossible to remove.
Q)
• Do not soak Alcantara® under any circum-stances.
• Do not use leather care products, solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, stain removers or sim-ilar products on Alcantara®.
• Do not use brushes if cleaning with liquids. This could damage the surface of the material.

Cleaning and caring for natural leather covers
r-f"'n First read and observe the introductory L-.I.::.U information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Please contact a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership or other qualified workshop if you have any questions on cleaning and caring for the leath-er equipment in your vehicle.
Care and use
Natural leather is sensitive as it does not have a uniform coating of dye.
• Use a leather cream with sunlight protection and impregnation properties on a regular basis and always after cleaning. The cream nourishes the leather, keeps it breathable and supple and repla-ces lost moisture. lt also protects the surface.
• Leather should be cleaned every 2 to 3 months and fresh stains removed.
Type of stain Cleaning
• Treat the leather with a special leather care product every six months
• Apply cleaning and care products sparingly.
• Remove fresh stains such as ink, ball-point pen ink, lipstick, shoe cream etc. as quickly as possi-ble.
• Look after the pigment. Use a special coloured leather cream to refresh the colour where necessa-ry.
• Wipe it off with a soft cloth.
Cleaning
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that you use a damp cotton or wool cloth for gener-al cleaning purposes.
Do not let the water soak through the leather or soak into the seams.
Stubborn stains -Wring out the cloth thoroughly before use and apply a mild soap solu-tional. -Dry with an absorbent, dry cloth.
Water-based stains, e.g. cof--Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth. fee, tea, juice, blood etc. -If the stain has already dried, use a suitable cleaning agent
Oily stains, e.g. oil, lipstick etc. -Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth. -Use a suitable cleaning product for stains that are not yet on the surface
-Treat dry stains with a grease-removing spray
Difficult stains, e.g. biro, felt tip pen, nail varnish, emul-sion paint. shoe polish etc.
-Dry with an absorbent, dry cloth. -Clean with a suitable leather stain remover.
•I Mild soap solut1on: 2 tablespoons of neutral soap diluted in 1 lilre of water
CD
• Do not use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, spot removers or similar products on leather.
• Stains cannot be removed if they has been left on the leather for a long time and have pe-netrated the surface.
• Spilt liquids should be cleaned immediately using an absorbent cloth as the leather surface and the stitching absorb liquids quickly.
CD
• If the car is left standing outdoors for long periods, the leather should be protected against direct sunlight to prevent it from fad-Ing.
m However, slight colour variations will arise in W normal use. Vehicle care and maintenance 391

Cleaning leatherette upholstery
,......-('n First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Only use water and neutral detergents to clean the ieatherette upholstery.
CD
Do not use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, spot removers or similar products on the leath-erette upholstery. These may cause the materi-al to become hard and brittle prematurely. Cleaning stowage compartments, drink holders and ash trays
,......-('n First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Cleaning stowage compartments and drink holders
Some stowage compartments and drink holders have a removable rubber insert in the base.
• Moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with water and clean the parts.
• If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a special solvent-free plastic cleaning product.
Cleaning the ashtray
• Remove and empty the ashtray.
• Wipe the ashtray with a cloth to clean it.
To clean the snuffer, use a toothpick or similar ob-ject to pick out the ashes. Cleaning and caring for the dash panel, wooden trims and plastic parts
,......-('n First read and observe the introductory Information and safety warnings & on page 388.
• Moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with water and clean the parts.
• Treat plastic parts (inside and outside the vehi-cle) and the dash panel with a special solvent-free plastic cleaning and care product that has been approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
""'&.
• Treat wooden trims with a mild soap solution.
Cleaning seat belts
,......-('n First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Large particles of dirt on the automatic belt prevent it from roiling back properly and thus from working effectively.
The seat belts must never be removed for cleaning purposes.
3921 Cleaning and maintenance
A WARNING
Cleaning agents that contain solvents cause the surface of the airbag modules to become porous. In an accident that triggers the air-bag, loose plastic parts can cause serious in-jury.
• Never clean the dash panel or the airbag covers with cleansers that contain solvents. • Remove dirt with a soft brush ,., &.
• Carefully pull the dirty seat belt right out and leave it out.
• Clean the seat belt with a mild soap solution.
• Allow the seat belt fabric to dry completely.
• Do not allow the seat belt to roil up until it has dried completely. 11>

A wARNING
Check the condition of all seat belts regularly. If the belt webbing or any other part of the seat belt becomes damaged have it removed and replaced immediately by a qualified workshop. Damaged seat belts are very dan-gerous and can cause severe or fatal injuries.
• Never use chemical cleaning agents on the seat belts or their components. Further-more the seat belts may not come Into con-tact with corrosive fluids, solvents or sharp objects. These could considerably weaken the webbing.
• After cleaning, allow seat belts to dry completely before rolling them up. Otherwise the automatic belt retractors could become damaged and thus Impair their function.
Cleaning cool box
)""""'('n First read and observe the Introductory L.-J,:,JJ Information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Cleaning seat rails
)""""'('n First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 388.
Clean the surface of the seat rails on a regular ba-sis
• Use a narrow nozzle on a vacuum cleaner to remove sand, dirt etc. from the seat rails.
Cleaning opaque shades
)""""'('n First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 388.
For the best cleaning results have the opaque shades dry cleaned.
A WARNING (ConUnued)
• Avoid allowing foreign bodies or liquids to enter the slot for the seat belt buckle. This could prevent the belt buckle and seat belt from working properly.
• Never try to repair, modify or remove the seat belts yourself.
• Damaged seat belts must be replaced im-mediately with new seat belts approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for your ve-hicle type. Seat belts subjected to stress and stretched during an accident must be re-placed by a qualified workshop. Renewal may be necessary even if there is no apparent damage. The belt anchorage should also be checked.
• Clean the cool box with a household detergent before using it for the first time and whenever it needs cleaning.
• To prevent mould and mildew from forming in the cool box when it is not being used for long peri-ods, place a folded dry towel between the box and its lid.
CD
If seats are moved when the seat rails are soiled, the seat rails and the seat feet could be damaged.
Please refer to the information on the labels sewn into the opaque shades before cleaning in a wash-ing machine.
Vehicle care and maintenance 393

Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts
o::n Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Running-in 394
Accessories and replacement parts 395 Service fluids and consumables . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Repairs and technical modifications . . . . . . . . 396
Repairs and faults in the airbag system . . . . . 397
Retrofitting two-way radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Information stored in the control units . . . . . . . 398 Using a mobile telephone in the vehicle without a connection to the external aerial . . 399
Vehicle lifting points 401
Additional information and warnings:
• Seat belts '*page 79
• Airbag system '*page 87
• Towing a trailer 139
• Ashtray and cigarette lighter 161
• Electrical sockets 163
• Braking, stopping and parking '*page 269
• Pull-away assist systems 282
• ParkPilot 287
• Reversing camera (Rear Assist) '*page 291
• Cruise control system (CCS) 295
• Driver Alert System 315
• Tyre monitoring system 318
• Preparation for working in the engine compart-ment page 350
• Engine oil 353
• Engine coolant '*page 358
• Battery 362
Running-in
r--('n First read and observe the introductory L-J.:.lJ information and safety warnings & on page 394.
Please follow the regulations concerning running-in new parts.
394 I Cleaning and maintenance
• Cleaning and caring for the vehicle exterior 380
• Cleaning and caring for the interior 388
• Consumer information 404
• Radio, provision for mobile tele-phone, infotainment system, navigation system
A WARNING
Unsuitable spare parts and accessories, In-correctly carried out work, modifications and repairs can lead to damage to the vehicle and cause accidents and serious Injuries.
• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles strongly recommends you use only approved Volks-wagen accessories and Volkswagen Genuine Parts®. These parts and accessories have been specially tested by Volkswagen Com-mercial Vehicles for suitability, reliability and safety.
• Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified workshop. Qualified workshops have the nec-essary tools, diagnostic equipment, repair In-formation and qualified personnel.
• Never fit parts to your vehicle that are In any way different from the factory-fitted parts.
• Never secure or mount objects such as drink holders or telephone holders on or next to the airbag covers or within the deployment zone of the airbag.
• Only use rim/tyre combinations which have been approved by Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles for your vehicle type. Running in a new engine
Any new engine has to be run in during the first 1 ,500 kilometres. During its first few hours of run-ning, the internal friction in the engine is greater than later on when all the moving parts have bed-ded down.
The style of driving during the first 1 ,500 kilometres will also affect the engine quality. Even after this time-and especially with a cold engine-drive the .,.

vehicle at moderate speeds in order to reduce en-gine wear and to increase the mileage that the en-gine can cover. Do not drive at engine speeds that are too low. Always shift down gear if the engine is not running smoothly. The following applies up to 1,000 kilometres:
• Do not depress the accelerator fully.
• Do not drive the vehicle at more than 2/3 of the top engine speed.
• Do not drive with a trailer attached.
Accessories and replacement parts
r-1'11 First read and observe the introductory l-J,:::JJ information and safety warnings & on page 394.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that you seek advice from a Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles dealership before purchasing acces-sories, spare parts or service fluids. For example, if the vehicle is to be retrofitted with accessories or if parts have to be renewed. Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicle dealerships can recommend accesso-ries, parts and service fluids which are suitable for your requirements. They can also answer any questions you might have regarding official regula-tions.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends you use only approved Volkswagen accessories and Volkswagen Genuine Parts®. These parts and accessories have been specially tested by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for suitability, re-liability and safety. A Volkswagen Commercial Ve-hicles dealership is also qualified for correct instal-lation.
Although the market is constantly scrutinised, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles cannot assume responsibility for the reliability, safety and suitability of products Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has not approved. Volkswagen Commercial Vehi-cles can therefore assume no responsibility for these parts, even if they have been approved by an official testing agency or are covered by an offi-cial approval certificate.
Service fluids and consumables
r-1'11 First read and observe the introductory l-J,:::JJ information and safety warnings & on page 394.
From 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres, gradually in-crease driving performance to top speed and high-est engine speed.
Running in new tyres and brake pads
• New wheels and tyres =>page 367
• Information on the brakes =>page 272
r:lib If the engine is run in gently, the life of the en-W gine will be increased and its oil consumption
Any retro-fitted equipment which has a direct ef-fect on the vehicle and/or the way it is driven must be approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for use in your vehicle and bear the e mark (the European Union's authorization symbol). These devices include cruise control systems or an elec-tronically controlled suspension.
Any additional electrical components fitted that do not serve to control the vehicle itself must bear the ,A WARNING
Incorrectly performed repairs or modifica-tions to your vehicle can impair the effective-ness of the airbags, cause faults, accidents and fatal injury.
• Never secure or mount objects such as drink holders, telephone holders either on or next to the airbag covers or within the de-ployment zone of the airbag.
• Objects either on or next to the airbag module covers or are in the deployment zone of the airbags can cause serious or even fatal injuries should the airbags be activated.
All service fluids and consumables, e.g. toothed belts, tyres, coolant, engine oil, spark plugs and vehicle batteries, are being constantly developed. For this reason, service fluids and consumables
Vehicle care and maintenance I 395

should be replaced at a qualified workshop. Volks-wagen Commercial Vehicles dealers are kept up to date with regard to any changes.
A WARNING
Unsuitable service fluids and consumables, and the Incorrect use of these fluids and con-sumables, can cause accidents, serious inju-ries, burns or poisoning.
• Service fluids must be kept In their origi-nal sealed container.
• Never store service fluids In empty food containers, bottles or any other non-original containers as people finding these containers could drink them.
• Keep children away from all service fluids and consumables.
• Always read and follow the Information and warnings on the service fluid packaging.
Repairs and technical modifications
.....-T'n First read and observe the Introductory l-J,::JJ Information and safety warnings & on page 394.
Repairs and modifications must always be car-ried out according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles specifications =:ob:,!
Unauthorised modifications to the electronic com-ponents or software in the vehicle may cause faults. As the electronic components are linked to-gether in networks. other systems may be affected by the faults. This can seriously impair safety, lead to excessive wear of components, and also invalid-ate the type approval for the vehicle.
The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer can-not be held liable for any damage caused by tech-nical modifications and/or work performed incor-rectly.
The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer can-not be held liable for any damage caused by tech-nical modifications and/or work performed incor-rectly. This is also not covered by the Volkswagen guarantee.
3961 Clt!aning and maintenance
A WARNING (Continued)
• When using products that give off harmful fumes, always work outdoors or In a well-ventilated area.
• Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other volatile fluids for vehicle care. They are toxic and highly flam-mable. They could cause fires and explo-sions.
CD
• Only use suitable service fluids for refilling. Never use the wrong service fluid. Failure to observe this warning can result In serious mal-functions and engine damage.
• Optional equipment and other accessories In front of the air Inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. The engine may overheat at high ambient temperatures and high engine loads.
Leaking service fluids can pollute the envi-C!IS ronment. Spilt service fluids must be collec-ted in suitable containers and disposed of properly and with respect for the environment. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that all repairs and technical modifications be per-formed by an authorised Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles workshop using Volkswagen Genuine Parts®.
Vehicles with special auxiliary equipment or body parts
The manufacturer of these components must en-sure that these parts (fittings) adhere to the stipula-ted environmental laws and regulations, particular-ly the EU directive 2000/53/EC concerning end-of-life vehicles and EU directive 2003/11/EC concern-ing the restriction on the marketing and use of cer-tain dangerous substances and preparations.
The vehicle owner should keep all assembly docu-mentation for these auxiliary fittings, and pass it on to any scrapping company later engaged. This is to facilitate environmentally responsible disposal for all vehicles, Including refitted vehicles.
Windscreen repairs
To function properly, some items of equipment re-quire a camera or sensor, which Is located on the inside of the windscreen near the interior mirror. If the windscreen in the viewing field of the camera ,..

or sensors has been damaged, e.g. by stone im-pact, the windscreen must be replaced. Repairing the crack can lead to malfunction or functional faults in the equipment.
After changing the windscreen, the camera and sensors must be set up and calibrated by a quali-fied workshop.
A WARNING
Incorrect repairs and modifications can cause functional problems and damage to the vehicle and impair the effectiveness of the driver assist systems. This can result In acci-dents and severe Injuries.
• Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified workshop. Repairs and faults in the airbag system
,....,..,. First read and observe the introductory l.-Jo:-11 Information and safety warnings&. on page 394.
Repairs and modifications must always be car-ried out according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles specifications"*&.!
Modifications and repairs to the front bumper, the doors, the front seats, the headliner, or the body-work should be carried out by a qualified work-shop. System components and airbag system sen-sors might be fitted on these vehicle components.
If you work on the airbag system or remove and in-stall parts of the system when performing other re-pair work, parts of the airbag system may be dam-aged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the airbag inflates incorrectly or does not inflate at all.
Regulations must be observed to ensure that the effectiveness of the airbags is not reduced and that removed parts do not cause any injuries or envi-ronmental pollution. Qualified workshops are famili-ar with these requirements.
Any modifications to the vehicle's suspension could prevent the airbag system from working properly during a collision. For example, using tyre/ rim combinations which have not been approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, lowering the vehicle, making modifications to the suspension rate including work on the springs, struts and shock absorbers could cause the forces which are measured by the airbag sensors and sent to the electronic control unit to change. Some changes to the suspension could cause the forces measured by the sensors to increase. This can lead to the airbag system being triggered in collision scenarios
where it normally would not be triggered if modifi-cations to the suspension had not been made. Other modifications can cause the forces meas-ured by the sensors to decrease. therefore pre-venting the airbag system from being triggered when it should have been.
A WARNING
Incorrect repairs and modifications can cause function problems and damage to the vehicle and Impair the effectiveness of the alrbag system. This can result In accidents and serious or even fatal injuries.
• Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified workshop.
• Alrbag modules cannot be repaired. They must be replaced.
• Never use recycled airbag components or components that have been taken from end-of-life vehicles In your vehicle.
A WARNING
Modifications to the vehicle's suspension, in-cluding the use of unsuitable tyre/rim combi-nations, can cause the alrbag system to work differently and increase the risk of serious or fatal injuries In the event of an accident.
• Never install any components in the sus-pension system that do not have the same characteristics as the original factory-fitted components.
• Never use tyre/rim combinations that have not been approved by Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles. Vehicle care and maintenance 397