weight VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 2012 Owners Manual

Before the journey
Before setting off
Driving tips
CO Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Preparing for a journey and driving safely
Driving abroad ...................... .
Driving through water on roads ........ .
33 34
35
An engine and transmission guard may prove use-ful, depending on the conditions in which the vehi-cle is to be driven. An engine and transmission guard can reduce the risk of damage to the vehi-cle's underbody and engine oil sump, for example when driving over kerbs, driveways or unsurfaced roads. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recom-mends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose.
Additional Information and warnings:
• Sitting correctly and safely 61
• Transporting 125
• Starting the engine, changing gear and parking the vehicle 257
• Driving with respect for the environment =>page 278
• Consumer information 404
A WARNING
Driving under the Influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or narcotics can cause serious accidents and fatal Injuries.
• Alcohol, drugs, medication and narcotics can severely impair perception, reaction times and driving safety. This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle. Preparing for a journey and driving safely
l""""('n First read and observe the Introductory L-Wl Information and safety warnings th on page 33.
Checklist
Observe the following Information both before and during the journey to ensure your own safety and the safety of passengers and other road users
..( Check that all lights and turn signals are working properly.
Check the tyre pressure 367 and fuel level 340.
..( Ensure that you have a good, clear view through all of the windows.
..( Air intake to the engine must not be obstruc-ted, and the engine must not be covered with any kind of insulating materials th in ell Introduction on page 351.
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Secure any objects and luggage in the stowage compartments, the luggage corn-partment or on the roof 125 .
Ensure that you are able to operate the ped-als freely at all times .
Secure any children travelling in the vehicle in a restraint system suitable for their weight and size =>page 96.
Adjust the front seats, head restraints and mirrors properly in accordance with the size of the occupants 61.
Wear shoes that provide good grip for your feet when using the pedals.
The floor mat in the footwell on the driver side must leave the pedal area free and must be securely fastened .
Assume a correct sitting position before set-ling off and maintain this position while driv-ing. This also applies to all passengers =>page 61. ..
Before setting off 33

Checklist (Continued)
..( Fasten your seat belt correctly before set-ting off and keep it properly fastened throughout the journey. This also applies to all passengers 79 .
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Each vehicle occupant must sit in a seat of their own and must have their own seat belt.
Never drive if your driving ability is impaired, e.g. by medication, alcohol or drugs.
Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic, e.g. by passengers, telephone calls, opening menus and making adjust-ments to settings .
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Observe traffic regulations and speed limits.
Driving abroad
r-f'n First read and observe the introductory l.-J=.U information and safety warnings.& on page 33.
Checklist
In some countries, special safety standards and emissions-related regulations apply that the vehi-cle may not comply with. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that you visit your Volkswa-gen Commercial Vehicles dealer before travelling abroad to find out about any legal requirements and the following points concerning your destina-tion:
..( Does the vehicle need any technical modifi-cations for driving abroad, e.g. masking or switching the headlights over?
..( Are the necessary tools, diagnostic equip-ment and spare parts available for service and repair work?
..( Are there any Volkswagen Commercial Ve-hicles dealerships in the country of destina-tion?
..( For petrol engines: is unleaded petrol with the correct octane number available?
34 Before the journey
..( When travelling long distances, stop and take a break regularly-at least every 2 hours.
..( Secure animals in the vehicle using a sys-tem that is suitable for their weight and size.
A WARNING
Always observe current traffic regulations and speed limits, and think ahead when driv-Ing. Correct interpretation of a driving situa-tion can make the difference between reach-Ing your destination safely and having an ac-cident with serious Injuries.
W Regular servicing of your vehicle not only W maintains its value, it also ensures that your vehicle remains roadworthy and in perfect working order. Servicing work should therefore be carried out in accordance with the service schedule. Some work may have to be carried out before the due date of the next service if the vehicle is subjected to severe operating conditions. Severe operating conditions are, for example, regular stop and go driving, regular driving with a trailer and driving in areas with high levels of dust. Additional informa-tion is available from your Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership or qualified workshop. ..( For diesel engines: is diesel with a low sul-phur level available?
..( Are the correct engine oil 353 and other service fluids in accordance with the specifications of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles available in the destination coun-try?
..( Will the factory-fitted navigation system work with the navigation data available in the destination country?
..( Are special tyres necessary for travelling in the destination country?
CD
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is not re-sponsible for any vehicle damage which Is caused by low-quality fuel, inadequate servic-ing work or lack of availability of Genuine Parts.

Additional information and warnings:
• Sitting correctly and safely 61
• Child seats (accessories) 96
A WARNING
Assuming an Incorrect sitting position In the vehicle can Increase the risk of severe or fa-tal injuries during a sudden driving or brak-Ing manoeuvre, In the event of a collision or accident, or If the alrbags are triggered.
• The number of vehicle occupants must never exceed the number of seats with seat belts In the vehicle.
• All vehicle occupants must assume a cor-rect sitting position before setting off and maintain this position throughout the trip. This also applies to the fastening of seat belts.
• Always secure children in the vehicle in an authorised restraint system which is suita-ble for their height and page 61.
• Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion. Never place your feet on the seat or dash panel, for example, and never ride with your feet out the window. When you are sat like this, the airbag and
Mechanical controls on the front seats
Fig. 42 Front left-hand seat controls.
A WARNING (Continued)
seat belt cannot provide optimal protection and could actually increase the risk of injury during an accident.
A WARNING
Children who are not strapped in or who are not strapped in properly could sustain severe or fatal Injuries while the vehicle Is In motion.
• Never use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat.
• Always secure children in the vehicle in an authorised restraint system suitable for their height and weight.
• Always fasten children's seat belts cor-rectly and ensure that they assume a correct sitting position.
• Adjust the seat backrest to an upright po-sition If a child seat is to be used on this seat.
• Do not allow children to sit with their heads or any other body parts in the side air-bag's deployment zone.
• Make sure that the seat belt is correctly routed.
• Never allow children or babies to be trans-ported on someone's lap, or held in some-one's arms.
• Only ever fasten one child Into each child seat.
• Read and follow the instructions by the manufacturer of the child seat. Sitting correctly and safely

• Remove all protective covers from the seat rails =-page 133.
• Lift the 3-seat bench at the points shown =>Fig. 54 (arrows).
• Place the feet of the 3-seat bench into the slots so that the backrest is facing the rear of the vehi-cle.
• Adjust the backrest to an upright position.
• Make sure that the lever or the loop has re-turned to its original position. The red marking should no longer be visible.
• Pull the backrest to ensure that it is securely engaged.
• Insert the single seats and the central table into the seat rails and push them back.
• Lock the single seats and the central table se-curely in the seat rails.
• Place the removed covers on the open slots in the seat rails.
Drawers in the 3-seat bench
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Fig. 55 In the 3-seat bench: drawers.
1""111 First read and observe the Introductory L-lo:oJJ information and safety warnings & on page 72.
There are three drawers =-Fig. 55 in the 3-seat bench (Multivan), which can be accessed from the front and from the rear.
All drawers can be removed fully. Drawers can be stacked and stored in a stowage compartment.
Opening and closing the drawer from the front
• To open, press and hold the handle in the han-dle recess and pull up the cover in the same way you would for a "garage door". You can now ac-cess the drawer.
• To close, push the drawer in and press the cov-er down.
76 Before the journey
• Fit the luggage compartment cover.
• Fit the centre head restraint.
A wARNING
The 3-seat bench weighs approximately 90 kg and could cause serious Injuries due to its weight.
• Before removing and fitting it, please con-sider whether you can actually lift it.
CD
If you move or remove the 3-seat bench with the luggage compartment cover, the luggage compartment cover and Its holders could be damaged
m Additional force may have to be applied to W move the 3-seat bench if it has not been moved for a long lime. Opening and closing the drawer from the rear
• To open, hold the handle in the handle recess and pull the cover back. You can now access the drawer.
• To close, place the cover on the top with the re-taining lugs in the recess and press it down until it engages.
A WARNING
If the drawer Is left open it can hinder the cor-rect operation of the pedals. This can result In accidents and severe Injuries.
• Always keep the drawer closed while the vehicle is in motion. Otherwise the drawer or other items could fall Into the driver footwell and obstruct the pedals.

Seat belts
o:n Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Frontal collisions and the laws of physics 81
What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened their seat belts 82
Seat belt protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Using seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Fastening and unfastening seat belts . 84 Seat belt routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Belt height adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Automatic belt retractor and belt tensioner . . . 86
Service and disposal of belt tensioners . . 87
Check the condition of all seat belts regularly. If the belt webbing, belt connections, belt retractor or seat belt buckle become damaged, the seat belt in question should be replaced immediately by a qualified workshop=:.&. The qualified workshop must use correct spare parts that are compatible with the vehicle, equipment level and model year. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends us-ing a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose.
Additional information and warnings:
• Adjusting the seat position =:.page 61
• Seat functions, rear =>page 72
• Airbag system =>page 87
• Child seats (accessories) =:.page 96
• Integrated child seats =:.page 102
• Stowage =>page 150
• Seat functions, rear, Business =>page 182
• Seat functions, rear, California =:.page 193
• Cleaning and caring for the interior =:.page 388
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts =>page 394
A WARNING
Incorrectly fastened or unfastened seat belts increase the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Seat belts will only offer the optimum level of protection when they are fastened and used properly.
A WARNING (Continued)
• Seat belts are the most effective means of reducing the risk of serious and fatal injuries In the event of an accident. Seat belts must always be fastened properly when the vehicle Is In motion to protect the driver and all vehi-cle occupants.
• Before every trip, each vehicle occupant must adopt the correct sitting position, cor-rectly fasten the seat belt belonging to their seat and keep it fastened properly throughout the trip. This applies to all vehicle occupants and also In urban traffic.
• While the vehicle is in motion, secure all children travelling In the vehicle in a restraint system suitable for their weight and height. They must also wear correctly fastened seat belts =>page 96.
• Only start driving when all passengers have correctly fastened their seat belts.
• Only ever insert the latch plate into the buckle of the associated seat, and always en-sure that it engages properly. Using a buckle that does not belong to the seat that you are occupying reduces the level of protection and can lead to severe injuries.
• 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 unfasten the seat belt while the ve-hicle is in motion.
• Never allow more than one person to share the same seat belt.
• Never travel when children or babies are being carried on somebody's lap and fas-tened with the same belt.
• Never travel wearing loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat over a jacket). This could prevent the seat belts from fitting and functioning properly.
A WARNING
Damaged seat belts are very dangerous and can cause severe or fatal Injuries.
• Never damage the belt by trapping it in the door or in the seat mechanism. 11>
Sitting correctly and safely

Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 60 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall.
r"'''"'n First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 79.
The physical principles involved in a frontal colli-sion are relatively simple. Both the moving vehicle =>Fig. 60 and the passengers possess energy, which is known as "kinetic energy".
The higher the vehicle speed and the heavier the weight of the vehicle, the greater the amount of en-ergy that will have to be released in the event of an accident.
However, the most significant factor is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed doubles from approxi-mately 25 km/h (15 m ph) to approximately 50 km/h (31 mph), for example, the kinetic energy increa-ses by a factor of four.
The amount of kinetic energy depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the vehicle and passengers. The higher the speed and the heavier the weight, the greater the amount of ener-gy that will be released in the event of an accident.
Fig. 61 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle striking a brick wall.
Passengers not wearing seat belts are not connec-ted to the vehicle. In the event of a frontal collision they will continue to move forwards at the same speed at which the vehicle was travelling before impact, until something stops them. Because the passengers in our example are not restrained by seat belts, the entire amount of kinetic energy will only be released at the point of impact against the wall =>Fig. 61.
Even at speeds of approximately 30 km/h (18 mph) to approximately 50 km/h (31 mph), the forces act-ing on bodies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1 ,000 kg). These forces are even greater at higher speeds.
This example applies not only to frontal collisions, but to all accidents and collisions. Sitting correctly and safely 81

Fig. 62 An unbelted driver is thrown forwards.
r--()1 First read and observe the introductory L-.lo:-U information and safety warnings & on page 79.
Many people believe that they can brace their weight with their hands in a minor collision. This is not true.
Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great that occupants cannot brace themselves with their arms and hands. In a frontal collision, vehicle occupants who have not fastened their seatbelts will be thrown forward and will make unchecked contact with parts of the vehi-cle interior, e.g. the steering wheel, dash panel, or windscreen =:-Fig. 62.
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. When triggered, the airbags only provide ad-ditional protection. Airbags are not triggered in all kinds of accidents. Even if the vehicle is equipped with an airbag system, all vehicle occupants, in-
Before the Journey
Fig. 63 The unbelted rear passenger is thrown forwards, hitting the belted driver.
eluding the driver, must fasten their seat belt and wear it correctly while the vehicle is in motion. This reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident-regardless of whether an airbag is fitted for the seat.
Each airbag can only be triggered once. To ach-ieve best possible protection, seat belts must al-ways be worn properly. This also ensures that pro-tection is provided in accidents in which the airbag is not triggered. Any vehicle occupants not wearing a seat belt can be thrown out of the vehicle and sustain more severe or even fatal injuries as a re-sult.
11 is also important for the rear seat occupants to wear seat belts properly, as they could otherwise be thrown forwards violently in an accident. Rear passengers who are not wearing seat belts endan-ger not only themselves and the driver, but also other people in the vehicle =:-Fig. 63.

A WARNING
The front passenger front airbag should only be switched off in exceptional circumstances.
• To prevent damage to the airbag system, only switch the front passenger front airbag on and off when the ignition is switched off.
• lt is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key-operated switch is set to the cor-rect position.
Combined curtain and side airbags
Fig. 74 On the side of the front seat: location of the combined curtain and side airbag.
l""'"'fl1 and observe the introductory L-.lr:J.J mformat1on and safety warnings & on page 87.
The combined curtain and side airbags are located in the outer seat backrest cushions of the driver seat and front passenger seat =:oFig. 74. The loca-tions of the airbags are shown by labels with the word "AIRBAG". The area marked red =:oFig. 75 defines the deployment zone of the combined cur-tain and side airbag.
During a side collision, the combined curtain and side airbags will be deployed on the vehicle's side of impact, reducing the risk of injury to the areas of the vehicle occupants' bodies facing the impact.
A WARNING
Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.
• Always keep the deployment zones of the combined curtain and side airbags clear.
94 Before the journey
A WARNING (Continued)
• Only switch the front passenger front air-bag off if, In exceptional circumstances, a child seat has to be attached to the front pas-senger seat.
• Switch the front passenger front alrbag back on again as soon as the child seat on the front passenger seat is no longer being used.
Fig. 75 Schematic diagram: deployment range of the combined curtain and side airbag on left side of vehicle
A WARNING (Continued)
• No other people, animals or objects may be carried between the occupants of the front seats and the airbag deployment zone. Make sure that children and passengers also keep to this rule.
• The built-in coat hooks should only be used for lightweight clothing. Do not leave any heavy or sharp objects In the pockets.
• Do not fit any accessories to the doors.
• Do not fit seat covers or protective covers over the seats unless they have been ex-pressly approved for use In the vehicle. Oth-erwise the combined curtain and side alrbag may not be able to deploy If lt has been trig-gered.
• Only push the sunblinds over to the side windows if there are no Items attached to them, e.g. pens. .,..

A wARNING
Incorrect use of the driver and front passen-ger seat could hinder the proper function of the combined curtain and side airbags and cause serious injury.
• Never remove the front seats from the ve-hicle or alter any components of these seats.
Curtain airbags
A WARNING (Continued)
• If too much pressure is applied to the back rest side bolster, the combined curtain and side airbags may not be triggered cor-rectly, may not trigger at all or may trigger unexpectedly.
• Any damage to the original seat uphols-tery or around the seams of the combined curtain and side airbag units must be re-paired immediately by a qualified workshop. Fig. 76 Location and deployment zone of the curtain airbags on the left side of the vehicle.
r-111 First read and observe the introductory l..-W information and safety warnings & on page 87.
In the passenger compartment, there is a curtain airbag above each of the doors =>Fig. 76. The air-bag location is identified by the text "AIRBAG".
The area in the red frame =>Fig. 76 is covered by the curtain airbag when triggered (deployment zone). For this reason, you must never leave or at-tach any items in this area => &.
In a side collision the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact side of the vehicle. The airbag covers the side windows and door pillars.
In a side collision, the curtain airbags reduce the risk of injury to the areas of the body facing the im-pact for passengers in the outer seats of the sec-ond and third row of seats.
A WARNING
Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.
• Always leave the deployment zones of the curtain alrbags clear.
• Never secure any items to the cover or in the deployment zone of the curtain airbag.
• Vehicle occupants sitting on the front seats and rear outer seats must never carry any people, pets or objects in the deployment zone between themselves and the airbags. Make sure that children and passengers also keep to this rule.
• The built-in coat hooks should only be used for lightweight clothing. Do not leave any heavy or sharp objects in the pockets.
• Do not fit any accessories onto the sliding doors.
• Do not install any sun blinds onto the side windows unless they have been expressly approved for use In your vehicle. Sitting correctly and safely 95

Child seats (accessories)
ClJJ Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Basic information on fitting and using child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Types of child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Securing systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Securing a child seat with ISOFIX . . . . . . . . . . 100 Securing child seats with the upper strap (top tether) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 01 Securing child seats with a seat belt . . . . . . . . 102
Using child seats can reduce the risk of Injury to the child if there is an accident. Always use child seats when driving with children.
Note the following:
• Child seats are classified into groups depend-ing on the size, age and weight of child for which they are designed.
• Various securing systems are used to secure child seats in the vehicle.
For safety reasons child seats should always be fit-ted to the rear seats. They should only be fitted to the front passenger seat in exceptional cases.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends us-ing child seats from Volkswagen's range of acces-sories. These child seats have been developed and approved for use in Volkswagen vehicles.
Additional information and warnings:
• Seat belts 79
• Airbag system 87
• Integrated child seats 102
A WARNING
If children are not secured or are inadequate-ly secured, they are at greater risk of serious or even fatal injury. Please note the following:
• Children who are either under 12 years of age or less than 150 cm tall must not be car-ried In the vehicle if they are not secured In a suitable child seat while the vehicle Is In mo-tion. Regulations in some countries may dif-fer, and must be complied with.
96 Before the journey
A WARNING (Continued)
• Always secure children in the vehicle in a suitable child seat. The seat used must be ap-propriate to the child's height, weight and age.
• Never fasten more than one child Into one child seat.
• Under no circumstances should children or babies be held in a passenger's or drivers lap while driving.
• Never leave a child unsupervised in a child seat.
• Never allow a child to be carried In a vehi-cle without being properly secured, and nev-er allow a child to stand up or to kneel on a seat, or to sit Incorrectly while the car is In motion. This is particularly Important for chil-dren carried on the front passenger seat. In an accident, children may sustain serious In-juries to themselves and others.
• The child seat can only provide maximum protection if the seat belt Is routed correctly around it. Always ensure that the seat belt is routed as specified In the instructions provi-ded by the child seat manufacturer. If the seat belt is routed Incorrectly it may cause injuries even in a minor accident.
• After an accident, it Is vital to replace any child seats that were in use during the acci-dent, as they could have sustained non-visi· ble damage.
m The standards and regulations governing the l!..J use of child seats and child seat securing mechanisms differ from country to country. Not all countries allow you to transport children on the front passenger seat. Legislation and legal require-ments take precedence over the information given in this owner's manual.
m If a child seat is used on a single seat with l!..J Easy Entry function, the seats located behind that seat are difficult to access. Therefore, a child seat should be used on another rear seat, if possi-ble.