oil level VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 2020 User Guide

Warning and indicator lamps
[Q First read and observe the Introductory information and safety warnings & on page 269.
Lit up Possible cause=>&
Handbrake is applied.
Brake system fault.
Brake fluid level is too low.
Together with ABS indicator lamp El: ABS not functioning.
-...-Brake pads worn .
ESC switched off by the system.
ESC fault.
In conjunction with ABS indicator lamp CS>: ABS fault.
Vehicle battery has been reconnected.
TCS switched off manually.
In conjunction with ESC indicator lamp
((oil ABS fault.
In conjunction with warning lamp ID: ABS not functioning.
Brake pedal not depressed.
Flashes Possible cause
'• ESCITCS is taking corrective action.
Trailer stabilisation controlled.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will go out after a few seconds.
A WARNING
Failure to observe illuminated warning lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and can cause acci-dent and serious injury.
270 I While driving
Solution
f; Do not drive on I Seek expert assistance immediately =>page 273.
a:. Do not drive on I Check the brake fluid level =>page 277.
Go to a qualified workshop. The vehicle can be braked without ABS.
Go to a qualified workshop immediately. All brake pads should be checked and renewed as necessary.
Switch the ignition on and off. If necessary, drive a short distance.
Go to a qualified workshop.
Go to a qualified workshop. The vehicle can be braked without ABS.
Drive a short distance at a speed of 15 -20 km/ h (10 -12 mph). if the indicator lamp remains lit up, the vehicle should be checked by a qualified workshop =>page 362.
Switch on TCS =>page 276. Switch on TCS au-tomatically by switching the ignition off and on.
Go to a qualified workshop. The vehicle can be braked without ABS.
To select a position, press the brake pedal.
Solution
Remove foot from accelerator pedal. Adapt driv-ing style to suit road conditions.
Remove foot from accelerator pedal. If possible, do not turn the steering wheel =>page 139.
A WARNING (Continued)
• Never ignore any illuminated warning lamps or text messages.
• Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.
A WARNING
Driving with poor brakes can result in acci-dents and serious injuries.

heavy load on the brakes should be avoided. For example, when driving too close to the vehicle ahead.
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under which the ve-hicle is operated and the way in which the vehicle is driven. With regular urban trips, short journeys and a sporty driving style, the brake pads must be checked by a qualified workshop more regularly than stated in the service schedule.
When driving with wet brakes, for example after driving through water, after heavy rainfall or after washing the vehicle, the braking effect may be de-layed as the brake discs will be wet, or possibly ic-ed up (in winter). The brakes must be "dried" as quickly as possible by careful braking at higher speed. Ensure that no vehicle behind you or no other road user is put at risk as a result of this ac-
Any salt layer accumulating on the discs and pads will delay the braking effect and increase the braking distance. If the brakes on the vehicle have not been applied for a long time on roads that have been gritted with salt, the layer of salt must be re-duced through careful braking &.
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt in the brake pads are facilitated through long periods of inactivi-ty, low mileage and low load levels. With inactivity or low use levels for the brake pads as well as cor-rosion, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recom-mends that the brake discs and brake pads be cleaned by braking strongly several times from high speed. Ensure that no vehicle behind you or no other road user is put at risk as a result of this
Fault in the brake system
A brake circuit may have failed if you have to re-duce speed and the vehicle does not brake as nor-mal (sudden increase in braking distance). This will be indicated by the warning lamp m and in some cases a text message. Go to the nearest qualified workshop immediately to have the fault corrected. Drive at low speed when doing this and anticipate much longer braking distances and an increase in the pressure required on the pedal.
Brake servo
The brake serve will only function when the engine is running and reinforces the pressure applied by the driver on the brake pedal.
If the brake serve is not functioning or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have to be de-pressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to the lack of assistance for the brake system &.
A WARNING
New brake pads will not have the optimal braking effect when first fitted.
• New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 300 km and must first be run In. A reduced braking effect can be Increased by applying more pressure to the brake pedal.
• You must drive particularly carefully when driving with new brake pads In order to re-duce the risk of accidents, serious Injuries and loss of control of the vehicle.
• Never drive too close to other vehicles when running in new brake pads, and never create a driving situation that will place a heavy load on the brakes.
A WARNING
Overheated brakes reduce the braking effect and considerably Increase the braking dis-tance.
• When driving downhill the brakes are placed under particular strain and become hot very quickly.
• Before driving down a long, steep gradi-ent, reduce speed and change to a lower gear or move the selector lever to a lower position. This will make use of the engine braking ef-fect and relieve the load on the brakes.
• Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the brakes and cause them to overheat.
A WARNING
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react more slowly and require longer braking distances.
• Carefully apply the brakes to test them.
• Always dry brakes and clean off any coat-Ing of Ice and salt with a few cautious appli-cations of the brake when visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
A WARNING
Driving without the brake servo can consider-ably Increase the braking distance and thus cause accidents and serious Injuries.
• Never allow the vehicle to roll if the engine Is switched off.
Starting the engine, changing gear and parking 273

Brake fluid
B7E.02AO
Fig. 225 In the engine compartment: cap on the brake fluid container.
r-111 First read and observe the Introductory l-Jr:,U Information and safety warnings&. on page 269.
Brake fluid will gradually absorb water from the surrounding air. The brake system will be damaged if there is too much water in the brake fluid. The boiling point of the brake fluid is also considerably reduced by the water content. Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock in the brake sys-tem if the water content is too high. Vapour locks reduce levels of braking power, considerably in-crease braking distance and can even cause the brake system to fail completely. Your own safety and that of other road users depends on having a brake system that functions properly at all times
Brake fluid specification
Volkswagen has developed a brake fluid that has been optimised for the brake system in the vehicle. To ensure optimal operation of the brake system, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends the use of brake fluid compliant with VW stand-ard 501 14.
Before using a particular brake fluid, check that the specifications printed on the container correspond to the vehicle requirements.
Brake fluid that is compliant with VW stand-ard 501 14 is available from Volkswagen Commer-cial Vehicles dealerships.
If this brake fluid is not available and it is necessa-ry to use another high-quality brake fluid instead, brake fluid that is compliant with DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 can be used.
Not all brake fluids that are compliant with DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 have the same chemical com-position. Some of these brake fluids may contain chemicals that can damage or destroy brake sys-tem components over time.
To ensure sustained optimal operation of the brake system, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles there-fore recommends the use of brake fluid that is compliant with VW standard 501 14.
Brake fluid that is compliant with VW stand-ard 501 14 fulfils the requirements of DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4.
Brake fluid level
The brake fluid level must always be between the MIN and MAX marking of the brake fluid container or above the MIN marking &.
The brake fluid level cannot be checked accurately in all models as engine components may partially conceal the brake fluid container. If the brake fluid level cannot be read exactly, please go to a quali-fied workshop.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehi-cle is being used as the brake pads wear and the brakes are automatically adjusted.
Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid must be changed as indicated in the service schedule Service schedule. The brake fluid should be changed by a qualified workshop. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles rec-ommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehi-cles dealership for this purpose. Only brake fluid that confonns with the required specification should be used.
A WARNING
Brake failure or reduced braking effect can be caused by the brake fluid level being too low or by brake fluid that Is too old or unsuitable.
• The brake system and brake fluid level must be checked regularly.
• The brake fluid should be changed regu-larly, according to the service schedule Service schedule.
• Heavy use of the brakes may cause a va-pour lock If the brake fluid Is left In the sys-tem for too long. Vapour locks reduce levels
Starting the engine, changing gear and parking I 277

Saving fuel
1/100 km
-10°C
+20 oc
L----------------tkm 5 15 25 30
en-o11S
Fig. 226 Fuel consumption in litres per 100 km at two different outside temperatures.
r-1"'11 First read and observe the Introductory Information and safety warnings&. on page 278.
By adopting an economical driving style and antici-pating the traffic situation ahead, you can easily re-duce fuel consumption by 10-15%.
Cars use most fuel when accelerating. If you think ahead when driving, you will need to brake less and thus accelerate less. Wherever possible, let the car roll slowly to a stop, for instance when you can see that the next traffic lights are red.
Avoid short journeys
Directly after a cold start, the engine has a very high fuel consumption. The engine reaches its working temperature after a few kilometres, when fuel consumption will return to a normal level.
The engine and catalytic converter need to reach their proper working temperature in order to mini-mise fuel consumption and emissions. The out-side temperature is a key factor.
The different rates of fuel consumption for the same distance at both +20"C (+68"F) and at -10"C (+14"F) are shown in Fig. 226.
Therefore, avoid making too many short journeys and car share whenever possible.
Under the same conditions, the vehicle will use more fuel in winter than in summer.
280 I While dnvmg
Not only is it illegal in some countries to "warm up" the cold engine by running it while the vehicle is stationary, it is also technically unnecessary and a waste of fuel.
Adjust the tyre pressure
The correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resist-ance and therefore also fuel consumption.
Ensure that any new tyres purchased have opti-mum rolling resistance.
Use low viscosity engine oils
Fully synthetic low viscosity engine oils reduce fuel consumption. Low viscosity engine oils decrease frictional resistance in the engine and spread bet-ter and more quickly, especially for cold starts. They are especially effective In vehicles that make alotofshortjourneys.
Always ensure that the engine oil level is correct and that you keep to the service intervals (oil change intervals).
When buying engine oil, always make sure it com-plies with engine oil norms and has been approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
Avoid unnecessary loads
Lighter vehicles are more economical and have lower environmental impact. An extra 100 kg, for example, can increase fuel consumption by up to 0.311100 km.
Remove all unnecessary objects and loads from the vehicle.
Remove any unnecessary special equipment and accessories
The more aerodynamic a vehicle, the lower its fuel consumption. Special equipment and accessories, such as roof carriers or bicycle carriers, make the vehicle less aerodynamic.
You should therefore remove any special equip-ment and luggage carriers that are not in use, es-pecially if you are going to be driving at high speeds.

A WARNING (Continued)
• Front Assist can Issue unnecessary warn-ings and carry out unwanted braking inter-ventions when Its function is Impaired, e.g. if the position of the radar sensor has been soiled or changed.
• The Front Assist does not react to per-sons, animals or vehicles crossing or ap-proaching In the same lane.
• The driver must be prepared to take full control of the vehicle at all times.
m The brake pedal feels "harder" when Front W Assist triggers the brakes.
Displays
A
m Automatic brake intervention by Front Assist W can be stopped by using the accelerator or through steering intervention.
m Deactivate Front Assist if it does not function W as described in this chapter, e.g. if multiple unwanted interventions occur, deactivate Front As-sist and have the system checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible. Volkswagen recom-mends using a Volkswagen dealership for this pur-pose. <1
BSG 0075
Fig. 244 In the instrument cluster display: Assist deactivated . ..!!. Distance warning lamp.
Fig. 245 The display in the instrument cluster: ad-vance warning display.
,....--m First read and observe the Introductory l.-.J,:.,U information and safety warnings & on page 307.
308 I While dnving
Distance warning
If the safe distance to the vehicle in front drops be-low the minimum level, a distance warning will ap-pear in the instrument cluster display ::.Fig. 244 !ID.
Increase the distance.
Advance warning
The system detects a potential collision with a ve-hicle in front ::.Fig. 245.
Brake or take avoiding action!
A WARNING
Failure to observe illuminated warning lamps and displays can cause accidents and seri-ous Injuries.
• Never ignore Illuminated warning lamps
La_n_d __

Operation
Fig. 248 Display in the exterior mirror
r-f"n First read and observe the introductory L-W! information and safety warnings & on page 312.
Visual display in the exterior Situation mirror housing
The lane change assist system uses radar sensors to monitor the area behind the vehicle. The system then measures the distance and the difference in speed to other vehicles. The lane change assist system is activated at speeds over approximately 10 km/h (6 m ph) and deactivated at speeds under 5 km/h (3 mph). The driver receives infonmation via the visual display in the exterior mirror housing.
Visual display in the exterior mirror housing
The visual displays 248 in the exterior mirror housing notify the driver of following traffic on ei-ther side of the vehicle whenever a traffic situation is classified as critical when the driver intends to change lanes.
Tinted side windows or retrofitted tinting foils can negatively affect or distort the visual displays in the exterior mirror.
None No other vehicle at a critical distance from your vehicle detected by -the lane change assist system & in Indicator lamp on page 313.
Lights up once briefly. The lane change assist system is switched on and ready for use.
Lit up (information level). The lane change assist system has detected a potentially critical sit-uation.
Flashes several times The turn signal is active and the lane change assist system has de-
(warning level). tected a potentially critical situation on the corresponding side of the in Indicator/amp on page 313.
Radar sensors
The radar sensors are on the left and right behind the rear bumper and are not visible from outside. They monitor an area of approximately 70 metres behind the vehicle and the blind spots to the right and left of the vehicle. The monitored area to the side of the vehicle is approximately one lane wide.
The width of the lane is not detected in individual cases. but is predefined in the system. For this rea-son. incorrect displays could be shown when driv-
314 I While driving
ing in narrow lanes or when driving in the middle of 2 lanes. In the same way, vehicles travelling in the lane next to the one you wish to change to could be detected, as could solid objects such as safety barriers. and trigger an incorrect warning.

A WARNING (Continued)
CD
-Please ensure that the spare fuel can is· ter corresponds with the Industry stand· ard, for example AN SI or ASTM F852-86.
• Remove split fuel from all vehicle compo· nents as quickly as possible In order to avoid damage to the wheel housing, tyres and vehicle paint.
• • Filling up with petrol in a vehicle fitted with a diesel engine or refilling with diesel in vehicle equipped with a petrol engine can cause seri· ous ands expensive engine damage and dam· age to the fuel system that is not covered by
Indicator lamps and fuel gauge
Fig. 269 In the instrument cluster: fuel gauge for petrol and diesel.
CD
any Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles guaran· tee. Do not start the engine under any circum-stances if you have refilled using the Incorrect fuel. Seek expert assistance. The substances In these fuels can cause serious damage to the fuel system and to the engine itself if it Is switched on.
• Vehicles with a diesel engine should under no circumstances be filled and driven with pet· rol, kerosene, heating oil or any other fuels that have not been expressly approved for diesel engines. Other fuels could cause extensive and expensive engine damage and damage to the fuel system which will not be covered by any Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles guarantee.
r.:Gh Fuels can pollute the environment. Any spilt W service fluids must be cleaned up and dis· posed of properly. il'"'n First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 340.
Lit up Needle position Possible cause & Solution 269
b Red marking (arrow) Fuel tank almost empty. Fill the tank as soon as possible Reserve is used up 343.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will go out after a few seconds.
When the Indicator lamp Blllghts up, the supple-mentary heating system and fuel-powered supple-mentary heater switch off automatically.
A WARNING
Driving the vehicle when the fuel level is too low could lead to your vehicle breaking down In traffic, accidents and serious injuries.
• When the fuel level is too low, the fuel supply to the engine could be Irregular, espe-cially when driving up or down hills and in-clines. .,..
At the filling station 341

Capacities
r--('n First read and observe the introductory L-W.I information and safety warnings & on page 340.
Checks when filling the tank
r--r'n First read and observe the introductory L-W.I information and safety warnings & on page 340.
Checklist
Never carry out any work on the engine or in the engine compartment if you are not familiar with the necessary procedures and the general safety re-quirements or if the correct operating equipment, fluids and unsuitable tools are not available 350, Preparation for working in the engine compartment! The work should be carried out by a qualified workshop if you are uncertain. Please en-sure that the following are checked regular1y, pref-erably every time you fill the tank:
..( Windscreen washer fluid level 116
..( Engine oil level 353
Fuel
c:QJ Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Petrol
Diesel ...
344 345
Different engines require different fuels. The facto-ry-fitted sticker on the inside of the tank flap indi-cates the fuel type that is required for your particu-lar vehicle.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends us-ing fuels with a low sulphur content or which are sulphur-free in order to reduce fuel consumption and prevent damage to the engine.
If the engine is not running smoothly or begins to judder, this can indicate poor or inadequate fuel quality, e.g. water in the fuel. If these symptoms appear, reduce the vehicle speed immediately and drive to the nearest qualified workshop at medium engine speeds, avoiding high engine loading. If these symptoms occur immediately after the vehi-
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 80.0 I,
..( Engine coolant level 358
..( Brake fluid level 269
..( Tyre pressure 367
..( Vehicle lighting necessary for traffic safety:
-Turn signals
-Side lights, dipped beam headlights and main beam headlights
-Tail light cluster
-Brake lights
-Rear fog light 1 08
Information on changing bulbs 432.
cle has been refuelled, switch the engine off as soon as it is safe to do so and seek expert assis-tance. This can help to prevent further damage.
Additional information and warnings:
• Filling the tank 340
• Engine management system and exhaust puri-fication system 407
• Service schedule
A WARNING
Incorrect handling of fuel can cause explo-sions, fire, serious burns and other injuries.
• Fuel is highly explosive and inflammable.
• Never handle fuel near open flames, sparks or glowing matter (e.g. cigarettes).
• Keep naked flames, hot parts and sparks at a safe distance.
At the filling station 1343

CD
• Your vehicle is not suitable for use with bio-diesel and must not be filled up or driven with biodiesel. Failure to observe this point can re-sult in damage to the fuel system and engine.
• Some diesel manufacturers blend biodiesel with diesel fuel in compliance with European Standard 590 or an equivalent standard (in Ger-many). Use of this diesel is allowed and will not damage the engine or fuel system.
• The diesel engine has been developed for use with diesel only. For this reason, petrol, heating oil or other unsuitable fuels may not be used. These fuels can cause serious damage to the fuel system and engine.
CD
• The service life of the diesel particulate filter can be reduced considerably if diesels with a high sulphur content are used. A Voikswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership will be able to tell you which countries have diesel with a high sulphur content. Emission control system for diesel vehicles (AdBiue®)
o:::n Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Warning and indicator lamps Refilling Ad Blue® ... 347
348
SCR catalysts can be used to reduce emissions from diesel engines (SCR = Selective Catalytic Re-duction). The SCR catalyst uses Ad Blue® urea sol-ution to convert nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and water.
If the vehicle is equipped with this kind of emission control system for diesel vehicles, the filler neck for the Ad Blue® tank is located below the filler cap for the fuel tank.
The Ad Blue® level should be checked within the scope of the service work Service schedule.
Information on AdBiue®
The Ad Blue® consumption figures depend on the individual driving style, the system's operating tem-perature and the ambient temperature that the ve-hicle is operated in.
The vehicle is fitted with a separate tank for Ad Bl-ue®. The Ad Blue® tank holds approximately 13 li-tres. For technical reasons, the capacity may be slightly larger when refilling using refill bottles.
The Ad Blue® tank must never run empty. As of a remaining distance of approximately 2,400 km. the instrument cluster display will indicate that the
346 While drivmg
Ad Blue® must be refilled 348. If the re-maining range is 0 km, the engine cannot be star-ted anymore 347.
The Ad Blue® trademark is held by the German As-sociation of the Automobile Industry (VDA) in the USA, Germany, the European Union and other countries.
Additional information and warnings:
• Fuel 343
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts 394
A WARNING
If the AdBiue® level is too low, the vehicle cannot be restarted after the Ignition has been switched off. Starting with jump leads is also not possible.
• Refill AdBiue® at the latest when the re-maining distance reaches approximately 1,000 km.
• Never allow the Ad Blue® tank to run emp-ty.
A WARNING
Ad Blue® is an Irritant and corrosive fluid that can damage the skin, eyes and breathing passages upon contact.

Cleaning and maintenance
In the engine compartment
Preparation for working in the engine compartment
ClJ Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Preparing the vehicle for working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352 Opening and closing the bonnet 352
Always park the vehicle on a level and stable sur-face before carrying out any work in the engine compartment.
The engine compartment of a motor vehicle is a hazardous area. Never carry out any work on the engine or in the engine compartment if you are not familiar with the requisite procedures and general safety requirements, or if you only have access to incorrect operating equipment, service fluids, and unsuitable tools &. The work should be carried out by a qualified workshop if you are uncertain. Serious injuries can be caused if work is carried out incorrectly.
Additional information and warnings:
• Exterior views 5
• Wipers/washer 116
• Starting and stopping the engine 257
• Brake fluid 269
• Pull-away assist systems (starUstop system) 282
• Checks when filling the tank 340
• Engine oil 353
• Engine coolant 358
• Battery page 362
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts 394
A wARNING
Unintentional vehicle movements during service work can cause serious injury.
• Never work underneath a vehicle if it is not secured against rolling away. If you are working underneath the vehicle while the wheels are on the ground, the vehicle must
350 I Cleanmg and maintenance
A WARNING (Continued)
be on a level, the wheels must be blocked and the vehicle key must be removed from the ignition lock.
• If you have to work underneath the vehi-cle, use suitable stands to provide extra sup-port for the vehicle. The vehicle jack is not sufficient for this task and can fail, which can lead to serious injuries.
• The start/stop system must have been de-activated.
A WARNING
The engine compartment of any motor vehi-cle is a dangerous area. Serious injuries can be sustained here.
• The utmost care and attention must be paid when carrying out any work and you must follow the general safety rules. Never take any risks.
• Never do any work on the engine or in the engine compartment unless you know exact-ly how to carry it out. If you are uncertain of what to do, the work should be carried out by a qualified workshop. Serious Injuries can re-sult from work that has not been carried out properly.
• Never open the bonnet if you see steam or coolant escaping from the engine compart-ment. Hot steam or coolant can cause seri-ous burns. Always wait until you can no lon-ger see or hear steam or coolant coming from the engine compartment.
• Always allow the engine to cool down be-fore opening the bonnet.
• Hot parts of the engine or exhaust system can burn the skin.
• The following points should be noted be-fore opening the bonnet once it has cooled down.
-Apply the handbrake fully and move the selector lever to position P or move the manual gear lever to the neutral position. .,..