Get Vehicle maintenance -> Vehicle care Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

Always store vehicle care products only in origi-

nal containers that are securely closed.

·

Vehicle maintenance

Vehicle care

Always read and heed all the instructions and all

WARNINGS on the package.

To reduce the risk of poisoning, never use emp-

ty food or beverage containers that might mis-

lead someone into drinking from them.

Tips on vehicle care

Regular and expert care helps to preserve the value

of your vehicle. Such expert care may also be one of

the requirements of your New Vehicle Limited War-

ranty if corrosion repair or repainting is necessary.

Always keep vehicle care products out of the

reach of children.

·

Always use such products outdoors or in well-

ventilated areas, because harmful vapors may

be released when these products are used.

The longer stains, dirt, and other deposits remain on

the surfaces of vehicle components and upholstery,

the more difficult it may be to clean them. High

temperatures (including strong sunlight) increase

the corrosive effects. If stains, dirt and deposits are

left untreated for a long time, they may become im-

possible to remove.

Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail polish

remover or other volatile fluids for vehicle care.

They are poisonous and highly flammable.

·

CAUTION

Sharp edges under the vehicle can cut exposed

skin.

Vehicle care products are available from your au-

thorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswa-

gen Service Facility.

Always protect your hands and arms from cuts

·

on sharp metal edges when cleaning the under-

body, the inside of the wheel housings, etc.

WARNING

Improper care and cleaning of vehicle components

can impact the safety features of the vehicle and

cause severe injuries.

NOTICE

Stains, dirt, and other deposits with aggressive and

solvent-based ingredients can cause irreparable

damage to the vehicle equipment, even if left for

only a short time.

Always clean and maintain vehicle components

according to manufacturer's instructions.

·

Only use approved or recommended cleaners.

·

Do not let stains, dirt, and other deposits dry.

·

Never use vehicle care products containing sol-

vents. Solvents can damage plastics, the airbag

housing, and other vehicle materials.

Have stubborn stains removed by your authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility.

Protect arms and hands from sharp vehicle

parts, for example, while cleaning the under-

body of the vehicle.

·

NOTICE

Vehicle care products containing solvents can dam-

age plastics and other vehicle materials.

WARNING

Dirty or fogged up windows reduce visibility and

increase the risk of accidents and severe injuries.

When buying vehicle care products, try to

choose those that are not harmful to the envi-

ronment.

Do not drive until you have clear visibility

through all windows.

·

Never throw out vehicle care products with

ordinary household waste. Always read and

heed all the instructions and all WARNINGS on the

package.

Remove ice, snow, and condensation from all

inside and outside window surfaces.

·

Do not treat the windshield with water-repel-

lent window coating agents. In unfavorable

conditions, they can reduce visibility.

·

Washing the vehicle

WARNING

Vehicle care products can be dangerous. Improper

use can cause accidents, burns, poisoning, or other

serious personal injuries.

The vehicle underbody should be washed regularly

and thoroughly.

308

Vehicle maintenance

Automatic car wash

Waxing

Pay close attention to the information provided by

the car wash operator, especially if you have instal-

led additional accessories on the vehicle, such as

A good coat of wax helps to protect the vehicle

paint. When water no longer forms small drops and

runs off when the paint is clean, apply a new coat of

good hard wax to protect the vehicle again.

a spoiler, a roof rack, or an antenna →

.

— Volkswagen recommends using brushless car

wash facilities.

Even if a wax solution is used regularly at the car

wash, Volkswagen recommends applying a coat of

hard wax at least twice a year to protect the paint.

— Switch off the windshield wipers and the rain sen-

sor.

Polishing

— Fold in the outside mirrors.

Polish your vehicle if the paint has lost its shine and

the gloss cannot be brought back with wax.

Washing with a power washer

The vehicle must be waxed after polishing if the pol-

ish used does not contain wax compounds to seal

the paint.

Always follow the instructions for the power washer.

This especially applies to the pressure and spraying

distance →

.

— Use water only up to a maximum temperature of

+140 °F (+60 °C).

WARNING

After the vehicle has been washed, the wet brakes

or, in winter, brake discs or pads coated with ice,

react slower and need longer stopping distances.

— Do not clean windows that are iced over or cov-

ered in snow with a power washer.

— Move the jet of water smoothly so that the nozzle

is at least 20 inches (50 cm) away from the vehi-

cle.

Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice

·

coatings with a few careful applications of the

brake. Make sure not to endanger other moto-

rists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.

— Do not point the water jet at the same location

for too long. Instead, leave stubborn dirt to soak.

WARNING

— If possible, do not direct the water jet at seals,

decorative trim, tires, rubber hoses, insulation

materials, door locks or any other sensitive com-

ponents.

Improper use of power washers can cause serious

invisible permanent damage leading to tire failure

and loss of vehicle control. This can cause acci-

dents and severe personal injury.

— Sensors, camera lenses, and decorative and pro-

tective films should be sprayed directly only for

Keep sufficient distance between water jet and

·

brief periods of time →

Never use concentrated jet nozzles or so-called dirt

blasters →

.

tires. Never wash tires with a nozzle that sprays

the water out in a direct stream regardless of

the distance to the tire and even for a very short

time.

.

Never use a power washer to clean the engine com-

partment → page 311, Engine compartment and

plenum chamber.

Never use “dirt blasters” to clean tires. Even

·

spraying from a relatively long distance for

a very short time can do visible or invisible dam-

age to tires.

Washing by hand

Washing by hand is a gentle way to clean your vehi-

cle. However, there are also some things to note for

NOTICE

this →

.

Serious vehicle damage may occur if the vehicle is

not washed correctly.

— First soften the dirt with plenty of water and then

rinse off as much dirt as possible.

The water temperature must not be more than

+140 °F (+60 °C).

·

— Clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, washing

mitt, or brush using only light pressure. Start on

the roof and work down.

Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.

·

Do not use insect sponges, abrasive kitchen

sponges or similar things to clean the vehicle.

These can damage the paint finish.

— Rinse the sponge, glove, or brush thoroughly and

often.

— Clean the wheels and under the door sills last. Use

a different sponge or wash mitt.

Never clean headlights with a dry cloth or sponge.

Always use a wet cloth or sponge. For best results

use soapy water.

·

Use a cleaning shampoo for very stubborn dirt only.

Vehicle care

309

When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold

weather, do not let water get into the lock cylin-

ders or point the hose at gaps around the doors,

hood, or trunk lid. The water could freeze on the

locks and seals and make it difficult to open the

vehicle!

·

Exterior care and cleaning

When outside temperatures are low, wipe the

rubber seals and their contact surfaces dry to help

prevent freezing.

·

In order for any sensors located on the outside of

the vehicle to work correctly, they must be kept

clean and clear of snow and ice.

When using a power washer or steam cleaner, on-

ly spray the sensors directly for a short period of

time and always keep the nozzle at least 4 inches

(10 cm) from the sensor.

Fig. 192 Between the engine compartment and the

windshield: plenum chamber.

Do not clean icy or snow-covered windows with

a power washer.

·

NOTICE

To help prevent vehicle damage in a car wash:

Compare the vehicle track width with the dimen-

sions of the guide rails in the car wash to help

prevent damage to wheel rims and tires!

·

Switch off the rain sensor before driving the vehi-

cle through a car wash → page 120, Rain sensor.

·

Make sure there is enough clearance for the

height and width of the vehicle.

·

Fig. 193 In the trunk lid: Location of the rear view

camera (depending on equipment). Under the Volks-

wagen emblem or above the rear license plate.

To help prevent paint damage to the engine hood,

·

place wiper blades against the windshield after

they have dried. Do not let them snap back into

place.

Windows and outside mirrors

Use a commercially available alcohol-based window

cleaner or a silicone remover to remove rubber, oil,

grease and silicone deposits from the windows and

Fold the outside mirrors toward the vehicle body.

·

Lock the trunk lid to help prevent unintentional

opening in the car wash.

outside mirrors →

.

Dry windows and mirrors with a clean chamois or

a lint-free cloth. Do not use a chamois that has been

used to wipe painted surfaces because it will have

absorbed an oily residue that will smear the glass

surfaces.

Wash the vehicle only at specifically designat-

ed wash locations to help prevent water con-

taminated with oil, grease and fuel from entering

the storm drain sewer system. In some areas it is

against the law to wash motor vehicles anywhere

than other than at specified designated car washing

locations.

Remove snow from all windows and outside mirrors

with an appropriate brush. When using an ice scra-

per, always scrape in one direction by pushing the

scraper away from you. Dirt can scratch the glass

when pulling the scraper backward. The best way to

remove ice is with a deicer spray.

Removing wax residue

Automatic car washes and vehicle care products can

leave a wax residue on all glass surfaces. These wax

residues can only be removed with special cleaners

or cleaning cloths. Wax residue left on the wind-

shield can cause the windshield wipers to grab and

squeak instead of gliding smoothly. We recommend

310

Vehicle maintenance

that after every car wash you remove any wax resi-

due left on the windshield with a window cleaning

cloth/chamois.

engine compartment could enter directly into the

vehicle interior through the plenum chamber.

Camera lenses and sensors

Windshield wiper squeak and grab can be reduced

by filling the windshield washer fluid tank with

a wiper fluid containing wax-removing agents. Make

sure to maintain the proper mixing ratio when refill-

ing the washer fluid tank. Grease-removing cleaning

Wet the camera lens with a commercially available

alcohol-based glass cleaner and clean with a soft

cloth →

.

For the camera lens in the rear Volkswagen emblem

→ fig. 193:

agents cannot remove wax residue →

.

Windshield cleaners, special cleaners, and cleaning

cloths are available from your authorized Volkswa-

gen dealer and authorized Volkswagen Service Fa-

cility.

— Park the vehicle in a safe place on a firm, level

surface.

— Switch on the ignition (but do not start the en-

gine).

Wiper blades

→ page 228, Windshield wiper blades.

— Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehi-

cle from moving → page 178.

— Shift into reverse (R).

Paint

Keep camera lenses and sensors clean and free of

snow and ice.

Always treat surfaces carefully in order to prevent

damage to the paint coat. Use a clean, soft cloth and

a mild soap solution¹⁾or cleaning clay to remove any

light dirt immediately, e.g. deposits, insect residue,

or cosmetics.

Remove snow with a brush. Do not use warm or hot

water to remove ice. Remove ice with deicer spray

→

.

Repair minor paint damage with a touch-up pen. Re-

fer to the vehicle identification label for the paint

code.

Chrome and aluminum parts

— Clean the surface in a dust-free environment us-

ing a clean, soft cloth and a mild soap solution¹⁾.

More information:

— If the surface is especially dirty, use a special sol-

vent-free cleaning material.

— Overflowing fuel or service fluids: clean immedi-

ately.

— Then polish chrome and aluminum parts with

— Flash rust deposits: moisten deposits with a soap

solution. Then remove any deposits with cleaning

clay.

a soft, dry cloth →

.

— Chrome parts can be treated with hard wax.

— Clean anodized parts with a chrome and alumini-

um cleaning material.

— Corrosion: have removed by a qualified workshop.

Engine compartment and plenum chamber

The engine compartment of a vehicle is a dangerous

Headlights and taillights

Clean the lights with a soft, damp cloth and a mild

soap solution¹⁾. Only use alcohol-free, solvent-free

cleaning materials.

area → page 241, In the engine compartment.

Regularly remove leaves and other debris from the

plenum chamber cover by hand or with a vacuum

cleaner → fig. 192. Have the area under the perfo-

rated cover cleaned by an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Wheel rims

Remove dirt and gritting salt deposits with plenty of

water. If road salt and brake dust are not removed

regularly, they can corrode the metal.

If necessary, have the engine compartment profes-

sionally cleaned by an authorized Volkswagen dealer

or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Incorrect

cleaning procedures could remove corrosion protec-

tion and damage electrical components, among oth-

er things.

For alloy wheels: Every 2 weeks: clean the wheel

rims with an acid-free detergent specifically de-

signed for light alloy wheels. Every 3 months: Volks-

wagen recommends applying a hard wax compound

to the wheel rims. Do not use car polish or other

abrasive products.

Never use a power washer to clean the engine com-

partment → . Water sprayed or poured into the

1)

Mild soap solution: 2 tablespoons of liquid soap in 1 quart (liter) of water.

Vehicle care

311

More information:

windows with corrosive or acidic cleaning agents

or other chemicals that could damage the heating

elements.

— Paint or protective coating damage: Repair the

damaged area right away. If necessary, have the

damage repaired by an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Antennas installed on the insides of windows can

be damaged by abrasive objects or by corrosive or

acidic cleaning agents or other chemicals. Do not

place any stickers on the windshield-integrated

antenna and never clean the antenna with corro-

sive or acidic cleaning agents or other chemicals.

·

— Stubborn brake dust: Remove with an industrial

cleaner.

Deicing door lock cylinders

Volkswagen recommends using only genuine Volks-

wagen deicer spray with lubricating and anti-corro-

sive properties to deice door lock cylinders. Do not

use door lock deicer sprays containing grease sol-

vents as they can cause the lock cylinder to rust.

NOTICE

Serious vehicle damage may occur if the vehicle is

not cared for correctly.

Do not clean or polish in direct sunlight.

·

Cleaning the power sunroof

Dirt and debris can prevent the power sunroof from

working properly.

Do not clean, wax or polish your vehicle if it is

dirty, or in a sandy or dusty place.

·

Do not use abrasive cleaners or abrasive sponges.

·

Remove leaves and other objects from the sunroof

guide rails regularly either by hand or using a vac-

Do not polish dirty surfaces.

·

Do not use cleaning materials that contain sol-

vents.

·

uum cleaner →

.

Do not use hard wax or polish on matte-finished

parts, plastic parts, headlights and rear lights, or

chrome and aluminum parts.

WARNING

·

Undercoating and rustproofing products can catch

fire on the hot exhaust system or any other hot

engine component.

Do not spray or pour water (for example, with

a power washer) into the plenum chamber.

·

Never apply additional undercoating or rust-

·

proofing on or near the exhaust manifold, the

exhaust pipes, the catalytic converter, the heat

shields, or any other hot vehicle component.

NOTICE

Chrome wheel covers and hubcaps can have an extra

coating. Do not treat them with chrome care or pol-

ishing products. Use regular paint care and polishing

products.

WARNING

Injuries, scalding, electric shock, accidents, and fire

hazards can occur while working on the engine or

in the engine compartment!

NOTICE

Do not attempt to clean the drain tubes for the

power sunroof. This could result in vehicle damage

caused by punctured or damaged drain tubes.

Before working in the engine compartment, be

·

sure to familiarize yourself with the necessary

procedures and generally accepted safety pre-

cautions → page 241, In the engine compart-

ment.

Volkswagen recommends having the work per-

formed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

·

Volkswagen recommends having the work per-

formed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

·

NOTICE

Improper cleaning may damage the camera lenses.

NOTICE

Never use abrasive cleaning agents to clean the

camera lens.

·

Antennas and heating elements on the insides of

windows can be damaged if not cleaned properly.

Never remove snow or ice on the camera lens

with warm or hot water.

·

Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and

ice from windows and mirrors. This could cause

the glass to crack!

·

NOTICE

The heating elements for the rear defroster are on

·

The plenum chamber can become blocked by leaves

and dirt. Any water that cannot drain away could en-

ter the passenger compartment.

the inside of the rear window. Do not put stickers

over the heating elements on the inside of the

rear window and never clean the inside of the

312

Vehicle maintenance

Have the area under the perforated cover cleaned

by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility.

it flexible and moisturized. At the same time it pro-

tects the surface.

·

Do not treat leather with solvents, floor wax, shoe

polish, stain remover, or similar products.

Wash the engine compartment only in special

wash bays so that the oily dirt and fuel residue

Treating stains:

that are washed off the vehicle will not enter the

sewage system. In some areas it illegal to wash the

engine compartment anywhere other than at such

specified locations.

— If necessary, refresh fading spots with a specially-

colored leather cream.

— Grease-based stains, such as oil, lipstick, etc.: Re-

move fresh stains as soon as possible with an ab-

sorbent cloth.

Do not apply any rubber care products to the

rubber seals on the body in the areas around

the windows in the driver and front passenger

doors. The product could run down onto the win-

dows and smudge them.

— Special stains, such as ballpoint pen, marker, nail

polish, latex paint, or shoe polish: Clean with

a special stain remover designed for leather.

Plastic components, the instrument panel, storage

compartments, and cup holders

Moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with a mild soap sol-

ution¹⁾and clean plastic or rubber parts.

Interior care and cleaning

Fabrics, microfiber fabric, and leatherette

If this is not sufficient, then use a special solvent-

free care and cleaning product designed for plastics

Only use cleaning products approved by Volkswa-

gen. Do not treat fabrics with leather care products,

solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, stain remover or

similar products.

→

.

Some storage compartments and cup holders may

have a removable rubber or felt insert at the bottom.

Clean inserts with a vacuum cleaner.

If the upholstery and fabric trim pieces are heavily

soiled, see your authorized Volkswagen dealer or au-

thorized Volkswagen Service Facility before you be-

gin cleaning to learn about suitable cleaning options.

If necessary, have the cleaning done by a professio-

nal.

Controls

Remove coarse dirt and dirt that is difficult to reach

using a soft brush. Then use a clean, soft cloth and

a mild soap solution¹⁾. Do not allow liquids to enter

the controls.

More information:

— Dust and dirt particles in pores, folds, and seams

can have a “scouring” effect on surfaces: Vacuum

upholstery, fabric trim, microfiber fabric, and car-

peting regularly with a suitable brush attachment

to help prevent permanent surface damage.

Displays

Use a cleaning cloth with a little water, a suitable

glass cleaner or LCD cleaner. Do not clean displays

with a dry cloth. Switch off the Infotainment system

before cleaning.

— Grease-based stains such as oil, lipstick, etc.: Re-

move fresh stains with an absorbent cloth.

Rubber door and window seals

Use a soft, lint-free cloth and water to remove dust

and dirt from the rubber seals.

— Special stains such as ballpoint pen or nail polish:

Use cleaning products approved by Volkswagen or

a mild soap solution¹⁾.

Treat regularly with a suitable rubber care product.

Leather upholstery

Safety belts

Clean with a cotton cloth and a mild soap solution¹⁾

If a safety belt is dirty, this can prevent the belt from

working properly. Keep safety belts clean and regu-

larly check all safety belts for damage.

→

. Do not let water soak through the leather or

penetrate into seams.

Clean dried stains with a special stain remover de-

signed for leather.

Safety belts must never be taken apart for cleaning.

Carefully pull the dirty safety belt out of the retrac-

tor and keep it out. Remove coarse dirt with a soft

brush → . Clean the safety belt with a mild soap

solution¹⁾. After cleaning, always give the safety

After each cleaning, apply cream that waterproofs

the leather and protects it against the sun. Such

creams also nourish the leather, let it breathe, keep

1)

Mild soap solution: 2 tablespoons of liquid soap in 1 quart (liter) of water.

Vehicle care

313

belts time to dry thoroughly before letting them re-

tract. This helps prevent damage to the retractor.

WARNING

If there is a malfunction in the airbag system, the

airbag may not deploy correctly or at all, or it may

deploy unexpectedly. This could cause fatal inju-

ries.

Wooden trim

Clean with a soft cloth and a mild soap solution¹⁾.

Care and treatment of upholstery

Have the airbag system inspected immediately

by your authorized Volkswagen dealer or au-

thorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

·

Modern clothing fabrics such as dark denim may not

be completely colorfast. Even with normal use, dye

from these and other fabrics can rub off on seat up-

holstery and leave visible discolorations (especially

on light-colored seat upholstery). This is caused by

a lack of colorfastness in the clothing fabric, not by

any fault in the seat upholstery fabric. To help pre-

vent damage to the seat upholstery, always make

sure your clothing is colorfast. Volkswagen recom-

mends having a qualified specialist remove any dis-

colorations from the seat upholstery.

WARNING

Using solvents or other improper cleaning prod-

ucts on surfaces where airbags are located can

change the way airbags deploy in a crash.

Products containing solvents will change the

·

properties of the plastics and may cause plastic

parts to break and fly around when the airbag

deploys in a crash, causing injury.

Airbag components and electrical connectors may

be installed in the driver seat, the front passenger

seat, and in the outer rear seats. Damaging, cleaning

and handling incorrectly, or wetting or soaking these

seat surfaces and backrests can damage the vehicle

electrical system and prevent the airbag system

Never use solvents or cleaners on the steering

·

wheel horn pad or on the instrument panel be-

cause they can damage the airbag cover or

change the stiffness or strength of the material

so that the airbag cannot deploy and protect

properly.

from working properly →

.

When cleaning the horn pad and instrument

panel, use only a soft, dry cloth or a cloth mois-

tened with plain water.

·

Electrical components and connectors that could be

damaged by incorrect cleaning or handling are in-

stalled in power seats and heated seats → . This

can also result in damage to other parts of the vehi-

cle electrical system.

WARNING

Damage to safety belts reduces their overall effec-

tiveness and increases the risk of serious personal

injury and death whenever the vehicle is being

used.

Please note the following when it comes to the care

and preservation of the upholstery →

:

— Do not use power washers, steam cleaners, or

cooling spray.

Check the condition of all safety belts and buck-

·

— Do not turn on the seat heating to dry the seats.

les regularly. If you notice that the safety belt

webbing, hardware, retractor, buckle, or any

other part of the safety belts is damaged, im-

mediately have an authorized Volkswagen deal-

er or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility re-

place the safety belt with the correct replace-

ment belt for your vehicle model and model

year.

— Do not use detergent pastes or mild detergent

solutions.

— Do not wet the surface completely.

Open Velcro^®fasteners can damage upholstery,

fabric, and trim. Before you get into the vehicle,

close all Velcro^®fasteners that could come into

contact with upholstery fabrics and cloth trim.

—

Never use chemical cleaning agents, solvents, or

·

— Sharp-edged objects and items on clothing and

belts (such as belt clips, mobile phone cases, zip-

pers, rivets, and rhinestones) can damage uphols-

tery material and fabric trim. To help prevent

damage, do not let such items come into direct

contact with the upholstery and fabric trim.

any substance that may damage or weaken the

safety belt webbing or any other parts of the

safety belt. Never let the belts come into con-

tact with corrosive fluids or sharp objects. Oth-

erwise, the safety belt webbing will be signifi-

cantly weakened.

— In the event of uncertainty, contact your author-

ized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility.

After cleaning, always give the safety belts time

to dry completely before letting them retract.

·

1)

Mild soap solution: 2 tablespoons of liquid soap in 1 quart (liter) of water.

314

Vehicle maintenance

The moisture can damage the retractor and

keep it from working properly.

Power washers and cooling sprays can damage

the upholstery.

·

Never let foreign objects or liquids get into the

safety belt latch. This could prevent the belt

buckles and safety belts from working properly.

·

NOTICE

Clean only the carpet and floor mats with brush-

es. Other textile surfaces can be damaged by

brushes.

·

Damaged safety belts must be replaced; they

cannot be repaired.

·

Never try to repair a damaged safety belt your-

self. Never remove or modify the safety belts in

any way.

If detergent pastes or mild detergent solutions

are applied with a damp cloth or sponge, the sur-

factants in the detergent may cause visible lines

to form at the edges of the area where the deter-

gent was applied. These lines are generally diffi-

cult or impossible to remove.

Safety belts that were subject to stress in an ac-

cident and stretched must be replaced with

a correct, new safety belt, preferably by an au-

thorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volks-

wagen Service Facility.

·

NOTICE

Replacement after a crash may be necessary

even if a safety belt shows no visible damage.

Anchorages that have been loaded must also be

inspected.

·

Do not soak microfiber fabric.

·

Do not treat microfiber fabric with leather care

products, solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, stain

remover or similar products.

NOTICE

Do not use brushes for damp cleaning, because

they can damage upholstery surfaces.

·

Vehicle care products containing solvents can

cause irreparable damage to plastics and other

vehicle materials.

·

Do not use a steam cleaner, because dirt will pen-

etrate deeper into the fabric.

Stains, dirt and other deposits that contain ag-

gressive substances or solvents can corrode vehi-

cle materials and cause permanent damage, even

after brief contact with the surface.

·

NOTICE

Stains that have been left in place too long will

penetrate the surface of the leather and cannot

be removed.

·

Remove stains, dirt, and other deposits as quickly

as possible and do not allow them to dry.

·

Never treat leather with solvents, floor wax, shoe

polish, stain remover or similar products.

·

To help prevent damage, have stubborn stains re-

moved by a professional who has the necessary

expertise and experience.

Wipe up spilled liquids immediately with an ab-

sorbent cloth. Liquid can penetrate leather surfa-

ces and seams within a few seconds.

NOTICE

If the vehicle is left in the sun for a long time,

cover the upholstery to protect the leather from

direct sunlight and to help prevent fading and dis-

coloration.

·

Disregarding the upholstery-related checklist may

lead to damage or discoloration of upholstery and

fabric trim.

Please note and follow the points listed in the

checklist.

·

NOTICE

Do not clean leatherette with solvents, floor wax,

shoe polish, stain remover, or similar products.

These can cause the material to become brittle

and break.

·

NOTICE

If the upholstery on power seats, heated seats, or

seats with airbag components is wet, electrical com-

ponents and the vehicle electrical system could be

damaged.

Sharp-edged objects and items on clothing and

belts (such as belt clips, mobile phone cases, zip-

pers, rivets, and rhinestones) can damage uphols-

tery material and fabric trim.

If the seating surface becomes soaked, have it

·

dried and the system components checked imme-

diately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or au-

thorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

If the vehicle is left in the sun for a long time,

cover the upholstery to protect the leatherette

from direct sunlight and to help prevent fading or

discoloration.

Do not use steam cleaners because the steam

could cause the dirt to penetrate deeper into the

fabric and make it impossible to remove.

·

Vehicle care

315

Volkswagen recommends having any discolor-

ation removed by an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Volkswagen strongly recommends to only use

accessories approved by Volkswagen and Genu-

ine Volkswagen Parts^®. These parts and acces-

sories have been evaluated by Volkswagen for

their suitability, reliability, and safety.

·

Slight discoloration caused by wear and tear is

normal.

Have repairs and vehicle modifications per-

formed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Author-

ized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volks-

wagen Service Facilities have the required tools,

diagnostic equipment, repair information, and

trained personnel to properly replace any airbag

in your vehicle and assure system effectiveness

in a crash.

Parts, accessories, repairs, and

modifications

Parts and accessories

Only install parts on the vehicle that are consis-

tent with factory-installed parts with respect to

design and characteristics.

Volkswagen recommends that you consult an au-

thorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswa-

gen Service Facility before purchasing accessories,

spare parts or other equipment. Your authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Serv-

ice Facility can provide information about legal re-

quirements and factory-recommended accessories,

spare parts, and other equipment.

·

Only use wheel rim/tire combinations approved

by Volkswagen for the respective vehicle type.

Repairs and technical modifications

Volkswagen recommends that you use only ap-

proved Volkswagen accessories and Volkswagen

Genuine Parts^®. These parts and accessories have

been specially tested by Volkswagen for suitability,

reliability, and safety. Volkswagen dealerships are

qualified to install them correctly.

Volkswagen guidelines for repairs and technical

modifications must be followed →

!

Changes to electronic components and related soft-

ware can cause malfunctions. These malfunctions

can also affect other systems that are related to the

component or software that was modified. The vehi-

cle's operational safety can be seriously jeopardized,

increased vehicle component wear can occur, and

the vehicle may no longer meet applicable emissions

requirements.

Although the market is constantly scrutinized, Volks-

wagen cannot assume responsibility for the reliabili-

ty, safety, and suitability of products Volkswagen

has not approved. Volkswagen can therefore assume

no responsibility for these parts, even if they have

been approved by an official testing agency or are

covered by an official approval certificate.

Volkswagen recommends having all repairs and

technical modifications performed by an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Serv-

ice Facility using Genuine Volkswagen Parts^®.

WARNING

Improper vehicle modifications and repairs affect

the performance of the airbag system and cause

malfunctions and severe personal injuries.

Damage that is caused by improper repairs or unap-

proved technical modifications will not be covered

by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.

Never store, mount, or attach objects, such as

·

cup holders or phone cradles, on or next to the

airbag module covers or within the airbag de-

ployment zones.

WARNING

Improperly performed repairs and modifications

can cause vehicle damage and malfunctions, and

can impair the efficiency of driver assistance sys-

tems. This can lead to accidents and severe per-

sonal injuries.

Objects on or near the surface where airbags

are located can come loose and cause serious

personal injury if the airbag deploys.

·

WARNING

Have repairs and vehicle modifications done by

an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an author-

ized Volkswagen Service Facility.

·

Inappropriate spare parts and accessories as well

as improperly performed work, modifications and

repairs can cause vehicle damage, accidents and

serious personal injuries.

316

Vehicle maintenance

NOTICE

WARNING

Improperly performed repairs and modifications can

cause increased component wear and result in vehi-

cle emissions that no longer meet applicable re-

quirements.

Changing the vehicle's suspension including use of

unapproved tire-rim combinations can change air-

bag performance and increase the risk of serious

personal injury in a crash.

Never install suspension components that do

·

not have the same performance characteristics

as the components originally installed on your

vehicle.

Repairs and other things that can

affect Advanced Airbag perform-

ance

Never use tire-rim combinations that have not

been approved by Volkswagen.

·

Repairs and modifications of front bumpers, doors,

front seats, headliners and the chassis can affect

proper airbag performance and should be performed

by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility. These vehicle areas can

contain important parts of the airbag system.

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.

Components of the airbag system can be damaged

during removal, assembly and repair activities on the

airbag system itself or related components. Damage

to airbag parts can prevent the system from working

properly in a collision.

Always make sure that nothing can interfere

with the safety belt buckles and that they are

not obstructed.

·

WARNING

Observe all regulations so that the effectiveness of

the airbag is not affected and to prevent disassem-

bled parts from causing injuries and pollution. Au-

thorized Volkswagen dealers, authorized Volkswa-

gen Service Facilities, and other qualified workshops

are familiar with these regulations.

Improper care and servicing, and improper modifi-

cation and repair work, can increase the risk of

personal injury and death by preventing an airbag

from deploying when needed or deploying an air-

bag unexpectedly:

Never repair, adjust, or change any parts of the

airbag system.

·

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 air-

bag 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 air-

bag 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 meas-

ured by the sensors and prevent the airbag from de-

ploying when it should.

All work on the airbag system, steering wheel,

·

instrument panel, front seats or electrical sys-

tem (including the installation of audio equip-

ment, mobile telephones and CB radios, etc.)

should be performed by authorized Volkswagen

dealers or authorized Volkswagen Service Facili-

ties. They have the necessary manuals, training,

and special equipment.

The airbag system can be activated only once.

After an airbag has inflated, it must be replaced.

·

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 re-

place any airbag in your vehicle and assure sys-

tem effectiveness in a crash.

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 capacitive passenger detection sys-

tem for the Advanced Airbag system will not work

properly if different upholstery is installed on the

passenger seat than the upholstery originally instal-

led on the vehicle when it was originally manufac-

tured.

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

Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifications

317

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 fa-

miliar with the requirements, and we recommend

that you have them perform this service for you.

— upon the order of a court of law or a government

agency; or

— for the defense of a lawsuit through the judicial

discovery process.

Volkswagen may also use the data for research

about vehicle operation and safety performance or

provide the data to a third party for research pur-

poses without identifying the specific vehicle or in-

formation about the identity of its owner or lessee.

Notice about data recorded by the

Event Data Recorder and vehicle

control modules

NOTE: Your vehicle may be equipped with VW Car-

Net. Please see → page 205, Data transfer and the

VW Car-Net Terms of Service and Privacy Policy at

(http:// www.vw.com/carnet) for details regarding

how Volkswagen collects, processes, transmits, uses

and shares information obtained through the VW

Car-Net equipment and service.

This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Recorder

(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in

certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an

airbag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data

that will assist in understanding how a vehicle's sys-

tems performed. The EDR is designed to record data

related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for

a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.

The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such

data as:

Your vehicle is also equipped with a number of elec-

tronic control modules for various vehicle systems,

such as engine management, emission control, air-

bags, and safety belts.

These electronic control modules record data during

normal vehicle operation that may be needed by

trained technicians for diagnostic and repair purpos-

es. The recording capability of these modules is lim-

ited to data (no sound is recorded). Only a small

amount of data is actually recorded over a very lim-

ited period of time, or stored when a system fault is

detected by a control module. Some of the data

stored may relate to vehicle speed, direction, or

braking, as well as restraint system use and per-

formance in the event of a crash. Stored data can al-

so only be read and downloaded with special equip-

ment that is directly connected to the vehicle.

— How various systems in your vehicle were operat-

ing;

— Whether or not the driver and passenger safety

belts were buckled/fastened;

— How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the

accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,

— How fast the vehicle was traveling.

These data can help provide a better understanding

of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries

occur. NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your vehicle

only if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data

are recorded by the EDR under normal driving condi-

tions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age,

and crash location) are recorded. However, other

parties, such as law enforcement, could combine the

EDR data with the type of personally identifying da-

ta routinely acquired during a crash investigation.

Using a mobile phone in a motor

vehicle when it is not connected to

a vehicle telephone antenna: Some

important things to know

To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment

is required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is

needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer,

other parties, such as law enforcement, that have

the special equipment, can read the information if

they have access to the vehicle or the EDR.

Mobile or cellular telephones send and receive radio

waves, sometimes called “radiofrequency energy”

(RF energy), both when they are being used and

when they are in standby mode. Current scientific

literature indicates that radio waves that exceed

a certain level can have effects on the human body.

Limits and guidelines have been established by gov-

ernmental 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.

Some state laws restrict the retrieval or download-

ing of data stored by EDRs installed in a vehicle for

the express purpose of retrieving data after an acci-

dent or crash event without the owner's consent.

Volkswagen will not access the EDR and/or similar

data or give it to others - unless the vehicle owner

(or lessee if the vehicle has been leased) agrees, or;

— upon the official request by the police;

318

Vehicle maintenance

Therefore, some experts recommend a precaution-

ary approach regarding the use of mobile phones by

taking measures that lower the personal exposure to

electromagnetic fields. When using a mobile tele-

phone inside a motor vehicle without a proper con-

nection 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.

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 occu-

pants.

Never place or attach accessories or other ob-

·

jects (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.

Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional

hands-free system that will permit many of the fea-

tures of compatible Bluetooth^®enabled mobile tele-

phones 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.

WARNING

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 de-

signed to fit your mobile telephone. The special cra-

dle 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 important-

ly connects the mobile phone to the vehicle's out-

side 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 experi-

ence 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.

Using a mobile phone or CB radio inside the vehi-

cle without a properly installed and separate out-

side antenna can be dangerous to your health and

that of your passengers because the electromag-

netic 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.

Always keep the mobile phone antenna at least

·

8 in. (20 cm) away from pacemakers. Heart spe-

cialists advise that mobile phones can adversely

affect the way pacemakers work.

Never carry a mobile phone that is switched on

in the breast pocket directly over a pacemaker.

·

If you suspect there may be interference with

a pacemaker or other medical device, switch the

mobile phone off immediately.

·

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 tele-

phone that you plan to use.

Bluetooth^®is a registered trademark of Bluetooth^®

SIG, Inc.

Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifications

319

Vehicle maintenance -> Vehicle care for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

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