Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid (2015 year). Instruction

12 Volt vehicle battery

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Warning light

Checking the 12 Volt vehicle battery electrolyte level

Charging, replacing, disconnecting, and connecting the 12 Volt vehicle battery

The standard 12 Volt vehicle battery is part of the vehicle electrical system.

Never do any work on the vehicle electrical system unless you

know exactly how to carry out the job,
have the correct technical information and the proper tools, and

are familiar with the necessary safety precautions

⇒

If you are uncertain in any way, have the work done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or author-
ized Volkswagen Service Facility. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed work.

Location of the vehicle battery

The 12 Volt vehicle battery is located in the luggage compartment.

Vehicles with the battery located in the luggage compartment are equipped with a battery isolator
feature. In a collision, the airbag control module triggers a small pyrotechnic charge that physically
disconnects the battery from the engine starter motor and the positive jump-start terminal in the engine
compartment.

Explanation of the warnings on the vehicle battery

Symbol

Meaning

Always wear eye protection!

Battery acid is highly corrosive. Always
wear protective gloves and eye protec-

tion!

Fire, sparks, open flame, and smoking

are prohibited!

When a battery is charged, it produces

hydrogen gas which is highly explosive!

Always keep children away from battery

acid and vehicle batteries!

More information:

⇒ Booklet

Warranty and Maintenance

Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifications

WARNING

Working on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid
burns, fires, explosions, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS
and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system.

Before working on the electrical system, always switch off the ignition and all electrical

consumers and disconnect the negative (-) cable from the standard 12 Volt battery.

  When you change a light bulb, always switch off the light first.
  Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries in general.
  Always wear eye protection. Never let battery acid or lead particles come into contact with

your eyes, skin, or clothing.

Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness.

Always wear protective gloves and eye protection. To reduce your risk of injury, never tilt the
batteries, as this could spill acid through the vents and burn you.

If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for

several minutes and then get immediate medical attention. If you swallow any battery acid,
get medical attention immediately.

When disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle electrical system, always disconnect

the negative cable (-) first and then the positive cable (+).

Always switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting 12 Volt batteries. Recon-

nect the plus cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-). Never reverse the polarity of the
connections. This could cause a fire.

A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the battery is being charged.
Do not smoke and avoid fires, sparks, and open flames when working. Never create

sparks or electrostatic charges when handling cables and electrical equipment. Never short
circuit the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause serious personal injury.

Never use or attempt to charge a damaged or frozen battery, or a battery that was frozen

but has thawed. Charging a frozen or thawed battery could cause explosions and chemical
burns! Replace damaged or frozen vehicle batteries immediately. A dead battery can freeze at
temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).

If the battery has a vent line or tube, make sure that it is properly connected to the battery.
Always make sure that the vent line is securely attached to a vehicle battery that is located

in the luggage compartment.

WARNING

California Proposition 65 Warning

Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead components,

chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash
your hands after handling.

NOTICE

Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an extended period of time as ultra-

violet rays may damage the battery housing.

If the vehicle is left standing in the cold for a long time, protect the vehicle battery from

freezing. A battery will be permanently damaged by freezing.

Undeployed battery isolator modules are classified as Perchlorate Material. Special handling

may apply – see http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all applicable legal re-
quirements regarding handling and disposal of the vehicle or parts of its restraint system, including
airbag modules and safety belts with pretensioners. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized
Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the requirements, and we recommend that you have
them perform this service for you.

Emergency starting and starting the engine with a very weak vehicle battery or after the vehicle

battery has been replaced may change or delete system settings (including time, date, personal con-
venience settings, and programming). Check the settings and correct as necessary once the vehicle
battery has built up a sufficient charge.

Warning light

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Lights

Possible cause

Proper response

Alternator malfunction.

See an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or an authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility.

Have the electrical system

checked.

Switch off unnecessary electrical

loads. The vehicle battery will not

be charged by the alternator as

you drive.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check. They go out after a few seconds.

WARNING

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to
break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTICE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.

Checking the 12 Volt vehicle battery electrolyte level

Fig. 154 In the luggage compartment: Vehicle battery cover.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Check the electrolyte level of the battery regularly if the vehicle has high mileage (km), in places with a
warm climate, and if the vehicle has an old battery. Otherwise the vehicle battery does not require
maintenance.

Opening the battery cover

Pull the cover upward in the direction of the arrow

⇒

fig. 154

and remove.

Checking the vehicle battery acid level

If the lighting conditions are poor, use a flashlight so that you can clearly see the battery acid level

indicator and tell what color it is. Never use an open flame or an unprotected light source.

The round battery window (“acid level indicator”) on the top of the battery changes color, depend-

ing on the battery's electrolyte level.

Color

Action

Light yellow

or colorless

Battery electrolyte level is too low. The

vehicle battery may need to be re-

placed. Have it checked by an author-

ized Volkswagen dealer or an author-

ized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Black

Battery electrolyte level is satisfactory.

WARNING

Working on the batteries can cause serious acid burns, explosion, or electrical shock.

Always wear eye protection and protective gloves.
Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness.

Always wear protective gloves and eye protection.

  Never tilt the vehicle battery. Acid could spill out of the battery vents and burn you.
  Never open a vehicle battery.
  If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for

several minutes and then get immediate medical attention.

If you swallow any battery acid, get medical attention immediately.

Charging, replacing, disconnecting, and connecting the 12 Volt vehicle
battery

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Charging the vehicle battery

Vehicle batteries should be charged by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility because the factory-installed battery requires a charger with overload

protection

⇒

Replacing the vehicle battery

The battery in your vehicle is specially developed for its location, with special dimensions and safety
features. Before buying a new battery, ask an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility what batteries are suitable with regard to electro-magnetic compatibility,
dimensions, required maintenance, performance, and safety specifications. Have the battery replaced
by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Only use maintenance-free vehicle batteries meeting standards TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. These
standards must date from July 2012 or later.

Disconnecting the vehicle battery

If the battery must be disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system, note the following:

Switch off all electrical systems and devices and the ignition.
Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery; otherwise the alarm system will go off.

First disconnect the negative cable (-) and then the positive cable (+)

⇒

Connecting the vehicle battery

Prior to reconnecting the battery, switch off all electrical systems and devices and the ignition.

Connect the positive cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-)

⇒

After the battery is connected and the ignition is switched on, different indicator lights may light up.
They should go out after you drive a short distance at 10–12 mph (15–20 km/h). If the indicator lights
do not go out, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility
and have the vehicle checked.

If the battery was disconnected for a long time, the next scheduled service may not be correctly calcu-

lated and displayed

⇒ Instrument cluster. The maximum permissible service and maintenance inter-

vals are shown in the

⇒ Booklet

Warranty and Maintenance.

Vehicles with push-button start

If the ignition will not start after reconnecting the vehicle battery, lock the vehicle from the outside and

unlock it again

⇒ Unlocking or locking the vehicle with Keyless Access. Then try to start the ignition

again. If the ignition cannot be switched on, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop for assistance.

Automatic electrical load deactivation

If the vehicle battery drain is high, the intelligent onboard electrical system management automatically
takes steps to help prevent battery drain.

  The idle speed is increased so that the alternator provides more power.
  The power to devices that consume a lot of electricity is cut back or switched off completely.
  When the engine is started, the power supply to the 12 Volt sockets is temporarily interrupted.

The onboard electrical system management cannot always keep the battery from being drained. For
example, the battery will drain if the engine is not running, but the ignition is switched on or the parking
lights are left on for a long time when parked.

Battery disconnection in an accident with airbag deployment

In vehicles with a battery in the luggage compartment, the electrical connection to the battery is dis-
connected automatically in a collision with airbag deployment. This helps to prevent a short-circuit.

What drains the vehicle battery?

  Long periods when the engine is not running, especially when the ignition is on.
  Using electrical systems or devices when the engine is switched off.
  Leaving the vehicle unlocked for several days when not in use.
  The selector lever is left for a long period of time in any position other than Park (P) when the

ignition is switched off

⇒ Automatic transmission: Selector lever.

WARNING

Failure to use the proper battery with proper mounting and connections may cause short
circuits, fires, and serious personal injuries.

Always use only maintenance-free or cycle-free, leak-proof batteries with the same speci-

fications and dimensions as the original equipment battery. Specifications are listed on the
battery housing.

WARNING

When the vehicle battery is charged, it produces highly explosive hydrogen gas.

Charge vehicle batteries only in well-ventilated areas.
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery. A dead battery can freeze at temperatures

around +32 °F (0 °C).

You must replace the vehicle battery if it was frozen.
Incorrectly connected cables can cause a short-circuit. First connect the positive cable (+)

and then the negative cable (-).

NOTICE

Never disconnect the vehicle battery or connect 2 vehicle batteries to each other when the

ignition is switched on or the engine is running. Doing this may damage the electrical system
or electronic components.

Never use a vehicle battery that does not meet the specifications for the vehicle battery for

your vehicle. Using the wrong battery can damage the electrical system or electronic compo-
nents and cause electrical malfunctions.

Never connect power generating equipment, such as a solar panel or battery charger, to the

12 Volt socket in order to charge the vehicle battery. This can damage the vehicle's electrical
system.

Dispose of the vehicle battery according to regulations. Vehicle batteries contain poisonous

substances such as sulfuric acid and lead.

Battery acid can pollute the environment. Catch leaking operating fluids and dispose of them

properly.

Exterior care and cleaning

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Washing the vehicle

Washing with a power washer

Cleaning windows and outside mirrors

Cleaning and changing the windshield wiper blades

Waxing and polishing vehicle paint

Caring for and cleaning chrome and aluminum parts

Cleaning wheel rims

Caring for rubber door and window seals

Deicing door lock cylinders

Undercoating

Cleaning the engine compartment

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 Warranty if corrosion repair or repainting is
necessary.

Vehicle care products are available from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.

More information:

  Power locking system
  Power windows
  Windshield wipers and washer
  Working in the engine compartment
  Interior care and cleaning
  Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifications

WARNING

Vehicle care products can be dangerous. Improper use can cause accidents, burns, poison-
ing, or other serious personal injuries.

  Always store vehicle care products only in original containers that are securely closed.
  Always read and heed all the instructions and all WARNINGS on the package.
  To reduce the risk of poisoning, never use empty food or beverage containers that might

mislead someone into drinking from them.

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.

Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail polish remover or other volatile fluids for vehi-

cle care. They are poisonous and highly flammable.

WARNING

Improper care and cleaning of vehicle components can impact the safety features of the ve-
hicle and cause severe injuries.

Always clean and maintain vehicle components according to manufacturer's instructions.
Only use approved or recommended cleaners.

NOTICE

Vehicle care products containing solvents can damage plastics and other vehicle the materials.

Wash the vehicle only at specifically designated wash locations to help prevent water contami-

nated 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 loca-
tions.

When buying vehicle care products, try to choose those that are not harmful to the environment.

Never throw out vehicle care products with ordinary household waste. Always read and heed all

the instructions and all WARNINGS on the package.

Washing the vehicle

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The longer insect splatter, bird droppings, tree sap, road dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot, road salt,
and other aggressive materials stay on your vehicle, the more damage they do to the paint finish. High
temperatures (including strong sunlight) increase the corrosive effects. The vehicle underbody should
also be washed regularly and thoroughly.

Car wash

Pay close attention to the information provided by the car wash operator. Before going through a
car wash, be sure to take the usual precautions to help prevent damage, such as closing the windows,
folding back the outside mirrors, etc. If you have installed additional accessories on the vehicle, such
as a spoiler, a roof rack, or an antenna, always ask the car wash operator if this poses a problem
⇒ .
The paint finish is tough enough that the vehicle can normally be washed without problems in an
automatic car wash. However, the effect on the paint depends to a large extent on the type of car
wash. Volkswagen recommends using brushless car wash facilities.

To remove wax residue from the windows and avoid jerky windshield wiper movement, heed the

following tips

⇒ Cleaning windows and outside mirrors.

Washing by hand

When washing by hand, first soften the dirt with plenty of water and then rinse off as much dirt as
possible.

Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a washing mitt or brush using only light pressure. Start
on the roof and work down. Use special shampoo only on hard-to-remove dirt or grime.

Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and often.

Clean the wheels and under the door sills last. Use a different sponge or wash mitt.

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.

Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a few careful applications of the

brake. Make sure not to endanger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.

CAUTION

Sharp edges under the vehicle can cut exposed skin.

Always protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when cleaning the

underbody, the inside of the wheel housings, etc.

NOTICE

  The water temperature must not be more than +140 °F (+60 °C).
  To help prevent damage to the paint, 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.

Never clean headlights with a dry cloth or sponge. Always use a wet cloth or sponge. For

best results use soapy water.

When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather, do not let water get into the lock

cylinders or point the hose at gaps around the doors, hood, or luggage compartment lid. The
water could freeze on the locks and seals and make it difficult to open the vehicle!

When outside temperatures are low, wipe the rubber seals and their contact surfaces dry to

help prevent freezing.

NOTICE

To help prevent vehicle damage in a car wash:

Compare the vehicle track width with the dimensions 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 vehicle through a car wash

⇒ page 131, Rain

sensor.

Make sure there is enough clearance for the height and width of the vehicle.
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.

Fold the outside mirrors toward the vehicle body.
Lock the luggage compartment lid to help prevent unintentional opening in the car wash.

Washing with a power washer

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Always follow the instructions for the power washer. This especially applies to the pressure and

spraying distance

⇒

Make sure there is enough distance to soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulating material as
well as the sensors of the Park Distance Control system (if equipped). The Park Distance Control

system sensors can be found in the rear and, if applicable, front bumper

⇒ .

Never use concentrated jet nozzles or so-called dirt blasters

⇒

Never use a power washer to clean the engine compartment

⇒ Cleaning the engine compartment.

WARNING

Improper use of power washers can cause serious invisible permanent damage leading to tire
failure and loss of vehicle control. This can cause accidents and severe personal injury.

Keep sufficient distance between water jet and 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 “dirt blasters” to clean tires. Even spraying from a relatively long distance for a

very short time can do visible or invisible damage to tires.

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.

Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a few careful applications of the

brake. Make sure not to endanger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.

NOTICE

  Water temperature should not be more than +140 °F (+60 °C).
  To help prevent damage to the paint, do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
  In order for Park Distance Control to work correctly, the sensors in the rear bumper must be

kept clean and clear of snow and ice.

Do not clean icy or snow-covered windows with a power washer.
When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather, do not let water get into the lock

cylinders or point the hose at gaps around the doors, hood, or luggage compartment lid. The
water could freeze on the locks and seals and make it difficult to open the vehicle!

Cleaning windows and outside mirrors

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Cleaning windows and outside mirrors

Spray windows and outside mirrors with a commercially available alcohol-based window cleaner.

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.

Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to remove rubber, oil, grease and silicone deposits

⇒ .

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 windshield can cause the windshield wipers to grab and squeak instead of gliding smoothly. We
recommend that after every car wash you remove any wax residue left on the windshield with a win-
dow cleaning cloth/chamois G 052 522 A1 or equivalent.

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

refilling the washer fluid tank. Grease-removing cleaning agents cannot remove wax residue

⇒ .

Windshield cleaners, special cleaners, and cleaning cloths are available from your authorized
Volkswagen dealer and authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Removing snow

Remove snow from all windows and outside mirrors with an appropriate brush.

Removing ice

The best way to remove ice is with a deicer spray. When using an ice scraper always scrape in one
direction, never back and forth. Dirt can scratch the glass when moving the scraper backward.

WARNING

Dirty or fogged up windows reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents and severe
injuries.

Don't drive until you have clear visibility through all windows.

Remove ice, snow and condensation from all inside and outside window surfaces.

NOTICE

Never mix recommended cleaning agents with other cleaning agents in the windshield

washer reservoir. If you do, this could cause sediments or other by-products that can clog the
windshield washer nozzles.

Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from windows and mirrors. This could

cause the glass to crack!

The heating elements for the rear defroster are on 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 windows with corrosive or acidic cleaning agents or other chemicals that could damage
the heating elements.

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 wind-
shield-integrated antenna and never clean the antenna with corrosive or acidic cleaning agents
or other chemicals.

Cleaning and changing the windshield wiper blades

Fig. 155 Changing the windshield wiper blades.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Factory-installed wiper blades have a graphite coating. The graphite coating lets the wiper blades glide
smoothly over the windshield. If this coating is worn or damaged, the wipers may grab or squeak.

Check all wiper blades regularly. Wiper blades that grab and squeak must be replaced if worn or

damaged and cleaned if dirty

⇒ .

Replace worn or damaged wiper blades immediately. Replacement blades may be purchased from
any authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Lifting and tilting windshield wiper arms

Move the wiper arms to the service position before lifting them away from the windshield

⇒ Wind-

shield wipers and washer.

It is not possible to lift the wiper arms away from the windshield when they are not in the service
position.

When lifting or replacing a wiper blade on a window, grip it only by its mounting and not by the blade
itself.

Cleaning the wiper blades

Lift the wiper arm(s) away from the windshield.
Using a soft cloth, carefully remove dust and dirt from the wiper blades.

If the blades are very dirty, carefully clean them with a sponge or cloth

⇒ .

Carefully fold the wiper arm back down onto the windshield.

Changing wiper blades

Lift the wiper arm(s) away from the windshield.

Press and hold the release button

⇒

fig. 155

(1)

While lifting the wiper blade in the direction of the wiper arm, pull off the wiper blade in the direction

of the arrow. This may require moderate force.

Install a new wiper blade of same length and type onto the wiper arm by pushing in the opposite

direction of the arrow until it latches.

Carefully fold the wiper arm back down onto the windshield.

WARNING

Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents and severe
injuries.

Always change wiper blades if they are damaged or worn, and if they cannot clean the

windows sufficiently.

NOTICE

Damaged or dirty wiper blades can scratch the windshield.
Solvents, abrasive sponges and sharp-edged objects will damage the graphite coating on

the wiper blades.

Do not clean the windows with gasoline, nail polish remover, paint thinner or similar fluids.
To help prevent damage to the engine hood and the windshield wiper arms, lift the wiper

arms away from the windshield only when they are in the service position.

Waxing and polishing vehicle paint

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Waxing

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.

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.

Polishing

Polish your vehicle if the paint has lost its shine and the gloss cannot be brought back with wax.

The vehicle must be waxed after polishing if the polish used does not contain wax compounds to seal
the paint.

NOTICE

To help prevent damage, do not use hard wax or polish on matte-finished parts, plastic

parts, headlights or rear lights.

Do not wax or polish your vehicle if it is dirty, or in a sandy or dusty place.

Caring for and cleaning chrome and aluminum parts

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Clean the surface using a clean, soft, lint-free cloth dampened with water.
If the surface is especially dirty, use a special solvent-free cleaning material.

Then polish chrome and aluminum parts with a soft, dry cloth.

NOTICE

To help prevent damage to chrome and aluminum parts:

  Do not clean or polish in direct sunlight.
  Do not clean or polish in sandy or dusty places.
  Do not use abrasive cleaners or abrasive sponges.
  Do not polish dirty surfaces.
  Do not use cleaning materials that contain solvents.
  Do not use hard wax.

NOTICE

Chrome wheel covers and hubcaps can have an extra coating. Do not treat them with chrome
care or polishing products. Use regular paint care and polishing products.

Cleaning wheel rims

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Cleaning steel wheels

Stubborn brake dust can be removed with an industrial cleaner. Clean steel wheels regularly with a
separate sponge.

Repair any paint damage on steel wheels before rust begins to form.

Cleaning alloy wheels

Every 2 weeks: Wash road salt and brake dust off alloy wheels, and clean the wheels with an acid-
free detergent. Every 3 months: Volkswagen recommends applying a hard wax compound to the
wheels.

If road salt and brake dust are not removed regularly, they can corrode the metal.

Use an acid-free detergent specifically designed for light alloy wheels. Do not use car polish or other
abrasive products.

If the protective coating is damaged, for example by stone impact, repair the damaged area right
away.

Caring for rubber door and window seals

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The rubber seals around the doors and windows will stay soft and flexible, seal better and last longer if
the seals are treated regularly with a suitable rubber care product.

Before applying the treatment, use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the rubber seals.

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 windows and
smudge them.

Deicing door lock cylinders

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Volkswagen recommends using only genuine Volkswagen deicer spray with lubricating and anti-
corrosive properties to deice door lock cylinders.

NOTICE

Lock deicers that contain grease solvents can cause the lock cylinder to rust.

Undercoating

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The vehicle underbody is coated to help protect it from corrosion and damage. The undercoating could
be damaged during normal use. We therefore recommend that you have the protective coatings on the
underbody and suspension inspected regularly, and repaired if necessary.

WARNING

Undercoating and rustproofing products can catch fire on the hot exhaust system or any
other hot engine component.

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.

Cleaning the engine compartment

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The engine compartment of a vehicle is a dangerous area

⇒ Working in the engine compartment.

If necessary, the engine compartment should be cleaned by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Incorrect cleaning procedures could remove corrosion protec-
tion and damage electrical components, among other things. In addition, water could enter directly into

the vehicle interior through the plenum chamber

⇒ .

Never use a power washer to clean the engine compartment

⇒

If the engine compartment is extremely dirty, have it cleaned professionally by your authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Plenum chamber

The plenum chamber is located in the engine compartment between windshield and engine, under a
perforated cover. Outside air is taken into the vehicle interior from the plenum chamber via the climate
control system.

Regularly remove leaves and other loose objects from the plenum chamber cover by hand or with a
vacuum cleaner.

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid (2015 year). Instruction - part 21