Heating and air conditioning
Introduction to the subject
In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:
Your vehicle may have the following equipment:
- Manual air conditioning
- Climatronic
The manual air conditioning and the Climatronic climate control system cool and dehumidify the air. The systems are most effective when the windows and sunroof are closed.
On vehicles with Climatronic climate control, Climatronic information appears in the Climatronic display.
The temperature units (Fahrenheit or Celsius) can be changed in the Settings menu in the instrument cluster display on appropriately equipped vehicles .
Air vents
To help ensure sufficient heating, cooling, and ventilation in the passenger compartment, never close the air vents completely.
- To open and close the air vents, turn the respective thumbwheel in the desired direction. When the thumbwheel is in the
position, the air vent is closed.
- Use the lever on the vent grille to adjust the airflow direction.
Additional, non-adjustable air vents are located in the instrument panel, in the footwells, as well as in the rear area of the passenger compartment.
WARNING
Poor visibility increases the risk of collisions and other accidents that cause serious personal injuries.
- Always make sure all windows are clear of ice, snow and condensation for good visibility to the front, sides, and rear.
- Always make sure you know how to properly use the climate control system as well as the rear window defroster that you will need for good visibility.
- Never use air recirculation for long periods of time. When the air conditioner is off and recirculation mode is on, condensation can quickly form on the windows and greatly reduce visibility.
- Wait until you have good visibility before driving off.
- Always switch off recirculation mode when it is not needed.
WARNING
Stale air causes driver fatigue and reduces driver alertness, which can cause accidents, collisions and serious personal injury.
- Never switch off the fan for a long period of time and never use air recirculation for a long period of time because no fresh air will enter the passenger compartment.
NOTE
- If you think the air conditioner is not working properly or may be damaged, switch it off to help prevent more damage. Have the air conditioner checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
- Air conditioner repair requires specialized knowledge and special tools. Volkswagen recommends that you see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
- Do not smoke when air recirculation is switched on. Smoke drawn into the ventilation system can leave residue on the evaporator and on the dust and pollen filter, resulting in permanent odors whenever the air conditioner is switched on.
- 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, acidic, or abrasive cleaning agents, materials, or chemicals that could damage the heating elements.
NOTE
Do not place food, medications, or other temperature-sensitive things in front of the air vents. Food, medications, and other things that are sensitive to heat or cold can be damaged or made unusable by the air flow from the vents.
If the air conditioner is switched off, the fresh outside air will not be dehumidified. To help keep the windows from fogging over, Volkswagen recommends leaving the air conditioner (compressor) switched on. Press the button. The indicator light in the button must light up.
When it is very hot and humid outside, water condensation can drip from the air conditioner evaporator and form a puddle under the vehicle. This is normal and does not indicate a leak.
Keep the air intake slots in front of the windshield free of ice, snow, and leaves in order to maintain proper functioning of the heating and ventilation systems.
Maximum heating output and defrosting performance are not possible until the engine has reached operating temperature.
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 convenience settings, and programming). Check the settings and correct as necessary once the vehicle battery has built up a sufficient charge.
Overview of the front controls
Fig. 95 In the center console: Manual controls.
Fig. 96 In the center console: Climatronic controls.
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
If a function is switched on, an indicator light in or under the button lights up.
Turning the system off
- Manual air conditioning: Turn the fan knob to
.
- Climatronic: Turn the fan knob as far left as it will go .
- OR: Press the
button.
– Air conditioner
Press the button on the manual or Climatronic controls to switch the air conditioner on or off.
– Automatic regulation (Climatronic only)
Press the button to switch on automatic regulation. The indicator light in the button lights up.
Automatic regulation controls temperature, fan speed, and air distribution. If you change the fan speed or air distribution manually, the automatic regulation switches off.
– Maximum cooling
- Manual air conditioning: Turn the temperature knob all the way to the left (
- Climatronic: Press the
.
... 
– Temperature
- Manual air conditioning: Turn the temperature knob to set the temperature.
- Climatronic: Turn the outside knobs to set different temperatures for the driver and passenger sides. The displays above the knobs ④ show the set temperature.
...
– Fan speed
Turn the middle knob or ② to adjust the fan speed.
Climatronic: LEDs in the knob light up to indicate the current fan speed. When automatic regulation () is switched on, the fan speed is not indicated in the knob.
Air distribution
- Manual air conditioning: Turn the knob to direct air flow in the desired direction.
- Climatronic: Press the buttons to direct air flow in the desired direction. When automatic regulation (
: Air distribution to the upper instrument panel outlets.
: Air distribution to the footwells.
: Manual air conditioning only: Air distribution to the windshield and footwells.
: Air distribution to the windshield.
– Defog/defrost
Manual air conditioning: Turn the right knob to position to defrost the windshield as quickly as possible. The cooling system switches on automatically to dehumidify the air. When the defrost function is switched on, the air recirculation mode cannot be switched on.
Climatronic: Press the button to defrost the windshield as quickly as possible. The incoming outside air is directed to the windshield, and air recirculation automatically switches off. Humidity is removed from the air at temperatures above about +35 °F (+1.5 °C), and the blower is set to a high speed.
– Air recirculation mode
Press the button on the manual controls or the
button on the Climatronic controls to switch on air recirculation .
– Synchronize temperature settings (Climatronic only)
Press the button to apply the temperature settings for the driver side to the passenger side: If the indicator light in the
button lights up, the temperature settings for the driver side also apply to the passenger side.
Press the button or turn the temperature knob for the passenger side to set a different temperature for the passenger side. The indicator light in the button goes out.
– Seat heating (if equipped)
Press the or
buttons to switch the seat heating on or off .
– Rear window defroster
Press the button to defrost the rear window. The rear window defroster works only when the engine is running and switches off automatically after 10 minutes or less.
WARNING
Stale air causes driver fatigue and reduces alertness, which can cause accidents, collisions, and serious personal injury.
- Never switch off the fan for a long time because no fresh air will enter the passenger compartment.
NOTE
To help prevent damage to the rear window defroster, do not place stickers over the heating lines inside the vehicles.
Air recirculation
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
The air recirculation mode helps prevent outside air from entering the vehicle interior.
In very hot outside temperatures, temporarily switch to manual air recirculation in order to cool the vehicle interior faster.
Switching manual air recirculation on and off
- Manual air conditioning: Press the
- Climatronic: Press the
button to switch manual air recirculation on and off. The left indicator light under the button lights up when manual air recirculation is switched on.
Switching the automatic air recirculation mode on and off
In the setting, fresh air enters the passenger compartment. If the system detects an increased concentration of pollutants in the outside air, it automatically switches to air recirculation. As soon as the pollutant level is back in the normal range, air recirculation is switched off. Unpleasant odors cannot be detected by the system.
- Switching on: Press the
- Switching off: Press the
When does air recirculation mode not automatically activate?
- The air conditioning is on (indicated by the light in the
- The cooling system and the windshield wiper are switched off and the outside air temperature is cooler than about +50 °F (+10 °C).
- The cooling system is switched off, the outside air temperature is cooler than about +59 °F (+15 °C), and the windshield wiper is switched on.
For safety reasons, air recirculation is switched off if you push the button or the air distribution knob is turned to
.
Temporarily deactivating the automatic air recirculation
- Press the
- Press the
WARNING
Stale air causes driver fatigue and reduces driver alertness, which can cause accidents, collisions and serious personal injury.
- Never use air recirculation mode over an extended period of time, since no fresh air will enter the passenger compartment.
- When the air conditioner is off and recirculation mode is on, condensation can quickly form on the windows and greatly reduce visibility.
- Always switch off recirculation mode when it is not needed.
NOTE
Do not smoke when air recirculation is switched on. Smoke drawn into the ventilation system can leave residue on the evaporator and on the dust and pollen filter, resulting in permanent odors whenever the air conditioner is switched on.
Climatronic: When backing up and while the automatic wiper/washer is operating, air recirculation is briefly activated to help keep exhaust fumes from getting into the passenger compartment.
In very hot outside temperatures, temporarily switch to manual air recirculation in order to cool the vehicle interior faster.
Seat heating
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
Using seat heating
Your vehicle may be equipped with a seat heating feature for the front seats.
- Switching on: Press the
button. Seat heating is switched on to maximum.
- Adjusting: Press the
- Switching off: Press the
When the ignition is switched on, the front seats can be electrically heated by heating elements that warm the seat backrest and cushion.
Depending on vehicle equipment, the seat heating on the driver and passenger side may automatically resume at the setting that was set when the ignition was last switched off.
When should seat heating not be used?
Do not use the seat heating if any of the following conditions apply:
- If you or a passenger suffers from a low level of perceived pain or a lowered awareness of pain as from medication, paralysis, or chronic illness (e.g., diabetes) .
- If the seat is not being used.
- If there is a child restraint installed on the seat.
- If these is a blanket or seat cover on the seat.
- If the seat is damp or wet.
- If the outside temperature or the temperature inside the passenger compartment is +77 °F (+25 °C) or higher.
WARNING
Certain medical conditions, such as paralysis and diabetes, and certain medications can increase the risk of serious burns when the seat heating feature is switched on.
- Vehicle occupants who have a low level of perceived pain or a lowered awareness of pain are at risk of serious burns to the back, buttocks, and legs that take a long time to heal or may never heal completely.
- Never use the seat heating feature if you or your passengers are at risk of being burned because of a medical condition. Take regular breaks and get out of the vehicle, particularly on long trips. Consult your doctor for advice regarding your specific condition.
- Never let exposed skin remain in contact with the seat upholstery when the seat heating is being used.
WARNING
A wet seat can cause the seat heating to malfunction and increase the risk of serious burns.
- Always make sure the seats are dry before using the seat heating.
- Never sit on the seat with wet clothes.
- Never put damp or wet things including clothes on the seat.
- Never spill liquids on the seats.
NOTE
- To help prevent damage to electrical and other parts in the seat, do not kneel on the front seats or apply concentrated pressure to a small area of the seat or backrest.
- Liquids, sharp objects and things that do not let the heat in the seat escape into the air, including, for example, a child restraint, a blanket, or seat covers on the seat can damage seat heating.
- If you smell an odor, immediately shut off seat heating and have it checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
- Never install leather upholstery on a vehicle with seat heating that originally had cloth upholstery. The seat heating elements for seats with cloth seats will overheat if the cloth upholstery is replaced with leather upholstery.
Switch off seat heating when it is not needed to help reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.
Tips and troubleshooting
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
If the cooling system switches off automatically or will not switch on
The air conditioner only works when the engine is running and the outside temperature is above about +38 °F (+3 °C).
The air conditioner compressor switches off automatically when the engine is very warm.
- Switch on the fan.
- Check the fuse for the air conditioning system .
- If there is still cause for concern, have the air conditioner checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Settings for optimum visibility
- Keep the air intake slots in front of the windshield free of ice, snow, and leaves so that the heating and ventilation systems can work properly and to help prevent the windshield from fogging up.
- The air coming out of the vents flows through the passenger compartment and through the vents in the luggage compartment. Do not cover these slots with clothing or other things (Beetle Coupe models only).
- Maximum heating output and defrosting performance are not possible until the engine has reached operating temperature.
If the heating and fresh air system will not switch on or do not work as expected
The heating and defrost features are most effective when the engine is warm.
- If there is a cause for concern, have the system checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
If the windows fog up
- Keep the air intake slots in front of the windshield free of ice, snow, and leaves so that the heating and ventilation systems can work properly and to help prevent the windshield from fogging up.
- Do not cover the air vents in the rear of the luggage compartment so that air can flow through the passenger compartment from front to rear.
- Switch on the defog/defrost feature .
Maximum heating output and defrosting performance are not possible until the engine has reached operating temperature.
If the wrong temperature units are set
On appropriately equipped vehicles, the inside and outside temperatures can be displayed in either Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C).
Select Units in the instrument cluster display in the Settings main menu .
Water under the vehicle
When it is very hot and humid outside, water condensation can drip from the air conditioner evaporator and form a puddle under the vehicle. This is normal and does not indicate a leak.
Dust and pollen filter
The dust and pollen filter reduces the entry of pollutants into the passenger compartment.
The dust and pollen filter must be replaced at the intervals recommended in ⇒BookletWarranty and Maintenance, so that the air conditioner can work properly.
If the effectiveness of the filter decreases prematurely due to operating the vehicle where the outside air is heavily polluted, the dust and pollen filter should be replaced more frequently than indicated.