Get Auxiliary heater Guide for Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

Introduction

The auxiliary heater and ventilation system can be used to heat the vehicle interior in the winter and ventilate it in

the summer. It is able to clear ice, condensation and a thin layer of snow from the windscreen. The auxiliary heater

is supplied with fuel from the vehicle fuel tank and can be operated when the vehicle is stationary with the ignition

switched off. The auxiliary ventilation system is powered by the 12-volt vehicle battery.

Possible auxiliary heaters

Depending on the equipment in the vehicle, it may have an auxiliary coolant heater, auxiliary air heater or a

combination of both.

—The auxiliary coolant heater primarily heats the front end of the vehicle.

—The auxiliary air heater primarily heats the vehicle interior.

If your vehicle has a auxiliary coolant heater with remote control, the auxiliary heater can also be programmed via an

app on your mobile telephone . Information about the app, the requirements for use and availability, and about

compatible end devices is available on the internet .

Operating mode of the auxiliary heater

You will be able to select different modes depending on the type of auxiliary heater installed in the vehicle. If you are

unable to select a particular mode, the vehicle is not equipped with the relevant auxiliary heater.

—Vehicle interior and windscreen (auxiliary coolant heater).

—Vehicle interior (interior using auxiliary air heater).

—Ventilate (ventilate the vehicle interior). The vehicle interior is not cooled in ventilation mode.

Depending on the equipment in the vehicle, you can select the temperature and the areas to be heated in some

modes.

Auxiliary heater exhaust system

The emissions generated by the auxiliary heater are removed via an exhaust pipe fitted underneath the vehicle. The

exhaust pipe must not be blocked by snow, mud or any objects.

DANGER

Among the emissions from the auxiliary heater is carbon monoxide, which is an odourless and colourless poisonous

gas. Carbon monoxide can cause people to lose consciousness. It can also cause death.

● Never switch on the auxiliary heater or leave the auxiliary heater running if the vehicle is located in enclosed or

unventilated spaces.

● Never program the auxiliary heater to switch on and run in unventilated or enclosed spaces.

WARNING

Parts of the auxiliary heater exhaust system become very hot. This can cause fires.

● Park the vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can come into contact with any inflammable material

underneath the vehicle, e.g. dry grass.

NOTICE

Heat-sensitive food, medicine and other items could be either damaged or rendered useless.

● Never leave food, medicines or other temperature-sensitive objects in front of the vents.

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Switching the auxiliary heater and auxiliary ventilation on and off

The auxiliary heater and ventilation can be operated when the ignition is switched on or off.

Switching on the auxiliary heater

1. Press the immediate heat button

in the air conditioning block in the roof console.

Or: Press the button on the remote control .

Or: Program a departure time (→ Auxiliary heater and auxiliary ventilation).

The auxiliary heater will not switch on if the 12-volt vehicle battery has a low charge level or the fuel tank is empty.

Switching off the auxiliary heater

1. Press the immediate heat button

in the air conditioning block in the roof console.

Or: Press the button on the remote control .

Auxiliary heater switches off automatically

The auxiliary heater switches itself off automatically if one of the following conditions is met:

—The programmed departure time is reached or the set running time has elapsed (→ Auxiliary heater and auxiliary

ventilation).

— The yellow indicator lamp (fuel gauge) lights up .

— The charge level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is too low.

The auxiliary heater runs on for a short time after it is switched off manually or automatically so that the remaining

fuel in the system can be burnt off.

Operating noises can be heard when the auxiliary heater is switched

on.

If you park on a downhill slope with very little fuel in the tank(just above the reserve level), the fuel gauge

may be inaccurate and lead to functional restrictions of the auxiliary heater.

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Programming the auxiliary heater

Fig. 1 In the front roof console: Operating the auxiliary

heater.

1

Select temperature.

Switch the immediate heat function on and off.

Continuous mode (only for auxiliary air heaters).

Open the menu.

OK Confirm settings.

Adjust settings.

Opening the auxiliary heater menu

1. Switch on the ignition.

2. Press and hold the button in the air conditioning block in the roof console.

3. Using the and buttons, select theAuxiliary heater menu.

Setting the running time of the auxiliary heater

The running time of the auxiliary heater can be set on the air conditioning block in the roof console.

1. Open the Auxiliary heater menu.

2. Under Running time, set the time for which the auxiliary heating is to be switched on in 10-minute increments.

You can set a maximum running time of 120 minutes for the auxiliary heater.

When the vehicle is at a standstill, the auxiliary heater can be activated up to three times in succession with a running

time of 60 minutes, for example. A complete heating operation with the maximum possible running time of

120 minutes can be performed only once in full when the vehicle is stationary. The auxiliary heater then prematurely

switches itself off automatically or can no longer be switched on. In order to switch on the auxiliary heater again, you

must first move the vehicle by a distance of around 30 m at a speed of at least walking pace.

Auxiliary heater in continuous mode

Continuous mode of the auxiliary heater depends on the vehicle equipment and is available only with the auxiliary air

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heater.

Continuous mode can be switched on only using the button.

Continuous mode functions only when the vehicle is stationary. If the vehicle is moved when continuous mode is

switched on, a message may be shown on the control panel display. Continuous mode is deactivated automatically

while the vehicle is in motion and the message text and display

in the roof console display go out.

A message will be displayed on the control panel for a short time if the button is pressed while the vehicle is

moving. However, it is not possible to switch on continuous mode.

1. Press the

button.

2. Use the and buttons to selectYes.

3. Press the

4. Press the

button to switch on continuous mode.

or button to switch off continuous mode.

Programming departure time

Activation is always for one heating period only. The departure time must be activated for every start. When a

departure time is activated, a message appears in the display of the air conditioning block in the roof console when

you switch off the ignition.

Manual air conditioning system: The programmed departure time determines the time at which the auxiliary heater

should switch off. The point at which the auxiliary heater begins the heating process depends on the programmed

operating period.

Climatronic: The programmed departure time determines when the set temperature should almost be reached in the

vehicle. The point at which the auxiliary heater begins the heating process is determined automatically based on the

exterior and interior temperatures.

1. Before programming, check that the date and time set in the vehicle are correct (→ Clock).

2. Open the Auxiliary heater menu.

3. In the Departure time menu, select a memory location for the departure time.

4. Adjust the departure time withChange.

Select UM if you wish to start the auxiliary heater at a specific time. Select day of the week if you want to switch

the auxiliary heater on for a certain day of the week.

5. Under Running time, set the time for which the auxiliary heating is to be switched on in 10-minute increments.

The maximum running time is 120 minutes.

6. Press Activate to save the settings.

The auxiliary heater starts before the selected time using the selected runtime and mode. You can only change

a departure time when the heater is deactivated.

Auxiliary heater vents

The temperature of the air emitted from the vents may be very hot→

The design of the vents in vehicles with an auxiliary air heater can vary.

.

—Vehicles with partition: The air outlets are located on the B-pillar on the front passenger side. There is one air

outlet in front of the partition and one behind.

—Vehicles without partition: The air outlets are located on the B-pillar on the front passenger side. Depending on

the selected settings, the air from the vents can flow towards the front or the rear.

WARNING

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People who are lightly or not at all sensitive to pain or extreme temperatures as a result of medication, disabilities or

chronic illnesses, e.g. diabetes, may suffer from burns if they get too close to the vents. These burns may take a very

long time to heal or may not fully heal at all. Please consult a doctor to determine your own level of health.

● People with a low sensitivity to pain or extreme temperatures should not sit in the areas around the vents.

NOTICE

Heat-sensitive food, medicine and other items could be either damaged or rendered useless.

● Never leave food, medicines or other temperature-sensitive objects in front of the vents.

NOTICE

Do not insert any objects in the vent slots. This could cause damage to the air outlets.

Remote control of the auxiliary heater and auxiliary ventilation

With the remote control, the fuel-operated auxiliary heater or auxiliary ventilation can be switched on and off from

outside the vehicle.

Fig. 1 Remote control for the auxiliary heater.

Switching the auxiliary heater on and off using the remote control

1. Switching on: Press the button for around 1 second→ Fig. 1.

2. Switching off: Press the

button for around 1 second→ Fig. 1.

LED in the remote control

The LED

indicates various operating states after you press a button→ Fig. 1 2 .

Lit up green: Auxiliary heater and auxiliary ventilation are switched on.

Flashes green evenly: Switch-on signal has not been received. Move closer to the vehicle.

Flashes green irregularly: Auxiliary heater and auxiliary ventilation are locked.

If one of the following conditions is met, the auxiliary heater and auxiliary ventilation are locked:

—The fuel tank is almost empty.

— The current of the 12-volt vehicle battery is too low.

—There is a system fault.

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1. Fill the vehicle with fuel.

2. Drive the vehicle for an appropriate length of time in order to recharge the 12-volt vehicle battery.

3. If the fault persists, consult a suitably qualified workshop.

Lit up red: The auxiliary heater is switched off.

Flashes red evenly: Switch-off signal has not been received. Move closer to the vehicle.

Flashes or lights up orange: The button cell in the remote control is weak. Replacing the button cell.

Range

The remote control has a range of several hundred metres when the button cell is fully charged and under ideal

conditions.

—Keep a distance of at least 2 m(7 ft) between the remote control and the vehicle.

—Avoid obstacles between the remote control and vehicle.

1

—Hold the remote control with the aerial→ Fig. 1

—Do not cover the aerial.

pointing vertically upwards.

Poor weather conditions, nearby buildings or a weak button cell will significantly reduce the range.

NOTICE

The remote control contains electronic components which can be damaged by moisture, strong vibrations and direct

sunlight.

● Protect the remote control from moisture, excessive vibration and direct sunlight.

Replacing the button cell in the remote control

Replace the button cell in the remote control if the LED stops lighting up.

Fig. 1 Remote control: Battery compartment cover.

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Fig. 2 Remote control: Replacing the button cell.

Replacing the button cell

1. Insert a suitable tool, e.g. a screwdriver, in the recess on the housing of the remote control in the direction of

the arrow → Fig. 1.

2. Use the tool to lever off the battery compartment cover in an upward direction until the housing catches are

released.

3. Carefully push the battery compartment cover in the direction of the arrow→ Fig. 1 and remove the battery

compartment cover.

4. To remove the button cell, carefully insert a screwdriver, for example, in the recess on the button cell.

5. Carefully lever up the button cell with the screwdriver until the button cell is released from the holder and

remove the button cell.

6. Insert a new button cell of the same type so that it engages in the battery compartment. Observe the

information on the polarity and the battery cell type on the inside of the battery compartment cover.

7. Carefully push the battery compartment cover onto the housing of the remote control in the opposite direction

to the arrow and press gently until the battery compartment cover engages.

DANGER

If you swallow a button cell, or if it enters your windpipe, it can cause serious or even fatal injuries within a very

short time due to choking or internal burns.

● Seek immediate medical assistance if you suspect that someone has swallowed a button cell.

● Do not use the remote control if you cannot close the battery compartment cover.

● Always keep the remote control and key ring with button cells out of the reach of children.

NOTICE

Using unsuitable button cells can damage the remote control.

● Replace a discharged button cell only with a new button cell of the same voltage rating, size and specification.

● Make sure that the button cell is inserted properly so that the polarity is consistent.

Dispose of discharged button cells in an environmentally-friendly

way.

The button cell in the remote control may contain perchlorate. Observe the legal requirements for

disposal.

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Troubleshooting

Cooling mode

or heating cannot be switched on or its function is restricted

Cooling mode

works only when the engine is running and at ambient temperatures above +3°C(+38°F).

is switched off when the engine is very hot.

The heating and defrost function are more effective when the engine is warm.

—Switch on the blower.

—Check the fuse of the air conditioning system .

—Replace the enhanced air filter with activated carbon .

—If the fault persists, consult a suitably qualified workshop.

NOTICE

If the air conditioning system is not working, switch it off immediately to prevent consequential damage. Have the

air conditioning system checked by a correspondingly qualified workshop.

Condensation on the windows

Condensation forms on the windows if they are colder than the ambient temperature and the air is very humid. Cold

air can absorb less moisture than warm air, which is why condensation frequently forms on windows in cold weather.

1. Keep the air intake in front of the windscreen free from ice, snow and leaves to improve the heating or cooling

output (→ Vehicle care).

2. To allow air to flow from the front to the rear of the vehicle, leave air vents in the rear of the luggage

compartment clear.

3. Switch on the defrost function (→ Defrost function).

The wrong unit of temperature has been set

1. Change the unit of temperature for all temperature displays in the vehicle using the Infotainment system.

Water or water vapour under the vehicle

If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensation can drip off the evaporator in the cooling

system and form a pool underneath the vehicle. This is normal and does not indicate a leak.

If the outside humidity is high and the outside temperature low, condensation may evaporate when the auxiliary

heater is running. If this is the case, steam may appear underneath the vehicle. The vehicle is not damaged.

Auxiliary heater cannot be switched on

When the vehicle is at a standstill, the auxiliary heater can be switched on up to three times in succession for the

maximum operating duration.

If you park on a downhill slope with very little fuel in the tank(just above the reserve level), the fuel gauge may be

inaccurate and lead to functional restrictions of the auxiliary heater.

The 12-volt vehicle battery will be discharged if the auxiliary heater runs several times for an extended period.

1. Drive the vehicle for an appropriate distance in order to recharge the 12-volt vehicle battery.

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The interior temperature is slightly higher than expected

The temperature at which the auxiliary heater heats the vehicle interior could be slightly higher if the temperature

selector for the heating and fresh air system or manual air conditioning system was set to the highest setting before

the auxiliary heater was switched on. This also depends on the ambient temperature.

Noises when the auxiliary heater is switched on

It is normal for the auxiliary heater to make noises when switched on. The noise does not indicate a malfunction.

Information on steering

The steering should be locked every time you leave the vehicle to make it more difficult for the vehicle to be stolen.

The steering

The power steering provided by the electromechanical steering system automatically adjusts to the vehicle speed,

steering wheel torque and steering wheel angle. The electromechanical steering only functions when the engine is

running. If the start/stop system is activated and the engine is switched off, the steering also works.

You will need considerably more strength than normal to steer the vehicle if the power steering is reduced or has

failed completely.

Mechanical steering column lock

The steering column is locked mechanically in vehicles with an ignition lock:

1. Stop the vehicle.

2. With some equipment levels: Move the selector lever to positionP.

3. Remove the vehicle key.

4. Turn the steering wheel slightly until the steering lock clicks into place.

Unlocking the steering column:

1. Turn the steering wheel slightly to relieve the load on the steering lock.

2. Insert the vehicle key into the ignition lock.

3. Hold the steering wheel in this position and turn the ignition on.

Electronic steering lock in vehicles with a starter button

The steering column is locked electronically on vehicles with starter button:

1. Stop the vehicle and engage the parking lockP if necessary.

2. Switch off the ignition and then open the driver door. The steering column is locked.

If you do not want the steering column to be locked, first open the driver door and then switch off the ignition. The

steering column will remain unlocked as long as the vehicle is not locked.

Counter steering assistance

Counter steering assistance provides the driver with power steering in critical driving situations. In combination with

ESC

, additional steering power helps the driver when counter steering→

.

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Auxiliary heater for Your Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

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