Get Driving tips Guide for Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

General notes on driving

Think ahead when driving

The fuel consumption will increase if you do not adopt a steady driving style. Keeping a close eye on the traffic can

help to avoid frequent acceleration and braking. Keeping a sufficient distance from the vehicle in front will help you

to think ahead when driving.

Avoid driving at full throttle

The rolling and air resistance increase at excessively high speeds. This in turn increases the force needed to move the

vehicle. Never make use of the vehicle’s top speed.

Observe the tyre pressures

Low tyre pressures does not just mean greater wear, but also increases the rolling resistance of the tyres and thus the

fuel consumption. Use optimised rolling resistance tyres.

Adjust the tyre pressure according to the vehicle load:

— Observe the information on the tyre pressure sticker .

—Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator (→ Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator).

—Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (→ Tyre Pressure Monitoring System).

Use low viscosity engine oils

Fully synthetic engine oils with low viscosity reduce frictional resistance in the engine and spread better and more

quickly, especially for cold starts.

WARNING

The engine power may be reduced by lower air density at increasing altitude. Reduced engine power can lead to

accidents, e.g. when overtaking. This can result in serious or fatal injuries.

● Always adapt your speed and driving style to the current visibility, weather and road or traffic conditions.

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Running in a new engine

A new engine has to be run in during the first 1,500 kilometres(around 1,000 miles). All moving parts should be given

the time to get used to running together. During the first few operating hours, the engine has higher internal friction

than it does later.

Up to 1,000 km (around 600 miles):

—Do not depress the accelerator fully.

—Do not load the combustion engine with more than 2/3 of the maximum engine speed.

—Do not drive with a trailer attached.

Between 1,000 and 1,500 km (around 600 to 1,000 miles):

1. Gradually increase speed and engine speed.

The style of driving during the first 1,500 km(around 1,000 miles) also affects the engine quality. Even after this time

– and especially with a cold engine – drive the vehicle at moderate speeds in order to reduce engine wear and to

increase the mileage that the engine can cover.

Do not drive at engine speeds that are too low. Always shift down gear if the engine is not running “smoothly”.

New tyres and brake pads (→ Information on the brakes) must be run in carefully.

If the new combustion engine is run in gently, its service life will be increased and its engine oil

consumption reduced.

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Gear-change indicator

Fig. 1 On the display of the instrument cluster: Gear-

change indicator.

A

B

Currently selected gear.

Recommended gear.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, the instrument cluster display may indicate which gear should be selected in

order to reduce fuel consumption while the vehicle is in motion → Fig. 1.

On vehicles with DSG^®dual clutch gearbox, the selector lever must be in the Tiptronic position (→ Tiptronic).

No recommended gear is indicated if the most suitable gear is already selected. The currently selected gear is

displayed.

Gear-change indicator variant 2

The recommended gear is displayed as a number. An arrow provides a recommendation for shifting up or shifting

down to the displayed gear.

An optimum selected gear is indicated by the display .

Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: The selector lever must also be in the Tiptronic position (→ Tiptronic). The

current gear is displayed as a number. An arrow indicates a recommended upshift or downshift .

Information on “cleaning” the particulate filter

The engine management system recognises when the particulate filter is becoming saturated and supports

regeneration of the particulate filter by recommending the most suitable gear when driving. Compared with normal

driving, this may mean driving with an increased engine speed (→ Particulate filter).

CAUTION

The gear-change indicator is only designed to assist the driver and cannot replace the driver's own judgement.

● The driver has full responsibility for selecting the correct gear in all situations(e.g. when overtaking, driving up

and down hills and when towing a trailer).

Driving in the correct gear can help to reduce fuel

consumption.

Gear-change indicator display goes out when the clutch is depressed in vehicles with a manual gearbox or

when Tiptronic position is deselected in vehicles with a DSG^®dual clutch gearbox.

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Economic driving style

Fuel consumption, environmental impact and wear of the engine, brakes and tyres can be reduced by adopting the

correct driving style. A few tips are provided below which will help you protect the environment and also save

money.

Fig. 1 Fuel consumption in litres per 100 km at two

different outside temperatures.

Use coasting mode

Vehicles with an automatic gearbox: If neither the accelerator nor brake pedal are pressed in selector lever position,

the vehicle will roll (“coast”) almost without any energy consumption.

Changing gear to save energy

Changing up a gear early at engine speeds of 2,000 rpm saves energy. Do not drive gears to the limit and avoid high

revs.

—Vehicles with a manual gearbox:change from first to second gear immediately after moving off.

— Vehicles with an automatic gearbox: Accelerate slowly and avoid using the kickdown function.

—Observe the gear-change indicator (→ Gear-change indicator).

—Use driving profile

where possible.

Reduce idling

Pull away immediately with low engine speeds. If you are stopped for a long period, do not allow the engine to idle

but switch it off, e.g. when in a traffic jam or at a railway crossing.

In vehicles with an activated start/stop system, the engine can switch off automatically when the vehicle is stopping

and when the vehicle is stationary.

Refuel moderately

A full fuel tank increases the weight of the vehicle. A fuel tank that is half to three quarters full is sufficient for urban

journeys in particular.

Avoid short journeys

A cold engine has very high fuel consumption. They do not reach optimum operating temperature until the vehicle

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has travelled a few kilometres (miles). The fuel consumption is above average at very low ambient temperatures, e.g.

in winter → Fig. 1. Plan journeys economically and combine short journeys.

Carry out regular maintenance

Regular maintenance is an essential prerequisite for economical driving and increases the service life of the vehicle.

Do not drive with unnecessary loads in the vehicle

You can reduce fuel consumption by clearing out the luggage compartment before setting off, for example by

removing empty drink crates or unused child seats.

To keep the air resistance of your vehicle as low as possible, remove any add-on parts and equipment once you have

finished using them.

Save energy

The alternator is driven by the engine and generates electrical power for convenience consumers such as the air

conditioning system, windscreen heating and ventilation. Saving electrical power is easy, e.g.:

—Open the windows and doors before driving at high outside temperatures and drive for a short distance with a

window open. Only then switch the air conditioning system on.

—Switch the convenience consumers off as soon as they have served their purpose.

WARNING

Adapt your speed and distance from the vehicles ahead to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.

NOTICE

Never allow the vehicle to roll down mountains or hills in the neutral positionN. The gearbox will not be lubricated

and could be damaged.

For more information on proper maintenance and replacement parts that are particularly energy-efficient,

e.g. new tyres, contact a qualified workshop.

In vehicles equipped with active cylinder management

(ACT®

), engine cylinders can be automatically deactivated in driving situations with low power requirements. When a

cylinder is deactivated, no fuel is injected into that cylinder, which leads to an overall reduction in fuel consumption.

Driving a loaded vehicle

For good vehicle handling when driving a loaded vehicle, please observe the following:

—Stow all items of luggage securely .

—Accelerate particularly cautiously and carefully.

—Avoid sudden braking and driving manoeuvres.

—Brake earlier than in normal driving.

—If necessary, refer to information about the roof load carrier .

—If applicable, observe the information about driving with a trailer .

—If applicable, observe the information about driving with a bicycle carrier (→ Bicycle carrier).

WARNING

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Shifting loads can severely impair the vehicle’s stability and driving safety, lengthen the braking distance in the

event of braking hard, and cause accidents and serious injuries.

● Secure objects properly to prevent them from sliding.

● Use suitable straps when securing heavy objects.

● Securely engage the rear seat backrests and, if applicable, the reclining rear seats.

Driving with an open boot lid

Driving with an open boot lid is particularly dangerous. Ensure that the open boot lid and any objects are secured

properly, and take appropriate measures to reduce the amount of toxic exhaust fumes entering the vehicle.

Make sure you observe any legal requirements when driving with an open boot lid.

WARNING

Driving with an unlocked or open boot lid can cause serious injuries.

● Always drive with the boot lid closed.

● Make sure that all objects in the load compartment are stowed securely. Loose objects can fall out of the load

compartment and injure road users who are driving behind.

● Always drive carefully and ensure that you think ahead.

● Avoid any abrupt or sudden driving and braking manoeuvres as this can cause the open boot lid to move

unpredictably.

● Any objects protruding from the load compartment must be marked to ensure that they are visible to other road

users. Comply with legal requirements.

● Any objects protruding from the load compartment must never be held or clamped in position by the boot lid.

● If it is necessary to drive with the boot lid open, any luggage carrier fitted and its load must always be removed

from the boot lid.

WARNING

Poisonous exhaust fumes can enter the vehicle interior when the boot lid is open. This can result in loss of

consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious injury and accidents.

● You should always drive with the boot lid closed in order to prevent toxic gases from entering the vehicle.

● If exceptional circumstances require you to drive with an open boot lid, you must do the following to reduce the

quantity of toxic exhaust fumes that could enter the vehicle:

● Close all the windows.

● Switch off the air recirculation mode of the heating and fresh air system or air conditioning system.

● Open all vents in the dash panel.

● Switch the blower for the heating and fresh air system or air conditioning system to the highest setting.

NOTICE

The vehicle length and height are different when the boot lid is open.

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Driving through water on roads

Please follow these rules to help prevent damage to your vehicle when driving through water, for example if the road

is flooded:

—Check the depth of the water before driving through it. The water level must be no higher than the lower edge of

the vehicle body →

.

—Do not drive faster than walking speed.

—Never stop the vehicle, reverse or switch off the engine while in water.

—Oncoming vehicles will create waves that could increase the water level for your vehicle to such an extent that it is

not safe to drive through the water.

—Always deactivate the start/stop system manually when driving through water.

WARNING

After driving through water, mud, slush etc., the brakes may react slowly and the braking distance will be increased

as the brake discs and pads will be wet, or possibly iced up in winter.

● Dry the brakes and clean off any coating of ice and salt with a few cautious applications of the brake. When doing

this, do not endanger any other road users or fail to observe any legal requirements.

● Avoid abrupt and sudden braking manoeuvres directly after driving through water.

NOTICE

If you drive through water, parts of the vehicle, such as the running gear and vehicle electrics, could sustain severe

damage.

● Never drive through salt water as salt can cause corrosion. Rinse all components that have been exposed to salt

water immediately with fresh water.

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Using the vehicle in other countries and continents

The vehicle has been manufactured specifically for a particular country and complies with the registration regulations

that applied in that country at the time of vehicle production.

If you want to use the vehicle abroad for a short period, all relevant information and instructions should be followed .

If the vehicle is going to be sold in another country or used in another country for an extended period, the legal

requirements applicable in that country must be observed.

In some cases, certain equipment will have to be fitted or removed and functions deactivated. The service scope and

service types could also be affected. This is particularly important if the vehicle is driven in another climate region for

a long period of time.

The factory-fitted Infotainment system may not work abroad because different frequency bands are used in different

countries.

NOTICE

● Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is not responsible for any vehicle damage which is caused by low-quality fuel,

inadequate servicing work or lack of availability of Genuine Parts.

● Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles cannot be held responsible if the vehicle does not comply with or only partly

complies with the relevant legal requirements in other countries and continents.

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Driving tips for Your Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

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