Get Roof rack Guide for Volkswagen Jetta 4 Door Sixth Generation (2011-2018)

Roof rack

ꢀ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Attaching the roof rack base carrier and roof rack

Securing a load on the roof rack

The roof of your vehicle has been designed to optimize aerodynamics and does not have traditional

rain gutters that are used to attach many kinds of roof racks.

Since the rain gutters are molded into the roof to provide efficient aerodynamics, only Volkswagen-

approved base carrier mounts and roof racks can be used.

When should the roof rack be removed?

ꢀ

When it is no longer needed.

Before driving through an automatic car wash.

When the vehicle would otherwise be too high for minimum clearance to enter, for example, a

garage.

More information:

ꢀ

Lights

Transporting

Tires and wheels

Saving fuel and helping the environment

Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifications

WARNING

Transporting heavy or bulky loads on the roof rack will change the way the vehicle handles

by shifting the vehicle's center of gravity and increasing the wind drag.

ꢀ Always secure the load properly with suitable and undamaged straps so that the load will

not shift.

ꢀ Cargo that is large, heavy, bulky, long or flat will have a negative effect on the vehicle's

aerodynamics, center of gravity and overall handling.

ꢀ

Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.

Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the

vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.

NOTICE

ꢀ

Always remove the roof rack before driving through an automatic car wash.

ꢀ

Your vehicle is higher when the roof rack is installed, especially when it is loaded. Compare

the vehicle height with existing clearance heights, such as underpasses and garage doors.

Always make sure that the roof rack system and anything being carried on it does not

interfere with the roof antenna, the power sunroof, or the luggage compartment lid.

ꢀ

ꢀ Make sure that the luggage compartment lid does not touch items on the roof rack when

opened.

If a roof rack is installed, fuel consumption increases due to increased air resistance.

Attaching the roof rack base carrier and roof rack

Fig. 85 Attachment points for the base carrier and roof rack.

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

The base carrier is the basis of a complete roof rack system. For safety reasons, additional

attachments are necessary for transporting luggage, bicycles, surfboards, skis, and small boats.

Suitable accessories can be purchased from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility.

Mounting the roof rack base carrier and roof rack

Always attach the base carrier and roof rack correctly.

Always carefully follow the installation instructions from the base carrier or roof rack manufacturer.

The front and rear mounting holes for the base carrier are on the underside of the roof frame ⇒ꢀfig. 85

(left magnified view). The mounting holes are plugged with plastic screws (right magnified view).

The mounting holes are only visible when the door is open.

Only mount the roof rack base carrier at the attachment points shown in the illustration.

Once you have installed the base carrier correctly, you can secure the roof rack on the base carrier

according to the manufacturer's instructions.

WARNING

Installing or using a base carrier or roof rack improperly can cause the entire system to fly off

the vehicle, causing accidents and injuries.

ꢀ

Always follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Use the base carrier and roof rack only if they are undamaged and properly installed.

Secure the roof rack base carrier only at the attachment points shown in the illustration .

Always install the base carrier and roof rack properly.

Make sure that all bolts and fasteners are properly installed and properly tightened before

every trip and retighten them as needed after driving a short distance. During a long trip,

check all bolts and fasteners at each stop.

ꢀ

Always properly install special fixtures for items such as bicycles, skis, surfboards, etc.

Do not modify or repair the base carrier or roof rack.

Follow the installation instructions provided for installing the roof rack system. Always carry them

in the vehicle.

Securing a load on the roof rack

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

It is not possible to secure a load unless the roof rack system has been properly installed ⇒ꢀ

Maximum permissible roof load

The maximum permissible roof load is 165 lbs. (75 kg). The roof load is the combined weight of the

roof rack and the items being carried on the roof ⇒ꢀ

Be sure you know the weight of the roof rack and the items you want to transport on the roof. Weigh

them if necessary. Never carry a total of more than the maximum permissible roof load.

When using a roof rack with a lower load limit, do not load the rack to the maximum weight mentioned

above. In this case, you may only load the roof rack to the weight limit specified in the system's

installation instructions.

Distributing the load

Distribute the load evenly and secure it properly ⇒ꢀ

Checking the mountings

After the base carrier and rook rack have been installed, check all bolts and fasteners after driving a

short time and at regular intervals thereafter.

WARNING

If the maximum permissible roof load is exceeded, accidents and substantial vehicle damage

may occur.

ꢀ

Never exceed the specified roof load, the maximum Gross Axle Weight Rating, or the

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

Do not exceed the loading capacity of the roof rack, even if the permissible roof load is

not fully utilized.

Always make sure that loads are evenly distributed and that heavier items are, as far as

possible, toward the front.

ꢀ

WARNING

Loose or improperly secured items can fall off the roof rack and cause accidents and injuries.

ꢀ

Always use suitable, undamaged tie-down ropes and ratchet straps.

Secure the load properly.

Roof rack for Your Volkswagen Jetta 4 Door Sixth Generation (2011-2018)

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