Frequently Asked Questions
Top 10 FAQs
When signed into law, The Act will substantially change the requirements for federal income tax credits associated with the purchase of an electric vehicle.
The Act moved very rapidly through the legislative process and brings changes that could impact many reservation holders who may have been anticipating a federal EV tax credit associated with a Volkswagen ID.4 currently reserved.
To understand the impact of the Act on your individual circumstances, we suggest consulting your tax advisor.
We are not in a position to advise any reservation holders whether or not you will be eligible for the federal EV tax credit under existing law. If you have questions about this information, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, or your current or future eligibility for any EV tax credit, you should consult with a tax advisor before deciding whether to enter into a written binding contract with your VW dealer for the purchase of an EV.
For model year 2012 and newer, Owner's Manuals along with Warranty and Maintenance booklets are available on www.vwserviceandparts.com/digital-resources/online-owners-manual/
For information about loaner availability, please reach out to an authorized Volkswagen dealership. Click here to locate your nearest VW dealer.
If your car has been sitting for a while, if it is wet, or even cold outside, the brakes can oxidize and rust may form. So when the brakes are used for the first time, they may make a squealing noise. After a few stops, the rust will essentially wear off and the noise will disappear as well. If brake noise continues, please visit your local VW dealer.
To see maintenance schedules specific to your vehicle, please visit www.vwserviceandparts.com/digital-resources/owners-literature/
All warranty-related and recall/campaign work must be completed at a Volkswagen dealership. To schedule an appointment, click here. If you live in Hawaii or Alaska, please contact Volkswagen Customer CARE at 1-800-822-8987 for assistance in scheduling this important work.
myVW puts essential tools and information at your fingertips such as service scheduling, service history, Remote Access features from VW Car-Net® —including remote start, remote lock/unlock last parked location—and more.
To learn more or download the app www.vw.com/en/owners
myVW is currently available to model years 2020 and newer Volkswagen vehicles. You can access myVW by visiting www.vw.com/en/owners
To see maintenance information specific to your vehicle, please visit www.vwserviceandparts.com/digital-resources/owners-literature/
Warranty
For model year 2012 and newer, Owner's Manuals along with Warranty and Maintenance booklets are available on www.vwserviceandparts.com/digital-resources/online-owners-manual/
All limited warranties are voided if the vehicle is reported as:
- Dismantled
- Fire/flood damaged
- Junk
- Rebuilt
- Reconstructed -Salvaged -Severely damaged
- Declared a total loss by an insurer
- Substantially reassembled from or repaired with parts obtained from another used vehicle
Though we make many excellent vehicles, we do not make tires. Therefore, tires are not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. You’ll have to contact the respective tire manufacturer for further details about available warranties.
No, they do not. Repairs under your limited warranty may be completed at your local Volkswagen dealership. If you'd like to locate a dealer in your area, click here.
There are unauthorized spare parts and accessories in the market. Volkswagen does not warrant these products and is not responsible for their performance, repair, or replacement, or for any damage they may cause to, or adverse effect they may have on, your vehicle.
For authorized spare parts and accessories, please visit parts.vw.com.
For information about loaner availability, please reach out to an authorized Volkswagen dealership. Click here to locate your nearest VW dealer.
Service contracts may be purchased at a Volkswagen dealer, but are not administered by Volkswagen of America, Inc. For further information on what third-party service contracts are available to you, please contact your local Volkswagen dealer. To locate one in your area, click here.
All warranty-related and recall/campaign work must be completed at a Volkswagen dealership. To schedule an appointment, click here. If you live in Hawaii or Alaska, please contact Volkswagen Customer CARE at 1-800-822-8987 for assistance in scheduling this important work.
You bet. Volkswagen limited warranties are automatically transferred without cost if the ownership of the vehicle changes while the limited warranties are valid.
For information regarding limited warranty coverage for your vehicle while you're stationed overseas, please contact Volkswagen Customer CARE, Monday through Friday, using your preferred method of communication outlined on the "Contact Us" page.
Good news: Volkswagen limited warranties are automatically transferred without cost if the ownership of the vehicle changes while the limited warranty is valid. If you'd like to ensure we have your owner information on file, please contact Volkswagen Customer CARE, Monday through Friday, using your preferred method of communication outlined on the “Contact Us” page.
We are more than happy to review your specific situation and recommend you contact Volkswagen Customer CARE, Monday through Friday, using your preferred method of communication outlined on the “Contact Us” page.
Technical
You should not tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. For our front-wheel-drive vehicles, it is recommended to use a 2-wheel dolly to tow the vehicle. If you have a 4MOTION® all-wheel-drive vehicle, your vehicle can only be towed on a trailer with all four wheels on the trailer. Please refer to your VW's owner's manual for more information.
If your car has been sitting for a while, if it is wet, or even cold outside, the brakes can oxidize and rust may form. So, when the brakes are used for the first time, they may make a squealing noise. After a few stops, the rust will essentially wear off and the noise will disappear as well. If brake noise continues, please visit your local VW dealer.
Tires are subject to wear that can vary based on driving habits and road conditions, so there isn't a set timeframe on how long the original tires should last. To help get the most out of your tires, please see the “Tires” section in your Owner’s Manual* for proper tire care guidelines.
For additional information on tires, click here.
*Online Owner's Manual available for 2012 model years and newer.
When it comes to filling up the tank, Volkswagen gasoline-fueled vehicles can use a blend of up to 10% ethanol (E10). We do not recommend using E85 in our gasoline-fueled vehicles.
Yes. If your engine doesn’t start because the vehicle battery is dead, you can connect your vehicle’s battery to the battery of another vehicle to jump-start it. For specific instructions, please reference the “Jump-starting” section in your Owner’s Manual*. For additional assistance, please contact your local dealership. To locate one near you, click here.
*Online Owner's Manual available for 2012 model years and newer.
Good question. Fuel requirements will vary based on the vehicle you have. To identify the minimum octane rating of the gasoline recommended for your vehicle, please check the fuel sticker that is found on the inside of your fuel filler door.
Small passengers need protection too. For information regarding child safety seats and how to install them, please check out the NHTSA website here.
Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are automatically activated when the ignition is switched on and the light switch is either in the position 0, AUTO, or if the parking lights are on as well. The majority of our vehicles may not allow you to manually turn the DRLs off if the vehicle is running. If your vehicle has the DRL parking feature, the DRLs can be turned off by engaging the parking brake. Please check out your Owner’s Manual*.
*Online Owner's Manual available for 2012 model years and newer.
All internal combustion engines use some oil to provide effective lubrication and cooling for their internal parts. Oil consumption varies from engine to engine and may change over the life of the engine. Engines tend to use more oil during the break-in period than they do afterward when oil consumption stabilizes. If you're experiencing oil consumption that is out of the ordinary, please see your VW dealer.
For information about resetting the oil service reminder, please refer to the "Instrument Cluster and Instrument Panel" section of the Owner's Manual.
A lot of variables are factored into a vehicle's fuel economy. Your personal driving habits, external conditions such as the weather and temperature, and the vehicle condition can play a role. See here for EPA estimates.
Batteries have the worst timing. But you can manually unlock the doors using the key bit. If there is a concealed lock cylinder, which applies to most vehicles with keyless entry (Fig 1), you can insert the key bit into the opening of the cover cap on the driver door (Fig 2). Once the cap has been removed, you can insert the key bit into the lock cylinder to unlock (or lock) the door. Then, reinsert the cover cap from top to bottom until it clicks into place. Be sure and check your Owner's Manual in the section titled "Emergency Closing and Opening" for important information and warnings.
Your Volkswagen was primarily designed for carrying passengers, not for towing. But if you wish to tow a trailer, please check your Owner's Manual to identify the maximum permissible trailer weights (if applicable) and any additional information regarding towing recommendations.
As long as you unlock the vehicle with the unlock button on the remote control vehicle key, or switch on the ignition with a valid vehicle key, it should help deactivate the anti-theft alarm.
For more information about the anti-theft system, check out the “Opening and Closing” section of your Owner’s Manual.
We’ve drawn it all out for you. A list of warning and indicator lights can be found in your Owner’s Manual in the “Instrument Cluster and Instrument Panel” section.
Don’t have the manual handy? While you should always consult your Owner's Manual, for a digital quick reference, visit www.vwserviceandparts.com/service/volkswagen-dashboard-indicator-lights/.
We’re sticklers for the rules. The correct tire inflation pressure for the factory-installed tires is listed on a label. The factory-installed tires may be summer, winter, or all-season tires. The label is on the inside of the fuel filler flap. Underinflation or overinflation may shorten the service life of your tires and affect the handling of the vehicle.
Looking for a little more performance in your day? The "S" stands for "Sport" mode, which will change the way the transmission shifts up or down. In essence, it will shift the transmission in a more sporty way. This means when accelerating, the next higher gear will be selected later allowing the engine’s rpms to go higher before shifting. When decelerating, the transmission will shift earlier in a lower gear, again keeping the rpms higher and the whole driving experience sportier. Now, we should mention that when the vehicle is in Sport mode, it does use more fuel.
Snow in the forecast? Most of our vehicles can use snow chains, but not all can use the original tire and wheel combination for this usage. Please reference your Owner’s Manual for information regarding which tire/wheel combination for snow chains can be used.
Sorry, there is no separate reserve tank. When there is fuel for around 40 miles (depending on your driving style) left in the tank, the refuel warning indicator will come up.
Under certain conditions, this feature (which may also be referred to as Auto Stop) comes on automatically when your vehicle's ignition is switched on and cannot be permanently deactivated. However, you can manually switch the Start-Stop feature on and off by pressing the button pictured below. It will re-engage every time you shut off the engine and start your vehicle again. Please refer to your Owner's Manual for details.
Our panoramic sunroofs have 2% UV solar transmission, which means 98% of the rays get blocked. (And it doesn’t wash off like your sunscreen.)
myVW
myVW puts essential tools and information at your fingertips such as service scheduling, service history, Remote Access features from VW Car-Net® —including remote start, remote lock/unlock last parked location—and more.
To learn more or download the app www.vw.com/en/owners
myVW is currently available to model years 2020 and newer Volkswagen vehicles. You can access myVW by visiting www.vw.com/en/owners
When you activate Car-Net in your myVW app, you gain access to connected features such as remote access to your vehicles, parking information and more.
To learn more visit www.vw.com/carnet
Performance
Your tires were carefully selected to match your Volkswagen. Only a tire size that is shown on the “Tire and Loading Information” label on the door of your vehicle (or listed in your Owner’s Manual) is recommended for use.
Actually, yes! As described in your Owner’s Manual, we recommend using winter tires or all-season tires on all four wheels. Winter tires help improve the vehicle’s braking performance and can reduce stopping distances in winter weather. Even with snow tires, you must always drive in a manner appropriate for the weather, visibility, and road conditions.
Maintenance
To see maintenance information specific to your vehicle, please visit www.vwserviceandparts.com/digital-resources/owners-literature/
Fingerprints. We don’t like them either. The best way to clean the touchscreen surface of your vehicle's radio would be using an anti-static cleaning cloth. Just make sure that you switch off the radio before your do, so you don't change your favorite station by accident.
For detailed information about the tire replacement and tread depth recommendations, please see the “Tire” section in your Owner’s Manual. It is important to remember that tires should be replaced in pairs, rather than individually.
You can start with your local VW dealer, but you can try visiting this website too. www.vwtirestore.com
Before you get under the hood, you should know we don't include fuse diagrams in the Owner’s Manuals because, based on the many different equipment levels, there are too many different layout versions. If something is malfunctioning in the electrical system, the Owner’s Manual does provide a guide on how to find and replace a burned-out fuse.
To help protect against corrosion perforation, our vehicles are treated in a phosphate bath (and a dip paint bath) before painting. After this, we use three layers of paint: primer/filler, base, and a clear coat. A cavity sealer is used in most corrosion-sensitive areas. For example, the wheel housing and underbody are treated with an additional protective sealant or film. This is a tougher elastic coating to help prevent stone chipping.
This one’s pretty important and varies per vehicle. You’ll need to check the “coolant specifications” section in your Owner’s Manual.
Timing is everything when it comes to scheduled maintenance. The recommended interval for the fuel filter can be found in the maintenance booklet of your Owner’s Manual under the “Service schedule” section.
Service & Parts
Check out cool stuff for you and your VW at drivergear.vw.com.
Your Volkswagen takes pride in its appearance. Touch-up paint for vehicles can be obtained through the Parts Department of an authorized Volkswagen dealership. Locate one here.
The paint code on your vehicle can be provided by your local VW dealership or by contacting Volkswagen Customer CARE, Monday through Friday, using your preferred method of communication outlined on the “Contact Us” page.
The lug key is in a separate pouch in the tool set. Or, if the tool set is nested in the spare wheel with the styrofoam insert, the lug key will be located inside one of the cutouts.
To obtain VW owner’s manuals, limited warranty and maintenance manuals, radio manuals or technical bulletins, please visit www.vwserviceandparts.com/digital-resources/online-owners-manual/. If you would like to purchase a Service Manual for MY 2009 and older vehicles, please visit http://literature.vw.com and if you would like to purchase (digital) service information for any MY 2010 and newer vehicles, please click here.
Before you apply elbow grease, information regarding the removal of wheel bolts can be found in the “Do It Yourself” section of the Owner's Manual.
Financial
We have a variety of promotions. Just look to the left for the “More” button, click it, then hit Offers. You’ll find any current VW lease and finance offers and bonus incentives. Please contact your dealer or visit your dealer’s website to see if additional offers and incentives are available.
Check out Financial Services here for the best way to reach Volkswagen Credit.
To estimate how much your trade-in is worth, use the convenient Black Book® trade-in value estimator tool. Get started here.
Yes, you can apply online by clicking here. Financing through Volkswagen Credit can also be completed at an authorized VW dealership. Your dealer will be happy to discuss a range of financing options and special programs offered by Volkswagen Credit.
To review your account balance, feel free to contact Volkswagen Credit at (800) 428-4034, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Eastern). If you have a question about lease-end services (within 90 days of maturity) please call (800) 521-0171, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern). You can also log into VolkswagenCredit here at any time to service your account.
You will receive a lease-end package 90 days prior to returning your lease. This package includes simple steps to take before your lease ends. Additionally, you can schedule an inspection at your home, office, or dealership through Alliance Inspection Management (AiM), a third-party inspection company. You may schedule an appointment online , or you may contact AiM at (844) 889-8529, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern) and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern). The Volkswagen Credit guidelines for excess wear and use can also be found here.
If you are within the last 90 days of your lease, please call Volkswagen Credit Lease-End Services at (800) 521-0171, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern) or log in to your Volkswagen Credit account here to send a secure email.
To stay up-to-date during the last year of your lease, log in here to access our mileage calculator tool.
*Purchasing directly through VW Credit, Inc. is not available in all states (CO, FL & SD).
General
Check out our current job postings at the VW Corporate Careers website here. Things open up all the time!
Volkswagen Chattanooga has suspended public factory tours for an indefinite period of time due to new vehicle development activities in the plant. If you'll be visiting Germany and would like to check out the Autostadt, Wolfsburg, or The Glass Factory check out additional information here.
Check out our US Media Newsroom at Media.vw.com. If you start here, we’re pretty sure you’ll be well on your way to a good grade. Of course, there is always our community site as well, newsroom.vw.com. It contains great profiles on our VW fans everywhere!
This is one history class you’re really going to enjoy. To learn more about our company and our vehicles, click here.
It is just a click away! Click here to visit Volkswagen of Mexico Contact Us.
Please go to volkswagenag.com. Click “Investor Relations” on the right side and select “Financial News, Ad Hoc Releases and Publications” from the dropdown. Next, click “Annual Reports” to show the list of available reports.
Opting out of communications from your dealer will not remove you from Volkswagen of America's mailing list, and vice versa.
If you wish to opt out of all marketing communications from Volkswagen of America, please contact Volkswagen Customer CARE, Monday through Friday, using your preferred method of communication outlined on the “Contact Us” page.
The Vehicle Identification Number, commonly abbreviated to VIN, is a sequence of numbers and letters that is uniquely assigned to each vehicle. The VIN can usually be found on the driver's side dashboard, near or under the bottom portion of the windshield.
The word Volkswagen means "People’s Car" in German!
If you wish to update your ownership contact information, please contact Volkswagen Customer CARE, Monday through Friday, using your preferred method of communication outlined on the “Contact Us” page. Our representatives are happy to assist you!
You can view or download a brochure by choosing a vehicle from the "Models" section of vw.com, selecting "Shopping Tools" on the top right, and then clicking the "Brochure" option.
For further guidance with your request, you will need to speak with a registered importer. You may visit here for a list of registered importers.
If you're planning to import your Volkswagen vehicle to the United States from Canada, please contact Volkswagen Customer CARE, Monday through Friday, using your preferred method of communication outlined on the “Contact Us” page. Our representatives are happy to assist you!
For further guidance with your request, you will need to speak with a registered importer for the country in which you're planning to export your U.S. specified Volkswagen vehicle.
If you're planning to export your U.S. specified Volkswagen vehicle to Canada, please contact Volkswagen Customer CARE, Monday through Friday, using your preferred method of communication outlined on the “Contact Us” page. Our representatives are happy to assist you!
We do not recommend booster seats for the driver.
No, the e-Golf is made in Germany.
Volkswagen does not offer a European delivery program.
All new Volkswagen vehicles sold in the United States and Puerto Rico are eligible for Roadside Assistance coverage for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first from the vehicle’s in-service date. Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles are eligible for an additional 2 years of Roadside coverage beginning on the expiration of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty (NVLW) or sale date of the CPO vehicle, whichever is greater.
The Volkswagen 24-Hour Roadside Assistance program offers the following services for disablements, due to mechanical breakdown or collision:
All Models (except e-Golf):
- Towing to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealership or authorized VW service facility in cases of mechanical breakdown
- Collision towing
- Battery jump start
- Flat tire service
- Lock-out service
- Fuel delivery service
- Trip interruption benefits
e-Golf:
- Flatbed towing to the nearest VW e-mobility dealership
- Collision towing
- Flat tire service
- Lock-out service
- Out-of-charge service
- Trip interruption benefits
For more information on your VW’s Roadside Assistance coverage, please see the Roadside Assistance Owner’s Guide within your owner’s manual. For immediate assistance in the United States and Puerto Rico, please call Volkswagen 24-Hour Roadside Assistance toll free at 1-800-411-6688.
At the moment, we don’t have a program that will allow you to purchase a VW vehicle directly from one of our factories. But, should you be in the market for a new VW, any of our VW dealerships will be more than happy to assist! Click here to find a dealer near you.
To obtain a copy of the vehicle’s Monroney label, please contact Volkswagen Customer CARE, Monday through Friday, using your preferred method of communication outlined on the “Contact Us” page.
Our U.S. Media Site is a great resource for the VW enthusiast in all of us! You can find press releases, photos, videos, and more about all of our current and upcoming vehicles and technologies here.
Volkswagen keys are tied into the security system for all our cars. This is why all keys need to be programmed to the vehicle’s Immobilizer system. Coding a replacement key for your vehicle requires specialized equipment available only to your VW dealer and to certain independent repair facilities and locksmiths that are qualified to make remote control keys.
Here are the details: The vehicle must still be within the New Vehicle Limited Warranty or Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) limited warranty period, the repair must be covered under limited warranty, the breakdown has to occur at least 100 miles away from home, and the vehicle would have to have been deemed unsafe to drive and unable to be repaired the same day. For information on where to submit for reimbursement, please refer to your Roadside Assistance Guide.
Safety & Driver Assistance
In conjunction with the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), as well as additional sensors, Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) helps the driver maintain their intended course by generating corrective forces.
In certain types of vehicle collisions, pressure sensors and crash sensors detect and rapidly trigger the deployment of corresponding front airbags, side airbags, head curtain airbags, or some combination of the above. Airbags inflate very suddenly to help ensure complete inflation before contacting occupants.
Remember that airbags are supplemental restraints only and will not deploy under all crash circumstances. Always use safety belts and seat children only in the rear, using restraint systems appropriate for their size and age.
Your safety is important to us. Here are some details on how our airbag system works. First of all, the system is designed to only deploy the airbags facing the direction of the collision. The front airbags only deploy in a frontal collision if there is sufficient force and the angle of impact falls within the 60-degree span of the centerline of the vehicle. Side airbags are mounted in the seats and move with the occupants to help optimize protection. A side airbag will deploy in response to a signal from a crash sensor or a pressure sensor. An impact on one side of the vehicle may not deploy the side airbag on the opposite side. Side Curtain Protection® airbags drop down from the roofline above the door frames to help protect front and rear occupants from intrusion, splintering glass, and side window ejection. They also help provide increased protection in some types of rollover accidents or secondary impacts.
Remember that airbags are supplemental restraints only and will not deploy under all crash circumstances. Always use safety belts and seat children only in the rear, using restraint systems appropriate for their size and age.
Allow us to enlighten you. The Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) available in some of our vehicles may trigger an error message to alert the driver about a possible malfunction with the system.
Brake assist is a feature that detects when the accelerator pedal is released quickly and the brakes are depressed suddenly with force—both of which indicate an emergency braking situation. In this situation, the brake system will apply extra braking power.
Infotainment
Some devices get along better with your Volkswagen than others. Click here to see if they’re compatible.
Congrats on the new phone! When an iPhone® device is replaced, the new phone may be synced with iTunes® to restore contacts, music, and other information and the new phone may be named the same as the previous phone. Click here for instructions on how to change the name of your new iPhone, so the vehicle can distinguish between the two.
To view steps to set up Android Auto™, please click here.
Instructions for Bluetooth® pairing can be found in the “Operation” section of the Mobile Phone Package booklet in your Owner’s Manual. There’s also a helpful tutorial that will walk you through these steps here.
Alternative Fuel
When signed into law, The Act will substantially change the requirements for federal income tax credits associated with the purchase of an electric vehicle.
The Act moved very rapidly through the legislative process and brings changes that could impact many reservation holders who may have been anticipating a federal EV tax credit associated with a Volkswagen ID.4 currently reserved.
To understand the impact of the Act on your individual circumstances, we suggest consulting your tax advisor.
We are not in a position to advise any reservation holders whether or not you will be eligible for the federal EV tax credit under existing law. If you have questions about this information, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, or your current or future eligibility for any EV tax credit, you should consult with a tax advisor before deciding whether to enter into a written binding contract with your VW dealer for the purchase of an EV.
Volkswagen is committed to helping prepare fire services and first responders to safely handle emergencies involving our alternative fuel vehicles.
You can find our emergency response guides here
The good news is most VW dealers can service our electric vehicles. Use our Find a Dealer tool to find your closest dealer.
In the event of an emergency relating to the High-Voltage system on your vehicle, please take the vehicle to the closest Volkswagen dealer and arrangements will be made for diagnosis and repair. For more information, please see your warranty and maintenance booklet.