Get Driver assistance systems -> Adaptive Cruise Control-ACC Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

you to the road, traffic, weather, and visibility

conditions.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Never use Adaptive Cruise Control on steep,

winding, or slippery roads (such gravel roads,

wet roads, or snowy or icy roads) or on roads

with standing water.

Introduction

Your vehicle may be equipped with the Adaptive

Cruise Control system (ACC), which helps maintain

an individually stored constant speed and a previ-

ously set speed-dependent distance interval be-

tween your vehicle and those in front of you.

Never use Adaptive Cruise Control when driving

off-road or on unpaved roads.

Always remember that the Adaptive Cruise Con-

trol cannot detect a vehicle that is driving to-

wards you in your traffic lane and that it cannot

detect narrow vehicles such as motorcycles and

bicycles.

In certain situations, your vehicle may be braked to

a standstill by an automatic braking maneuver.

ACC speed range

Never follow a vehicle so closely that you can-

not stop your vehicle safely. The Adaptive Cruise

Control cannot slow or brake the vehicle safely

when you follow another vehicle too closely. Al-

ways remember that the Adaptive Cruise Con-

trol has a braking power that is only about 30%

of the vehicle's maximum braking ability, under

certain circumstances the automatic braking

function cannot bring the vehicle to a stop in

time.

ACC works when the vehicle speed is between about

20 mph (30 km/h) and 95 mph (150 km/h).

Driving with ACC

You can override control by ACC at any time. If you

press the brake pedal, ACC will be deactivated. If you

accelerate, control will be interrupted while you are

accelerating and then resumed.

Driver intervention warning

Always turn off Adaptive Cruise Control when

entering turn lanes, exit lanes and construction

zones or in similar situations because the vehi-

cle will automatically accelerate to the stored

speed when the road ahead is clear.

Adaptive Cruise Control has system-related limits.

As a driver, you must control the speed and the dis-

tance to other vehicles under some circumstances. If

the deceleration of the ACC automatic braking sys-

tem is not sufficient to bring the vehicle to a full

stop in time, a message in the instrument cluster

display and a red warning light come on. Depress

the brake pedal!

To help prevent unintended operation of Adap-

tive Cruise Control, switch the system off when

it is not being used.

It is dangerous to use the Resume feature when

the previously set speed is too high for the ex-

isting road, traffic, or weather conditions.

Radar sensor

The ACC system works together with the Forward

Collision Warning (Front Assist) system, if equipped

→ page 167, Forward Collision Warning (Front As-

sist). Both systems use the same radar sensor at the

front of the vehicle to monitor the traffic situation

→ page 5, Front view.

When traveling downhill, the Adaptive Cruise

Control may not be able to maintain a constant

speed. The vehicle will speed up because of its

own weight. Downshift and/or use the foot

brake to slow the vehicle.

WARNING

Never allow the closing speed between you and

other vehicles to be so high that the Adaptive

Cruise Control may not be able to slow your ve-

hicle safely. If closing speed is too high, you

must apply the brakes yourself to reduce the

risk of a rear-end crash.

Always remember that the Adaptive Cruise Control

has limits – Using Adaptive Cruise Control when it

is not possible to drive safely at a constant speed

can be dangerous and can lead to an accident and

serious personal injury.

If a driver intervention warning or Front Assist

warning appears in the instrument cluster dis-

play, immediately take over the control of the

brake and gas pedals and slow down the vehicle

or bring it to stop when necessary and accord-

ing to the traffic situation.

Adaptive Cruise Control will not slow the vehicle

down or maintain the set distance when you

drive towards an obstacle or something on or

near the road that is not moving, such as vehi-

cles stopped in a traffic jam, a stalled or disa-

bled vehicle.

Always be prepared to take over the control of

the brake and the gas pedal in every situation.

Always adjust your speed and the distance you

keep between you and the vehicles ahead of

162

Driver assistance systems

the radar sensor may be unable to detect obsta-

cles in the vehicle's path. This can result in serious

injury and accidents.

NOTICE

If you suspect that ACC doesn't work properly or the

sensors are damaged, switch off ACC immediately.

Always check the road ahead before the vehicle

See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or Volkswa-

gen Service Facility for assistance and have the

ACC system checked.

pulls away. If necessary, cancel the pulling away

procedure by depressing the brake pedal.

The maximum speed for ACC is restricted to

95 mph (150 km/h).

Limits of ACC

If the ACC is active, you may hear noise during

the automatic braking procedure. This is nor-

mal; the noises are caused by the braking system.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

162.

and on page

Certain settings are automatically saved by

the driver personalization feature → page 30,

Driver personalization.

A Declaration of Compliance with the United

States FCC and Industry Canada regulations is

on → page 322, Declaration of Compliance, Tele-

communications and Electronic Systems.

Special driving situations

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

162.

and on page

Fig. 108

Driving in a curve. Motorcycle traveling

Adaptive Cruise Control has physical and system-re-

lated limits. The driver may therefore feel that, in

certain circumstances, some Adaptive Cruise Control

reactions are unwanted or occur with a delay. You

should therefore always be prepared to take full

control of the vehicle whenever necessary.

ahead outside of the sensor range.

Stop and go traffic (automatic or DSG transmission

only)

If a moving vehicle ahead of your vehicle brakes to

a standstill, the ACC will also brake your vehicle to

a standstill. The vehicle is then held stationary by

the brakes for no more than a few seconds. You

must press the brake pedal or the vehicle will start

moving forward again!

To drive off after a stationary phase, press the accel-

erator pedal. To resume ACC, press the

button

Fig. 109

a stationary vehicle ahead.

Vehicle changing lanes. A turning and

on the multi-function steering wheel and the Adap-

tive Cruise Control (ACC) will resume speed regula-

tion as long as the vehicle in front is moving again.

When to switch off ACC

WARNING

Switch off ACC under the following conditions due

to system limitations →

If ACC brings your vehicle to a complete stop be-

fore the system prompts you to brake and the sta-

tionary vehicle ahead starts moving, your vehicle

will also start moving automatically. In some cases

— When driving around curves, turn lanes, highway

ramps, or construction zones; to prevent unwant-

ed acceleration of the vehicle.

Adaptive Cruise Control

163

— When driving through tunnels.

Driving around curves and traffic circles

When driving into a curve and driving out of a long

curve, the radar sensor may react to a vehicle in the

next lane → fig. 108 . In such situations, the vehi-

cle might decelerate unnecessarily or not react to

the vehicle in front. In this case, you must either

override the ACC by depressing the accelerator, in-

terrupt the braking procedure by depressing the

— On roads with more than one lane, if other vehi-

cles are driving more slowly in the fast lane. Vehi-

cles in other lanes will normally not be detected

and will, in this case, be passed from the slow

lane.

— When driving in multi-level garages or parking

structures.

brake pedal, or press the

button on the multi-

— When there are metal objects, for example, tracks

or metal plates in the road.

function steering wheel → page 165, Switching ACC

on and off.

— When driving on roads with gravel or loose pave-

ment.

Narrow vehicles and vehicles offset to one side

Narrow vehicles and vehicles traveling slightly to the

left or right of your vehicle can only be detected by

the radar sensor when they are within sensor range

→ fig. 108 . This applies especially to narrow vehi-

cles such as motorcycles. If required, brake the vehi-

cle yourself.

— Under bad weather conditions or bad visibility, for

example, in heavy rain, snowfall, or fog.

Things that can prevent the radar sensor from

working properly

If the radar sensor function is impaired by heavy

rain, spray, snow or mud, Adaptive Cruise Control

switches off temporarily. A driver information mes-

sage appears in the instrument cluster display. Clean

the radar sensors as required.

Narrow vehicles, such as motorcycles traveling

ahead of you, are often detected late or not at all

under some circumstances.

Other vehicles changing lanes

Vehicles that change into your lane a short distance

ahead of you can only be detected by the radar sen-

sor once they are within sensor range → fig. 109

The result is a delayed reaction by the Adaptive

Cruise Control. If required, brake the vehicle your-

self.

The Adaptive Cruise Control will automatically be

available again as soon as the radar sensor is work-

ing properly. The message in the instrument cluster

display switches off, and the Adaptive Cruise Control

can be reactivated.

Strong reflected radar signals, for example, in multi-

level parking structures, can prevent the radar sen-

sor from working properly.

Vehicles with oversize loads or special equipment

Under certain circumstances, ACC will not correctly

recognize vehicles carrying oversize loads or loads

that exceed the vehicle dimensions, like flatbed

trailer trucks.

Objects that cannot be detected

The ACC radar sensor can only detect vehicles that

are moving in the same direction as your vehicle.

Objects that cannot be detected by the radar sensor

include:

Switch off ACC when driving behind or while passing

such vehicles. If required, brake the vehicle yourself.

— People.

WARNING

— Animals.

Not deactivating Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) in

the situations mentioned above can cause colli-

sions, other accidents, and serious personal injury.

— Stationary vehicles, such as a broken-down vehi-

cle or a vehicle that is stopped at the end of

a traffic jam.

— Vehicles crossing in front of your vehicle.

— Oncoming traffic in your lane.

— Other stationary objects.

If a vehicle detected by Adaptive Cruise Control

turns or changes lanes and there is a stationary vehi-

cle in front of that vehicle, the system will not react

to the stationary vehicle → fig. 109 . If required,

brake the vehicle yourself.

164

Driver assistance systems

strument cluster display, and the speed and distance

interval remain stored.

Switching ACC on and off

When ASR is switched off, ACC is automatically de-

activated.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

162.

and on page

Resuming ACC

— Press the

button.

ACC uses the most recently set speed and most re-

cently set distance interval to the vehicle in front.

The instrument cluster display shows the set speed,

and the green indicator light comes on.

Switching ACC off

— Press and hold the

button.

ACC is switched off and the stored speed is deleted.

Adjusting settings for ACC

Fig. 110 Left-hand side of the multi-function steering

wheel: Buttons for operating the Adaptive Cruise Con-

trol (ACC).

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

162.

and on page

Switching ACC on

— Press the

button.

ACC is switched on The gray indicator light

comes on, ACC does not regulate.

Setting the current speed

— Press the

button when the vehicle is moving.

ACC saves the current speed and maintains the pre-

set distance interval to the vehicle in front. If the

current speed is outside the defined speed range,

ACC will set the minimum speed (when driving more

slowly than the minimum speed) or maximum speed

(when driving faster than the maximum speed).

Depending on the driving situation, the following in-

dicator lights come on when ACC is switched on:

Fig. 111 In the instrument cluster display: ACC active,

vehicle detected ahead, time interval is being set

ACC is active.

(displayed in color on an instrument cluster with color

display).

No vehicle has been detected ahead.

Vehicle detected ahead.

Setting the distance interval

You can set the speed-dependent distance from the

vehicle ahead to one of 5 levels ranging from very

close to very far.

Temporarily deactivating ACC

— Press the

on the multi-function steering wheel.

button and then the or button

— Briefly press the

steering wheel.

button on the multi-function

— OR: Press the

tance is set.

button until the required dis-

— OR: Depress the brake pedal.

Depending on whether a vehicle is detected ahead,

The ACC display appears when the

pressed. The ACC display shows the current distance

button is

either the

or indicator light stays on in the in-

interval → fig. 111 1 .

Adaptive Cruise Control

165

If ACC is switched off, the set distance interval and

the vehicle are not shown in the instrument cluster

display.

Always select a greater following distance to

the vehicle ahead on wet roads than on dry

roads.

In wet road conditions, you should always set a larg-

er distance than when driving in dry road conditions.

Tips and troubleshooting

Adjusting the set speed

You can set a speed within the defined speed range

as follows by briefly pressing the buttons on the

multi-function steering wheel:

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

162.

and on page

+ 1 mph (1 km/h)

- 1 mph (1 km/h)

ACC not available

To adjust the stored speed continuously, press and

hold the or button.

The yellow indicator light comes on.

Possible causes:

Adjusting the driving mode or drive program

— The radar sensor is dirty. Clean the radar sensor

→ page 310, Exterior care and cleaning.

You can adjust the driving mode or drive program,

depending on equipment, to set how sporty the ACC

acceleration or deceleration response is:

— Radar sensor visibility is impaired by weather con-

ditions such as snow, or residue from abrasive

cleaning agents or coatings. Clean the radar sen-

sor → page 310, Exterior care and cleaning.

— Vehicles with Driving Mode Selection: Set the driv-

ing mode → page 157, Driving Mode Selection.

— Radar sensor visibility is impaired by aftermarket

components, stickers, or accessories.

— Vehicles without Driving Mode Selection: Set the

drive program in the Infotainment system

→ page 26, Infotainment system operation and

displays.

— The radar sensor has been damaged or misaligned

in low speed impacts or parking maneuvers at the

front of the vehicle. Have the sensor checked for

damage → page 316, Repairs and technical modi-

fications.

Deactivating adaptive cruise control

— Press the

button.

— ACC malfunction. Switch the engine off and on

again.

— Select the speed regulation on the instrument

cluster display.

— Paint work or structural modifications have been

made at the front of the vehicle.

Adaptive cruise control is deactivated. The vehicle

maintains only the set speed.

— The original Volkswagen emblem is not being

used.

WARNING

Following other vehicles too closely increases the

risk of collisions and serious personal injury or

even death.

— If the problem persists, see an authorized Volks-

wagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

Always obey applicable traffic laws when set-

ting the distance to the vehicles ahead in traffic.

If the system is not responding as expected

Possible causes:

Setting short distances to the traffic ahead re-

— The radar sensor is dirty. Clean the radar sensor

→ page 310, Exterior care and cleaning.

duces the time and distance available to bring

your vehicle to a safe stop and makes it even

more necessary to pay close attention or traffic.

— ACC is functioning in a situation in which it should

be deactivated due to system limitations

→ page 163, Limits of ACC.

Always use good judgment and select a safe fol-

lowing distance for the traffic, road and weath-

er conditions.

— The brakes are overheated from braking maneu-

vers or driving down steeper slopes. A driver in-

formation message appears in the instrument

cluster display. Allow the brakes to cool down and

activate ACC again.

Never use Adaptive Cruise Control on narrow or

winding roads or under poor road conditions

(snow, ice, streets covered with standing water

or gravel, for example) or when visibility is poor,

especially when it is foggy.

— If the problem persists, see an authorized Volks-

wagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

166

Driver assistance systems

If ACC will not switch on

tion about the driving situation → page 5, Front

view.

Make sure that the following conditions are met:

— Manual transmission: A forward gear (other than

first gear) is selected.

Features included

Front Assist includes Autonomous Emergency Brak-

ing and a Pedestrian Monitoring system. These sys-

tems are automatically activated when Front Assist

is activated.

— Automatic or DSG transmission: The selector lever

is in position D/S or Tiptronic position.

— The brake lights on the vehicle are working.

— ESC is not regulating.

WARNING

— The brake pedal is not depressed.

The Front Assist system technology cannot over-

come the laws of physics and system-related lim-

its. Do not allow the increased convenience Front

Assist can provide tempt you into taking extra

risks. The driver is always responsible for braking

in time. If the Front Assist system issues a warn-

ing, immediately apply the brake to slow the vehi-

cle down or avoid the obstacle, depending on the

traffic situation.

If there are unusual noises during automatic braking

— This is normal and is not a malfunction.

Forward Collision Warning

(Front Assist)

Always adjust your speed and driving style to

road, traffic, weather, and visibility conditions.

Introduction

The Front Assist system cannot prevent acci-

dents and serious injuries on its own.

Depending on vehicle equipment, the vehicle may be

equipped with Forward Collision Warning (Front As-

sist), which can warn the driver of a possible colli-

sion with a vehicle on the road ahead, help prepare

the vehicle for emergency braking, assist with brak-

ing, and initiate automatic braking, within physical

and technical limits of the system. The timing of the

warning varies depending on the traffic situation

and the actions of the driver.

The Front Assist system can issue unnecessary

warnings in certain complex driving situations,

for example, when driving in tight curves.

The Front Assist system can issue unnecessary

warnings when its function is impaired, for ex-

ample, if the radar sensor is dirty or if the posi-

tion of the radar sensor has been changed.

The Front Assist system does not react to ani-

mals.

The Front Assist system is not a substitute for the

driver's full concentration.

The Front Assist system does not react to vehi-

cles crossing your path or approaching in the

same lane.

Driving with Front Assist

You can cancel Front Assist automatic braking inter-

ventions by steering or depressing the accelerator

pedal.

Always be prepared to take full control of the

vehicle at all times.

Automatic braking

WARNING

The Front Assist system can, within system limits,

slow your vehicle down to a standstill, but not keep

your vehicle stopped for a long time. If necessary,

apply the vehicle brakes!

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument

cluster text messages can result in a collision and

serious personal injury.

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.

During an automatic braking maneuver, the brake

pedal will feel harder.

A Declaration of Compliance with the United

States FCC and Industry Canada regulations is

on → page 322, Declaration of Compliance, Tele-

communications and Electronic Systems.

Radar sensor

The Forward Collision Warning system, when

switched on, uses a radar sensor to gather informa-

Forward Collision Warning

167

Driver assistance systems -> Adaptive Cruise Control-ACC for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

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