Get Driving Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

Always make sure that nothing can interfere

with the pedals.

·

Driving

Always fasten floor mats securely to the floor.

·

Information on driving safely

and efficiently

Never put floor mats or other floor coverings on

top of already installed floor mats.

Always make sure that nothing can fall into the

driver footwell while the vehicle is moving.

·

Pedals

NOTICE

Always make sure that the pedals are able to move

freely and that nothing can interfere with them. If

a brake circuit fails, more brake pedal travel will be

needed to bring the vehicle to a stop. The brake

pedal must be pressed farther and harder than nor-

mal.

Gear recommendation

Fig. 90 In the driver footwell: Pedals in vehicles with

automatic or DSG transmission.

Fig. 92 In the instrument cluster display: Gear recom-

mendation.

Key to fig. 92:

A

B

Current gear.

Fig. 91 In the driver footwell: Pedals in vehicles with

manual transmission.

Recommended gear.

Your vehicle may be equipped with a gear recom-

mendation feature. The gear recommendation dis-

plays a gear in the instrument cluster display that

can help reduce fuel consumption.

Key to fig. 90 and fig. 91:

1

2

3

Accelerator pedal

Brake pedal

For vehicles with an automatic or DSG transmission:

The selector lever must be in the Tiptronic position

→ page 150, Shifting with Tiptronic®.

Clutch pedal

All pedals must always be able to move freely in and

out without interference from floor mats or other

things.

If the optimal gear is already selected, another gear

played.

Only use floor mats that leave the pedal area free

and are held securely in place with floor mat fasten-

ers to help prevent sliding.

WARNING

The gear recommendation is only intended to as-

sist the driver to select a gear for optimum fuel

economy. The gear recommendation cannot take

road and traffic conditions into account.

WARNING

Objects in the driver footwell can prevent the ped-

als from moving freely. This can cause loss of vehi-

cle control and increase the risk of serious person-

al injuries.

Information on driving safely and efficiently

133

The driver is responsible for selecting the cor-

rect gear for the current driving conditions, such

as when passing or when driving on hills.

speed. Active braking and accelerating is then not

necessarily required.

·

Use the cruise control when possible to help main-

tain a uniform driving style → page 160, Cruise con-

trol, or → page 162, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

Selecting the optimal gear can help to reduce

fuel consumption.

If possible, coast the vehicle to a stop, for example,

when you can see that the next traffic light is red or

about to turn red.

The gear recommendation display turns off if

you depress the clutch pedal (manual trans-

mission) or move the selector lever out of the Tip-

tronic position (automatic or DSG transmission).

Avoid full throttle acceleration

Driving at higher speeds uses more fuel. The air re-

sistance and the power needed to move the vehicle

increases at high speeds, for example over about

80 mph (130 km/h).

Efficient driving style

Reduce idling

In situations where the vehicle will be stopped for

a longer period of time, such as at a railroad cross-

ing, switch off the engine.

In vehicles with the Start-stop system, the engine

will switch off automatically in many cases

→ page 146, Start-stop system.

Refuel in moderation

A completely full tank raises the weight of the vehi-

cle. A partially-filled tank is plenty, especially in city

traffic.

Avoid traveling short distances

Fig. 93 Fuel consumption in miles per gallon (mpg) at

two different outside air temperatures.

A cold engine uses a lot more fuel right after start-

ing. It takes a few miles (km) before the engine is

warmed up and fuel consumption is stabilized.

Under the same conditions, the vehicle consumes

more fuel in winter than in summer. Therefore, avoid

driving short distances unnecessarily and consoli-

date routes.

“Letting the engine run to warm up” is not only ille-

gal in some places, but also technically not necessa-

ry and wastes fuel.

Perform regular maintenance

Regular maintenance is necessary for fuel-efficient

driving and helps extend the life of the vehicle.

Adjust the tire pressure

The proper tire pressure helps reduce rolling resist-

ance as well as fuel consumption. When purchasing

new tires, always make sure that the tires are opti-

mized for lower rolling resistance.

Fig. 94 Fuel consumption in l/100 km at two different

outside air temperatures.

Drive defensively

Adjust the tire pressure according to the figures on

the tire pressure label → page 276, Tire inflation

pressure.

Frequent braking and acceleration increase fuel con-

sumption significantly. By watching the traffic, you

can help avoid unnecessary braking and accelerat-

ing. If you keep enough distance from the car in

front of you, you can maintain a more constant

134

Driving

Use low viscosity engine oil

— In hot outside temperatures, it may be helpful to

ventilate the vehicle before driving and then to

drive a short distance with the windows open. Af-

ter that, switch on the air conditioner with the

windows closed. Keep the windows closed when

driving at high speeds. Open windows increase

wind resistance and fuel consumption.

Fully “synthetic,” low viscosity engine oils that ex-

pressly comply with Volkswagen oil quality stand-

ards can help reduce fuel consumption. Low viscosi-

ty engine oils reduce the frictional resistance on the

engine and are distributed more evenly and quickly,

particularly when cold-starting the engine. The ef-

fect is particularly apparent in vehicles that fre-

quently travel short distances.

— Switch off electrical loads once they have served

their purpose.

Always ensure the right engine oil level is main-

tained and keep to the scheduled service intervals

(engine oil changes).

WARNING

Always adjust your speed and driving style to visi-

bility, road, traffic, and weather conditions.

Make sure the engine oil that you purchase expressly

complies with Volkswagen oil quality standards and

is the oil approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle.

NOTICE

Never let the vehicle coast or roll down a hill in Neu-

tral (N), especially when the engine is not running.

The transmission will not be lubricated and will be

damaged.

Avoid unnecessary weight

The lighter the vehicle, the more economical and

eco-friendly it will be. For example, an extra 220 lbs

(100 kg) of weight increases fuel consumption by up

to 1 pint per 60 miles (0.3 l/100 km). Remove unnec-

essary dead weight from the vehicle.

Find out about other ways to protect the envi-

ronment. Think Blue.^®is the international

Volkswagen brand for sustainability and environ-

mental compatibility.

The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the less fuel it

will consume. Remove unnecessary items, such as

roof racks, from the vehicle.

Your Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volks-

wagen Service Facility can provide you with

additional information about correct maintenance

and replacement parts that are particularly fuel effi-

cient, for example new tires.

Use extra electrical loads in moderation

Comfort inside the vehicle is important, but it is also

important to use extra electrical loads, such as the

air conditioner and seat heating, in an environmen-

tally conscious manner.

Under the same conditions, the vehicle con-

sumes more fuel in winter than in summer.

Saving energy can be easy, for example:

Think Blue. Trainer.

Fig. 95 Infotainment system screen: Think Blue. Trainer. (if equipped).

Your vehicle may be equipped with

a Think Blue. Trainer. that analyzes your driving

Information on driving safely and efficiently

135

while the vehicle is moving forward. It then gener-

ates a visual display which can help you to adopt

a more fuel-efficient driving style.

: The speed is not fuel-efficient.

: The driving style is fuel-efficient.

Key to fig. 95:

5

The average fuel consumption is displayed in

the units set by the driver, for example, Av. mpg or

Av. l/100km. The value refers to the distance trav-

eled since the start of the trip. A blue frame

around the display indicates a fuel-efficient and

consistent driving style. A gray frame indicates

a less efficient driving style.

1

The Blue Score is a rating of your driving style

efficiency on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the

value displayed, the more efficient your driving

style. A blue frame around the display indicates

a fuel-efficient and consistent driving style.

A gray frame indicates a less efficient driving

style.

You can touch the display to show the statistics

for the last 30 minutes of the current trip. If the

current driving time is less than 30 minutes, the

values from the last trip are displayed in gray.

You can touch the display to show the statistics

for the last 30 minutes of the current trip. If the

current driving time is less than 30 minutes, the

values from the last trip are displayed in gray.

Think Blue.

6

Tap the

function key for additional

2

3

The position of the two arcs in the outer ring

shows the acceleration. At a constant speed, the

arcs appear in the central area. The arcs move

up and down during braking and acceleration,

respectively.

tips on saving fuel.

Displaying the Think Blue. Trainer.

When the vehicle is not moving, press the

tainment button followed by the

Info-

, and

Vehicle

,

The white segment in the central ring shows the

current evaluation status. It gradually moves

clockwise about every 5 seconds, creating

a blue segment each time. The blue segments in

the central ring show driving style efficiency.

The larger the blue segment, the more efficient

the driving style during this period.

Think Blue. Trainer.

function keys.

OR: Press the

Infotainment button until the

Think Blue. Trainer. is displayed → page 26, Infotain-

ment system operation and displays.

WARNING

4

Never pay so much attention to the graphics

shown on the screen that you fail to notice what is

going on around you.

Various symbols in the inner ring provide feed-

back about the current driving style:

: Think ahead while driving.

Always pay close attention to what is happening

around the vehicle.

·

: A different gear is recommended (larger

number). Only applies to vehicles equipped with

a gear recommendation feature.

Brake pad wear depends mostly on operating condi-

tions and the way the vehicle is driven. If you do

a lot of city and short-distance driving and/or have

a sporty driving style, you should have the brake

pads checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility more often

than the regular service intervals.

About the brakes

New brake pads do not provide full performance

during the first 100 to 200 miles (200 to 300 km)

and must first be “broken” in → . To some extent,

you can make up for the somewhat reduced per-

formance by applying more pressure to the brake

pedal. But, during the break-in period, the stopping

distance for hard braking and emergency braking

will be longer until the brakes are fully broken in.

Avoid hard braking and situations that might require

hard braking (such as following other vehicles too

closely) – especially during the break-in period.

Wet brakes (for example, after driving through wa-

ter or washing the vehicle or after heavy rainfall) will

not brake as well. Stopping distances will be longer

when brake discs are wet or, in winter, even icy. Wet

or icy brakes must be dried as soon as possible by

carefully applying the brakes a couple of times while

traveling at a relatively high speed. Make sure no-

136

Driving

body is behind you and that you do not endanger

yourself or others →

ABS provides. Contact your authorized Volkswa-

gen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility as soon as possible.

.

Brakes coated with road salt also react slower and

need longer stopping distances. If there is salt on

the roads and you are not braking regularly, brake

carefully and gently from time to time to remove

any salt coating from the brake discs and pads →

If the brake pads are worn or you notice

changes in the way the vehicle brakes, immedi-

ately contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer

or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to

have the brake pads checked and, if necessary,

replaced.

·

.

Brake disc corrosion (rust) and dirt buildup on the

brake pads are more likely to occur if the vehicle is

not driven much or is driven only for short distances

with little braking. If the brakes have not been used

and there is some rust on the discs, clean the brake

discs and pads once in a while by carefully braking

a couple of times while driving at relatively high

speed to help clean the brake discs and pads. Make

sure nobody is behind you and that you do not en-

WARNING

New brake pads do not provide maximum braking

performance.

New brake pads do not have the best stopping

·

power for the first 200 miles (300 km) and must

be “broken in.” You can compensate for the

slightly reduced braking force by putting more

pressure on the brake pedal.

danger yourself or others →

.

Brake booster

Drive with extra care while the new brake pads

·

The brake booster works only when the engine is

running. It increases the force on the brakes above

and beyond the pressure put on the brake pedal by

the driver.

are being broken in. This reduces the risk of col-

lisions and serious personal injuries due to a loss

of control over the vehicle.

Never follow other vehicles too closely or put

·

If the brake booster is not working or if the vehicle

has to be towed, you will have to push the brake

pedal harder to make up for the lack of booster as-

sistance and the resulting longer stopping distance

yourself into other situations that might require

sudden, hard braking, especially when the brake

pads have not been broken in.

→

.

WARNING

Constant braking causes the brakes to overheat

and even to fail leading to collisions and serious

personal injury.

WARNING

Driving with bad brakes can cause a collision and

serious personal injury.

Never “ride” the brakes or apply the brake pedal

too often or too long.

·

If the brake warning light

or does not

·

go out, or lights up when driving, either the

brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low or

there is a fault in the brake system. Stop the ve-

hicle as soon as you can do so safely and get ex-

pert assistance → page 255, Brake fluid.

Riding the brakes will substantially reduce brak-

ing performance, increase stopping distance,

and can cause complete brake system failure.

·

WARNING

If the brake warning light

the same time as the ABS warning light

or , the ABS may not be working properly.

This could cause the rear wheels to lock up rela-

tively quickly during braking. Rear wheel brake

lock-up can cause loss of vehicle control.

or lights up at

Overheated brakes will reduce the vehicle's stop-

ping power and increase stopping distances con-

siderably.

When driving downhill, the brakes have to work

especially hard and heat up quickly.

·

If you believe the vehicle is safe to drive, drive

slowly and very carefully to the nearest author-

ized Volkswagen dealer, authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility, or other qualified workshop and

have the brake system inspected. Avoid sudden

hard braking and steering.

Before driving downhill, especially on hills that

·

are long or steep, always reduce speed and shift

into lower gear (manual, automatic, or DSG

transmission). This will let the vehicle use en-

gine braking and reduce the load on the brakes.

Otherwise, the brake system could overheat and

possibly fail. Only use the brakes when you

need them to slow the vehicle down more or to

stop.

If the ABS indicator light

or does not go

out, or if it lights up while driving, the ABS sys-

tem is not working properly. The vehicle can

then be stopped only with the standard brakes

(without ABS). You will not have the protection

Information on driving safely and efficiently

137

A damaged front bumper or a non-standard

spoiler can reduce airflow to the brakes and

make them overheat.

·

Driving a loaded vehicle

For good handling when driving a loaded vehicle,

please observe the following:

WARNING

— Securely stow all luggage → page 213, Stowing

luggage.

Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt

react slower and need longer stopping distances.

— Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently.

— Avoid sudden braking and driving maneuvers.

Carefully apply the brakes to test them.

·

Always dry brakes and clean off ice and salt

— Brake earlier than you would if you were not driv-

ing a loaded vehicle.

coatings with a few cautious brake applications

when visibility, weather, road and traffic condi-

tions permit.

— If applicable, observe information about driving

with a roof rack → page 218, Roof rack.

WARNING

Driving when the brake booster is not working in-

creases stopping distances and can cause acci-

dents and serious personal injuries.

Heavy loads can change the way your vehicle han-

dles and increase stopping distances. Heavy loads

that are not properly stowed or secured can shift

suddenly, causing loss of control and serious in-

jury.

Never let the vehicle coast when the engine is

switched off.

·

If the brake booster is not working (such as

when the vehicle is being towed), a lot more

pedal force is needed to slow down and stop.

·

Secure the load properly to keep it from shift-

ing.

·

Always remember when transporting heavy ob-

jects that they change the vehicle's center of

gravity and also the way it handles.

·

NOTICE

Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on

·

— Always distribute the load as evenly as possi-

ble.

the brake pedal when you do not want to brake.

Constant pressure on the brake pedal can make

the brakes overheat. Riding the brakes will sub-

stantially reduce braking performance, increase

stopping distance, and can cause complete brake

system failure.

— Secure heavy objects as far forward in the

luggage compartment as possible.

— Secure luggage in the luggage compartment

using suitable straps and the tie downs

→ page 216, Tie-downs. Also see

→ page 216, Luggage compartment – fea-

tures.

Before driving downhill, especially on hills that

are long or steep, always reduce speed and shift

into lower gear (manual, automatic, or DSG trans-

mission). This will let the vehicle use engine brak-

ing and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise,

the brake system could overheat and possibly fail.

Only use the brakes when you need them to slow

the vehicle down more or to stop.

·

Always tie down heavy items securely with suit-

able straps.

·

Securely latch the rear seat backrest in the up-

right position.

·

Never exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating or

·

When the front brakes are serviced, you

should have the rear brake pads inspected at

the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating on the safety

compliance sticker on the left door jamb. Ex-

ceeding permissible weight can cause the vehi-

cle to skid and handle differently.

the same time. The wear of all brake pads should be

checked regularly by visually inspecting the pads

through the openings in the wheel rims or from un-

derneath the vehicle. If necessary, the wheels can be

taken off for a more thorough inspection. See your

authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volks-

wagen Service Facility for more information.

Always adapt speed and driving to the heavier

·

load and the weight distribution in the vehicle.

Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility condi-

tions into account as well.

Always accelerate gently and avoid sudden

braking and driving maneuvers.

·

Always brake earlier than you would if you were

not driving a loaded vehicle.

·

138

Driving

If you absolutely must drive with an open trunk

lid, do the following to reduce the risk of carbon

monoxide poisoning:

·

Driving with an open trunk lid

Driving with an open trunk lid can lead to serious

personal injury. If you have to drive with an open

trunk lid, make sure that all objects and the trunk lid

itself are properly secured and take appropriate

measures to keep toxic exhaust fumes from entering

the vehicle.

— Close all windows and the power sunroof.

— Switch off the climate control system's air re-

circulation feature.

— Open all air vents in the instrument panel.

— Set the fresh air fan to the highest speed.

WARNING

NOTICE

Driving with an unlatched or open trunk lid can

lead to serious personal injury.

The open trunk lid changes the vehicle length and

height.

Never transport objects larger than those that

·

fit completely in the luggage compartment, be-

cause the trunk lid cannot be fully closed prop-

erly.

Driving through water on roads

After closing the trunk lid, always pull up on it

to make sure that it is properly closed and can-

not open suddenly when the vehicle is moving.

·

Note the following to help prevent vehicle damage

when driving through water, for example on flooded

roads:

Always stow all objects securely in the luggage

·

compartment. Loose objects can fall out of the

luggage compartment and injure others on the

road behind you.

— Check the depth of the water before driving

through it. The water must not be any higher

than the bottom of the vehicle body →

.

Drive carefully; anticipate what other drivers

will do.

·

— Do not drive faster than walking speed.

— Never stop the vehicle, and do not drive in reverse

or switch the engine off when driving through

water.

Avoid abrupt or sudden acceleration, steering,

or braking, because the unlatched trunk lid can

move suddenly.

·

— Oncoming vehicles may create waves that raise

the water level and make it too deep for your ve-

hicle to drive through safely.

Always mark objects sticking out from the lug-

gage compartment clearly for others to see.

Obey all applicable legal requirements.

·

— Always manually deactivate the Start-stop system

before driving through water → page 146, Start-

stop system.

Never use the trunk lid to “clamp” or “hold” ob-

jects that stick out of the luggage compart-

ment.

·

Always remove any luggage rack or other rack

WARNING

·

mounted on the trunk lid (along with any lug-

gage on the rack) before driving with an open

trunk lid.

After driving through water, mud, sludge, etc., the

brakes react slower and need longer stopping dis-

tances.

Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice

·

WARNING

coatings with a few careful applications of the

brake. Make sure not to endanger other moto-

rists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.

Driving with an open trunk lid can cause poisonous

carbon monoxide in the engine exhaust to get into

the passenger compartment. Carbon monoxide

causes drowsiness, inattentiveness, poisoning, and

loss of consciousness. It can lead to accidents and

severe personal injuries.

Avoid abrupt or sudden braking maneuvers im-

mediately after driving through water.

·

NOTICE

Always keep the trunk lid closed while driving to

help keep poisonous exhaust fumes from being

drawn into the vehicle.

·

Vehicle components such as the engine, transmis-

sion, suspension or electrical system can be se-

verely damaged by driving through water.

·

Never transport objects that are too large to fit

completely into the luggage area, because then

the trunk lid cannot be fully closed.

·

Never drive through salt water. Salt causes vehi-

cle corrosion. Thoroughly rinse with fresh water

all vehicle parts that were exposed to salt water.

·

Information on driving safely and efficiently

139

Break-in period

Brake system malfunction

The red warning light comes on.

A new engine must be carefully broken in during the

first 1000 miles (1600 kilometers). During the first

few hours of driving, the engine's internal friction is

higher than later when all moving parts have been

broken in.

A text message may also appear in the instrument

cluster.

—

Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe place as

soon as possible.

— If you believe the vehicle is safe to drive, immedi-

ately take it to the nearest authorized Volkswagen

dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility

for repair. Drive slowly and very carefully, allow

for the longer stopping distance, and be ready to

push longer and harder on the brake pedal to

slow the vehicle down.

Breaking in a new engine

For the first 600 miles (1000 km):

— Do not use full throttle.

— Don't let the engine speed get above 2/3 of the

maximum speed.

From 600 to 1000 miles (1000 to 1600 km):

— Speed may gradually be increased to maximum

If the vehicle braking performance changes

permissible road and engine speed.

If the brake pads are worn or you notice changes in

the way the vehicle brakes:

Engine life is influenced by how you drive the vehi-

cle for the first 1000 miles (1600 km). Even after-

wards, driving at moderate engine speeds, especially

when the engine is cold, will tend to reduce engine

wear and help the engine to last longer and go far-

ther. But do not drive at an excessively low engine

speed, either. Always downshift if the engine is not

running smoothly.

— Immediately contact an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility

for assistance.

WARNING

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument

cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to

break down in traffic and result in a collision and

serious personal injury.

New tires and brake pads

Note applicable requirements for breaking in new

parts.

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.

·

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to

do so.

— New tires and replacement tires → page 260,

Tires and wheels.

— Brakes → page 191, Braking assistance systems.

NOTICE

Breaking in a new engine gently will increase

service life and reduce oil consumption.

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS

can result in vehicle damage.

Tips and troubleshooting

When the ignition is switched on, several warning

and indicator lights come on briefly for a function

check. They go out after a few seconds.

140

Driving

Starting and stopping the engine

Ignition switch

Fig. 96 In the ignition switch: Vehicle key positions for vehicles without Keyless Access.

If there is no vehicle key in the ignition, the steering

column is locked.

Never leave children or disabled persons in the

·

vehicle – particularly if the ignition is on or a re-

mote control vehicle key is also in the vehicle.

Unsupervised use of the remote control vehicle

key also makes it possible to start the engine, or

turn on the ignition and operate the windows as

well as other vehicle features.

Vehicle key position → fig. 96

0

1

2

Ignition switched off. Steering column lock en-

gaged. The vehicle key can be removed.

Ignition is switched on. Steering column lock

can be released.

Heat buildup in the passenger and luggage

compartment of a parked vehicle can result in

temperatures in the vehicle that are much high-

er than the outside temperatures, particularly in

summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels

that can cause unconsciousness and death, par-

ticularly to small children.

·

Start the engine. When the engine starts, re-

lease the vehicle key. When released, the vehi-

cle key returns to position 1 .

WARNING

Never remove the key from the ignition switch

while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a stop.

The steering wheel will lock and you will not be

able to steer or control the vehicle.

Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious

personal injury.

·

Always switch off the engine and the ignition

·

and take the key with you when you leave the

vehicle. The engine can be started and vehicle

systems such as the power windows can be op-

erated, leading to serious personal injury.

Only attach lightweight objects to the remote

control vehicle key that weigh no more than

a combined total of 3.5 oz (100 g).

Never let the engine run in a confined or en-

·

NOTICE

closed area. Engine exhaust contains carbon

monoxide, a poisonous, colorless, and odorless

gas. Carbon monoxide can cause unconscious-

ness and death.

Leaving the key in the ignition for a long time when

the engine is not running will drain the vehicle bat-

tery.

Never leave children, disabled persons, or any-

·

Always switch off the ignition and remove the key

before leaving the vehicle.

·

one who cannot help themselves in the vehicle.

The doors can be locked with the remote con-

trol vehicle key. This could result in people be-

ing trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. For

example, depending on the time of year, people

trapped in the vehicle can be exposed to very

high or very low temperatures.

Leaving the transmission selector lever for

a long period of time in any position other

than Park (P) when the ignition is switched off can

drain the vehicle battery.

Starting and stopping the engine

141

WARNING

Starter button

Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious

personal injury.

Always switch off the engine and the ignition

·

and take the key with you when you leave the

vehicle. Children or unauthorized persons may

use it to lock the vehicle, start the engine, and

operate vehicle systems such as the power win-

dows, leading to serious personal injury.

Never let the engine run in a confined or en-

·

closed area. Engine exhaust contains carbon

monoxide, a poisonous, colorless, and odorless

gas. Carbon monoxide can cause unconscious-

ness and death.

Fig. 97 In the lower center console: Starter button for

the Keyless Access system.

Never leave children, disabled persons, or any-

·

one who cannot help themselves in the vehicle.

The doors can be locked using the remote con-

trol vehicle key. This could result in people be-

ing trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. For

example, depending on the time of year, people

trapped in the vehicle can be exposed to very

high or very low temperatures.

For vehicles with Keyless Access with push-button

start → page 90, Doors and power locking system,

the vehicle can be started and stopped with the

starter button in the lower center console → fig. 97.

The starter button can only be used when an author-

ized vehicle key is in the vehicle.

Never leave children or disabled persons in the

When leaving the vehicle, the electronic steering

column lock is activated when the ignition is switch-

ed off and the driver door is opened → page 156,

Steering.

·

vehicle – particularly if the ignition is on or a re-

mote control vehicle key is also in the vehicle.

Unsupervised use of the remote control vehicle

key also makes it possible to start the engine, or

turn on the ignition and operate the windows as

well as other vehicle features.

Switching the ignition on and off

— Briefly press the starter button once without de-

pressing the brake or clutch pedals →

.

Heat buildup in the passenger and luggage

·

compartment of a parked vehicle can result in

temperatures in the vehicle that are much high-

er than the outside temperatures, particularly in

summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels

that can cause unconsciousness and death, par-

ticularly to small children.

Automatic ignition switch-off for vehicles with the

Start-stop system

The vehicle ignition switches off automatically after

a short time when the vehicle is standing still, the

Start-stop system is switched on → page 146, Start-

stop system, and ALL of the following conditions are

met at the same time:

If the ignition is switched on or the engine is

running and the driver door is opened, a chime

sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off

the engine and turn off the ignition before leaving

and locking the vehicle from the outside.

— The driver safety belt is unbuckled.

— No pedal is depressed.

— The driver door is opened.

Always switch off the engine and ignition be-

fore leaving the vehicle. Read and follow any

information in the instrument cluster display.

If the ignition is switched off automatically while the

headlights are switched on , the parking lights

stay on for about 30 minutes.

The parking lights can be switched off manually or

will turn off when the vehicle is locked.

Leaving the ignition on for a long time when

the engine is not running will drain the vehicle

battery and the engine may not start.

WARNING

Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious

personal injury.

Do not depress the brake or clutch pedals when

switching on the ignition, as the engine could

otherwise start immediately.

·

142

Driving

moving, or if you try to restart the engine right af-

ter switching it off.

Starting the engine

Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle accelera-

tion, and heavy engine loads when the engine is

cold.

·

Starting the engine

Please perform these steps only in the order listed:

Do not try to start the engine by pushing or tow-

ing the vehicle. Unburned fuel can get into the

catalytic converter and damage it. The steering

column may also be locked. Jump-start the vehi-

cle instead while following proper and safe proce-

dures → page 233, Jump-starting.

1. Depress the brake pedal and hold it down until

step 4 is completed.

2. Manual transmission: Fully depress clutch pedal

and hold until the engine has started. Make sure

the gearshift lever is in neutral position.

Automatic or DSG transmission: Make sure the

transmission selector lever is in park (P) or neu-

tral (N).

Do not let your vehicle warm up while stand-

ing; instead, start driving right away after

making sure that you have good visibility through all

windows. This will help the engine reach operating

temperature faster and keep down emissions.

3. Vehicles without Keyless Access: Briefly turn the

vehicle key to position → fig. 96 2 – do not de-

press the accelerator pedal.

Major consumers of electricity are temporarily

switched off when the engine is being started.

Vehicles with Keyless Access: Briefly press the

starter button → fig. 97 – do not depress the

accelerator pedal. An authorized vehicle key

must be inside the vehicle in order to start the

engine.

If the remote control vehicle key battery is

weak or dead, you may not be able to start the

engine with the starter button. Use the emergency

start feature → page 145.

4. If the engine does not start, switch off the igni-

tion and start again after about 1 minute.

After starting a cold engine, there may be in-

creased operating noises for a few seconds.

This is normal and harmless.

Vehicles with Keyless Access: Use the emergen-

cy start feature if necessary → page 145.

5. Release the parking brake when you are ready

to start driving → page 178, Parking brake.

Stopping the engine

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious personal injury when

starting and running the vehicle's engine:

Please perform these steps only in the order listed:

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop →

.

Never start the engine or let it run in a confined

·

2. Depress and hold down the brake pedal until

step 4 is completed.

or enclosed area. Engine exhaust contains car-

bon monoxide, a poisonous, colorless, and odor-

less gas. Carbon monoxide can cause uncon-

sciousness and death.

3. Automatic or DSG transmission: Shift the trans-

mission to Park (P).

4. Set the parking brake to help prevent the vehi-

Never start the engine or let it run if oil, fuel, or

·

cle from moving → page 178, Parking brake.

other flammable substances are under, around,

or have leaked from the vehicle, for example,

due to vehicle damage.

5. Vehicles without Keyless Access: Turn the vehi-

cle key to position → fig. 96 0 in the ignition

switch.

Never leave the vehicle unattended with the en-

·

gine running, especially when it is in gear. The

vehicle could move suddenly or some other un-

expected event could occur, resulting in proper-

ty damage, fire, or personal injury.

Vehicles with Keyless Access: Briefly press the

starter button → fig. 97. If the engine will not

switch off, carry out the emergency shut-off

procedure → page 145.

Never use starting assist fluids. Starting fluids

can explode and can cause a “run-away” vehicle

condition.

·

6. Manual transmission: Shift into 1st gear (vehicle

on flat surface or pointing uphill) or Reverse (R)

(vehicle pointing downhill).

Vehicles without Keyless Access: Removing the vehi-

cle key from the ignition switches off electrical

equipment and activates the steering column lock.

NOTICE

You can damage the starter or the engine if you

try to start the engine when the vehicle is still

·

Starting and stopping the engine

143

Vehicles with Keyless Access: Opening the doors

switches off electrical equipment and activates the

steering column lock.

NOTICE

If the vehicle has been driven hard for a long time,

the engine could overheat when it is stopped. To re-

duce the risk of engine damage, let the engine idle

in neutral (N) for about 2 minutes before you switch

off the ignition.

If you leave the ignition on

If you leave the ignition on and open the driver door,

a warning message may appear in the instrument

cluster. In addition, you may also hear an acoustic

warning. This warning reminds you to switch off the

ignition before leaving the vehicle → in Ignition

switch on page 141.

After the engine has been switched off, the

radiator fan in the engine compartment may

keep running for several minutes, or may start run-

ning after the vehicle has been parked for a while,

even if the ignition is switched off and the vehicle

key has been removed. The radiator fan shuts off au-

tomatically when the engine has cooled down

enough.

WARNING

Never stop the engine before the vehicle has come

to a complete stop. You can lose control of the ve-

hicle, crash, and be seriously injured.

If the ignition is switched on or the engine is

running and the driver door is opened, a chime

sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off

the engine and turn off the ignition before leaving

and locking the vehicle from the outside.

The airbags and safety belt pretensioners will

not work when the ignition is switched off.

·

The brake booster does not work when the en-

gine is not running. More brake pedal pressure

will be needed to stop the vehicle.

·

The power steering system does not work when

the engine is not running, and you will need

more force to steer the vehicle.

·

Electronic immobilizer

Never remove the key from the ignition switch

·

The immobilizer helps to prevent the engine from

being started and driven with an unauthorized vehi-

cle key.

or turn off the ignition with the starter button

while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a stop.

The electronic steering column could suddenly

lock, you would not be able to steer, and you

could lose control of the vehicle, crash, and seri-

ously injure yourself and others.

There is a microchip inside the vehicle key. The chip

deactivates the immobilizer automatically when an

authorized vehicle key is inserted into the ignition

switch or the starter button is pressed.

WARNING

The electronic immobilizer is automatically activated

when the remote control vehicle key is pulled out of

the ignition switch. On vehicles with Keyless Access,

the vehicle key must be outside the vehicle

→ page 89, Unlocking or locking the vehicle with

Keyless Access.

The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic con-

verter get very hot. They can cause fires and seri-

ous personal injury.

Never park where the hot exhaust system could

ignite flammable materials, such as brush,

leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.

·

The engine can therefore only be started with an au-

thorized and correctly coded genuine Volkswagen

vehicle key. Coded vehicle keys are available from

authorized Volkswagen dealers, authorized Volkswa-

gen Service Facilities, and from certain independent

repair facilities and locksmiths who are qualified to

make these vehicle keys → page 86, Remote control

vehicle key functions.

Never apply additional anti-corrosion or under-

body protection products to the vehicle heat

shields.

·

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious personal injury when

you leave the vehicle.

If an unauthorized vehicle key is used or the system

malfunctions, a message may appear in the instru-

ment cluster display. The vehicle cannot be operated

with this key.

Always switch off the engine and ignition and

·

take the key with you when you leave the vehi-

cle. Never let the engine run in a confined or en-

closed area. Engine exhaust contains carbon

monoxide, a poisonous, colorless, and odorless

gas. Carbon monoxide can cause unconscious-

ness and death.

Using genuine Volkswagen keys helps mini-

mize the risk of malfunctions.

A Declaration of Compliance with the United

States FCC and Industry Canada regulations is

144

Driving

on → page 322, Declaration of Compliance, Tele-

communications and Electronic Systems.

— Have the engine checked immediately by an au-

thorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volks-

wagen Service Facility.

If you use the wrong vehicle key or cannot remove

the key from the ignition switch

Tips and troubleshooting

— Automatic transmission: Press the release button

on the transmission selector lever and release.

The vehicle key can now be removed.

®

—

DSG transmission: Move the selector lever to po-

sition P if the vehicle is stationary. If necessary,

press the release button on the transmission se-

lector lever.

— Manual transmission: Pull out the vehicle key.

If the engine does not stop

If the engine does not switch off by briefly pressing

the starter button, emergency shut-off is necessary:

— Press the starter button twice within 3 seconds.

— OR: Press and hold the button longer than 1 sec-

Fig. 98 Hold the remote control vehicle key to the

right of the steering column: Emergency starting fea-

ture.

ond →

in Stopping the engine on page 144.

— The engine switches off automatically.

If a valid vehicle key is not detected

When the ignition is switched on, several warning

and indicator lights come on briefly for a function

check. They go out after a few seconds.

If an authorized remote control vehicle key is in the

passenger compartment but is not detected, the re-

mote control vehicle key battery may be weak or

dead. You can still start the engine using the emer-

gency start feature.

Engine control malfunction

The yellow indicator light comes on.

— Automatic or DSG transmission: Make sure the

transmission selector lever is in the Park (P) posi-

tion.

— Have the engine checked immediately by an au-

thorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volks-

wagen Service Facility.

— Press and hold the brake pedal.

— Hold the remote control vehicle key to the right

of the steering column trim immediately after

pressing the starter button → fig. 98.

Engine speed (rpm) limited

The yellow indicator light comes on.

— The ignition automatically switches on and the

engine starts.

Engine speed (rpm) is automatically limited to help

prevent the engine from overheating.

WARNING

— Briefly take your foot off the accelerator.

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument

cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to

break down in traffic and result in a collision and

serious personal injury.

The limited engine speed is shown in the instrument

cluster.

Once the engine is no longer at a critical tempera-

ture, the engine speed limit is increased.

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.

·

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to

and

Engine speed limited

do so.

The yellow indicator lights come on.

NOTICE

The engine speed is limited due to a malfunction in

the engine management system.

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS

can result in vehicle damage.

— Make sure that the engine speed does not exceed

the engine speed displayed, for example, when

downshifting.

Starting and stopping the engine

145

— The vehicle must not be on a steep incline.

Start-stop system

®

—

Vehicles with DSG : The steering wheel must not

be turned too sharply.

— The vehicle must not be in reverse gear (R).

— The Park Assist system must not be active.

Requirements for the engine to automatically re-

start

The engine may restart automatically under the fol-

lowing conditions:

— If the vehicle interior becomes very hot or very

cold.

— If the vehicle rolls forward or backward.

— If the vehicle battery voltage lowers.

— If the steering wheel is moved.

Fig. 99 In the lower center console: Button for the

Start-stop system (if equipped).

Depending on equipment, your vehicle may be

equipped with a Start-stop system that switches the

engine off automatically when the vehicle comes to

a stop. When needed, the engine switches back on

automatically.

As a general rule, the engine always restarts auto-

matically when the system detects that it is neces-

sary.

Conditions that require a manual engine start

Switching the Start-stop system on

You must restart the engine manually if:

The feature is automatically activated every time the

ignition is switched on. The instrument cluster dis-

play shows current status information.

— The driver door is opened.

— The engine hood is opened.

— The driver safety belt is unbuckled.

— Press and hold the brake pedal to stop. The en-

gine switches off when the vehicle is not moving.

Manually deactivating and activating the Start-stop

system

— Take your foot off the brake pedal or depress the

accelerator to restart the engine.

— Press the

button → fig. 99 to deactivate the

system. If Start-stop has been deactivated, the in-

dicator light in the button comes on.

Indicator lights

Start-stop available, automatic engine stop is

active.

— Press the

the system.

button → fig. 99 again to reactivate

Start-stop not available OR Start-stop has

switched the engine on automatically.

Every time the

button is pressed, the Start-stop

system status is shown in the instrument cluster dis-

play.

Requirements for the engine to automatically

switch off

If Start-stop switches the engine off, it will restart if

you press the

button.

— The driver must be wearing their safety belt.

— The driver door must be closed.

Always manually deactivate Start-stop when driving

through water.

— The engine hood must be closed.

— The engine must have reached minimum operat-

ing temperature.

WARNING

Never stop the engine before the vehicle has come

to a complete stop. You can lose control of the ve-

hicle, crash, and be seriously injured.

— For vehicles with Climatronic: The temperature in-

side the vehicle must be within the pre-set tem-

perature range and the humidity must not be too

high.

The airbags and safety belt pretensioners will

not work when the ignition is switched off.

·

— The windshield defrost function must not be

switched on.

The brake booster does not work when the en-

gine is not running. More brake pedal pressure

will be needed to stop the vehicle.

·

— The vehicle battery must be sufficiently charged.

— The vehicle battery temperature must not be too

low or too high.

146

Driving

The power steering system does not work when

the engine is not running, and you will need

more force to steer the vehicle.

·

Manual transmission

Manual transmission gearshift lever

Never remove the key from the ignition switch

or turn off the ignition with the starter button

while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a stop.

The electronic steering column could suddenly

lock, you would not be able to steer, and you

could lose control of the vehicle, crash, and seri-

ously injure yourself and others.

Switch the Start-stop system off before work-

ing in the engine compartment.

·

WARNING

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument

cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to

break down in traffic and result in a collision and

serious personal injury.

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.

·

Fig. 100 Gearshift pattern of a 6-speed manual trans-

mission.

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to

do so.

The positions of the individual gears are shown on

the gearshift lever → fig. 100.

Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move

·

the vehicle a safe distance off the road, turn on

the emergency flashers, stop the engine, and

use other warning devices to warn approaching

traffic.

— Depress the clutch pedal all the way and hold.

— Move the gearshift lever into the desired position

→

.

— Release the clutch pedal to engage the gear.

NOTICE

The clutch pedal must be fully depressed to start the

engine.

The vehicle battery may be damaged if the Start-

stop system is active for a long time in very hot out-

side temperatures.

Shifting into reverse

NOTICE

— Only shift to the reverse gear when the vehicle is

not moving.

Failure to heed warning lights can result in vehicle

damage

— Depress the clutch pedal fully and hold →

.

— Move the gearshift lever to neutral and press

down.

In certain situations it may be necessary to

manually restart the engine. A text message

will appear in the instrument cluster display.

— Move the shift lever to the left and then push for-

ward into the reverse gear position → fig. 100 R .

If the outside temperature is above about

+100 °F (+38 °C), the Start-stop system may

switch off automatically.

— Release the clutch pedal to engage the gear.

Downshifting

In vehicles with Driving Mode Selection, the

Start-stop system is automatically activated in

the Eco driving mode.

You should always downshift gear by gear when

driving, meaning always into the next lowest gear.

Do not downshift when the engine rpm (revolutions

per minute) is too high → . At fast speeds or high

engine rpm, skipping over one or more gears when

downshifting can cause damage to the clutch and

Always manually deactivate the Start-stop

system when driving through water.

transmission, even if a gear is not engaged →

.

Manual transmission

147

— If the warning does not turn off, do not contin-

ue driving!

WARNING

Downshifting to a lower gear incorrectly can result

in loss of vehicle control and can cause accidents

and serious personal injuries.

— See your authorized Volkswagen dealer for assis-

tance. Otherwise, serious clutch or transmission

damage could result.

WARNING

Clutch malfunction

When the engine is running and a gear is engaged,

the vehicle will start to move as soon as the clutch

pedal is released. This also applies when the park-

ing brake is engaged.

The yellow indicator light comes on.

The clutch pedal is malfunctioning.

— Drive carefully to your authorized Volkswagen

dealer for assistance. Otherwise, serious clutch or

transmission damage could result.

Never shift into Reverse (R) when the vehicle is

moving.

·

NOTICE

Shifting down to a gear that is too low when driving

at fast speeds or high engine rpm can cause exten-

sive damage to the clutch and transmission. That is

true even if the clutch pedal is pressed so that the

clutch is not engaged.

Automatic and DSG^®transmis-

sion

How the DSG^®automated trans-

mission works

NOTICE

To help prevent damage and premature wear:

Your vehicle may be equipped with a special DSG^®

automated transmission that combines the perform-

ance and economy of a standard manual transmis-

sion with the comfort and convenience of a conven-

tional automatic transmission. The DSG transmission

housing contains two clutches, one that works with

the odd-numbered gears (1, 3, 5 and R) and the oth-

er that works with the even-numbered gears (2, 4,

6). The dual clutch configuration enables rapid shifts

between gears without loss of traction as the dual

clutch seamlessly transfers the engine power from

one driveshaft to the other during gear shifts. An

output shaft for each of the two gearbox units

transmits the drive to the driven wheels via a differ-

ential. The DSG electronic control unit, sensors, and

hydraulic control for clutch engagement and gear

selection form one compact weight-saving unit.

Do not rest your hand on the gearshift lever while

driving. Over time, the pressure will cause prema-

ture wear in the transmission.

·

Make sure that the vehicle has come to a com-

plete stop before shifting into Reverse (R).

·

Always depress the clutch pedal all the way when

changing gears.

·

Do not hold the vehicle on a hill using engine

power with the clutch pedal partially engaged and

the engine running.

·

Tips and troubleshooting

Clutch is “slipping”

Thanks to the dual-clutch design, the DSG system is

more efficient than a conventional automatic trans-

mission. For example, while idling, a torque convert-

er in a conventional automatic transmission is en-

gaged all the time (increasing load and engine fuel

consumption), while the DSG gradually opens the

clutch, allowing the engine to idle freely. In most

cases, this efficiency combined with its low weight

and intelligent control means that DSG can achieve

the same or better fuel consumption than a manual

transmission. The clutches, like the clutch in

a standard manual transmission are subject to wear

over time. The DSG transmission requires periodic

maintenance that is described in the → Warranty

and Maintenance.

A yellow indicator light comes on.

The clutch does not transfer all of the engine torque.

— Remove your foot from the clutch pedal, if neces-

sary → page 133.

Transmission overheating

The yellow indicator light comes on.

A text message may also appear in the instrument

cluster.

— Shift the selector lever to the P position and all

the transmission to cool.

148

Driving

Switch between Drive (D) and Sport drive (S) by pull-

ing the selector lever once to the rear from gear po-

sition D/S → fig. 101. The selector lever always re-

turns to gear position D/S.

Automatic or DSG^®transmission se-

lector lever

It is possible to access Tiptronic selection from gear

position D/S when either Drive (D) or Sport drive (S)

is active → page 150, Shifting with Tiptronic®.

Tiptronic mode: In Tiptronic mode, M and the cur-

rent gear number may appear in the instrument

cluster along with the current Tiptronic gear.

Automatic Shift Lock (ASL)

The Automatic Shift Lock (ASL) in Park (P) and Neu-

tral (N) prevents drive positions from being engaged

inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle to

move.

To release ASL, you must switch on the ignition, de-

press the brake pedal and hold it down while press-

ing the release button on the selector lever handle in

the direction of the arrow → fig. 101 to move the

selector lever out of Park (P) and into a drive gear.

Fig. 101 Automatic or DSG transmission selector lever

with shift lever release button (arrow).

If the ignition is switched on, either the current se-

lector lever position or the current gear is shown in

the instrument cluster display.

The ASL is not engaged if the selector lever is moved

quickly through Neutral (N) (e.g., when shifting from

Reverse (R) to Drive (D/S)). This makes it possible to

“rock” the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is

stuck in snow or mud. The ASL engages automatical-

ly if the brake pedal is not depressed, the selector

lever is in Neutral (N) for more than about 1 second,

and the vehicle is traveling no faster than about

3 mph (5 km/h).

– Park

The drive wheels are mechanically locked. Select on-

ly when the vehicle is not moving. To change the se-

lector lever position, switch on the ignition (if it is

off) and then press the selector lever release button

while holding down the brake pedal.

WARNING

Moving the selector lever to the wrong position

can cause loss of vehicle control, a collision, and

serious personal injury.

– Reverse

The reverse gear is engaged. Shift into reverse only

when the vehicle is not moving.

Never accelerate when moving the selector lev-

er.

·

– Neutral

When the engine is running and a drive position

is engaged, the vehicle will start to move as

soon as the brake pedal is released.

·

Transmission is in neutral position. No power is

transmitted to the wheels and no engine braking is

available.

Never shift into Reverse (R) or Park (P) when the

vehicle is moving.

·

– Drive or Sport Drive

/

WARNING

Standard driving position D: All forward gears shift

up and down automatically. The transmission shifts

as needed depending on engine load, individual driv-

ing style, and vehicle speed.

Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious

personal injury.

Never get out of the driver's seat while the en-

·

Sport driving position S: All forward gears automati-

cally upshift later and downshift earlier than in posi-

tion D to take full advantage of the engine's power

reserves. The transmission shifts as needed depend-

ing on engine load, individual driving style, and vehi-

cle speed.

gine is running, especially when the transmis-

sion is in a drive gear. If you must leave your ve-

hicle while the engine is running, always set the

parking brake and shift the transmission to Park

(P).

Automatic and DSG transmission

149

Never leave the vehicle in Neutral (N). It will roll

down hills, whether the engine is running or

not.

·

When the engine is running and a drive gear -

Drive or Sport Drive (D/S) or Reverse (R) - has

been selected, press and hold the brake pedal to

keep the vehicle from moving. The vehicle may

“creep” and move forward or backward even if

the engine is idling slowly.

Never shift into Reverse (R) or Park (P) when the

vehicle is moving.

·

NOTICE

Even though the transmission is in Park (P), the vehi-

cle may move a couple of inches (a few centimeters)

forwards or backwards if you take your foot off the

brake pedal after stopping the vehicle without first

setting the parking brake.

Fig. 103 Steering wheel with Tiptronic shift paddles (if

equipped).

Tiptronic lets you upshift and downshift manually

with the automatic or DSG transmission. When Tip-

tronic mode is used, the transmission stays in the

current gear and does not upshift or downshift auto-

matically unless the transmission senses a situation

where upshifting or downshifting is necessary to

keep the engine from over- or under-revving.

If the selector lever is moved into Neutral (N)

by mistake when the vehicle is moving, take

your foot off the accelerator pedal. Wait until the

engine speed has dropped to idle speed before mov-

ing the selector lever into a drive gear.

Leaving the selector lever for a long period of

time in any position other than Park (P) when

the ignition is switched off can drain the 12 Volt ve-

hicle battery.

Using Tiptronic with the selector lever

— Push the selector lever sideways to the right from

the D/S position into the Tiptronic position →

in Automatic or DSG® transmission selector lever

on page 149.

—

+

Briefly push the selector lever forward

to up-

Shifting with Tiptronic^®

–

shift into a higher gear or pull it backward

downshift into a lower gear → fig. 102.

to

Using Tiptronic with the shift paddles behind the

steering wheel (if equipped)

— The paddles → fig. 103 (arrows) work when the

selector lever is in the Tiptronic position or when

the selector lever is in Drive or Sport Drive (D/S).

You do not have to move the selector lever over

to the right into the Tiptronic position.

+

— To upshift, pull the paddle on the right

you.

toward

–

— To downshift, pull the paddle on the left to-

ward you.

— To switch off Tiptronic mode, pull the paddle on

+

the right

toward you and hold it there for

Fig. 102 Selector lever in Tiptronic position.

about 1 second.

Tiptronic will switch off automatically if the shift

paddles have not been used for a while and the se-

lector lever is not in the Tiptronic position.

150

Driving

— Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. The

engine is disengaged and runs in coasting mode.

The vehicle rolls without the braking effect of the

engine.

NOTICE

During acceleration, the transmission will shift

automatically into the next higher gear before

reaching maximum engine speed (rpm).

·

Cancelling coasting mode:

If you use Tiptronic to shift into a lower gear, the

transmission will downshift only when doing so

will not over-rev the engine.

— Press the brake pedal briefly.

— OR Pull a shift paddle toward the steering wheel

→ page 150, Shifting with Tiptronic®.

— OR Move the selector lever to the Tiptronic posi-

tion.

Driving with automatic or DSG^®

transmission

— OR Change the driving mode from Eco to another

driving mode → page 157, Driving Mode Selec-

tion.

All forward gears shift up and down automatically.

Kick-down acceleration

Driving on hills

The kick-down feature permits maximum accelera-

tion when the selector lever is in the Drive or Sport

Drive (D/S) position or in Tiptronic mode.

The steeper the slope, the lower the gear that must

be selected. Lower gears increase the braking effect

of the engine. Never coast downhill in Neutral (N).

If you push the accelerator all the way down, the ve-

hicle will automatically downshift, depending on ve-

hicle speed and engine speed (rpm). This feature lets

you take advantage of the full acceleration capacity

— Reduce speed.

— Switch to Tiptronic mode by moving the selector

lever from Drive or Sport Drive (D/S) to the right

into the Tiptronic position → page 150, Shifting

with Tiptronic®.

of the vehicle →

.

With kick-down acceleration, the transmission will

stay in the current gear longer and not upshift until

the engine reaches maximum rpm.

— Downshift by pulling the selector lever back brief-

ly (-).

— OR: Downshift using the paddles on the steering

wheel → page 150, Using Tiptronic with the shift

paddles behind the steering wheel (if equipped).

Launch control program

The launch control program lets you take advantage

of maximum acceleration from a standstill.

Vehicles with Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold): If you stop

and start up again when going uphill, the Hill Start

Assist feature can help prevent the vehicle from roll-

ing backwards as long as the engine is running

→ page 154, Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold).

— Switch off Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) → page 191,

Braking assistance systems.

— Firmly depress and hold the brake pedal with your

left foot.

— Make sure your steering wheel is straight and the

front wheels are pointing straight ahead.

Vehicles without Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold): If you

stop on a hill with the vehicle in gear, you must de-

press the brake pedal or engage the parking brake to

keep the vehicle from rolling. Do not release the

brake pedal or the parking brake until the vehicle

— Move the selector lever into Sport Drive (S) or the

Tiptronic position. For vehicles with Driving Mode

Selection, select the Sport or Race driving mode

→ page 157, Driving Mode Selection.

has started to move forward →

.

— With your right foot, depress the accelerator ped-

al all the way. The engine speed automatically in-

creases to about 3200 rpm (Golf GTI) and stays

there.

Coasting with DSG^®automated transmission

In coasting mode, the momentum of the vehicle can

be used to help save fuel. The clutch opens and the

engine no longer brakes the vehicle, so the vehicle

can “coast” over a longer distance. The coasting fea-

ture only works when the selector lever is in posi-

tion D/S and the vehicle speed is between about 25–

80 mph (40–130 km/h).

— Remove your left foot from the brake → . The

vehicle will accelerate from a stop at the maxi-

mum rate.

— Once you have accelerated, switch ASR back on

again!

Starting coasting mode:

— Select the Eco driving mode from the driving

mode selection menu → page 157, Driving Mode

Selection.

Automatic and DSG transmission

151

WARNING

NOTICE

Rapid acceleration can cause skidding and loss of

traction, especially on slippery roads, resulting in

a loss of vehicle control, collisions, and serious

personal injury.

When stopping on hills with the transmission in

a drive gear, do not use the accelerator to help

prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards. This

can cause the automatic or DSG transmission to

overheat and be damaged.

·

Only use the kick-down feature, Launch Control

·

Program, or fast acceleration if visibility, weath-

er, road, and traffic conditions permit and other

drivers will not be endangered by your driving

and the vehicle's acceleration.

Never let the vehicle coast or roll down a hill in

Neutral (N), especially when the engine is not run-

ning. The transmission will not be lubricated and

will be damaged.

·

Always adapt your driving to the traffic flow.

·

Launch Control acceleration uses the maximum

acceleration capability of the vehicle but places

significant loads on the drive train and related

parts. If you do use the Launch Control feature, do

not use it regularly or often to help prevent un-

necessary wear on the vehicle and its systems.

Note that the drive wheels can spin and the ve-

hicle can swerve when ASR is switched off, es-

pecially when the road is slippery.

Once you have accelerated, switch ASR back on

again.

·

Tips and troubleshooting

Fig. 104 Removing the selector gate cover.

Fig. 105 Releasing the selector lever lock (versions and ).

152

Driving

When the ignition is switched on, several warning

and indicator lights come on briefly for a function

check. They go out after a few seconds.

The emergency release is under the selector gate

cover on the right side when viewed in the driving

direction.

Removing the selector gate cover:

Transmission overheating

— Set the parking brake. If the parking brake cannot

be set, you must find another way to help prevent

The yellow indicator light comes on.

the vehicle from moving →

.

An acoustic warning may sound and a text message

may also appear in the instrument cluster.

— Switch off the ignition.

— Open the storage compartment in front of the se-

lector lever

The DSG transmission may overheat due to frequent

starts, extended “creeping,” or stop-and-go traffic.

— Using your hands, pull upward on the front of the

selector gate cover to release it, then pull the se-

lector lever sleeve upward → fig. 104.

— Shift the selector lever to the P position and let

the transmission cool down.

— If the warning does not turn off, do not contin-

ue driving!

— Slip the cover up and over the selector lever →

.

Depending on equipment, the selector lever can be

released differently.

— See your authorized Volkswagen dealer for assis-

tance. Otherwise, serious clutch or transmission

damage could result.

Version one: → fig. 105

— With the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit,

carefully push the colored release lever in the di-

rection of the arrow and hold it in this position .

If the engine does not start

The green indicator light comes on.

The brake pedal is not depressed.

— Depress the brake pedal.

— Press the release button in the selector lever han-

dle and shift the selector lever to Neutral (N).

— Carefully press the selector gate cover back in

place, making sure that the electrical wiring stays

in the correct position and is not pinched or dam-

aged.

— Make sure the transmission selector lever is in po-

sition P.

— Try to start the engine again → page 143, Starting

the engine.

Version two: → fig. 105

— With the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit,

carefully push down on the middle of the colored

release lever in the direction of the arrow and

hold it in this position.

— Also refer to electronic parking brake → page 178,

Parking brake.

If the vehicle does not shift

— Press the release button in the selector lever han-

dle and shift the selector lever to Neutral (N).

The green indicator light flashes along with a text

message in the instrument cluster display.

— Carefully press the selector gate cover back in

place, making sure that the electrical wiring stays

in the correct position and is not pinched or dam-

aged.

In rare cases, the ASL may not engage on vehicles

with a DSG^®automated transmission. If this hap-

pens, power to the drive wheels will be interrupted

to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.

Emergency shift program

— Depress the brake pedal.

If all selector lever position indicators in the instru-

ment cluster display are highlighted against a bright

background, there is a system malfunction. The au-

tomatic or DSG transmission will then operate in the

emergency shift program. The emergency shift pro-

gram lets you drive the vehicle, but at a reduced

speed and without being able to use all of the for-

ward gears.

— Press the release button on the transmission se-

lector lever and try to shift again.

— OR: Shift the selector lever to Neutral (N) or Park

(P), then try to select a drive position again.

Emergency release for the transmission selector

lever lock

If the power supply fails (due to a dead vehicle bat-

tery, for example) and the vehicle has to be pushed

or towed, the emergency release must be used to

move the selector lever to Neutral (N). You will need

the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit to release

the selector lever → page 227, Vehicle tool kit.

In some cases, vehicles with a DSG transmission may

not be able to shift into reverse. It is then impossible

to drive the vehicle backwards.

Automatic and DSG transmission

153

In any event, have the automatic or DSG transmis-

sion checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to

do so.

·

Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move

the vehicle a safe distance off the road, turn on

the emergency flashers, stop the engine, and

use other warning devices to warn approaching

traffic.

If the vehicle does not move even though a drive po-

sition is selected with the transmission selector lev-

er

If the vehicle does not move in the desired direction,

the system may not have engaged the drive position

correctly.

NOTICE

Even with the selector lever is in Neutral (N), the au-

tomatic or DSG transmission will be damaged if the

vehicle is towed (or you let it coast) for an extended

period or at high speed with the engine shut off.

— Press the brake pedal and select the drive position

again.

— If the vehicle still does not move in the desired di-

rection, there is a system malfunction. See your

authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance to have

the system checked.

NOTICE

As soon as you get any of these warnings about

·

transmission overheating, you must either park

the vehicle in a safe place or drive faster than

12 mph (20 km/h).

WARNING

Never shift the transmission out of Park (P) with-

out first firmly applying the parking brake. Other-

wise, the vehicle can start to roll unexpectedly, es-

pecially on hills or inclines, and cause an accident

and serious injuries.

If the text message and acoustic warning repeat

·

themselves every 10 seconds or so, you must park

the vehicle in a safe place as soon as you can

safely do so and stop the engine. Let the trans-

mission cool down.

WARNING

To help prevent damage to the transmission, do

·

not drive the vehicle again until the acoustic

warning has stopped. As long as the engine is

overheated, avoid stop and start driving and avoid

low speeds (“walking pace”).

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument

cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to

break down in traffic and result in a collision and

serious personal injury.

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.

·

lease and the vehicle will roll downhill. Furthermore,

if any requirement for engaging Hill Start Assist is no

longer met while the vehicle is stopped, Hill Start

Assist disengages and the brakes are automatically

released and will no longer hold the vehicle.

Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold)

Some vehicles are equipped with Hill Start Assist

(Hill Hold), a feature that helps keep the vehicle from

rolling backwards when starting out on a hill, for ex-

ample after stopping at a traffic light. You don't

have to apply and release the parking brake while

depressing the accelerator. For Hill Start Assist to

work, the engine must be running and the vehicle

must be in First Gear or Reverse (manual transmis-

sion) or in Drive or Sport Drive (D/S) or Reverse (R)

(automatic or DSG transmission) and you must use

the foot brake to hold the vehicle before starting to

move.

Hill Start Assist is activated automatically when the

following points are met at the same time:

— Hold the stopped vehicle on an incline with the

foot brake or parking brake.

— The engine must be running “smoothly.”

— All four wheels must have sufficient contact with

the road.

— Automatic or DSG transmission: vehicle must be

in Drive or Sport Drive (D/S) if headed up a hill or

Reverse (R) if backing up a hill, and the foot brake

must be depressed to keep the vehicle from mov-

ing.

Hill Start Assist keeps the brake applied for almost

2 seconds with the same force you used to prevent

the vehicle from moving. This gives you time to take

your foot off the brake, let the clutch out on a man-

ual transmission vehicle, and gently depress the ac-

celerator to get the vehicle moving again. If you do

not depress the accelerator pedal and get the vehi-

cle moving again within this time, the brakes will re-

— Manual transmission: The vehicle must be in 1st

gear (1) if headed up a hill or in Reverse (R) if

backing up a hill; you must hold the clutch down

154

Driving

and the foot brake must be depressed to keep the

vehicle from moving.

steep hills. When in Tiptronic mode, select second or

first gear manually to use the braking power of the

engine and relieve the load on the brakes.

Automatic or DSG transmission: To drive off, take

your foot off the brake pedal and gently depress the

accelerator within 2 seconds.

If downhill speed control is active, the Start-stop

system is automatically deactivated → page 146,

Start-stop system.

Manual transmission: To drive off, take your foot off

the brake pedal as you let the clutch out and gently

depress the accelerator within 2 seconds. If the ac-

celerator is not depressed, the brakes will release

automatically.

Downhill speed control activates automatically if all

of the following conditions apply:

— The downhill slope is greater than about 6%.

— AND: The selector lever is in position D/S.

Hill Start Assist is immediately deactivated:

— AND (when the cruise control or Adaptive Cruise

Control (ACC) is switched off): The vehicle speed

is less than about 50 mph (80 km/h) or the brake

pedal is depressed.

— If any requirement listed above is no longer met.

— If the engine is not running smoothly or the en-

gine malfunctions.

— AND (when the cruise control or Adaptive Cruise

Control (ACC) is active): The stored speed is ex-

ceeded.

— If the engine stalls or is switched off.

— Automatic or DSG transmission: If the transmis-

sion is in Neutral (N).

— Automatic or DSG transmission: If a tire does not

have enough road contact (such as when the vehi-

cle is tipped or at an angle).

Downhill speed control deactivates automatically if

one of the following occurs:

— The downhill slope is less than about 6%.

— OR: The transmission shifts up to a higher gear

because the engine speed is faster than about

4,500 rpm.

WARNING

The intelligent technology of Hill Start Assist can-

not overcome the laws of physics. Never let the in-

creased convenience provided by Hill Start Assist

tempt you into taking risks.

— OR (when the cruise control or Adaptive Cruise

Control (ACC) is active): The stored speed can be

maintained.

The Hill Start Assist feature cannot hold the ve-

hicle in all hill start situations (for example, if

the surface is icy or slippery).

·

WARNING

The intelligent technology of the downhill speed

control feature cannot overcome the laws of phys-

ics and system-related limits. Never let the in-

creased convenience provided by the downhill

speed control feature tempt you into taking risks.

Hill Start Assist can only help keep the vehicle

·

from moving for less than 2 seconds. After that,

the brakes will be released and the vehicle can

roll down the hill.

Always adjust your speed, driving style, and the

·

distance you keep between you and the vehicles

ahead of you to the road, traffic, weather, and

visibility conditions.

Downhill speed control

Your vehicle may be equipped with a downhill speed

control feature, which helps to support braking

when driving downhill in vehicles with automatic or

DSG^®transmission → . The system uses the brak-

ing power of the engine.

Unintended vehicle movement can cause seri-

ous personal injury.

·

The downhill speed control feature is not a sub-

stitute for careful and attentive driving.

·

The downhill speed control feature cannot slow

the vehicle down in all situations (for example,

if the ground is slippery or icy).

·

The transmission selects the best gear for the cir-

cumstances, depending on the downhill slope and

the current speed. The selector lever must be in po-

sition D/S → page 149, Automatic or DSG® transmis-

sion selector lever. Downhill speed control is not ac-

tive in Tiptronic mode → page 150, Shifting with Tip-

tronic®.

Always be prepared to take full control of the

vehicle at all times.

·

WARNING

Always be ready to apply the brakes. Otherwise

accidents and injuries can occur.

The downhill speed control feature can shift down

only as far as third gear, so it may be necessary to

activate the Tiptronic mode when driving down very

Downhill speed control

155

The downhill speed control feature is merely

a driving aid and cannot always slow the vehicle

down enough on all downhill grades.

Mechanical steering column lock (vehicles without

Keyless Access)

In vehicles with an ignition switch, the steering col-

umn is locked mechanically:

·

The vehicle may pick up speed even though the

downhill speed control feature is active.

— Bring the vehicle to a stop.

— Automatic or DSG transmission: Shift the trans-

mission to Park (P).

WARNING

Driving with too little fuel in the fuel tank increas-

es the risk of stalling, especially when driving up

and down hills.

— Remove the vehicle key from the ignition switch.

— Turn the steering wheel slightly until the steering

column lock clicks into place.

If your vehicle stalls suddenly, this can cause an

accident and serious personal injuries.

·

To disengage the steering column lock, insert the

vehicle key into the ignition switch. Turn the steer-

ing wheel slightly to take pressure off the steering

column lock. Hold the steering wheel in this position

and turn the ignition switch.

Driver assistance and braking assistance sys-

·

tems can malfunction when there is too little

fuel in the tank and cause you to lose control of

the vehicle.

Never drive until the fuel tank is almost empty.

Power steering

·

Power steering automatically adjusts to driving

speed, steering torque, and the steering angle of the

wheels. Power steering works only when the engine

is running.

Steering

If power steering is reduced or lost completely, it

will be much harder to steer and control the vehicle.

Steering system information

Counter-steering assistance

To help prevent vehicle theft, you should always

make sure the steering column is locked before leav-

ing the vehicle.

Counter-steering assistance makes it easier for the

driver to control the vehicle in difficult situations.

For example, if you have to brake hard on a surface

that provides uneven traction, counter-steering as-

sistance detects this situation and helps the driver

Your vehicle is equipped with an electromechanical

power steering system. The power steering works

only when the engine is running.

counter-steer with additional steering power →

.

The electromechanical power steering system auto-

matically adjusts to driving speed, steering torque,

and the steering angle of the wheels. It delivers ex-

tra steering force only when you are actually turning

the wheels.

Progressive steering (Golf GTI only)

Your vehicle may be equipped with progressive

steering, which can adjust the force of the steering

movement in a driving situation. Progressive steer-

ing only works when the engine is running.

In vehicles with Driving Mode Selection, the selected

driving mode can affect the steering behavior

→ page 157, Driving Mode Selection.

In city traffic, less steering input is required when

parking, maneuvering, or turning sharply.

When driving on country roads or highways, the pro-

gressive steering provides a more sporty, direct

steering response and a more dynamic feel.

Electronic steering column lock (vehicles with Key-

less Access)

In vehicles with a starter button, the steering col-

umn is locking electronically:

WARNING

— Bring the vehicle to a stop.

Turning the steering wheel is very hard when the

power steering system is not working. This makes

it harder to steer and control the vehicle.

— Automatic or DSG transmission: Shift the trans-

mission to Park (P).

— Switch off the ignition and then open the driver

door. The steering column is locked.

Power steering works only when the engine is

running.

·

If the steering column should not be locked, first

open the driver door, and then switch off the igni-

tion. The steering column will not lock until the ve-

hicle is locked.

Never let the vehicle coast with the engine

switched off.

·

Never remove the key from the ignition switch

or turn off the ignition with the starter button

·

156

Driving

while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a stop.

The electronic steering column could suddenly

lock, you would not be able to steer, and you

could lose control of the vehicle, crash, and seri-

ously injure yourself and others.

the indicator light stays on, have the steering

checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

If the indicator light flashes:

— Turn the steering wheel back and forth.

— Switch the ignition off and then switch it on

again.

WARNING

The counter-steering assistance in ESC can do no

more than help the driver steer in difficult situa-

tions. The driver must still control the vehicle. The

vehicle does not steer by itself with this feature!

— Heed any messages shown in the instrument

cluster display, if applicable.

— Do not drive any farther if the indicator light con-

tinues to flash after you switch on the ignition.

Contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or an

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assis-

tance.

NOTICE

If the ignition is off, the steering column lock will

engage and the vehicle cannot be steered. For this

reason, you must leave the ignition on when going

through an automatic car wash, for example, so that

the wheels will still steer.

WARNING

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument

cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to

break down in traffic and result in a collision and

serious personal injury.

NOTICE

When towing the vehicle with a tow bar or tow rope,

always leave the ignition on to prevent the steering

wheel from locking, and so that the turn signals,

horn, windshield wipers, and window washer system

can be used.

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.

·

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to

do so.

Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move

·

the vehicle a safe distance off the road, turn on

the emergency flashers, switch off the engine,

and use other warning devices to warn ap-

proaching traffic.

Tips and troubleshooting

Park the vehicle where no part of the hot cata-

When the ignition is switched on, several warning

and indicator lights come on briefly for a function

check. They go out after a few seconds.

·

lytic converter and exhaust system can come in-

to contact with flammable materials under the

vehicle, such as dry grass, brush, spilled fuel,

etc.

Power steering malfunction

The red warning light comes on or flashes.

NOTICE

The electronic steering column lock is malfunction-

ing.

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS

can result in vehicle damage.

—

Stop! Contact your authorized Volkswagen

dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facili-

ty for assistance.

Driving Mode Selection

— When the red warning light comes on and stays

on, the power steering may be reduced or lost

completely. It may be much harder to steer and

control the vehicle.

Introduction

Your vehicle may be equipped with the Driving Mode

Selection feature.

— When the red warning light flashes, The steering

column lock cannot be unlocked. Get professional

assistance.

By selecting different driving modes, the driver can

adapt the characteristics of certain vehicle systems

to the current driving situation, the desired ride

comfort and an economical driving style. The adapt-

able vehicle systems include the suspension, engine

management system or the air conditioning system.

Steering malfunction

The yellow indicator light comes on or flashes.

When the indicator light comes on and stays on, re-

start the engine, and slowly drive a short distance. If

Driving Mode Selection

157

For vehicles equipped with Driving Mode Selection,

you can choose from different driving modes with

a variety of characteristics. The possible driving

modes may vary, depending on vehicle equipment.

Selecting a driving mode

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 157.

The driving mode Comfort is only available in vehicles

with Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC). Adaptive chas-

sis control DCC (if equipped) continuously adjusts

the suspension characteristics to match the current

road and driving conditions in accordance with the

selected driving mode.

The driving mode can be changed while the vehicle

is not moving or when it is moving. After selecting

a driving mode, the vehicle settings (excluding en-

gine settings) are switched to the new driving mode

immediately.

WARNING

Fig. 106 In the lower center console: Driving Mode Se-

lection button (if equipped).

Changing the driving mode can alter vehicle han-

dling. Never allow Driving Mode Selection to tempt

you into taking extra risks.

For vehicles equipped with driving mode selection,

the available driving modes as well as the effect on

the vehicle settings in the individual driving modes

depend on vehicle equipment.

Always adjust your speed and driving style to

·

road, traffic, weather, and visibility conditions.

When traffic conditions allow, briefly take your foot

off the accelerator to activate the newly selected

driving mode for the engine.

WARNING

Driving on today's roads demands the full atten-

tion of the driver at all times. Driver distraction

causes accidents, collisions and serious personal

injury!

Selecting the driving mode

— Switch on the ignition.

Never let yourself be distracted when selecting

a driving mode or using the Infotainment sys-

tem.

·

— Press the Driving Mode Selection button

→ fig. 106.

— To change the driving mode, press the Driving

Always drive attentively and responsibly. Use

·

Mode Selection button

ing mode is highlighted.

until the desired driv-

the Driving Mode Selection feature and the In-

fotainment system only if road, traffic, and

weather conditions permit and you will not be

distracted from your driving.

— OR: Tap the function key for the selected driving

mode in the Infotainment system display.

— If necessary, tap the information function key (

to display additional information about the cur-

rent driving mode.

)

Certain settings are automatically saved by

the driver personalization feature → page 30,

Driver personalization.

— Tap the function key to close the menu.

Some settings for the selected driving mode may

stay set even after the ignition is switched off, and

other settings may return to Normal mode. For ex-

ample, if the Sport mode is active when the ignition

is switched off, the automatic or DSG transmission

may return to the D position when the ignition is

switched back on.

To change all settings back to the selected driving

mode:

— For Sport: Select the Sport driving mode again, or

briefly pull the selector lever back → page 149,

Automatic or DSG® transmission selector lever.

— For Eco: Select the Eco driving mode again.

158

Driving

Driving mode characteristics

A text message may also appear in the instrument

cluster.

— Eco: Sets the vehicle in a low consumption mode

and supports the driver with more eco-friendly

driving.

— Have the system checked by an authorized Volks-

wagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

— Comfort: Gives the vehicle a more comfortable

driving feel, which may be preferred, for example,

on bumpy road conditions or on long highway

drives.

WARNING

Failure to heed warning and indicator lights and

instrument cluster text messages can result in

a collision and serious personal injury.

— Normal: Balanced setting for everyday use.

— Sport: Gives the vehicle a sporty driving feel and

is suited for a sporty driving style. In vehicles with

an automatic or DSG transmission, the transmis-

sion automatically shifts to Sport drive (S) when

the Sport driving mode is selected.

Never ignore warning and indicator lights or

text WARNINGS.

·

Always heed warning and indicator lights and

take action where necessary.

·

— Custom: Individual systems can be adjusted to

suit your personal requirements → page 159, Ad-

justing the Custom driving mode.

NOTICE

Failure to heed warning and indicator lights or text

WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.

The Driving Mode Selection button

lights up

when a mode other than Normal has been selected.

The driver can adjust certain vehicle functions,

regardless of the selected driving mode. For

example, the driver can shift the selector lever to

Sport drive (S), even if the Eco driving mode is se-

lected.

Adjusting the Custom driving mode

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 157.

The systems that can be adjusted to your individual

requirements depend on the vehicle equipment.

— Switch on the ignition.

— If necessary, switch on the Infotainment system.

— Press the Driving Mode Selection button

and

Custom

tap the

function key in the Infotainment

system display.

Adjust

— Tap the

menu.

function key to open the Custom

Tips and troubleshooting

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 157.

Adaptive chassis control DCC system malfunction

(if equipped)

The yellow indicator light comes on.

Driving Mode Selection

159

Driving for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

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