Get Driving -> Downhill speed control Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

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

Driving -> Downhill speed control for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

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