Get Driving -> Steering Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

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

Driving -> Steering for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

Popular Manuals