Get Parking and maneuvering -> Braking assistance systems Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

These systems can significantly improve active driv-

ing safety.

Braking assistance systems

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Introduction

ESC helps to improve road holding and vehicle dy-

namics to help reduce the probability of skidding

and loss of vehicle control. It works only when the

engine is running. ESC detects certain difficult driv-

ing situations, including when the vehicle is begin-

ning to spin (yaw) out of control. ESC then helps you

to get the vehicle back under control by selectively

braking the wheels and/or reducing engine power

and by providing steering assistance to help hold the

vehicle on the driver's intended course.

The braking assistance systems are the Anti-Lock

Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Elec-

tronic Differential Lock (EDL), Anti-Slip Regulation

(ASR), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

WARNING

Driving with bad brakes can cause a collision and

serious personal injury.

If the brake warning light

or does not

ESC has limitations. It is important to remember that

ESC cannot overcome the laws of physics. It will not

always be able to help out under all conditions you

may come up against. For example, ESC may not al-

ways be able to help you master situations where

there is a sudden change in the coefficient of fric-

tion of the road surface. When there is a section of

dry road that is suddenly covered with water, slush

or snow, ESC cannot perform the same way it would

on a dry surface. If the vehicle “hydroplanes” (rides

on a cushion of water instead of the road surface),

ESC will not be able to help you steer the vehicle be-

cause contact with the pavement has been inter-

rupted and the vehicle cannot be braked or steered.

During fast cornering, particularly on winding roads,

ESC cannot always deal as effectively with difficult

driving situations as it can at lower speeds.

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.

If the brake warning light

or lights up at

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.

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.

Always adjust your speed and driving style to visibili-

ty, road, traffic, and weather conditions. ESC cannot

override the vehicle's physical limits, increase the

available traction, or keep a vehicle on the road if

road departure is a result of driver inattention. In-

stead, ESC improves the possibility of keeping the

vehicle under control and on the road during ex-

treme maneuvers by using the driver's steering in-

puts to help keep the vehicle going in the intended

direction. If you are traveling at a speed that causes

you to run off the road before ESC can provide any

assistance, you may not experience the benefits of

ESC.

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

ABS provides. Contact your authorized Volkswa-

gen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility as soon as possible.

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.

ESC includes and/or works together with the ABS,

BAS, ASR, EDL, and XDL systems (see below). ESC is

switched on all the time.

In certain situations when you need less traction or

additional traction cannot be achieved, you can

switch off Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) in the Infotain-

ment system → page 26, Infotainment system oper-

ation and displays.

Braking assistance systems

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 191.

Golf GTI only: If the vehicle is equipped with a

button in the lower center console → fig. 125, ASR

can also be switched off by pressing the button. ESC

Sport mode can also be switched on via this button

The ESC, ABS, BAS, ASR, and EDL braking assistance

systems work only when the engine is running.

Braking assistance systems

191

→ page 193, Switching Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)

and ESC Sport mode on and off or in the Infotain-

ment system.

XDL is an extension of the Electronic Differential

Lock system. XDL does not react to drive wheel slip-

page when driving straight ahead. Instead, XDL de-

tects slippage of the inside front wheel during fast

cornering. XDL applies enough brake pressure to this

wheel in order to stop the slippage. This improves

traction, which helps the vehicle stay on track.

Be sure to switch ASR on again when you no longer

need less traction.

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)

ABS helps to keep the wheels from locking up and

helps to maintain the driver's ability to steer and

control the vehicle. This means the vehicle is less

likely to skid, even during hard braking:

Automatic Post-Collision Braking System

In an accident, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking

System can help the driver to reduce the risk of skid-

ding and the danger of secondary collisions through

automatic braking.

— Push the brake pedal down hard and hold it there.

Don't take your foot off the pedal or reduce the

force on the pedal!

The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System only

works in collisions if the airbag control unit registers

the corresponding triggering threshold during the

accident, and the accident occurs at a speed greater

than 6 mph (10 km/h).

— Do not “pump” the brake pedal or let up on it!

— Steer the vehicle while pushing down hard on the

brake pedal.

— ABS stops working if you release or let up on the

brake.

The ESC brakes the vehicle automatically, provided

that the hydraulic braking system, the ESC, and the

electrical system are undamaged and still work

properly.

When ABS is doing its job, you will notice a slight vi-

bration through the brake pedal and hear a noise.

ABS cannot shorten the stopping distance under all

conditions. The stopping distance may even be lon-

ger, for instance, when driving on gravel or on newly

fallen snow covering an icy or slippery surface.

The following actions override automatic braking in

the event of an accident:

— When the driver depresses the accelerator. No au-

tomatic braking occurs.

— When the brake pressure transmitted through the

depressed brake pedal is greater than the brake

pressure provided by the system. The vehicle is

braked manually.

Brake Assist (BAS)

The Brake Assist System can help to reduce stopping

distances. If you press the brake pedal very quickly,

BAS detects an emergency situation. It then very

quickly builds up full brake system pressure, maxi-

mizing braking power and reducing the stopping dis-

tance. This way, ABS can be activated more quickly

and efficiently.

WARNING

Driving fast on icy, slippery, or wet roads can lead

to a loss of control and result in serious personal

injury for you and your passengers.

Do not reduce pressure on the brake pedal! BAS

switches off automatically as soon as you release or

let up on the brake.

Always adjust your speed and driving style to

road, traffic, weather, and visibility conditions.

Never let the additional safety that ESC, ABS,

BAS, ASR, and EDL can provide tempt you into

taking extra risks.

Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)

ASR reduces engine power directed to spinning

wheels and adjusts power to the road conditions.

Even under poor road conditions, ASR can make it

easier to get moving, accelerate, and climb hills.

Braking assistance systems cannot overcome

the laws of physics and always prevent loss of

vehicle control. Slippery and wet roads are still

dangerous even with ESC and the other sys-

tems!

ASR can be switched on and off manually

→ page 193, Switching Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)

and ESC Sport mode on and off.

Driving too fast on wet roads can cause the

wheels to lose contact with the road and “hy-

droplane.” A vehicle that has lost road contact

cannot be braked, steered, or controlled.

Electronic Differential Lock (EDL and XDL)

EDL is applied during regular straight-line accelera-

tion. EDL gently brakes a drive wheel that has lost

traction (spinning) and redirects the drive force to

other drive wheels. In extreme cases, EDL automati-

cally switches off to keep the brake from overheat-

ing. As soon as the brake has cooled down, EDL au-

tomatically switches on again.

These systems cannot reduce the risk of acci-

dent, for example if you drive too fast for condi-

tions or if you do not keep your distance from

the vehicle in front of you.

192

Parking and maneuvering

Although these systems are very effective and

can help you control the vehicle in many diffi-

cult situations, always remember that vehicle

handling and control is limited by tire traction.

Changing the vehicle suspension or using an un-

approved tire/wheel combination can change

the way the ABS, BAS, ASR, EDL, and ESC sys-

tems work and reduce their effectiveness.

When accelerating on a slippery surface, for ex-

ample on ice and snow, depress the accelerator

carefully. Even with these systems, the wheels

may start to spin, leading to a loss of vehicle

control.

The effectiveness of ESC is also determined by

the tires installed → page 260, Tires and wheels.

WARNING

Driving without braking assistance systems can

greatly increase the distance necessary to stop the

vehicle, which can lead to a loss of control and re-

sult in serious personal injury for you and your

passengers.

WARNING

The effectiveness of ESC can be significantly re-

duced if other components and systems that af-

fect vehicle dynamics, including but not limited to

brakes, tires, and other systems mentioned above,

are not properly maintained or are not working

properly.

Never let the vehicle coast when the engine is

switched off.

When the braking assistance systems are not

working or when the vehicle is being towed, the

brake must be depressed harder because the

braking distance is longer.

Always remember that vehicle alterations or

modifications can affect how the ABS, BAS, ASR,

EDL, and ESC systems work.

Switching Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and ESC Sport mode on and off

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice

Afterward, activate ASR again.

Switching ASR on and off

on page 191.

— You can switch ASR off and on in the Vehicle settings

menu in the Infotainment system → page 26, In-

fotainment system operation and displays.

— OR: If the vehicle is equipped with a button in

the lower center console → fig. 125, ASR can be

switched off by pressing the button when the ig-

nition is on. Press the button again to switch

ASR back on.

Fig. 125 In the lower center console: Button for

switching ASR or ESC Sport mode on and off manually (if

equipped).

When ASR is switched off, a driver information mes-

sage appears in the instrument cluster display and

the indicator light in the instrument cluster lights

up → page 194, Tips and troubleshooting.

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) only works

when the engine is running. This system includes

ABS, EDL, and ASR.

Switching ESC Sport on and off (Golf GTI)

Depending on the vehicle model, when switching off

the ASR, the ESC can also be switched off or the ESC

sport mode (ESC Sport) can be switched on.

Switch off ASR only in situations where there is not

enough traction, such as the following:

The brake intervention functions of ESC are limited

when ESC Sport is switched on. It can be switched

on and off by pressing the button → fig. 125.

— When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces.

— When “rocking” the vehicle back and forth when

you are stuck.

Button

Golf GTI

Press for about 1 second

ASR switched off

Press and hold longer than 3 seconds

ASR switched off, ESC Sport switched on

Braking assistance systems

193

Button

Golf GTI

Press again

ASR (with ESC) switched on

— You can also switch ESC Sport off and on in the

Vehicle settings menu in the Infotainment system

→ page 26, Infotainment system operation and

displays.

display and the indicator light in the instrument

cluster lights up → page 194, Tips and troubleshoot-

ing.

When ESC Sport mode is switched on, a driver infor-

mation message appears in the instrument cluster

— Take foot off accelerator pedal. Adapt driving to

road conditions.

Tips and troubleshooting

The yellow indicator light comes on.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 191.

ESC malfunction, OR vehicle battery has been recon-

nected, OR ESC switched off by the system.

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.

— Switch the ignition off and on again.

— If necessary, drive a short distance at a speed of

10–12 mph (15–20 km/h).

— If the indicator light stays on, see an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility.

Brake system malfunction or brake

fluid level too low

The red warning light comes on.

ASR manually deactivated, ESC Sport mode

manually activated, or ESC switched off by the

system

— Stop! Pull off the road as soon as you can safely

do so.

— Check the brake fluid level → page 255, Brake flu-

id.

The yellow indicator light comes on.

— Switch ASR on again → page 193, Switching Anti-

Slip Regulation (ASR) and ESC Sport mode on and

off.

— Get professional assistance immediately

→ page 136, About the brakes.

— OR: Switch ignition off and on again.

Together with

ABS failure

— You may have to drive a short distance.

The red warning light and the yellow indicator light

come on.

— If the indicator light stays on, see an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility.

— See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an au-

thorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

— The vehicle brakes will work without ABS.

If the braking assistance systems make noises

You may hear noises when these systems are active.

This is normal and no cause for concern.

together with

ABS malfunction

The yellow indicator light comes on.

If there is an unexpected reduction in engine power

— See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an au-

thorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

All 4 wheels must be equipped with identical tires in

order for ESC and ASR to work properly. Differences

in the tread circumference of the tires can cause the

system to reduce the engine power when it is not

expected.

— The vehicle brakes will work without ABS.

ESC or ASR is operating, the vehicle battery has

been reconnected, or there is an ESC malfunc-

tion

WARNING

The yellow indicator light flashes.

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument

cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to

ESC or ASR is operating.

194

Parking and maneuvering

break down in traffic and result in a collision and

serious personal injury.

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, stop the

engine, turn on the emergency flashers, and use

other warning devices to warn approaching

traffic.

Never park the vehicle in areas where the hot

catalytic converter and exhaust system could

come into contact with dry grass, brush, spilled

fuel, oil, or other material that can catch fire.

A broken-down vehicle presents a high accident

risk for itself and others. Switch on emergency

flashers and set up a warning triangle to warn

oncoming traffic.

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

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

ABS provides. Contact your authorized Volkswa-

gen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility as soon as possible.

NOTICE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS

can result in vehicle damage.

Braking assistance systems

195

Parking and maneuvering -> Braking assistance systems for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

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