— OR: In the Assist systems menu in the instrument
cluster display → page 18, Instrument cluster me-
nus.
Automatic deactivation of Rear Traffic Alert
The radar sensors for the Rear Traffic Alert turn off
automatically if the system detects an obstruction
over a radar sensor. This could occur if the radar
sensor area is covered by ice or snow, for example.
— OR: Press the driver assistance systems button on
the multi-function steering wheel to open the As-
sist systems menu → page 25, Driver assistance sys-
tems button.
A text message appears in the instrument cluster
display when the system turns off automatically.
Function
WARNING
The Rear Traffic Alert system uses the radar sensors
in the rear bumper to monitor the traffic crossing
behind your vehicle when you are backing out of
a parking space or maneuvering, for example, in
traffic situations with poor visibility → fig. 124.
The Rear Traffic Alert technology cannot overcome
the laws of physics and limits of the system. Care-
less or unintentional use of the Rear Traffic Alert
may result in accidents and serious injuries.
The Rear Traffic Alert is not a substitute for
careful and attentive driving.
·
Key to fig. 124:
vehicle.
Never use the system when visibility is limited
·
or in complex traffic situations, for example, on
heavily traveled roads or when there are multi-
ple lanes.
The yellow area indicates that the system has
possibly detected traffic behind the vehicle.
Always watch for people, especially small chil-
·
A warning sounds if the system detects approaching
traffic behind your vehicle when backing up
→ fig. 123 (red area).
dren, bicycles, animals, and objects, because the
Rear Traffic Alert may not always be able to de-
tect them. Rear Traffic Alert cannot detect peo-
ple, animals, and things that are moving slowly
or not at all.
— Vehicles without Park Distance Control (PDC):
There is a warning tone and a text message in the
instrument cluster display.
The Rear Traffic Alert does not always brake the
vehicle to a complete stop.
·
— Vehicles with Park Distance Control (PDC): There
is a continuous warning tone from the PDC. If
PDC is switched off, a warning for the driver may
not be possible, and therefore the Rear Traffic
Alert is also deactivated.
The harsh automatic braking will be uncomfort-
·
able for many people, and if you or your passen-
gers have special conditions or sensitivities, par-
ticularly in the neck, you may want to switch off
Rear Traffic Alert.
If there is a system malfunction in the scanned area,
a yellow indicator light appears.
NOTICE
Automatic braking
The radar sensors in the rear bumper can be dam-
·
If Rear Traffic Alert detects an approaching vehicle
and the driver does not press the brake pedal, the
system can intervene with automatic braking.
aged or become misaligned in low-speed impacts
and parking maneuvers. The system can switch it-
self off or may be impaired as a result.
Rear Traffic Alert assists the driver with harsh auto-
matic braking that could help prevent or reduce
damage that can result from a collision. Automatic
braking occurs while backing up at speeds between
1–7 mph (1–12 km/h). Once the system detects that
your vehicle is not moving, it keeps the vehicle from
moving for up to 2 seconds.
Always keep the rear bumper clean and free of
snow and ice so that the radar sensors can work
properly. Do not cover the radar sensor area.
·
The rear bumper may only be painted with vehicle
·
paint that is approved by Volkswagen. Other
paints may make the Rear Traffic Alert system
work improperly or cause it to malfunction.
After automatic braking, about 10 seconds must
pass before the system can brake automatically
again.
A Declaration of Compliance with the United
States FCC and Industry Canada regulations is
on → page 322, Declaration of Compliance, Tele-
communications and Electronic Systems.
The driver can interrupt the automatic braking and
take control of the vehicle by pressing firmly on the
accelerator or brake pedal.
190
Parking and maneuvering
