VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF 2019 Owners Manual

Starting and stopping the electric drive

DANGER
High-voltage systems in the electric motor compartment and in other places on the vehicle can cause electrical shocks or even electrocution, severe burns, other serious injuries, and even death!
x The high-voltage system may also be active even when the ignition is switched off!
x Never touch high-voltage cables, the high-voltage battery, the poles of the high-voltage battery or any other parts of the high-voltage system, especially if these parts are damaged.
x Never attempt to work on any parts of the high-voltage system, the high-voltage cables or the high-voltage battery.
x Never open, maintain, disconnect or repair components or parts of the high-voltage sys-tem.
x Never damage, change or remove the orange high-voltage cables or disconnect them from the high-voltage system.
x Never open, modify or remove the cover of the high-voltage battery.
x Any work on the high-voltage system, or any other systems connected to it, should only be done by properly trained and qualified experts.
x Never perform any work near high-voltage components and high-voltage cables with ma-chining, shaping and sharp-edged tools or heat sources, for example, welding, soldering, hot air or thermal adhesives.
x The Volkswagen standards and guidelines must be adhered to when working on the high-voltage system or the high-voltage battery.
x During such work, keep the vehicle key safe and far enough away from the vehicle to pre-vent any risk of the ignition being accidentally switched on and the electrical system activat-ed.
x Any gasses emitted by or escaping from the high-voltage battery may be toxic or flamma-ble.
x Damage to the vehicle or to the high-voltage battery could lead to a leak of toxic gases, either immediately or at a later time. These emitted gases could also potentially cause a fire. If damage has been incurred, it is vital to then open the vehicle windows to allow any emitted gases to disperse. Do not inhale these gases.
x Never touch any liquids or expose yourself to any gases leaking from the high-voltage battery, especially if the battery has been damaged.
x Always inform any attending emergency services that the vehicle is equipped with a high-voltage battery.
WARNING
Switching off the electric drive while the vehicle is moving can make the vehicle harder to stop and result in loss of vehicle control, leading to collisions and severe personal injuries.
x Brake and steering assistance systems, the airbag system, safety belt pretensioners, and other vehicle safety features only work when the electric motor is activated.
x Switch off the electric drive only when the vehicle is not moving.

WARNING
The electric drive can get very hot. It can cause fires and serious personal injury.
x Never park the vehicle if oil, fuel, or other flammable substances are under or around the vehicle.
x Never leave the vehicle unattended with the electric motor drive ready, especially when it is in gear. The vehicle could move suddenly or some other unexpected event could occur, resulting in property damage, fire, or personal injury.
Indicator lights

Lights
up
Warning text in the instru-
ment cluster display / Pos-
sible meaning
Proper response

Flashes Possible cause Proper response
K
The release button in the
selector lever did not engage.
Vehicle movement is pre-
vented.
Engage the selector lever re-
lease button

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.
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.
x Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
x Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, turn on the emergency flashers, stop the electric motor, and use other warning devices to warn approaching traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
General notes on the electric drive

Fig. 119 WARNING labels: A: On every high-voltage component, B: General warning sign for high-voltage

x The charging port (B)
x Covers on components of the high-voltage system (B)
Power output of the electric motor
The maximum torque of the electric motor is available as soon as you press the accelerator pedal ⇒ 
.
As the charge level of the high-voltage battery increases, the recuperation and thus also the electric motor braking effect will decrease when the vehicle is braked and when the vehicle rolls in overrun mode or drives downhill. No brake energy recuperation occurs and therefore no electric motor braking
effect is available once the high-voltage battery is fully charged ⇒ .
DANGER
High-voltage systems in the electric motor compartment and in other places on the vehicle can cause electrical shocks or even electrocution, severe burns, other serious injuries, and even death!
x Touching damaged orange high-voltage cables, the high-voltage battery or other parts of the high-voltage electrical system can cause fatal electric shock.
x The high-voltage system may also be active even when the ignition is switched off!
x Electrolyte fluid in the high-voltage battery will cause severe chemical burns. If electrolyte fluid contacts skin, thoroughly flush affected area with clean water for at least 15 minutes and then wash affected area with soap and water; medical attention is recommended.
x Any work on the high-voltage system, or on systems which could be directly or indirectly affected by it, must only be carried out by properly trained and qualified experts.
WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, particularly on slippery roads. This can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents and serious injuries.
x Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic.
x Only use the kickdown or fast acceleration if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit, and other road users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and the driving style.
WARNING
Medium, high and very high recuperation can lead to loss of traction and skidding, particular-ly on slippery roads. This can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents and serious injuries.
x Only use medium, high or very high recuperation if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit, and other road users are not put at risk due to the vehicle's acceleration and your driving style.
WARNING
The higher the charge level of the high-voltage battery, the lower the electric motor braking effect, to the point where no electric motor braking effect may be generated at all.
x Reduce your speed before driving down a long, steep gradient.
x When driving down a long, steep gradient, slow the vehicle using the vehicle brake.

NOTICE
After a collision or other kind of accident, or after the underside of the vehicle has struck something, the high-voltage battery must be thoroughly inspected.
Vehicle key positions in the ignition switch

Fig. 120 In the ignition switch: Vehicle key positions.

Leaving the key in the ignition for a long time when the electric motor is not activated will drain the vehicle battery.
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 vehicle battery.
On automatic transmission vehicles, the vehicle key can be removed from the ignition switch only when the transmission is in Park (P). You may have to press the release button on the transmis-sion selector lever to put the lever into Park (P).
Starter button

Fig. 121 In the lower center console: Starter button for the Keyless Access system.

Fig. 122 Hold the remote control vehicle key to the right of the steering column: Emergency starting feature on vehicles with Keyless Access.

Switching the ignition on and off
x Briefly press the starter button once without operating the brake or clutch pedals ⇒ .
Emergency start feature
If an authorized remote control vehicle key is in the passenger compartment but the instrument cluster displays No key in range when you push the starter button, the remote control vehicle key battery is weak or dead. You can still start the electric motor using the Emergency start feature.
x Make sure the selector lever is in the Park (P) position.
x Hold the remote control vehicle key to the right of the steering column trim immediately after press-
ing the starter button ⇒ fig. 122.
x The ignition automatically switches on and the electric motor starts.
Emergency shut-off
If the electric motor does not switch off by briefly pressing the starter button, emergency shut-off is necessary:
x Press the starter button twice within 3 seconds or press and hold the button longer than 1 second
⇒  in Stopping the electric motor
x The electric motor switches off automatically.
If no authorized remote control vehicle key is identified in the passenger compartment after the electric motor has been switched off, the electric motor cannot be restarted. A related message is shown in the instrument cluster display.
WARNING
Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury.
x Do not depress the brake or clutch pedals when switching on the ignition, as the electric motor could otherwise be activated immediately.
WARNING
Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious personal injury.
x Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. Children or unauthorized per-sons may use it to lock the vehicle, start the electric motor, and operate vehicle systems such as the power windows, leading to serious personal injury.
x Never leave children, disabled persons, or anyone who cannot help themselves in the vehicle. The doors can be locked using the remote control vehicle key. This could result in people being 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.
x Heat buildup in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures, particularly in summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and death, particularly to small children.
If the ignition is switched on or the electric motor is activated and the driver door is opened, a chime sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off the electric motor and turn off the ignition before leaving and locking the vehicle from the outside.

Activating the electric motor