ECU VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF 2019 Owner's Manual

x Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, always reduce speed and shift into an adequate recuperation level. This will let the vehicle use the electric motor braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake system could overheat and even fail. Only use the brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.
Warning and indicator lights

Selector
lever
position
Designation Meaning ⇒ 
ard driving
position)
The electric drive is in the normal program
(brake energy recuperation levels 0 - 3).
"
Very high
brake energy
recuperation
Very strong brake energy recuperation in over-
run mode (brake energy recuperation level 4).
+ Changing
gear selection
Switch between (D) and (B) by pulling the
selector lever once to the rear from gear posi-
tion D/B ⇒ fig. 127. The selector lever always
returns to gear position D/B.

Automatic Shift Lock (ASL)
The Automatic Shift Lock (ASL) in Park (P) and Neutral (N) prevents drive positions from being en-gaged inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle to move.
To release the ASL, depress and hold the brake pedal with the ignition switched on. Press the release button on the selector lever at the same time.
The ASL is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly through Neutral (N) (e.g., when shifting from Reverse (R) to Drive (D/B)). This makes it possible to “rock” the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The ASL engages automatically if the brake pedal is not depressed and the lever is in Neutral (N) for more than about 1 second and the vehicle is traveling no faster than about 3 mph (5 km/h).
In rare cases, the ASL may not engage. If this happens, power to the drive wheels will be interrupted to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly. The green indicator light K will blink and a text message will be displayed. To engage the Automatic Shift Lock (ASL):
x Depress and then release the brake pedal. Try to engage the ASL again.
WARNING
Moving the selector lever to the wrong position can cause loss of vehicle control, a collision, and serious personal injury.
x Never accelerate when moving the selector lever.
x When the electric motor is activated and a drive position is engaged, the vehicle will start to move as soon as the brake pedal is released.
x Never shift into Reverse (R) or Park (P) when the vehicle is moving.

WARNING
Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury.
x Never get out of the driver's seat while the electric motor is activated, especially when the transmission is in a drive gear. If you must leave your vehicle while the electric motor is acti-vated, always set the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P).
x Never leave the vehicle in Neutral (N). It will roll down hills, whether the electric motor is activated or not.
x When the electric motor is activated and a drive gear -(D/B) or Reverse (R) - has been selected, press and hold the brake pedal to keep the vehicle from moving. The vehicle may “crawl” and move forward or backward even if the electric motor is not accelerated.
x Never shift into Reverse (R) or Park (P) when the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE
Even though the transmission is in Park (P), the vehicle may move a couple of inches (a few centimeters) forwards or backwards if you take your foot off the brake pedal after stopping the vehicle without first setting the parking brake.
If the selector lever is moved into Neutral (N) by mistake when the vehicle is moving, take your foot off the accelerator pedal. Wait until the electric motor speed has dropped to idle speed before moving the selector lever into a drive gear.
Brake energy recuperation

Fig. 128 Selector lever for driving mode: Selecting the recuperation level.

There is no brake energy recuperation when the high-voltage battery is completely charged. In this case, you may notice slightly greater brake pedal travel and less initial braking power by the electric motor. This is normal and no cause for concern.
Above a battery charge level of 85%, the braking power by the electric motor decreases regardless of the selector level position and/or the brake energy recuperation stage. This is also normal and no cause for concern.
Selecting a brake energy recuperation level
There are a total of 4 brake energy recuperation levels. It is possible to move up and down through
brake energy recuperation levels 1 to 3 by tapping the selector lever to the side ⇒ fig. 128 (+) and (-):
x Tap to the left, to switch up 1 recuperation level.
x Tap to the right, to switch down 1 recuperation level.
x Press to the right for a few seconds to switch off recuperation.
To change up to brake energy recuperation level 4: Pull the selector lever to position B. Pulling again in the direction of the arrow

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, collisions and serious injuries.
x When charging at high elevations (such as at the top of a pass) never charge the vehicle fully, in order to facilitate a braking effect by means of recuperation when descending.
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. This puts more strain on the vehicle brake.
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.
Notes on selecting a driving mode

WARNING
Overheated brakes will reduce the vehicle's stopping power and increase stopping distances considerably.
x When driving downhill, the brakes have to work especially hard and heat up quickly.
x Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, always reduce speed and use the recuperation mode. This will let the vehicle use electric motor braking and re-duce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake system could overheat and possibly fail. Only use the brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.
x A damaged front bumper or a non-standard spoiler can reduce airflow to the brakes and make them overheat.
WARNING
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react slower and need longer stopping dis-tances.
x Carefully apply the brakes to test them.
x Always dry brakes and clean off ice and salt coatings with a few cautious brake applica-tions when visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit.
WARNING
Driving when the electro-mechanical brake booster is not working increases stopping dis-tances and can cause accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Never let the vehicle coast when the electric motor is switched off.
x If the electro-mechanical brake booster is not working, a lot more pedal force is needed to slow down and stop.
NOTICE
x Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pedal when you do not want to brake. Constant pressure on the brake pedal can make the brakes overheat. Riding the brakes will substantially reduce braking performance, increase stopping distance, and can cause complete brake system failure.
x Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, always reduce speed and use the recuperation mode. This will let the vehicle use electric motor braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake system could overheat and possibly fail. Only use the brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.
When the front brakes are serviced, you should have the rear brake pads inspected at the same time. The wear of all brake pads should be visually checked regularly. The best way to check for brake pad wear is to have your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility visually inspect the pads through the openings in the wheel rims or from underneath the vehicle. If necessary, the wheels can be taken off for a more thorough inspection.
Braking assistance systems

WARNING
Leaving the optional safety belt extender attached to the safety belt buckle on the front pas-senger seat when the safety belt is not being used will prevent the Advanced Airbag System from working properly and can increase the risk of serious personal injury in a collision.
x Leaving the extender attached to the safety belt buckle when the front seat is occupied and the safety belt is not being used will signal to the airbag control unit that the front pas-senger seat is occupied and that the safety belt is being used. The electronic control unit for the airbag system will then receive incorrect information that will
– cause the safety belt pretensioner to deploy unnecessarily in collisions and
– cause the front passenger airbag to deploy later in collisions in which the front airbag would otherwise be triggered earlier to help protect an unrestrained front seat passenger.
x Always remove the safety belt extender when it is not needed and stow it safely.
x Never use the safety belt extender to secure a child restraint.
WARNING
Items stored between the safety belt buckle and the center console can cause safety belt buckle to send the wrong information to the airbag control unit and prevent the Advanced Airbag System from working properly.
x Always make sure that nothing can interfere with the safety belt buckles and that they are not obstructed.
WARNING
Improper care and servicing, and improper modification and repair work, can increase the risk of personal injury and death by preventing an airbag from deploying when needed or deploying an airbag unexpectedly:
x Never repair, adjust, or change any parts of the airbag system.
x All work on the airbag system, steering wheel, instrument panel, front seats or electrical system (including the installation of audio equipment, mobile telephones and CB radios, etc.) should be performed by authorized Volkswagen dealers or authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities. They have the necessary manuals, training, and special equipment.
x The airbag system can be activated only once. After an airbag has inflated, it must be replaced.
x Use only original equipment airbags approved by Volkswagen. Have them installed by a trained technician who has the necessary tools and diagnostic equipment to properly replace any airbag in your vehicle and assure system effectiveness in a crash.
x Never permit salvaged or recycled airbags to be installed in your vehicle.
Undeployed airbag modules and safety belt pretensioners are classified as Perchlorate Materi-al. Special handling may apply – see http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all applicable legal requirements regarding handling and disposal of the vehicle or parts of its restraint system, including airbag modules and safety belts with pretensioners. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the requirements, and we recommend that you have them perform this service for you.

The vehicle tool kit, spare wheel or compact spare wheel may be in one of several places under the floor covering in the luggage compartment.
x If necessary, detach the luggage net.
x Lift the floor covering and secure it in the stops on either side of the luggage compartment
⇒ fig. 167 (small arrows).
NOTICE
Always guide the luggage compartment floor covering back down carefully. Dropping the floor covering could damage the vehicle trim and the floor covering itself.
Completely retract the jack after use. Otherwise it will not fit in its compartment and cannot be stowed safely.
Contents

Fig. 168 Contents of the vehicle tool kit.

8. If the luggage compartment is loaded: Remove the luggage.
9. Raise and secure the luggage compartment floor.
10. Unscrew the fastening screw with washer counterclockwise and remove.
11. Take the spare or compact spare wheel and the vehicle tool kit out of the luggage compartment.
12. Take off the wheel covers ⇒  Wheel trim.
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common sense.
Wheel bolts

Fig. 173 Changing a wheel: Loosening the wheel bolts.

x Securely store the spare wheel, compact spare wheel, or the wheel you took off the vehicle in the luggage compartment.
x Have the wheel bolt tightening torque immediately checked with a torque wrench ⇒  Wheel bolt tightening torque.
x Have the damaged wheel replaced as soon as possible.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated after each tire change ⇒  Tire Pres-sure Monitoring System (TPMS).