VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 2013 5G / 7.G Owners Manual

Starting and stopping the engine

WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious personal injury when starting and running the vehicle's engine:
x Never start the engine or let it run in a confined or enclosed area. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide, a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause
unconsciousness and death.
x Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. The vehicle could move
suddenly or some other unexpected event could occur, resulting in property damage or
personal injury.
x Never use starting assist fluids. Starting fluids can explode and can cause a “run-away”
vehicle condition.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter get very hot.
They can cause fires and serious personal injury.
x Never park the vehicle where the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite
flammable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.
x Never apply additional undercoating or rust proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter, diesel particulate filter, or heat shields.
Indicator lights

NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Vehicle key positions in the ignition switch

Fig. 121 In the ignition switch: Vehicle key positions.

WARNING
Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious personal injury.
x Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. The engine can be started and
vehicle systems such as the power windows can be operated, 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 with 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 build-up 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.
x Never remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a
stop. The steering wheel will lock and you will not be able to steer or control the vehicle.
Leaving the key in the ignition for a long time when the engine is not running 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
transmission selector lever to put the lever into Park (P).
Applicable only in the United States
Starter button

Fig. 122 Keyless Access locking and starting system: Starter button.

Fig. 123 Emergency starting feature on vehicles with Keyless Access.

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 engine
could otherwise start 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
persons may use it to lock the vehicle, start the engine, 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 build-up 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.
In vehicles with a diesel engine and Keyless Access, the engine start may be delayed if the
engine has to be preheated.
If the ignition is switched on or the engine is running and the driver door is opened, a chime
sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off the engine and turn off the ignition before leaving
and locking the vehicle from the outside.
Applicable only in the United States
Starting the engine

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.
Step Vehicles without Keyless AccessVehicles with Keyless Access
5. When the engine starts, release the vehicle
key.
When the engine starts, release the starter
button.
6. If the engine does not start, switch off the
ignition and start again after about 1 minute.
If the engine does not start, switch off the
ignition and start again after about 1 minute.
Use the emergency start feature if
necessary
7. Release the parking brake when you are ready to start driving

WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. The vehicle could move
suddenly, especially when the vehicle is in gear, resulting in accidents and personal injury.
WARNING
“Starting fluids” can explode and can cause a “run-away” vehicle condition.
x Never use starting assist fluids.
NOTICE
x You can damage the starter or the engine if you try to start the engine when the vehicle is
still moving, or if you try to restart the engine right after switching it off.
x Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle acceleration, and heavy engine loads when the
engine is cold.
x Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle. Unburned fuel can get into
the catalytic converter and damage it. The steering column may also be locked.
Do not let your vehicle warm up while standing; instead, start driving right away after making sure
that you have good visibility through all windows. This will help the engine reach operating
temperature faster and keep down emissions.
Major consumers of electricity are temporarily switched off when the engine is being started.
After starting a cold engine, there may be increased operating noises for a few seconds. This is
normal and harmless.
When outside temperatures are below +41 °F (+5 °C) and the diesel fueled preheater is
activated, minor fume build-up may occur underneath the vehicle.

Applicable only in Canada
Starting the engine

Major consumers of electricity are temporarily switched off when the engine is being started.
After starting a cold engine, there may be increased operating noises for a few seconds. This is
normal and harmless.
When outside temperatures are below +41 °F (+5 °C) and the diesel fueled preheater is
activated, minor fume build-up may occur underneath the vehicle.
Applicable only in the United States
Stopping the engine

NOTICE
If the vehicle has been driven hard for a long time, the engine could overheat when it is
stopped. To reduce the risk of engine damage, let the engine idle in Neutral for about 2 minutes
before you switch off the ignition.
If the ignition is switched on or the engine is running and the driver door is opened, a chime
sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off the engine and turn off the ignition before leaving
and locking the vehicle from the outside.
On vehicles with automatic transmissions, the vehicle key can only be removed from the ignition
when the transmission is in Park (P).
After the engine has been switched off, the radiator fan in the engine compartment may keep
running for several minutes, or may start running after the vehicle has been parked for a while, even if
the ignition is switched off and the vehicle key has been removed. The radiator fan shuts off
automatically when the engine has cooled down enough.
Applicable only in Canada
Stopping the engine