lights VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN 2015 5G / 7.G Owner's Guide

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 engine, and use other warning devices to warn ap-proaching traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Vehicle key positions in the ignition switch

Fig. 127 In the ignition switch: Vehicle key positions.

WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause skidding and loss of traction, especially on slippery roads, resulting in a loss of vehicle control, collisions, and serious personal injury.
x Only use the kick-down feature or fast acceleration if visibility, weather, road, and traffic conditions permit and other drivers will not be endangered by your driving and the vehicle's acceleration.
WARNING
Constant braking causes the brakes to overheat and even to fail leading to collisions and serious personal injury.
x Never “ride” the brakes or apply the brake pedal too often or too long.
x Riding the brakes will substantially reduce braking performance, increase stopping dis-tance, and can cause complete brake system failure.
NOTICE
x Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pedal when you do not want to brake. This will make the brakes wear faster.
x Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, always reduce speed and shift into lower gear (manual or automatic transmission). This will let the vehicle use engine 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

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
K Brake pedal not depressed. Apply the brake pedal to select a
drive gear


Flashes Possible cause Proper response
K
The release button in the
selector lever did not engage.
Vehicle movement is pre-
vented.
Engage selector lever release
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 engine, and use other warning devices to warn ap-proaching traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.

WARNING
Parking improperly can cause serious personal injury.
x Never remove the key from the ignition switch or turn off the ignition with the starter but-ton while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a stop. The electronic steering column could suddenly lock, you would not be able to steer, and you could lose control of the vehicle, crash, and seriously injure yourself and others.
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 Always apply the parking brake when parking your vehicle.
x Improper use of the parking brake can seriously injure you and your passengers.
x Never use the parking brake to slow down the vehicle when it is moving, except in an emergency. The stopping distance is much longer because only the rear wheels are braked. Always use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
x Never activate the throttle manually from the engine compartment when the engine is running and the automatic transmission is in gear. The vehicle will start to move as soon as the engine speed increases even if the parking brake is on.
x Never leave children or anyone who cannot help themselves behind in the vehicle. They could release the parking brake and move the gear selector lever or gear shift, which could cause the vehicle to start moving. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
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, trapping passengers 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.
NOTICE
x Always be careful when you park in areas with parking barriers or high curbs. These vary in height and could damage your bumper and related parts if the front of your vehicle hits a barri-er or curb that is too high while you are getting into or out of a parking spot. To help prevent damage, stop before the tires of your vehicle touch a parking barrier or curb.
x Always be careful when you enter a driveway or drive up or down steep ramps or over curbs or other obstacles. Parts of the vehicle close to the ground may be damaged (such as bumper covers, spoilers, and parts of the engine, suspension, and exhaust systems).
Warning and indicator lights

Lights
up
Possible cause or meaning
⇒  Proper response
G
Parking brake engaged.

Lights
up
Possible cause or meaning
⇒  Proper response
m ASR manually deactivated.
Switch on ASR. ASR automati-
cally turns on when you turn the
ignition off and back on again.
J

WARNING
Driving with bad brakes can cause a collision and serious personal injury.
x If the brake warning light "2!+% or H does not 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
vehicle as soon as you can do so safely and get expert assistance ⇒  Brake fluid.
x If the brake warning light "2!+% or H lights up at the same time as the ABS warning light !"3 or J, 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.
x If you believe the vehicle is safe to drive, drive slowly and very carefully to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer, authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or other qualified workshop and have the brake system inspected. Avoid sudden hard braking and steering.
x If the ABS indicator light !"3 or J does not go out, or if it lights up while driving, the ABS system 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 author-ized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility as soon as possible.
x 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.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Parking brake

Fig. 139 Between the front seats: Parking brake.

Indicator lights

Fig. 143 In the instrument cluster display: Cruise control status indications.

NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
If the cruise control is switched on when the ignition is switched off, it may be switched on auto-matically the next time the ignition is switched on, depending on vehicle equipment. No speed is stored for the cruise control.
The displays may vary depending on vehicle equipment.
Cruise control operation

Fig. 144 Left-hand side of the multi-function steering wheel: Buttons for operating the cruise control.

In order to Operation (when the ignition is switched on)
OR: Tap the mini PDC function key.
Switch to the Rear
View Camera sys-
tem display (if
equipped):
Shift into Reverse (R).
OR: Tap the Z function key.

The indicator light in the  button ⇒ fig. 150 lights up and stays on as long as the feature is active.
Automatic activation
When the PDC is activated automatically, a mini PDC display appears on the left-hand side of the
screen ⇒ fig. 152.
Automatic activation of the PDC when driving slowly towards an obstacle located in front of the vehicle only works when the speed falls below about 6–9 mph (10–15 km/h) for the first time. If the PDC was switched off using the  button, performing one of the following actions with the ignition switched on can automatically reactivate the PDC:
x If the vehicle accelerates to a speed greater than 6–9 mph (10–15 km/h) and then drops below that speed again.
x OR: If the selector lever is moved to Park (P) and then out of that position again.
x OR: If automatic activation is turned off and on again in the Infotainment system.
Automatic activation of the mini PDC display can be turned on or off in the Infotainment system ⇒  Infotainment system.
When the box in the automatic activation function key is checked =, signal chimes sound from a distance of about 20 inches (50 cm) from the obstacle.
WARNING
Never rely completely on the PDC for information about people and objects that might be in the way of the vehicle and could be struck by the vehicle causing serious personal injury.
x The PDC sensors have blind spots where they cannot detect people or objects.
x Always watch for people, especially small children and animals, because the sensors may not always be able to detect them.
If you hear a long beep of about 3 seconds when you first turn PDC on or the indicator light in the button starts blinking, this means there is a malfunction in the Park Distance Control system. Switch off the Park Distance Control system with the button and have it immediately checked by an author-ized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.