Get Driving on slopes -> Hill Descent Control Guide for Volkswagen Atlas SUV First Generation (2018-2023)

If you allow the vehicle to roll for a long time or at high speed with the engine is stopped and the selector lever is in the

the automatic transmission will be damaged.

position, for example when towing, the

NOTICE

Immediately stop the vehicle safely or drive faster than approx. 20 km/h (approx. 12 mph) the ﬁrst time the vehicle indicates that the transmission is

overheating.

Stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine as soon as possible if the message and audible warning are repeating approximately every 10 seconds.

Let the transmission cool down.

Only continue driving when the audible warning stops to reduce the risk of damaging the transmission. As long as the transmission is overheated, avoid

starting the vehicle and driving slowly, like at walking speeds.

Driving on slopes

Hill start assist

Hill start assist helps when starting to

drive uphill by actively holding the

vehicle in place.

Functional requirements

The following requirements must be met at the same time:

The vehicle must be stationary and held with the brake pedal until you start driving.

The engine must be running “evenly”.

A gear or a position is engaged for driving uphill.

To start driving, take your foot off the brake pedal and press the accelerator pedal immediately. The brakes will release gradually as you start driving.

The holding function of the Hill Start Assist remains active only for a short time. Drive off within approx. two seconds.

When is it active?

Hill Start Assist is immediately deactivated if one of the conditions speciﬁed below in is no longer met:

The driver’s door is opened.

If the engine is running “unevenly” or in the event of an engine fault.

The engine is switched off or it stalls.

The selector lever is in the neutral position

CAUTION

If you do not pull away immediately after releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle may roll backward under certain circumstances.

If this is the case, press the brake pedal or set the electronic parking brake immediately.

Press the brake pedal for a few seconds before you start to drive if you are driving on an incline in heavy trafﬁc and you would like to prevent the vehicle

from rolling backwards when starting to drive.

Hill Descent Control

Hill Descent Control helps the driver

when traveling on slopes.

System function

Hill descent control maintains the speed on all four wheels when driving forward or in reverse on steep inclines through automatic braking interventions. The wheels

will not lock up because the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) remains active.

When starting to drive downhill at speeds less than approx. 30 km/h (approx. 19 mph), the speed is limited to minimum approx. 2 km/h (approx. 1 mph) and

maximum approx. 30 km/h (approx. 19 mph). The driver can increase or decrease the vehicle speed within these speed limits by pressing the accelerator or brake

pedal.

However, there must be enough traction. Hill descent control cannot function as expected, if for example the hill is icy or if the surface is greasy.

Displays

Depending on the driving situation, one of the following indicator lights will light up in the instrument cluster:

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Hill Descent Control is active.

Hill Descent Control is not active.

If hill descent control is not active, the indicator light turns gray. The system is activated, but it is not regulating.

When is it active?

Hill descent control is automatically activated under the following conditions:

The vehicle engine must be running.

The speed must be less than approx. 30 km/h (approx. 19 mph), the

The gradient must be at least 10%.

indicator light appears in the instrument cluster display.

The brake pedal or accelerator pedal must not be pressed.

Hill Descent Control is deactivated if the speed is higher than approx. 30 km/h (approx. 19 mph), when the brake pedal or accelerator pedal is pressed, or the

gradient is less than 5%.

WARNING

The intelligent technology of hill descent control cannot overcome the natural laws of physics and it can only operate within the limits of the system. Do not allow

the increased convenience of the Hill Descent Control to tempt you into taking risks.

Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injuries.

Hill descent control is not a replacement for the driver's attention.

Always adapt your speed and driving style to the visibility, weather, road and trafﬁc conditions.

Hill descent control cannot hold the vehicle on the incline or brake sufﬁciently going downhill in every situation, for example if the ground is slippery or icy.

WARNING

Always be ready to brake. If this is not the case, accidents and injuries may result.

Hill descent control is merely a tool and cannot sufﬁciently brake the vehicle going downhill under every circumstance.

The vehicle can go faster despite the hill descent control.

Steering

Steering information

To make it more difﬁcult to steal the vehicle, the steering must always be locked before leaving the vehicle.

Steering

Power steering on an electromechanical steering system adjusts automatically based on the driving speed, the steering torque, and the steering angle of the

wheels. Electromechanical power steering works only when the engine is running. The steering also works if the start-stop system engages and the engine

switches off.

If the power steering system is impaired or malfunctioning, a signiﬁcantly greater amount of force than normal must be used to steer.

On vehicles with Driving Mode Selection, power steering handling can be inﬂuenced by the selected driving mode.

Mechanical steering column lock (steering lock)

On vehicles with an ignition lock, the steering column is locked mechanically:

Locking the steering column:

1. Stop the vehicle.

2. Depending on the vehicle equipment: move the selector lever into the position.

3. Remove the vehicle key.

4. Turn the steering wheel slightly, until you hear the steering lock engage.

Unlocking the steering column:

1. To release the steering lock, turn the steering wheel slightly.

2. Insert the vehicle key in the ignition lock.

3. Hold the steering wheel in position and switch on the ignition.

Countersteering assist

The countersteering assist provides the driver with steering assistance in critical driving situations. Additional steering power supports the driver when

countersteering ⇒

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Driving on slopes -> Hill Descent Control for Your Volkswagen Atlas SUV First Generation (2018-2023)

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