Opening and closing -> Central locking for Your Volkswagen California Van Third Generation (2015-2024)

Introduction  
If the vehicle key or central locking fails, the doors can be locked manually and, in some cases, also unlocked  
manually.  
The central locking system enables you to centrally lock and unlock all the doors, the boot lid and the tank flap.  
The vehicle can only be locked with the vehicle key if the ignition has been switched off or the driver has switched off  
the engine before leaving the vehicle.  
Always take the vehicle key with you when you leave the vehicle.  
A symbol in the instrument cluster display indicates if one or more doors or lids are not closed properly. Do not  
drive on! Close the corresponding door or lid  
.
This symbol is also visible when the ignition is switched off and will go out a few seconds after the vehicle has been  
locked when all doors and lids are closed.  
WARNING  
Serious injuries could occur if the doors are unlocked, opened or closed incorrectly or without due care and  
attention.  
Open or close the doors only when there is no-one in the movement path of the boot lid.  
After closing the doors, check to make sure that they are properly closed so that they do not open while the  
vehicle is in motion. The closed doors must be flush with the surrounding body panels.  
Close and lock the doors when the vehicle is not in use. Ensure that no one remains in the vehicle.  
If the vehicle is locked from the outside, the doors and electric windows cannot be opened from the inside.  
Temperatures inside a locked vehicle can reach extremes of heat or cold, according to season. This can cause  
serious injuries and illness or fatalities, especially in the case of small children.  
Never leave anyone inside a locked vehicle. People in the vehicle could become trapped in an emergency and may  
not be able to get themselves to safety.  
Never close a door by pushing its window with your hand. The glass window could shatter and cause injuries.  
Always hold the door handle firmly when opening and closing doors.  
WARNING  
Any door that is not properly closed could open suddenly while the vehicle is in motion. This could lead to severe  
injuries.  
Stop immediately and close the door.  
Make sure that the door is closed properly and that the lock has engaged. The closed door must be flush with the  
surrounding body panels.  
Open or close the doors only when there is no-one in the movement path of the boot lid.  
WARNING  
Any door being held open by the door arrester could close unexpectedly in strong winds or if the vehicle is on a  
slope. This could lead to injuries.  
Always hold the door handle firmly when opening and closing doors.  
WARNING  
The opening/closing paths of the doors and boot lid are potential danger areas where injury can occur.  
Open or close the doors and boot lid only when there is no-one in their movement path.  
NOTICE  
When carrying out manual opening or closing, remove parts carefully and install them again correctly in order to  
avoid damage to the vehicle.  
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Indicator lamp in the driver door  
The central locking system indicator lamp is located in the driver door.  
The indicator lamp shows the status of the central locking for about 30 seconds after the vehicle has been locked.  
A red LED  
flashes for approximately 2 seconds in short intervals.  
The central locking status is then displayed for about 28 seconds:  
Locking a vehicle with SAFELOCK (depending on equipment)  
If the red LED flashes in long intervals, the vehicle is locked with SAFELOCK.  
If the red LED does not light up, the vehicle is locked but without SAFELOCK.  
Vehicle without SAFELOCK  
If the red LED flashes in long intervals, the vehicle is locked.  
The LED starts to flash in slow intervals after approximately 30 seconds.  
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Central locking button  
Settings for the central locking system can be adjusted in the instrument cluster.  
Central locking buttons  
Lock the vehicle.  
Unlock the vehicle.  
Unlock and open the boot lid. All doors remain locked.  
The central locking buttons will function only if all doors are closed.  
If the vehicle has been locked from outside with the vehicle key, the central locking buttons do not work.  
Locking and unlocking the vehicle from inside  
Please note the following when using the central locking button to lock the vehicle from the inside:  
An open door will not be locked.  
If all doors and the boot lid are closed and locked, the yellow indicator lamp lights up in the button.  
It is not possible to open the doors and the boot lid from the outside.  
The doors can be opened from the inside by pulling the door release handle. The yellow indicator lamp in the  
button goes out. The unopened doors and the boot lid remain locked and cannot be opened from the outside.  
The anti-theft alarm willnot be activated.  
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SAFELOCK  
Depending on the vehicle equipment level, the vehicle may have a SAFELOCK mechanism.  
If the vehicle is locked, SAFELOCK deactivates the door release levers and central locking button so that it becomes  
more difficult to break into the vehicle. The doors can no longer be opened from the inside →  
Activating SAFELOCK  
.
1. Press the button on the vehicle key once.  
The vehicle is locked. SAFELOCK was activated.  
Deactivating SAFELOCK  
1. Press the button on the vehicle key twice.  
Or: Deactivate the interior monitoring function in the Infotainment system before locking the vehicle (→ Interior  
monitoring system and anti-tow alarm).  
The vehicle is locked. SAFELOCK was not activated.  
There may be an indication of the activated SAFELOCK in the display of the instrument clusterC(heck SAFELOCK!  
or SAFELOCK).  
The following applies when SAFELOCK is deactivated:  
The vehicle can be unlocked and opened from the inside using the door release lever.  
The vehicle can be unlocked from the inside using the central locking button.  
The anti-theft alarm isactive if the vehicle was locked with the button on the vehicle key.  
The anti-theft alarm isdeactivated if the vehicle was locked with the vehicle key in the driver door lock cylinder.  
The interior monitoring system and anti-tow alarm are deactivated.  
WARNING  
Careless or unsupervised use of SAFELOCK can result in severe injuries.  
Never leave anybody in the vehicle if the vehicle has been locked using the vehicle key. The doors can no longer  
be opened from the inside once the SAFELOCK is activated.  
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