Parking and manoeuvring -> Handbrake for Your Volkswagen California Van Third Generation (2015-2024)

Objects that protrude from the ground can damage the bumper and other components when parking the vehicle.  
Always take care when driving into parking spaces with high kerbs or fixed boundaries. Stop before the wheels  
touch the fixed boundaries or kerbs.  
Low-lying vehicle components such as the bumper, spoiler and parts of the running gear, engine or exhaust  
system could be damaged. Take care when driving over dips in the road, driveways, ramps, kerbs and other  
objects.  
NOTICE  
If the ground is uneven, sandy or muddy, this may mean that the vehicle cannot be parked safely and may be  
damaged.  
Always park the vehicle on a firm, level surface.  
Please adhere to relevant legislation when stopping and parking your  
vehicle.  
Using the handbrake  
Fig. 1 Between the front seats: handbrake.  
Applying the handbrake  
Depending on the vehicle load or trailer load, pull up the handbrake lever with force and latch it. The maximum effect  
of the brake is achieved when the handbrake lever is pulled up as far as it will go.  
Always check whether the maximum effect of the handbrake is reached.  
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.  
2. Pull the handbrake lever up firmly with the lock button→ Fig. 1 pressed in.  
3. Remove your foot gradually from the brake pedal and be ready to apply the brake.  
4. If the vehicle still moves, pull up the handbrake more and repeat the procedure.  
When the ignition is switched on, the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up red→  
.
Releasing the handbrake  
1. Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and press the lock button→ Fig. 1.  
2. Guide the handbrake lever down whilst the lock button is pressed.  
WARNING  
Incorrect use of the handbrake can cause accidents and serious injuries.  
Always apply the handbrake firmly when you park the vehicle! The red indicator lamp lights up as soon as the  
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handbrake is applied lightly and does not hold the vehicle securely.  
Never use the handbrake to brake the vehicle, except in an emergency. The braking distance is considerably  
longer as only the rear wheels are braked in some cases. Always use the foot brake.  
Never drive the vehicle with the handbrake lightly applied. This can overheat the brakes and adversely affect the  
brake system. It can also cause premature wear to the rear brake pads.  
Never press the accelerator if a drive position or gear has been selected and the engine is running while the  
handbrake is applied. The vehicle could move even if the handbrake is applied.  
WARNING  
A handbrake that is not pulled up sufficiently may lead to undesirable vehicle movements and cause accidents or  
severe injuries.  
Always pull up the handbrake as far as it will go and then take your foot off the brake pedal in a controlled  
manner. If the vehicle or vehicle and trailer continue to roll away, pull the handbrake again to tighten it further.  
Do not rely only on the braking effect of the handbrake. In vehicles with an automatic gearbox, move the selector  
lever to the position. In vehicles with a manual gearbox, switch off the engine and select first gear. This is  
particularly applicable at uphill or downhill gradients.  
NOTICE  
Failure to pull up the handbrake sufficiently may lead to unwanted vehicle movements and cause damage to the  
vehicle.  
Always pull up the handbrake as far as it will go and then take your foot off the brake pedal in a controlled  
manner. If the vehicle or vehicle and trailer continue to roll away, pull the handbrake again to tighten it further.  
Do not rely only on the braking effect of the handbrake. In vehicles with an automatic gearbox, move the selector  
lever to the position. In vehicles with a manual gearbox, switch off the engine and select first gear. This is  
particularly applicable at uphill or downhill gradients.  
NOTICE  
The vehicle may move a few centimetres forwards or backwards if the handbrake is not applied fully when the  
vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal is released when the selector lever is in position .  
An acoustic warning is given if the vehicle is driven faster than approximately 6 km/h(4 mph) with the  
handbrake applied.  
Safety information  
Limits of sensors and cameras  
There are various sensors and cameras on the vehicle which detect and monitor the area around the vehicle by means  
of ultrasound, radar waves and optical systems. The various parking systems use different combinations of the  
sensors. Common to all sensors is the fact that they are subject to technical and physical limits →  
.
The sensors or cameras may not detect some objects, e.g. trailer drawbars, thin bars, fences, posts, trees, very low  
or high obstacles, and boot lids that are open or being opened.  
The detection ranges of the sensors have blind spots in which obstacles and people are not registered.  
In some cases, dirt or ice and water on the sensors and cameras could be registered as an obstacle or impair  
detection of objects. The sensor visibility may be impaired by dirt and snow or also residue from cleaning agents or  
coatings.  
External sources of sound and certain surfaces on objects and clothing may influence the sensors’ signals. In  
certain circumstances, the systems will be unable to detect or properly detect people and objects.  
It may be difficult or impossible to see objects such as narrow posts or railings on the screen because of its low  
resolution or poor light conditions.  
The cameras show only two-dimensional images on the screen. The lack of depth of field means that potholes and  
protruding objects on the ground may only be detected with difficulty, or may not be detected at all.  
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