Get Ignition and starting Guide for Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

If you hear scratching or squeaking noises each time you brake, this is an indication that your brake pads on the front

and rear axle are worn.

1. Immediately consult a suitably qualified workshop and have the system checked.

2. All brake pads should be checked and renewed as necessary.

If the braking performance of the vehicle changes

If the brake pads are worn or if you establish that the vehicle is no longer braking in the usual way(e.g. sudden

lengthening of the stopping distance), proceed as follows:

1. Immediately consult a suitably qualified workshop and have the system checked.

2. All brake pads should be checked and renewed as necessary.

Ignition lock

Fig. 1 Next to the steering wheel on the right: Positions of

the vehicle key in the ignition lock

Vehicle key positions → Fig. 1

0

1

2

Ignition switched off. The vehicle key can be removed.

Ignition switched on. The steering lock can be released.

Vehicles with an automatic gearbox: Press the brake pedal when the indicator lamp lights up green.

Start the engine. Release the vehicle key as soon as the engine starts. Once released, the vehicle key moves

1

back to position

.

When there is no vehicle key in the ignition lock, the steering column lock may be activated.

Ignition switched on warning

A warning message may appear in the instrument cluster display if the driver door is opened while the ignition is

switched on. An acoustic warning may also be given.

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The warning is a reminder that the ignition must be switched off before leaving the vehicle.

WARNING

Careless or unsupervised use of the vehicle key can lead to accidents or injuries.

● Always take all vehicle keys with you every time you leave the vehicle. The engine can be started and electrical

equipment such as the window controls can be operated. This can cause serious injury.

● Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle when the vehicle is locked. They could

become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency and may not be able to get themselves to safety. For example,

locked vehicles may be subjected to very high or very low temperatures depending on the season. This can cause

serious injuries and illness or fatalities, especially among small children.

● Never remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock if the vehicle is in motion. The steering column lock may be

activated and you will no longer be able to steer the vehicle.

● The key bit of the vehicle key must be completely folded out and locked in position.

● Attach only light objects of up to 100 g to the vehicle key.

The vehicle key can only be removed from the ignition lock when the selector lever is in position P. If

necessary, press the lock button in the selector lever and then release it.

Electronic immobiliser

The immobiliser helps to prevent the engine from being started and driven with an unauthorised vehicle key.

There is a chip in the vehicle key. This deactivates the immobiliser automatically when a valid vehicle key is in the

ignition lock.

The engine can only be started using a genuine Volkswagen vehicle key with the correct code. Coded vehicle keys are

available from a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership.

The vehicle cannot be operated properly if you do not have a genuine Volkswagen

key.

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Starting the engine

1. Switch on the ignition (→ Ignition lock).

2. Vehicles with a diesel engine: When the diesel engine is pre-heated, the indicator lamp lights up in the

instrument cluster.

3. Depress and hold the brake pedal until the handbrake is released.

4. Vehicles with a manual gearbox:Fully depress the clutch pedal until the engine has been started. Shift the gear

stick to a neutral position.

5. Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: Move the selector lever to positionN or select parking lock P.

6. turn the vehicle key further in the ignition lock – do not depress the accelerator.

7. Release the vehicle key once the engine has started.

8. Release the handbrake if you wish to pull away (→ Handbrake).

WARNING

The risk of serious injury can be reduced with the engine running or when starting the engine.

● Never start or allow the engine to run in unventilated or closed spaces. The exhaust fumes contain carbon

monoxide, an odourless and colourless toxic gas. Carbon monoxide can cause people to lose consciousness. It can

also cause death.

● Never start or allow the engine to run if oil, fuel or any other highly flammable fluids are under or near the

vehicle, or are leaking out of the vehicle, e.g. as the result of damage.

● Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running, particularly if a gear or position has been selected.

The vehicle could move suddenly or something unexpected may happen that may cause damage, fire and serious

injuries.

● Never use a start booster. Start boosters may explode and cause the engine to suddenly run at high revs.

NOTICE

The starter and the engine can be damaged if you attempt to start the engine while the vehicle is in motion or if the

engine is started again immediately after it has been switched off.

NOTICE

When the engine is cold, avoid high engine speeds, driving at full throttle and overloading the engine.

NOTICE

Do not push or tow the vehicle to start it. Unburnt fuel can damage the catalytic converter.

NOTICE

If the engine does not start, never use the starter with a gear selected for driving or tow-starting, e.g. when the fuel

tank is empty. This could cause damage to the starter.

● Refill fuel if necessary or obtain jump starting assistance (→ Jump starting).

● If the engine still does not start, seek qualified expert assistance.

Do not warm up the engine by running it while the vehicle is stationary. Instead, pull off as soon as there is

good visibility through the windows. This helps the engine reach operating temperature faster and reduces

emissions.

Components with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily when the engine is

started.

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When starting from cold, the engine may be a little noisy for the first few seconds. This is quite normal, and

no cause for concern.

At outside temperatures of less than +5°C(+41°F), fumes may be detected under a vehicle with a diesel

engine if the fuel-powered supplementary heater is switched on.

Troubleshooting

Engine management system fault

The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

Fault in engine management system.

1. Observe the text on the instrument cluster, if necessary.

2. Have the engine checked by a suitably qualified workshop as soon as possible.

Fault in the engine management system

The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

The vehicle’s drive power is limited.

The drive power has been limited to prevent the engine management system components from overheating.

—A corresponding display can appear in the instrument cluster.

—You can drive on with reduced drive power.

The drive power limitation will be lifted in the following cases:

—The engine management system components are no longer in a critical temperature range.

Engine speed limited

The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

The engine speed was limited to prevent the engine from overheating.

The engine speed limitation will be cancelled again in the following cases:

—Engine is no longer in a critical temperature range.

—Foot is taken off the accelerator.

together with

system

engine speed limitation due to fault in the engine management

The indicator lamps light up yellow.

Engine speed limitation is activated due to a fault in the engine management system.

1. Make sure that the displayed engine speed is not exceeded.

2. Have the engine checked by a suitably qualified workshop as soon as possible.

Fault in the engine management system

The indicator lamp in the analogue instrument cluster flashes.

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The indicator lamp flashes yellow.

The vehicle’s drive power is limited

The drive power has been limited to prevent the engine management system components from overheating.

—You can drive on with reduced drive power.

The drive power limitation will be lifted in the following cases:

—The engine management system components are no longer in a critical temperature range.

Glow plug system

Vehicles with a diesel engine:

The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

When the diesel engine is being pre-heated, the indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster for a few seconds.

The indicator lamp flashes yellow.

There is a fault in the engine management system.

1. Have the engine checked by a suitably qualified workshop as soon as possible.

Vehicle key cannot be removed from the ignition lock

An unauthorised vehicle key has been inserted in the ignition lock.

Remove the vehicle key as follows:

Vehicles with DSG gearbox

1. Press the lock button in the selector lever and release.

2. Pull the vehicle key out of the ignition lock.

Vehicles with a manual gearbox

1. Pull the vehicle key out of the ignition lock.

Engine cannot be started

A corresponding message will be displayed in the instrument cluster if an unauthorised vehicle key is used or there is

a system fault.

1. Use an authorised vehicle key.

2. If the malfunction persists, seek the services of a qualified technician.

Switching off the engine

1. Bring the vehicle to a standstill→

2. Park the vehicle (→ Parking).

3. Switch off the ignition.

.

4. Follow the instructions in the instrument cluster .

Warning when leaving the vehicle

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In order to indicate that the vehicle is capable of rolling when leaving the vehicle, an acoustic warning signal sounds

when the driver door is opened and corresponding warning messages appear on the display of the instrument cluster.

Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: If the selector lever is in the neutral positionN, an acoustic warning signal will

sound when the driver door is opened and the warning message Vehicle not secured against rolling away!will appear

on the instrument cluster display. In this way, a warning is given that the vehicle could potentially roll away.

WARNING

Never switch the engine off while the vehicle is in motion. This can lead to a loss of vehicle control, accidents and

serious injuries.

● The airbags and belt tensioners will not work if the ignition is switched off.

● The brake servo will not work when the ignition is switched off. More force is required on the brake pedal to stop

the vehicle.

● The power assisted steering will not work when the engine is not running. More manual power will be needed to

steer the vehicle.

● If the vehicle key is removed from the ignition, the steering lock can activate and you will no longer be able to

steer the vehicle.

WARNING

The components of the exhaust system become very hot. This can cause fires and serious injuries.

● Never park the vehicle where parts of the exhaust system can come into contact with inflammable material

underneath the vehicle, e.g. undergrowth, leaves, dry grass, spilt fuel.

● Never apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, heat shields

or particulate filter.

NOTICE

If the vehicle has been driven at high load for a long period, the engine can overheat when it is switched off. In

order to avoid damage to the engine, allow the engine to run in neutral for approximately 2 minutes before

switching it off.

In vehicles with DSG^®dual clutch gearbox, the vehicle key can be removed from the ignition lock only when

the parking lock P is engaged.

After the engine is switched off, the radiator fan in the engine compartment may run on for some minutes,

even if the ignition is switched off or the vehicle key has been removed. The radiator fan will switch itself off

automatically.

Manual gearbox: Selecting a gear

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Ignition and starting for Your Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

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