Get Driving -> Activating and deactivating the vehicle?s drive system Guide for Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

Activating and deactivating the vehicle’s drive system

Ignition lock

Fig. 1 To the right of the steering wheel: positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock.

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

Vehicle key positions → Fig. 1

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1

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Ignition switched off. The vehicle key can be removed.

Ignition switched on. Steering lock can be released.

Press the brake pedal when the indicator lamp lights up green. Activate the vehicle’s

drive system. Once the vehicle’s drive system is activated, release the vehicle key. Once

released, the vehicle key moves back to position → Fig. 1 1

.

Ignition switched on warning

A warning message appears in the instrument cluster display if the driver door is opened while

the ignition is switched on. An acoustic signal may also be given.

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 vehicle’s drive

system can be activated 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 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 in the vehicle key must be folded out fully and locked in position.

Only attach light objects weighing less than 100 g to the vehicle key.

If you leave the vehicle key in position → Fig. 1 1 in the ignition lock with the electric

drive deactivated over a longer period, the 12-volt vehicle battery will discharge.

Market-dependent: Select the selector lever position P if the vehicle key cannot be

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

Starter button

Fig. 1 In the lower section of the centre console: starter button for activating the vehicle’s drive

system.

The starter button replaces the ignition lock (Press & Drive).

The starter button (Press & Drive) is used to start the engine.

The vehicle can be activated only if there is a valid vehicle key in the vehicle.

When leaving the vehicle, the electronic steering column lock will be activated when the ignition

is switched off and the driver door is opened (→ Steering, Function).

Switching the ignition on or off

Press the starter button once without depressing the brake pedal →

.

Automatic ignition switch-off

If the ignition is switched on and the driver moves away from the vehicle carrying the vehicle

key, the ignition switches off automatically after a short time . If the dipped beam headlights

were switched on at the time, the side lights will remain switched on for approximately

30 minutes. The side lights can be switched off manually or by locking the vehicle (→ Central

locking button, Description) (→ Parking light, Operation).

Restart function of the electric drive

If no valid vehicle key is detected in the vehicle interior once the electric drive has been switched

off, the vehicle’s drive system can be restarted within approximately 5 seconds. A corresponding

message appears on the instrument cluster display.

After this time, the vehicle’s drive system cannot be re-activated without a valid vehicle key in

the vehicle interior.

WARNING

Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury.

●

Do not depress the brake pedal when switching on the ignition, as the vehicle’s drive system

could otherwise be activated immediately.

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. Children or third

parties could lock the vehicle, activate the vehicle’s drive system, switch on the ignition or

operate electrical equipment such as the electric windows.

Before leaving the vehicle, always switch off the ignition manually and observe any

information shown in the instrument cluster display.

Leaving the vehicle stationary for long periods with the ignition switched on can

discharge the 12-volt vehicle battery and prevent the vehicle’s drive system from

activating.

Activating the vehicle’s drive system

Once the electric drive has started, the vehicle’s drive system is ready for operation. When the

vehicle’s drive system has been activated, the electric drive is switched on.

Requirements for activating the vehicle’s drive system

The vehicle’s drive system can be activated when the following conditions are fulfilled:

—The high-voltage battery is sufficiently charged.

—There is no charging cable connected.

—The temperature of the high-voltage battery is within the operating range.

—Vehicles with starter button: There is a valid vehicle key in the vehicle.

Activating the vehicle’s drive system

—Vehicles with ignition lock: Switch on the ignition (→ Ignition lock, Function).

—Vehicles with starter button: Press the starter button once. The ignition is switched on.

—Depress and hold the brake pedal. If the brake pedal is not depressed, the indicator lamp

will light up green and the text message

instrument cluster display.

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—Move the selector lever to position N or engage the parking lock.

—Vehicles with ignition lock: turn the vehicle key further in the ignition lock – do not depress

the accelerator. Hold the vehicle key until the READY indicator lamp lights up. Release the

vehicle key when the READY indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster. The needle in

the power display moves from

to .

—Vehicles with starter button: Press and hold starter button (→ Starter button, Function) until

the READY indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster – do not depress the accelerator.

Release the starter button when the READY indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster.

The needle in the power display moves from

to .

—Vehicles with starter button: If the READY indicator lamp does not light up, cancel and repeat

the procedure. If necessary, perform an emergency start (→ Engine start, FAQ).

—Vehicles with starter button: the starter button is deactivated if the vehicle was locked using

the vehicle key. If you are in the vehicle and need to start the engine, unlock the vehicle first or

perform an emergency start (→ Engine start, FAQ).

—Switch off the electronic parking brake if you wish to pull away.

Noises prior to driving

A “clicking” noise may be heard when activating the vehicle’s drive system. This is quite normal,

and no cause for concern.

Recognising vehicle's drive system

The electric drive produces no noticeable motor noises either while the drive system is being

activated or while it is running. It is therefore not possible to recognise that the vehicle's drive

system is ready based on motor noises. Instead, the following features indicate that the vehicle is

ready to drive:

—The needle in the power display in the instrument cluster is positioned at (→ Instrument

cluster, Description).

—The illumination of the needles in the instrument cluster is switched on regardless of whether

the vehicle's exterior lighting is switched on.

—The

indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster.

—An acoustic signal will sound.

Activating the vehicle’s drive system at very low outside temperatures

The high-voltage battery may freeze and fail at very low outside temperatures (approximately

-27°C (-16°F) and colder). It is then not possible to activate the vehicle’s drive system.

The vehicle's drive system can be activated again once the temperature of the high-voltage

battery has risen enough.

To ensure that the vehicle's drive system can be activated at very low outside temperatures,

Volkswagen recommends parking the vehicle in an area that is protected from the weather.

Driving off with the electric drive

—Activate the vehicle’s drive system (→ Activating the vehicle’s drive system, Operation).

Depress and hold the brake pedal.

—Move the selector lever to position D/B or select reverse gear (→ Driving mode selection for

electric vehicles, Description).

—Switch off the electronic parking brake and release the brake pedal (→ Electronic parking

brake, Operation).

—Depress the accelerator pedal.

WARNING

Never leave the vehicle when it is ready to drive. The vehicle could move suddenly or

something unexpected may happen that may cause damage, fire or serious injuries.

●

Always switch off the ignition before you leave the vehicle.

●

When parking or leaving the vehicle, always ensure that selector lever for driving mode is in

position P and that the electronic parking brake is switched on.

●

When exiting the vehicle, always ensure that all doors, windows, the boot lid and bonnet are

completely closed and locked.

It may not be possible to activate the vehicle’s drive system with the starter button if the

button cell in the vehicle key is weak or flat, for example. In this case, use the emergency

start function (→ Engine start, FAQ).

At very low outside temperatures when the high-voltage battery is consequently very

cold, electrical driving and the vehicle range may be limited.

Deactivating the vehicle’s drive system

The actions should only be carried out in the specified order:

—Bring the vehicle to a stop.

—Park the vehicle (→ Parking, Action).

—Vehicles with ignition lock: Switch off the ignition.

—Vehicles with starter button: Briefly press the starter button. If the engine cannot be switched

off, carry out the emergency switch-off procedure (→ Engine start, FAQ).

—Follow the instructions in the instrument cluster (→ Instrument cluster, Description).

WARNING

Never leave the vehicle when it is ready to drive. The vehicle could move suddenly or

something unexpected may happen that may cause damage, fire or serious injuries.

●

Always switch off the ignition before you leave the vehicle.

When parking or leaving the vehicle, always ensure that selector lever for driving mode is in

position P and that the electronic parking brake is switched on.

●

When exiting the vehicle, always ensure that all doors, windows, the boot lid and bonnet are

completely closed and locked.

WARNING

Never deactivate the vehicle’s drive system while the vehicle is in motion. This can lead to a

loss of vehicle control, accidents and serious injuries.

●

The airbags and belt tensioners do not function.

The brake servo will not work when the electric drive is switched off. More force is required

on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.

●

The power steering will not function if the electric drive is switched off, and more force will

be required to steer the vehicle.

If the vehicle key is removed from the ignition, the steering lock may activate and you will

no longer be able to steer the vehicle.

WARNING

The parts of the high-voltage system become very hot. This can cause fires and serious injuries.

●

Never park the vehicle where parts of the high-voltage system can come into contact with

inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. undergrowth, leaves, dry grass.

●

Never apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to heat shields.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, the vehicle key can be removed from the ignition

lock when the selector lever is not in position P. The warning

! appears in the instrument cluster display. This reminds you to move the

selector lever to position P before you leave the vehicle.

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After the electric drive 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.

Leaving the vehicle when the vehicle’s drive system is active

The vehicle’s drive system is automatically deactivated if the vehicle is left after stopping with

active vehicle drive system as well as a selected gear position.

This protects the vehicle from unauthorised use.

The electromechanical parking brake is switched on.

Warning before leaving the vehicle

When opening the driver door an acoustic warning signal sounds and, in the display of the

instrument cluster, the

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you that the vehicle could potentially roll away.

Automatically reactivating the vehicle’s drive system

The vehicle’s drive system can be automatically reactivated within 30 seconds. For this, the

driver door must be closed and the seat belt fastened and one of the following conditions must

be fulfilled:

—Depress the accelerator pedal.

—OR: switch off the electronic parking brake.

—OR: change position.

An activated vehicle drive system is signalled via a short tone sequence.

If the 30 second period expires without activation of the vehicle's drive system, the vehicle's

drive system can be reactivated by restarting the vehicle (→ Activating the vehicle’s drive system,

Operation). Observe any messages that appear on the instrument cluster display.

WARNING

If the vehicle is left unattended with the vehicle’s drive system is active, it may lead to

accidents and serious injuries.

●

Never leave the vehicle unattended when the vehicle’s drive system is active.

Always switch the ignition off and move the selector lever to position P before exiting the

vehicle.

●

When parking or exiting the vehicle, always ensure that the selector lever is in position P

and that the electronic parking brake is switched on.

When exiting the vehicle, always ensure that all doors, windows, the boot lid and bonnet are

completely closed and locked.

Deactivation of the ignition when leaving the vehicle

(Keyless Access only)

In order to protect the 12-volt vehicle battery in vehicles with the keyless locking and starting

system Keyless Access, the ignition is switched off automatically when leaving the vehicle (under

certain conditions) in order to ensure that the vehicle can be restarted.

Ignition warning

In order to indicate an active ignition when leaving the vehicle, an acoustic warning signal

sounds when opening the driver door and corresponding warning messages appear on the

display of the instrument cluster. The ignition also switches off automatically after a while.

Automatic ignition switch-off

If the ignition is not switched off at the end of a journey and after exiting the vehicle, it switches

itself off automatically after a certain period of time in order to prevent accidental discharge of

the 12-volt vehicle battery.

Automatically switching on the side lights

If the headlights are switched on at the time the ignition is automatically deactivated, the side

lights are switched on either until the vehicle is locked or for no more than about 30 minutes.

WARNING

If the vehicle is left unattended with the vehicle’s drive system is active, it may lead to

accidents and serious injuries.

●

Never leave the vehicle unattended when the vehicle’s drive system is active.

Always switch the ignition off and move the selector lever to position P before exiting the

vehicle.

●

When parking or exiting the vehicle, always ensure that the selector lever is in position P

and that the electronic parking brake is switched on.

When exiting the vehicle, always ensure that all doors, windows, the boot lid and bonnet are

completely closed and locked.

When leaving the vehicle, always switch off the ignition and observe any messages

shown in the instrument cluster display.

Electronic immobiliser

The immobiliser helps to prevent the vehicle’s drive system from being activated and driven with

an unauthorised vehicle key.

There is a chip in the vehicle key. The immobiliser is automatically deactivated by this when a

valid vehicle key is inserted in the ignition lock.

The electronic immobiliser is automatically activated when the vehicle key is removed from the

ignition lock. In vehicles with Keyless Access, the vehicle key must be outside the vehicle.

Thus the vehicle’s drive system can be activated only when a genuine Volkswagen vehicle key

with the correct code is used. Coded vehicle keys are available from a Volkswagen dealership.

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

Electronic engine sound

Fig. 1 In the lower part of the centre console: button for the electronic engine sound.

The electronic engine sound is a sound that warns other road users about approaching electric

vehicles.

The electronic engine sound is switched on when the vehicle’s drive system is activated.

When driving quickly, the electronic engine sound is gradually faded out.

The electronic engine sound is switched on and off with the

button.

Driving without electronic engine sound requires increased attention. Volkswagen recommends

that you always drive with electronic engine sound activated.

Troubleshooting

Fig. 1 On the right-hand side of the steering column: emergency start function in vehicles with

the keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access.

Fault in engine management system

The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

Fault in engine management system.

—The electric drive should be checked by a 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:

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

—Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.

No valid vehicle key recognised

A corresponding display will appear in the instrument cluster.

If the button cell in the vehicle key is weak or discharged, it is possible that the vehicle key will

not be recognised.

In this case it is necessary to perform an emergency start:

—Depress and hold the brake pedal.

—Hold the vehicle key to the right of the steering column trim directly after pressing the starter

button → Fig. 1 .

—The ignition is switched on automatically, and in some cases the vehicle’s drive system is

activated.

The vehicle’s drive system cannot be deactivated

The vehicle’s drive system cannot be deactivated by briefly pressing the starter button.

In this case it is necessary to perform an emergency switch-off procedure:

—Press the starter button twice within a few seconds or press and hold once.

The vehicle's drive system is ended automatically (→ Starter button, Function).

Electronic engine sound is not working

The indicator lamp lights up and an acoustic signal sounds.

The instrument cluster shows the text message

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—Go to a qualified workshop.

You can continue to drive.

The vehicle’s drive system cannot be activated

A corresponding message will be displayed in the instrument cluster if an unauthorised vehicle

key is used or there is a system fault.

—Use an authorised vehicle key.

—If the fault persists, seek expert assistance.

Vehicle standstill due to discharged high-voltage battery

A corresponding text message is shown on the instrument cluster display.

If the vehicle stops due the high-voltage battery being discharged, it is possible to activate the

electric drive again for a short distance of a few metres. This allows you to drive the vehicle away

from “moving” traffic or off a railway crossing.

—Switch off the ignition.

—Activate the vehicle’s drive system again.

—Press the accelerator pedal to drive.

The procedure can be repeated a second time, but the possible driving distance and the power

will be reduced considerably.

Please contact an expert if the vehicle cannot be moved any further.

Recharge the high-voltage battery (→ Charging operations, Description).

Driving -> Activating and deactivating the vehicle?s drive system for Your Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

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