Get Driving -> Selecting a position Guide for Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

Selecting a position

Selector lever for position selection

Fig. 1 Left-hand drive vehicles: selector lever for position selection with lock button (arrow).

Mirrored in right-hand drive vehicles.

The vehicle has one forwards D/B and one reverse gear R.

The selector lever for position selection is equipped with a selector lever lock. To change the

selector lever position from P or N position to a driving gear, switch on the ignition, depress the

brake pedal and press the lock button in the selector lever in the direction of the arrow → Fig. 1 .

– Parking lock

The drive wheels are locked mechanically. May only be selected when the vehicle is stationary.

– Reverse gear

Reverse gear is selected. May only be selected when the vehicle is stationary.

– Neutral

The electric drive is in the neutral position. No force is transmitted to the wheels and the braking

effect of the electric drive is not available.

– Standard forward driving position

The electric drive is in the Normal programme (brake energy recuperation levels 0 - 3).

– Very high brake energy recuperation

Very high brake energy recuperation in overrun mode (brake energy recuperation level 4).

– Changing positions

Change between positions D and B by tapping the selector lever once to the rear out of position

D/B → Fig. 1 . The selector lever will always move back to position D/B. Tapping the selector

lever again to the rear switches back to position D.

Driving down hills

The steeper the downhill gradient, the higher the recuperation level you must select. A high

recuperation level increases the braking effect of the electric drive. Never allow the vehicle to roll

down mountains or hills in the neutral position N.

—Reduce your speed.

—Press the selector lever to position B.

Stopping and pulling away on uphill gradients

If you wish to stop the vehicle or pull away when driving uphill you should use the Auto Hold

function (→ Electronic parking brake, Operation).

When you stop the vehicle on an uphill gradient with a selected position, the vehicle must always

be prevented from rolling by depressing the brake pedal or by applying the electronic parking

brake. The brake pedal or the electronic parking brake should not be released until you pull away

(→ Driving mode selection for electric vehicles, Function).

Kickdown function

In selector lever position D/B, the kickdown function allows for maximum acceleration when the

accelerator is fully depressed. In the Eco and Eco+ driving profiles, the restriction of the

maximum speed is cancelled if you use the kickdown function (→ Driving mode selection for

electric vehicles, Function).

Selector lever lock

The selector lever lock in position P or N prevents gears from being engaged inadvertently, which

would cause the vehicle to move.

To release the selector lever lock with the ignition switched on, depress and hold the brake pedal.

Press the lock button in the selector lever at the same time.

The selector lever lock is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly through position N,

e.g. when shifting from reverse to D/B. This makes it possible, for instance, to “rock” the vehicle

backwards and forwards to free the vehicle if it is stuck in snow or mud. The selector lever lock

engages automatically if the brake pedal is not depressed and the lever is in position N for more

than approximately one second and the vehicle is travelling no faster than approximately 5 km/h

(3 mph).

In rare cases, the selector lever lock may not engage. The drive is then deactivated to prevent the

vehicle from accidentally pulling away. Use the following procedure to engage the selector lever

lock:

—Depress the foot brake and then release it again.

—OR: move the selector lever to position P or N and then select a driving gear.

WARNING

Engaging an incorrect selector lever position can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which

can lead to accidents and serious injuries.

●

Never depress the accelerator when selecting a position.

●

Never select reverse gear or engage the parking lock while the vehicle is in motion.

WARNING

Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, particularly on slippery roads. This

can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents and serious injuries.

●

Use the kickdown function or fast acceleration only if visibility, weather, road and traffic

conditions permit, and other road users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and the

driving style.

●

Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic.

When the TCS is switched off, the drive wheels may spin, especially if the road surface is

wet, slippery or dirty. This may result in you no longer being able to steer or control the

vehicle.

WARNING

Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury.

●

The driver must never leave the driver seat when the electric drive is activated and a

position has been selected. If you have to leave the vehicle while the electric drive is

switched on, always switch on the electronic parking brake and move the selector lever to

position P.

●

Never leave the vehicle in position N, R or D/B. The vehicle could start to move depending

on the incline of the road.

If the vehicle's drive system is activated and the selector lever is in D/B or R position, the

vehicle must be held with the foot brake.

Never select reverse gear when the vehicle is in motion.

NOTICE

If the electronic parking brake is not switched on when the vehicle is stationary and the brake

pedal is released when the selector lever is in position P, the vehicle may move a few

centimetres forwards or backwards.

NOTICE

●

If you stop the vehicle on a gradient, do not attempt to stop it from rolling back by

depressing the accelerator when a gear has been selected. Press the brake pedal to avoid

putting an unnecessary load on the electric drive.

Never allow the vehicle to roll in position N, particularly if the vehicle is not ready to drive.

If the selector lever is left in a position other than P for a long period and the ignition is

switched off, this can discharge the 12-volt vehicle battery.

Troubleshooting

Fig. 1 Removing the selector mechanism cover.

Fig. 2 Releasing the selector lever lock manually.

Fault in electrical system

The warning lamp lights up red.

There is a fault in the electrical system.

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—Stop the vehicle immediately!

—Stop vehicle as soon as it is safe and possible to do so and switch off in the open air.

—Deactivate the vehicle’s drive system.

—Seek expert assistance.

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Electrical system overheated

The warning lamp lights up red.

The electrical system is overheated.

The text message

instrument cluster display.

—Stop the vehicle immediately!

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—Stop vehicle as soon as it is safe and possible to do so and switch off in the open air.

—Deactivate the vehicle’s drive system.

—Do not refill coolant.

—Seek expert assistance.

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No brake energy recuperation possible

The indicator lamps light up yellow.

The text message

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Fault in brake energy recuperation.

The range can be limited.

—Go to a qualified workshop.

The engine will not start

The indicator lamp lights up green.

The brake pedal is not depressed when shifting the selector lever out of position .

—To select a position, press the brake pedal.

—Also refer to the electronic parking brake (→ Electronic parking brake, Operation).

Driving off is prevented by the lock button

The indicator lamp flashes green.

The vehicle cannot drive off.

The lock button in the selector lever is not engaged.

—Engage the selector lever lock.

Releasing the selector lever lock manually

If the power fails in the vehicle, e.g. if the 12-volt vehicle battery is flat and the vehicle is to be

towed, the selector lever lock must be released manually. Seek professional assistance.

The manual release mechanism is located under the selector mechanism cover.

Removing the selector mechanism cover:

—Switch on the electronic parking brake. If the electronic parking brake cannot be switched on,

the vehicle will have to be prevented from rolling off using other means.

—Switch off the ignition.

—Carefully pull the cover upwards in the area around the selector lever gaiter with connected

electrical wiring → Fig. 1 .

—Pull the cover up and over the selector lever →

.

Releasing the selector lever lock manually:

—Using the flat blade of the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit, carefully push the release

lever in the direction of the arrow → Fig. 2 and keep it in this position.

—Press the lock button on the front of the selector lever and move the selector lever into

position N.

—After manual unlocking, carefully press the cover into the centre console while ensuring that

the electrical wires are positioned correctly.

Vehicle does not move even though position is engaged

If the vehicle will not move in the required direction, the system may have selected the position

incorrectly.

—Depress the brake pedal and reselect the position.

—If the vehicle still does not move in the required direction, there is a system fault. Seek expert

assistance and have the system checked.

WARNING

Never move the selector lever out of the position P if the electronic parking brake is not

switched on. Otherwise the vehicle could move unexpectedly if it is stopped on an incline,

which could lead to accidents and serious injuries.

NOTICE

The electric drive will be damaged if the vehicle rolls for an extended period or at high speed

with the ignition switched off, the electric drive switched off or discharged 12-volt vehicle

battery, or with no 12-volt vehicle battery and the selector lever in position N. The vehicle can

only be towed in certain conditions. (→ Towing, Operation)

Driving -> Selecting a position for Your Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

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