Get Starting and stopping the engine Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Sixth Generation (2008-2017)

Starting and stopping the engine

ꢀ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Indicator lights

Vehicle key positions in the ignition switch

Starter button

Starting the engine

Stopping the engine

Electronic immobilizer

Explanatory notes in this section regarding automatic transmissions also apply to the DSG^®

automated transmission.

Immobilizer display

If an unauthorized vehicle key is used or the system malfunctions, a message may appear on the

instrument cluster display. The engine cannot be started.

Push-starting and tow-starting

For technical reasons, never try to push-start or tow-start the vehicle. Jump-start the vehicle instead

while following proper and safe procedures.

More information:

ꢀ

Vehicle key set

Shifting

Steering

Braking and parking

Starting assistance systems

Refueling

Fuel

Emergency closing and opening

Jump-starting

Towing

WARNING

Switching off the engine while the vehicle is moving can make the vehicle harder to stop and

result in loss of vehicle control, leading to collisions and severe personal injuries.

ꢀ

Brake and steering assistance systems, the airbag system, safety belt pretensioners, and

other vehicle safety features only work when the engine is running.

Switch off the engine only when the vehicle is not moving.

ꢀ

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious personal injury when starting and running the vehicle's engine:

ꢀ

Never start the engine or let it run in a confined or enclosed area. Engine exhaust contains

carbon monoxide, a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause

unconsciousness and death.

ꢀ

Never start the engine or let it run if oil, fuel, or other flammable substances are under,

around, or have leaked from the vehicle, for example, due to vehicle damage.

Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running, especially when it is in gear.

ꢀ

The vehicle could move suddenly or some other unexpected event could occur, resulting in

property damage, fire, or personal injury.

ꢀ Never use starting assist fluids. Starting fluids can explode and can cause a “run-away”

vehicle condition.

WARNING

The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter get very hot and can cause fires and

serious personal injury.

ꢀ

Never park the vehicle where the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite

flammable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.

Never apply additional undercoating or rust proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,

ꢀ

exhaust pipes, catalytic converter, or heat shields.

Indicator lights

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Lights

up

Possible cause

Proper response

ꢀ

Brake pedal not depressed.

Apply the brake pedal to start the engine

Flashes Possible cause

The release button in the selector lever

Proper response

ꢀ

did not engage. Vehicle movement is

prevented.

Engage the selector lever release button

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function

check. They go out after a few seconds.

WARNING

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to

break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.

ꢀ

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, turn

on the emergency flashers, stop the engine, and use other warning devices to warn

approaching traffic.

NOTICE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.

Vehicle key positions in the ignition switch

Fig. 123 In the ignition switch: Vehicle key positions.

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

If there is no vehicle key in the ignition, the steering column is locked.

Vehicle key position ⇒ fig. 123

(0)

(1)

(2)

Ignition switched off. Steering column lock engaged. The vehicle key can be removed.

Ignition is switched on. Steering column lock can be released.

Engine is started. When the engine starts, release the vehicle key. When released, the vehicle

key returns to position (1).

If you use the wrong key

If an unauthorized vehicle key has been inserted into the ignition switch, it can be removed as follows:

ꢀ

Automatic transmission: Press the release button on the transmission selector lever and release.

The vehicle key can now be removed.

Manual transmission: Pull out the vehicle key.

ꢀ

WARNING

Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious personal injury.

ꢀ

Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. The engine can be started and

vehicle systems such as the power windows can be operated, leading to serious personal

injury.

ꢀ

Never leave children, disabled persons, or anyone who cannot help themselves in the

vehicle. The doors can be locked with the remote control vehicle key. This could result in

people being trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. For example, depending on the time of

year, people trapped in the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.

ꢀ

Heat buildup in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in

temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures, particularly

in summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and

death, particularly to small children.

ꢀ Never remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a

stop. The steering wheel will lock and you will not be able to steer or control the vehicle.

Leaving the key in the ignition for a long time when the engine is not running will drain the vehicle

battery.

Leaving the selector lever for a long period of time in any position other than Park (P) when the

ignition is switched off can drain the vehicle battery.

On automatic transmission vehicles, the vehicle key can be removed from the ignition switch

only when the transmission is in Park (P). You may have to press the release button on the

transmission selector lever to put the lever into Park (P).

Starter button

Fig. 124 In the lower center console: Starter button for the Keyless Access system.

Fig. 125 Hold the remote control vehicle key to the right of the steering column: Emergency starting feature

on vehicles with Keyless Access.

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

For vehicles with Keyless Access with push-button start, ⇒ Power locking system, the vehicle can be

started and stopped with the starter button in the lower center console ⇒ fig. 124.

The starter button can only be used when an authorized vehicle key is in the vehicle.

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

switched off and the driver door is opened ⇒ Steering.

Switching the ignition on and off

ꢀ

Briefly press the starter button once without operating the brake or clutch pedals ⇒

.

Emergency start feature

If an authorized remote control vehicle key is in the passenger compartment but the instrument cluster

displays No key in rangewhen you push the starter button, the remote control vehicle key battery

is weak or dead. You can still start the engine using the Emergency start feature.

ꢀ

Make sure the selector lever is in the Park (P) position.

Hold the remote control vehicle key to the right of the steering column trim immediately after

pressing the starter button ⇒ fig. 125.

The ignition automatically switches on and the engine starts.

ꢀ

Emergency shut-off

If the engine does not switch off by briefly pressing the starter button, emergency shut-off is

necessary:

ꢀ

Press the starter button twice within 3 seconds or press and hold the button longer than 1 second

⇒

ꢀ

in Stopping the engine.

The engine switches off automatically.

If no authorized remote control vehicle key is identified in the passenger compartment after the engine

has been switched off, the engine cannot be restarted. A related message is shown in the instrument

cluster display.

WARNING

Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury.

ꢀ Do not depress the brake or clutch pedals when switching on the ignition, as the engine

could otherwise start immediately.

WARNING

Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious personal injury.

ꢀ

Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. Children or unauthorized

persons may use it to lock the vehicle, start the engine, and operate vehicle systems such as

the power windows, leading to serious personal injury.

ꢀ

Never leave children, disabled persons, or anyone who cannot help themselves in the

vehicle. The doors can be locked using the remote control vehicle key. This could result in

people being trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. For example, depending on the time of

year, people trapped in the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.

ꢀ

Heat buildup in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in

temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures, particularly

in summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and

death, particularly to small children.

If the ignition is switched on or the engine is running and the driver door is opened, a chime

sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off the engine and turn off the ignition before leaving

and locking the vehicle from the outside.

Starting the engine

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.

Step

Vehicles without Keyless Access

Vehicles with Keyless Access

1.

Automatic transmission: Depress the brake pedal and hold it down until step 5 is

completed.

1 a.

2.

Manual transmission: Depress clutch pedal fully and hold until the engine has started.

Shift the transmission into Neutral (N) or Park (P) (automatic), or into Neutral (manual only).

3.

Turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ fig. 123

Briefly press the starter button ⇒ fig. 124 –

do not depress the accelerator pedal. An

authorized vehicle key must be inside the

vehicle in order to start the engine.

(2) – do not depress the accelerator pedal.

4.

When the engine starts, release the vehicle

key.

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.

Step

Vehicles without Keyless Access

If the engine does not start, switch off the

ignition and start again after about 1 minute. ignition and start again after about 1 minute.

Vehicles with Keyless Access

5.

If the engine does not start, switch off the

Use the emergency start feature if

necessary

6.

Release the parking brake when you are ready to start driving

WARNING

Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running, especially when it is in gear. The

vehicle could move suddenly or some other unexpected event could occur, resulting in

property damage, fire, or personal injury.

WARNING

“Starting fluids” can explode and can cause a “run-away” vehicle condition.

ꢀ

Never use starting assist fluids.

NOTICE

ꢀ

You can damage the starter or the engine if you try to start the engine when the vehicle is

still moving, or if you try to restart the engine right after switching it off.

Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle acceleration, and heavy engine loads when the

engine is cold.

Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle. Unburned fuel can get into

ꢀ

the catalytic converter and damage it. The steering column may also be locked.

Do not let your vehicle warm up while standing; instead, start driving right away after making

sure that you have good visibility through all windows. This will help the engine reach operating

temperature faster and keep down emissions.

Major consumers of electricity are temporarily switched off when the engine is being started.

After starting a cold engine, there may be increased operating noises for a few seconds. This is

normal and harmless.

Stopping the engine

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.

Vehicles without Keyless Access Vehicles with Keyless Access

Step

1.

Bring the vehicle to a complete stop ⇒

.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Depress and hold down the brake pedal until step 4 is completed.

Automatic transmission: Shift the transmission into Park (P).

Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving

Turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ fig. 123

(0) in the ignition switch.

Briefly press the starter button ⇒ fig. 124. If

the engine will not switch off, carry out the

emergency shut-off procedure

Manual transmission: Shift into 1st gear (vehicle on flat surface or pointing uphill) or

reverse (vehicle pointing downhill).

6.

7.

Removing the vehicle key from the ignition

switches off electrical equipment and

activates the steering column lock.

Opening the doors switches off electrical

equipment and activates the steering

column lock.

WARNING

Never stop the engine before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. You can lose control

of the vehicle, crash, and be seriously injured.

ꢀ

The airbags and safety belt pretensioners will not work when the ignition is switched off.

The brake booster does not work when the engine is not running. More brake pedal

pressure will be needed to stop the vehicle.

The power steering system does not work when the engine is not running, and you will

need more force to steer the vehicle.

When the key is removed from the ignition switch, the steering will lock and you will not

ꢀ

be able to steer the vehicle.

NOTICE

If the vehicle has been driven hard for a long time, the engine could overheat when it is

stopped. To reduce the risk of engine damage, let the engine idle in Neutral for about 2 minutes

before you switch off the ignition.

If the ignition is switched on or the engine is running and the driver door is opened, a chime

sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off the engine and turn off the ignition before leaving

and locking the vehicle from the outside.

On vehicles with automatic transmissions, the vehicle key can only be removed from the ignition

when the transmission is in Park (P).

After the engine has been switched off, the radiator fan in the engine compartment may keep

running for several minutes, or may start running after the vehicle has been parked for a while, even if

the ignition is switched off and the vehicle key has been removed. The radiator fan shuts off

automatically when the engine has cooled down enough.

Electronic immobilizer

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The immobilizer helps to prevent the engine from being started and driven with an unauthorized

vehicle key.

There is a microchip inside the vehicle key. The chip deactivates the immobilizer automatically when

an authorized vehicle key is inserted into the ignition switch.

The electronic immobilizer is automatically activated when the remote control vehicle key is pulled out

of the ignition switch. On vehicles with Keyless Access, the vehicle key must be outside the vehicle

⇒ Unlocking or locking the vehicle with Keyless Access.

The engine can therefore only be started with an authorized and correctly coded genuine Volkswagen

vehicle key. Coded vehicle keys are available from authorized Volkswagen dealers, authorized

Volkswagen Service Facilities, and from certain independent repair facilities and locksmiths who are

qualified to make these vehicle keys ⇒ Vehicle key set.

If an unauthorized vehicle key is used, a message may appear in the instrument cluster display. The

vehicle cannot be operated with this key.

A Declaration of Compliance with the United States FCC and Industry Canada regulations is on

⇒ Declaration of Compliance, Telecommunications and Electronic Systems.

Using genuine Volkswagen keys helps minimize the risk of malfunctions.

Starting and stopping the engine for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Sixth Generation (2008-2017)

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