2017-2020 Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Braking assistance systems User Manual
MyCarUserManual.com
USER MANUALS FOR EVERY MAKE & MODEL

Braking assistance systems for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Seventh Generation (2017-2020)

Activate the turn signal in the direction (left or right) in which you would like to pull out of the parking space.  
Move the selector lever to Reverse (R).  
Release the steering wheel when the message appears in the instrument cluster display: Auto. steering active. Check surround. area! .  
Check the area around the vehicle and carefully depress the accelerator pedal, if necessary. Do not exceed 4 mph (7 km/h). The Park Assist system will only  
operate the steering wheel while driving out of the parking space. The driver must control the accelerator, the brake, and the selector lever.  
Back up the vehicle until there is a continuous tone from the Park Distance Control (PDC) system, OR until a chime sounds and the symbol along with the  
prompt to drive forward appear in the instrument cluster display. The progress bar displays the remaining distance Progress bar.  
Press the brake pedal until the Park Assist system has stopped steering OR until the symbol in the instrument cluster display disappears.  
Move the selector lever to Drive (D/B). Drive the vehicle forward until there is a continuous tone from the Park Distance Control (PDC) system, OR until a  
chime sounds and the symbol along with the prompt to back up appear in the instrument cluster display . The Park Assist system steers the vehicle when  
driving forward or in reverse until the vehicle can be driven out of the parking space.  
A message is displayed in the instrument cluster when the vehicle can be driven out of the parking space. A chime may also sound.  
Take over steering with the steering angle last used by the Park Assist system.  
When traffic permits, pull out of the parking space.  
Braking assistance systems  
Introduction to the subject  
In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:  
Warning and indicator lightsꢀ  
Braking assistance systemsꢀ  
Switching Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and ESC Sport mode on and off ꢀ  
The braking assistance systems are the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Anti-Slip Regulation  
(ASR), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).  
WARNING  
Driving with bad brakes can cause a collision and serious personal injury.  
If the brake warning light  
or  
does not go out, or lights up when driving, either the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low or there is a fault in  
the brake system. Stop the vehicle as soon as you can do so safely and get expert assistance Brake fluidꢀ.  
If the brake warning light  
or  
lights up at the same time as the ABS warning light  
or  
, the ABS may not be working properly. This could  
cause the rear wheels to lock up relatively quickly during braking. Rear wheel brake lock-up can cause loss of vehicle control.  
If you believe the vehicle is safe to drive, drive slowly and very carefully to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer, authorized Volkswagen Service  
Facility, or other qualified workshop and have the brake system inspected. Avoid sudden hard braking and steering.  
If the ABS indicator light  
or  
does not go out, or if it lights up while driving, the ABS system is not working properly. The vehicle can then be stopped  
only with the standard brakes (without ABS). You will not have the protection ABS provides. Contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized  
Volkswagen Service Facility as soon as possible.  
If the brake pads are worn or you notice changes in the way the vehicle brakes, immediately contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized  
Volkswagen Service Facility to have the brake pads checked and, if necessary, replaced.  
Vehicles with a brake wear indicator: If the symbol  
or  
lights up in the instrument cluster display, whether alone or together with a text  
message, immediately contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the brake pads checked and, if  
necessary, replaced.  
Warning and indicator lights  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
Lights up  
Possible cause or meaning ⇒  
Proper response  
Stop!  
Brake system malfunction.  
Get professional assistance immediately Brake system malfunctionꢀ.  
220  
Lights up  
Possible cause or meaning ⇒  
Proper response  
Stop!  
Brake fluid level too low.  
Check the brake fluid level Brake fluid levelꢀ.  
See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen  
Service Facility.  
Together with the ABS indicator light  
or  
: ABS failure.  
The vehicle brakes will work without ABS.  
If you believe that it is safe to do so, immediately take the vehicle to an  
authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
Check, and if necessary replace, all brake pads.  
OR: Vehicles equipped with brake wear indicator: Brake pads worn.  
ESC switched off by the system.  
ESC malfunction.  
Switch ignition off and on again. You may have to drive a short distance.  
See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen  
Service Facility.  
See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen  
Service Facility.  
Together with the ABS indicator light  
or  
: ABS malfunction.  
The vehicle brakes will work without ABS.  
Drive a short distance at a speed of 10–12 mph (15–20 km/h). If the  
indicator light stays on, see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an  
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility Vehicle batteryꢀ.  
Vehicle battery has been reconnected.  
ASR manually deactivated.  
Switch on ASR (with ESC), or switch off ESC Sport mode Switching  
Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and ESC Sport mode on and offꢀ.  
OR: ESC Sport mode manually activated ( Golf GTI and Golf R  
models only).  
ASR automatically turns on when you turn the ignition off and back on  
again.  
OR: Together with  
models only).  
: ESC manually switched off ( Golf R  
Together with the ESC indicator light : ABS malfunction.  
See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen  
Service Facility.  
Together with warning light  
Brake pedal not depressed.  
or  
: ABS failure.  
The vehicle brakes will work without ABS.  
Depress the brake pedal to select a gear or drive position.  
Flashes  
Possible cause or meaning ⇒  
Proper response  
221  
Flashes  
Possible cause or meaning ⇒  
ESC or ASR is operating.  
Proper response  
Take foot off accelerator pedal. Adapt driving to road conditions.  
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.  
NOTE  
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.  
Braking assistance systems  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
The ESC, ABS, BAS, ASR, and EDL braking assistance systems work only when the engine is running. These systems can significantly improve active driving  
safety.  
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)  
ESC helps to improve road holding and vehicle dynamics to help reduce the probability of skidding and loss of vehicle control. It works only when the engine is  
running. ESC detects certain difficult driving situations, including when the vehicle is beginning to spin (yaw) out of control. ESC then helps you to get the vehicle  
back under control by selectively braking the wheels and/or reducing engine power and by providing steering assistance to help hold the vehicle on the driver's  
intended course.  
ESC has limitations. It is important to remember that ESC cannot overcome the laws of physics. It will not always be able to help out under all conditions you may  
come up against. For example, ESC may not always be able to help you master situations where there is a sudden change in the coefficient of friction of the road  
surface. When there is a section of dry road that is suddenly covered with water, slush or snow, ESC cannot perform the same way it would on a dry surface. If the  
vehicle hydroplanes (rides on a cushion of water instead of the road surface), ESC will not be able to help you steer the vehicle because contact with the pavement  
has been interrupted and the vehicle cannot be braked or steered. During fast cornering, particularly on winding roads, ESC cannot always deal as effectively with  
difficult driving situations as it can at lower speeds. When towing a trailer, ESC is not able to help you regain control as it would if you were not towing a trailer.  
Always adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic, and weather conditions. ESC cannot override the vehicle's physical limits, increase the available  
traction, or keep a vehicle on the road if road departure is a result of driver inattention. Instead, ESC improves the possibility of keeping the vehicle under control  
and on the road during extreme maneuvers by using the driver's steering inputs to help keep the vehicle going in the intended direction. If you are traveling at a  
speed that causes you to run off the road before ESC can provide any assistance, you may not experience the benefits of ESC.  
ESC includes and/or works together with the ABS, BAS, ASR, EDL, and XDL systems (see below). ESC is switched on all the time.  
In certain situations when you need less traction or additional traction cannot be achieved, you can switch off Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) in the Infotainment system  
by pressing the  
button followed by the Vehicle,  
, and ESC system function keys Infotainment system operation and displays ꢀ.  
Golf GTI and Golf R only: If the vehicle is equipped with a  
button in the lower center console Fig. 158ꢀ, ASR can also be switched off by pressing the button.  
ESC Sport mode can also be switched on via this button Switching Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and ESC Sport mode on and off ꢀ.  
Golf R only: ESC can be switched off via the button in the lower center console or in the Infotainment system by pressing the  
button, followed by the Vehic  
, and ESC system function keys Infotainment system operation and displays ꢀ.  
Be sure to switch ASR on again when you no longer need less traction.  
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)  
ABS helps to keep the wheels from locking up and helps to maintain the driver's ability to steer and control the vehicle. This means the vehicle is less likely to skid,  
even during hard braking:  
Push the brake pedal down hard and hold it there. Don't take your foot off the pedal or reduce the force on the pedal!  
Do not pump the brake pedal or let up on it!  
Steer the vehicle while pushing down hard on the brake pedal.  
ABS stops working if you release or let up on the brake.  
When ABS is doing its job, you will notice a slight vibration through the brake pedal and hear a noise. ABS cannot shorten the stopping distance under all  
222  
conditions. The stopping distance may even be longer, for instance, when driving on gravel or on newly fallen snow covering an icy or slippery surface.  
Brake Assist (BAS)  
The Brake Assist System can help to reduce stopping distances. If you press the brake pedal very quickly, BAS detects an emergency situation. It then very quickly  
builds up full brake system pressure, maximizing braking power and reducing the stopping distance. This way, ABS can be activated more quickly and efficiently.  
Do not reduce pressure on the brake pedal! BAS switches off automatically as soon as you release or let up on the brake.  
Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)  
ASR reduces engine power directed to spinning wheels and adjusts power to the road conditions. Even under poor road conditions, ASR can make it easier to get  
moving, accelerate, and climb hills.  
ASR can be switched on and off manually Switching Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and ESC Sport mode on and off ꢀ.  
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL and XDL)  
EDL is applied during regular straight-line acceleration. EDL gently brakes a drive wheel that has lost traction (spinning) and redirects the drive force to other drive  
wheels. In extreme cases, EDL automatically switches off to keep the brake from overheating. As soon as the brake has cooled down, EDL automatically switches  
on again.  
XDL is an extension of the Electronic Differential Lock system. XDL does not react to drive wheel slippage when driving straight ahead. Instead, XDL detects  
slippage of the inside front wheel during fast cornering. XDL applies enough brake pressure to this wheel in order to stop the slippage. This improves traction, which  
helps the vehicle stay on track.  
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System  
In the event of an accident, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System can help the driver to reduce the risk of skidding and the danger of secondary collisions  
through automatic braking.  
The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System only functions in frontal, side, and rear collisions if the airbag control unit registers the corresponding triggering  
threshold during the accident, and the accident occurs at a speed greater than 6 mph (10 km/h).  
The ESC brakes the vehicle automatically, provided that the hydraulic braking system, the ESC, and the electrical system are undamaged and remain functional.  
The following actions override automatic braking in the event of an accident:  
When the driver depresses the accelerator. No automatic braking occurs.  
When the brake pressure transmitted through the depressed brake pedal is greater than the brake pressure provided by the system. The vehicle is braked  
manually.  
WARNING  
Driving fast on icy, slippery, or wet roads can lead to a loss of control and result in serious personal injury for you and your passengers.  
Always adjust your speed and driving style to road, traffic, weather, and visibility conditions. Never let the additional safety that ESC, ABS, BAS, ASR, and  
EDL can provide tempt you into taking extra risks.  
Braking assistance systems cannot overcome the laws of physics and always prevent loss of vehicle control. Slippery and wet roads are still dangerous  
even with ESC and the other systems!  
Driving too fast on wet roads can cause the wheels to lose contact with the road and hydroplane. A vehicle that has lost road contact cannot be braked,  
steered, or controlled.  
These systems cannot reduce the risk of accident, for example if you drive too fast for conditions or if you do not keep your distance from the vehicle in  
front of you.  
Although these systems are very effective and can help you control the vehicle in many difficult situations, always remember that vehicle handling and  
control is limited by tire traction.  
When accelerating on a slippery surface, for example on ice and snow, depress the accelerator carefully. Even with these systems, the wheels may start to  
spin, leading to a loss of vehicle control.  
WARNING  
The effectiveness of ESC can be significantly reduced if other components and systems that affect vehicle dynamics, including but not limited to brakes, tires,  
and other systems mentioned above, are not properly maintained or functioning.  
Always remember that vehicle alterations or modifications can affect the functioning of the ABS, BAS, ASR, EDL, and ESC systems.  
Changing the vehicle suspension or using an unapproved tire/wheel combination can change the way the ABS, BAS, ASR, EDL, and ESC systems work  
and reduce their effectiveness.  
The effectiveness of ESC is also determined by the tires fitted Important information on tires and wheelsꢀ.  
223  
WARNING  
Driving without braking assistance systems can greatly lengthen the distance necessary to completely stop the vehicle, which can lead to a loss of control and  
result in serious personal injury for you and your passengers.  
Never let the vehicle coast when the engine is switched off.  
When the braking assistance systems are not functioning or when the vehicle is being towed, the brake must be depressed harder because the braking  
distance is greater.  
All 4 wheels must be equipped with identical tires in order for ESC and ASR to work properly. Differences in the tread circumference of the tires can cause the  
system to reduce the engine power when it is not expected.  
If ABS is not working, ESC, ASR, and EDL will also not work.  
You may hear noises when these systems are active. This is normal and no cause for concern.  
Switching Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and ESC Sport mode on and off  
Fig. 158 In the center console: Button for switching ASR or ESC Sport mode on and off manually (if equipped).  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) only works when the engine is running. This system includes ABS, EDL and ASR.  
When ASR is switched off, a driver information message appears in the instrument cluster display and the  
indicator light in the instrument cluster lights up  
Warning and indicator lightsꢀ. Switch off ASR only in situations where there is not enough traction, such as the following:  
When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces.  
When rocking the vehicle back and forth when you are stuck.  
Afterward, activate ASR again.  
Switching ASR on and off  
You can switch ASR off and on in the Infotainment system by pressing the  
button followed by the Vehicle,  
, and ESC system function keys  
Infotainment system operation and displays ꢀ.  
OR: If the vehicle is equipped with a  
button in the lower center console Fig. 158ꢀ, ASR can be switched off by pressing the button when the ignition is on.  
Press the button again to switch ASR back on.  
When ASR is switched off, a driver information message appears in the instrument cluster display and the  
indicator light in the instrument cluster lights up  
Warning and indicator lightsꢀ.  
Switching ESC Sport on and off (Golf GTI and Golf R)  
Depending on the vehicle model, when switching off the ASR, the ESC can also be switched off or the ESC sport mode (ESC Sport) can be switched on.  
The brake intervention functions of ESC are limited when ESC Sport is switched on. It can be switched on and off by pressing the button Fig. 158ꢀ.  
Golf R  
Button  
Golf GTI  
Press for about 1 second  
ASR switched off  
ASR switched off, ESC Sport switched on  
ASR and ESC switched off  
Press and hold longer than 3 seconds  
Press again  
ASR switched off, ESC Sport switched on  
ASR (with ESC) switched on  
ASR (with ESC) switched on  
You can also switch ESC Sport and ESC on and off in the Infotainment system by pressing the  
button followed by the Vehicle,  
, and ESC system function  
keys Infotainment system operation and displays ꢀ.  
224  

Popular Owner Manuals