2017-2020 Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Driving -> Manual and automatic transmission User Manual
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Driving -> Manual and automatic transmission for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Seventh Generation (2017-2020)

The driver door is opened.  
The engine hood is opened.  
Manually activating and deactivating the Start-stop system  
Press the button ⇒ Fig. 113ꢀ to deactivate the system. If Start-stop has been deactivated, the indicator light in the button comes on.  
Press the button ⇒ Fig. 113ꢀ again to reactivate the system.  
Every time the button is pressed, the Start-stop system status is shown in the instrument cluster display.  
If Start-stop switches the engine off, it will restart if you press the  
Always manually deactivate Start-stop when driving through water.  
button.  
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.  
Never remove the key from the ignition switch or turn off the ignition with the starter button while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a stop. The electronic  
steering column could suddenly lock, you would not be able to steer, and you could lose control of the vehicle, crash, and seriously injure yourself and  
others.  
Switch the Start-stop system off before working in the engine compartment.  
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.  
NOTE  
The vehicle battery may be damaged if the Start-stop system is active for a long time in very hot outside temperatures.  
NOTE  
Failure to heed warning lights can result in vehicle damage  
In certain situations it may be necessary to manually restart the engine. A text message will appear in the instrument cluster display.  
In vehicles with Driving Mode Selection, the Start-stop system is automatically activated in the Eco driving mode.  
Always manually deactivate the Start-stop system when driving through water or when towing a trailer.  
Golf R: The Start-stop system switches off automatically if the Race driving mode is selected, if the Custom, Drive system: Sport driving mode is selected  
⇒ Driving Mode Selectionꢀ, or if the selector lever is shifted to Sport mode (S).  
Manual and automatic transmission  
Introduction to the subject  
In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:  
⇒ Warning and indicator lightsꢀ  
⇒ Manual transmission gearshift leverꢀ  
⇒ Automatic transmission selector leverꢀ  
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⇒ Gear recommendationꢀ  
⇒ Shifting with Tiptronic®ꢀ  
⇒ Driving with automatic transmissionꢀ  
⇒ Automatic transmission malfunctionꢀ  
⇒ Emergency release for the selector lever lock ꢀ  
Explanatory notes in this section regarding automatic transmissions also apply to the DSG ® automated transmission.  
Your vehicle may be equipped with a special DSG ® automated transmission that combines the performance and economy of a standard manual transmission with  
the comfort and convenience of a conventional automatic transmission. The DSG transmission housing contains two clutches, one that works with the odd-  
numbered gears (1, 3, 5 and R) and the other that works with the even-numbered gears (2, 4, 6). The dual clutch configuration enables rapid shifts between gears  
without loss of traction as the dual clutch seamlessly transfers the engine power from one driveshaft to the other during gear shifts. An output shaft for each of the  
two gearbox units transmits the drive to the driven wheels via a differential. The DSG electronic control unit, sensors, and hydraulic control for clutch engagement  
and gear selection form one compact weight-saving unit.  
Thanks to the dual-clutch design, the DSG system is more efficient than a conventional automatic transmission. For example, while idling, a torque converter in a  
conventional automatic transmission is engaged all the time (increasing load and engine fuel consumption), while the DSG gradually opens the clutch, allowing the  
engine to idle freely. In most cases, this efficiency combined with its low weight and intelligent control means that DSG can achieve the same or better fuel  
consumption than a manual transmission. The clutches, like the clutch in a standard manual transmission are subject to wear over time. The DSG transmission  
requires periodic maintenance that is described in the ,ChapterWarranty and Maintenance.  
Warning and indicator lights  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
Lights up  
Possible cause  
Proper response  
Do not continue driving!  
Allow the manual or automatic transmission to cool. For automatic  
transmissions, shift the selector lever to the P position.  
Transmission malfunction or transmission overheating.  
If the warning does not turn off, do not continue driving. See your authorized  
Volkswagen dealer for assistance. Otherwise, serious clutch or transmission  
damage could result ⇒ Automatic transmission malfunctionꢀ.  
Manual transmission: Clutch does not transfer all of the engine  
torque.  
Remove your foot from the clutch pedal, if necessary.  
Depress the brake pedal to select a drive gear ⇒ Pedalsꢀ. Also refer to electronic  
parking brake ⇒ Parking brakeꢀ.  
Brake pedal not depressed.  
Flashes  
Possible cause  
Proper response  
The release button in the selector lever did not engage. Vehicle Engage the selector lever release button ⇒ Automatic transmission selector  
movement is prevented. leverꢀ.  
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.  
160  
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.  
NOTE  
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.  
Manual transmission gearshift lever  
Fig. 114 Gearshift pattern of a 5-speed manual transmission.  
Fig. 115 Gearshift pattern of a 6-speed manual transmission.  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
The positions of the individual gears are shown on the gearshift lever ⇒ Fig. 114ꢀ or ⇒ Fig. 115ꢀ.  
Depress the clutch pedal all the way and hold.  
Move the gearshift lever into the desired position ⇒ ꢀ.  
Release the clutch pedal to engage the gear.  
The clutch pedal must be fully depressed to start the engine.  
Shifting into reverse  
Only shift to the reverse gear when the vehicle is not moving.  
Depress the clutch pedal fully and hold ⇒ ꢀ.  
Move the gearshift lever to neutral and press down.  
Move the shift lever to the left and then push forward into the reverse gear position ⇒ Fig. 114Ⓡꢀ or ⇒ Fig. 115Ⓡꢀ.  
Release the clutch pedal to engage the gear.  
Downshifting  
You should always downshift gear by gear when driving, meaning always into the next lowest gear. Do not downshift when the engine rpm (revolutions per minute)  
is too high ⇒ ꢀ. At fast speeds or high engine rpm, skipping over one or more gears when downshifting can cause damage to the clutch and transmission, even if  
gear is not engaged ⇒ ꢀ.  
WARNING  
Downshifting to a lower gear incorrectly can result in loss of vehicle control and can cause accidents and serious personal injuries.  
WARNING  
When the engine is running and a gear is engaged, the vehicle will start to move as soon as the clutch pedal is released. This also applies when the parking  
brake is engaged.  
Never shift into Reverse (R) when the vehicle is moving.  
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NOTE  
Shifting down to a gear that is too low when driving at fast speeds or high engine rpm can cause extensive damage to the clutch and transmission. That is  
true even if the clutch pedal is pressed so that the clutch is not engaged.  
NOTE  
To help prevent damage and premature wear:  
Do not rest your hand on the gearshift lever while driving. Over time, the pressure will cause premature wear in the transmission.  
Make sure that the vehicle has come to a complete stop before shifting into Reverse (R).  
Always depress the clutch pedal all the way when changing gears.  
Do not hold the vehicle on a hill using engine power with the clutch pedal partially engaged and the engine running.  
Automatic transmission selector lever  
Fig. 116 Automatic transmission selector lever with shift lever release button (arrow).  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
Automatic transmission vehicles have an Automatic Shift Lock (ASL). With ASL, you must switch on the ignition, depress the brake pedal and hold it down while  
pressing the release button on the selector lever handle in the direction of the arrow ⇒ Fig. 116ꢀ to move the selector lever out of Park (P) and into a drive gear.  
When the selector lever is in Neutral (N), you also have to depress the brake pedal before you can move the selector lever to position (D/S), or Reverse (R).  
If the ignition is switched on, either the current selector lever setting or the current gear is shown in the instrument cluster display.  
Selector lever  
Designation  
Meaning ⇒  
ꢀ
position  
The drive wheels are mechanically locked.  
Park  
Select only when the vehicle is not moving. To change the selector lever position, switch on the  
ignition (if it is off) and then press the selector lever release button while holding down the brake  
pedal.  
The Reverse gear is engaged.  
Reverse  
Neutral  
Shift into Reverse only when the vehicle is not moving.  
Transmission is in Neutral position. No power is transmitted to the wheels and no engine braking is  
available.  
Standard driving position D:  
All forward gears shift up and down automatically. The transmission shifts as needed depending on  
engine load, individual driving style, and vehicle speed.  
Drive (standard driving position)  
162  
Selector lever  
position  
Designation  
Meaning ⇒  
ꢀ
OR  
Sport driving position S:  
/
Sport drive (sport driving  
All forward gears automatically upshift later and downshift earlier than in position D to take full  
advantage of the engine's power reserves. The transmission shifts as needed depending on engine  
load, individual driving style, and vehicle speed. The system will not, however, switch to the highest  
forward gear.  
position)  
The timing of the gear shift is determined by the engine load, your individual driving style, and the  
vehicle speed.  
Switch between Drive (D) and Sport drive (S) by pulling the selector lever once to the rear from gear  
position D/S⇒ Fig. 116ꢀ. The selector lever always returns to gear position D/S.  
Changing gear selection  
It is possible to access Tiptronic selection from gear position D/S when either Drive (D) or Sport drive  
(S) is active ⇒ Shifting with Tiptronic®ꢀ.  
Automatic Shift Lock (ASL)  
The Automatic Shift Lock (ASL) in Park (P) and Neutral (N) prevents drive positions from being engaged inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle to move.  
To release the ASL, depress and hold the brake pedal with the ignition switched on. Press the release button on the selector lever at the same time.  
The ASL is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly through Neutral (N) (e.g., when shifting from Reverse (R) to Drive (D/S)). This makes it possible to  
rock the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The ASL engages automatically if the brake pedal is not depressed and the lever is in Neutral  
(N) for more than about 1 second and the vehicle is traveling no faster than about 3 mph (5 km/h).  
In rare cases, the ASL may not engage on vehicles with a DSG ® automated transmission. If this happens, power to the drive wheels will be interrupted to prevent t  
vehicle from moving unexpectedly. The green indicator light  
will blink and a text message will be displayed. To engage the Automatic Shift Lock (ASL):  
Depress and then release the brake pedal. Try to engage the ASL again.  
WARNING  
Moving the selector lever to the wrong position can cause loss of vehicle control, a collision, and serious personal injury.  
Never accelerate when moving the selector lever.  
When the engine is running and a drive position is engaged, the vehicle will start to move as soon as the brake pedal is released.  
Never shift into Reverse (R) or Park (P) when the vehicle is moving.  
WARNING  
Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury.  
Never get out of the driver's seat while the engine is running, especially when the transmission is in a drive gear. If you must leave your vehicle while the  
engine is running, always set the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P).  
Never leave the vehicle in Neutral (N). It will roll down hills, whether the engine is running or not.  
When the engine is running and a drive gear - Drive or Sport Drive (D/S) or Reverse (R) - has been selected, press and hold the brake pedal to keep the  
vehicle from moving. The vehicle may creep and move forward or backward even if the engine is idling slowly.  
Never shift into Reverse (R) or Park (P) when the vehicle is moving.  
NOTE  
Even though the transmission is in Park (P), the vehicle may move a couple of inches (a few centimeters) forwards or backwards if you take your foot off the  
brake pedal after stopping the vehicle without first setting the parking brake.  
If the selector lever is moved into Neutral (N) by mistake when the vehicle is moving, take your foot off the accelerator pedal. Wait until the engine speed has  
163  
dropped to idle speed before moving the selector lever into a drive gear.  
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 12 Volt vehicle battery.  
Gear recommendation  
Fig. 117 In the instrument cluster display: Gear recommendation.  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
Your vehicle may be equipped with a gear recommendation feature. The gear recommendation displays a gear in the instrument cluster display that can help  
reduce fuel consumption.  
For vehicles with an automatic transmission: The selector lever must be in the Tiptronic position ⇒ Shifting with Tiptronic®ꢀ.  
Key to ⇒ Fig. 117ꢀ:  
Current gear.  
Recommended gear.  
If the optimal gear is already selected, another gear is not recommended . Only the current gear is displayed.  
WARNING  
The gear recommendation is only intended to assist the driver to select a gear for optimum fuel economy. The gear recommendation cannot take road and  
traffic conditions into account.  
The driver is responsible for selecting the correct gear for the current driving conditions, such as when passing, when driving on hills, or when towing a  
trailer.  
Selecting the optimal gear helps to reduce fuel consumption.  
The gear recommendation display turns off if you depress the clutch pedal (manual transmission) or move the selector lever out of the Tiptronic position  
(automatic transmission).  
Shifting with Tiptronic®  
Fig. 118 Selector lever in Tiptronic position.  
Fig. 119 Steering wheel with Tiptronic shift paddles (if equipped).  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
Tiptronic lets you upshift and downshift manually with the automatic transmission. When Tiptronic mode is used, the transmission stays in the current gear and doe  
164  
not upshift or downshift automatically unless the transmission senses a situation where upshifting or downshifting is necessary to keep the engine from over- or  
under-revving.  
Using Tiptronic with the selector lever  
Push the selector lever sideways to the right from the D/S position into the Tiptronic position ⇒ ꢀ.  
Briefly push the selector lever forward ⊕ to upshift into a higher gear or backward ㊀ to downshift into a lower gear ⇒ Fig. 118ꢀ.  
Using Tiptronic with the shift paddles behind the steering wheel (if equipped)  
The paddles ⇒ Fig. 119ꢀ (arrows) work when the selector lever is in the Tiptronic position or when the selector lever is in Drive or Sport Drive (D/S). You do  
not have to move the selector lever over to the right into the Tiptronic position.  
To upshift, pull the paddle on the right  
+ toward you.  
To downshift, pull the paddle on the left – toward you.  
To switch off Tiptronic mode, pull the paddle on the right  
+ toward you and hold it there for about 1 second.  
Tiptronic will switch off automatically if the shift paddles have not been used for a while and the selector lever is not in the Tiptronic position.  
NOTE  
During acceleration, the transmission will shift automatically into the next higher gear before reaching maximum engine speed (rpm).  
If you use Tiptronic to shift into a lower gear, the transmission will downshift only when doing so will not over-rev the engine.  
Driving with automatic transmission  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
All forward gears shift up and down automatically.  
Driving on hills  
The steeper the slope, the lower the gear that must be selected. Lower gears increase the braking effect of the engine. Never coast downhill in Neutral (N).  
Reduce speed.  
Switch to Tiptronic mode by moving the selector lever from Drive or Sport Drive (D/S) to the right into the Tiptronic position ⇒ Shifting with Tiptronic®ꢀ.  
Downshift by pulling the selector lever back briefly (-).  
OR: Downshift using the paddles on the steering wheel ⇒ Using Tiptronic with the shift paddles behind the steering wheel (if equipped) ꢀ.  
Vehicles with Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold): If you stop and start up again when going uphill, the Hill Start Assist feature can help prevent the vehicle from rolling  
backwards as long as the engine is running ⇒ Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold) ꢀ.  
Vehicles without Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold): If you stop on a hill with the vehicle in gear, you must depress the brake pedal or engage the parking brake to keep the  
vehicle from rolling. Do not release the brake pedal or the parking brake until the vehicle has started to move forward ⇒ ꢀ.  
Coasting with DSG® automated transmission  
In coasting mode, the momentum of the vehicle can be used to help save fuel. The clutch opens and the engine no longer brakes the vehicle, so the vehicle can  
coast over a longer distance. You can only use this feature at speeds between about 12–80 mph (20–130 km/h).  
The selector lever must be in position D/S.  
Starting coasting mode:  
Select the Eco driving mode from the driving mode selection menu ⇒ Driving Mode Selectionꢀ.  
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. The engine is disengaged and runs in coasting mode. The vehicle rolls without the braking effect of the engine.  
Cancelling coasting mode:  
Press the brake pedal briefly or pull the left-hand shift paddle – toward the steering wheel.  
Kick-down acceleration  
The kick-down feature permits maximum acceleration when the selector lever is in the Drive or Sport Drive (D/S) position or in Tiptronic mode.  
If you push the accelerator all the way down, the vehicle will automatically downshift, depending on vehicle speed and engine speed (rpm). This feature lets you  
take advantage of the full acceleration capacity of the vehicle ⇒ ꢀ.  
With kick-down acceleration, the transmission will stay in the current gear longer and not upshift until the engine reaches maximum rpm.  
Launch control program  
165  
The launch control program lets you take advantage of maximum acceleration from a standstill.  
Switch off Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR). Golf R only: Switch off Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ⇒ Braking assistance  
systemsꢀ.  
Firmly depress and hold the brake pedal with your left foot.  
Make sure your steering wheel is straight and the front wheels are pointing straight ahead.  
Move the selector lever into Sport Drive (S) or the Tiptronic position. For vehicles with Driving Mode Selection, select the Sport or Race driving mode  
⇒ Driving Mode Selectionꢀ.  
With your right foot, depress the accelerator pedal all the way. The engine speed automatically increases to about 3200 rpm (Golf GTI) or 4000 rpm (Golf R)  
and stays there.  
Remove your left foot from the brake ⇒ ꢀ. The vehicle will accelerate from a stop at the maximum rate.  
Once you have accelerated, switch ASR back on again!  
WARNING  
Rapid acceleration can cause skidding and loss of traction, especially on slippery roads, resulting in a loss of vehicle control, collisions, and serious personal  
injury.  
Only use the kick-down feature, Launch Control Program, or fast acceleration if visibility, weather, road, and traffic conditions permit and other drivers will  
not be endangered by your driving and the vehicle's acceleration.  
Always adapt your driving to the traffic flow.  
Note that the drive wheels can spin and the vehicle can swerve when ASR is switched off, especially when the road is slippery.  
Once you have accelerated, switch ASR back on again.  
NOTE  
When stopping on hills with the transmission in a drive gear, do not use the accelerator to help prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards. This can cause  
the automatic transmission to overheat and be damaged.  
Never let the vehicle coast or roll down a hill in Neutral (N), especially when the engine is not running. The transmission will not be lubricated and will be  
damaged.  
Launch Control acceleration uses the maximum acceleration capability of the vehicle but places significant loads on the drive train and related parts. If you  
do use the Launch Control feature, do not use it regularly or often to help prevent unnecessary wear on the vehicle and its systems.  
Automatic transmission malfunction  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
Emergency shift program  
If all selector lever position indicators in the instrument cluster display are highlighted against a bright background, there is a system malfunction. The automatic  
transmission or the DSG® automated transmission will then operate in the emergency shift program. The emergency shift program lets you drive the vehicle, but at  
reduced speed and without being able to use all of the forward gears.  
In some cases, vehicles with a DSG ® automated transmission may not be able to shift into reverse . It is then impossible to drive the vehicle backwards.  
In any event, have the automatic transmission checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
Overheating of the DSG® automated transmission  
The DSG transmission may overheat, for example, due to frequent starts, extended creeping, or stop-and-go traffic. Overheating is indicated by the warning light  
and, if applicable, by a text message in the instrument cluster. An additional warning chime may sound. Stop and let the transmission cool down ⇒ ꢀ.  
The vehicle does not move forward or in reverse even though a drive position is selected with the selector lever  
If the vehicle does not move in the desired direction, the system may not have engaged the drive position correctly. Press the brake pedal and select the drive  
position again.  
If the vehicle still does not move in the desired direction, there is a system malfunction. See your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service  
Facility for assistance to have the system checked.  
NOTE  
As soon as you get any of these warnings about transmission overheating, you must either park the vehicle in a safe place or drive faster than 12 mph  
(20 km/h).  
If the text message and acoustic warning repeat themselves every 10 seconds or so, you must park the vehicle in a safe place as soon as you can safely  
do so and stop the engine. Let the transmission cool down.  
166  
To help prevent damage to the transmission, do not drive the vehicle again until the acoustic warning has stopped. As long as the engine is overheated,  
avoid stop and start driving and avoid low speeds (walking pace).  
Emergency release for the selector lever lock  
Fig. 120 Removing the selector gate cover.  
Fig. 121 Releasing the selector lever lock (versions and ).  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
If the power supply fails (due to a dead vehicle battery, for example) and the vehicle has to be pushed or towed, the emergency release must be used to move the  
selector lever to Neutral (N). You will need the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit to release the selector lever ⇒ Vehicle tool kitꢀ.  
The emergency release is located under the selector gate cover on the right side when viewed in the driving direction.  
Preparations  
Set the parking brake. If the parking brake cannot be set, you must find another way to help prevent the vehicle from moving.  
Switch off the ignition.  
Removing the selector gate cover  
Open the storage compartment in front of the selector lever ⇒ Storage compartment in the front center consoleꢀ.  
Using your hands, pull upward on the front of the selector lever cover to release it, then pull the selector lever sleeve upward ⇒ Fig. 120ꢀ.  
Slip the cover up and over the selector lever ⇒ ꢀ.  
Emergency release for the selector lever (version A)  
With the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit, carefully push the colored release lever ⇒ Fig. 121ꢀ in the direction of the arrow and hold it in this position.  
Press the release button in the selector lever handle and shift the selector lever to Neutral (N).  
Carefully press the selector gate cover back in place, making sure that the electrical wiring stays in the correct position and is not pinched or damaged.  
Emergency release for the selector lever (version B)  
Using the flat blade of the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit, carefully push down on the middle of the colored release lever ⇒ Fig. 121ꢀ in the direction of  
the arrow and hold it in this position.  
Press the release button in the selector lever handle and shift the selector lever to Neutral (N).  
Carefully press the selector gate cover back in place, making sure that the electrical wiring stays in the correct position and is not pinched or damaged.  
WARNING  
Never shift the transmission out of Park (P) without first firmly applying the parking brake. Otherwise, the vehicle can start to roll unexpectedly, especially on  
hills or inclines, and cause an accident and serious injuries.  
NOTE  
Even with the selector lever is in Neutral (N), the automatic transmission will be damaged if the vehicle is towed (or you let it coast) for an extended period or  
at high speed with the engine shut off.  
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