2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI Warning lights

(F) 13.8 – 16.5 inches (350 – 420 mm)
(G) 40.9 inches (1038 mm)
WARNING
Improper or incorrect connections to the vehicle electrical system can cause malfunctions
that affect the entire vehicle electrical system and cause accidents and serious personal
injury.
x Never connect the electrical system of the trailer directly to the electrical connections of
the rear lights or other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to provide
power to the trailer.
x Have any trailer hitch retrofit or other work on a trailer hitch done by a qualified workshop.
WARNING
An improperly installed or unsuitable trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the
towing vehicle and result in a major accident with serious personal injuries.
Maximum permissible trailer weight

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
Engine preheating system
Explanatory notes in this section regarding automatic transmissions also apply to the DSG®
Direct Shift Gearbox automatic transmission.
Immobilizer display
If an unauthorized vehicle key is used or the system malfunctions, Immobilizer active! 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:
x Vehicle key set
x Shifting gears
x Braking, stopping and parking
x Steering
x Starting assistance systems
x Refueling
x Fuel
x Emergency closing and opening
x Jump-starting
x 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.
x Brake and steering assistance systems, the airbag system, safety belt pretensioners, and
other vehicle safety features only work when the engine is running.
x 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:
x 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.
x Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. The vehicle could move
suddenly or some other unexpected event could occur, resulting in property damage or
personal injury.
x 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. They can cause fires and
serious personal injury.
x 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.
x Never apply additional undercoating or rust proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or heat shields.
Indicator lights

NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Vehicle key positions in the ignition switch

Fig. 121 In the ignition switch: Vehicle key positions.

Steering
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Warning and indicator lights
Steering system information
The power steering system is not hydraulic, it is electro-mechanical. In both cases, the power steering
works only when the engine is running.
The hydraulic power steering system uses hydraulic lines, hydraulic oil, a pump, a filter, and other
parts to maintain a constant oil pressure in the hydraulic system.
The electro-mechanical power steering system automatically adjusts to driving speed, steering torque,
and the steering angle of the wheels. It delivers extra steering force only when you are actually turning
the wheels. The electro-mechanical power steering works only when the engine is running.
More information:
x Starting and stopping the engine
x Vehicle battery
x Towing
WARNING
Turning the steering wheel is very hard when the power steering system is not working. This
makes it harder to steer and control the vehicle.
x Power steering works only when the engine is running.
x Never let the vehicle coast with the engine switched off.
x 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 be unable to control the vehicle.
Warning and indicator lights

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
D
Power steering assist is reduced.
Stop, restart the engine, and drive a short
distance. If the yellow warning light does not
come on again, you do not need to have the
steering system checked.
Otherwise, have the steering checked
immediately by an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility.
Vehicle battery was disconnected and
has been reconnected.
Drive a short distance at about 10–12 mph
(15–20 km/h).


Flashes Possible cause Proper response
D Electronic steering column lock
malfunction.

Cruise Control System (CCS)
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Indicator lights
Indicator lights
Cruise control operation
The Cruise Control System (CCS) helps maintain an individually stored constant speed when driving
above about 15 mph (20 km/h).
The CCS slows down the vehicle only by reducing the flow of fuel to the engine, not by braking ⇒ .
More information:
x Shifting gears
x Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
WARNING
Using the cruise control when it is not possible to drive safely at a constant speed can be
dangerous and can lead to an accident and serious personal injuries.
x Never use cruise control when driving in heavy or varying traffic or when you cannot keep
a safe distance between you and the vehicles ahead of you.
x Never use cruise control on steep, winding, or slippery roads (such gravel roads, wet
roads, or snowy or icy roads) or on roads with standing water.
x Never use cruise control when driving off-road or on unpaved roads.
x Always adjust your speed and the distance you keep between you and the vehicles ahead
of you to the road, traffic, weather, and visibility conditions.
x To help prevent unintended operation of cruise control, switch the system off when it is
not being used.
x It is dangerous to use the Resume feature when the previously set speed is too high for
the existing road, traffic, or weather conditions.
x When going downhill, the cruise control may not be able to maintain a constant speed.
The vehicle will speed up because of its own weight. Downshift and/or use the foot brake to
slow the vehicle.
Applicable only in the United States
Indicator lights

Fig. 137 In the instrument cluster display: Cruise control status indications.

Display
Different cruise control versions are available. The stored speed is shown in the instrument cluster
display on some equipment versions.
Status fig. 138
(A) Cruise control temporarily deactivated. Stored speed in small numbers.
(B) System malfunction. See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen
Service Facility.
(C) Cruise control activated. No speed stored in memory.
(D) Cruise control is active. Stored speed in large numbers.
Indicator lights

Lights up Possible cause
% Cruise control is regulating the speed.
#25)3%

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.
x Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Cruise control operation

Fig. 139 On the left side of the steering column: Cruise control buttons and switches.