2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI sensor

Unlocking or locking vehicles with Keyless Access

Fig. 26 Ranges of the Keyless Access locking and starting system. Outside the vehicle: Unlocking range.
Inside the vehicle: Starting range.

Fig. 27 Keyless Access locking and starting system: Sensor for unlocking A on the inside of the front door
handles. Sensor for locking B on the outside of the front door handles.

All turn signals flash twice to confirm that the vehicle has been unlocked and once to confirm that it
has been locked.
If the vehicle was unlocked and within the next few seconds neither a door nor the rear hatch has
been opened, the vehicle is automatically locked again.
Unlocking and opening doors (Keyless Entry)
x Grasp the door handle of the driver or front passenger door so that you touch the unlocking sensor
surface (A).
x Open the door.
Closing and locking doors (Keyless Exit)
x Switch the ignition off.
x Close the driver door.
x Touch the sensor surface in the door handle on the driver or front passenger door (B). The vehicle
is locked. The door being locked must be closed.
Unlocking and locking the rear hatch
If the vehicle is locked and a valid remote control vehicle key is within range ⇒ fig. 26 of the rear hatch,
it unlocks automatically when opened.
x Open and close the rear hatch as you would a standard rear hatch
The rear hatch locks automatically when it is closed except in the following situations:
x The vehicle is completely unlocked.
x When an authorized remote control vehicle key is inside the vehicle.
Locking with a second vehicle key
If a remote control vehicle key is inside the passenger compartment, the vehicle can be locked from
the outside only if a second valid remote control vehicle key is within range.
When the vehicle is locked from the outside, the keyless go (starting) function of any keys left in the
passenger compartment will be deactivated. All other functions (remote central locking and unlocking
as well as emergency starting) remain active and unchanged.
A key that was inside the vehicle when it was locked from the outside is reactivated:
x by pressing a button on the deactivated key.
x by pressing a door handle sensor when the deactivated key is outside of the vehicle, but within
range.
x by starting the engine with the starter button.
Automatic deactivation of sensors
If the vehicle has not been unlocked or locked for a longer period of time, the proximity sensors in the
passenger door are automatically deactivated.
If a sensor on the door handle of a locked vehicle is activated too often, for instance by a bush or
hedge that rubs against the vehicle, the sensors in the door handle on that side of the vehicle are
switched off for a short time.
The door handle sensors become active again if one of the following events occurs:
x A short time has passed.
x OR: The vehicle is unlocked using the 1 button in the remote control vehicle key.
x OR: The rear hatch is opened.
x OR: The vehicle is mechanically unlocked with the vehicle key.

Convenience features
To use the convenience closing feature to close all power windows, hold your finger on the lock sensor
surface on the outside of the door handle for a few seconds until the windows close.
Remove your finger from the lock sensor surface ⇒ fig. 27 (B) to stop the function. If you touch the
unlock sensor surface (A) on the inside of the door handle immediately after releasing the lock sensor
surface (B) (arrow), all of the windows will open (safety function).
Pinch protection is active during convenience closing of the windows.
The settings in the Settings – Convenience menu .21 determine which doors open when the
door handle unlocking surface is grasped.
NOTICE
The door handle sensor surfaces can be activated by a strong stream of water or steam if a
valid vehicle key is within range of the vehicle.
x All windows may open if you turn the spray of water or steam away from and then back onto
the door handle sensor surface in quick succession. If at least one power window is opened
and the sensor is continuously activated, convenience closing is started.
The door may not open if the outside and inside door handles are used at the same time.
If the vehicle battery or the battery in the remote control vehicle key is weak or dead, it might not
be possible to unlock and lock the vehicle using Keyless Access. The vehicle can still be manually
locked or unlocked with the key bit
The driver message Key not in range appears in the instrument cluster display if there is no
remote control vehicle key inside the vehicle or if the system does not recognize the remote control
vehicle key. The key may not be recognized, for example, if it is covered by something that interferes
with the signal (such as a briefcase), or if the remote control vehicle key battery is weak. Electronic
devices such as cell phones can also interfere with the signal.
Dirt on the door handles that contains a lot of salt (especially in winter) can affect the way the
door handle sensors work. Cleaning the door handles can help with this problem
If the automatic transmission is not in Park (P) position, the electronic steering column lock will
not lock and the vehicle will not lock via sensors in the front door handles or the remote control vehicle
key.
Anti-theft alarm system

x Vehicles with Keyless Access: hold your finger on the lock sensor surface on the outside of the
door handle for a few seconds until the windows and power sunroof close
Convenience closing first closes the windows and then the power sunroof.
WARNING
Improper use of power windows can result in serious personal injury.
x Never let anyone get in the way of a power window when closing it.
x When locking the vehicle from the outside, make sure that no one, especially children,
remains in the vehicle. The windows will not open in case of an emergency.
x Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. You can still use the power
windows for several minutes after the ignition is switched off as long as the driver or front
passenger door has not been opened.
x Always use the safety switch when children are in the back seat to disable the rear power
windows and keep them from being opened and closed.
If the power windows malfunction, the one-touch feature, as well as pinch protection may not
work properly. See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility right
away.
If convenience closing of the power windows from the outside requires removing the cover cap of
the lock cylinder on the driver door, the cover cap must be reinstalled after the vehicle is locked .291.

The auto-dimming feature can be switched on and off with the switch on the inside mirror (2) A or (2)
B. When auto-dimming is activated, the indicator light (1) is on.
If the ignition is switched on, the sensor (3) automatically darkens the inside mirror depending on the
amount of light shining into the vehicle from the rear.
The auto-dimming feature is deactivated when you shift the transmission into reverse or switch on the
interior lights or the reading light.
Do not attach external navigation devices to the windshield or in the vicinity of the auto-dimming inside
mirror ⇒ .
WARNING
The illuminated display on an external navigation device can cause the auto-dimming inside
mirror to malfunction, which can result in crashes and serious injuries.
x Malfunctions in the auto-dimming function can result in the inside mirror being unable to
evaluate the exact distance of vehicles in the rear or other objects.
If the light striking the sensor is filtered or blocked (such as by a sunshade), the auto-dimming
inside mirror will not work properly or may not work at all.
Outside mirrors

Fig. 96 In the driver door: Adjusting knob for the outside mirrors.

To help make it more difficult to steal your vehicle, you should always make sure the steering column
is locked before leaving the vehicle.
Electronic steering column lock
Vehicles with Keyless Access: The steering column is locked if the driver door is opened with the
ignition switched off. The vehicle must be standing still and the transmission must be in Park (P) on an
automatic transmission vehicle.
If the driver door is opened before the ignition is switched off, the electronic steering column lock is
activated only after the vehicle has been locked with the vehicle key or via the sensor in the door
handle.
Mechanical steering column lock
Vehicles without Keyless Access: The steering column is locked if the vehicle is stationary and the
vehicle key is removed from the ignition switch.

Engaging the steering column
lock
Disengaging the steering column
lock
Parking the vehicle Turn the steering wheel slightly to
take pressure off the steering
column lock.
Remove the vehicle key. Insert the vehicle key into the
ignition switch.
Turn the steering wheel slightly until
you hear the steering column lock
engage.
Hold the steering wheel in this
position and turn the ignition switch.

Power steering
Power steering automatically adjusts to driving speed, steering torque, and the steering angle of the
wheels. Power steering works only when the engine is running.
If power steering is reduced or lost completely, it will be much harder to steer and control the vehicle.
Counter-steering assistance
Counter-steering assistance is part of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This feature makes it easier
for the driver to control the vehicle in difficult situations. For example, if you have to brake hard on a
surface that provides uneven traction, the vehicle could pull to the right or left. ESC detects this
situation and helps the driver counter-steer with additional steering power ⇒ .
WARNING
The counter-steering assistance in ESC can do no more than help the driver steer in difficult
situations. The driver must still control the vehicle. The vehicle does not steer by itself with
this feature!
NOTICE
If the ignition is off, the steering column lock will engage and the vehicle cannot be steered.
For this reason, you must leave the ignition on when going through an automatic car wash, for
example, so that the wheels will still steer.