2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF overheating

WARNING
Exceeding the gross trailer weight rating and tongue weight can cause accidents and serious
personal injury.
x Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Never let the combined front and rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR).
NOTICE
Exceeding the gross weight ratings can cause extensive vehicle damage that is not covered by
any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
NOTICE
Towing a trailer of any kind with a vehicle that has a diesel engine and DSG automatic
transmission will cause overheating and expensive engine as well as other damage to your
vehicle that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. Never install a trailer
hitch on one of these vehicles.

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 and the DSG automatic
transmission will then operate in the emergency shift program. The emergency shift program lets you
drive the vehicle, but at a reduced speed and without being able to use all of the forward gears.
In some cases, vehicles with a DSG® Direct Shift Gearbox automatic 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 Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG®) automatic transmission
The DSG® automatic transmission may overheat, for example, due to frequent starts, extended
“creeping,” or stop-and-go traffic. Overheating is indicated by the warning light Á 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.
NOTICE
x 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).
x 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.
x 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”).

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 ASR by pressing the m button ⇒ fig. 134. 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:
x 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!
x Do not “pump” the brake pedal or let up on it!
x Steer the vehicle while pushing down hard on the brake pedal.
x 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 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 or off manually
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.

The catalytic converter provides exhaust gas after-treatment to help reduce pollutants in the exhaust
gas. To help ensure long service life of the exhaust system and gasoline engine catalytic converter:
x Only use unleaded fuel.
x Never completely empty the fuel tank.
x Do not exceed the correct oil level
x Do not tow the vehicle to start it, but use a jump-start instead
If you experience misfires, loss of power or the engine is not running smoothly while driving, reduce
speed immediately and have the vehicle checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility. Otherwise, gasoline could reach the exhaust system and get into the
atmosphere. The catalytic converter could also be damaged by overheating!
Under certain engine conditions, you may smell a sulfur odor. This is not an indication of a
malfunctioning emission control system. This depends upon the sulfur content of the diesel fuel.
Diesel particulate filter