
 
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.  

 
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.  

 
In order to Operation
Deactivate display by driving forward: Drive forward faster than about 10 mph (15 km/h). 
 
Special considerations 
 
1) Do not use Rear Assist in the following situations:
– When an incorrect or unclear image is displayed, such as when there is poor visibility or the lens is dirty. 
– If the area behind the vehicle cannot be seen clearly or completely. 
– If the rear of the vehicle is heavily loaded. 
– When the luggage compartment lid is open. 
– If the driver is not familiar with the system. 
– If the position or angle of the camera has changed, such as after a rear-end collision. Have the system checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
 
2) Examples of optical distortion by the camera
The Rear Assist camera displays only two-dimensional images. Recesses and protruding objects on the ground or protruding parts on other vehicles are difficult or impossible to identify due to the lack of depth of field. 
Objects or another vehicle may seem closer or farther away on the screen than they really are: 
– When driving from a level surface onto an upward or downward slope. 
– When driving up or down a slope onto a level surface. 
– If the rear of the vehicle is heavily loaded. 
– When approaching protruding objects. These objects can disappear from the field of view when backing up.  
Cleaning the camera lens 
Keep the camera lens clean and free of snow and ice: 
 x Engage the parking brake. 
 x Switch on the ignition. 
 x Select the reverse gear. 
 x Wet the camera lens with a commercially available alcohol-based glass cleaner and clean with a 
dry cloth ⇒ . 
 x Remove snow with a brush. 
 x Remove ice with deicer spray ⇒ . 
  NOTICE 
 x Never use abrasive cleaning agents to clean the camera lens. 
 x Never remove snow or ice on the camera lens with warm or hot water. This can damage the camera lens.  

 
  Volkswagen recommends practicing parking with Rear Assist in a safe place with little or no traffic or in a parking lot under good visibility and weather conditions in order to familiarize yourself with the system, the orientation lines and the way they work. 
  Rear Assist does not work when the luggage compartment lid is open. 
Parking 
 
Fig. 121 On the screen: Static orientation lines for the parking space behind the vehicle. 
 

 
Checklist 
For your own safety and that of your passengers, carry out the following steps in the order listed ⇒ : 
1.  Park the vehicle at a safe distance from traffic and on a suitable surface ⇒ . 
2.  Switch on emergency flashers by pressing the   switch ⇒ fig. 151. 
3.  Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving   
4.  Shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only)    
5.  Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch   
6.  Have all passengers exit and go to a safe location away from moving traffic, such as behind a guard rail. 
7.  Take all vehicle keys with you when leaving your vehicle. 
8.  Set up a warning triangle or other warning device in order to alert other motorists and cyclists. 
9.  Let the engine cool down and get expert assistance if necessary.  
If the emergency flashers are on, use the turn signal lever to indicate a direction or lane change, for example when the vehicle is being towed. This temporarily interrupts the emergency flashers. 
Switch on the emergency flashers when: 
 x Traffic suddenly slows down or stops in front of you to warn those approaching from behind. 
 x In any emergency situation. 
 x If the vehicle breaks down. 
 x When being towed. 
Always obey traffic laws that govern the use of emergency flashers where you are driving. 
If the emergency flashers are not working, a different method – as permitted by law – must be used to alert other motorists and cyclists to the breakdown. 
  WARNING 
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries. 
 x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common sense.  
  WARNING 
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter get very hot. They can cause fires and serious personal injury. 
 x Never park where parts of the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite flammable materials, such as dry grass, brush, leaves, spilled fuel, etc. 
  The vehicle battery will be drained if the emergency flashers are on for a long time – even if the ignition is switched off.