2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI Owners Manual

WARNING
Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury.
x 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).
x Never leave the vehicle in Neutral (N). It will roll down hills, whether the engine is running or not.
x When the engine is running and a drive gear - Drive (D), Sport Drive (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.
x Never shift into Reverse (R) or Park (P) when the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE
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 dropped to idle speed before moving the selector lever into a drive gear.
Shifting with Tiptronic®

Fig. 128 Selector lever in Tiptronic position.

Fig. 129 Steering wheel with Tiptronic shift paddles (if equipped).

Driving on hills
The steeper the grade, the lower the gear that must be selected. Lower gears increase the braking effect of the engine. Never coast downhill in Neutral (N).
x Reduce speed.
x 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®.
x Downshift by pulling the selector lever back briefly (-).
x OR: Downshift using the paddles on the steering wheel ⇒ Using Tiptronic with the shift paddles behind the steering wheel (if equipped).
If you stop and start up again when going uphill, you should use Hill Hold ⇒ Starting assistance systems as long as the engine is running.
Vehicles without 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 ⇒ .
Kick-down acceleration
The kick-down feature permits maximum acceleration when the selector lever is in the Drive (D), Sport Drive (S), or 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 actuated, the transmission will stay in the current gear longer and not upshift until the engine reaches maximum rpm.
Launch control program
The launch control program lets you take advantage of maximum acceleration from a standstill.
x Switch off the Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) ⇒ Braking and parking.
x Depress and hold the brake pedal with your left foot.
x Move the selector lever into Sport Drive (S) or the Tiptronic position, or in vehicles with Driving
Mode Selection, select the Sport driving mode ⇒ Driving Mode Selection.
x With your right foot, depress the accelerator pedal until the engine reaches about 3200 rpm.
x Remove your left foot from the brake ⇒ . The vehicle will accelerate from a stop at the maximum rate.
x 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.
x 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.
x Always adapt your driving to the traffic flow.
x Note that the drive wheels can spin and the vehicle can swerve when ASR is switched off, especially when the road is slippery.
x Once you have accelerated, switch ASR back on again.

NOTICE
x 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.
x 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.
x 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

Gear recommendation

Fig. 130 In the instrument cluster display: Gear recommendation.

Steering

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.

Steering system information