2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN Owners Manual

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.
x Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, turn on the emergency flashers, stop the engine, and use other warning devices to warn ap-proaching traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Vehicle key positions in the ignition switch

Fig. 127 In the ignition switch: Vehicle key positions.

WARNING
Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious personal injury.
x Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. The engine can be started and vehicle systems such as the power windows can be operated, leading to serious personal injury.
x Never leave children, disabled persons, or anyone who cannot help themselves in the vehicle. The doors can be locked with the remote control vehicle key. This could result in people being trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. For example, depending on the time of year, people trapped in the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.
x Heat buildup in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures, particularly in summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and death, particularly to small children.
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 not be able to steer or control the vehicle.
Leaving the key in the ignition for a long time when the engine is not running will drain the vehicle battery.
Leaving the selector lever for a long period of time in any position other than Park (P) when the ignition is switched off can drain the vehicle battery.
On automatic transmission vehicles, the vehicle key can be removed from the ignition switch only when the transmission is in Park (P). You may have to press the release button on the transmis-sion selector lever to put the lever into Park (P).
Starter button

Fig. 128 In the lower center console: Starter button for the Keyless Access system.

Fig. 129 Hold the remote control vehicle key to the right of the steering column: Emergency starting feature on vehicles with Keyless Access.

WARNING
Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury.
x Do not depress the brake or clutch pedals when switching on the ignition, as the engine could otherwise start immediately.
WARNING
Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious personal injury.
x Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. Children or unauthorized per-sons may use it to lock the vehicle, start the engine, and operate vehicle systems such as the power windows, leading to serious personal injury.
x Never leave children, disabled persons, or anyone who cannot help themselves in the vehicle. The doors can be locked using the remote control vehicle key. This could result in people being trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. For example, depending on the time of year, people trapped in the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.
x Heat buildup in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures, particularly in summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and death, particularly to small children.
In vehicles with a diesel engine and Keyless Access, the engine start may be delayed if the engine has to be preheated.
If the ignition is switched on or the engine is running and the driver door is opened, a chime sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off the engine and turn off the ignition before leaving and locking the vehicle from the outside.
Starting the engine

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.
Step Vehicles without Keyless Ac-
cess
Vehicles with Keyless Access
3.
Only for vehicles with a diesel
engine: To preheat the glow
plug, turn the vehicle key to po-
sition ⇒ fig. 127 (1). The indica-
tor light D will come on in the
instrument cluster.
–
4. Turn the vehicle key to posi-
tion ⇒ fig. 127 (2) – do not de-
press the accelerator pedal.
Briefly press the starter button
⇒ fig. 128 – do not depress the
accelerator pedal. An authorized
vehicle key must be inside the
vehicle in order to start the en-
gine.
5. When the engine starts, release
the vehicle key.
When the engine starts, release
the starter button.
6. If the engine does not start,
switch off the ignition and start
again after about 1 minute.
If the engine does not start,
switch off the ignition and start
again after about 1 minute. Use
the emergency start feature if
necessary
7. Release the parking brake when you are ready to start driving

WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running, especially when it is in gear. The vehicle could move suddenly or some other unexpected event could occur, resulting in prop-erty damage, fire, or personal injury.
WARNING
“Starting fluids” can explode and can cause a “run-away” vehicle condition.
x Never use starting assist fluids.

NOTICE
x You can damage the starter or the engine if you try to start the engine when the vehicle is still moving, or if you try to restart the engine right after switching it off.
x Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle acceleration, and heavy engine loads when the en-gine is cold.
x Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle. Unburned fuel can get into the catalytic converter and damage it. The steering column may also be locked.
Do not let your vehicle warm up while standing; instead, start driving right away after making sure that you have good visibility through all windows. This will help the engine reach operating tempera-ture faster and keep down emissions.
Major consumers of electricity are temporarily switched off when the engine is being started.
After starting a cold engine, there may be increased operating noises for a few seconds. This is normal and harmless.
When outside temperatures are below +41 °F (+5 °C) and the diesel fueled preheater is activat-ed, minor fume buildup may occur underneath the vehicle.
Stopping the engine

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.
Step Vehicles without Keyless Ac-
cess Vehicles with Keyless Access
6. Manual transmission: Shift into 1st gear (vehicle on flat surface or
pointing uphill) or Reverse (R) (vehicle pointing downhill).
7.
Removing the vehicle key from
the ignition switches off electrical
equipment and activates the
steering column lock.
Opening the doors switches off
electrical equipment and acti-
vates the steering column lock.

WARNING
Never stop the engine before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. You can lose control of the vehicle, crash, and be seriously injured.
x The airbags and safety belt pretensioners will not work when the ignition is switched off.
x The brake booster does not work when the engine is not running. More brake pedal pres-sure will be needed to stop the vehicle.
x The power steering system does not work when the engine is not running, and you will need more force to steer the vehicle.
x Never remove the key from the ignition switch or turn off the ignition with the starter but-ton while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a stop. The electronic steering column could suddenly lock, and you would not be able to steer the vehicle.
NOTICE
If the vehicle has been driven hard for a long time, the engine could overheat when it is stopped. To reduce the risk of engine damage, let the engine idle in Neutral for about 2 minutes before you switch off the ignition.
If the ignition is switched on or the engine is running and the driver door is opened, a chime sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off the engine and turn off the ignition before leaving and locking the vehicle from the outside.
On vehicles with automatic transmissions, the vehicle key can only be removed from the ignition when the transmission is in Park (P).
After the engine has been switched off, the radiator fan in the engine compartment may keep running for several minutes, or may start running after the vehicle has been parked for a while, even if the ignition is switched off and the vehicle key has been removed. The radiator fan shuts off automati-cally when the engine has cooled down enough.

Electronic immobilizer