2019 VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF Owners Manual

Selector lever

Fig. 127 Selector lever with shift lever release button (arrow).

Selector
lever
position
Designation Meaning ⇒ 
ard driving
position)
The electric drive is in the normal program
(brake energy recuperation levels 0 - 3).
"
Very high
brake energy
recuperation
Very strong brake energy recuperation in over-
run mode (brake energy recuperation level 4).
+ Changing
gear selection
Switch between (D) and (B) by pulling the
selector lever once to the rear from gear posi-
tion D/B ⇒ fig. 127. The selector lever always
returns to gear position D/B.

Automatic Shift Lock (ASL)
The Automatic Shift Lock (ASL) in Park (P) and Neutral (N) prevents drive positions from being en-gaged inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle to move.
To release the ASL, depress and hold the brake pedal with the ignition switched on. Press the release button on the selector lever at the same time.
The ASL is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly through Neutral (N) (e.g., when shifting from Reverse (R) to Drive (D/B)). This makes it possible to “rock” the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The ASL engages automatically if the brake pedal is not depressed and the lever is in Neutral (N) for more than about 1 second and the vehicle is traveling no faster than about 3 mph (5 km/h).
In rare cases, the ASL may not engage. If this happens, power to the drive wheels will be interrupted to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly. The green indicator light K will blink and a text message will be displayed. To engage the Automatic Shift Lock (ASL):
x Depress and then release the brake pedal. Try to engage the ASL again.
WARNING
Moving the selector lever to the wrong position can cause loss of vehicle control, a collision, and serious personal injury.
x Never accelerate when moving the selector lever.
x When the electric motor is activated and a drive position is engaged, the vehicle will start to move as soon as the brake pedal is released.
x Never shift into Reverse (R) or Park (P) when the vehicle is moving.

WARNING
Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury.
x Never get out of the driver's seat while the electric motor is activated, especially when the transmission is in a drive gear. If you must leave your vehicle while the electric motor is acti-vated, 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 electric motor is activated or not.
x When the electric motor is activated and a drive gear -(D/B) or Reverse (R) - has been selected, press and hold the brake pedal to keep the vehicle from moving. The vehicle may “crawl” and move forward or backward even if the electric motor is not accelerated.
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 electric motor speed has dropped to idle speed before moving the selector lever into a drive gear.
Brake energy recuperation

Fig. 128 Selector lever for driving mode: Selecting the recuperation level.

There is no brake energy recuperation when the high-voltage battery is completely charged. In this case, you may notice slightly greater brake pedal travel and less initial braking power by the electric motor. This is normal and no cause for concern.
Above a battery charge level of 85%, the braking power by the electric motor decreases regardless of the selector level position and/or the brake energy recuperation stage. This is also normal and no cause for concern.
Selecting a brake energy recuperation level
There are a total of 4 brake energy recuperation levels. It is possible to move up and down through
brake energy recuperation levels 1 to 3 by tapping the selector lever to the side ⇒ fig. 128 (+) and (-):
x Tap to the left, to switch up 1 recuperation level.
x Tap to the right, to switch down 1 recuperation level.
x Press to the right for a few seconds to switch off recuperation.
To change up to brake energy recuperation level 4: Pull the selector lever to position B. Pulling again in the direction of the arrow

WARNING
Medium, high and very high recuperation can lead to loss of traction and skidding, particular-ly on slippery roads. This can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents, collisions and serious injuries.
x When charging at high elevations (such as at the top of a pass) never charge the vehicle fully, in order to facilitate a braking effect by means of recuperation when descending.
x Only use medium, high or very high recuperation if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit, and other road users are not put at risk due to the vehicle's acceleration and your driving style.
WARNING
The higher the charge level of the high-voltage battery, the lower the electric motor braking effect, to the point where no electric motor braking effect may be generated at all. This puts more strain on the vehicle brake.
x Reduce your speed before driving down a long, steep gradient.
x When driving down a long, steep gradient, slow the vehicle using the vehicle brake.
Notes on selecting a driving mode

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 electric drive to be dam-aged.
x Never let the vehicle coast or roll down a hill in Neutral (N), especially when the electric motor is not activated.

Braking and parking

WARNING
Parking improperly can cause serious personal injury.
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.
x Never park the vehicle where the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite flammable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.
x Always apply the parking brake when parking your vehicle.
x Improper use of the parking brake can seriously injure you and your passengers.
x Never use the parking brake to slow down the vehicle when it is moving, except in an emergency. The stopping distance is much longer because only the rear wheels are braked. Always use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
x Never leave children or anyone who cannot help themselves behind in the vehicle. They could release the parking brake and move the gear selector lever or gear shift, which could cause the vehicle to start moving. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
x Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. The electric motor can be start-ed and vehicle systems such as the power windows can be operated, leading to serious per-sonal 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, trapping passengers 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.
NOTICE
x Always be careful when you park in areas with parking barriers or high curbs. These vary in height and could damage your bumper and related parts if the front of your vehicle hits a barri-er or curb that is too high while you are getting into or out of a parking spot. To help prevent damage, stop before the tires of your vehicle touch a parking barrier or curb.
x Always be careful when you enter a driveway or drive up or down steep ramps or over curbs or other obstacles. Parts of the vehicle close to the ground may be damaged (such as bumper covers, spoilers, and parts of the electric drive).
Warning and indicator lights