
 
Only attach light objects weighing less than 100 g to the vehicle key. 
 
NOTICE 
The 12-volt battery may be discharged unintentionally and prevent the engine from restarting if the 
ignition is switched on while the engine is switched off. 
Always switch off the ignition before you leave the vehicle. 
 
For vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox in some markets: if the vehicle key cannot be 
removed from the ignition lock when the vehicle is stopped, move the selector lever to P. If 
necessary, press the lock button in the selector lever and then release it. 
Starter button 
The starter button replaces the ignition lock (Press & Drive). 
 
Fig. 100 In the lower section of the centre console: starter button for starting the engine. 
The starter button is used to start the vehicle (Press & Drive). 
The vehicle can be activated only if there is a valid vehicle key in the vehicle. 
When leaving the vehicle, the electronic steering column lock will be activated when the ignition is 
switched off and the driver door is opened Steering 
Switching the ignition on and off 
Press the starter button once without depressing the brake or clutch pedal  
Automatic ignition switch-off 
The ignition switches off automatically after a short time if the driver moves away from the vehicle 
with the vehicle key when the ignition is switched on. If the dipped beam headlights were switched 
on at the time, the side lights will remain switched on for approximately 30 minutes. The side lights 
can be switched off manually or by locking the vehicle Lights 
Automatic ignition switch-off in vehicles with a start/stop system  

off automatically when engine stop is active when the vehicle is stationary: 
The driver seat belt has been unfastened. 
No pedals are depressed. 
The driver door is opened. 
If the ignition is deactivated automatically while the dipped beam headlights are switched on, 
the side lights remain switched on and lit for approximately 30 minutes. 
The side lights can be switched off manually or will go off when the vehicle is locked. 
Engine restart function 
If no valid vehicle key is detected in the vehicle interior once the engine has been switched off, the 
engine can be restarted within approximately five seconds. A corresponding message appears on the 
instrument cluster display. 
After this time, the engine cannot be re-started without a valid vehicle key in the vehicle interior. 
 
WARNING 
Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury. 
Do not depress the brake or clutch pedal when the ignition is switched on as the engine will start 
immediately. 
 
WARNING 
Improper or unsupervised use of the vehicle keys can cause accidents or serious injuries. 
Always take all vehicle keys with you every time you leave the vehicle. Children or unauthorised 
persons could lock the vehicle, start the engine, switch on the ignition or operate electrical 
equipment such as the electric windows. 
 
Before leaving the vehicle, always switch off the ignition manually and observe any information 
shown on the instrument cluster display. 
 
Leaving the vehicle stationary for long periods with the ignition switched on can discharge the 12-
volt vehicle battery so that the engine can no longer be started. 
Starting the engine  

Fig. 
0
switched on. 
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button once. The ignition is switched on. 
Vehicles with a diesel engine: during the diesel engine preheating phase, the indicator lamp 
lights up in the instrument cluster. 
Depress and hold the brake pedal until the electronic parking brake has been switched off. 
Vehicles with manual gearbox: fully depress the clutch pedal and hold it until the engine has 
been started. Move the gear lever to neutral position. 
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: move the selector lever to position P or N. 
Vehicles with ignition lock: turn the vehicle key to position Fig. 
0do not depress the 
accelerator. 
Release the vehicle key once the engine has started. 
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button Starter buttondo not depress the 
accelerator. There must be a valid vehicle key in the vehicle before the engine can be started. 
If the engine does not start immediately, switch off the starter and try again after about a minute. 
Vehicles with starter button: perform an emergency start if necessary No valid vehicle key 
recognised 
Vehicles with starter button: the starter button is deactivated if the vehicle was locked with the 
vehicle key. If you are in the vehicle and need to start the engine, unlock the vehicle first or perform 
an emergency start No valid vehicle key recognised 
Switch off the electronic parking brake if you wish to pull away. 
 
WARNING 
The risk of serious injury can be reduced with the engine running or when starting the engine. 
Never start or run the engine in unventilated or enclosed spaces. The exhaust fumes contain carbon 
monoxide, an odourless and colourless toxic gas. Carbon monoxide can cause people to lose 
consciousness. It can also cause death. 
Never start or run the engine if oil, fuel or any other highly flammable fluids are under or near the 
vehicle, or are leaking out of the vehicle, e.g. as the result of damage.  

 
The brake servo will not work when the engine is switched off. More force is required on the brake 
pedal to stop the vehicle. 
If the vehicle key is removed from the ignition, the steering lock may activate and you will no longer 
be able to steer the vehicle. 
 
WARNING 
The components of the exhaust system become very hot. This can cause fires and serious injuries. 
Never park the vehicle so that parts of the exhaust system can come into contact with any 
inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. undergrowth, leaves, dry grass, spilt fuel etc. 
Never apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, catalytic 
converters, heat shields or particulate filter. 
 
NOTICE 
If the vehicle has been driven at high load for a long period, the engine can overheat when it is 
switched off. In order to avoid damage to the engine, allow the engine to run in neutral position for 
approximately 2 minutes before switching it off. 
 
After the engine is switched off, the radiator fan in the engine compartment may run on for some 
minutes, even if the ignition is switched off or the vehicle key has been removed. The radiator fan 
will switch itself off automatically. 
Electronic immobiliser 
The immobiliser helps to prevent the engine from being started and driven with an unauthorised 
vehicle key. 
There is a chip in the vehicle key. The immobiliser is automatically deactivated by this when a valid 
vehicle key is inserted in the ignition lock. 
The electronic immobiliser is automatically activated when the vehicle key is removed from the 
ignition lock. In vehicles with Keyless Access, the vehicle key must be outside the vehicle. 
The engine can be started only using a Volkswagen Genuine vehicle key with the correct code. 
Coded vehicle keys are available from a Volkswagen dealership. 
 
Problem-free operation of the vehicle is guaranteed only with Volkswagen Genuine vehicle keys. 
Troubleshooting  

 
There is a fault in the engine management system. 
The engine should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible. 
Vehicle key cannot be removed from the ignition lock 
An unauthorised vehicle key has been inserted in the ignition lock. 
Remove the vehicle key as follows: 
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox 
Press the lock button in the selector lever and release. 
Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock. 
Vehicles with a manual gearbox 
Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock. 
No valid vehicle key recognised 
A corresponding display will appear in the instrument cluster. 
If the button cell in the vehicle key is weak or discharged, it is possible that the vehicle key will not 
be recognised. 
In this case, you will need to perform an emergency start: 
Depress and hold the brake pedal. 
Hold the vehicle key to the right of the steering column trim directly after pressing the starter button 
Fig. 101 
The ignition is switched on automatically, and in some cases the engine is started. 
Engine cannot be switched off 
The engine cannot be switched off by briefly pressing the starter button. 
In this case it is necessary to perform an emergency switch-off procedure: 
Press the starter button twice within a few seconds or press and hold once. 
The engine will switch off automatically  
Engine cannot be started 
A corresponding message will be displayed in the instrument cluster if an unauthorised vehicle key is 
used or there is a system fault. 
Use an authorised vehicle key. 
If the problem persists, seek expert assistance.  

users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and driving style. 
Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic. 
When the TCS is switched off, the drive wheels may spin, especially if the road surface is wet, 
slippery or dirty. This may result in you no longer being able to steer or control the vehicle. 
 
WARNING 
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a gear is engaged and the 
clutch is released. This also applies when the electronic parking brake has been switched on. 
Never engage reverse gear while the vehicle is in motion. 
 
WARNING 
Shifting gears incorrectly to gears that are too low can lead to a loss of control over the vehicle, with 
accidents and serious injuries as a consequence. 
 
NOTICE 
Serious damage to the clutch and gearbox could occur if the gear lever of the manual gearbox is 
shifted to a gear which is too low when travelling at high speeds or at high engine speeds. This also 
applies if the clutch remains depressed and the gears do not engage. 
 
NOTICE 
Please note the following points in order to avoid damage and premature wear: 
Do not rest your hand on the gear lever when driving. The pressure from your hand is passed onto 
the selector forks in the gearbox. 
Ensure that the vehicle has come to a full stop before engaging reverse gear. 
Always fully depress the clutch pedal when changing gear. 
Do not hold the vehicle by riding the clutch on uphill gradients with the engine running. 
 
Changing up a gear early will help to save fuel and minimise engine noise. 
Troubleshooting 
Clutch slipping  

Reverse gear 
Reverse gear is selected. May be selected only when the vehicle is stationary. 
Neutral 
The gearbox is in the neutral position. No force is transmitted to the wheels and the braking effect of 
the engine is not available. 
Standard forward driving position 
Position : Normal programme. 
All forward gears are shifted up and down automatically. The timing of the gear shift is determined 
by the engine load, your individual driving style and the speed of the vehicle. 
Position : Sport programme. 
The forward gears are automatically changed up later and down earlier than in selector lever 
by the engine load, your individual driving style and the speed of the vehicle. 
To change between positions D and S, move the selector lever to the rear Fig. 105 
The selector lever will always return to selector lever position D/S. That also works in the Tiptronic 
gate Changing gear using Tiptronic 
Selector lever lock 
P 
N 
To release the selector lever lock, switch on the ignition and depress the brake pedal. Then press the 
lock button in the selector lever handle in the direction of the arrow Fig. 105 
The selector lever lock is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly through position N, e.g. 
when shifting from reverse to D/S. This makes it possible, for instance, to rock the vehicle backwards 
and forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The selector lever lock engages automatically if the lever is 
in position N for more than approximately one second without the brake being pressed and when 
the vehicle is travelling no faster than approximately 5 km/h (3 mph). 
 
WARNING 
Selecting the wrong position can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents 
and serious injuries. 
Never depress the accelerator when selecting a position. 
When the engine is running and a position is engaged, the vehicle will start moving as soon as the 
brake pedal is released. 
Never shift to reverse or selector lever position P while the vehicle is moving.  

WARNING 
Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury. 
The driver must never leave the driver seat when the engine is running and a position has been 
selected. If you have to leave the vehicle while the engine is running, always switch on the electronic 
parking brake and move the selector lever to position P. 
If the engine is running and the selector lever is in position D/S or R, the vehicle must be held by the 
foot brake. The vehicle will creep forward even when the engine is idling, as power transmission is 
even then not fully interrupted. 
Never select reverse or selector lever position P when the vehicle is in motion. 
Never leave the vehicle in selector lever position N. The vehicle will roll downhill irrespective of 
whether or not the engine is running. 
 
NOTICE 
If the electronic parking brake is not switched on when the vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal 
is released when the selector lever is in position P, the vehicle may move a few centimetres forwards 
or backwards. 
 
If the lever is moved accidentally to N when driving, take your foot off the accelerator. Wait for the 
engine to reach idling speed in the neutral position before selecting a position again. 
 
If the selector lever is left in any position other than P for long periods when the engine is switched 
off, the 12-volt vehicle battery will discharge. 
Changing gear using Tiptronic 
With a DSG