
If the vehicle key has been removed from the ignition lock and the driver door opened, acoustic 
warnings sound under the following conditions: 
If the parking light is switched on. 
If the side lights are switched on or the rear fog light is switched on . 
When the Coming Home function is switched on, no signal tone will be given as a reminder that a 
light is still switched on when leaving the vehicle. 
 
Some settings can be stored in the user accounts of the personalisation function and therefore 
change when the user account changes ⇒ Personalisation . 
Troubleshooting 
  Turn signal indicator lamp 
If a turn signal on the vehicle has failed, the indicator lamp will start flashing twice as fast. 
The indicator lamp flashes green. 
Check the lighting and change the appropriate bulb as required ⇒ Changing bulbs . 
If the problem persists, go to a qualified workshop. 
Does not apply in China and Japan: trailer turn signals indicator lamp 
The indicator lamp goes out if a trailer turn signal or all trailer lights stop working. 
The indicator lamp flashes green. 
Check the lighting and change the appropriate bulb as required ⇒ Changing bulbs . 
If the problem persists, go to a qualified workshop. 
Vehicle lighting not working 
Vehicle lighting has failed either completely or partially. 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
Check the lighting and change the appropriate bulb as required ⇒ Changing bulbs . 
If the problem persists, go to a qualified workshop. 
Fault in rain/light sensor 
In the light switch position , the vehicle lighting is not switched on or off automatically. 
The indicator lamp lights up yellow. 
Switch the ignition off and on. 
If the problem persists, go to a qualified workshop.  

Eco driving profile ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control . 
Avoid driving at full throttle 
Never drive the vehicle at its top speed. The drag coefficient increases at excessively high speeds. 
This in turn increases the force needed to move the vehicle. 
Reduce idling 
Pull away immediately with low engine speeds. If you are stopped for a long period, do not allow the 
engine to idle but switch it off, e.g. when in a traffic jam or at a railway crossing. 
In vehicles with an activated start/stop system, the engine can switch off automatically when the 
vehicle is stopping and when the vehicle is stationary ⇒ Start/stop system . 
Refuel moderately 
A full fuel tank increases the weight of the vehicle. A fuel tank that is half or two thirds of the way 
full is sufficient for journeys in urban traffic in particular. 
Avoid short journeys 
A cold engine has very high fuel consumption. The optimum operating temperature is reached only 
after driving a few kilometres. The fuel consumption is above average at very low ambient 
temperatures, e.g. in winter ⇒ Fig. 97 . Plan journeys economically and combine short journeys. 
Carry out regular maintenance 
Regular maintenance is an essential prerequisite for economical driving and increases the service life 
of the vehicle. 
Observe the tyre pressures 
Low tyre pressures does not just mean greater wear, but also increase the rolling resistance of the 
tyres and thus the fuel consumption. Use optimised rolling resistance tyres. 
Adjust the tyre pressure according to the load. Observe the information on the tyre pressure sticker 
⇒ Useful information about wheels and tyres  
Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator or Tyre Pressure Monitoring System ⇒ Tyre monitoring system . 
Use low viscosity engine oils 
Fully synthetic engine oils with a low viscosity decrease frictional resistance in the engine and are 
distributed better and more quickly, especially during cold starts. 
Do not drive with unnecessary loads in the vehicle 
You can reduce fuel consumption by clearing out the luggage compartment before setting off, for 
example by removing empty drink crates or unused child seats. 
To keep the vehicle's air resistance as low as possible, remove any add-on parts and equipment such 
as ski racks, bicycle racks and roof carriers once you have finished using them. 
Save electrical energy  

Avoid any abrupt or sudden driving and braking manoeuvres as this could cause the open boot lid to 
move unpredictably. 
Any objects protruding from the luggage compartment must be marked to ensure that they are 
visible to other road users. Comply with legal regulations. 
If items protrude out of the luggage compartment, never use the boot lid to wedge them into place 
or hold them in position. 
If you have to drive with the boot lid open, you must remove any carriers and the loads attached to 
them from the boot lid. 
 
WARNING 
Poisonous exhaust fumes could enter the vehicle interior when the boot lid is open. This could result 
in loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious injury and accidents. 
You should always drive with the boot lid closed in order to prevent poisonous exhaust fumes from 
entering the vehicle. 
If exceptional circumstances require you to drive with an open boot lid, you must do the following to 
reduce the amount of poisonous exhaust fumes that could enter into the vehicle: 
Close all windows and the glass roof. 
Switch off the air recirculation mode of the heating and fresh air system or air conditioning system. 
Open all vents in the dash panel. 
Switch the blower for the heating and fresh air system or for the air conditioning system to the 
highest setting. 
 
NOTICE 
The vehicle height, and possibly the length, are different when the boot lid is open. 
Driving through water 
Please follow these points in order to prevent damage to your vehicle when driving through water, 
for example on flooded streets: 
Check how deep the water is before driving through it. The water may be no higher than the lower 
edge of the body ⇒ . 
Do not drive faster than walking speed. 
Never stop the vehicle, reverse or switch off the engine while in water. 
Oncoming vehicles will create waves that could increase the water level for your vehicle to such an 
extent that it is not safe to drive through the water. 
Always deactivate the start/stop system manually when driving through water ⇒ Start/stop system .  

Starting and stopping the engine 
Ignition lock 
 
Fig. 99 To the right of the steering wheel: positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock. 
When there is no vehicle key in the ignition lock, the steering column lock may be activated. 
Vehicle key positions ⇒ Fig. 99  
Ignition switched off. The vehicle key can be removed. 
Ignition switched on. Steering lock can be released. The diesel engine is pre-heated and the 
indicator lamp  lights up yellow. 
Depress the brake pedal when the indicator lamp  lights up green. Start the engine. Release 
the vehicle key as soon as the engine starts. Once released, the vehicle key moves back to position 
⇒ Fig. 99① . 
Ignition switched on warning 
A warning message appears in the instrument cluster display if the driver door is opened while the 
ignition is switched on. A signal tone may also be given. 
The warning is a reminder that the ignition must be switched off before leaving the vehicle. 
 
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. The engine can be started and 
electrical equipment such as the window controls can be operated. This can cause serious injury. 
Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle when the vehicle is locked. 
They could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency and may not be able to get themselves 
to safety. For example, locked vehicles may be subjected to very high or very low temperatures 
depending on the season. This can cause serious injuries and illness or fatalities, especially in the 
case of small children. 
Never remove the vehicle key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The steering column lock 
may be activated and you will no longer be able to steer the vehicle.  

The key bit in the vehicle key must be folded out fully and locked in position. 
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  

When all the following conditions are fulfilled at the same time, the vehicle ignition will be switched 
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  

The airbags and belt tensioners will not work if the ignition is switched off. 
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  

Start/stop system 
 
Fig. 102 In the upper part of the centre console: button for the start/stop system. 
The start/stop system automatically switches the engine off when the vehicle is coming to a stop 
and when stationary. When required, the engine restarts automatically. 
Switching on the start/stop system 
The function is automatically activated every time the ignition is switched on. The instrument cluster 
display will show information about the current status. 
Further information on start/stop mode can be accessed in the Infotainment system using the 
button or function button and the Vehicle, Selection, Vehicle status function buttons. This 
information also applies to coasting. 
Always switch off the start/stop system manually when driving through water. 
Indicator lamps 
If the indicator lamp  lights up, the start/stop system is available and automatic engine stop is 
active. 
If the indicator lamp  lights up, the start/stop system is not available or the start/stop system has 
started the engine automatically ⇒ Conditions for an automatic restart . 
The display on the instrument cluster may show the status of the start/stop system. 
In addition, start/stop information on the current status of the start/stop system can be displayed as 
required in Infotainment systems with a navigation function. Touch the i in the start/stop 
information to obtain further information on the status. 
Vehicles with a manual gearbox 
Disengage the gear and release the clutch pedal when the vehicle is coming to a stop, or when it is 
stationary. The engine is stopped. 
Depress the clutch pedal to restart the engine. 
Important preconditions for automatic engine switch-off 
The driver is wearing their seat belt. 
The driver door is closed.