2021 VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC ESP

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

Components with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily when the engine is
started.

The engine cannot be started with the starter button, for example, if the button cell in the vehicle
key is weak or flat. In this case, use the emergency start function ⇒ No valid vehicle key recognised .

When starting from cold, the engine may be a little noisy for the first few seconds. This is quite
normal, and no cause for concern.

At outside temperatures of less than +5°C (+41°F), fumes may be detected under a vehicle with a
diesel engine if the fuel-powered supplementary heater is switched on.
Switching off the engine
Bring the vehicle to a standstill ⇒ .
Park the vehicle ⇒ Parking .
Vehicles with ignition lock: turn the vehicle key to position ⇒ Fig. 99⓪  in the ignition lock.
Vehicles with a starter button: press the starter button briefly ⇒ Fig. 100 . If the engine cannot
be switched off, carry out the emergency switch-off procedure ⇒ Engine cannot be switched off .
Follow the instructions in the instrument cluster ⇒ Instrument cluster .
Ignition warning
In order to indicate an active ignition when leaving the vehicle, an acoustic warning signal sounds
when opening the driver door and corresponding warning messages appear on the display of the
instrument cluster.
Warning before leaving the vehicle
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox: if the selector lever is not in position P, an acoustic
warning signal will sound when the driver door is opened and the warning message Please move
selector lever to position P. will be shown on the instrument cluster display. In this way, a warning is
given that the vehicle could potentially roll away. When you leave the vehicle, the electronic parking
brake also switches on to prevent the vehicle rolling away.

WARNING
Never switch off the engine while the vehicle is in motion. This can lead to a loss of vehicle control,
accidents and serious injuries.

The indicator lamp flashes yellow.
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.

If the start/stop system is used in very high outside temperatures over a long period, the 12-volt
vehicle battery can be damaged.

The engine stop function may be deactivated automatically if the temperature is above around 38°C
(100°F).

In some cases, it may be necessary to restart the engine manually. Follow any corresponding
messages on the instrument cluster display.

The start/stop function is activated automatically if the Eco driving profile is selected on vehicles
with driving profile selection ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control .

Always deactivate the start/stop system manually when driving through water.
Troubleshooting
Engine no longer starts automatically
Vehicles with DSG dual clutch gearbox and coasting function: if the engine does not start
automatically, the warning Error: vehicle power system. Please visit workshop can be displayed in
the instrument cluster.
Start the engine manually ⇒ Starting the engine .
Deactivate the start/stop system manually.
Go to a qualified workshop immediately.
Manual gearbox: selecting a gear

Fig. 103 Gear shift pattern of a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Use fast acceleration only if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit, and other road
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

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® dual clutch gearbox, Tiptronic allows the gears to be shifted up and down manually.

Kickdown function
The kickdown function enables maximum acceleration in the selector lever position D/S or in the
Tiptronic position.
If the accelerator is depressed fully, the gearbox will automatically shift to a lower gear, depending
on the speed and engine speed. This will make use of the full vehicle acceleration.
With the kickdown function, the gearbox does not shift up to the next gear until the engine reaches
the maximum engine speed for the gear.
When the Eco driving profile is selected in vehicles with driving profile selection ⇒ Driving profile
selection and 4MOTION Active Control  and the accelerator is depressed fully beyond the pressure
point, the engine output is automatically regulated to ensure maximum vehicle acceleration.

WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, particularly on slippery roads. This can
cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents and serious injuries.
Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic.
Use the kickdown function or fast acceleration only if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions
permit, and if other road users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and the driving style.
Please note that the driven wheels could start to spin and the vehicle could skid if the TCS is
switched off and especially if the road is slippery.

WARNING
Never let the brakes rub too often and for too long or operate the brake pedal too often or for too
long. Constant braking will cause the brakes to overheat. This will considerably reduce the braking
power, significantly increase the braking distance and could cause the brake system to fail
completely.

NOTICE
Never let the brakes rub by applying light pressure when it is not necessary. This will increase levels
of wear.
Troubleshooting

The downhill speed control cannot hold the vehicle on the gradient in all situations or brake it
sufficiently on all slopes going downhill (e.g. if the ground is slippery or icy).

WARNING
Always be prepared to brake the vehicle. Accidents and injuries could occur if you are not prepared
to brake.
The downhill speed control is only a support function and may not be able to brake the vehicle
sufficiently in all situations when driving downhill.
The vehicle may become faster despite the downhill speed control being in operation.
Steering
Information on steering
The steering should be locked every time you leave the vehicle to make it more difficult for the
vehicle to be stolen.
The steering
The power steering is not hydraulic, but is an electromechanical system. The advantage of this
steering system is that no hydraulic hoses, hydraulic oil, pumps, filter or other parts are required.
The electromechanical system reduces fuel consumption. A hydraulic system requires constant oil
pressure in the system, whereas an electromechanical steering system only needs an energy supply
while steering.
In vehicles with driving profile selection, the selected driving profile can affect the behaviour of the
power steering ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control .
Electronic steering column lock in vehicles with a starter button
The steering column will be locked if the driver door is opened when the ignition is switched off. For
this, the vehicle should be stationary and, if necessary, the gear selector lever should be in position
P.
If the ignition is not switched off until after the driver door is opened, the electronic steering column
will only be locked when the vehicle is locked using the sensor in the door handle or the vehicle key.
Mechanical steering column lock (steering lock) in vehicles with an ignition lock
The steering column is locked if the vehicle key is removed from the ignition lock when the vehicle is
stationary. Turn the steering wheel slightly until the steering lock audibly engages.
Insert the vehicle key into the ignition lock to unlock the steering lock. Turn the steering wheel
slightly to relieve the load on the steering lock mechanism. Hold the steering wheel in this position
and turn the ignition on.
Electromechanical steering