If, in a potential collision scenario, the city emergency brake function detects that the driver is
applying the brakes with insufficient pressure, the system can increase the brake pressure in order
to reduce speed ahead of the collision. Hence the system can help minimise the consequences of
an accident.
Additional information and warnings:
•Exterior views ⇒ Exterior views
•Lower section of the centre console ⇒ Overview of the centre console
•Instrument cluster ⇒ Instrument cluster
•Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts ⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs
and renewal of parts
The brake pedal travel decreases when the city emergency brake function is triggered. This
may make the brake pedal feel stiffer.
Automatic brake intervention by the city emergency brake function can be stopped by using
the clutch, the accelerator or steering intervention.
Unusual noises may be heard if the city emergency brake function is applying an automatic
braking procedure. This is normal and the noises are caused by the braking system.
Warning and indicator lamps
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The city emergency brake function is switched on every time the ignition is switched on. No display
will be shown to alert you of this.
The indicator lamp will be lit up if the city emergency brake function is switched off, is working or if
there is a fault in the system.
Lit upPossible cause ⇒Solution
The city emergency brake function
was switched on using the button
⇒ Fig. 109.
The indicator lamp is switched off
automatically after approximately 5
seconds.
FlashesPossible cause ⇒Solution
Quickly: city emergency brake function
is braking automatically or has braked
automatically.
Indicator lamp will go out automatically.
Slowly: city emergency brake function
currently not available.
While the vehicle is stationary, switch off
the engine and re-start it again. If
necessary, inspect the laser sensor (for
The intelligent technology of the city emergency brake function cannot change the laws of
physics or the system-related vehicle limitations. Never let the extra convenience afforded by
the city emergency brake function tempt you into taking any risks when driving. The driver is
always responsible for braking in time.
•The city emergency brake function cannot prevent accidents and serious injuries by itself.
•The city emergency brake function can carry out unwanted brake interventions in certain
complex situations, e.g. if a vehicle cuts very closely in front of you.
WARNING
Incorporating the city emergency brake function into your own driving style can cause
accidents and serious injuries. The system is not a substitute for the full concentration of the
driver.
•Adapt your speed and distance from the vehicles ahead to suit visibility, weather, road and
traffic conditions.
•The city emergency brake function does not react to persons, animals and vehicles
crossing or approaching in the same lane.
•Brake the vehicle by depressing the brake if the vehicle rolls forwards once the city
emergency brake function has been applied.
WARNING
Switch off the city emergency brake function if you suspect that the laser sensor has been
damaged. This can help to prevent further damage.
•Repairs to the laser sensor require specialist knowledge. Volkswagen recommends using
a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
NOTICE
FlashesPossible cause ⇒Solution
soiling, ice, roof load protruding over the
front) ⇒. Proceed to a qualified
workshop immediately and have the
system checked if it is constantly
unavailable.
When travelling between
5 – 30 km/h (3 – 19 mph): the city
emergency brake function was
switched off using the button
⇒ Fig. 109.
Switch on the city emergency brake
function using the button
⇒ Fig. 109.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is
switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.
Laser sensor
Fig. 107 On the windscreen: laser sensor for the city emergency brake function
Fig. 108 Detection range of the laser sensor
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The system monitors the traffic in front of the vehicle using a laser sensor in the windscreen
⇒ Fig. 107.
Vehicles travelling ahead can thus be recognised up to a distance of approximately 10 m.
Failure to observe the warning lamps could lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and
to accidents and serious injuries.
•Never ignore any warning lamps that are lit up.
•Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.
WARNING
Failure to observe the illuminated indicator lamps could lead to the vehicle being damaged.
NOTICE
Switching city emergency brake function on and off
Fig. 109 In lower part of centre console: button for the city emergency brake function
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Switching the city emergency brake function on and off
•Press the ⇒ Fig. 109 button in the centre console.
When the city emergency brake function is switched off, the indicator lamp lights up
when the vehicle is travelling at 5 – 30 km/h (3 – 19 mph).
Switch off the city emergency brake function in the following situations
The city emergency brake function should be switched off in the following situations ⇒:
•If the vehicle is being towed.
•If you are driving the vehicle through an automatic car wash.
•If the vehicle is on a rolling road test bed.
•If the laser sensor is faulty.
•If the laser sensor has been hit or moved with force.
•If the vehicle is being driven off-road (e.g. through low-hanging branches).
•If there are protruding objects in the area above the bonnet, e.g. a load on the roof that sticks
out at the front.
•If the windscreen is damaged in the area around the laser sensor.
•Driving with tailgate open.
•In the event of multiple unwanted interventions.
The beam from the laser sensor could cause severe damage to the eyes.
•Never use optical devices, such as a rangefinder camera, microscope or magnifying glass,
to look into the laser sensor from a distance of less than 100 mm.
•Please be aware that the laser beam may still be active even if the city emergency brake
function is switched off or unavailable. The laser beam is not visible to the human eye!
WARNING
The city emergency brake function may not work if the area on the windscreen around the
laser sensor is iced over, dirty or covered, for example from rain, spray or snow or by roof
loads protruding over the front of the vehicle.
•Always keep the area around the laser sensor free from dirt and ice and do not cover it.
•Remove snow with a brush, and remove ice preferably with a solvent-free de-icer spray.
NOTICE
The city emergency brake function may fail to work if the windscreen is damaged in the area
around the laser sensor.
•Have the windscreen replaced if it is scratched, cracked or chipped in the area around the
laser sensor. Only use windscreens that have been approved by Volkswagen. Do not
simply have the windscreen repaired (for example, if it has been damaged by stone
chipping).
•When changing the windscreen wiper blades only use wiper blades that are the same
production quality as the factory-fitted wiper blades.
•Do not paint the windscreen in the area around the laser sensor or cover the area with
stickers, deposits or similar.
NOTICE
Special driving situations
Fig. 110 A: vehicle in a bend B: motorbike in front is outside the range of the laser sensor
Fig. 111 Vehicles changing lanes
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The city emergency brake function has physical and system-specific limits. In certain situations, the
driver may therefore feel that the city emergency brake function reacts too late or unexpectedly.
You should therefore always be prepared to take full control of the vehicle if necessary.
The following driving situations demand particular vigilance:
When driving through bends
When driving into or out of a long bend, the laser sensor may react to a vehicle in the adjacent lane
⇒ Fig. 110A and thus brake the vehicle. The braking effect can be stopped by pressing the
accelerator or clutch pedal or by steering the vehicle.
Narrow vehicles and a zig-zag traffic situation
Narrow vehicles and vehicles travelling slightly to the left or right of your vehicle will only be
recognised by the laser sensor once they have entered the range of the sensor ⇒ Fig. 110B. This
particularly applies to narrow vehicles such as motorcycles.
When other vehicles change lanes
Vehicles that are very close to you when they move into your lane could cause the city emergency
brake function to be applied unexpectedly ⇒ Fig. 111. The braking effect can be stopped by
pressing the accelerator or clutch pedal or by steering the vehicle.
Possible laser sensor function impairments
The city emergency brake function will switch off temporarily if the function of the laser sensor is
impaired due to heavy rain, spray, snow or mud, for example. The indicator lamp will flash in
the instrument cluster display.
The city emergency brake function is ready to work again as soon as the laser sensor returns to
normal function. The indicator lamp goes out.
The following conditions could prevent the city emergency brake function
from reacting:
•If ESC is active.
•In tight bends.
•If the vehicle is reversing.
•When you drive faster than 30 km/h for a few seconds.
•If the accelerator is fully depressed.
•If the city emergency brake function is switched off or if there is a fault in the system ⇒ Warning
and indicator lamps.
•If the laser sensor is dirty, covered or overheated ⇒ Laser sensor.
•In snow, heavy rain or thick fog.
•If vehicles are travelling slightly to the left or right of your vehicle.
•If vehicles are crossing in front of your vehicle.
Accidents and serious injuries could occur if you do not switch off the city emergency brake
function during any of the situations named above.
•Switch off the city emergency brake function during critical driving situations.
WARNING
Washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer when cleaning your vehicle using a high-
pressure cleaner. This applies in particular to the pressure and the spraying distance⇒.
Maintain sufficient distance to soft materials such as rubber hoses, insulation, and the ParkPilot
sensors. The ParkPilot sensors are located in the rear bumper ⇒.
Never use concentrated jet nozzles or dirt blasters⇒.
Parts of the vehicle with sharp edges can cause injury.
•Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp parts, for example when cleaning the
underbody or the inside of the wheel housings.
WARNING
After the car has been washed, the braking effect could set in later than normal and extend
the braking distance as the brake discs and brake pads will be wet, or iced up in winter.
•You can dry and de-ice the brakes by performing careful braking manoeuvres. Ensure that
you do not endanger any other road users or violate any legal regulations when doing so.
WARNING
•The water should be no warmer than +60°C (+140°F).
•Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight in order to avoid damage to the vehicle
paintwork.
•Never clean with insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar products as these can
damage the surface.
•Never clean the headlights with a dry cloth or sponge. Always use a wet cloth or sponge. It
is best to use soapy water.
•Washing the vehicle in cold weather: if the vehicle is rinsed with a hose, do not direct the
water into the lock cylinders or the gaps round the doors, boot, or bonnet. The locks and
seals could freeze.
NOTICE
Observe the following guidelines before driving the vehicle into an automatic car wash in order
to avoid damage to the vehicle:
•Ensure that the gap between the guide rails in the car wash is sufficient for the vehicle
track. If the track is too narrow your wheels and tyres will be damaged.
•Switch off the city emergency brake function before driving the vehicle into an automatic
car wash.
•Check that the car wash is tall and wide enough for your vehicle.
•Fold in the exterior mirrors.
•In order to prevent damage to the paintwork on the bonnet, fold the windscreen wipers
back onto the windscreen after drying the wiper blades. Do not drop the wipers onto the
glass.
•Lock the tailgate to prevent it from opening accidentally in the car wash.
NOTICE
Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors
Moisten the windows and exterior mirrors with commercially available, alcohol-based glass cleaner.
Dry the glass surfaces with a clean chamois leather or a lint-free cloth. Chamois leathers that have
been used on painted surfaces are not suitable for use on glass surfaces. They will be soiled with
wax deposits which could smear the surfaces.
Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to clean off rubber, oil, grease and silicone deposits ⇒
.
Removing wax
Car washes and care products could leave wax deposits on the glass surfaces. Wax residue can
only be removed using a special cleaning product or cleaning cloths. Wax deposits on the
windscreen can cause the wiper blades to rub. Volkswagen recommends using a glass cleaning
cloth - G 052 522 A1 - to remove wax deposits from the windows and exterior mirrors each time the
vehicle is washed.
A window cleaner specifically for removing wax will stop the blades rubbing if added to the
windscreen wash water. Dilute the cleaner as instructed. Grease removing cleaners will not remove
wax deposits ⇒.
Special cleaners, glass cleaners and glass cleaning cloths are available from Volkswagen
dealerships.
Removing snow
Use a small brush to remove snow from the windows and exterior mirrors.
Removing ice
The best method for removing ice is to use a de-icer spray. If you use an ice scraper, do not move
it to and fro, but push it in one direction only. Moving the ice scraper backwards can cause dirt to
scratch the window.
The incorrect use of a high-pressure cleaner can cause visible and invisible long-term
damage to tyres and other materials. This can cause accidents and serious injuries.
•Maintain sufficient distance between the washer jet and the tyres.
•Never clean the tyres with concentrated jet nozzles (dirt blasters). The tyres may incur
visible and invisible damage even if cleaned briefly with the spray at a distance.
WARNING
After the car has been washed, the braking effect could set in later than normal and extend
the braking distance as the brake discs and brake pads will be wet, or iced up in winter.
•You can dry and de-ice the brakes by performing careful braking manoeuvres. Ensure that
you do not endanger any other road users or violate any legal regulations when doing so.
WARNING
•The water may be no warmer than +60°C (+140°F).
•Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight in order to avoid damage to the vehicle
paintwork.
•The ParkPilot sensors in the bumpers must be kept clean and free of ice to guarantee
correct function. When cleaning with pressure hoses or steam cleaners, the sensors
should only be sprayed briefly and the steam/hose nozzle must be kept more than 10 cm
away.
•Do not clean windows that are iced over or covered in snow with a high-pressure cleaner.
•Washing the vehicle in cold weather: if the vehicle is rinsed with a hose, do not direct the
water into the lock cylinders or the gaps round the doors, boot, or bonnet. The locks and
seals could freeze.
NOTICE
The vehicle owner should keep all assembly documentation for these auxiliary fittings, and pass it
on to any scrapping company later engaged. In this way, environmentally compatible disposal
should be guaranteed for all vehicles, including refitted vehicles.
Windscreen repairs
To function properly, some items of equipment require a camera or sensor, which is located on the
inside of the windscreen near the interior mirror. If the windscreen in the viewing field of the camera
or sensors has been damaged, e.g. by stone impact, the windscreen must be replaced. Repairing
the crack can lead to malfunction or functional faults in the equipment.
After changing the windscreen, the camera and sensors must be set up and calibrated by a
qualified workshop.
Repairs and faults in the airbag system
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Repairs and modifications must always be carried out according to Volkswagen specifications⇒
.
Modifications and repairs to the front bumper, the doors, the front seats, the roof, or the bodywork
should be carried out by a qualified workshop. System components and airbag system sensors can
be located on these vehicle components.
If you work on the airbag system or remove and install parts of the system when performing other
repair work, parts of the airbag system may be damaged. The consequence may be that, in the
event of an accident, the airbag inflates incorrectly or does not inflate at all.
Regulations must be observed to ensure that the effectiveness of the airbags is not reduced and
that removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution. Qualified workshops are
familiar with these requirements.
Any modifications to the vehicle's suspension could prevent the airbag system from working
properly during a collision. For example, using tyre/rim combinations that have not been approved
by Volkswagen, lowering the vehicle, making modifications to the suspension rate including work on
the springs, struts and shock absorbers could change the forces that are measured by the airbag
sensors and sent to the electronic control unit. Some changes to the suspension could cause the
forces measured by the sensors to increase. This can lead to the airbag system being triggered in
collision scenarios where it normally would not be triggered if modifications to the suspension had
not been made. Other modifications can cause the forces measured by the sensors to decrease,
therefore preventing the airbag system from being triggered when it should have been.
Retrofitting two-way radios
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Incorrect repairs and modifications can cause functional problems and damage to the vehicle
and impair the effectiveness of the driver assist systems. This can result in accidents and
severe injuries.
•Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified
workshop.
WARNING
Incorrect repairs and modifications can cause function problems and damage to the vehicle
and impair the effectiveness of the airbag system. This can result in accidents and serious or
even fatal injuries.
•Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified
workshop.
•Airbag modules cannot be repaired. They must be replaced.
•Never use recycled airbag components or components that have been taken from end-of-
life vehicles in your vehicle.
WARNING
Modifications to the vehicle's suspension, including the use of unsuitable tyre/rim
combinations, can cause the airbag system to work differently and increase the risk of serious
or fatal injuries in the event of an accident.
•Never install any components in the suspension system that do not have the same
characteristics as the original factory-fitted components.
•Never use tyre/rim combinations that have not been approved by Volkswagen.
WARNING
Information stickers and plates
Fig. 139 Warnings for using the laser sensor in the city emergency brake function
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Safety certificates, stickers and plates showing important vehicle operation information are factory-
fitted in the engine compartment and on certain parts such as the tank flap, front passenger sun
visor, the driver door pillar or in the luggage compartment floor.
•Never remove or damage the safety certificates, stickers and plates. They must remain legible
at all times.
•If vehicle parts bearing safety certificates, stickers or plates are removed from the vehicle,
replacement safety certificates, stickers or plates with the same information must be applied
properly to the new parts by the qualified workshop.
Safety certificate
A safety certificate on the door pillar of the driver door provides the information that all necessary
safety standards and specifications of the transport safety authorities of the individual country have
been met at the time of production. The month and year of production and the chassis number may
also be listed.
High voltage warning sticker
There is a sticker near the bonnet lock showing a warning about the high voltage in the vehicle's
electrical system.
Warning for using the laser sensor in the City emergency brake function
The signs with warnings and information for using the laser sensor of the city emergency brake
function can be seen ⇒ Fig. 139.
Using the vehicle in other countries and continents
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The vehicle has been manufactured specifically for a particular country and complies with the
registration regulations that applied in that country at the time of vehicle production.
If the vehicle is to be sold in another country or used in another country for an extended period, the
legal requirements applicable in that country must be observed.
In some cases, certain equipment will have to be fitted or removed and functions deactivated. The
scope and type of service available may also be affected. This is particularly important if the vehicle
is driven in another climate for a long period of time.
Because different frequency bands are used in different countries, the factory-fitted radio or the
portable navigation device (delivered by Volkswagen) may not work in other countries.
Radio reception and aerials
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The aerial for radio signal reception is fitted on the vehicle roof for factory-fitted radio units.
Interference with AM radio reception could occur if electric devices, e.g. mobile telephones,
are used in the vicinity of the roof aerial.
•Volkswagen is not responsible for any vehicle damage caused by low-quality fuel,
inadequate servicing work or lack of Genuine Parts.
•Volkswagen cannot be held responsible if the vehicle does not comply with or only partly
complies with the relevant legal requirements in other countries and continents.
NOTICE