2022 Volkswagen Atlas Owners Manual - Starting and stopping the engine

Starting and stopping the engine

Ignition switch

Fig. 107 Next to the steering wheel on the right side: positions of the vehicle key in the ignition lock.

1. The ignition is switched off. The vehicle key can be removed.
2. The ignition is switched on.
3. Vehicles with an automatic transmission: Press the brake pedal. Start the engine. Release the vehicle key. The vehicle key returns to the position  once it is released.

When a vehicle key is not in the ignition lock, the steering lock can be activated.

WARNING

Careless or unintended use of the vehicle key can cause crashes and serious injuries.

• Always switch off the engine and take all vehicle keys with you when you leave the vehicle. Children or unauthorized people could lock the vehicle, start the engine, or switch the ignition on and activate electrical equipment, such as the power windows, which could lead to serious injuries.

• Never leave children or people requiring assistance unattended in the vehicle when the vehicle is locked. In an emergency, they will not be able to leave the vehicle unassisted or care for themselves. For example, depending on the season, the temperature inside the vehicle could become very high or low, which can lead to serious injuries, illness or death, especially for very young children.

• Never start the engine or let it run in unventilated or enclosed spaces. Among other substances, engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness and death.

• Never remove the remote vehicle key from the ignition switch when the vehicle is in motion. The steering column lock could engage and you will not be able to steer the vehicle.

• Always fully extend the key bit of the remote control vehicle key and secure it in this position.

• Only attach light objects weighing up to 100 g (approx. 3.5 oz) to the vehicle key.

NOTICE

When the ignition is switched on and the engine is switched off, the 12 V vehicle battery could drain and prevent the engine from restarting.

• Always switch the ignition off before leaving the vehicle.

 If the vehicle key cannot be removed, engage the selector lever position . Press and release the lock button in the selector lever if necessary.

​​For vehicles with DSG automated transmission, depending on the market: When the remote control vehicle key is removed when in gear, the engine is switched off and the parking brake is activated automatically.

Starter button

Fig. 108 In the lower area of the center console: starter button for starting the engine.

The starter button replaces the ignition lock (Press & Drive).

The engine is started by the starter button (Press & Drive).

The vehicle can only be activated when there is a valid vehicle key inside the vehicle.

Depending on the model, the starter button blinks to indicate readiness for use.

The electronic steering column lock is activated when you leave the vehicle by opening the driver's door when the ignition is switched off .

Switching the ignition on or off

1. Press the starter button once without pressing the brake pedal .

Automatic ignition shut down for vehicles with start/stop system

If the following conditions are met at the same time, the vehicle ignition is automatically switched off when there is an active engine stop and the vehicle is stationary:

• The driver releases their safety belt.

• No pedals are pushed.

• The driver door is opened.

After automatic ignition deactivation, if the low beam headlights are switched on  the parking light remains switched on and goes off automatically after around 30 minutes.

The parking light will also go off if the vehicle is locked or the light is switched off manually.

Engine restart function

If no valid vehicle key is detected inside the vehicle after stopping the engine, it can be started again within approximately five seconds. A message about this will be shown in the instrument cluster display.

Once this time has elapsed, the vehicle can no longer be started without a valid vehicle key inside the vehicle.

WARNING

Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injuries.

• Do not press the brake pedal when switching on the ignition or the engine will start immediately.

WARNING

Careless or unintended use of the vehicle key can cause crashes and serious injuries.

• Always switch off the engine and take all vehicle keys with you when you leave the vehicle. Children or unauthorized people could lock the vehicle, start the engine, or switch the ignition on and activate electrical equipment, such as the power windows, which could lead to serious injuries.

• Never leave children or people requiring assistance unattended in the vehicle when the vehicle is locked. In an emergency, they will not be able to leave the vehicle unassisted or care for themselves. For example, depending on the season, the temperature inside the vehicle could become very high or low, which can lead to serious injuries, illness or death, especially for very young children.

• Never start the engine or let it run in unventilated or enclosed spaces. Among other substances, engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness and death.

Always switch the ignition off manually before leaving the vehicle and note any messages in the instrument cluster display.

The vehicle being stationary for long periods with the ignition switched on can cause the 12 V vehicle battery to drain and then it will not be possible to start the engine.

Starting the engine

Starting the engine

1. Switch the ignition on.

2. Press and hold the brake pedal until the electronic parking brake is switched off.

3. ​Vehicles with an automatic transmission: Bring the selector lever to the N position or engage the parking lock P.

4. ​Vehicles with ignition lock: Turn the vehicle key in the ignition lock, but do not press the accelerator pedal. Release the vehicle key once the engine starts.

   ​Vehicles with starter button: Press and hold the starter button  and do not press the accelerator pedal. For the engine to start, a valid vehicle key must be inside the vehicle and the brake must be pressed. Release the starter button once the engine starts.

5. If the engine does not start, stop the starting procedure and try again after approximately one minute.

6. ​Vehicles with starter button: If the vehicle was locked with the vehicle key, the starter button will be deactivated. If you are in the vehicle and you need to start the engine, first unlock the vehicle or perform an emergency start .

WARNING

The risk of serious injuries can be reduced when the engine is running or when starting the engine.

• Never start the engine or let it run in unventilated or enclosed spaces. Among other substances, engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness and death.

• Never start the engine or let it run if oil, fuel, or other highly flammable operating materials are under the vehicle, near the vehicle, or dripping from the vehicle, for example as a result of damage.

• Never leave the vehicle unattended when the engine is running, especially if a gear is engaged. The vehicle could move suddenly or perform an unusual action, increasing the risk of damage, fires, and serious injuries.

• Never use a start booster. A start booster can explode and cause sudden engine revving.

NOTICE

The starter or engine can be damaged if you try to restart the engine while driving or immediately after switching it off.

NOTICE

Avoid high engine speeds, full acceleration and heavy engine loads when the engine is cold.

NOTICE

Do not push-start or tow-start the vehicle. Uncombusted fuel can damage the catalytic converter.

NOTICE

If the engine does not start, e.g. the fuel tank is empty, never use the starter with a gear engaged to drive or to attempt a tow-start. The starter can be damaged.

• If necessary, refill with fuel as per  or use jump-start .

• If the engine does not start, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Do not let the engine run to warm up while the vehicle is parked. Begin driving as soon as there is enough visibility through the windows. This allows the engine to reach its operating temperature sooner and reduces the emissions.

Electrical equipment with increased power draw switches off temporarily when the engine is started.

If there is no vehicle key in the vehicle or the key is not detected, a message will appear in the instrument cluster display. This can occur if another signal interferes with the remote control vehicle key or if the remote control vehicle key is covered by an object, such as a metal case.

For example, if the vehicle key button cell battery is weak or drained, the engine cannot be started with the starter button. Perform an emergency start .

After starting, operating noises may be temporarily higher than usual while the engine is cold. This is normal and not a cause for concern.

Stopping the engine

1. Bringing the vehicle to a stop .

2. Park the vehicle .

3. ​Vehicles with ignition lock: Switch the ignition off.

4. ​Vehicles with starter button: Press the starter button briefly. If the engine cannot be turned off, perform an emergency shut-off .

5. Pay attention to the messages in the instrument cluster .

Exit warning

When the driver door is opened, a warning chime sounds and warning notifications appear in the instrument cluster display to warn you that you are exiting a vehicle that can roll.

WARNING

Never turn the engine off when the vehicle is in motion. That can result in loss of control of the vehicle, accidents, and serious injuries.

• The airbags and safety belt pretensioners will not function.

• Braking support will not work. You must apply more pressure on the brake pedal to stop.

• Power steering will not work. You must use more force to steer.

• ​Vehicles with ignition lock: If the vehicle key is removed, the steering lock may engage and it will not be possible to steer the vehicle.

• ​Vehicles with starter button: When the ignition is switched off, the steering column lock could engage and you would not be able to steer the vehicle.

WARNING

Exhaust system components will become very hot. This can result in fires and serious injuries.

• Never park the vehicle in such a way that exhaust system components come into contact with flammable materials under the vehicle, for example shrubs, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.

• Never use additional undercoating or corrosion protection for exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, heat shields, or particulate filters.

NOTICE

The engine can overheat after turning it off if the vehicle is driven with a high engine load for a long period of time.

• Let the engine run in neutral for approximately two minutes before turning it off to reduce the risk of engine damage.

In vehicles with an automatic transmission, you can only remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock when the selector lever is in the P selector lever position.

After the engine has been switched off, the radiator fan in the engine compartment can keep running for a few more minutes. The radiator fan will turn off automatically.

Remote start function

With the remote start relay function, the engine can be started remotely, in order to heat or cool the vehicle interior before the start of a journey.

If the vehicle is equipped with Climatronic, this automatically heats or cools the vehicle interior to +22 °C (+72 °F) after the engine is started.

When the outside temperature is below +20 °C (+68 °F), the exterior mirror heating is also switched on. At outside temperatures of below +4 °C (+39 °F), the rear window defroster and other comfort systems will also be switched on .

Fig. 109 Vehicle key with remote start relay function.

1. Button to lock the vehicle.
2. Button for remote start relay function.

Starting the remote start relay function

You must press the following buttons on the vehicle key within five seconds to start the engine using the remote start relay function:

1. Press the button    once. All turn signals will flash.

2. Press the button     twice in a row. All turn signals will flash. During remote start, the parking light turns on.

If the remote start relay process is not actively canceled by the driver or automatically canceled, the engine will run for around 10 minutes.

A maximum of two remote starts can be performed in a row, even if one or both remote starts have been interrupted within the 10 minute period.

In order to carry out two more remote starts, switch the ignition on and off once.

Ending the remote start relay

1. Press the  button    in the vehicle key to switch off the engine.

Driving after a remote start relay

If the engine has been started using the remote start relay function, the vehicle cannot be driven. To transition to being able to drive:

1. ​Vehicles with starter button: Press the brake pedal and press the start button.

   ​Vehicles with ignition lock: Press the brake pedal and turn the vehicle key to the “Start engine” position, then release it .

The engine continues to run during this process.

Remote start relay conditions

The following conditions must be fulfilled simultaneously in order for the vehicle interior to be heated or cooled by the remote start relay function:

• The vehicle is fully ready to drive.

• The vehicle does not move.

• Sufficient fuel is available and the indicator light  did not light up before the vehicle was parked.

• The parking lock  is engaged .

• ​Vehicles with ignition lock: The vehicle key is not in the ignition switch.

• All doors, the hood and the trunk lid are fully closed and locked .

• The anti-theft alarm system has not triggered the alarm.

• The panic alarm is not activated.

• The emergency flashers are switched off.

• Two remote starts have not yet been carried out in direct succession.

Settings for automatic air conditioning with remote start relay

The following heating, ventilation and cooling system settings are automatically applied in the case of a remote start relay:

If the engine has been started using the remote start relay function, the settings can be changed via the air conditioning system controls and the buttons for the windshield and rear window defroster, seat heating or ventilation, depending on vehicle equipment.

Personal settings will be replaced by the automatic air conditioning settings the next time the vehicle is started using remote start relay.

To change the automatic air conditioning settings, contact a suitably qualified professional. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

WARNING

Careless or unintended use of the remote start relay function can cause serious injuries.

• Never start the engine in an enclosed space, e.g. in a garage. The exhaust can cause fatal poisoning and result in death through suffocation.

• Only use the remote start relay function when no-one is in the vehicle and immediately before you intend to drive the vehicle.

• No adults or children should be on the vehicle during a remote start.

• Never start the engine if children or animals are in the vehicle. When the engine is running, the electrical seats may be used and can cause serious injuries.

• Never start the engine if the vehicle is covered with a protective cover. Hot vehicle components and exhaust can set the protective cover on fire and cause serious injuries.

• Never start the engine close to flammable or explosive materials. The exhaust could ignite the materials. This could cause a fire and serious injuries.

• Never start the engine if the vehicle is out of visual range.

• Never start the engine if the warning light  is turned on or blinking .

The use of the remote start relay function may be regulated or prohibited regionally in some countries. Always observe legal and local regulations relating to the use of the remote start relay function!

During an active remote start relay, some vehicle functions are deactivated, e.g. the low beam headlight and the windshield wipers.

Using the remote start relay function may increase fuel consumption and discharge the 12-volt vehicle battery.

Electronic immobilizer

The immobilizer helps prevent the engine from being started and the vehicle from being moved with an unauthorized vehicle key.

For vehicles with an ignition lock: There is a chip in the vehicle key. The chip automatically deactivates the immobilizer if a valid vehicle key is inserted into the ignition lock.

For vehicles with an ignition lock: The electronic immobilizer is activated automatically when the vehicle key is removed from the ignition lock.

For vehicles with a starter button: There is a chip in the vehicle key. It is used to automatically deactivate the electronic immobilizer when there is a valid remote control vehicle key in the vehicle interior.

For vehicles with a starter button: The electronic immobilizer is automatically activated as soon as there is no valid vehicle key in the vehicle.

The engine can only be started with a Volkswagen Genuine vehicle key that is coded correctly. You can obtain coded vehicle keys from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Only using Volkswagen Genuine vehicle keys will ensure that your vehicle operates correctly.

Troubleshooting

Fig. 110 On the right side of the steering column: emergency start function on vehicles with Keyless Access with push-button start.

 Engine control malfunction

The yellow indicator light turns on.

Engine control is malfunctioning.

1. Pay attention to any text shown in the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit display.

2. Have the engine checked immediately by suitably qualified professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

 Engine control malfunction

The indicator light comes on in the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit.

The yellow indicator light turns on.

The driving performance of the vehicle is limited.

The driving performance has been limited to prevent the engine control components from overheating.

• A corresponding indicator may appear in the instrument cluster display.

• It is possible to continue driving with reduced driving performance.

The driving performance limitation is removed in the following scenarios:

• The engine control components are no longer within a critical temperature range.

 Engine speed limited

The yellow indicator light turns on.

The engine speed has been limited to reduce the risk of the engine overheating.

The instrument cluster display shows the engine speed.

The engine speed limitation is removed in the following scenarios:

• The engine is no longer within a critical temperature range.

• The driver’s foot is removed from the accelerator pedal.

 together with  Engine speed limitation due to engine control malfunction

The yellow indicator lights turn on.

The engine speed limitation is triggered by an engine control malfunction.

1. Make sure the displayed RPM is not exceeded.

2. Have the engine checked immediately by suitably qualified professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

The vehicle key cannot be removed from the ignition lock

An unauthorized vehicle key was inserted into the ignition lock.

Remove the vehicle key as follows:

​Vehicles with an automatic transmission:

1. Press and release the lock button in the selector lever.

2. Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.

​Vehicles with manual transmission:

1. Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.

Valid vehicle key cannot be detected

A corresponding indicator appears in the instrument cluster display.

If the vehicle key has a weak or drained button cell battery, the vehicle key may not be able to be detected.

An emergency start must be performed:

1. Press and hold the brake pedal.

2. Hold the vehicle key on the right side of the steering column trim panel immediately after pressing the starter button  .

The ignition will switch on automatically and the engine may start.

The engine cannot be turned off

The engine cannot be turned off when the starter button is pressed briefly.

An emergency stop must be performed:

1. Press the starter button twice within several seconds or press and hold one time.

The engine will stop automatically .

The engine cannot be started

If an unauthorized vehicle key is used or the system is malfunctioning, a corresponding indicator appears in the instrument cluster display.

1. Use an authorized vehicle key.

2. If the malfunction persists, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

The engine cannot be started

The engine cannot be started with the ignition key or by briefly pressing the starter button while activating the brake pedal or the clutch pedal.

There is a malfunction in the start system.

1. Turn and hold the remote control vehicle key or press the button for as long as needed for the engine to start.

2. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

The engine cannot be started remotely

If at least one of the following conditions are met, the engine remote start function does not start:

• The vehicle is not fully ready to drive.

• ​Vehicles with ignition lock: There is a vehicle key in the ignition switch.

• Sufficient fuel is not available or the indicator light  lit up before the vehicle was parked.

• The vehicle is unlocked.

• The engine hood or the trunk lid is opened.

• One or several vehicle doors are opened.

• The selector lever is not in position .

• If the 12-volt vehicle battery is too weak or discharged.

• The emergency flashers are switched on.

• The anti-theft alarm system is activated.

• The panic alarm is activated.

• The vehicle moves.

• Two remote starts have already been carried out in direct succession.

• There is a system error.

Ensure that the necessary conditions are met and then restart the engine if necessary.