Steering
Introduction to the subject
In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:
Your vehicle is equipped with an electromechanical power steering system. The power steering works only when the engine is running.
The electromechanical power steering system automatically adjusts to driving speed, steering torque, and the steering angle of the wheels. It delivers extra steering force only when you are actually turning the wheels.
WARNING
Turning the steering wheel is very hard when the power steering system is not working. This makes it harder to steer and control the vehicle.
- Power steering works only when the engine is running.
- Never let the vehicle coast with the engine switched off.
- Never remove the key from the ignition switch or turn off the ignition with the starter button while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a stop. The electronic steering column could suddenly lock, you would not be able to steer, and you could lose control of the vehicle, crash, and seriously injure yourself and others.
Warning and indicator lights
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
| Lights up | Possible cause | Proper response |
|---|---|---|
| Power steering malfunction. | Have the power steering system checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. |
|
| Power steering assist is reduced. | Stop, restart the engine, and drive a short distance. If the yellow warning light does not come on again, you do not need to have the steering system checked. Otherwise, have the steering checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. |
|
| Vehicle battery was disconnected and has been reconnected. | Drive a short distance at about 10–12 mph (15–20 km/h). |
| Flashes | Possible cause | Proper response |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic steering column lock malfunction. | The ignition cannot be switched on. The vehicle must not be towed! Get professional assistance. |
|
| Steering system stiff. | Turn the steering wheel back and forth. | |
| Steering column not locked/unlocked. | Switch the ignition off and then switch it on again. Heed any messages shown in the instrument cluster display, if applicable. On vehicles with Keyless Access , press the starter button briefly twice in a row without depressing the brake or clutch pedal. Do not drive any farther if the steering column remains locked after you switch on the ignition. Contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance. |
When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function check. They go out after a few seconds.
WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.
- Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
- Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, turn on the emergency flashers, switch off the engine, and use other warning devices to warn approaching traffic.
- Park the vehicle where no part of the hot catalytic converter and exhaust system can come into contact with flammable materials under the vehicle, such as dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, etc.
NOTE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Steering system information
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
To help prevent vehicle theft, you should always make sure the steering column is locked before leaving the vehicle.
Mechanical steering column lock (vehicles without Keyless Access)
The steering column is locked if the vehicle is not moving and the vehicle key is removed from the ignition switch. Turn the steering wheel slightly until the steering column lock clicks into place.
To disengage the steering column lock, insert the vehicle key into the ignition switch. Turn the steering wheel slightly to take pressure off the steering column lock. Hold the steering wheel in this position and turn the ignition switch.
Electronic steering column lock (vehicles with Keyless Access)
The steering column is locked if the driver door is opened with the ignition switched off. The vehicle must be standing still and the transmission must be in Park (P) on an automatic transmission vehicle.
If the driver door is opened before the ignition is switched off, the electronic steering column lock is activated only after the vehicle has been locked with the vehicle key bit or via the sensor in the door handle.
Power steering
Power steering automatically adjusts to driving speed, steering torque, and the steering angle of the wheels. Power steering works only when the engine is running.
If power steering is reduced or lost completely, it will be much harder to steer and control the vehicle.
Counter-steering assistance
Counter-steering assistance is part of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This feature makes it easier for the driver to control the vehicle in difficult situations. For example, if you have to brake hard on a surface that provides uneven traction, the vehicle could pull to the right or left. ESC detects this situation and helps the driver counter-steer with additional steering power .
WARNING
The counter-steering assistance in ESC can do no more than help the driver steer in difficult situations. The driver must still control the vehicle. The vehicle does not steer by itself with this feature!
NOTE
If the ignition is off, the steering column lock will engage and the vehicle cannot be steered. For this reason, you must leave the ignition on when going through an automatic car wash, for example, so that the wheels will still steer.
NOTE
When towing the vehicle with a tow bar or tow rope, always leave the ignition on to prevent the steering wheel from locking, and so that the turn signals, horn, windshield wipers, and window washer system can be used.
Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold)
Some vehicles are equipped with Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold), a feature that helps keep the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting out on a hill, for example after stopping at a traffic light. You don't have to apply and release the parking brake while depressing the accelerator. For Hill Start Assist to work, the engine must be running and the vehicle must be in Drive (D), Sport Drive (S), or Reverse (R) (automatic transmission) and you must use the foot brake to hold the vehicle before starting to move.
Hill Start Assist keeps the brake applied for almost 2 seconds with the same force you used to prevent the vehicle from moving. This gives you time to take your foot off the brake and gently depress the accelerator to get the vehicle moving again. If you do not depress the accelerator pedal and get the vehicle moving again within this time, the brakes will release and the vehicle will roll downhill. Furthermore, if any requirement for engaging Hill Start Assist is no longer met while the vehicle is stopped, Hill Start Assist disengages and the brakes are automatically released and will no longer hold the vehicle.
Hill Start Assist is activated automatically when the following points are met at the same time:
- Hold the stopped vehicle on an incline with the foot or parking brake.
- The engine must be running smoothly.
- All four wheels must have sufficient contact with the road.
- The vehicle must be in Drive (D), or Sport Drive (S) if headed up a hill or Reverse (R) if backing up a hill, and the foot brake must be depressed to keep the vehicle from moving.
To drive off, take your foot off the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator within 2 seconds.
Hill Start Assist is immediately deactivated:
- If any requirement listed in the table above is no longer met.
- If the engine is not running smoothly or the engine malfunctions.
- If the engine stalls or is switched off.
- If the driver door is opened.
- If the transmission is in Neutral (N).
- If a tire does not have enough road contact (such as when the vehicle is tipped or at an angle).
WARNING
The intelligent technology of Hill Start Assist cannot overcome the laws of physics. Never let the increased convenience provided by Hill Start Assist tempt you into taking risks.
- The Hill Start Assist feature cannot hold the vehicle in all hill start situations (for example, if the surface is icy or slippery).
- Hill Start Assist can only help keep the vehicle from moving for less than 2 seconds. After that, the brakes will be released and the vehicle can roll down the hill.
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