2019 Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual - Hill Start Assist (Hill Hold)

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 First Gear or Reverse (manual transmission) or in Drive or Sport Drive (D/S) or Reverse (R) (automatic or DSG 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, let the clutch out on a manual transmission vehicle, 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 brake or parking brake.

• The engine must be running smoothly.

• All four wheels must have sufficient contact with the road.

• Automatic or DSG transmission: vehicle must be in Drive or Sport Drive (D/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.

• Manual transmission: The vehicle must be in 1st gear (1) if headed up a hill or in Reverse (R) if backing up a hill; you must hold the clutch down and the foot brake must be depressed to keep the vehicle from moving.

Automatic or DSG transmission: To drive off, take your foot off the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator within 2 seconds.

Manual transmission: To drive off, take your foot off the brake pedal as you let the clutch out and gently depress the accelerator within 2 seconds. If the accelerator is not depressed, the brakes will release automatically.

Hill Start Assist is immediately deactivated:

• If any requirement listed above is no longer met.

• If the engine is not running smoothly or the engine malfunctions.

• If the engine stalls or is switched off.

• Automatic or DSG transmission: If the transmission is in Neutral (N).

• Automatic or DSG transmission: 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.