2015 Volkswagen GTI Owners Manual - Driving Mode Selection

Driving Mode Selection

 Introduction to the subject

In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:

Your vehicle may be equipped with the Driving Mode Selection feature.

Additional information and warnings:

• Infotainment system  

• Lights  

• Shifting  

• Steering  

• Cruise control  

WARNING

Driving on today's roads demands the full attention of the driver at all times. Driver distraction causes accidents, collisions and serious personal injury!

• Never let yourself be distracted when selecting a driving mode or using the Infotainment system.

• Always drive attentively and responsibly. Use the Driving Mode Selection feature and the Infotainment system only if road, traffic, and weather conditions permit and you will not be distracted from your driving.

Function and operation

Fig. 145 In the lower section of the centre console: Driving Mode Selection button

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

The driver can choose from different driving modes with a variety of characteristics:

The effect on the vehicle settings in the individual driving modes depends on vehicle equipment.

The driving mode can be changed while the vehicle is stationary or when it is moving. After selecting a driving mode, the vehicle settings (excluding engine settings) are switched to the new driving mode immediately.

When traffic conditions allow, briefly take your foot off the accelerator to activate the newly selected driving mode for the engine.

Steering

In Sport mode, power steering is reduced and the effort required to steer the vehicle increases. The vehicle's driving response becomes more agile.

Powertrain (engine and transmission)

The engine and transmission will give either a more dynamic or more balanced response to the movement of the accelerator, depending on the selected driving mode. In vehicles with an automatic transmission, the shift points and the coasting mode will also change. Active cruise control can affect the acceleration response.

Adaptive front lighting system (AFS) and Light Assist (if equipped)

AFS and Light Assist give either a more dynamic or more balanced response to the current driving situation, depending on the selected driving mode.

Displaying the driving mode

• Switch on the ignition.

• Press the Driving Mode Selection button   . The Driving Mode Selection menu appears in the Infotainment system display. The active driving mode is selected.

• Tap the Information function key to display additional information about the current driving mode.

Selecting the driving mode

• Switch on the ignition.

• Press the Driving Mode Selection button    and tap the function key for the selected driving mode in the Infotainment system display.

• OR: press the Driving Mode Selection button  to toggle through the driving modes.

The selected driving mode will stay set even after the ignition has been switched off. The last activated driving mode will be assigned to the vehicle key that was used when the driving mode was selected.

WARNING

Changing the driving mode can alter the vehicle handling. Never allow Driving Mode Selection to tempt you into taking extra risks.

• Always adjust your speed and driving style to road, traffic, weather, and visibility conditions.

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.

NOTE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.

In vehicles with an automatic transmission, the system automatically switches to Sport (S) mode when the Sport driving mode is selected.

The driver can adjust certain vehicle functions, regardless of the selected driving mode. For example, the driver can shift the selector lever to the Sport (S) mode, even if the Normal driving mode is selected.

Adjusting the driving mode

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

The systems that can be adjusted to your individual requirements depend on the vehicle equipment.

• Switch on the ignition.

• If necessary, switch on the Infotainment system.

• Press the Driving Mode Selection button  and tap the Individual function key in the Infotainment system display.

• Tap the Settings function key to open the Individual menu.

If the box in the function key is checked , the function is switched on.

Tapping the  function key always takes you back to the previously active menu.

Changes to settings menus are applied immediately, with the exception of engine settings.

WARNING

Driving on today's roads demands the full attention of the driver at all times. Driver distraction causes accidents, collisions and serious personal injury!

• Never let yourself be distracted when setting, adjusting, or using the Infotainment system.

• Always drive attentively and responsibly. Use the Infotainment system only if road, traffic, and weather conditions permit and you will not be distracted from your driving.