Volkswagen e-Golf (2015 year). Instruction — part 14

Switching the ignition on and off

Briefly press the starter button once without operating the brake or clutch pedals

⇒

.

Emergency start feature

If an authorized remote control vehicle key is in the passenger compartment but the instrument cluster
displays No key in range when you push the starter button, the remote control vehicle key battery
is weak or dead. You can still start the electric motor using the Emergency start feature.

Make sure the selector lever is in the Park (P) position.

Hold the remote control vehicle key to the right of the steering column trim immediately after press-

ing the starter button

⇒

fig. 122

.

The ignition automatically switches on and the electric motor starts.

Emergency shut-off

If the electric motor does not switch off by briefly pressing the starter button, emergency shut-off is
necessary:

Press the starter button twice within 3 seconds or press and hold the button longer than 1 second

⇒

in Stopping the electric motor

The electric motor switches off automatically.

If no authorized remote control vehicle key is identified in the passenger compartment after the electric
motor has been switched off, the electric motor cannot be restarted. A related message is shown in
the instrument cluster display.

WARNING

Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury.

Do not depress the brake or clutch pedals when switching on the ignition, as the electric

motor could otherwise be activated immediately.

WARNING

Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious personal injury.

Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. Children or unauthorized per-

sons may use it to lock the vehicle, start the electric motor, and operate vehicle systems
such as the power windows, leading to serious personal injury.

Never leave children, disabled persons, or anyone who cannot help themselves in the

vehicle. The doors can be locked using the remote control vehicle key. This could result in
people being trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. For example, depending on the time of
year, people trapped in the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.

Heat buildup in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in

temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures, particularly
in summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and
death, particularly to small children.

If the ignition is switched on or the electric motor is activated and the driver door is opened, a

chime sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off the electric motor and turn off the ignition
before leaving and locking the vehicle from the outside.

Activating the electric motor

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The electric motor can only be activated under the following conditions:

There is no charging cable connected.
The temperature of the high-voltage battery is within operating range.

Activating the electric motor

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.

Step Vehicles without Keyless Ac-

cess

Vehicles with Keyless Access

1.

Turn the vehicle key to posi-

tion

⇒

fig. 120

(1)

.

2.

Depress the brake pedal and hold it down until step 5 is completed.

3.

Shift the transmission into Neutral (N) or Park (P).

4.

Turn the vehicle key to posi-

tion

⇒

fig. 120

(2)

– do not de-

press the accelerator pedal.

Hold the vehicle key until the

text message READY lights up

in the instrument cluster.

Briefly press the starter button

⇒

fig. 121

– do not depress the

accelerator pedal. Hold the

starter button in until the text

message READY appears in the

instrument cluster. An author-

ized vehicle key must be inside

the vehicle in order to start the

electric motor.

5.

When the text message READY

appears, release the vehicle

key. Once released, the vehicle

key moves back to position

⇒

fig. 120

(1)

. The vehicle is now

ready to drive. The needle in the

power display moves from

to

.

When the text message READY

appears, release the starter

button. The needle in the power

display moves from

to .

6.

If the text message READY is not displayed, cancel and repeat the

procedure.

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.

Step Vehicles without Keyless Ac-

cess

Vehicles with Keyless Access

7.

Release the parking brake when you are ready to start driving

Noises before driving

A clicking noise may be heard when activating the electric motor.

Recognizing that the vehicle is ready to drive

The electric motor does not make any perceptible noise either when starting or when switched on. It is
therefore not possible to tell that the vehicle is ready to drive based on vehicle noise. Instead, the
following features indicate that the vehicle is ready to drive:

The needle in the power display

⇒

fig. 9

(1)

is positioned at .

The illumination of the needles in the instrument cluster is switched on regardless of whether the

vehicle's exterior lighting is switched on.

The text message READY appears in the instrument cluster display

⇒

fig. 9

(3)

.

An acoustic signal will sound.

Automatic deactivation of the electric motor

The electric motor is automatically deactivated if the vehicle is left with the electric motor still switched
on after driving. In vehicles with Keyless Access, the ignition switches off automatically with a delay of
about 30 seconds, to protect the vehicle against unauthorized usage.

Reactivating the electric motor

When the electric motor has been automatically switched off once the driver has left the vehicle, it can
be switched back on again within 30 seconds.

The driver door must be closed, the brake pedal depressed and one of the following conditions ful-
filled:

Move the selector lever to position D/B/N or P and lock the safety belt.
OR: move the selector lever to position D/B/N or P and manually release the electronic parking

brake.

When the driver door is closed and no pedals are depressed, the electric motor is reactivated by
applying the safety belt if one of the following additional conditions is also fulfilled:

The selector lever is in position P or N and the electronic parking brake is switched on.
OR: the selector lever is in position D or B, the vehicle is not crawling and the electronic parking

brake is switched on.

WARNING

Never leave the vehicle unattended with the electric motor activated, especially when it is in
gear. The vehicle could move suddenly or some other unexpected event could occur, result-
ing in property damage, fire, or personal injury.

WARNING

An unattended vehicle that is ready to drive can be driven without authorization, causing
crashes, other accidents and serious personal injury.

Never leave the vehicle unattended when it is ready to drive.
Always switch off the ignition before leaving the vehicle.
Always make sure to move the selector lever to P (Park) and firmly apply the parking

brake when leaving the vehicle.

Always make sure that all doors, windows, the hood and rear hatch are completely closed

and locked before leaving the vehicle.

At very low outside temperatures when the high-voltage battery is consequently very cold, elec-

trical driving and the vehicle range may be limited.

Setting off

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.

1.

Activate the electric motor. Depress and hold the brake pedal.

2.

Move the selector lever to position D/B or R

3.

Switch off the electronic parking brake and release the brake pedal

4.

Press the accelerator pedal.

Electronic engine sound (e-sound)

When moving up to speed of about 18 mph (30 km/h) your vehicle generates an electronic engine
sound (e-sound). This sound can be heard outside of your vehicle and can sound similar to the sound
generated by a combustion engine. When driving faster than about 18 mph (30 km/h), the sound will
automatically fade.

An error in the e-sound system is indicated by the symbol in the instrument cluster. If this appears,
please drive to an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen service facility and have
the system checked.

WARNING

Never leave the vehicle unattended while the electric motor is drive-ready. The vehicle could
move suddenly, especially when the vehicle is in gear, resulting in accidents and personal
injury.

Crawling function

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The crawling function allows you to drive forwards or backwards without pressing the accelerator
pedal. When the crawling function is activated, the vehicle is gently accelerated from standstill or very
slow rolling to around 3 mph (5 km/h) and held at that speed. The crawling function does not limit the
top speed burt rather keeps the minimum speed without pressing the accelerator to around 3 mph (5
km/h).

How the system works

Activate the electric motor (ignition on)

Move the selector lever to either D/B or R
Release the brake pedal

The vehicle slowly accelerates (“crawls) up to a speed of about 3 mph (5 km/h) without the accelerator
being pressed. The crawling function is deactivated as soon as the vehicle exceeds 6 mph (10 km/h).
After the vehicle has been stopped, it does not automatically begin to crawl again.

To reactivate the crawling function, with the drive gear D/B selected press the accelerator or select
drive gear R. The crawling function is automatically activated every time the drive gear is changed to
D/B or R.

The crawling function is also automatically reactivated under the following conditions:

If the vehicle is moving slower than 6 mph (10 km/h) and the driver door is opened.
If the vehicle is standing still and with the brake pedal pressed the driver door is opened or the

driver safety belt is unlocked.

WARNING

Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury.

Never get out of the driver's seat while the electric motor is activated, especially when the

transmission is in a drive gear. If you must leave your vehicle while the electric motor is acti-
vated, always set the parking brake and move the selector lever into Park (P).

Never leave the vehicle in Neutral (N) or Drive gear (D/B). It will roll down hills, whether the

electric motor is activated or not.

When the electric motor is activated and a drive gear - Drive (D/B) or Reverse (R) - has

been selected, press and hold the brake pedal to keep the vehicle from moving.

Never move the selector lever into Reverse (R) or Park (P) when the vehicle is moving.

Power availability display

Fig. 123 In instrument cluster: power display with ranges for energy consumption A and for recuperation B

Fig. 124 In the instrument cluster: power availability

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The current power consumption and the current power availability are displayed in the instrument
cluster when the electric motor is activated.

Power display

When the electric motor is activated, the display changes from OFF to 0. The current power consump-

tion is displayed in the instrument cluster while you are driving

⇒

fig. 123

.

When the needle is located in the blue area

(A)

, the vehicle is driving in the energy consumption

range.

When the needle is located in the green area

(B)

, braking energy is converted into electrical energy via

the electric motor and fed into the high-voltage battery (recuperation range).

Power availability display

The current power availability is displayed in the instrument cluster

⇒

fig. 124

.

Key to

⇒

fig. 124

:

(A)

Maximum power availability. High power availability is required, for example, to accelerate the

vehicle quickly to complete an overtaking manoeuvre safely.

(B)

Maximum power no longer available

⇒

.

(C)

Currently available power is very limited. The indicator light lights up in the instrument cluster

⇒ table
The limited power availability can be dependent on driving style, like rapid acceleration. The power
availability is also generally limited under the following conditions:

Very cold or very hot high-voltage battery temperatures.
Low high-voltage battery charge level.

When the charge level of the high-voltage battery reaches the reserve range

⇒

fig. 133

(A)

, the maxi-

mum possible driving speed will be reduced in addition to the power availability. Charge the high-
voltage battery as soon as possible

Displays for the reserve range of the high-voltage battery

If the charge level of the high-voltage battery has reached the “reserve range”

⇒

fig. 133

(A)

, corre-

sponding text messages will appear in the instrument cluster display. In addition, indicator lights in the
instrument cluster can light up combined with acoustic warnings. The order of the displays may differ
depending on the driving style and charge level. Display of the text messages and indicator lights can

be followed by a gradual reduction in power

⇒

and by a reduction in the power for electrical

equipment, for example, the air-conditioning system, and to their subsequent deactivation. Driving
profiles may also be automatically activated.

In order to avoid a critically low charge level while driving, always make sure that the high-voltage
battery has a sufficient charge level and recharge the high-voltage battery whenever possible

Lights up

Warning text in the

instrument cluster

display

Proper response

-

Range 20 mi

The remaining range is

approximately 20

miles. The Eco driving

profile is automatically
activated shortly after-

wards. Charge the

high-voltage battery as

soon as possible

-

The reserve range has

been reached

⇒

fig. 133

(A)

. Charge

the high-voltage battery

as soon as possible

Lights up

Warning text in the

instrument cluster

display

Proper response

-

Please charge

battery! Limited

conv. funct.

The remaining range is

just a few miles. The

power is reduced and,
if necessary, electrical

consumers are shut

down. The Eco driving

profile is activated.

Charge the high-

voltage battery as soon

as possible

-

Battery almost

drained! Limited

function.

The vehicle can only

be driven with limited

power in reserve mode.

The Eco+ driving pro-

file is activated. Charge

the high-voltage battery

as soon as possible

Battery drained!

Speed restricted.

The maximum possible

driving speed is limited

to 50 mph (80km/h).

The remaining range is

just a few hundred

yards. The Eco+ driv-

ing profile is activated.

Charge the high-

voltage battery as soon

as possible

If high-voltage battery discharges completely on the road

If the vehicle stops due the high-voltage battery being discharged, it is possible to activate the electric
drive again for a short distance of a few yards. This allows you, for example, to drive the vehicle away
from moving traffic or off an intersection.

Proceed as follows:

Switch off the ignition.
Activate the electric motor again
Press the accelerator pedal to drive.

The procedure can be repeated a second time, but the possible driving distance and the power will be
reduced considerably. Please contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer , Volkswagen service facility
or roadside assistance if the vehicle cannot be moved any further.

Charge the high-voltage battery as soon as possible

WARNING

Driving when the high-voltage battery charge is too low can lead to stalling in traffic, colli-
sions and serious personal injury.

Always make sure that the high-voltage battery has a sufficient charge level to get where

you are going and that the high-voltage battery can be charged when you get there.

WARNING

If the maximum power reserve is not available or the charge level of the high-voltage battery
has reached the “reserve range”, the driving characteristics can change, for example, the
acceleration performance of the vehicle.

Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic con-

ditions as well as the charge level of the high-voltage battery.

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.
A broken down vehicle presents a high accident risk for itself and others. Switch on

emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle or other device to warn oncoming traffic.

NOTICE

If the vehicle is parked for a long period with a drained high-voltage battery, irreversible dam-
age can be caused to the high-voltage battery.

Always charge the high-voltage battery as soon as possible .

NOTICE

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

Stopping the electric motor

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.

Step

Vehicles without Keyless Ac-

cess

Vehicles with Keyless Access

1.

Bring the vehicle to a complete stop

⇒ .

2.

Depress and hold down the brake pedal until step 4 is completed.

3.

Shift the transmission into Park (P).

4.

Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving

5.

Turn the vehicle key to position

⇒

fig. 120

(0)

in the ignition

switch.

Briefly press the starter button
⇒

fig. 121

. If the electric motor

will not switch off, carry out the

emergency shut-off procedure

7.

Removing the vehicle key from

the ignition switches off electrical

equipment and activates the

steering column lock.

Opening the doors switches off

electrical equipment and acti-

vates the steering column lock.

WARNING

Never stop the electric motor before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. You can lose
control of the vehicle, crash, and be seriously injured.

The airbags and safety belt pretensioners will not work when the ignition is switched off.
The brake booster does not work when the electric motor is not activated. More brake

pedal pressure will be needed to stop the vehicle.

The power steering system does not work when the electric motor is not activated, and

you will need more force to steer the vehicle.

When the key is removed from the ignition switch, the steering will lock and you will not

be able to steer the vehicle.

If the ignition is switched on or the electric motor is activated and the driver door is opened, a

chime sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off the electric motor and turn off the ignition
before leaving and locking the vehicle from the outside.

The vehicle key can only be removed from the ignition when the transmission is in Park (P).

After the electric motor has been switched off, the radiator fan in the electric motor compartment

may keep activated for several minutes, or may start activated after the vehicle has been parked for a
while, even if the ignition is switched off and the vehicle key has been removed. The radiator fan shuts
off automatically when the electric motor has cooled down enough.

Driving profiles

Fig. 125 In the lower part of the center console: Button for selecting driving profile.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

It is possible to choose between three different driving profiles, each of which has different driving
characteristics.

Normal driving profile

Eco driving profile

Eco+ driving profile

The text message

Driving Profile

Normal appears in the

infotainment system
display for a few se-

conds.

The text message

Driving Profile

Eco appears in the

infotainment system
display for a few se-

conds.

The text message

Driving Profile

Eco+ appears in the

infotainment system
display for a few se-

conds.

Maximum speed 85

mph (140 km/h).

Maximum speed 70

mph (115 km/h).

Maximum speed 55

mph (90 km/h).

Climatronic in normal

mode.

Climatronic in con-

sumption-optimized

Eco mode.

Climatronic heating

and cooling function

switched off.

The full power of the

electric drive is availa-

ble.

The power of the elec-

tric drive is reduced in

comparison with the

Normal driving profile.

Energy consumption is
reduced in comparison
with the Normal driving

profile.

The power of the elec-

tric drive is reduced in

comparison with the

Eco driving profile.

Energy consumption is

reduced even more

compared to the Eco

driving profile.

Displaying the driving mode

Make sure that the ignition is switched on.

Press the

button

⇒

fig. 125

. The Driving Profile selection menu appears in the infotainment

system. The active driving mode is selected.

Touch the Information function button to display additional information about the current driving

mode.

Selecting the driving mode

Make sure that the ignition is switched on.

Press the

button

⇒

fig. 125

and touch the function button for the selected driving mode in the

infotainment system.

After starting electric drive, the Normal driving profile is selected automatically.

WARNING

Changing the driving mode can change the way the vehicle reacts.

Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic con-

ditions.

WARNING

Changing a driving mode while the vehicle is moving can distract you from the road and
cause accidents.

Never attempt to change the driving mode while the vehicle is moving!

WARNING

Always observe traffic rules and posted speed limits and use common sense. Your good
judgment can mean the difference between arriving safely at your destination and being seri-
ously injured in a crash or other kind of accident

In the Eco and Eco+ driving profiles, the power of the electric drive and the maximum driving

speed are restricted. This restriction can be temporarily cancelled by quickly pressing the accelerator
pedal to the floor (kickdown).

Electronic immobilizer

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The immobilizer helps to prevent the electric motor from being activated and driven with an unauthor-
ized vehicle key.

There is a microchip inside the vehicle key. The chip deactivates the immobilizer automatically when
an authorized vehicle key is inserted into the ignition switch.

The electronic immobilizer is automatically activated when the remote control vehicle key is pulled out

of the ignition switch. On vehicles with Keyless Access, the vehicle key must be outside the vehicle

⇒

Unlocking or locking the vehicle with Keyless Access.

The electric motor can therefore only be activated with an authorized and correctly coded genuine
Volkswagen vehicle key. Coded vehicle keys are available from authorized Volkswagen dealers,
authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities, and from certain independent repair facilities and locksmiths

who are qualified to make these vehicle keys

⇒ Vehicle key set.

If an unauthorized vehicle key is used, a message may appear in the instrument cluster display. The
vehicle cannot be operated with this key.

A Declaration of Compliance with the United States FCC and Industry Canada regulations is on

⇒

Declaration of Compliance, Telecommunications and Electronic Systems.

Using genuine Volkswagen keys helps minimize the risk of malfunctions.

Shifting

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Warning and indicator lights

Pedals

Selector lever

Brake energy recuperation

Notes on selecting a driving mode

When the ignition is switched on and the transmission is in Reverse (R):

The backup lights come on.
The rear window wiper switches on when the windshield wipers are switched on.
The Rear View Camera system switches on (if equipped).

More information:

Lower center console
Instruments
Braking and parking
Rear View Camera system
Climate control
Emergency closing and opening

WARNING

Rapid acceleration can cause skidding and loss of traction, especially on slippery roads,
resulting in a loss of vehicle control, collisions, and serious personal injury.

Only use fast acceleration if visibility, weather, road, and traffic conditions permit and

other drivers will not be endangered by your driving and the vehicle's acceleration.

WARNING

Constant braking causes the brakes to overheat and even to fail leading to collisions and
serious personal injury.

Never “ride” the brakes or apply the brake pedal too often or too long.
Riding the brakes will substantially reduce braking performance, increase stopping dis-

tance, and can cause complete brake system failure.

NOTICE

Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pedal when you do not want to

brake. This will make the brakes wear faster.

Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, always reduce speed and

shift into an adequate recuperation level. This will let the vehicle use the electric motor braking
and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake system could overheat and even fail.
Only use the brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.

Warning and indicator lights

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Lights

up

Possible cause

Proper response

Together with indicator light

as well as text message in

instrument cluster display

Error: recuperation.

See owner's manual!:

Recuperation error.

Drive the next authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen service facility and

have your vehicle checked.

Brake pedal not depressed.

Apply the brake pedal to select a

drive gear

Flashes

Possible cause

Proper response

The release button in the

selector lever did not engage.

Vehicle movement is pre-

vented.

Engage selector lever release

button

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, stop the electric motor, and use other warning devices to warn
approaching traffic.

NOTICE

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

Pedals

Fig. 126 Pedals in the vehicle: 1 Accelerator pedal, 2 Brake pedal.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

All pedals must always be able to move freely in and out without interference from floor mats or other
things.

Only use floor mats that leave the pedal area free and are held securely in place with floor mat fasten-
ers to help prevent sliding.

If a brake circuit malfunctions, more brake pedal travel is needed to bring the vehicle to a full stop, and
it is important that nothing is in the way when you have to depress the brake pedal harder and farther
than normal.

WARNING

Objects in the driver footwell can prevent the pedals from moving freely. This can cause loss
of vehicle control and increase the risk of serious personal injuries.

Always make sure that nothing can interfere with the pedals.
Always fasten floor mats securely to the floor.
Never put floor mats or other floor coverings on top of already installed floor mats.
Always make sure that nothing can fall into the driver footwell while the vehicle is moving.

NOTICE

Always make sure that the pedals are able to move freely and that nothing can interfere with
them. If a brake circuit fails, more brake pedal travel will be needed to bring the vehicle to a
stop. The brake pedal must be pressed farther and harder than normal.