ParkPilot

Introduction

This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

Operating ParkPilot
Acoustic and optical ParkPilot signals at the rear of the vehicle

The ParkPilot assists the driver when manoeuvring and parking.

The ultrasound sensors in the rear bumper transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. The system uses the time difference between the ultrasonic waves (i.e. between the transmission and reflection from obstacles and the point of reception) to continuously calculate the distance between the bumper and the obstacle.

Additional information and warnings

Exterior views
Braking, stopping and parking
Cleaning and caring for the vehicle exterior
Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts
Radio or navigation system ⇒ booklet Radio, or ⇒ booklet Navigation system

The ParkPilot is no substitute for full concentration on the part of the driver.

Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injury.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Ultrasound sensors have blind spots in which obstacles and people cannot be detected.
Always check the area around the vehicle as the ultrasound sensors will not always detect infants, animals and objects.
Certain surfaces of objects and clothes cannot reflect the signals from the ultrasound sensors. The system is unable to detect these objects or people wearing this type of clothing, or they may be detected incorrectly.
External sources of sound can affect the signals of the ultrasound sensors. This may prevent the system from recognising people or objects.

The ultrasound sensors may not always be able to detect objects such as trailer drawbars, thin bars, fences, posts, trees and open or opening tailgates. This can result in damage to your vehicle.
If the ParkPilot has detected an obstacle and issued a warning, the obstacle may move out of the detection range of the ultrasound sensors as the vehicle approaches it, particularly if the object is very high or very low. These objects are no longer registered.
The vehicle can sustain considerable damage if the warning given by the ParkPilot is ignored.
The ultrasound sensors in the bumper can be displaced or damaged through impacts, e.g. when parking.
The ultrasound sensors in the bumper must be kept clean and free of ice and snow, and must not be covered up by stickers or other objects, as this will prevent the system from working properly.
The ultrasound sensors should only be sprayed briefly when cleaning with pressure hoses and steam cleaners. A distance of more than 10 cm between the ultrasound sensors and the steam/hose nozzle must be observed.
Sources of noise can lead to errors in the ParkPilot system, e.g. rough asphalt, cobblestones, induction loops, building equipment, or interference from other vehicles.
Any equipment that has been retrofitted to the vehicle, e.g. bicycle carriers, can prevent the ParkPilot from functioning properly.

Please contact a qualified workshop if there is a fault in the system. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.

Volkswagen recommends that drivers practise using the ParkPilot in a traffic-calmed area or car park to allow them to familiarise themselves with the system and its functions.

Operating ParkPilot

Fig. 122 In the rear bumper: ParkPilot ultrasound sensors

Fig. 122 In the rear bumper: ParkPilot ultrasound sensors

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

The ParkPilot uses ultrasound sensors to determine the distance between the rear bumper and an obstacle. There are 4 ultrasound sensors in the rear bumper ⇒ fig. 122 (arrows).

Switching ParkPilot on and off

Function	What to do when the ignition is switched on
Switching on the ParkPilot automatically.	Select reverse gear or move the selector lever to position R.
Switching the display off manually.	Press a function selection button on the factory-fitted radio or navigation system. OR: touch the function button on the screen.
Switching off the ParkPilot automatically.	Approximately 10 seconds after shifting out of reverse gear, or selector lever position R, with an active ParkPilot screen display ⇒ fig. 123 or ⇒ fig. 124. OR: immediately after shifting out of reverse gear, or selector lever position R, with an inactive ParkPilot screen display ⇒ fig. 123 or ⇒ fig. 124. OR: accelerate forwards faster than approximately 10 - 15 km/h (6 - 9 mph) with active ParkPilot screen display ⇒ fig. 123 or ⇒ fig. 124.

Function

What to do when the ignition is switched on

Switching on the ParkPilot automatically.

Select reverse gear or move the selector lever to position R.

Switching the display off manually.

Press a function selection button on the factory-fitted radio or navigation system.

OR: touch the function button on the screen.

Switching off the ParkPilot automatically.

Approximately 10 seconds after shifting out of reverse gear, or selector lever position R, with an active ParkPilot screen display ⇒ fig. 123 or ⇒ fig. 124.

OR: immediately after shifting out of reverse gear, or selector lever position R, with an inactive ParkPilot screen display ⇒ fig. 123 or ⇒ fig. 124.

OR: accelerate forwards faster than approximately 10 - 15 km/h (6 - 9 mph) with active ParkPilot screen display ⇒ fig. 123 or ⇒ fig. 124.

Special features of ParkPilot

In some cases, the ParkPilot registers water and ice on the ultrasound sensors as an obstacle.
The acoustic signal will become quieter after a few seconds if the distance remains the same. The volume will remain constant if the signal tone is continuous.
As soon as the vehicle moves away from an obstacle again, the intermittent signal tone switches off automatically. If the vehicle approaches the obstacle again, the acoustic warning is switched on automatically.
The ParkPilot cannot be switched on if the factory-fitted towing bracket is electrically connected to the trailer.
No acoustic signal is given in vehicles with an automatic gearbox if the selector lever is in position P.
A Volkswagen dealership can adjust the volume of the acoustic signals.

If there is a function fault in the ParkPilot, an acoustic warning is emitted for approximately 3 seconds when switched on for the first time. The ParkPilot should be checked by a qualified workshop immediately.

Acoustic and optical ParkPilot signals at the rear of the vehicle

Fig. 123 ParkPilot screen display (colour)

Fig. 123 ParkPilot screen display (colour)

Fig. 124 ParkPilot screen display (monochrome)

Fig. 124 ParkPilot screen display (monochrome)

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

Key for displays

fig. 123 or fig. 124	Meaning
A	Scanned area behind the vehicle.
	Yellow segment depicts an obstacle.
	Red segment depicts an obstacle located close to the vehicle.
	Black segment depicts an obstacle (monochrome display).

The area to the rear of the vehicle is scanned by the ultrasound sensors and is shown on the display of the factory-fitted radio or navigation system. The positions of potential obstacles are displayed relative to the vehicle ⇒ .

Acoustic signals and screen

Acoustic signals are given when the vehicle approaches an obstacle located to the rear. An intermittent signal tone is given if a sufficiently short distance between the vehicle and an obstacle is detected. The shorter the distance, the shorter the intervals. The signal tone will sound continuously if the obstacle is very close.

If you continue to drive the vehicle closer to the obstacle despite the continuous signal tone, the system will no longer be able to measure the distance.

With some vehicle equipment levels the scanned areas are displayed as several segments in a display ⇒ fig. 123 or ⇒ fig. 124. The closer the vehicle drives towards an obstacle, the closer the segment will move to the vehicle in the display. The collision area has been reached when the penultimate segment is displayed, if not before. Do not drive on!

Area of the vehicle		Distance of the vehicle from an obstacle	Acoustic signal	Segment colour if an obstacle has been detected (colour display only)
A	Rear centre	approx. 31 - 160 cm	Intermittent tone	Yellow
	Rear side	approx. 31 - 60 cm	Intermittent tone	Yellow
	Obstacle close to the vehicle	approx. 0 - 30 cm	Constant tone	Red

The distance range for the constant tone is larger for vehicles with factory-fitted towing bracket.

When towing a trailer

A status display is shown in vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket and a trailer connected via the vehicle electrics. The distance behind the vehicle will then no longer be shown.

Muting the ParkPilot signal tones

The acoustic signals for the ParkPilot can be muted by touching the function button on the screen (in colour display only). Touch the function button again to switch the acoustic signals back on.

The mute setting will be cancelled if the ParkPilot system is switched off and on again. Error warnings cannot be switched off.

If the ParkPilot display has been switched off manually and ParkPilot remains active, the mute setting is also cancelled.

It can take a few seconds for the acoustic or optical signals to be given.