Braking, stopping and parking

This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

• Warning and indicator lamps
• Handbrake
• Parking
• Information on the brakes
• Brake support systems
• Switching the TCS on and off
• Brake fluid

The brake support systems are the anti-lock brake system (ABS), the Brake Assist system (BAS), the electronic differential lock (EDL), the traction control system (TCS) and the electronic stabilisation programme (ESC).

• Towing a trailer
• Pull-away assist systems
• Wheels and tyres
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.

• Lift the handbrake lever up fully.
• The handbrake is applied when the indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster ⇒ Warning and indicator lamps.

• Lift the handbrake lever up slightly and press the lock button in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 117.
• Guide the handbrake lever down whilst the lock button is pressed.

An acoustic warning is given if the car is driven faster than approximately 6 km/h (4 mph) with the handbrake applied.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

Please adhere to relevant legislation when stopping and parking your vehicle.

The steps should only be carried out in the specified order.

• Stop the vehicle on a suitable surface ⇒ .
• Depress and hold the brake pedal until the engine has stopped.
• Apply the handbrake firmly.
• With an automatic gearbox, move the selector lever to position P.
• Switch off the engine and take your foot off the brake pedal.
• Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.
• Turn the steering wheel slightly if necessary to engage the steering lock mechanism ⇒ Mechanical steering column lock.
• With a manual gearbox, select 1st gear for flat ground and uphill inclines, or reverse gear for downhill inclines, and then release the clutch.
• Please ensure that all occupants, in particular children, leave the vehicle.
• Take all vehicle keys with you when you leave the vehicle.
• Lock the vehicle.

Before switching off the engine, turn the steering wheel so that the front wheels will roll against the kerb if the parked vehicle starts to move.

• When facing downhill, turn the wheels so that they face the kerb.
• When facing uphill, turn the wheels so that they face the centre of the road.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 200 to 300 km and must first be run in ⇒ . However, you can compensate for the slightly reduced braking force by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. During the run-in period, the braking distance is longer when the brakes are depressed fully or during emergency braking than with brakes that have been fully run in. In the run-in period, the brakes should not be depressed fully and situations that create a heavy load on the brakes should be avoided. For example, when driving too close to the vehicle ahead.

The rate of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under which the vehicle is operated and the way in which the vehicle is driven. With regular urban trips, short journeys and a sporty driving style, the brake pads must be checked by a qualified workshop more regularly than stated in the service schedule.

When driving with wet brakes, for example after driving through water, after heavy rainfall or after washing the vehicle, the braking effect may be delayed as the brake discs will be wet, or possibly iced up (in winter). The brakes must be dried as quickly as possible by careful braking at higher speed. Ensure that no vehicle behind you or no other road user is put at risk as a result of this action ⇒ .

Any salt layer accumulating on the discs and pads will delay the braking effect and increase the braking distance. If the brakes on the vehicle have not been applied for a long time on roads that have been gritted with salt, the layer of salt must be reduced through careful braking ⇒ .

Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt in the brake pads are facilitated through long periods of inactivity, low mileage and low load levels. If the brake pads have been hardly used, or if they are at all corroded, Volkswagen recommends that the brake discs and brake pads be cleaned by braking strongly several times from high speed. Ensure that no vehicle behind you or no other road user is put at risk as a result of this action ⇒ .

A brake circuit may have failed if you have to reduce speed and the vehicle does not brake as normal (sudden increase in braking distance). This will be indicated by the warning lamp and in some cases a text message. Go to the nearest qualified workshop immediately to have the fault corrected. Drive at low speed when doing this and anticipate much longer braking distances and an increase in the pressure required on the pedal.

The brake servo will only function when the engine is running and reinforces the pressure applied by the driver on the brake pedal.

If the brake servo is not functioning or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have to be depressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to the lack of assistance for the brake system ⇒ .

If the front brake pads are tested, the rear brake pads should be tested at the same time. Regularly check the thickness of the brake pads through the openings in the rims or from the underside of the vehicle. If necessary, remove the wheels to carry out a comprehensive check. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.

Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the brakes and cause them to overheat.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings .

The brake support systems ESC, ABS, BAS, TCS and EDL only function when the engine is running. They make a considerable contribution to active driving safety.

The ESC helps to reduce the risk of skidding and to improve driving stability by braking individual wheels in certain driving situations. The ESC detects critical driving situations such as oversteer, understeer and wheelspin. The system supports the stabilisation process for the vehicle by targeted braking or by reducing engine torque.

ESC has its limitations. It is important to realise that ESC cannot overcome the laws of physics. ESC will not be able to assist in every situation faced by a driver. For example, ESC will not be able to assist every time that there is a sudden change in the road surface quality. If a section of dry road is suddenly covered with water, mud or snow, ESC will not be able to assist in the same manner as on a dry road. If the vehicle aquaplanes (drives on a layer of water rather than on the road surface), ESC will not be able to assist in steering the vehicle as the contact to the road surface has been interrupted and it is therefore no longer possible to steer or brake the vehicle. When driving at speed through bends, particularly on stretches of road with many bends, the ESC will not always be able to process complicated driving situations as effectively as at lower speeds. When towing a trailer, ESC is not able to assist the driver in regaining control over their vehicle.

Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions. ESC cannot defy the laws of motion, improve the available power output, or keep the vehicle on the road if insufficient care and attention on the part of the driver causes the vehicle to leave the road. Instead, ESC increases the possibility of keeping the vehicle under control and, in extreme on-road driving situations, it assesses the driver’s steering input and helps the vehicle to continue in the required direction. If the vehicle is driving at a speed that leads it to leave the road before the ESC can provide any kind of support, the ESC will be unable to provide any assistance.

The ABS, BAS, TCS and EDL systems are integrated into the ESC. The ESC is always on. In certain situations when the traction achieved is not sufficient, the TCS can be switched off by pressing the button ⇒ fig. 118. Always ensure that the TCS is switched back on again once traction is sufficient.

The ABS prevents the wheels from locking when the brakes are applied up until the point where the vehicle is nearly stationary and assists the driver in steering the vehicle and keeping it under control. This means that the vehicle is less likely to spin, even when the brakes are depressed fully:

• Depress and hold the brake pedal with force. Do not take your foot off the brake pedal or reduce the force on the brake pedal.
• Do not pump the brake pedal or reduce the pressure on the brake pedal.
• Steer the vehicle while the brake pedal is fully depressed.
• The ABS will switch off when the brake pedal is released or if the pressure on the brake pedal is reduced.

If the ABS is taking corrective action, there is a pulsing movement in the brake pedal and some noise. However, ABS will not necessarily guarantee shorter braking distances in all conditions. The braking distance could even be longer when braking on gravel or on fresh snow covering an icy or slippery surface.

The Brake Assist system can help to reduce the braking distance. The Brake Assist system reinforces brake pressure when the driver depresses the brake pedal quickly in an emergency situation. As a result, full braking power is made accessible very quickly, brake pressure is increased and the braking distance reduced. This means that the ABS is activated more quickly and more effectively.

Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal. The Brake Assist system will switch off the brake servo automatically when the brake pedal is released or if the pressure on the brake pedal is reduced.

The TCS reduces the engine output if wheelspin occurs and adapts the output to suit road surface conditions. TCS helps the car to start moving, accelerate and climb gradients in unfavourable road conditions.

The TCS can be switched on and off manually ⇒ Switching the TCS on and off.

The EDL is available for normal driving on straight roads. EDL brakes the wheel that has lost traction and distributes the driving force to the other drive wheels. To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled down.

The XDL function is an extension of the electronic differential lock. The XDL does not respond to traction control, but rather to the reduction of load on the inside front wheel when driving through a bend at high speed. XDL will apply the brake on the inside front wheel to prevent it from losing traction. This will improve traction, helping the vehicle to remain in the required lane longer.

The ESC and TCS can only function properly if all 4 wheels are fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can cause the system to reduce engine power unexpectedly.

If there is a fault in the ABS, the ESC, TCS and EDL will also stop working.

Control processes running in the systems described may cause operating noises.

When the engine is running, the TCS can be switched off by pressing the OFF button ⇒ fig. 118. The TCS should only be switched off in certain situations when the traction achieved is not sufficient. For example:

• When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces.
• When rocking the vehicle backwards and forwards to free it from mud.

Then press the OFF button to switch the TCS back on.

Brake fluid will gradually absorb water from the surrounding air. The brake system will be damaged if there is too much water in the brake fluid. The boiling point of the brake fluid is also considerably reduced by the water content. Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock in the brake system if the water content is too high. Vapour locks reduce levels of braking power, considerably increase braking distance and can even cause the brake system to fail completely. Your own safety and that of other road users depends on having a brake system that functions properly at all times ⇒ .

Volkswagen has developed a brake fluid that has been optimised for the brake system in the vehicle. To ensure optimal operation of the brake system, Volkswagen recommends the use of brake fluid compliant with VW standard 501 14.

Before using a particular brake fluid, check that the specifications printed on the container correspond to the vehicle requirements.

Brake fluid that is compliant with VW standard 501 14 is available from Volkswagen dealerships.

If this brake fluid is not available and it is necessary to use another high-quality brake fluid instead, brake fluid that is compliant with DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 can be used.

Not all brake fluids that are compliant with DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 have the same chemical composition. Some of these brake fluids may contain chemicals that can damage or destroy brake system components over time.

Volkswagen therefore recommends the use of brake fluid that is compliant with VW standard 501 14 to ensure sustained optimal operation of the brake system. Brake fluid that is compliant with VW standard 501 14 fulfils the requirements of DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4.

The brake fluid level must always be between the MIN and MAX marking on the brake fluid container or above the MIN marking ⇒ .

The brake fluid level cannot be checked accurately in all models as engine components may partially conceal the brake fluid container. If the brake fluid level cannot be read exactly, please go to a qualified workshop.

The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the brake pads wear and the brakes are automatically adjusted.

The brake fluid must be changed as indicated in the service schedule ⇒ Booklet Service schedule. The brake fluid should be changed by a qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose. Only brake fluid that conforms with the required specification should be used.

Brake fluid can pollute the environment. Any spilt service fluids must be cleaned up and disposed of properly.