Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual: Special driving situations

Fig. 170 A: vehicle in a bend B: motorbike in front is outside the range of the radar sensor

Fig. 171 C: vehicle is changing lanes. D: turning vehicle, stationary vehicle

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings 

The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has physical and system-related limits. As such, certain ACC system reactions may occur, from the driver's perspective, unexpectedly or with some delay. You should therefore always be prepared to take full control of the vehicle if necessary.

The following traffic situations, for example, require particular vigilance:

Deceleration to standstill (only vehicles with automatic gearbox)

If a vehicle travelling ahead brakes to a standstill, the ACC will also brake your vehicle to a standstill. The vehicle is then held stationary by the brakes.

Stationary phase (only vehicles with automatic gearbox)

If the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has decelerated the vehicle to a standstill, the Adaptive Cruise Control will not be switched off automatically when the brake pedal is depressed.

The electronic parking brake will be activated automatically and the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) will be switched off if one of the following situations occurs while the vehicle is stationary:

• The safety belt is unfastened.

• The driver door is opened.

• The ignition is switched off.

• The stationary phase lasts longer than approximately 3 minutes.

Driving off after a stationary phase (only vehicles with automatic gearbox)

After a stationary phase, the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) can start the vehicle moving automatically as soon as the vehicle in front begins to move again.

Overtaking

If the turn signal is activated when starting an overtaking manoeuvre, the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) accelerates the vehicle automatically and thus reduces the distance to the vehicle in front.

If you move your vehicle into the overtaking lane and there is no vehicle ahead of you, the ACC will automatically increase the speed to your set level and maintain it.

Acceleration can be stopped at any point by depressing the brake pedal or pressing the button on the multifunction steering wheel   .

When driving through bends

While driving through bends, the radar sensor may sometimes lose the vehicle travelling ahead or may react to a vehicle in the next lane   A. In such situations, the vehicle might decelerate unnecessarily or not react to the vehicle in front. In this case the driver must override the ACC by depressing the accelerator, or interrupt the braking procedure by depressing the brake pedal or pressing the button on the multifunction steering wheel   .

Driving in tunnels

The radar sensor function may be restricted in tunnels. Switch off the ACC in tunnels.

Narrow vehicles and a zig-zag traffic situation

Narrow vehicles and vehicles travelling slightly to the left or right of your vehicle will only be detected by the radar sensor once they have entered the radar range   B. This applies in particular to narrow vehicles such as motorbikes. If required, brake the vehicle yourself.

Vehicles with special load or special equipment

Any load or accessories on other vehicles that protrude from the side, rear or over the roof of the vehicle may not be detected by the ACC.

Switch off the ACC when the vehicle ahead has special load or special equipment or while overtaking such vehicles. If required, brake the vehicle yourself.

When other vehicles change lanes

Vehicles that are very close when they move into your lane can only be detected by the radar sensors when they have moved into the sensor range. This will result in a late reaction by the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)   C. If required, brake the vehicle yourself.

Stationary vehicles

The ACC does not detect stationary objects during a journey, such as stationary traffic or a vehicle that has broken down.

If a stationary vehicle is hidden behind a vehicle that has been detected by the Adaptive Cruise Control and this vehicle turns off the road or changes lane, the Adaptive Cruise Control will not be able to react to the stationary vehicle   D. If required, brake the vehicle yourself.

Oncoming vehicles and vehicles crossing your path

The Adaptive Cruise Control does not react to approaching vehicles or vehicles crossing your path.

Metal objects

Metal objects, such as tracks in the road or metal plates used in roadworks, can confuse the radar sensor and cause incorrect reactions from the Adaptive Cruise Control.

Possible radar sensor function impairments

The Adaptive Cruise Control will switch off temporarily if the radar sensor function is impaired, e.g. due to heavy rain, spray, snow, ice or mud. A corresponding message will appear in the instrument cluster display. Clean the radar sensors as required.

The Adaptive Cruise Control will automatically be available again as soon as the radar sensors are no longer impaired. The message in the instrument cluster display goes out, and the Adaptive Cruise Control can be reactivated.

Strong reflected radiation of the radar signal, e.g. in multi-storey car parks, can impair the function of the radar sensor.

Towing a trailer

The Adaptive Cruise Control operates with reduced dynamics when the vehicle is towing a trailer.

Overheated brakes

If the brakes overheat, e.g. following heavy braking or when driving down steep inclines for long periods, the Adaptive Cruise Control may be deactivated temporarily. A corresponding message will appear in the instrument cluster display. It is then not possible to activate the Adaptive Cruise Control.

As soon as the temperature of the brakes has decreased sufficiently, the Adaptive Cruise Control can be activated again. The message in the instrument cluster display goes out. If the message ACC not available does not go out for a long time, there is a fault. Go to a qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.

WARNING

If the message ACC ready for start appears in the instrument cluster display and the vehicle in front moves off, your vehicle will move off automatically. In some cases the radar sensor may be unable to detect obstacles that are located in the vehicle's path. This can result in serious injury and accidents.

• Always check the road ahead before the vehicle pulls away. If necessary, cancel the pulling away procedure by depressing the brake pedal.