Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Owners Manual: Driving with an automatic gearbox

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings 

The gearbox changes the forward gears up and down automatically.

Driving down hills

The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear you will need. Lower gears increase the braking effect of the engine. Never allow the vehicle to roll down mountains or hills in the neutral position N.

• Reduce your speed.

• Push the selector lever from position D to the right into the Tiptronic gate   .

• Gently push the selector lever to the rear to change down gear.

• OR: shift down a gear using the paddles on the steering wheel   .

Stopping the vehicle and pulling away when driving uphill

The steeper the incline, the lower the gear you will need.

If you wish to stop the vehicle or pull away when driving uphill you should use the Auto-Hold function   .

When you stop the vehicle on an incline and the vehicle remains in gear, the vehicle must always be prevented from rolling by depressing the brake pedal or by applying the electronic parking brake. The brake pedal or the electronic parking brake should not be released until you pull away  .

Freewheel driving with dual clutch gearbox DSG^®

In freewheel mode, the momentum of the vehicle is used to save fuel with a foresighted driving style. The engine is declutched and no longer brakes the vehicle – the vehicle can roll out over a longer distance.

Switch-on condition: the selector lever must be in position D.

Triggering freewheel driving

• Select the Eco driving mode from the Driving Mode Selection menu   .

• Remove foot from accelerator pedal. The engine will be disengaged and run in freewheel mode. The vehicle rolls without the braking effect of the engine.

Cancelling freewheel mode

• Press the brake pedal briefly or pull the left-hand paddle – towards the steering wheel.

Kickdown

The kickdown function enables maximum acceleration in the selector lever positions D and S, or in the Tiptronic position.

If the accelerator pedal is depressed fully, the gearbox will automatically shift to a lower gear, depending on the speed and engine revs. This will make use of the full vehicle acceleration  .

The gearbox does not shift up to the next gear until the engine reaches the maximum engine speed for the gear.

When the Eco driving mode is selected in vehicles with Driving Mode Selection   and the accelerator is depressed fully beyond the pressure point, the engine output is automatically regulated to ensure maximum vehicle acceleration.

Launch control programme

The launch control programme enables maximum acceleration from a standing start.

• Switch off TCS   .

• Depress and hold the brake pedal with your left foot.

• Move the selector lever to position S, or into the Tiptronic position. Alternatively, select the Sport driving mode in vehicles with Driving Mode Selection   .

• With your right foot, depress the accelerator until the engines speed reaches approximately 3,200 rpm.

• Take your left foot off the brake  . The vehicle will start with maximum acceleration.

• Switch the TCS back on after acceleration.

WARNING

Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, particularly on slippery roads. This can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which can lead to accidents and serious injuries.

• Always adjust your driving style in accordance with the flow of traffic.

• Only use kickdown or fast acceleration if visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit, and other road users are not put at risk due to the acceleration and the driving style.

• Please note that the driven wheels can start to spin and the vehicle can skid if the TCS is switched off, especially if the road is slippery.

• Switch the TCS back on after acceleration.

NOTICE

• If you stop the vehicle on an incline, do not attempt to stop it from rolling back by depressing the accelerator while a position is still selected. The automatic gearbox could overheat and be damaged.

• Never allow the vehicle to roll in position N, particularly if the ignition is switched off. The automatic gearbox will not be lubricated and could be damaged.

Questions & answers

Driving with an automatic gearbox — Volkswagen Golf Mk7

How does the Golf Mk7 automatic gearbox drive on hills?

The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear needed. Select S or use Tiptronic to hold a lower gear and increase engine braking. Never let the vehicle roll backwards on a hill.

Should I select a lower gear when going downhill in the Golf Mk7 DSG?

Yes. A lower gear uses engine braking to control speed, reducing heat build-up in the service brakes and extending their life — especially on long descents.

Can I rock the Golf Mk7 out of mud or snow with the DSG?

Yes. Shift between D and R at low engine speed to rock the car free. Avoid spinning the wheels excessively, as this can damage the DSG clutches.