Volkswagen Golf GTI (2015 year). Instruction

Using the wrong battery can damage the remote control vehicle key. Replace a dead battery

with a new one that has the same voltage, size, and specifications.

Make sure the plus and minus poles of the battery are correctly positioned.

Dispose of old batteries in an environmentally responsible manner and keep them out of the

reach of children.

Batteries of the type used in your remote control vehicle key may contain Perchlorate Material.

Special handling may apply – see http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all legal
requirements regarding handling and disposal of these batteries. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and
authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the requirements, and we recommend that
you have them perform this service for you.

Synchronizing the remote control vehicle key

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

If the button is pressed often while outside the operating range, it is possible that the vehicle cannot
be locked or unlocked anymore with the remote control vehicle key. Synchronize the vehicle key as
follows:

Unfold the key bit on the remote control vehicle key

⇒ Remote control vehicle keys.

Remove the cap from the outside door handle on the driver door

⇒ Emergency closing and open-

ing.

Press the button on the remote control vehicle key. Stand immediately next to vehicle while

doing so.

Manually unlock the vehicle using the key bit within 1 minute. The synchronization is complete.
Reinstall the cap on the driver door handle.

Power locking system

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Indicator light in the driver door

Description of the power locking system

Unlocking or locking the vehicle from the outside

Unlocking or locking the vehicle from the inside

Unlocking or locking the vehicle with Keyless Access

Anti-theft alarm system

The power locking system works properly only when all doors and the rear hatch are completely
closed. When the driver door is open, the vehicle cannot be locked with the remote control vehicle key.

For vehicles equipped with the Keyless Access with push-button start, the vehicle can be locked only if
the ignition is switched off and the driver door is closed.

Leaving the vehicle unlocked for longer periods of non-use (for example, in your garage) can cause
the vehicle battery to drain so that the engine can no longer be started.

More information:

  Exterior views
  Volkswagen Information System
  Vehicle key set
  Doors
  Rear hatch
  Power windows
  Power sunroof
  Trailer towing
  Emergency closing and opening

WARNING

Improper use of power locks can result in serious personal injury.

The power locking button locks all doors. Locking the doors from the inside can help

prevent unintended door opening during a collision and can also prevent unwanted entry
from the outside. Locked doors can, however, delay assistance to vehicle occupants and
rescue from the outside in an accident or other emergency.

Never leave children or anyone who cannot help themselves behind in the vehicle. All

doors can be locked from the inside with the power lock button. This could leave people
trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. Depending on the time of year, people trapped in the
vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.

A closed vehicle can become very hot or very cold, depending on the season. Particularly

in the summer, 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.
Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and death, particu-
larly to small children.

Never allow passengers to remain in a locked vehicle. In an emergency any person still

inside the vehicle might not be able to get out.

Indicator light in the driver door

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

The indicator light for the power locking system is in the driver door

⇒ Passenger compartment.

After the vehicle is locked

Meaning

The red LED light flashes for about 2 seconds
in short intervals, then slower.

The vehicle is locked.

Red LED light flashes for about 2 seconds in
short intervals, then lights up continuously for
about 30 seconds.

Locking system malfunction. See an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen
Service Facility.

NOTICE

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

Description of the power locking system

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

The power locking system lets you unlock and lock all doors, the rear hatch, and the fuel filler flap:

From the outside with the vehicle key

⇒ Unlocking or locking the vehicle from the outside.

From the outside with Keyless Access (if equipped)

⇒ Unlocking or locking the vehicle with Key-

less Access.

From the inside with the power locking button

⇒ Unlocking or locking the vehicle from the inside.

Certain central locking functions can be turned on and off in the Infotainment system by pressing the

button followed by the

and Open and close function keys

⇒ Menu and system settings (SET-

UP), or by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

The doors and the rear hatch can be locked manually if the remote control vehicle key or the power

locking system is not working

⇒ Emergency closing and opening.

Automatic locking (Auto lock)

The vehicle locks automatically when it reaches a speed of about 10 mph (15 km/h). When the vehicle

is locked, the indicator light comes on in the power locking button

⇒

fig. 22

Automatic unlocking (Auto unlock)

All doors automatically unlock when you switch off the ignition and open a door from inside the vehicle.
On vehicles with automatic transmission, the doors will also unlock when the selector lever is in Park
(P) or the ignition is switched off. Auto unlock works only if the vehicle has been automatically locked
with the Auto lock feature. The indicator light goes out in the power locking button when the doors

unlock

⇒

fig. 22

Locking the vehicle after airbag inflation

If the airbags are activated during a collision, the entire vehicle is unlocked. Depending on the severity
of the damage, the vehicle can be locked after a collision when the airbags have deployed as follows:

Function

Action

Locking the vehicle with the
power locking button:

– Switch the ignition off.
– Open and close a door once.
– Press the power locking button

Locking the vehicle with the
remote control vehicle key:

– Switch the ignition off.
OR: Remove the vehicle key from the ignition.
– Open a door once.
– Lock the vehicle with the remote control vehicle key.

If the vehicle key buttons

⇒ Unlocking or locking the vehicle from the outside or the power

locking buttons

⇒ Unlocking or locking the vehicle from the inside are pushed repeatedly in quick

succession, the power locking system is switched off for a brief period to help keep it from being
overloaded. The vehicle is then unlocked for about 30 seconds. Unless a door or the rear hatch is
opened during this time, the vehicle is automatically locked afterwards.

Unlocking or locking the vehicle from the outside

Fig. 21 Remote control vehicle key with panic button.

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

Function

Using the buttons on the remote control vehicle

key

⇒

fig. 21

Unlock the vehicle.

Press the button.

Lock the vehicle.

Press the

button.

Unlock the rear hatch.

Press the

button

Note: Depending on the settings for the power locking system that have been set in the Infotainment
system, it may be necessary to press the button on the remote control vehicle key twice to unlock

all doors and the rear hatch

⇒ Volkswagen Information System.

The vehicle key unlocks or locks the vehicle only when the battery in the remote control vehicle key
has enough power, and the remote control vehicle key is within a few yards/meters of the vehicle.

All turn signals flash once and the horn beeps once to confirm that the vehicle has been locked. On

appropriately equipped vehicles, the horn beep can be disabled in the Infotainment system by press-
ing the

button followed by the

and Open and close function keys

⇒ Menu and system settings

(SETUP).

All turn signals flash twice to confirm that the vehicle has been unlocked.

If the turn signals do not flash to confirm locking, one or more doors or the rear hatch is not locked.

If the driver door is open, the vehicle cannot be locked with the remote control vehicle key.

If the vehicle was unlocked with the remote control vehicle key and the door or the rear hatch has not
been opened within a few seconds, the vehicle is automatically locked again. This feature helps pre-
vent you from leaving the vehicle unlocked unintentionally.

Unlocking or locking the vehicle from the inside

Fig. 22 In the driver and passenger doors: Power locking button.

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

Press button

⇒

fig. 22

Unlock the vehicle.

Lock the vehicle.

The power locking button works whether the ignition is switched on or off but only when all doors are
closed.

If the vehicle is locked with the vehicle key, the power locking button is deactivated.

If the vehicle is locked with the power locking button:

The yellow indicator light in the power locking button comes on to indicate that all doors are

locked .

  If the vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft alarm, the system is not turned on.
  Opening doors or the rear hatch from the outside is not possible, at a traffic light, for example.
  Doors can be unlocked and opened separately from inside the vehicle by pulling the door handle to

open the door. The indicator light goes out in all doors. The unopened doors and rear hatch remain
locked and cannot be opened from the outside.

An open driver door will not be locked. This helps keep the driver from being locked out of the

vehicle.

The vehicle is unlocked if you push the button while the vehicle is standing still. It is also unlocked
when you switch off the ignition and open a door from inside the vehicle (Auto unlock). On vehicles
with automatic transmission, the doors will also unlock when the selector lever is in Park (P) or the
ignition is switched off.

Unlocking or locking the vehicle with Keyless Access

Fig. 23 Ranges of the Keyless Access system. Outside the vehicle: Unlocking range. Inside the vehicle:
Starting range.

Fig. 24 Keyless Access system: Sensor for unlocking A on the inside of the front door handles. Sensor for
locking B on the outside of the front door handles.

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

Your vehicle may be equipped with Keyless Access with push-button start, a keyless starting and
locking system that unlocks and locks the vehicle without active use of a remote control vehicle key.

All you have to do is touch a sensor surface on one of the front outside door handles

⇒

fig. 24

or push

the Volkswagen emblem on the rear hatch

⇒ Opening the rear hatch when a valid remote control

vehicle key is within range

⇒

General information

When a valid vehicle key comes within range

⇒

fig. 23

, the Keyless Access system recognizes a valid

vehicle entry request as soon as a door handle sensor is touched on the driver or front passenger

door or the button on the rear hatch is pressed. The following functions are then enabled without
active use of the remote control vehicle key:

Keyless Entry: Unlocking the vehicle with the sensor surfaces on the outside door handles of the

driver or front passenger door

⇒

fig. 24

(A)

or by using the Volkswagen emblem on the rear hatch.

Keyless Go: Start the engine and drive. For this, you just have to press the starter button and a

valid remote control vehicle key must be inside the vehicle

⇒ Starting and stopping the engine.

Keyless Exit: Locking the vehicle via the door handle sensor on the driver or front passenger door

(B)

The power locking system works like the standard unlocking and locking system. Only the way that the
systems are operated is different.

All turn signals flash twice to confirm that the vehicle has been unlocked and once to confirm that it
has been locked.

The vehicle will lock again in a few seconds if you do not open one of the doors or the rear hatch.

Unlocking and opening doors (Keyless Entry)

Grasp the door handle of the driver or front passenger door so that you touch the unlocking sensor

surface

(A)

Open the door.

Closing and locking doors (Keyless Exit)

  Switch the ignition off.
  Close the driver door.
  Touch the sensor surface in the door handle on the driver or front passenger door

(B)

. The vehicle

is locked. The door being locked must be closed.

Unlocking and locking the rear hatch

If the vehicle is locked and a valid remote control vehicle key is within range

⇒

fig. 23

of the rear

hatch, it unlocks automatically when opened.

Open and close the rear hatch as you would a standard rear hatch

⇒ Rear hatch.

The rear hatch locks automatically when it is closed except in the following situations:

The vehicle is completely unlocked.
The most recently used vehicle key is inside the vehicle. All turn signals flash four times.

Locking with a second vehicle key

If the vehicle is locked from the outside with a second valid vehicle key, any key located inside the

vehicle cannot start the engine

⇒ Starting and stopping the engine. A key that was inside the vehicle

when it was locked from the outside can be reactivated by pressing the button on the deactivated

key

⇒

fig. 21

Automatic deactivation of sensors

If a sensor on the door handle of a locked vehicle is activated too often, for instance by a bush or
hedge that rubs against the vehicle, the sensors in the door handle on that side of the vehicle are
switched off for a short time.

The door handle sensors become active again if one of the following events occurs:

A short time has passed.
OR: The vehicle is unlocked using the button in the remote control vehicle key.

OR: The rear hatch is opened.
OR: The vehicle is mechanically unlocked with the vehicle key.

Convenience features

To use the convenience closing feature to close all power windows and the sunroof, hold your finger

on the lock sensor surface on the outside of the door handle

⇒

fig. 24

(B)

for a few seconds until the

windows and sunroof close.

Remove your finger from the lock sensor surface to stop the function.

Pinch protection is active during convenience closing of the windows and the power sunroof.

In the Infotainment system, you can turn the convenience features on and off or select which doors
unlock when the door handle unlocking surface is grasped by pressing the

button followed by the

and Open and close function keys

⇒ Menu and system settings (SETUP).

NOTICE

The door handle sensor surfaces can be activated by a strong stream of water or steam if a
valid vehicle key is within range of the vehicle.

All windows may open if you turn the spray of water or steam away from and then back onto

the door handle sensor surface in quick succession. If at least one power window is opened
and the sensor is continuously activated, convenience closing is started.

The door may not open if the outside and inside door handles are used at the same time.

If the vehicle battery or the battery in the remote control vehicle key is weak or dead, it might not

be possible to unlock and lock the vehicle using Keyless Access. The vehicle can still be manually

locked or unlocked with the key bit

⇒ Manually unlocking and locking the driver door.

A driver message appears in the instrument cluster display if there is no remote control vehicle

key inside the vehicle or if the system does not recognize the remote control vehicle key. The key may
not be recognized, for example, if it is covered by something that interferes with the signal (such as a
briefcase), or if the remote control vehicle key battery is weak. Electronic devices such as mobile
phones can also interfere with the signal.

Dirt on the door handles that contains a lot of salt (especially in winter) can affect the way the

door handle sensors work. Cleaning the door handles can help with this problem

⇒ Exterior care and

cleaning.

If the automatic transmission is not in Park (P) position, the electronic steering column lock will

not lock and the vehicle will not lock via sensors in the front door handles or the remote control vehicle
key.

Anti-theft alarm system

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

Your vehicle may be equipped with an anti-theft alarm system or pre-equipped for anti-theft alarm
system installation. If the vehicle is pre-equipped for installation of the anti-theft alarm system, the
alarm system can be retrofitted by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen
Service Facility.

The anti-theft alarm system makes it more difficult for someone to break into or steal the vehicle.

The anti-theft alarm system is automatically activated when the vehicle is locked by pressing the lock
button on the remote control vehicle key.

When is the alarm triggered?

The anti-theft alarm system sounds for about 30 seconds and the turn signals flash for up to 5 minutes
if the following occurs with respect to the locked vehicle:

In vehicles with an open lock cylinder: A door unlocked mechanically with the vehicle key bit is

opened and the ignition is not switched on within about 15 seconds.

In vehicles with a covered lock cylinder: A door unlocked mechanically with the vehicle key bit is

opened.

  Forcibly opening a door.
  Forcibly opening the engine hood.
  Forcibly opening the rear hatch.
  Switching on the ignition with an invalid key.
  Disconnecting the vehicle battery.

Deactivating the alarm

Unlock the vehicle with the unlock button on the remote control vehicle key or switch on the ignition
with a valid remote control vehicle key.

For vehicles with Keyless Access, the alarm can be deactivated by grasping one of the front door
handles when a valid vehicle key is in range or by holding the remote control vehicle key to the right of

the steering column trim and pressing the starter button

⇒ Starter button.

After the alarm has stopped and the vehicle is opened again in the same or a different area that

is protected by the alarm, the alarm is triggered again. For example, the alarm will sound again if the
rear hatch is opened after one of the doors has been opened.

The anti-theft alarm system is not activated when the vehicle is locked with the power lock

switch

on the inside of the driver or front passenger doors.

If the driver door is mechanically unlocked using the vehicle key bit, only the driver door is un-

locked, not the entire vehicle. Switching on the ignition deactivates the anti-theft alarm system and
activates the central locking button. To unlock the doors, use the central locking button or remote
control vehicle key.

If the vehicle battery is dead or weak, the anti-theft alarm system will not work properly.

Doors

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Warning light

Child safety lock

More information:

  Instrument cluster
  Exterior views
  Vehicle key set
  Power locking system
  Power windows
  Emergency closing and opening

WARNING

A door that is not closed properly may open suddenly when the vehicle is moving and cause
severe injuries.

Stop immediately and close the door.
Make sure that the door is safely and completely latched when closed. The closed door

must be flush with the surrounding auto body parts.

Open or close doors only if no one is in the way.

WARNING

A door kept open with the door stop may close in strong winds or on inclines and cause inju-
ries.

Always hold doors by the door handle while opening and closing.

Warning light

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

Lights up

Possible cause

Proper response

Icon appears
in the display

At least one vehicle door is open or
improperly closed.

Stop!

Open and close the door again.

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.

If a door is not closed properly, the vehicle icon appears in the instrument cluster display showing an

open door

⇒

fig. 10

Depending on your vehicle's equipment and options, the icon may still be displayed even after the
ignition is switched off as long as the key has not been taken out of the ignition. The icon in the in-
strument cluster display goes out about 15 seconds after the vehicle has been locked.

Child safety lock

Fig. 25 In the left rear door: Child safety lock A deactivated, B activated.

Fig. 26 In the right rear door: Child safety lock A deactivated, B activated.

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

The child safety lock keeps the rear doors from being opened from the inside, so that children cannot
open them accidentally. When the child safety lock is engaged, the rear doors can only be opened
from the outside.

Engaging or disengaging child safety lock

  Unlock the vehicle and open the respective rear door.
  Unfold the key bit from the remote control vehicle key.
  Using the key bit, move the slot into the desired position.

Slot position

⇒

fig. 25

⇒

fig. 26

(A)

Child safety lock disengaged.

(B)

Child safety lock engaged.

WARNING

When the child safety lock is engaged, that rear door cannot be opened from the inside.

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

vehicle when locking the doors. This could result in people being locked in the vehicle. This
could result in people being trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. Depending on the time of
year, people trapped in the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.

A closed vehicle can become very hot or very cold, depending on the season. Particularly

Rear hatch

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Warning light

Opening the rear hatch

Closing the rear hatch

More information:

  Exterior views
  Instrument cluster
  Power locking system
  Transporting
  Emergency closing and opening

WARNING

Accidents and severe personal injuries can result if you unlock, open, or close the rear hatch
when someone is in the way.

Only open or close the rear hatch if no one is in the way.
Never close the rear hatch by pushing on the rear window with your hand. The rear win-

dow could break and cause injuries.

After closing the rear hatch, always make sure that it is properly closed and locked so that

it cannot open suddenly when the vehicle is moving. The closed rear hatch must be flush
with the surrounding auto body parts.

Always keep the rear hatch closed while driving to help keep poisonous exhaust gas from

being drawn into the vehicle.

Never open the rear hatch when a luggage rack is installed and loaded. If, for example,

there are bicycles on a carrier on the rear hatch, it is possible that the rear hatch will be diffi-
cult to open. An open rear hatch may fall on its own because of the additional weight. If nec-
essary, prop open the rear hatch. Remove the weight from the luggage rack first.

Close and lock the rear hatch and all doors when the vehicle is not in use. First, make sure

that no one is left inside the vehicle.

Never leave your vehicle unattended or let children play around your vehicle, especially

when the rear hatch is open. A child could crawl into the vehicle and pull the rear hatch shut,
becoming trapped and unable to get out. A closed vehicle can become very hot or very cold,
depending on the season. Particularly in the summer, 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. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can
cause unconsciousness and death, particularly to small children.

Never leave children or anyone who cannot help themselves behind in the vehicle. They

may lock the vehicle with the vehicle key or the power locking button and lock themselves in.

NOTICE

Before opening or closing the rear hatch, make sure there is enough room to do so, for exam-
ple, when the vehicle has a trailer or is in a garage.

NOTICE

Never use the gas strut to hold or clamp a load in place. This can damage the rear hatch and
make it impossible to close.

Warning light

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

Lights up

Possible cause

Proper response

Icon appears
in the display

Rear hatch open or improperly closed.

Stop!

Open the rear hatch and then close it
again.

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.

If the rear hatch is not closed properly, the vehicle icon appears in the instrument cluster display

showing an open rear hatch

⇒

fig. 10

WARNING

If the rear hatch is not closed properly, it may open suddenly when the vehicle is moving and
cause severe injuries.

Stop immediately and close the rear hatch.
Always make sure the rear hatch is securely latched after you close it.

Opening the rear hatch

Fig. 27 In the remote control vehicle key: button to unlock and open the rear hatch.

Fig. 28 Opening rear hatch from the outside.

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

Always remove any item(s) being transported on the rear hatch before opening it

⇒

Unlocking with the vehicle key

Briefly press the

button on the remote control vehicle key

⇒

fig. 27

to unlock the rear hatch.

Press and hold the

button on the remote control vehicle key to unlatch the rear hatch. Then

open the rear hatch using the Volkswagen emblem.

Opening with the Volkswagen emblem

Unlock the vehicle or rear hatch, or open a door.

Using your thumb, press the top of the Volkswagen emblem

⇒

fig. 28

and move the top of the

emblem down. Grasp the bottom part of the emblem and pull to lift the rear hatch.

WARNING

Improper or unsupervised unlocking or opening of the rear hatch can cause severe injuries.
Never open the rear hatch when someone is in the way.

If a bicycle or luggage rack is installed on the rear hatch, it may be hard to see that the

rear hatch is unlatched. An unlatched rear hatch may open suddenly when the vehicle is
moving.

At temperatures below +32 °F (0 °C), the rear hatch may be difficult to open after you unlock it.

Closing the rear hatch

Fig. 29 Opened rear hatch: Recessed grips for closing.

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

Closing the rear hatch

Grasp one of the recessed grips in the rear hatch trim

⇒

fig. 29

(arrows).

Pull the rear hatch down and close it securely so that the latch engages.
Check the rear hatch to make sure it is securely latched.

Locking the rear hatch

If you unlock the vehicle with the vehicle key, but do not open a door or the rear hatch within several
seconds, the vehicle is automatically locked again. This feature helps prevent you from leaving the
vehicle unlocked unintentionally.

It is only possible to lock the rear hatch when it is securely closed and latched.

The power locking system also locks the rear hatch.

If the rear hatch of a locked vehicle is unlocked with the

button

⇒

fig. 27

on the remote control

vehicle key, it will lock within a few seconds after it is closed. The anti-theft alarm system, if equipped,

is activated after the vehicle is locked

⇒ Power locking system.

A closed but unlocked rear hatch automatically locks at speeds above about 5 mph (10 km/h).

WARNING

Improper or unsupervised closing of the rear hatch can cause severe injuries. Never close
the rear hatch when someone is in the way.

Never leave your vehicle unattended or let children play around your vehicle, especially

with the rear hatch left open. A child could crawl into the vehicle and pull the rear hatch shut,
becoming trapped and unable to get out. A closed vehicle can become very hot or very cold
depending on the season. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause uncon-
sciousness or death, particularly to small children.

Make sure that the remote control vehicle key is not in the luggage compartment before closing

the rear hatch.

Volkswagen Golf GTI (2015 year). Instruction - part 4