Preparing for a car trip
Before getting into your car, make sure that its windows, mirrors and lights are clean. Check the condition of the wheels, look under the car and make sure there are no leaks of working fluids.
Check engine fluid levels according to the maintenance schedule (engine oil, coolant and brake fluids), and also the windshield washer fluid level (see Chapter 1).
Once in the vehicle, perform the following operations:
- close and lock all doors;
- adjust the position of the seat, steering column and rear view mirrors (see Section 9);
- make sure that the external lighting devices are working properly;
- check the operation of control instruments;
- when turning on the ignition, check the serviceability of the control lamps located in the instrument cluster;
- fasten your seat belt and remind your passengers to do the same;
- release the parking brake and make sure that the corresponding K/L goes out.
Turning on the ignition, starting the engine and turning off the ignition
The description of the positions of the key in the ignition switch is given in Section 12.
First, make sure the parking brake is on and all auxiliary systems are off.
Press the brake pedal and do not release it until the engine starts. On models with manual transmission, you must also hold down the clutch pedal. If the clutch pedal is not depressed, a reminder may appear on the instrument cluster display.
Turn on the ignition. Then, on diesel models, wait until the pre-heating indicator goes out. At low outside temperatures, this may take several seconds.
On models with DSG, the engine will not start unless the selector lever is in the "N" or "P" position, and at temperatures below -10°C - only in the "P" position.
To turn on the starter, turn the ignition key all the way away from you. Do not press the gas pedal while the starter is running. Once the engine starts, release the key - it will return to the ignition on position.
If the engine fails to start, turn off the ignition and try again after 30 seconds. After three unsuccessful attempts to start (the engine received too much fuel) wait at least 10 seconds and then try again by slowly pressing the gas pedal all the way down and holding it in that position. If you have difficulty starting the engine at temperatures below -25°C, press the gas pedal 1/4÷1/2 of the way to facilitate starting.
Caution: In any case, the starter operation time should not exceed 10 seconds. Starting the engine after the fuel tank is completely empty may take up to a minute.
Let the engine idle for a long time before driving (at least 30 seconds), after which the engine should be warmed up while moving (at moderate speeds). Until the engine has warmed up, avoid running it at high speeds and under heavy load, especially in cold weather.
After a long period of high load on the engine, do not turn it off immediately, but let it run at idle speed for a few minutes first to avoid a sharp temperature drop in different areas of the engine. If the engine is turned off at anything other than idle speed, the turbocharger will continue to operate without engine oil pressure, causing premature wear of the turbocharger bearing.
To turn off the engine, stop the car completely, depress the brake pedal, set the parking brake, and move the selector lever to position "P" (only on models with DSG), and release the brake pedal. Then turn the ignition key to position "0". On models with manual transmission, after turning off the engine, engage 1st or reverse gear.