Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual: Automatic transmission: Selector lever

Fig. 133 Automatic transmission selector lever with shift lever release button (arrow).

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject 

Automatic transmission vehicles have an Automatic Shift Lock (ASL). With ASL, you must depress the brake pedal and hold it down while pressing the release button on the selector lever handle in the direction of the arrow⇒ Fig. 133  in order to move the selector lever out of Park (P) and into a drive gear. When the selector lever is in Neutral (N), you also have to depress the brake pedal before you can move the selector lever to Drive (D), Sport Drive (S), or Reverse (R).

If the ignition is switched on, either the current gear is shown in the instrument cluster display.

Selector lever position	Designation	Meaning ⇒
	Park	The drive wheels are mechanically locked. Select only when the vehicle is not moving. To change the selector lever position, switch on the ignition (if it is off) and then press the selector lever release button while holding down the brake pedal.
	Reverse	The reverse gear is engaged. Shift into Reverse only when the vehicle is not moving.
	Neutral	Transmission is in Neutral position. No power is transmitted to the wheels and no engine braking effect is available.
	Drive (standard driving position)	All forward gears shift up and down automatically. The transmission shifts as needed depending on engine load, individual driving style, and vehicle speed.
	Sport Drive (Sport driving position)	All forward gears automatically upshift later and downshift earlier than in the  (D) (Drive) position, to take full advantage of the engine's power reserves. The transmission shifts as needed depending on engine load, individual driving style, and vehicle speed.

Automatic Shift Lock (ASL)

The Automatic Shift Lock (ASL) in Park (P) and Neutral (N) prevents drive positions from being engaged inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle to move.

To release the ASL, depress and hold the brake pedal with the ignition switched on. Press the release button on the selector lever at the same time.

The ASL is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly through Neutral (N) (e.g., when shifting from Reverse (R) to Drive (D)). This makes it possible to rock the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The ASL engages automatically if the brake pedal is not depressed and the lever is in Neutral (N) for more than about 1 second and the vehicle is traveling no faster than about 3 mph (5 km/h).

• Depress and then release the brake pedal.

Warning

Moving the selector lever to the wrong position can cause loss of vehicle control, a collision, and serious personal injury.

• Never accelerate when moving the selector lever.

• When the engine is running and a drive position is engaged, the vehicle will start to move as soon as the brake pedal is released.

• Never shift into Reverse or Park when the vehicle is moving.

Warning

Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury.

• Never get out of the driver's seat while the engine is running, especially when the transmission is in a drive gear. If you must leave your vehicle while the engine is running, always set the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P).

• Never leave the vehicle in Neutral  (N). It will roll down hills, whether the engine is running or not.

• When the engine is running and a drive gear - Drive  (D), Sport Drive  (S), or Reverse  (R) - has been selected, press and hold the brake pedal to keep the vehicle from moving. The vehicle may creep and move forward or backward even if the engine is idling slowly.

• Never shift into Reverse  (R) or Park  (P) when the vehicle is moving.

Note

Even though the transmission is in Park  (P), the vehicle may move a couple of inches (a few centimeters) forwards or backwards if you take your foot off the brake pedal after stopping the vehicle without first setting the electronic parking brake.

If the selector lever is moved into Neutral  (N) by mistake when the vehicle is moving, take your foot off the accelerator pedal. Wait until the engine speed has dropped to idle speed before moving the selector lever into a drive gear.

Leaving the selector lever for a long period of time in any position other than Park (P) when the ignition is switched off can drain the vehicle battery.