While driving

Gear-change indicator

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Fig. 140 In the instrument cluster display: gear-change indicator

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

The instrument cluster display may, depending on the vehicle's equipment level, indicate which gear should be selected to reduce fuel consumption while the vehicle is in motion.

In vehicles with an automatic gearbox the selector lever must also be in the Tiptronic position .

Key for :

  1. Currently selected gear.
  2. Recommended gear.

No recommended gear is indicated if the most suitable gear is already selected. The currently selected gear is displayed.

Information on cleaning the diesel particulate filter

The exhaust management system detects when a diesel particulate filter is filling up and aids the filter's self-cleaning process by recommending the most suitable gear when driving. This may mean driving with increased engine speed in exceptional cases .

The gear-change indicator is only designed to assist the driver and cannot replace the driver's own judgement.
  • The driver has full responsibility for selecting the correct gear in all situations (e.g. when overtaking, driving up and down hills and when towing a trailer).

Driving in the correct gear can reduce fuel consumption.

Gear-change indicator display goes out when the clutch is depressed in vehicles with a manual gearbox or when Tiptronic position is deselected in vehicles with an automatic gearbox.

Test yourself

A quick Volkswagen Golf quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.