Volkswagen Technical Glossary (In-progress)

Question 1

4MOTION®

Answer 1

• 4MOTION is Volkswagen’s permanent all-wheel drive system.
• The 4MOTION permanent all-wheel-drive system from Volkswagen distributes the engine’s power to all wheels as required.
• Onmodelswheretheengineisinstalledlongitudinally,aTorsendifferentialsplitsthedriveforce between the front and rear axles. Vehicles with a transverse engine are fitted with the BorgWarner coupling.
• 4MOTIONprovideshighactivesafety, reliable traction on virtually all surfaces and optimum directional stability at all times, even in cross-winds. The fact that its extra safety reserves are available permanently gives it a clear edge over driver-operated all-wheel-drive systems.
• Furthermore, 4MOTION can be combined with all dynamics control systems such as electronic
• stabilization program (ESC), traction control (ASR), engine drag torque control (MSR) and electronic
• differential lock (EDL) .

Question 2

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)

Answer 2

• When the driver brakes hard on a slippery road surface, the anti-lock braking system prevents the wheels from locking, so that the vehicle can still be steered.
• When the wheels lock up, they are no longer able to transmit cornering forces, meaning that the driver loses control of the vehicle. To prevent this from happening, the ABS control unit uses wheel speed sensors to monitor the rotational speed of each wheel. If it detects that a wheel is about to lock, a solenoid valve in the anti-lock braking system’s control unit reduces the brake pressure applied at the wheel in question until it starts to rotate freely again. The pressure is subsequently increased to the lockup threshold once more. The vehicle remains stable and steerable.
• This process is repeated several times per second in all Volkswagen models. The driver can tell when the anti-lock braking system is in action by a slight juddering of the brake pedal. Within the anti-lock braking system’s operating range, the vehicle can be steered with ease even while full braking power is being applied. This helps the driver to avoid obstacles or a collision with other vehicles.
• A note regarding ABS: on certain surfaces, such as gravel or firm ground covered by snow, the standard ABS system may have the effect of increasing the braking distance.

Question 3

ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)

Answer 3

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) controls the speed set by the driver, based on the speed of vehicles ahead. If a vehicle is detected in front of the Volkswagen, ACC keeps a constant set distance from the other vehicle. ACC accelerates on its own to the set maximum speed, and it automatically brakes when a detected vehicle in front slows down. When the path in front is clear, the system will accelerate and maintain the set speed.

A sensor constantly monitors the area in front of the vehicle. The driver can use the accelerator to interrupt the ACC control and accelerate faster. Use of the brake pedal immediately deactivates the ACC function. All system messages appear in the central multifunction display.

• ACC Basic: ACC Basic helps maintain an individually stored constant speed between about 18 mph and 95 mph and a previously set distance in time intervals between your vehicle and those in front of you.
• ACC Basic will follow the vehicle in front of it until the car slows to 18mph or lower. The system will
• then request the driver take over using a visual and audible warning in the instrument cluster display ACC with Follow to Stop: ACC with Follow to Stop will follow the vehicle in front to a complete stop.
• Using the Resume function or pressing the accelerator will resume ACC, and accelerate based on the vehicle in front.
• ACC with Stop and Go: After stopping, the vehicle automatically resume driving within a defined time or when the vehicle in front accelerates from a stop, or if the driver chooses to do so.