Activating and Deactivating the vehicle’s drive system on the VW ID.4

With many modern cars, there’s no need to put a key in the ignition. Electric vehicles have no such components: no starter motors, no ignition coils, etc. As such, in many of them, the car can be switched on solely by the driver approaching with the key.
The VW ID.4 adopts this electronic feature. Activating and deactivating the VW ID.4’s drive system is, of course, crucial to driving it. Here’s how you do it.

The difference between the drive system and turning the VW ID.4 on

There’s an important difference here. Let’s use a comparison to an internal combustion engine-powered car to understand the difference. ‘Turning the ID.4 on’ is like turning the engine on – but you aren’t moving yet. ‘Activating the drive system’ is when you select Drive, Reverse, etc. These are known as drive modes.
As in a normal car, you have to turn it on before you can select a drive mode. In electric cars, it can be confusing to know when the vehicle’s on due to the lack of engine sound. This article will run through the entire process for you.

Overview: how to switch the ignition on and off

Here’s a quick overview of how to activate and deactivate the VW ID.4’s drive system.

1. Switching on the drive system: get in the car with the working key. You’ll see all the lights and screens come on. The vehicle is switched on at this point, but the drive system isn’t yet activated. Put your foot on the brake and select the drive mode. That’s it.
2. Switching ignition off: bring the ID.4 to a complete stop. Press and hold the foot brake and activate the parking brake. The drive system is now deactivated, but the car’s still on.
   • Automatic ignition switch-off: the vehicle will automatically switch off if the driver moves away from the car carrying the key. If you haven’t already, the electronic parking brake automatically switches on.

Activating the drive system in VW ID 4

Before activating the vehicle’s drive system, you need to check these requirements and meet the following conditions:

• Your key needs to be in the vehicle – without it, the drive system will not activate.
• All the charging cables must be disconnected.
• The battery must have sufficient charge.
• The temperature of the high volt battery needs to be within the safe operating range to avoid sudden failures.
• Your seat belt must be fastened.

To activate the drive system in the VW ID.4, simply sit in the car with your working key! It’ll turn on. Before driving away, you need to choose the drive mode.

1. Select the driving mode with the brake pedal depressed.
2. Drive away!

It’s a straightforward solution.

Invalid key response

If the vehicle’s drive system fails to start at all, it’s probably due to an invalid key response. You should have the following warning signs/symbols:

1. The indicator lamp lights up yellow.
2. A corresponding message is likely to be shown in the ID Cockpit.

Sometimes the button cell (battery) in the key can be weak. If that’s the case, the car won’t recognize your key. You’ll need to get a new battery. This should be available from any automotive locksmith. It won’t take long and shouldn’t cost more than a few dollars.

Deactivating the vehicle’s drive system

To turn off the VW ID.4’s drive system, follow these steps:

1. You need to bring the vehicle to a STOP.
2. Park the car in a safe position and location.
3. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
4. Switch on the electronic parking brake.
5. Take your foot off the brake pedal.
6. Get out of the vehicle with your car keys, lock the vehicle and leave with your car keys.
7. The VW ID.4 will turn off.

Note: don’t forget to lock your car!

That’s all! Turning the drive system on and off in the VW ID.4 is strikingly simple. Here’s a snapshot of the owner’s manual for you to browse through. This shouldn’t replace the need to read your own owner’s manual!