Travel Assist is the self-driving driver-assist program found in the VW ID.4. It’s supposed to be a driver aid rather than a complete self-driving tool.
Turning these advanced features on and off can be difficult. On this page, you’ll find instructions for turning Travel Assist on and off.
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What is Travel Assist on the VW ID.4?
Travel Assist combines the following systems in the ID.4:
- ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)
- Lane Assist (lane keeping system)
It uses the same sensors and cameras. Combining these two features, your ID.4 will maintain its lane discipline while driving at a safe speed. If you come up behind another car, the car will slow to match its pace.
Provided it’s within the system’s limits (i.e., not emergency braking), the ID.4 will stop if the car in front brakes to a halt. It will also start moving again by itself.
Some ID.4 models don’t have Travel Assist. Check if yours does by:
- Looking at the multifunctional steering wheel. If the Travel Assist button is present, the car has Travel Assist.
- The button looks like a car and speedometer between two lane markings.
- You’ll find it by the RES button next to the cruise control settings.
How do I turn on Travel Assist on the ID.4?
Activating Travel Assist is incredibly simple. Here’s how to do it.
- Press the Travel Assist button on the multifunctional steering wheel.
- It’s usually beneath the RES button with the ACC controls on the left-hand side.
- The green indicator light should illuminate if Travel Assist turns on and functions as expected. You’ll also see a display message confirming this.
The ID.4 will take over the steering and gentle braking or acceleration.
You must remain aware at all times. The car is prevented from slamming the brakes on to prevent accidents. You’ll have to apply the brakes (and steer) yourself in emergency road conditions.
How do I turn Travel Assist off on the ID.4?
Turning Travel Assist off is also simple. Here’s how to do it. Either:
- Tap the brake pedal; or
- Tap the cruise control button
- You’ll find this above RES on the multifunctional steering wheel).
Travel Assist immediately switches off. The Travel Assist light should disappear from the instrument cluster.
Travel Assist will also automatically switch off if:
- You don’t touch the steering wheel for an extended period.
- An unexpected fault develops.
- You activate a turn signal.
- This allows you to manually change lanes.
The car will warn you (repeatedly) before this happens.
If your ID.4 is fitted with Emergency Assist, it’ll bring itself to a stop if you don’t touch the wheel. It thinks you’re having a medical emergency and does this as a last resort.
What do the Travel Assist lights mean on the VW ID.4?
In the instrument cluster, you might see several lights (or variations of the same light). What do they mean? Here’s what to watch out for while using Travel Assist in the ID.4.
Note: the Travel Assist light shows a car in a lane with a speedometer in the forefront.
Note: the Take Over Steering light shows a steering wheel with two hands at 3 and 9 o’clock.
- Travel Assist light green (including lane markings): Travel Assist is active. It’s using both Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist.
- Travel Assist light green (but lane markings are black): Travel Assist is active. Although it’s using Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist is off. The car won’t steer itself to stay in the lane. That’s still your job. You can change this in the settings (unless it’s an error).
- Travel Assist light orange: Travel Assist isn’t active. It’s either unavailable due to road conditions, or a fault has developed. You should try turning the car off and on again or returning to roads with clearer lane markings. You need to head to a mechanic if the problem persists.
- Take Over Steering light black: put your hands back on the steering wheel. If you haven’t touched the steering wheel for a few seconds, this light comes on.
- Take Over Steering light red: put your hands back on the steering wheel. This will be accompanied by a warning (either sound or vibration). The warning comes about when you haven’t touched the wheel for an extended time, or the system is no longer in control of the car. For example, you might need to urgently apply the brakes because of an emergency ahead.
- Travel Assist light (without speedometer) orange: Emergency Assist is intervening and bringing your car to a halt. The ID.4 suspects you’re having a medical emergency. Override this by accelerating, braking, or steering hard.
- Emergency Assist settings can be turned on and off on the infotainment system.
See more information about the ID.4’s Travel Assist settings in the owner’s manual.
