Vehicle lighting
Switching lights on and off
Fig. 80 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel (with fog lights and automatic headlights, if equipped).
Always obey local vehicle lighting laws.
The driver is always responsible for the correct headlight settings.
Switching lights on
- Switch on the ignition.
- Turn the light switch to the appropriate position:
- The automatic headlights or the daytime running lights (DRL) are switched on . See .
- Parking lights and taillights switched on. The symbol in the light switch lights up green.
- Headlights and taillights switched on.
For information on fog lights , see .
Switching lights off
- Switch off the ignition.
- Turn the light switch to the
position to switch all lights completely off.
- When the ignition is off, some lights may stay on depending on the position of the light switch:
- The lights are switched off.
- Coming Home and Leaving Home features (orientation lighting) may be switched on.
- Parking lights and taillights switched on.
- Low beams switched off. The parking lights and taillights will stay on as long as the key is in the ignition, or for vehicles with Keyless Access, the driver door is closed.
Daytime running lights (DRL)
The daytime running lights can help to increase the visibility of your vehicle during the day.
Separate lamps or LEDs are installed in the headlights or in the front bumper for the daytime running lights (DRL).
The daytime running lights switch on whenever the ignition is switched on and the light switch is in position ,
, or
.
If the light switch is in position , the low-light sensor switches the low beams as well as the instrument and switch lighting on and off automatically.
Daytime running lights (DRL) parking feature
In some models, you can switch off the daytime running lights (DRL) while parked.
| Function | Action |
|---|---|
| Switching the DRL off: | – Switch the ignition on. – Turn the light switch to the – Set the parking brake. |
| Switching the DRL back on: | – Release the parking brake. |
WARNING
Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see the road ahead and when you cannot be seen by other motorists. Daytime running lights and parking lights are not bright enough to let you see ahead or be seen by others when it is dark.
- Always switch on the low beam headlights at dusk, when it is dark, and whenever the weather is bad or visibility is poor.
- Never use daytime running lights (DRL) to see where you are going. DRL are not bright enough to light up the roadway and be seen by other motorists. You will not be able to see far enough ahead for safety, especially at dusk or when it is dark. Always switch on the low-beam headlights at dusk or when it is dark.
- The taillights do not come on when the daytime running lights are switched on and the headlight switch is in position
- If automatic headlights (
Switching the fog lights on and off
- To switch on the fog lights: Pull the light switch out to the detent.
- To switch off the fog lights: Push the switch back in.
- To then turn off the headlights, turn the switch to position
The indicator light in the headlight switch shows that the fog lights are switched on.
When the automatic headlights and the fog lights
are switched on, the low beams also switch on, whether or not the low-light sensor registers darkness.
Lights – features
Parking lights
If the ignition is switched off and the vehicle is locked from the outside with the headlight switch in the position, the parking lights in both headlights come on together with both taillights.
If the headlight switch is in the position when you switch off the ignition, and you do not switch the parking lights off when leaving the vehicle, the parking lights stay on for about 30 minutes before automatically switching off. This feature helps prevent the parking lights from draining the vehicle battery if they were left on unintentionally.
Automatic headlights (
)
Your vehicle may be equipped with automatic headlights (), which are a convenience feature only and cannot always recognize all lighting and driving situations.
If the light switch is in the position, both vehicle lighting and instrument and switch lighting are automatically switched on and off in the following situations :
- Automatic activation: If the low-light sensor registers darkness, for example, when driving through a tunnel or at dusk OR when the rain sensor recognizes rain and switches the windshield wipers on.
- Automatic deactivation: If sufficient brightness is registered OR the windshield wipers have not moved for several minutes.
You can adjust the level of darkness the vehicle must register before automatically switching on the headlights in the Vehicle settings menu in the Infotainment system . You can also turn the automatic activation of the headlights with the rain sensors on and off via this menu.
Cornering lights
Your vehicle may have cornering lights, which are either integrated into the headlights or the fog lights under the front bumper. At speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h), the cornering light on one side of the vehicle will come on automatically when you turn a corner. If you turn to the right, the right cornering light comes on; turn left and the left cornering light comes on. The light dims and goes out when the steering wheel is straightened out again.
When you move the selector lever to reverse (R), the cornering lights on both sides of the vehicle may come on so that you can see the area around the vehicle better when backing up.
The cornering lights work only when the headlights are on. If you are using automatic headlights (headlight switch in the position ), they work only when the headlights have been automatically switched on. The cornering lights do not come on when the headlight switch is in the
position.
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
Some vehicles equipped with LED headlights also have an Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS), which works only when the headlight switch is in the position and only at speeds above about 6 mph (10 km/h). The swivel-mounted lamps automatically help improve road illumination during cornering.
In vehicles with Driving Mode Selection, the selected driving mode can affect the turning of the lights. For example, in the Eco driving mode, the AFS is deactivated .
In some models, the headlights will turn independently, even when driving straight ahead. They can adjust automatically, depending on the weather conditions and the speed of the vehicle to better light up the road ahead. The bulbs return to their original position after a short period of time, depending on the vehicle speed.
On vehicles equipped with AFS, the feature can be switched on and off in the Vehicle settings menu in the Infotainment system .
Acoustic warning when lights are not switched off
In the following situation, a warning chime will sound if you switch off the ignition and open the driver door. This is to remind you that lights are still on.
- Light switch in position
.
NOTE
Leaving the parking lights on when the ignition is switched off can drain the vehicle battery.
Coming Home and Leaving Home features (orientation lighting)
Your vehicle may be equipped with Coming Home and Leaving Home features, which light up the area around the vehicle when entering or exiting the vehicle in the dark.
The Coming Home and Leaving Home features are controlled automatically by a low-light sensor.
Switching on the Coming Home feature
- Switch off the ignition.
The Coming Home feature is switched on when the headlight switch is in the position and the low-light sensor registers darkness.
The Coming Home lighting switches on when the driver door is opened. The switch-off delay period starts once the last vehicle door or the trunk lid is closed.
Switching off the Coming Home feature
- The Coming Home feature switches off automatically after the preset delay period is over.
- OR If a vehicle door or the trunk lid is still open about 30 seconds after activation.
- OR The light switch is turned to the
- OR The ignition is switched on.
Switching on the Leaving Home feature
- Unlock the vehicle.
The Leaving Home feature is switched on when the light switch is in the position and the low-light sensor registers darkness.
Switching off the Leaving Home feature
- The Leaving Home feature switches off automatically after the preset delay period is over.
- OR When the vehicle is locked.
- OR The light switch is turned to the
- OR The ignition is switched on.
The length of time the lights stay on can be adjusted or the feature can be activated and deactivated in the Vehicle settings menu in the Infotainment system .
If the Coming Home feature is switched on and the driver door is opened, no warning chime will sound to alert you that the lights are still on.
Tips and troubleshooting
When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function check. They go out after a few seconds.
Vehicle lighting not working
The yellow indicator light comes on.
Light bulb of the exterior vehicle lighting not working.
- See an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or other qualified workshop to replace the light bulb that isn't working.
Rain and light sensor malfunction
The yellow indicator light comes on.
The headlights will not switch on or off automatically when the light switch is in the position .
- Switch the ignition off and back on.
- If the indicator light comes on again and stays on, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
The turn signal indicator light blinks twice as fast
The green indicator light blinks twice as fast if a turn signal is not working on the vehicle.
- Check the turn signals on the vehicle.
If the headlights are not properly adjusted
The headlight range cannot be manually adjusted. If you believe the headlights are not properly adjusted or are not sure, have them checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility .
WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights or other warnings can result in a collision and serious personal injury.
- Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
- Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, stop the engine, turn on the emergency flashers, and use other warning devices to warn approaching traffic.
- Never park the vehicle in areas where the hot catalytic converter and exhaust system could come into contact with dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, oil, or other material that can catch fire.
- A broken-down vehicle presents a high accident risk for itself and others. Switch on emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle to warn oncoming traffic.
WARNING
Headlights that are aimed too high because of the way the vehicle is loaded can blind and distract other drivers. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
- Always make sure the headlights are adjusted to loading conditions so that they do not blind others.
WARNING
If the automatic leveling feature of the headlights does not work properly or at all, the headlights could blind and distract other drivers. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
- Have headlight range adjustment checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
NOTE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
In cool or humid weather, the insides of the headlights, the rear lights, and turn signals can temporarily fog up. This is normal and does not affect the service life of the vehicle's lighting system.
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