2019 Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual - Warning and indicator lights

Warning and indicator lights

Warning and indicator lights notify you of warnings   and malfunctions  , or tell you about certain functions. Some warning and indicator lights come on when the ignition is switched on and should go out when the engine is running or when the vehicle is moving.

Additional text messages appear in the instrument cluster of appropriately equipped vehicles to give more information or prompt you to take certain actions  .

Depending on the vehicle options, a symbol may appear in the instrument cluster instead of a warning light.

In addition, a warning chime or other acoustic warning sounds when certain warning and indicator lights go on.

Symbol	Meaning  ,
	Central warning light: Read and follow the text messages in the instrument cluster display.
	Stop! Parking brake engaged  .
	Stop! Brake fluid level too low  . OR: Brake system malfunction  . OR: Together with the ABS indicator light  or : ABS failure  .
	Stop! Engine coolant level too low, engine coolant temperature too high, or engine coolant system malfunctiona) ,  .
	Stop! Engine oil pressure too lowa) .
	Stop! Lights up: Steering system malfunction  .
	Stop! Flashes: Electronic steering column lock malfunction  .
	Driver and/or passenger safety belts not buckled  .
	Brake or take action to avoid the vehicle ahead! Front Assist Forward Collision Warning (if equipped)a) . OR: Pedestrian Monitoring system warning.
	Brake! Depress brake pedal. ACC driver intervention warning  .
	Alternator malfunctiona) .
	Vehicles with brake wear indicator: Brake pads worn. Immediately contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the brake pads checked and, if necessary, replaced  .
	Central caution light: Read and follow the text messages in the instrument cluster display.
	Lights up: ESC malfunction or ESC switched off by the system  . OR: Together with  or : ABS malfunction. OR: The vehicle battery has been reconnected.
	Flashes: ESC or ASR is active  .
	ASR manually deactivated  . OR: ESC Sport mode manually activated  . OR: Together with  : ESC manually switched off  .
	ABS malfunction  .
	Electronic parking brake malfunction (if equipped)a) .
	One or more driving lights burned outa) .
	Light malfunctionb) .
	Lights up: Engine control malfunction  .
	Flashes: Misfire  .
	Engine control malfunction  .
	Engine speed (rpm) limited (if equipped, to help prevent overheating)a) .
	Lights up: Problem with the steering  .
	Flashes: Steering column not locked/unlocked  .
	Lights up: Tire pressure too low  .
	Flashes: Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) malfunction  .
	Rain and light sensor malfunction  ,  .
	Windshield wiper malfunction  .
	Not enough windshield washer fluida) .
	Fuel tank almost empty  ,  .
	Lights up: Engine oil level too lowa) .
	Flashes: Engine oil system malfunctiona) .
	Airbag and safety belt pretensioner system malfunction  .
	Passenger front airbag turned off (PASSENGER AIR BAG   light)  .
	Fuel filler cap not properly closeda) .
	Lane Assist switched on, not active  .
	Automatic transmission: Malfunction or transmission overheatinga) . Manual transmission: Clutch does not transfer all of the engine torquea) .
	Adaptive cruise control (ACC) currently not availablea) .
	Front Assist switched off (if equipped)a) .
	Adaptive chassis control DCC system malfunction (if equipped)a) .
	Turn signals, left or right  .
	Emergency flashers switched on  .
	Lights up: Brake pedal not depressed  .
	Flashes: The release button in the selector lever is not engaged  .
	The vehicle is being held by the Auto Hold feature (if equipped)  .
	Lights up: Cruise control is regulating the vehicle speed  . OR: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) switched on (if equipped)  .
	Lane Assist is switched on and active  .
	High beams switched on or headlight flashers in use  .
	ACC switched on. No vehicle has been detected ahead  .
	ACC switched on. Vehicle detected ahead  .
	Increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Front Assist distance warning (if equipped)  .
	Cruise control malfunction
	Light Assist high beam control switched on (if equipped)  .
	Service reminder display  .
	Charge level of the mobile phone battery. Applies only to models with a factory-installed mobile phone package ⇒BookletInfotainment System,.
	Outside temperature colder than +39 °F (+4 °C)  .
	Start-stop available. Automatic engine stop is active  .
	Start-stop not available. OR: Start-stop has automatically restarted the engine  .
	Fuel-efficient driving display  .
	Refer to the Owner's Manual.

WARNING

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to break down in traffic and 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.

• Park the vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic and where no part of the hot catalytic converter and exhaust system can come into contact with flammable materials under the vehicle, such as dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, etc.

• 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.

• Before opening the engine hood, always switch off the engine and let the engine cool down.

• Always be very careful when working in the engine compartment, which is a potentially dangerous area in any motor vehicle and can cause serious personal injury  .

NOTE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.

^a) Displayed in color on an instrument cluster with color display.

^b) A separate display appears in the instrument cluster if there is an AFS malfunction.