Lights
Indicator lights
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒
Introduction to the subject
| Lights up | Possible cause | Proper response |
|---|---|---|
| One or more driving lights not working or Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) malfunction. | Replace burned out bulb ⇒ Changing light bulbs , or If all light bulbs are OK, visit an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. |
|
| Fog lights switched on (indicator light on the headlight switch or the instrument cluster). | ⇒ Fog lights . | |
| Left or right turn signal. The indicator light blinks twice as fast if a turn signal is not working on the vehicle or the trailer. |
Check the turn signals on the vehicle and the trailer. | |
| Daytime running lights (DRL) on. | ⇒ Lights and vision features | |
| High beams switched on or headlight flashers in use. | ⇒ Turn signal lever and high beam switch . |
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.
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.
- 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 can 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.
NOTE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights provide bright, uniform lighting to help you see and be seen. The light comes from an electric arc between two electrodes in the gas-filled bulb. Over time, the electrodes can wear down and the gap between them will get wider. The HID lamp’s control unit then increases the voltage to keep the arc’s brightness constant. However, the commonly called “Xenon” bulbs will also ultimately burn out. Before they burn out, HID lamps can flicker. A message will then appear in the MFI. This is your reminder to see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service facility to check the headlights.
Turn signal lever and high beam switch
Fig. 72 Turn signal lever and high beam switch.
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject
Move the lever to the desired position.
Right turn signal.
Left turn signal.
Switching high beams on ⇒ . An indicator light comes on in the instrument cluster when the high beams are switched on.
Switching the high beams off and operating the headlight flasher. The headlight flasher turns on the high beams as long as the lever is pulled and manually held in the pulled position. The indicator light
Move the lever back to the home position to turn the selected feature off.
Lane change signaling feature (convenience turn signal)
To use the lane change signaling feature, move the lever up or down slightly, just to the point of resistance and then release it. If you have lane change flash (Conv. turn sig.) switched on, the turn signals and the turn signal indicator flash 3 times. If it is switched off, they flash as long as you hold the lever up or down, and go out when you release the lever.
Lane change flash is switched on and off in the Lights & Vision menu in the instrument cluster display ⇒ Volkswagen Information System . If your vehicle is not equipped with the Lights & Vision menu, the lane change flash feature can be deactivated by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Improper use of high beams can distract and blind others, causing accidents and serious injuries.
The turn signal light works only when the ignition is switched on. The emergency flasher works even when the ignition is switched off ⇒ In an emergency .
The indicator light flashes twice as fast if a turn signal bulb is burned out.
High beams can only be switched on when the low beams are on.
Switching lights on and off
Fig. 73 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel.
Fig. 74 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel (with fog lights).
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject
| Adjust the light switch to the desired position ⇒ Fig. 73 or ⇒ Fig. 74 : | ||
|---|---|---|
| Symbol | When the ignition is switched off | When the ignition is switched on |
| Fog lights and low beams switched off. | Headlights off, daytime running lights (DRL) on. | |
| Low beams switched off. The DRL may stay on. The length of time they stay on depends on the vehicle battery charge. | Low beams switched on. | |
| Fog lights switched off. The DRL may stay on for some time. | Headlights and fog lights switched on. | |
Fog lights
The indicator light in the headlight switch or the instrument cluster shows that the fog lights are switched on.
- To switch on the fog lights
: first turn the light switch to position
, then pull the light switch out to the first detent.
- To switch off the fog lights, push the switch back in from the first detent. To then turn off the headlights, turn the switch to position
.
Acoustic warning when lights are not switched off
In the following situation, a warning chime will sound if you take the key out of the ignition and open the driver door. This is to remind you that lights are still on.
- Light switch in position
WARNING
Daytime running 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 or when it is dark and whenever the weather is bad or visibility is poor.
- Never use the daytime running lights to see where you are going. They are not bright enough and will not let you 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 with the daytime running lights. Unless the taillights are on, a vehicle cannot be seen by others in bad weather, at dusk, or when it is dark.
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.
Lights and vision features
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject
Daytime running lights (DRL)
Separate lamps are installed in the headlights or in the front bumper for the daytime running lights (DRL).
When the daytime running lights are switched on, only these separate lamps come on ⇒ .
The daytime running lights are switched on whenever the ignition is switched on and the light switch is in position . The indicator light
or
may come on in the instrument cluster to indicate that the feature is active ⇒ Indicator lights .
Daytime running lights (DRL) parking feature
Some models are equipped with a daytime running lights (DRL) parking feature that switches the daytime running lights off when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is switched on.
| 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. |
Static cornering lights
Your vehicle may have fog lights under the front bumper, which on some models are also static cornering lights. On some models the static cornering lights may be integrated in the headlights. At speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h), the light on one side of the vehicle will come on automatically when you turn a corner. If you turn to the right, the right fog light comes on; turn left and the left fog 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 static 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 static cornering lights work only when the headlights are on. The static cornering lights do not come on when the headlight switch is in the position or when the fog lights themselves have been switched on ⇒ Switching lights on and off .
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
The Adaptive Front Lighting System works only with the low beams switched on and only at speeds above about 6 mph (10 km/h). The swivel-mounted lamps automatically improve road illumination during cornering.
On vehicles equipped with the Adaptive Front Lighting System, the feature is switched on and off via the Assistants menu in the instrument cluster display ⇒ Volkswagen Information System .
WARNING
Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see the road ahead and when you cannot be seen by other motorists.
- 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. A vehicle without taillights on cannot be seen by others in bad weather, at dusk, or when it is dark.
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.
Instrument panel lighting and headlight range adjustment
Fig. 75 To the left of the steering wheel: Thumbwheel to adjust instrument panel lighting ①.
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject
Instrument panel lighting
When the lights are on, the brightness of the instrument panel lighting is adjusted by turning the thumbwheel ⇒ Fig. 75① .
Instrument cluster brightness
When the lights are on, the brightness of the instrument cluster lighting is adjusted by turning the thumbwheel ①.
In some vehicles with daytime running lights (DRL), the instrument cluster lighting switches on automatically when it is dark outside or when driving through tunnels, for example. You will need to switch the headlights on manually when this happens, so that the vehicle's taillights will turn on ⇒ Daytime running lights (DRL) .
Dynamic headlight range adjustment
In vehicles with HID (Xenon) headlights, the headlight range is automatically adjusted to the vehicle loading condition once the low beams are switched on ⇒ .
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 dynamic headlight range adjustment 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.
Interior and reading lights
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| Interior lights off. | |
| Interior lights on. | |
| Door contact switch - center position. Interior lights go on automatically when the vehicle is unlocked, a door is opened, or the vehicle key is removed from the ignition. The lights go out about 20 seconds after you close the doors. They also go out when you lock the vehicle or switch on the ignition. |
|
| Reading light on or off. | |
Glove and luggage compartment lights
The glove and luggage compartments may have lights that come on automatically when they are opened and go off when they are closed.
Background lighting
When the ignition and headlights are switched on, the roof console control buttons light up.
There may also be footwell lighting.
The interior and reading lights go out when you lock the vehicle or a few minutes after you remove the vehicle key from the ignition. This helps to prevent unnecessary drain on the vehicle battery.