Lights
Introduction to the subject
In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:
Always obey local vehicle lighting laws.
The driver is always responsible for the correct headlight settings.
More information:
- Exterior views
- Volkswagen Information System
- Replacing light bulbs
WARNING
Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see the road ahead and when you cannot be seen by other motorists.
- Always switch on the low beam headlights at dusk or when it is dark and whenever the weather is bad or visibility is poor.
WARNING
Headlights that are aimed too high and improper use of the headlight flasher or high beams can blind and distract other drivers. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
- Always make sure that headlights are properly adjusted.
- Never use the headlight flasher or high beams when they can blind or distract other drivers.
Indicator lights
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
Indicator lights in the instrument cluster
| Lights up | Possible cause | Proper response |
|---|---|---|
| One or more driving lights not workinga), excluding the Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)b). | Replace the burned out bulb . If all light bulbs are OK, see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. | |
| 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. | |
| High beams switched on or headlight flashers in use. | . |
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.
Indicator lights in the light switch
| Lights up | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| The fog lights are switched on | |
| The parking lights are switched on . | |
| The automatic headlights and, if applicable, the daytime headlights or daytime running lights are switched on . |
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 MFD. This is your reminder to see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service facility to check the headlights.
a) A separate display appears in the instrument cluster if there is an AFS malfunction.
b) Displayed in color on an instrument cluster with color display.
Turn signal lever and high beam switch
Fig. 73 On the left side of the steering column: Turn signal lever and high beam switch.
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
Move the lever to the desired position.
Right turn signal.
Left turn signal.
Switching high beams on . An indicator light lights up 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.
Convenience turn signal (lane change feature)
To use the convenience turn signal, move the lever up or down slightly, just to the point of resistance and then release it. If you have the convenience turn signal 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.
The convenience turn signal can be switched on and off in the Infotainment system by pressing the button followed by the
and Lights function keys .
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 .
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. 74 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel.
Fig. 75 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel (with fog lights and automatic headlights).
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
| Adjust the light switch to the desired position or : | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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. | |
| Orientation lighting may be switched on. | Automatic headlights active; 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. | |
| Parking lights switched on. | Parking lights 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 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 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 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 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.
- Even if automatic headlights (
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
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.
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 or
.
If the light switch is in position , a 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
Some models are equipped with a daytime running lights (DRL) parking feature that switches the daytime running lights off when the parking brake is engaged 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. If you are using automatic headlights (headlight switch in the position ), they work only when the headlights have been automatically switched 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 .
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: | Automatic deactivation: |
|---|---|
| If the low-light sensor registers darkness, for example when driving through a tunnel. | If sufficient brightness is registered. |
| If the rain sensor recognizes rain and switches the windshield wipers on. | If 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 Infotainment system by pressing the button followed by the function keys
and Lights . You can also turn the automatic activation of the headlights with the rain sensors on and off via this menu.
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) 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.
In vehicles with Driving Mode Selection, the selected driving mode can affect the turning of the lights .
In some models, the headlights will turn independently, even when driving straight ahead. They can adjust according to 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 Infotainment system by pressing the button followed by the
and Lights function keys .
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.
- If automatic headlights (
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.
Coming Home/Leaving Home features (orientation lighting)
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
The Coming Home/Leaving Home features are controlled automatically by a low-light sensor.
| Coming Home | Action |
|---|---|
| Switch on: | – Switch off the ignition The Coming Home feature is switched on when the headlight switch is in the The delay period starts once the last vehicle door or the rear hatch is closed. |
| Switch off: | – Automatically after delay period is over. – Automatically, if a vehicle door or the rear hatch is still open about 30 seconds after activation. – Turn light switch to the – Switch the ignition on. |
| Leaving Home | Action |
|---|---|
| Switch on: | – Unlock the vehicle if the light switch is in the |
| Switch off: | – Automatically after preset delay period is over. – Lock the vehicle. – Turn the light switch to the – Switch the ignition on. |
The length of time the lights stay on can be adjusted or the feature can be activated and deactivated in the Infotainment system by pressing the button followed by the
and Lights function keys .
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.
Instrument panel lighting and headlight range adjustment
Fig. 76 To the left of the steering wheel: Thumbwheel to adjust instrument panel lighting ①.
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
Instrument cluster and switch brightness
Depending on vehicle equipment, you can either adjust the brightness of the instrument cluster and switch lighting by turning the thumbwheel , or by pressing the button followed by the
and Lights function keys in the Infotainment system .
In some vehicles with daytime running lights (DRL), the instrument cluster lighting switches off 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 .
Headlight range adjustment
For vehicles equipped with halogen headlights: 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 .
For vehicles equipped with HID (Xenon) headlights: The headlights are equipped with an automatic leveling feature that automatically adjusts the headlight range 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 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.
Interior and reading lights
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| Front interior lights on. | |
| Rear 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.
Ambient (background) lighting
When the ignition and headlights are switched on, the ambient lighting in the roof console lights up.
There may also be footwell lighting.
On appropriately equipped vehicles, you can adjust the brightness of the ambient lighting in the Infotainment system by pressing the button followed by the
and Lights function keys .
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.
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