2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual - Headlights

Headlights

Switching the lights on and off

Fig. 97 Next to the steering wheel: light switch (one version).

Switching the lights on

• Switch the ignition on.

• Turn the light switch to the desired position:

AUTO Automatic headlight control: the headlights will switch on or off depending on the brightness and weather conditions , ⇒ Light functions.

The parking lights and daytime running lights are turned on. The green symbol in the light switch turns on.

The low beam headlights are switched on.

Switching the lights off

• Switch the ignition off.

• Turn the light switch to the desired position:

The lights are switched off.

AUTO

The “Leaving home” function (orientation lighting) can be switched on ⇒ “Coming home” and “Leaving home” function (orientation lighting).

The parking lights or continuous parking light on both sides of the vehicle are switched on ⇒ Switching the continuous parking light on both sides of the vehicle on and off. The green symbol in the light switch turns on.

Low beam headlights are switched off - As long as the vehicle key remains in the ignition lock or if the driver’s door is closed on vehicles with Keyless Access, the parking lights remain on.

Daytime running lights

The optional daytime running lights can increase the visibility of your vehicle in traffic during the daytime.

The daytime running lights come on every time you switch on the ignition when the light switch is in the ,  or AUTO position (and daylight has been detected).

Daytime running lights parking function

Depending on the equipment, the vehicle may have a daytime running lights parking function to turn off the daytime running lights temporarily when the ignition is switched on.

Switching off the daytime running lights:

• Switch the ignition on.

• Turn the light switch to the  position.

• Set the electronic parking brake.

Switching on the daytime running lights:

• Switch off the electronic parking brake.

WARNING

Accidents and serious injuries may occur if the road is not well lit and the vehicle cannot be seen by others on the road, or is very difficult to see.

• The light assistance systems are only aids. The driver is always responsible for turning on the correct vehicle lighting.

• Always turn on the low beam headlights in the dark, in the fog, and when visibility is poor.

WARNING

The parking lights or daytime running lights are not bright enough to illuminate the road sufficiently and to be seen by other road users.

• Always turn on the low beam headlights in the dark, in the fog, and when visibility is poor.

• The taillights do not switch on with the daytime running lights. A vehicle without its taillights turned on may not be seen by other road users in the dark, in the fog, and when visibility is poor.

WARNING

Automatic headlight control AUTO  only turns the low beam headlights on and off when there are changes in brightness.

• Turn on the low beam headlights manually in certain weather conditions, such as in fog.

When reverse gear is engaged, the cornering lights on both sides of the vehicle will turn on automatically to better illuminate the surroundings while maneuvering.

Switching the fog lights on and off

When the ignition is switched on, the fog lights can be switched on with the light switch in the AUTO positions,  parking lights and  low beam headlights ⇒ Switching the lights on and off:

• Switching on the fog lights : pull the light switch up to the first level. The  green indicator light in the light switch will turn on.

• To switch off the fog lights, push in the light switch or turn to the  position.

When the automatic headlight control is switched on AUTO and the fog lights or rear fog lights are switched on, the low beam headlights will also be on regardless of the surrounding brightness.

Light functions

Parking lights

If the  parking light function is switched on, both headlights will turn on along with the parking lights, sections of the taillights, the license plate lighting, and the buttons in the center console and in the instrument panel. When the ignition is switched on, the daytime running lights also turn on.

If the vehicle is not locked from the outside when the ignition is switched off, the continuous parking lights on both sides of the vehicle will turn on automatically after approximately ten minutes to reduce the load on the 12 V vehicle battery ⇒ Switching the continuous parking light on both sides of the vehicle on and off.

Automatic headlight control AUTO 

If automatic headlight control AUTO  is switched on, the vehicle lighting switches on and off automatically along with the instrument and switch lighting, depending on the lighting conditions. When the lights are turned on, the yellow indicator light turns on.

Automatic headlight control is merely an aid and cannot always accurately detect all driving situations.

If the vehicle is equipped accordingly, the activation time of the automatic headlights can be adjusted in the vehicle settings in the Infotainment system ⇒ Vehicle settings menu.

Cornering lights

The cornering light turns on automatically when turning slowly or around very tight curves.

Dynamic cornering light

The dynamic cornering light enables optimal illumination of the road. The dynamic cornering light only works when the automatic headlights AUTO  are switched on and at speeds of more than approximately 10 km/h (6 mph).

If the vehicle is equipped accordingly, the dynamic cornering light can be activated or deactivated in the Vehicle Settings menu of the Infotainment system ⇒ Vehicle settings menu.

Warning tones when lights are not turned off

If the vehicle key was removed from the ignition lock and the driver’s door was opened, the warning tones will sound under the following conditions:

• With the parking light switched on.

• If the parking light function  is turned on or the fog lights  are turned on.

If the “Coming home” function is switched on, the warning tone to indicate that the lights are still turned on will not sound when leaving the vehicle.

Some settings can be saved in the driver personalization user profiles and will change when the user profile is switched ⇒ Driver personalization.

Switching the high beam headlights on and off

Fig. 98 On the left side of the steering column: turn signal and high beam lever.

• Switch the ignition and the low beam headlights on.

• Move the turn signal and high beam lever from the center position to the following position  fig. 98:

1.  High beam headlights switched on.
2. Activate the headlight flashers or turn off the high beam headlights. The headlight flashers will stay on as long as the lever is pulled.

If the high beam headlights or headlight flashers are turned on, the blue  indicator light will be on in the instrument cluster.

Light Assist

Depending on the equipment, high beam control (Light Assist) may be available ⇒ Light Assist.

WARNING

Using the high beam headlights incorrectly can cause accidents and serious injuries, because the high beams can distract and create glare for other drivers.

Light Assist

Light Assist switches off automatically if the system detects oncoming vehicles or vehicles driving ahead. Light Assist generally detects well-lit areas such as towns and deactivates the high beam headlights when driving through these areas.

The high beam headlights switch on and off automatically within the limits of the system, depending on the environmental and traffic conditions and the vehicle speed  .

Depending on vehicle equipment, it may be possible to activate and deactivate Light Assist in the vehicle settings in the Infotainment system ⇒ Vehicle settings menu.

 Switching on Light Assist

• Switch on the ignition and the automatic headlight control AUTO.

• Tap the turn signal and high beam lever forward out of the base position.

When Light Assist is switched on, the  indicator light in the instrument cluster display will turn on. If the main-beam control is active, the blue indicator light for main beam  switches on in the instrument cluster.

Setting the main-beam control sensitivity

Depending on the country, the main-beam control sensitivity can be set in two stages:

• Increasing the sensitivity: Pull the turn signal and main beam lever from its original position, forwards, and hold it in this position for around 15 seconds. The  indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes three times to confirm.

• Set sensitivity back to its standard setting: Pull the turn signal and main beam lever from its original position, forwards, and hold it in this position for around 15 seconds. The  indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes three times (briefly) to confirm. OR: Switch the ignition off and on again.

Switching off Light Assist

• Switch off automatic headlight control  AUTO.

• OR: when Light Assist is switched on and active: pull the turn signal and high beam lever backward.

• OR: when Light Assist is switched on and not active: tap the turn signal and high beam lever forward to switch the high beams on manually. Pull the turn signal and high beam lever backward to switch the high beams off manually if necessary.

• OR: switch the ignition off.

System limitations

The high beams must be switched off manually in the following situations, because Light Assist may not switch them off at the right time or at all:

• On poorly lit roads with strongly reflective signs.

• If there are others on the road who have inadequate lighting, such as pedestrians or cyclists.

• On tight curves where the view of traffic is partially obstructed, on steep rises, or in dips.

• When there are oncoming vehicles on roads with a center barrier and the drivers in the oncoming vehicle can clearly see above the barrier, for example truck drivers.

• In fog, snow, and heavy rain.

• When there are dust and sand in the air.

• If the windshield is damaged in the camera's field of vision.

• If the camera visual field is fogged over, dirty, or covered by a sticker, snow, or ice.

• If the camera is malfunctioning and the power supply is interrupted.

WARNING

Do not allow the increased convenience provided by the Light Assist to tempt you into taking risks. The system cannot replace the driver's attention.

• Always be prepared to control the headlights yourself and to adapt to the lighting, visual, and traffic conditions.

• Light Assist may not detect all traffic situations correctly and the function may be restricted in certain situations.

• If the camera lens is dirty, covered, or damaged, the Light Assist function may be limited. This is also the case if the vehicle lighting system is changed, such as by adding additional headlights.

NOTICE

To avoid impairing the function of the system, note the following points:

• The camera view area should be cleaned regularly and kept free of snow and ice.

• Do not cover the camera view area.

• Regularly check the windshield for damage in the camera lens area.

Objects that give off light, such as mobile navigation units, can impair the Light Assist function if they are placed in the area monitored by the camera.

Switching the continuous parking light on both sides of the vehicle on and off

When the continuous parking lights on both sides of the vehicle are switched on, both headlights will turn on as well as the parking lights and sections of the taillights.

Switching on the continuous parking lights on both sides of the vehicle:

• When the ignition is switched on, turn the light switch to the  position.

• Switch the ignition off.

• Lock the vehicle from the outside.

Automatic parking light deactivation

The vehicle detects that the 12-volt vehicle battery is low and switches off the parking lights or continuous parking lights early enough to ensure that the engine can still be started, but not until at least two hours have passed.

If the battery does not have enough capacity for the parking lights to run for two hours, the 12-volt vehicle battery may drain enough that the engine is no longer able to start .

WARNING

If the vehicle is stopped without enough lighting so that the vehicle cannot be seen or is difficult for others on the road to see, this can cause accidents and serious injuries.

• Always stop the vehicle safely and with enough lighting. Follow the applicable legal regulations.

“Coming home” and “Leaving home” function (orientation lighting)

When you are entering and exiting the vehicle in the dark, the “Coming home” and “Leaving home” function illuminates the immediate area around the vehicle.

The lighting time can be adjusted in the vehicle settings in the Infotainment system and the function can be activated or deactivated ⇒ Vehicle settings menu.

Switching the “Coming home” function off

• Turns off automatically after the set lighting time has elapsed.

• OR: automatically if a vehicle door or the trunk lid is opened approximately 30 seconds after switching on.

• OR: switch off the lights.

• OR: switch on the ignition.

Switching the “Leaving home” function on

• Unlock the vehicle when the automatic headlight control  AUTO is switched on and the rain/light sensor detects darkness.

Switching the “Leaving home” function off

• Turns off automatically after the lighting time has elapsed.

• OR: lock the vehicle.

• OR: switch off the lights.

• OR: switch on the ignition.

Some settings can be saved in the driver personalization user profiles and will change when the user profile is switched ⇒ Driver personalization.

Headlight range control

The headlight range must always be adapted to the vehicle load level. This provides the driver with the best possible visibility and oncoming traffic is not dazzled. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance to determine if your vehicle is equipped with headlight range control.

Without headlight range control

The light cone of the low beam headlight must be adapted to the vehicle load level by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility .

Dynamic headlight range control

The headlight range automatically adjusts to the vehicle load when the headlights are switched on .

WARNING

Heavy objects in the vehicle can cause the headlights to dazzle and distract other road users. This can cause accidents and serious injuries.

• Always adapt the light cone to the vehicle load level so that other road users are not dazzled.

WARNING

If the dynamic headlight range control fails or malfunctions, the headlights may create glare and distract other road users. This can cause accidents and serious injuries.

• Have the headlight range control inspected immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Adjusting the headlights (travel mode)

When driving in countries in which vehicles drive on the other side of the road to your home country, the asymmetric low beam headlights can dazzle oncoming traffic. Therefore, when driving in such countries, certain headlight variants must be adjusted, or certain areas of the headlight lens must be masked off. For more information, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends having this done by your authorized Volkswagen dealer.

The foil stickers can only be used for a short time. For permanent conversion, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Troubleshooting

 Turn signal indicator light

The green indicator light flashes.

If a turn signal light on the vehicle is not working, the indicator light will blink twice as fast.

• Check the lights and replace any bulbs as necessary ⇒  Introduction.

• If the malfunction continues, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

 Trailer turn signal indicator light (for trailer hitch installed at the factory)

The green indicator light flashes.

If a trailer turn signal or the entire trailer light system is out, the indicator light will turn off.

• Check the lights and replace any bulbs as necessary ⇒  Introduction.

• If the malfunction continues, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

 Exterior lighting malfunction

The yellow indicator light turns on.

The headlights have completely or partially failed.

• Check the lights and replace any bulbs as necessary ⇒  Introduction.

• If the malfunction continues, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

 Rain/light sensor malfunction

The yellow indicator light turns on.

In the AUTO light switch position, the vehicle lighting will not turn on or off automatically.

• Switch the ignition off and on.

• If the malfunction continues, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Dynamic cornering light

If travel mode is activated, the dynamic cornering light function will not work ⇒ Adjusting the headlights (travel mode).

On vehicles with Driving Mode Selection, the swiveling of the bulbs can be affected by the selected driving mode. For example, the dynamic cornering light function is deactivated in the Eco driving profile.

In the event of a fault in the cornering light system, an indicator will appear in the instrument cluster display. Get professional assistance.