Get Lights and Vision -> Lights Guide for Volkswagen California Van Third Generation (2015-2024)

Switching lights on and off

Fig. 1 Beside the steering wheel: Light switch(variant).

Switching lights on

1. Switch on the ignition.

2. Turn the light switch to the corresponding position→ Fig. 1:

Automatic lighting control: dipped beam is switched on or off depending on the brightness level and the

weather conditions → , (→ Exterior drive lighting).

The side lights and daytime running lights are switched on. The symbol in the light switch lights up green.

The dipped beam headlights are switched on.

Switching off the lights

1. Switch off the ignition.

2. Turn the light switch to the corresponding position:

0

The lights are switched off.

The Leaving Home function(orientation lighting) may be switched on (→ Coming Home and Leaving Home

function (orientation lighting)).

Side lights or continuous parking light on both sides of the vehicle switched on (→ Parking light). The symbol in

the light switch lights up green.

Dipped beam switched off – the side lights remain on while the vehicle key is in the ignition lock.

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Daytime running lights

The daytime running lights(dependent on equipment level) can increase the visibility of your vehicle in traffic during

the day.

The daytime running lights are switched on every time the ignition is switched on when the light switch is in

position 0,

or

(if brightness is detected).

The daytime running lights cannot be switched on or off manually.

WARNING

Accidents and serious injuries can occur if roads are not sufficiently illuminated and other road users have difficulty

seeing the vehicle, or cannot see it at all.

● The light assist systems only provide support; the driver is responsible for making sure the vehicle lights are

switched on correctly.

● Always switch the dipped beam on when it is dark or raining and in poor visibility.

● Regularly check that all lights and turn signals are working properly.

WARNING

The side lights or daytime running lights are not bright enough to illuminate the road ahead and to ensure that

other road users are able to see you.

● Always switch dipped beam on when it is dark or raining and in poor visibility.

● The rear lights will not be switched on with the daytime running lights. If the rear lights are not switched on, the

vehicle may not be visible to other road users if it is dark, raining, or if visibility is poor.

WARNING

The automatic headlight control (

in the level of brightness.

) switches the dipped beam headlights on and off only when there is a change

● Switch the dipped beam on manually if required by the weather conditions, e.g. in the event of fog.

When reverse gear is engaged, the cornering light on both sides of the vehicle switches on to provide better

illumination of the surrounding area when manoeuvring.

Switching the fog lights on and off

The fog lights can be switched on by turning the light switch to the positions side lights and dipped beam

.

Switching on the front fog lights

1. Switch on the ignition.

2. Pull the light switch out to the first position (→ Dipped beam). The indicator lamp in the light switch lights up

green.

Switching off the front fog lights

1. Press in the light switch or turn to the0 position.

Switching on the rear fog light

1. Switch on the ignition.

2. Pull out the light switch completely. The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up yellow.

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Switching off the rear fog light

1. Press in the light switch or turn to the0 position.

If the front or rear fog lights are switched on while the automatic headlight control

headlights will also be switched on irrespective of the current light conditions outside.

is running, the dipped beam

In vehicles with a factory-fittedtowing bracket: the vehicle’s rear fog light is not switched on if a trailer with

rear fog light is electrically connected to the vehicle.

Light functions

Side lights

If the side lights are switched on, both headlights light up with side lights together with parts of the tail light

clusters, the number plate lighting and the buttons in the centre console and the dash panel. The daytime running

lights also switch on when the ignition is switched on.

If the vehicle isnot locked from outside when the ignition is switched off, the continuous parking light on both sides

of the vehicle switches on automatically after about 10 minutes to reduce vehicle battery discharge (→ Parking light).

Automatic lighting control

If the

automatic headlights are switched on, the vehicle lighting and the instrument and switch lighting will

switch on and off depending on the light conditions. When the lights are switched on, the indicator lamp lights up

yellow.

The automatic headlights function is merely an aid and will not always be able to detect all driving situations.

In vehicles with a corresponding equipment level, the switch-on time of the automatic headlights can be set in the

vehicle settings in the Infotainment system (→ Vehicle settings menu).

Static cornering light

A cornering light is switched on when turning slowly or travelling around very tight bends.

Acoustic warnings if lights are not switched off

If the vehicle key is taken out of the ignition and the driver door is opened, the following acoustic warnings sound

under certain circumstances:

—If the parking light is switched on.

—If the side lights or the rear fogs lights are switched on.

When the “Coming Home” function is switched on, no acoustic warning will be given as a reminder that a light is still

switched on when leaving the vehicle.

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Troubleshooting

Turn signal indicator lamp

The indicator lamp flashes green.

If a turn signal on the vehicle has failed, the indicator lamp will start flashing twice as fast.

1. Check the lighting and change the appropriate bulb as required .

2. If the fault persists, go to a correspondingly qualified workshop.

Trailer turn signal indicator lamp

The indicator lamp flashes green.

The indicator lamp goes out if a trailer turn signal or all trailer lights stop working.

1. Check the lighting and change the appropriate bulb as required .

2. If the fault persists, go to a correspondingly qualified workshop.

Exterior drive lighting not working

The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

Exterior lighting not working partially or completely.

1. Check the lighting and change the appropriate bulb as required .

2. If the fault persists, go to a correspondingly qualified workshop.

Fault in rain and light sensor

The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

In light switch position

, the vehicle lighting is not switched on or off automatically.

1. Switch the ignition on and off.

2. If the fault persists, go to a correspondingly qualified workshop.

In cold or damp weather, condensation may build up briefly on the interior of the headlights, tail light and

turn signals. This is normal and does not affect the service life of the lighting system of your vehicle.

144

Switching main beam on and off

Fig. 1 On the left-hand side of the steering column: Turn

signal and main beam lever

A

B

Switch on the main beam

.

Operate the headlight flasher or switch off main beam.

The blue indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster when the main beam or headlight flasher is switched

on.

Switching on main beam

1. Switch on the ignition and dipped beam.

2. Push the lever forwards from the centre position→ Fig. 1.

Switching off main beam

1. Pull the lever to the rear from the centre position→ Fig. 1.

Switching the headlight flasher on and off

1. Pull the lever to the rear from the centre position and hold in this position→ Fig. 1.

Release the lever to switch off.

Main-beam control

Depending on the vehicle equipment level, advanced main-beam control may also be available (→ Main-beam control

(static)).

WARNING

Incorrect use of the main beam headlights can lead to accidents and serious injuries as the main beam headlights

can distract and dazzle other road users.

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High-beam control

High-beam control automatically dips the headlamps when oncoming vehicles and vehicles driving in front are

detected. High-beam control also recognises illuminated areas such as towns and deactivates the high beam while

driving through them.

Within the limits of the system, the high beam is automatically switched on or off depending on ambient and traffic

conditions and on the driving speed →

.

Depending on the vehicle equipment level, high-beam control can be activated and deactivated in the vehicle

settings in the Infotainment system (→ Vehicle settings menu).

Switching on high-beam control

1. Switch on the ignition and automatic lighting control

.

2. Push the direction indicator and high beam lever forwards from its basic position.

The indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster display when high-beam control is switched on. When high-

beam control is active, the blue indicator lamp for high beam lights up additionally in the instrument cluster.

Switching off high-beam control

1. Switch off automatic lighting control

.

Or: high-beam control switched on and active: pull back the direction indicator and high beam lever.

Or: high-beam control switched on andnot active: tap the direction indicator and high beam lever forwards to

switch on manual high beam. Pull back the direction indicator and high beam lever to switch off the manual

high beam if necessary.

Or: switch off the ignition.

System limitations

The high beam has to be manually switched off under the following conditions, as it is not switched off by the high-

beam control in time or at all:

—In poorly lit streets where there are highly-reflective signs.

—Other road users with insufficient lighting facilities, such as pedestrians, cyclists.

—In tight bends, brows of hills or depressions in the land or half-hidden oncoming traffic.

—With oncoming traffic on streets with a central barrier where the driver can see clearly over the central barrier e.g.

truck drivers.

—In fog, snow or heavy rain.

—In dusty or sandy areas.

—Damage to the windscreen in the camera’s vision field.

—If the viewing field of the camera is misted up, dirty, covered by a sticker, snow or ice.

—If the camera is broken or the power supply is interrupted.

WARNING

Do not let the extra convenience afforded by high-beam control tempt you into taking any risks when driving. The

system is not a substitute for the full concentration of the driver.

● Always check the lighting yourself and adjust it to suit the light, visibility and traffic conditions.

● The high-beam control may not be able to recognise all driving situations correctly and may not work properly in

146

certain situations.

● If the camera’s field of view is dirty, covered or damaged, the function of the high-beam control may be

impaired. This also applies if changes are made to the vehicle’s lighting system, for example if additional

headlamps are fitted.

NOTICE

Please observe the following points in order to avoid impairing the proper function of the system:

● Clean the camera’s field of view at regular intervals, and keep it clean and free from snow and ice.

● Do not cover the camera’s field of view.

● Check the area of the windscreen which is in the camera’s field of view for damage at regular intervals.

Light-emitting objects in the camera’s field of operation, e.g. mobile navigation devices, could impair the

functions of the high-beam control.

Switching parking lights on and off

Fig. 1 On the left-hand side of the steering column:

direction indicator and high beam lever.

A

B

Right-hand parking light is switched on.

Left-hand parking light is switched on.

Switching on parking light on one side of the vehicle

When the parking lights are switched on, the headlamp with parking lamp and parts of the tail light cluster on the

corresponding side of the vehicle light up.

1. Switch off the ignition.

2. Move the direction indicator and high beam lever from the centre position to the required position→ Fig. 1.

Switching on continuous parking light on both sides of the vehicle

Both headlamps with parking lamps and parts of the rear light cluster light up if the continuous parking light on both

sides of the vehicle is switched on.

1. Switch on the parking lamps

2. Switch off the ignition.

.

3. Lock the vehicle from outside.

Automatic switch-off of parking lamps

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The vehicle will detect a weak 12-volt vehicle battery and switch off the parking lamps so that the engine can still be

started – but after 2 hours at the earliest.

If the battery capacity is not sufficient for the parking lamps to remain switched on for 2 hours, the 12-volt vehicle

battery can be discharged to such an extent that it is no longer possible to start the engine →

.

WARNING

Accidents and serious injuries can occur if the vehicle is parked without sufficient illumination, as other road users

might have difficulty seeing the vehicle, or may not see it at all.

● Always park the vehicle safely and with sufficient lighting. Observe any applicable country-specific legal

requirements.

● If the vehicle lighting is required for several hours, switch on the right or left parking light if possible. The

activation duration of the one-sided parking light is generally double that of the continuous parking light on both

sides.

NOTICE

If the parking lamps are used, the vehicle battery will discharge itself. To make it possible for the engine to be

restarted, the parking lamps are switched off automatically to preserve the charge state of the vehicle battery.

● If you cannot start the engine, seek assistance to help you jump-start the vehicle if necessary and have the vehicle

battery checked by a correspondingly qualified workshop.

Coming Home and Leaving Home function (orientation lighting)

The “Coming home” and “Leaving home” function lights up the area immediately surrounding the vehicle when you

get in or out of the vehicle in darkness.

The Coming Home function is switched on manually. In contrast, the Leaving Home function is controlled

automatically by a rain/light sensor.

The switch-off delay can be set and the function activated or deactivated in the vehicle settings in the Infotainment

system (→ Vehicle settings menu).

Activating the “Coming Home” function

1. Switch off the ignition.

2. Operate the headlight flasher for approximately 1 second.

The Coming home lighting is switched on when the driver door is opened. Theswitch-off delay starts when the last

vehicle door or the boot lid has been closed.

Deactivating the “Coming Home” function

—Automatically after the set switch-off delay has elapsed.

—Or: Automatically if a door or the boot lid is opened approximately 30 seconds after switching on.

—Or: Turn the light switch to position0.

—Or: Switch on the ignition.

Activating the Leaving Home function

—Unlock the vehicle when the automatic headlights function

is switched on and the rain/light sensor detects

that it is dark.

Deactivating the Leaving Home function

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—Automatically after the switch-off delay.

—Or: Lock the vehicle.

—Or: Turn the light switch to position0.

—Or: Switch on the ignition.

Headlight range control

Fig. 1 Beside the steering wheel: slider for headlight range

control.

Headlight range control can be used to adjust the dipped beam light cone to the vehicle load level. This gives the

driver the best visibility possible and means that oncoming traffic will not be dazzled →

Depending on equipment, the headlight range can be adjusted with the slider→ Fig. 1.

.

Manual headlight range control

1. Turn the control→ Fig. 1 to the required position(typical vehicle load level):

Setting with the

Passenger vehicle: Multivan, California Beach, California with tilting panoramic sunroof

control

Driver seat occupied and luggage compartment empty.

Driver and outer front passenger seats occupied, load compartment empty.

Driver and outer front passenger seats occupied, last rear seat row occupied, load

compartment empty.

–

All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty.

All seats occupied and luggage compartment fully laden.

Driver seat occupied and luggage compartment fully laden.

–

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Setting with the

control

Passenger vehicle: California with normal roof

Driver seat occupied and luggage compartment empty.

Driver and outer front passenger seats occupied, load compartment empty.

Driver and outer front passenger seats occupied, last rear seat row occupied, load

compartment empty.

–

All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty.

–

All seats occupied and luggage compartment fully laden.

Driver seat occupied and luggage compartment fully laden.

–

Dynamic headlight range control

The headlight range cannot be adjusted manually if the vehicle has dynamic headlight range control. The headlight

range is automatically adapted to suit the vehicle load level as soon as the headlights are switched on →

.

WARNING

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

accidents and serious injuries.

● Always adapt the light cone to the load level of the vehicle to avoid dazzling other road users.

WARNING

Failure or malfunction in the dynamic headlight range control can cause the headlights to dazzle or distract other

road users. This can lead to accidents and serious injuries.

● Have the headlight range control checked by a correspondingly qualified workshop as soon as possible.

Instrument and switch lighting

The brightness of the instrument and switch lighting can be adjusted in the vehicle settings in the Infotainment

system (→ Vehicle settings menu).

The brightness setting is automatically adjusted to the changing light conditions in the vehicle.

When automatic lighting control

is switched on, a sensor will switch the dipped beam and the lighting in the

instruments and switches on and off automatically depending on the ambient brightness.

When the lights are switched off and the ignition switched on, the instrument and switch lighting(needles

and scales) is switched on. As the ambient light decreases, the lighting of these scales is automatically

reduced and may be switched off entirely. This function is intended to remind the driver to switch on the

dipped beam in good time, i.e. when driving through tunnels.

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Interior lights and reading lights

Switching the front interior lights and reading lights on and off

Press the relevant button:

Switches the reading lights on or off.

Switches the interior lights on and off.

Switches the rear interior lights on or off.

The interior lights are switched on automatically when the vehicle is unlocked, a door is opened or the vehicle

key is removed from the ignition lock.

Switching the interior lighting in the rear of the vehicle on and off

Press the relevant button:

Switches on the interior light.

The interior lights are switched on automatically when the vehicle is unlocked or a door is opened.

Switches off the interior light.

Stowage compartment and luggage compartment light

A light will be switched on and off when the glove box or the boot lid is opened or closed.

Footwell lighting

Depending on the vehicle equipment, the footwell lighting ensures the indirect illumination of the front footwells.

The brightness of the footwell lighting can be adjusted in the vehicle settings in the Infotainment system.

The lights go out when the vehicle is locked or after a delay of a few minutes when the vehicle key is removed

from the ignition lock. This prevents the 12-volt battery from discharging.

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Lights and Vision -> Lights for Your Volkswagen California Van Third Generation (2015-2024)

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