Get Lights Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Sixth Generation (2008-2017)

Lights

ꢀ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Indicator lights

Turn signal lever and high beam switch

Switching lights on and off

Lights and vision features

Coming Home/Leaving Home features (orientation lighting)

Light Assist

Instrument panel lighting and headlight range adjustment

Interior and reading lights

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.

Applicable only in the United States

Indicator lights

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Indicator lights in the instrument cluster

Lights

up

Possible cause

Proper response

Replace the burned out bulb. If all light

bulbs are OK, see an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility.

One or more driving lights not working⁴,

excluding the Adaptive Front Lighting

System (AFS).⁵

ꢀ

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

Possible cause

up

ꢂ

The fog lights are switched on

ꢃ

The parking lights are switched on

The automatic headlights and, if applicable, the daytime headlights or daytime running

lights are switched on

ꢄꢅꢆꢇ

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.

4

5

Displayed in color on an instrument cluster with color display.

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

NOTICE

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.

Turn signal lever and high beam switch

Fig. 75 On the left side of the steering column: Turn signal lever and high beam switch.

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Move the lever to the desired position.

(A)

(B)

Right turn signal.

Left turn signal.

(C)

(D)

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 ꢁ lights up. When released, the lever moves back to the home position and turns

off the high beams. The indicator light ꢁ goes out.

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

ꢈꢄꢉ button followed by the ꢁ and Lights function keys ⇒ Menu and system settings (SETUP).

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. 76 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel.

Fig. 77 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel (with fog lights and automatic headlights).

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Adjust the light switch to the desired position ⇒ fig. 76 or ⇒ fig. 77:

Symbol When the ignition is switched off

When the ignition is switched on

ꢇ

Fog lights and low beams switched off.

Headlights off, daytime running lights (DRL)

on.

Adjust the light switch to the desired position ⇒ fig. 76 or ⇒ fig. 77:

Symbol When the ignition is switched off When the ignition is switched on

ꢄꢅꢆꢇ

ꢊ

Orientation lighting may be switched on.

Automatic headlights active; DRL on.

Low beams switched on.

Low beams switched off. The DRL may

stay on. The length of time they stay on

depends on the vehicle battery charge.

ꢃ

ꢂ

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 ꢂ in the headlight switch shows that the fog lights are switched on.

ꢀ To switch on the fog lights ꢂ: first turn the light switch to position ꢊ, 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 ꢇ.

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 ꢃ.

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 (ꢄꢅꢆꢇ) are switched on, the low-beam headlights may still not

ꢀ

come on by themselves in fog or heavy rain. You have to switch on the low-beam headlights

manually.

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.

Applicable only in the United States

Lights and vision features

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Parking lights

If the ignition is switched off and the vehicle is locked from the outside with the headlight switch in the

ꢃ 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 ꢇ or ꢄꢅꢆꢇ.

If the light switch is in position ꢄꢅꢆꢇ, 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 ꢇ position.

– Set the parking brake.

Switching the DRL back – Release the parking brake.

on:

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 ꢄꢅꢆꢇ position ⇒ fig. 77), 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 ꢇ position or when the fog lights themselves have been switched on ⇒ Switching lights on and off.

Automatic headlights (ꢄꢅꢆꢇ)

Your vehicle may be equipped with automatic headlights (ꢄꢅꢆꢇ), which are a convenience feature only

and cannot always recognize all lighting and driving situations.

If the light switch is in the ꢄꢅꢆꢇ 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 ꢈꢄꢉ button followed by the function keys ꢁ and

Lights ⇒ Menu and system settings (SETUP). 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 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 ꢈꢄꢉ button followed by the ꢁ and Lights function keys ⇒ Menu and system settings

(SETUP).

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 (ꢄꢅꢆꢇ) are switched on, the low-beam headlights still may not be

ꢀ

switched on in fog or heavy rain. You have to switch on the low-beam headlights yourself.

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)

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The Coming Home/Leaving Home features are controlled automatically by a low-light sensor.

Coming Home

Action

Coming Home

Action

Switch on:

– Switch off the ignition

The Coming Home feature is switched on when the headlight switch is in the

ꢄꢅꢆꢇ position and the low-light sensor registers darkness

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 ꢇ position.

– Switch the ignition on.

Leaving Home

Action

Switch on:

– Unlock the vehicle if the light switch is in the ꢄꢅꢆꢇ position and the low-light

sensor registers darkness.

Switch off:

– Automatically after preset delay period is over.

– Lock the vehicle.

– Turn the light switch to the ꢇ position.

– 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 ꢈꢄꢉ button followed by the ꢁ and Lights

function keys ⇒ Menu and system settings (SETUP).

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. 78 To the left of the steering wheel: Thumbwheel to adjust instrument panel lighting 1.

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

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 ⇒ fig. 78 (1), or by pressing the ꢈꢄꢉ button followed by the

ꢁ and Lights function keys in the Infotainment system ⇒ Menu and system settings (SETUP).

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

⇒ Lights and vision features, ⇒ Lights and vision features.

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

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Button

ꢋ

Function

Front interior lights on.

Rear interior lights on.

ꢁ

ꢌ

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.

Button

ꢂ

Function

Reading light on or off.

ꢍ

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 ꢈꢄꢉ button followed by the ꢁ and Lights function keys ⇒ Menu

and system settings (SETUP).

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.

Lights for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Sixth Generation (2008-2017)

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