Get Lights Guide for Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

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)

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

Changing a light bulb

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

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

Lights

up

Possible cause

Proper response

Lights

up

Possible cause

Proper response

One or more driving lights not working or

cornering light malfunction.

Replace burned out bulb

ꢀ

Cornering light malfunction.

If all light bulbs are OK, see an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility.

Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)

malfunction.

Fog lights switched on (indicator light on

the headlight switch).

ꢁ

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.

ꢀ ꢀ

ꢂ

Daytime running lights (DRL) on.

ꢃꢄꢅ

High beams switched on or headlight

flashers in use.

ꢆ

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.

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 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. 85 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.

(1)

(2)

Right turn signal.

Left turn signal.

(3)

(4)

Switching high beams on ⇒ꢀ

. An indicator light ꢆ 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 ꢆ lights up. When released, the lever moves back to the home position and turns

off the high beams. The indicator light ꢆ 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 feature, move the lever up or down slightly, just to the point of

resistance and then release it. If you have the convenience turn signal (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.

The convenience turn signal is switched on and off in the Lights & Visionmenu in the instrument

cluster display ⇒ꢀ Volkswagen Information System. If your vehicle is not equipped with the Lights &

Visionmenu, the convenience turn signal 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. 86 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel. A: Vehicles with fog lights. B: Vehicles without fog lights.

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

Adjust the light switch to the desired position ⇒ꢀfig. 86:

Symbol When the ignition is switched off

When the ignition is switched on

ꢇ

Fog lights and low beams switched off.

Orientation lighting may be switched on.

Headlights off, daytime running lights (DRL)

on.

ꢈꢉꢊꢇ

ꢋ

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.

ꢁ

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 ꢋ, 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 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 ꢋ if the vehicle has no orientation lighting ⇒ꢀ Coming home/Leaving home

features (orientation lighting).

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.

Even if automatic headlights (ꢈꢉꢊꢇ) 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.

Lights and vision features

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

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 ꢈꢉꢊꢇ. The indicator light ꢂ or ꢃꢄꢅ may come on in the instrument cluster to indicate that

the feature is active ⇒ꢀ Indicator lights.

If the light switch is in position ꢈꢉꢊꢇ, 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 vehicle is parked and the ignition is switched on.

Function

Action

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 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 lights up; turn left and the left fog light

lights up. 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 ꢈꢉꢊꢇ position ⇒ꢀfig. 86), 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 (ꢈꢉꢊꢇ)

Automatic headlights are a convenience feature only and cannot always recognize all lighting and

driving situations.

If the light switch is in the ꢈꢉꢊꢇ 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.

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 Assistantsmenu 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.

If automatic headlights (ꢈꢉꢊꢇ) 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 feature must be switched on manually. The Leaving home feature is controlled

automatically by a low-light sensor.

Coming home

Action

Switch on:

– Switch off the ignition.

– Operate the headlight flasher for about 1 second ⇒ꢀpage 119.

The Coming home lighting is switched on when the driver door is open.

The delay period starts once the last vehicle door or the luggage compartment

lid is closed.

Switch off:

– Automatically after delay period is over.

– Automatically, if a vehicle door or the luggage compartment lid 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 ꢈꢉꢊꢇ 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.

Ambient (background) lighting in the outside mirrors

The ambient (background) lighting in the outside mirrors illuminates the area near the doors when

entering and exiting the vehicle. It is switched on when the vehicle is unlocked, a vehicle door is

opened, or the Coming home/Leaving home feature is activated. If the vehicle is equipped with a light

sensor, the ambient (background) lighting in the outside mirrors is only switched on in darkness.

The delay period can be adjusted in 10 second intervals and the function can be switched on

and off in the Lights & Visionmenu ⇒ꢀ Volkswagen Information System.

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. 87 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 panel lighting

When the lights are on, the brightness of the instrument panel lighting is adjusted by turning the

thumbwheel ⇒ꢀfig. 87 (1).

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), ⇒ꢀ Daytime running lights (DRL).

Automatic leveling headlights

In some 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

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

Button

Function

ꢇ

Interior lights off.

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.

ꢍ

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.

ꢎ

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 (background) lighting in the roof

console lights up.

There may also be lighting in the footwells and on the inside door trim and door handle recesses.

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 Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

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