Get Windshield wipers and washer Guide for Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

Windshield wipers and washer

ꢀ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Indicator light

Windshield wiper lever

Windshield wiper functions

Windshield wiper service position

Rain sensor

Checking and refilling windshield washer fluid

More information:

ꢀ

Exterior views

Climate control

Working in the engine compartment

Exterior care and cleaning

WARNING

Windshield washer fluid without enough frost protection can freeze on the windshield and

reduce visibility.

ꢀ

Use the windshield washer system with enough frost protection for winter temperatures.

Never use the windshield wipers/washers when it is freezing without first defrosting the

windshield. The washer solution may freeze on the windshield and reduce visibility.

WARNING

Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents and severe

injuries.

ꢀ

Always replace wiper blades that are worn, damaged, or do not keep the windshield clear.

NOTICE

To help prevent damage to the wiper blades and the wiper motor when it is cold outside,

always make sure that blades are not frozen to the windshield before operating the wipers.

Using the windshield wiper service position can be helpful in cold weather so the wipers do not

freeze to the windshield

Indicator light

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

Lights

up

Possible cause

Proper response

Refill windshield washer reservoir at the next

opportunity

ꢀ

Not enough windshield washer fluid.

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.

NOTICE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.

Windshield wiper lever

Fig. 90 Operating the front windshield wiper.

Fig. 91 Operating the rear wiper.

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

Move the lever to the desired position ⇒ꢀ

(A) ꢁꢂꢂ Wiper switched off.

:

Move the lever to the desired position ⇒ꢀ

:

Intermittent wiping for the windshield.

(B)

ꢁ

Adjust the interval settings with switch ⇒ꢀfig. 90 (1) (vehicles without rain sensors) or

the sensitivity of the rain sensor (vehicles with rain sensors).

(C)

(D)

(E)

ꢃꢁꢄ

ꢅꢆꢇꢅ

ꢈx

Slow wiper speed.

Fast wiper speed.

One-tap wiping – brief wiping. Hold the lever pressed down longer to wipe more often.

Pull the lever toward the steering wheel to activate the windshield washers, then

release.

(F)

(G)

(H)

ꢉ

ꢊ

ꢋ

Intermittent wiping for the rear window. The wiper wipes about every 6 seconds.

Press the lever forward as far as it will go to activate the rear window washers, then

release.

NOTICE

ꢀ

To help prevent damage to the wiper blades and the wiper motor when it is cold outside,

always make sure that blades are not frozen to the windshield before operating the wipers.

Using the service position can be helpful in cold weather so the wipers do not freeze to the

windshield ⇒ꢀWindshield wiper service position.

ꢀ

If the ignition is switched off while the wipers are running, the wipers will continue at the

same wiping speed when the ignition is switched on again. Frost, ice, snow, leaves, and other

objects on the windshield can damage the wipers and the wiper motor.

ꢀ

Remove snow and ice from the wipers before you begin driving.

If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them carefully. Volkswagen

recommends using a deicing spray.

NOTICE

Never switch on the windshield wipers when the windshield is dry because the windshield can

be scratched.

The windshield wipers work only if the ignition is switched on and the engine hood is closed. The

windshield wipers turn off automatically when the engine hood is opened. The rear windshield wipers

turn off automatically when the rear hatch is opened.

If the front wipers are on, the rear wiper is switched on automatically when backing up.

If the windshield wiper lever is in the rear window intermittent wiping position ⇒ꢀfig. 91 (G) when

the ignition is switched off and back on or the engine is started, rear window wiper action does not

resume until the windshield wipers are activated. This is to keep the wiper from working when the

window is dry. By switching rear window intermittent wiping off and then back on, you can override this

feature and activate the rear window wiper immediately.

The intermittent wiping for the front windshield depends on the driving speed. The higher the

speed, the faster the wipers move.

If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them carefully. Volkswagen recommends

using a deicing spray.

Windshield wiper functions

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

Wiper performance in different situations:

When the vehicle is not moving:

During automatic wipe/wash:

The wiper speed changes temporarily to the next lower

speed.

While the washer system is working, the Climatronic

switches to recirculation for about 30 seconds to help

prevent the washer fluid odor from entering the vehicle

interior.

During intermittent wiping:

Speed-dependent interval control: The higher the vehicle

speed, the faster the wipers move.

Heated washer nozzles

The heating thaws frozen water nozzles, but not the fluid supply hoses. When the ignition is switched

on, the heat applied to the washer nozzles is automatically regulated depending on the outside air

temperature.

If there is something on the windshield, the wiper will try to wipe it away. If it continues to block

the wiper, the wiper will stop moving. Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper on again.

Windshield wiper service position

Fig. 92 Windshield wiper in service position.

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

In the service position, the wiper arms can be lifted away from the windshield ⇒ꢀfig. 92. The wipers are

moved to the service position as follows:

ꢀ

The engine hood must be closed ⇒ꢀ Working in the engine compartment.

Switch the ignition off, turn it on briefly, and then off again.

ꢀ

Press the windshield wiper lever down briefly ⇒ꢀfig. 90 (E) when the ignition is off.

Wipers move into service position.

Carefully fold the wiper arms back onto the windshield before driving! Switch the ignition on and press

the windshield wiper lever down briefly ⇒ꢀfig. 90 (E). The wiper arms move back to their original

position.

Lifting the wiper blades and tilting them away from the windshield

ꢀ

Put the wiper arms in service position ⇒ꢀ

Do not handle the wiper blades, handle the wiper arms only at the attachment above the wiper

blades.

.

NOTICE

ꢀ

To help prevent damage to the engine hood and the windshield wiper arms, lift the wiper

arms away from the windshield only when they are in the service position.

Always carefully fold the windshield wiper arms down against the windshield before driving

the vehicle.

ꢀ

Rain sensor

Fig. 93 Windshield wiper lever: Adjusting rain sensor 1.

Fig. 94 Sensitive rain sensor surface.

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

When switched on, the rain sensor automatically shortens or lengthens the delay between wiping

intervals depending on how hard it is raining ⇒ꢀ

. The rain sensor's sensitivity can be adjusted

manually. Manual wiping (vehicles without rain sensors)

Push the lever into the desired position ⇒ꢀfig. 93:

(A)

(B)

(1)

Rain sensor off (windshield wiper lever in home position).

Rain sensor active – automatic wiping as needed.

Adjusting the sensitivity of the rain sensor:

–

Move switch to the right – high sensitivity.

Move switch to the left – low sensitivity.

After switching the ignition off and back on again, the rain sensor stays on and works again with the

wiper lever in position (A) when the vehicle speed is over 10 mph (16 km/h).

Even if the rain sensor is disabled, it is still necessary to reach this speed to reactivate the wipers

when the windshield wiper lever is in the intermittent wiping position. The wipers then wipe at fixed

intervals instead of wiping as needed, as they do in rain sensor mode.

Possible reasons for changes in the way the rain sensor works

The rain sensor may misread what is happening in the detection zone of its sensitive rain-sensor

surface ⇒ꢀfig. 94 (arrow) and not work for a number of reasons, which include:

ꢀ

Worn out wiper blades: Worn out wiper blades may leave a film of water or wiping streaks; this can

cause the wipers to run longer, to wipe more often, or to wipe continuously at high speed.

Insects: Insects hitting the sensor may trigger the wipers.

ꢀ

Salt streaks: Salt streaks on the windshield from winter driving can cause wiping more often or

continuously on glass that is almost dry.

Dirt: Caked-on dust, wax, any other buildup on the windshield (lotus effect), or car-wash detergent

residue can lower the rain sensor's sensitivity and cause it to react too slowly or not at all.

Crack or chip in the windshield: If a stone hits and chips the windshield while the rain sensor is on,

ꢀ

this will trigger a wiper cycle. After that, the rain sensor will recognize the change and recalibrate itself

to respond to the smaller detection zone. Depending on the size of the chip, the sensor's reaction

pattern may or may not change.

WARNING

The rain sensor cannot always recognize rain and activate the wipers.

ꢀ

Switch the wipers on manually when water on the windshield reduces visibility.

Clean the rain sensor's sensitive surface ⇒ꢀfig. 94 regularly and check the wiper blades for wear

or damage.

To remove wax and coats of polish safely, we recommend using an alcohol-based windshield

cleaner.

Checking and refilling windshield washer fluid

Fig. 95 In the engine compartment: Cap of the windshield washer fluid reservoir.

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

Check the windshield washer fluid level regularly and refill as necessary.

There is a filter screen in the filler neck of the windshield washer fluid reservoir. The screen helps to

keep large particles and debris from getting into and clogging the windshield washer nozzles when

adding windshield washer fluid. Take the screen out only to clean it. If the screen is damaged or

missing, have it replaced immediately, otherwise the system may become clogged and not work

properly.

ꢀ

Open the engine hood ꢀ

ꢀ

The windshield washer fluid reservoir can be identified by the ꢀ symbol on its cap ⇒ꢀfig. 95.

Check if there is still enough windshield washer fluid in the reservoir.

ꢀ

Refill with clear water (not distilled water) and an appropriate windshield washer fluid that is

recommended by Volkswagen ⇒ꢀ . Follow the directions on the container.

In cold weather, always use a special windshield washer antifreeze solution that will help keep the

water from freezing ⇒ꢀ

Recommended cleaners

ꢀ

.

ꢀ

For the warmer months, Windscreen Clear SummerG 052 184 A1 or equivalent. Mixing ratio

1:100 (1 part concentrate to 100 parts water) in the windshield washer reservoir.

All-season Windscreen ClearG 052 164 A2 or equivalent. the mixing ratio in winter to 0 °F (-18 °C)

ꢀ

about 1:2 (1 part concentrate to 2 parts water), otherwise, mixing ratio 1:4 in the windshield washer

reservoir.

Filling capacity

The windshield washer fluid reservoir holds about 3.2 qts. (3.0 liters).

WARNING

Never mix antifreeze or similar additives into the windshield washer reservoir. This could

produce an oily film on the windshield, which would considerably reduce visibility.

ꢀ Use clear water (not distilled water) with a cleaning solution recommended by

Volkswagen.

ꢀ

If necessary, blend with a suitable windshield washer fluid antifreeze agent.

NOTICE

ꢀ

Never mix cleaning solutions recommended by Volkswagen with other cleaning agents. If

you do, this could cause sediments or other by-products that can clog the windshield wiper

nozzles.

ꢀ When refilling, do not confuse one type of operating liquid with another! Otherwise serious

malfunctions and engine damage can occur!

Windshield wipers and washer for Your Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door First Generation (2007-2016)

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