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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 & Vision menu ⇒ 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.
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The self-dimming feature can be switched on and off with the switch on the inside mirror (2). When self-dimming is activated, the indicator light (1) is on.
If the ignition is switched on, the sensor (3) automatically darkens the inside mirror depending on the amount of light shining into the vehicle from the rear.
The self-dimming feature is deactivated when you shift the transmission into Reverse (R) or switch on the interior lights or the reading light.
Do not attach external navigation devices to the windshield or in the vicinity of the self-dimming inside
mirror ⇒ .
WARNING
The illuminated display on an external navigation device can cause the self-dimming inside mirror to malfunction, which can result in crashes and serious injuries.
x Malfunctions in the self-dimming function can result in the rearview mirror being unable to evaluate the exact distance of vehicles in the rear or other objects.
If the light striking the sensor is filtered or blocked (such as by a sunshade), the self-dimming inside mirror will not work properly or may not work at all.
Outside mirrors
Fig. 98 In the driver door: Adjusting knob for outside mirrors.
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WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the vehicle, causing serious personal injury during hard braking or sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be struck and thrown through the passenger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment.
x Always secure objects in the passenger compartment properly with suitable straps so that they cannot move into the deployment zone of a side or front airbag during a sudden braking, in a sudden maneuver, or in a collision.
x Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.
x Never stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in the vehicle's open storage compartments, on the shelf behind the rear seat bench, or on the top of the instrument panel.
x Always remove hard, heavy, or sharp objects from clothing and bags in the vehicle interior and stow them securely in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Transporting heavy objects causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change and increases braking distances. Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause serious person injury.
x Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change by shifting the vehicle's center of gravity.
x Always distribute luggage evenly and as low as possible within the vehicle. The vehicle capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers and luggage).
x Always stow luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment as far forward of the rear axle as possible and secure them with appropriate straps to the tie-downs provided.
x Never exceed the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Axle Weight Ratings, which are printed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the door jamb of the driver door. Exceeding the permissible weight can cause the vehicle to skid and behave differently.
x Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate your payload and its weight distribution within your vehicle.
x Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the accelerator pedal and avoid sudden braking and other maneuvers.
x Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.
NOTICE
x The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that rub against them.
The ventilation slots between the rear window and the luggage compartment cover must not be blocked so that stale air can escape from the vehicle.
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