2008 VOLKSWAGEN EOS lights

WARNING
Daytime running lights are not bright enough to let you see ahead or be seen by others when it is dark.
x Always switch on the low-beam headlights at dusk or when it is dark and whenever the weather is bad or visibility is poor.
x 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.
x 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.
x Even if automatic headlight control (AUTO) is 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

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 headlight
control (headlight switch in the AUT O position ⇒ fig. 83), 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 O position or when the fog lights themselves have been switched on, Switching lights on and off.
Automatic headlight control (AUTO)
Automatic headlight control is a convenience feature only and cannot always recognize all lighting and driving situations.
If the light switch is in the AUT O 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 Assistants menu 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.
x 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.
x 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.
x If automatic headlight control (AUTO) is 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” and “Leaving home” feature (orientation lighting)

“Coming home” Action
Switch on: – Switch off the ignition. – Operate the headlight flasher for about 1 second 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 O position. – Switch the ignition on.

“Leaving home” Action
Switch on: – Unlock the vehicle if the light switch is in the AUT O 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 O position. – Switch the ignition on.
Background lighting in the outside mirrors
The 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” or “Leaving home” feature is activated. If the vehicle is equipped with a light sensor, the 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. 84 To the left of the steering wheel: Thumbwheel to adjust instrument panel lighting 1.

Button Function

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.
Background lighting
When the ignition and headlights are switched on, the background lighting in the roof console lights up.
There may also be footwell lighting.
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 up Possible cause Proper response
Y Not enough windshield washer fluid. Refill windshield washer reservoir at the next
opportunity ⇒ page 204.
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. 87 Operating the front windshield wiper.

Headlight washer system
The headlight washer system cleans the headlight glass.
If the ignition and the headlights (high or low beams) are switched on, the headlights are cleaned the first time and every fifth time the front windshield washers are activated. This happens only when the low or high beams are on when the windshield wiper lever is pulled towards the steering wheel. However, the headlights must still be washed by hand periodically (for instance, during refueling) in order to get rid of hard-to-remove dirt (like insect splatter).
To help make sure that the headlight cleaning system works during winter weather, always keep the headlight washer nozzles free of snow and remove any ice with a deicer spray before driving. Use a deicer spray to remove any ice.
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. 88 Windshield wiper in service position.

WARNING
x An improperly installed or incorrect trailer hitch can cause a trailer to separate from the tow vehicle and cause serious personal injuries.
x If you don't have to tow a trailer any more, remove the entire trailer hitch. Always seal all bolt holes to prevent water and deadly exhaust fumes from getting into the vehicle.
NOTICE
x If the trailer lights are not connected properly, the vehicle's electronics may be damaged.
x If the trailer uses too much electricity, the vehicle's electronics may be damaged.
x Never connect the electrical system for the trailer directly to the electrical connections for the rear lights or to any other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to provide power to the trailer.
If you tow a trailer frequently, Volkswagen recommends having the vehicle serviced between the regular maintenance and inspection intervals because of the extra load it has to pull.
Hitching up and connecting a trailer

These dimensions are important because they help determine the way that the forces that arise during towing are applied to the receiver and its attachments to the vehicle. If you buy a ball mount and ball, make sure that they meet the following specifications.
Ball mount dimensions
x The drop height (A) from the center of the ball to the center of the hole for the securing pin on the ball mount must be at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) and at most 27/8 inches (73 mm).
x The pin-to-ball distance (B) from the center of the ball to the center of the hole for the securing pin on the ball mount must be no more than 7 inches (178 mm).
x The ball diameter must be no more than 11/4 inches (32 mm).
A ball mount and ball combination that does not meet these specifications can damage your vehicle
and may even fail in use ⇒ .
Never install a “weight distributing” or “load equalizing” trailer hitch on your vehicle. The vehicle is not
designed for this kind of trailer hitch ⇒ .
WARNING
An improperly installed or unsuitable trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the towing vehicle and result in a major accident with serious personal injuries.
x Have any trailer hitch retrofit or other work on a trailer hitch done by a qualified workshop.
CAUTION
The ball mount sticks out behind the rear bumper and can cause injury to pedestrians and cyclists.
x To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk to pedestrians and cyclists when the vehicle is parked, always remove the ball carrier when you are not towing a trailer.
NOTICE
x Never use a ball larger than 11/4 inches (32 mm) on your vehicle. The vehicle was not designed to tow heavier trailers with a receiver larger than the specified ball. The increased loads can damage the attachment points for the trailer hitch.
x Never use an adapter to increase the size of the trailer hitch receiver from 11/4 inches (32 mm) to 2 inches (50.8 mm) or more to tow a trailer that is heavier than the maximum permissible trailer weight that your vehicle can tow.
x You can use an adapter if required for the proper installation of a bicycle rack or other similar carrier as long as the maximum weight limits are observed. When using bicycle racks or similar carriers, make sure that the rear lights are not blocked.
x Only use trailer hitches that are approved by the hitch manufacturer for your vehicle and model.