2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF MK6 warning lights

Flashes Possible ca use Proper response
Electronic steering column lock malfunction . The ignition cannot be switched on. The vehicle
system stiff.
column not locked I unlocked .
When the
ignition is switched severa l warni ng
a n d indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check . T hey go out after a few seconds.
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can ca use the vehicle to break down sion and serious personal injury.
tory Information and heed the on page 192.
To
tomatic transmiss ion vehicle.
press the starter button briefly twice in a row
without depressing the brake or clutch pedal.
D o
not drive any farther if the steering column
remains locked after you switch on the ignition.
Get professional assistance.
Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
F a
ilure to heed warning lights or text can resu lt vehicle damage .
Engaging the steering
co lumn lock
Park ing the vehicle
ing column lock
Turn the steering wheel
slightly to take pressure
off the steering column
l ock .
to the ignition switch.
Hold the steer ing wheel
i n this position and turn
the ignition switch.
Power steering automatically adjusts to driving
speed , steering torque, and the steering angle
of the wheels . Power steering works only when the
engine is running .
it
Sta rting, sh ift ing , park ing

When th e ignitio n is switched on, warning
and in dicator
Diff erent crui se Th e
s tor ed sp eed is sh own in the instrum ent
118
® Cruise nu mb ers.
@ an aut horized wagen
© Cruise contr o l activated. No speed sto red in m em ory .
Cru ise contr ol i s a ctive . Sto re d spee d in nu mbers .
the
order to: 119
S wit ch on cru ise Move switc h to ON posi-
l io n.
to c ur-Press the rent vehicle speed.
Move
to d eac tiva te the pos ition.
c rui se Dep ress the bra ke or clut ch
cruise
to heed warning
to break down in traffic and
to he ed warning lights or text WARN -can
tory on page 197.
System is switched on, but does not a spee d is set.
Current vehic le speed is set; cru ise
is sto red in the m emory.
Cruise resum es speed previously set.

-Make certain that the
from the prevent damage to the paint , tires ,
and housings.
system damage that is not covered by any
th e instrum ent gauge .
you put any amount of incorrect
contact the nearest
gen Service contain substances that damage
the
fl ap . Contact an author ized
f or ass ista nce .
first read and note the tory informat ion and heed the on page 214.
Lights up Gauge position cause or meaning Proper response
Red r ange (ar ro w) tank empty . nme to
] Running on reserve 217 .
-filler cap no t and th e ca p
When the ignit ion is sw itched on, warning
and indicator
the comes on or you see a text messa ge in the inst rument ing that the sto p the
At the gas station 215

The what to do if the gine warn ing
driving.
Temperature
Lights up g auge cause Proper re sponse
Stop the engine and it the temperature range again. if needed is
© Engine tempera ture reel or the co
ntinues after adding
Warning zone too
high.
the
the fuses and
the engine after the gine has
is cor rect or the do
® Engin e too not drive any farther. Contact an authorized range or author ized
ant temperature stays in the if the © .
Engine system -function.
--
Engine system
and instrument cluste r text messages can cause the vehicle to break down in traffic and in a sion and serious personal injury.
234 Care, m ainten ance gen
ice or another
WARNING
Nev
er ignore warning

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARN-can result in vehicle damage. Engine coolant specifications
on page 233.
Th e engine cooling system is
loy parts in the engine cooling system against ros ion. addition , the mixture helps prevent
coolant additive even in warm
weathe r or climates where antifreeze protection is
not needed.
otherw ise ,
antifreeze protection is reduced and the ability of the mixture to cool the engine is also reduced.
When
adding engine coolant, use a mixture of tilled water and at least coolant additive
G 12 pius-plus for optimum corrosion protection
.
Too little antifreeze protection in the engine cooling system can cause engine failure and
severe injuries.
tures that can be expected where the vehicle will be used.
ant could freeze, causing the vehicle to break down. The heater would also not work, and vehicle occupants could be without
gine and the engine cooling syste m.
can pollute the environment. Collect leaking
operating fluids and dispose of them properly in
accordance with applicable environmental laws
and
regu lations .

Washing the vehicle
tory information and heed the on page 243 .
T he longer insect splatter , bird droppings, tree sap,
r oad dirt , indust rial deposits , tar , soot , road
and othe r aggressive materials stay on your cle, the more damage they do to the paint finish.
H igh temperatures (includi ng strong sunlight)
oughly.
Car wash
Pay close attention to the information provided
by the car wash operator . B efo re goi ng throu gh a
ca r was h, b e s ure to take th e usual precautio ns t o
avoid damag e , such as closi ng the windows ,
The paint finish is toug h enough th at the vehicle can
the wheels and under the door
After the vehi cle ha s been washed , the wet brakes or, in winter, brake discs or pads ed with ice, react slower and need longer stopping distances .
WARNING
Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a few careful applications of the brake . Make sure not to endanger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal require-
ments .
edges under the vehicl e can cut ex-
posed skin.
Always protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when cleaning the under-body , the inside of the wheel housings,
etc.
The water temperature must not be more
than
Ne ver clean headlights with a dry cloth or sponge . Always use a w et cloth o r s ponge . For best result s use soapy water.
When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather , do not
cult to open the vehicle!
To help prevent vehicle damage
in a car wash:
in the car wash to help prevent damage to wheel rims and tires!
Make sure there is enough clearance for the
height and width of the vehic le .
To help prevent paint damage to the engine
hood, place wiper blades against the shield after they have dried. Do not let them
snap back into place .
Lock the rear hatch to prevent unintentional
opening in the car wa sh .

Engine
In this sectio n yo u 'll find informatio n about
Indicato r lights ............... ........... 295
Cata lytic co nverter
..... 296
More information:
Sh ifting gears 171
Refueling 214
Fuel 219
Engine oil
Vehicle ba ttery
N otice about data recorded by vehic le co ntr ol
modu les
T owing 330
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic
converter get very hot. This can cause a fire
and serious personal injury.
Never apply additional undercoating or rust proofing on or near the exhaust mani-fold, exhaust pipes, catalytic converter , or heat shields .
Proposition 65 Warning
constituents,
and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the
addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the
on page 295.
L
ights up Possibl e ca use Proper respon se
Engine contr
ol malfunctio n (Elec tron ic Pow -Have engi
ne checked immediat ely by an au-
er
Contr ol). thor
ized Volkswage n dea ler or aut hor ized Volks-
wagen Fa cility .
Engine contr ol/ monitoring system
malfunc- E
ase off the accelerator . Carefully drive to the
lion (engine Malfunction Indicator Light- n
ea rest auth orized Volkswagen dealer or au-MIL) thorized
Volkswagen Facility . Ha ve en-
gine checked .
Flashes Possible cause Proper response
Ease
off the accele rator. Caref ully drive to the Misfire , which can damage th e catalytic con-
nearest authorize d Volkswagen dealer or au-.
thorized Volkswagen Service Faci lity. Have en-
gine checked .
When
the ignition is switched severa l warning
and indicator ligh ts come on briefly for a func tion
check . The y
go out after a few seconds . Failure to h
eed warning lights or text WARN-
can result
Vehi cle care and maint enance

N
After replacing a headlight bulb or other light bulb, always make sure that the rubber covers or plastic caps have been properly and secure-
Indicator light
to help prevent water from getting into the electrical connections and headlight housing and damaging the electrical system.
on
Lights up Possible cause Proper response
Light bulb of the exterior vehicle lighting not Replace the light bulb that isn't working .
working .
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
can result in vehicle damage.
indicated. However, indicator light come on if LEO s fail.
on
Checklist
for replacing a light bulb. Please carry out these steps only in the order listed
1.
179.
3.
4.
5.
6 .
7.
8.
9 .
position
122 .
Automatic transmission :
the transmission into Park (P) 171.
the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch 165.
Manual transmission: Engage a gear
122.
Let the burned
out light cool down.
Check
if the fuse is blown 317 .
Replace the burned
out light according to
Practical tips 321