2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF lights

Adaptive Front Lighting
The Adaptive Front Lighting works only
with the low beams switched on and only at
speeds above about 6 mph
improve road
vehicles equipped with the Adaptive Front
Lighting the feature is switched on and off
via the Assistant menu
the roadway. Th e headlights re­
t urn to their original position after a delay , depend­
in g on the speed of the
Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see the road ahead and when you cannot be seen by other motorists.
not be able to see
f a r 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. Ave­hicle without
cool or hum id weather, th e insides of th e headlights , th e rea r li ghts, and turn signals
can temporarily fog up. This is normal and does
not affect the service life
of the vehic le's lightin g
system. tory information and h ee d the WARN­on page 122.
Instrument panel lighting
Whe n the lights are on, the brightness of the in­
strument panel lighting is ad justed by turning the
thumbwhee l
Instrument cluster brightness
Whe n t he lights are sw itched on, you can adjust
the brightness of the in strument cluster li ghting by turning the thumbw hee l
Before driving
some vehicles with daytime running lights
(DRL), the instrument lighting switches on
need to
switch the head lights on
turn on
the headlight range is
Headlights that are aimed to o high because of the way the vehicle is loaded can blind and distract other drivers. This can lead to a
crash and serious per sonal injuries.
Always adjust headlights to loading condi-tions so that they do not blind others.

first read and note the introductory information and heed the on
is
the doors . They
compartment
The compartments may have that come on automatically when they are
opened and go off when they are
Background
When the ignition and are switched on,
the roof buttons up. There
may
be
go out when you the or a few minutes after
you remove the to prevent unnecessary drain on the battery . Lights and vision

find information about:
Indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
129
W indshield wiper lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield wiper funct ions ................ 131
Windshiel d wiper service position . . . . . . . . . . 132
Checking and
Exterior views 6
Climate control
Preparations for working in the engine compart­
ment page 222
Exterior care and cleani ng
Windshield washer fluid without enough frost protection can freeze on the windshield and reduce
..
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce
132. on
windshield washer reservoir at the next
opportun ity 132 .
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARN­can result in vehicle damage .
Light s and vision
129

The interm ittent wiping for the front wind­
the front wipers are on, the rear wiper is switched on automatically whenever the car
is put into reve rse.
Windsh ield wiper functions
the wiper them carefully. Volkswagen recom-
mends using a deicing spray.
on
is not moving: The wiper speed changes temporarily to the next speed.
During automatic wipe/wash:
interior.
During intermittent wiping: Speed-dependent
interval control: The higher th e speed, the
faster the wipers move.
Heated washer nozzles
The heating thaws frozen washer nozzles, but not
the fluid
to the washer is
automatically regulated depending on the outside
air temperature.
Headlight washer system
The headlight washer system
or high beams are on when the windshield
wiper
is towards the steer­
i ng However, the headlights must be
washed by hand periodically (for insta nce, during
refueling) in order to get rid of hard- to-remove dirt insect splatter).
To
there is something on the windsh ield, the wiper try to wipe it away . it continues to
Lights and vision 131

additives into the washer reservoir. This which
washer antifreeze agent.
recommended by
and engine damage can oc-
Lights and vision

Auto-dimming inside mirror (if
light
When
auto-d imming is activated , the indicator light
on.
the ignition is switched the
Outside mirrors
. . . . .:.:
;
on page 1 34 .
Turn the rotary knob to the desired position:
L
R
outside mirror by pressing
the knob to and up/down.
Adjust the right outside mirror by pressing
the knob to left/right and up/down.
Neutral position. Outside mirror folded
ou t, no
or adjustment possible.
Do not attach external navigation devices to the
winds hield or in the vicinity of the auto-dimming side mirror
The gation device can cause the auto-dimming
blocked (such as by a s unshade), the not work properly or m ay
not work at Synchronous mirror adjustment
the Settings Convenience menu select Mirror adjust Both mirrors for n ous outside mirror adjustment 24.
Turn the adjusting knob to the L position .
Adjust the outside mirror . The right ger) outside mirror
needed , correct the position of the right mirror
b y tu rning the adjusting knob to the R position.
Auto-dimming mirror on the driver side
mode ls are equipped with an auto-dimming
outside mirror, which is together with the
auto-dimming inside mirror
Lights and vision 135

Transporting
Driving tips
this sectio n
Always stow heavy objects in the luggage partment and make sure tha t the rear seat ests are securely latched. Always use the downs in the luggage compartment and secu re th e
ob jects with suita ble straps. Neve r ove rload the
hic le . R emember that the vehicle load, as
More information:
Rear hatch 49
Folding down the passenger seat backrest
Lights page 122
Luggage compartment 141
Roof rack 146
Trailer towing 149
Tires and wheels 258
Unsec ured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the vehicle, causing serious
senger compartment by the front airbags if they To help reduce the risk of se riou s
per sonal injury:
strument panel.
nothing on
the front passenger seat when the backrest is folded forward. When the backrest is folded
forward, even
85.
scat that is
blocked by objects being carried
H eavy loads will cle handle s and increase stopping distances.
Heavy lo ads that are not properly stowed or secured can cause loss of control and ous injury.
the luggage compartment as possible.
-
Always tie down h eavy items securely with su itabl e strap s using the tie-downs in the luggage compartment.
Tran sporting

Introduction
this section
partment and make sure that the rear seat
ble straps. Never overload the veh ic le . Remember
t hat th e vehicle load, as as how it is ed , can affect vehicle
More information:
Airbag system
Lights
Transporting 137
Trailer towing 149
Tires and whee ls
An open or unlocked luggage compartment poses special risks for
atures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness or death, particularly to children.
hicle.
can
senger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
objects securely in the
sion.
jects from clothing and bags
Transporting heavy objects causes the
cle capacity weight figures apply when the
load is distributed evenly
Transporting 141