2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE Owners Manual

Lights up Possible cause Proper response

One or more driving lights not working. Replace the burned out bulb
Cornering light malfunction. If all light bulbs are OK, see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Fog lights switched on (indicator light on the headlight switch).
Z

Turn signal lever and high beam switch

Fig. 74 Turn signal lever and high beam switch.

Applicable only in the United States
Switching lights on and off

Fig. 75 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel.

Fig. 76 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel (with fog lights, if equipped).

Acoustic warning when lights are not switched off
In the following situation, a warning chime will sound if you take the key out of the ignition and open the driver door. This is to remind you that lights are still on.
x Light switch in position .
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
Instrument panel lighting and headlight range adjustment

Fig. 79 To the left of the steering wheel: Thumbwheel to adjust instrument panel lighting (vehicles without manual headlight range adjustment).

Fig. 80 To the left of the steering wheel: Thumbwheel to adjust instrument panel lighting 1 and headlight range adjustment 2 (if equipped).

Instrument panel lighting
When the lights are on, the brightness of the instrument panel lighting is adjusted by turning the
thumbwheel ⇒ fig. 79, ⇒ fig. 80 (1).
Instrument cluster brightness
When the lights are on, the brightness of the instrument cluster lighting is adjusted by turning the
thumbwheel ⇒ fig. 79, ⇒ fig. 80 (1).
In some vehicles with daytime running lights (DRL), the instrument cluster lighting switches on automatically when it is dark outside or when driving through tunnels, for example. You will need to switch the headlights on manually when this happens, so that the vehicle's taillights will turn on, Lights and vision features, Lights and vision features.
Headlight range adjustment for vehicles with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights
For vehicles with HID headlights, the headlight range can be manually adjusted to the vehicle loading condition once the low beams are switched on. This feature helps ensure good visibility for the driver
and helps prevent oncoming traffic from being blinded ⇒ .

Turn the thumbwheel to the desired position (2):
Position Vehicle loading condition5
– Front seats occupied and an empty luggage compartment.
1 All seats occupied and an empty luggage compartment.
1.5 All seats occupied and a fully loaded luggage compartment
2 Only the driver seat occupied and a fully loaded luggage compartment.
3 –
WARNING
Headlights that are aimed too high because of the way the vehicle is loaded can blind and distract other drivers. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
x Always make sure the headlights are adjusted to loading conditions so that they do not blind others.
5 You can also select intermediate positions on the thumbwheel depending on the loading condition.

Interior and reading lights

Fig. 81 Thumbwheel next to the steering wheel.

Turn the thumbwheel to the desired position ⇒ fig. 81:
Position Background lighting color
– Background lighting switched off
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.