Not all warning and indicator lamps are available in all markets.
Indicator lamps which light up in the light switch are described in the chapter Lights ⇒ Lights .
Symbol Meaning
Central warning lamp. Observe the additional information on the instrument cluster
display.
Electronic parking brake ⇒ Operating the electronic parking brake .
Brake system fault ⇒ Do not drive on! Brake system fault. .
Electromechanical steering not functioning ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Fasten seat belt ⇒ Warning lamp .
Collision warning from area monitoring system (Front Assist) ⇒ Warning levels and
braking intervention .
Depress the brake pedal.
Check brake pads ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Central warning lamp. Observe the additional information on the instrument cluster
display.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OR traction control system (TCS) ⇒ TCS regulating
to prevent the wheels from spinning. .
Traction control system (TCS) switched off ⇒ TCS regulating to prevent the wheels
from spinning. .
Fault in anti-lock brake system (ABS) ⇒ ABS failure or fault. .
Fault in electronic parking brake ⇒ Troubleshooting OR: fault in Hill Start Assist ⇒
Fault in Hill Start Assist .
Rear fog light switched on ⇒ Switching the fog lights on and off .
Vehicle lighting is not working ⇒ Vehicle lighting not working .
Fault in exhaust system ⇒ Fault in exhaust system .
Fault in engine management system ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Fig. 18 Coolant temperature gauge in the Active Info Display.
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Cold area. The engine has not yet reached operating temperature. Avoid high engine revs and
heavy engine loads until the engine is warm.
Normal area.
Warning area. The temperature may also rise to the hot area when the engine is working hard,
especially at high ambient temperatures.
Coolant
The indicator lamp lights up and the central warning lamp flashes red.
The coolant level is not correct or there is a fault in the coolant system.
Do not drive on!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and allow it to cool down.
Check the coolant level ⇒ Coolant .
Seek expert assistance if the warning lamp does not go out although the coolant level is adequate.
Service interval display
Fig. 19 In the instrument cluster display: display example for a due service event (illustration).
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings⇒Introduction
The service event displays are shown on the instrument cluster ⇒ Fig. 19 and in the Infotainment
system.
Versions and displays can vary as different versions of the instrument cluster and Infotainment
system are available.
In vehicles with fixed oil change service, services take place at predefined service intervals.
Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it down until it audible locks
into place.
In an emergency
Making you and your vehicle safe
Observe any legislation concerning the safety of a broken-down vehicle. For example, many
countries stipulate that you have to switch on the hazard warning lights and wear a high-visibility
waistcoat ⇒ Equipment for an emergency .
Checklist
To ensure your own safety and that of your passengers, carry out the following actions in the
specified order ⇒ :
Stop the vehicle at a safe distance away from moving traffic and on a suitable surface .
Switch on the hazard warning lights using the button Centre console.
Switch on the electronic parking brake Electronic parking brake.
Select the neutral position Manual gearbox: selecting a gear or move the selector lever to P position
DSG® dual clutch gearbox.
Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition Starting and stopping the engine.
Ensure that all occupants exit the vehicle and go straight to a safe place away from moving traffic,
e.g. behind the safety barrier. Heed the country-specific regulations concerning high-visibility
waistcoats.
Take all vehicle keys with you when you leave the vehicle.
Set up the warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users to your vehicle.
Allow the engine to cool down and, if necessary, seek expert assistance.
Accidents and injuries can occur if the driver is distracted. Operating the Infotainment system can
distract you from the road.
Always drive carefully and responsibly.
Information on the brakes
New brake pads cannot generate the full braking effect during the first 200 to 300 km and must first
be run in ⇒ . The slightly reduced brake pressure can however be compensated for by increasing
pressure on the brake pedal. During the run-in period, the braking distance is longer for full or
emergency braking than when the brake pads have been run in. In the run-in period, full braking
should be avoided and also situations that create a heavy load on the brakes, e.g. when driving up
close to the vehicle ahead.
The wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under which the vehicle is
operated and the way the vehicle is driven. If the vehicle is used for regular urban trips, short
journeys, and is driven with a sporty driving style, the brake pads must be regularly checked by a
qualified workshop.
When driving with wet brakes, for example after driving through water, after heavy rainfall or after
washing the vehicle, the braking effect may be delayed as the brake discs will be wet, or possibly
iced up (in winter). The brakes must be dried as quickly as possible by careful braking at higher
speed. Please ensure that no following vehicle and no other road user is put at risk as a result of this
action ⇒ .
A layer of salt that accumulates on the discs and pads will reduce the braking effect and increase the
braking distance. If the vehicle has not been braked for a long time on roads which have been gritted
with salt, the layer of salt must be reduced through careful braking ⇒ .
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt in the brake pads are facilitated through long standstill times,
low mileage and low load levels. If the brake pads have been hardly used or if they are corroded,
Volkswagen recommends that the brake discs and brake pads be cleaned by braking strongly several
times from high speed. Please ensure that no following vehicle and no other road user is put at risk
as a result of this action ⇒ .
Brake servo
The brake servo will function only when the engine is running and reinforces the pressure applied by
the driver on the brake pedal.
If the brake servo does not function or the vehicle is being towed, the brake pedal will have to be
depressed more forcefully as the braking distance will be increased due to the lack of assistance for
the brake system ⇒ .
WARNING
Driving with worn brake pads or with a faulty brake system can cause accidents and serious injuries.
If the warning lamp lights up either alone or together with a text message in the instrument
cluster display, go to a qualified workshop immediately to have the brake pads checked and the
worn brake pads replaced.
Fig. 101 On the right-hand side of the steering column: emergency start function in vehicles with the
keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access.
Fault in engine management system
The indicator lamp lights up yellow.
Fault in the engine management system.
The engine should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Engine speed limited
The indicator lamp lights up yellow.
The engine speed was limited to prevent the engine from overheating.
The engine speed is shown on the instrument cluster display.
The engine speed limitation will be cancelled again in the following cases:
Engine is no longer in a critical temperature range.
Foot is taken off the accelerator.
together with engine speed limitation due to fault in the engine management system
The indicator lamps light up yellow.
Engine speed limitation is activated due to a fault in the engine management system.
Make sure that the displayed engine speed is not exceeded.
The engine should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Glow plug system/engine management system
Vehicles with diesel engine:
The indicator lamp lights up yellow.
When the diesel engine is being pre-heated, the indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster for
a few seconds.
After manual unlocking, carefully press the cover into the centre console while ensuring that the
electrical wires are positioned correctly.
Using the flat blade of the screwdriver from the vehicle toolkit, carefully push the release lever in the
direction of the arrow and keep it in this position ⇒ Fig. 109 .
Press the lock button on the front of the selector lever and move the selector lever into position N.
After manual unlocking, carefully press the cover into the centre console while ensuring that the
electrical wires are positioned correctly.
Emergency programme
There is a fault in the system if all the displays on the instrument cluster for the selector lever
positions have a light background. The DSG® dual clutch gearbox is running in an emergency
programme. The vehicle can still be driven in the emergency programme, but only at reduced speed
and not in all gears.
In vehicles with a DSG® dual clutch gearbox, you may no longer be able to select reverse gear.
In all cases, you should have the DSG® dual clutch gearbox checked by a qualified workshop
immediately.
Vehicle does not move even though position is engaged
If the vehicle will not move in the required direction, the system may have selected the position
incorrectly.
Depress the brake pedal and reselect the position.
If the vehicle still does not move in the required direction, there is a system fault. Seek expert
assistance and have the system checked.
WARNING
Never move the selector lever out of the position P if the electronic parking brake is not switched on.
Otherwise the vehicle could move unexpectedly if it is stopped on an uphill or downhill gradient,
which could lead to accidents and serious injuries.
NOTICE
If the vehicle rolls for an extended period or at high speed with the engine switched off and the
selector lever in the position N, the DSG® dual clutch gearbox will be damaged, e.g. when being
towed.
NOTICE
If the display indicates that the gearbox is overheating for the first time, the vehicle must either be
parked safely or driven faster than 20 km/h (12 mph).
The indicator lamp lights up yellow.
The steering should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
If the yellow warning lamp remains off after the engine has been restarted and you have driven a
short distance, you do not need to consult a qualified workshop.
Fault in steering
The indicator lamp lights up yellow.
The 12-volt vehicle battery was disconnected.
Drive a short distance at a speed of 15 – 20 km/h (9 – 12 mph).
If the yellow warning lamp is still lit after the engine has been restarted, have the steering checked
by a qualified workshop immediately.
Fault in steering
The indicator lamp flashes yellow.
Turn the steering wheel back and forth.
Switch the ignition off and then on again.
Observe the messages on the instrument cluster display.
Do not continue your journey if the indicator lamp still flashes when the ignition is switched on.
Seek expert assistance.
Steering column is not unlocked or locked
The indicator lamp flashes yellow.
Follow any messages that are on the instrument cluster display.
Switch the ignition off and then on again.
Do not continue your journey if the steering column remains locked when the ignition is switched
on.
Seek expert assistance.
Steering requires increased force
The warning lamp lights up red.
The electromechanical steering has failed.
Do not drive on!
Seek expert assistance.
Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control
WARNING
If you do not maintain the minimum distance to a vehicle in front and the difference in speed
between the vehicle in front and your own vehicle is so great that the braking action of the ACC is
insufficient, you are in danger of colliding with the vehicle in front. The braking distance is also
longer in rain and winter road conditions.
ACC may not be able to detect all driving situations correctly.
Always be prepared to brake the vehicle yourself.
Speed and distance control are overridden when you press the accelerator. ACC does not brake
automatically in this case.
Observe any country-specific regulations relating to the minimum distance.
Always set a larger distance in wet or snowy conditions or when visibility is poor.
Some settings can be stored in the user accounts of the personalisation function and therefore
change automatically when the user account changes ⇒ Personalisation .
Troubleshooting
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
ACC not available.
The indicator lamp lights up yellow.
The radar sensor is dirty. Clean the radar sensor ⇒ Vehicle care .
The visibility of the radar sensor is impaired due to the weather conditions, e.g. snow, or due to
detergent deposits or coatings. Clean the radar sensor ⇒ Vehicle care .
The visibility of the radar sensor is impaired by add-on parts, the trim frames of number plate
holders or stickers. Keep the area around the radar sensor free.
The radar sensor has been displaced or damaged, e.g. due to damage to the front of the vehicle.
Check whether damage is visible ⇒ Repairs and technical modifications .
Fault or malfunction. Switch off and restart the engine.
Structural modifications have been made to the front of the vehicle.
The genuine Volkswagen badge is not used.
If the problem persists, go to a qualified workshop.
ACC does not function as expected.
The radar sensor is dirty. Clean the radar sensor ⇒ Vehicle care .
The system limits are not met ⇒ Limits of ACC .