Volkswagen Dashboard Warning Lights | What Do They Mean?
19th Nov 2024
Volkswagen are at the forefront of vehicle safety system, and your new or used Volkswagen's dashboard has many symbols that show you exactly how your car is doing. If the lights are:
RED warning lights: Be sure to pull over as soon as it is safe and call for roadside assistance, as you may have a serious problem with your car.
YELLOW warning lights: This means that an action is required, and it is recommended that you book a service with an authorised repairer at one of our Volkswagen dealerships.
GREEN warning lights: This is simply information and does not require immediate action, although you should keep an eye on them.
Red Lights
Brake System
If this light is illuminated, check the handbrake is not applied. If it is applied, take it off and continue driving. If it is not applied or the light remains illuminated, then check the brake fluid level. If it's at an incorrect level, top it up to the correct level. If you require help to do this, call roadside assistance. If the light remains illuminated, contact roadside assistance.
Engine Cooling System
If this light illuminates, immediately pull over as soon as is safe, stop the engine and do not drive any further. Check if the engine coolant level is OK. If it is, then there is likely a wider problem with the cooling system, so contact roadside assistance. If the coolant level is not OK, add more coolant. For assistance with this, consult the user manual or contact roadside assistance. If the warning light remains illuminated even after this, contact roadside assistance.
Engine Oil Pressure
If this light illuminates, pull over as soon as is safe and immediately switch off the engine and do not restart. Check the oil level. If the oil level is OK, contact roadside assistance as there may be further issues with the pressure system. If the oil level is not OK, top up oil until it is OK. Consult the user’s manual for instruction or seek roadside assistance. Start the engine again for five seconds and if the lamp goes out within that time, you may continue driving. If it does not, seek roadside assistance.
Power Steering System
If this light illuminates, pull over as soon as is safe and stop the engine. Remove the ignition key. Wait 30 seconds and restart the engine. If the light remains illuminated, test the steering and see if you can safely drive. If so, drive directly to an authorised repairer. If not, contact roadside assistance.
Airbag and Seat Belt System
If this light illuminates, drive carefully to an authorised repairer and have the fault diagnosed and resolved. Issues with these systems may not affect the function of the car, but are very important to your safety.
Vehicle Charging System
If you can start the engine when this light is illuminated, drive directly to an authorised repairer as there is a problem with the electrical components of the car. Avoid using any excess electrical equipment to not drain the battery. If you can not start the engine, contact roadside assistance.
Steering Lock
If this light illuminates red, contact an authorised repairer. If it illuminates yellow, then the malfunction is less serious, and you may drive yourself to an authorised repairer to have the system examined, although you do drive carefully on your way there.
Ignition Switch
If this light illuminates red, then do not switch the engine off, as it may not turn on again. If the light is illuminated red or yellow, drive to an authorised repairer to have the issue diagnosed and resolved.
Seat Belt Buckles
If this light illuminates, check if yourself and all passengers have their seatbelts fastened properly. If they are not, ensure they are fastened properly. If the light has still not gone out, contact an authorised repairer.
Doors
Ensure all doors are closed properly. If the light remains illuminated, contact an authorised repairer.
Bonnet
Ensure the bonnet is closed properly. If the light remains illuminated, contact an authorised repairer.
Boot Lid
Ensure the boot lid is closed properly. If the light remains illuminated, contact an authorised repairer.
Recharge AdBlue
This light indicates there is no AdBlue range left. If the car is turned off with this light illuminated, it will not turn back on. This is the standard operation of the system and the car requires a full AdBlue top up is required for the car to restart. More information is available in the user’s manual.
Front Assist
This light indicates an accident is imminent. Apply the brakes or steer the car to avoid a collision. If the light illuminates when there is no risk of an incident, contact an authorised repairer.
Electronic Parking Brake
If this light is illuminated, the electronic parking brake is engaged while driving. Pull over as soon as is safe, disengage the brake and continue. If the light remains illuminated, contact an authorised repairer.
Yellow Lights
Emissions Control Lamp
If this light illuminates solidly, turn off the engine and remove the key. Wait 30 seconds and restart the engine. If the light remains illuminated or is flashing, drive to an authorised repairer or, if the vehicle is vibrating or sluggish, contact roadside assistance.
Diesel Particulate Filter
Ensure the car has fuel and that there are no other warning lights on. If there are multiple warning lights on, contact roadside assistance. If the car is fuelled and the light remains illuminated, drive above 60km/h and between 1800-2500rpm until the light goes out. If the light does not go out within 15 minutes, drive to an authorised repairer if safely possible or contact roadside assistance.
Engine Management Lamp
Drive carefully to an authorised repair for this issue to beresolved.
Engine Management Lamp
This lamp normally appears for a few seconds when the ignition is on, but if the lamp appears while the engine is running then drive safely to an authorised repairer for the engine to be investigated and the issue resolved
Engine Oil Level
If this light illuminated solidly, top up the engine oil. The user’s manual contains further information on how to do this. If this light is flashing, then the sensor may be faulty. Drive to an authorised repairer.
Anti-Lock Brake System
A fault with the anti-lock brake system has occurred. The car will still brake normally but ABS and ESP may not engage when needed. Drive safely to an authorised repairer to have the issue diagnosed and resolved.
Electronic Stabilisation Programme
If this light is flashing while you are driving, this is normal functionality. The light lets you know that traction control or ESP is intervening. If it is constantly illuminated, you may have pressed the ‘ESP off’ button. This can be reactivated by turning the car on and off again. If the light remains illuminated, contact an authorised repairer for the issue to be diagnosed and resolved.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring
Check the tyre pressure and adjust if necessary. If the light remains illuminated, check all tyre pressures again. If they are OK, store them using the menu display and if the light remains on, drive safely to an authorised repairer to have the system examined. If the tyre pressures have changed again, have the offending tyre repaired or replaced.
Front Assist System
The Front Assist is deactivated and will not alert you of potential collision risks. If you are unable to reactivate it, contact your nearest authorised repairer.
Adaptive Cruise Control
The Adaptive Cruise Control is NOT currently active. Pull over when it is safe to do so and turn off the engine. Restart the car and check for anything obstructing the radar, such as dirt or ice. If the light remains illuminated and visit your nearest authorised repairer.
Blind Spot Monitor
If this is activated briefly, it is activated. If it remains illuminated an object has been detected in your blind spot, be extra careful when performing manoeuvres such as lane changes or parking. If it remains on constantly, go to an authorised repairer.
Electronic Parking Brake
There is a fault with the electronic parking brake. Pull over once it becomes safe to do so and contact an authorised repairer for further instructions.
Power Steering System
If the vehicle has recently been jump started or the battery has been disconnected or discharged, turn the steering fully right, then fully left and drive briefly between 15-20 km/h. If the light does not go out, drive safely to an authorised repairer.
Brake Pad Monitoring
The brake pads are worn. Contact an authorised repairer.
Airbag and Seat Belt System
If this light illuminates, there is a fault in the airbag or seatbelt system. Drive safely to an authorised repairer to have the issuediagnosed and resolved.
Automatic Gearbox
This light is usually accompanied by a message on the infotainment system. ‘You can continue driving’, ‘Reverse gear not available’, Please stop the vehicle and select P’ or ‘Please press brake pedal and select gear again’ when the hand brake is not on requires you to contact an authorised repairer. If the infotainment system says ‘Please brake pedal and select gear again’ while the handbrake is off or ‘Please adapt your driving style’, you may continue driving.
Water in Fuel Tank Warning
If this light illuminates, drive carefully and conservatively to an authorised repairer. If the light illuminates after you have just refilled, turn off the engine and contact an authorised repairer.
Fuel
The fuel tank cap has not been closed correctly. When safe to do so, stop the car and close the cap. If the light remains illuminated, contact an authorised repairer.
Adaptive Suspension Dampers
Contact an authorised repairer or roadside assistance.
Air Suspension
There is an issue with air suspension system. The car may drive differently with handling, stability and ground clearance potentially being affected. Drive safely to an authorised repairer to have this issue diagnosed and resolved.
Rear Spoiler
The rear spoiler is malfunctioning. Drive to an authorised repairer and do not exceed 120km/h.
Bulb Monitoring
Check all bulbs and ensure they are functioning. If any are broken or malfunctioning, replace it as soon as possible.
Brake Lights
Ensure all brake lights are working properly. If any are broken or malfunctioning, replace them as soon as possible.
Rain and Light Sensor
If this light is illuminated, the wipers and lights will not turn on and off automatically. They can still be turned on and off manually. Contact an authorised repairer to resolve this issue.
Headlight Range Control
The headlight range control system is not working correctly. Contact an authorised repairer.
Adaptive Light System
If this light is illuminated, the headlights will not adapt automatically. They can still be dipped manually. To resolve, contact an authorised repairer.
Towing Hitch
Ensure the towing hitch is correctly engaged. If the light does not go out, contact an authorised repairer.
Convertible Roof
This lamp will illuminate when the roof is either opening or closing.If it is on at any other time, first fully reopen and close the roof. If the light remains on, contact an authorised repairer.
Key Not in Vehicle
For vehicles with keyless entry, this light illuminates when the key is not in the vehicle and the engine is running. Make sure the key is in the vehicle so you can restart the engine.
Lane Assist
This light illuminates when the lane assist system is operating, but can not detect road markings. If the light illuminates with the message ‘System Fault’, contact an authorise repairer.
Press Clutch Pedal
Press brake pedal and move gear lever out of park position.
Windscreen Washer Fluid Level
If this light illuminates, the windscreen washer fluid level needs refilling. Consult the owner's manual for further information on this process.
Rear Fog Lights
This light indicates the rear fog lamp is on. Only have the rear fog lights on in foggy conditions.
Low Fuel Level
The fuel tank is nearly empty and has reached the reserve level. Fill up the tank as soon as possible.
Recharge AdBlue
This light illuminates when the AdBlue range is approx 1000 miles. The light will illuminate every 31 miles along with a noise. If the AdBlue is not recharged, the light will eventually turn red and the car will not turn on.
Green Lights
Cruise Control
This light indicates that cruise control is engaged.
Adaptive Cruise Control
This light indicates that the Adaptive Cruise Control is engaged. If it is flashing, you are exceeding your maximum set speed, reduce your speed.
Press Brake Pedal
This light is only on automatic vehicles. This light indicates that the brake pedal must be pressed before moving the gear stick in to the park position.
Lane Assist
This light indicates that the lane assist system is on.
Electronic Parking Brake
The car is being held by the Auto Hold function, which can be disabled manually. Consult the manual for further information.
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