Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual: Main beam assist

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings 

Main beam assist (Light Assist)

Within the limits of the system, the main beam assist automatically switches the main beam on at speeds of over approximately 60 km/h (37 mph), depending on environmental and traffic conditions, and switches it off again at speeds under approximately 30 km/h (18 mph)  . The function is controlled by a camera located near the interior mirror.

Main beam assist normally recognises illuminated areas such as towns and deactivates the main beam while driving through them.

Automatic main beam assist (Dynamic Light Assist)

Within the limits of the system, the automatic main beam assist (Dynamic Light Assist) can minimise or even prevent dazzling of other road users  .

The system detects other road users and their distance from your vehicle and covers part of the headlights appropriately. If dazzling other road users cannot be prevented, the light distribution is automatically set to dipped beam headlights. The function is controlled by a camera located on the inside of the windscreen above the interior mirror.

The automatic main beam assist automatically switches the main beam on at speeds of more than approximately 60 km/h (37 mph) and off again at speeds under approximately 30 km/h (18 mph) depending on whether there are vehicles ahead, whether there is oncoming traffic, and also on other general factors and traffic conditions.

The automatic main beam assist does not work when travel mode is activated   .

If dynamic bend lighting is deactivated   or the headlight switch over is activated   or if the driving profile Eco is selected   in vehicles with driving mode selection, the main beam will only be turned on and off automatically. This occurs in response to the vehicles ahead, oncoming traffic and the road lighting.

Automatic main beam assist normally detects illuminated areas such as towns and deactivates the main beam while driving through them.

Switching main beam assist or automatic main beam assist on and off

Function	Action
Switching on	– Switch on the ignition and turn the light switch to position . – Push the turn signal and main beam lever forwards out of the basic position   .
	When the main beam assist or the automatic main beam assist is activated, the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster display lights up.
Switching off	– Switch off the ignition. – OR: turn the light switch to a position other than   . – OR: when the main beam is switched on, pull back the turn signal and main beam lever. – OR: push the turn signal and main beam lever forwards in order to switch on manual main beam. The main beam assist is then switched off.

If fitted, main beam assist or automatic main beam assist can be activated and deactivated using the button and the and Light function buttons in the infotaniment system   .

Fault

It may not be possible to switch off the main beam quickly enough or at all using main beam assist due to the following:

• In poorly lit streets where there are highly-reflective signs.

• When encountering other road users with insufficient lighting, such as pedestrians or cyclists.

• In tight bends, brows of hills or depressions in the land or half-hidden oncoming traffic.

• With oncoming traffic on streets with a central barrier where the driver can see clearly over the central barrier e.g. lorry drivers.

• If the camera is broken or the power supply is interrupted.

• In fog, snow or heavy rain.

• In dusty or sandy areas.

• If there is stone damage in the camera's field of view.

• If the viewing field of the camera is misted up, dirty, covered by a sticker, snow or ice.

WARNING

Do not let the extra convenience afforded by main beam assist or automatic main beam assist tempt you into taking any risks when driving. The system is not a substitute for the full concentration of the driver.

• Always check the lights yourself and adjust them to the prevailing conditions for lights, vision and road traffic.

• The main beam assist or automatic main beam assist may not be able to detect all driving situations correctly and may not work properly in certain situations.

• If the camera's field of view is dirty, covered or damaged, the function of the main beam assist and automatic main beam assist may be impaired. This also applies if changes are made to the vehicle's lighting system, for example if additional headlights are fitted.

NOTICE

Please observe the following points in order to avoid impairing the proper function of the system:

• Regularly clean the camera's field of view, and keep it free from snow and ice.

• Do not cover the camera's field of view.

• Check the area of the windscreen that is in the camera's field of view for damage.

The headlight flasher and the main beam can be switched on and off manually at any time with the turn signal and main beam lever   .

The function of automatic main beam assist is deactivated once the travel mode is activated   .