Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual: Warning and indicator lamps

The warning and indicator lamps indicate various warnings  , faults   or certain functions. Some warning and indicator lamps light up when the ignition is switched on and should go out once the engine is running or the vehicle is in motion.

Depending on the vehicle equipment level, additional text messages can appear in the instrument cluster display to provide further information or to prompt you to perform certain tasks   .

Depending on the vehicle equipment level, symbols may be displayed in the instrument cluster instead of warning lamps.

Acoustic warning signals sound when some warning or indicator lamps light up.

Symbol	Meaning  	See
	Do not drive on! When this mesage appears, the door(s), tailgate or bonnet are open or not closed properly.	 
	Central warning lamp: observe the additional information in the instrument cluster display.	–
	Do not drive on! Electronic parking brake switched on.	 
	Do not drive on! Brake fluid level too low or fault in the brake system.
	Do not drive on! Coolant level too low, coolant temperature too high or coolant level system faulty.	 
	Do not drive on! Engine oil pressure too low.a)	 
	Flashing: Do not drive on! Fault in steering system.	 
	Lit up: electromechanical steering not functioning.
	Brake or take avoiding action! Collision warning from the area monitoring system (Front Assist).a)	 
	Driver or front passenger seat belt not fastened.	 
	Depress the brake pedal.	Changing gear   ACC  
	Alternator fault.a)	 
	Central warning lamp. Observe the additional information in the instrument cluster display.	–
	Brake pads worn.	Infotainment system   Brakes  
	Lighting up: fault in ESC or switched off by the system. OR: the vehicle battery has been reconnected.
	Flashing: ESC/TCS is taking corrective action.
	TCS switched off manually. OR: TCS and ESC switched off manually.
	ABS faulty or not functioning.
	Electronic parking brake fault.a)
	The rear fog light is switched on.	 
	Partial or complete fault in the vehicle lightingb), excluding bend lighting. a)	 
	Fault in catalytic converter.	Starting the engine   engine management system, exhaust gas purification  
	Lit up: glow period for a diesel engine.
	Flashing: fault in engine management system.
	Fault in engine management system.
	Diesel particulate filter has become saturated with soot.a)
	Fault in steering system.	 
	Tyre pressure too low or tyre monitoring system fault.	 
	Windscreen washer fluid level too low.a)	 
	Fuel tank almost empty.	 
	Flashing: engine oil system fault.a)	 
	Lit up: engine oil level too low.a)
	Fault in airbag and belt tensioner system.	 
	Front passenger front airbag switched off (PASSENGER AIR BAG ).
	Front passenger front airbag switched on (PASSENGER AIR BAG ).
	The tank cap is not closed properly.a)	 
	Lane departure warning system (Lane Assist) switched on, not active.	 
	Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) currently not available.a)	 
	Gearbox fault.a)	 
	Turn signal left or right.	 
	Hazard warning lights switched on.	 
	Trailer turn signals	 
	Lit up: depress the brake pedal.	Starting engine   ,  Changing gear Brakes   .
	Flashing: the lock button in the selector lever is not engaged.
	The vehicle is being held by the brake system.	Brakes   , Pull-away assist systems  
	Lit up: the cruise control system (CCS) is switched on.	 
	Lit up: the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is active.	 
	Lit up: the speed limiter is switched on, active.	 
	Flashing: the set speed of the speed limiter has been exceeded.
	Lane departure warning system (Lane Assist) is switched on and active.	 
	Main beam is switched on or the headlight flasher is being operated.	 
	ACC is active. No vehicle has been detected ahead.	 
	When displayed in white: ACC active. Vehicle detected ahead.
	When displayed in grey: ACC not active. System switched on, does not regulate:
	Main beam assist switched on.	 
	Service reminder / service due.	 
	Mobile telephone battery charge level. Only if activated for factory-fitted provision for mobile telephone.	⇒ BookletNavigation system, or ⇒ BookletRadio, navigation system,
	Black ice warning. The outside temperature is below +4°C (+39°F).	 
	The start/stop system is available. The engine is switched off automatically.	 
	The start/stop system is not available. OR: the engine has been started automatically.

WARNING

Failure to observe illuminated warning lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and can cause accident and serious injury.

• Never ignore any illuminated warning lamps or text messages.

• Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.

• Stop the vehicle at a safe distance away from moving traffic and ensure that no part of the exhaust system can come into contact with any inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. dry grass or fuel.

• Broken-down vehicles increase the risk of accidents both for you and for other road users. If necessary, switch on the hazard warning lights and set up the warning triangle to warn other road users.

• Before opening the bonnet, switch off the engine and allow it to cool down sufficiently.

• The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a dangerous area. Serious injuries can be sustained here   .

NOTICE

Failure to observe illuminated indicator lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle being damaged.

^a) Displayed in colour on an instrument cluster with colour display.

^b) A separate display appears in the instrument cluster if there is a bend lighting fault.