warning lights VOLKSWAGEN CC 2008 User Guide

WARNING
Daytime running lights are not bright enough to let you see
ahead or be seen by others when it is dark.
Always switch on the low-beam headlights at dusk or when it
is dark and whenever the weather is bad or visibility is poor.
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.
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.
Even if automatic headlight control (!54/) is switched on, the
low-beam headlights may still not come on by themselves in
fog or heavy rain. You have to switch on the low-beam head-
lights manually.
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

WARNING
Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see
the road ahead and when you cannot be seen by other motor-
ists.
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.
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.
If automatic headlight control (!54/) is switched on, the low-
beam headlights still may not be switched on in fog or heavy
rain. You have to switch on the low-beam headlights yourself.
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.
“Coming home” and “Leaving home” feature (orientation
lighting)

The delay period can be adjusted in 10 second intervals and the
function can be switched on and off in the Lights & Vision menu ⇒ 
Volkswagen Information System.
If the “Coming home” feature is switched on and the driver door is
opened, no warning chime will sound to alert you that the lights are
still on.
Instrument panel lighting and headlight range adjustment

Fig. 87 To the left of the steering wheel: Thumbwheel to adjust in-
strument panel lighting 1.

Dynamic headlight range adjustment
In some vehicles with HID (Xenon) headlights, the headlight range is
automatically adjusted to the vehicle loading condition once the low
beams are switched on ⇒ .
WARNING
Headlights that are aimed too high because of the way the ve-
hicle is loaded can blind and distract other drivers. This can
lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
Always make sure the headlights are adjusted to loading
conditions so that they do not blind others.
WARNING
If dynamic headlight range adjustment does not work properly
or at all, the headlights could blind and distract other drivers.
This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
Have headlight range adjustment checked immediately by an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen
Service Facility.
Interior and reading lights

(2) Switch
(3) Sensor for recognizing entry of light
The auto-dimming feature can be switched on and off with the switch
on the inside mirror (2) A or (2) B. When auto-dimming is activated,
the indicator light (1) is on.
If the ignition is switched on, the sensor (3) automatically darkens the
inside mirror depending on the amount of light shining into the vehicle
from the rear.
The auto-dimming feature is deactivated when you shift the transmis-
sion into reverse or switch on the interior lights or the reading light.
Do not attach external navigation devices to the windshield or in the
vicinity of the auto-dimming inside mirror ⇒ .
WARNING
The illuminated display on an external navigation device can
cause the auto-dimming inside mirror to malfunction, which
can result in crashes and serious injuries.
Malfunctions in the auto-dimming function can result in the
inside mirror being unable to evaluate the exact distance of ve-
hicles in the rear or other objects.
If the light striking the sensor is filtered or blocked (such as by a
sunshade), the auto-dimming inside mirror will not work properly or
may not work at all.

Trailer taillights
Trailer lights must meet all regulations ⇒ Hitching up and connecting
a trailer.
Never connect the trailer lights directly to the electrical system of your
vehicle.
Outside mirrors
If you cannot see the traffic behind you using the regular outside mir-
rors, then you must install extended mirrors. Extended mirrors may
also be required by law in some countries/states/provinces. Always
adjust the outside mirrors before driving. It's vital that you always
have a clear view to the rear of the vehicle.
Maximum power consumption for the trailer
Do not exceed the power ratings listed in the chart below.

Electrical load Maximum power
Brake lights total 108 watts
Turn signals per side 54 watts
Side marker lights total 100 watts
Taillights total 54 watts

WARNING
An improperly installed or incorrect trailer hitch can cause a
trailer to separate from the tow vehicle and cause serious per-
sonal injuries.
If you don't have to tow a trailer any more, remove the entire
trailer hitch. Always seal all bolt holes to prevent water and
deadly exhaust fumes from getting into the vehicle.
NOTICE
If the trailer lights are not connected properly, the vehicle's
electronics may be damaged.

from the center of the hitch ball to the surface of the road ⇒ fig. 109
(D) be less than the specified minimum. This minimum height must be
present even when the vehicle is fully loaded and subject to the max-
imum tongue weight.
Distance dimensions ⇒ fig. 109:
(A) Attachment points.
(B) 46 inches (1170 mm)
(C) at least 3 inches (79 mm)
(D) 14–16 inches (350 – 420 mm)
(E) 10 inches (251 mm)
(F) 21 inches (546 mm)
(G) 41 inches (1031 mm)
(H) 41 inches (1036 mm)
WARNING
Improper or incorrect connections to the vehicle electrical sys-
tem can cause malfunctions that affect the entire vehicle elec-
trical system and cause accidents and serious personal injury.
Never connect the electrical system of the trailer directly to
the electrical connections of the rear lights or other unsuitable
power sources. Use only a suitable connector to provide power
to the trailer.
Have any trailer hitch retrofit or other work on a trailer hitch
done by a qualified workshop.
WARNING
An improperly installed or unsuitable trailer hitch can cause the
trailer to separate from the towing vehicle and result in a major
accident with serious personal injuries.
Maximum permissible trailer weight

If the tire is not “flat” and you do not have to change the tire
or wheel immediately, drive at reduced speed to the nearest
service station to check the tire pressure and add air as re-
quired.
When replacing tires or wheel rims on vehicles equipped with
TPMS, always read and heed the information and all WARN-
INGS in the section ⇒  Tires and wheels.
WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text mes-
sages can cause the vehicle to break down in traffic and result
in a collision and serious personal injury.
Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in
vehicle damage.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Fig. 117 Display screen in the instrument cluster: Current tire pres-
sures in psi.

WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause skidding and loss of traction, es-
pecially on slippery roads, resulting in a loss of vehicle control,
collisions, and serious personal injury.
Only use the kick-down feature or fast acceleration if visibil-
ity, weather, road, and traffic conditions permit and other driv-
ers will not be endangered by your driving and the vehicle's ac-
celeration.
WARNING
Constant braking causes the brakes to overheat and even to fail
leading to collisions and serious personal injury.
Never “ride” the brakes or apply the brake pedal too often or
too long.
Riding the brakes will substantially reduce braking perfor-
mance, increase stopping distance, and can cause complete
brake system failure.
NOTICE
Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pe-
dal when you do not want to brake. This will make the brakes
wear faster.
Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or
steep, always reduce speed and shift into lower gear (manual or
automatic transmission). This will let the vehicle use engine
braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake
system could overheat and even fail. Only use the brakes when
you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.
Warning and indicator lights

WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text mes-
sages can cause the vehicle to break down in traffic and result
in a collision and serious personal injury.
Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a
safe distance off the road, turn on the emergency flashers, stop
the engine, and use other warning devices to warn approaching
traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in
vehicle damage.
Pedals

Fig. 136 Pedals in vehicles with manual transmission: 1 Accelerator
pedal, 2 Brake pedal, 3 Clutch pedal.