VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2017 Owners Manual

Lights

Lights up Possible cause Proper response

One or more driving lights not working. Replace the burned out bulb
Cornering light malfunction. If all light bulbs are OK, see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
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High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights provide bright, uniform lighting to help you see and be seen. The light comes from an electric arc between two electrodes in the gas-filled bulb. Over time, the electrodes can wear down and the gap between them will get wider. The HID lamp’s control unit then increases the voltage to keep the arc’s brightness constant. However, the commonly called “Xenon” bulbs will also ultimately burn out. Before they burn out, HID lamps can flicker. A message will then appear in the MFI. This is your reminder to see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service facility to check the headlights.
Turn signal lever and high beam switch

Fig. 78 On the left side of the steering column: Turn signal lever and high beam switch.

The turn signal light works only when the ignition is switched on. The emergency flasher works
even when the ignition is switched off ⇒  In an emergency.
The indicator light flashes twice as fast if a turn signal bulb is burned out.
High beams can only be switched on when the low beams are on.
Switching lights on and off

Fig. 79 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel.

Fig. 80 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel (with fog lights and automatic headlights, if equipped).

Adjust the light switch to the desired position ⇒ fig. 79 or ⇒ fig. 80:
Symbol When the ignition is switched off When the ignition is switched on
 Low beams switched off. The DRL may stay on. The length of time they stay on depends on the vehicle battery charge.
Low beams switched on.
Fog lights switched off. The DRL may stay on for some time. Headlights and fog lights switched on.

Fog lights
The indicator light in the headlight switch shows that the fog lights are switched on.
x To switch on the fog lights : first turn the light switch to position , then pull the light switch out to the first detent.
x To switch off the fog lights, push the switch back in from the first detent. To then turn off the head-lights, turn the switch to position /.
Acoustic warning when lights are not switched off
In the following situation, a warning chime will sound if you take the key out of the ignition and open the driver door. This is to remind you that lights are still on.
x Light switch in position  if the vehicle has no orientation lighting ⇒  Coming Home/Leaving Home features (orientation lighting).
WARNING
Daytime running lights are not bright enough to let you see ahead or be seen by others when it is dark.
x Always switch on the low-beam headlights at dusk or when it is dark and whenever the weather is bad or visibility is poor.
x 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.
x 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.
x Even if automatic headlights (!54/) are 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 headlights 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

Daytime running lights (DRL)
Separate lamps are installed in the headlights or in the front bumper for the daytime running lights (DRL).
The daytime running lights are switched on whenever the ignition is switched on and the light switch is in position / or !54/.
When the daytime running lights are switched on, only these separate lamps come on ⇒ .
If the light switch is in position !54/, a low-light sensor switches the low beams as well as the instru-ment and switch lighting on and off automatically.
Daytime running lights (DRL) parking feature
Some models are equipped with a daytime running lights (DRL) parking feature that switches the daytime running lights off when the parking brake is engaged and the ignition is switched on.

Function Action
Switching the DRL off: – Switch the ignition on. – Turn the light switch to the / position. – Set the parking brake.
Switching the DRL back on: – Release the parking brake.

Static cornering lights
Your vehicle may have fog lights under the front bumper, which on some models are also static cor-nering lights. On some models the static cornering lights may be integrated in the headlights. At speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h), the light on one side of the vehicle will come on automatically when you turn a corner. If you turn to the right, the right fog light comes on; turn left and the left fog light comes on. The light dims and goes out when the steering wheel is straightened out again.
When you move the selector lever to Reverse (R), the static cornering lights on both sides of the vehicle may come on so that you can see the area around the vehicle better when backing up.
The static cornering lights work only when the headlights are on. If you are using automatic headlights
(headlight switch in the !54/ position ⇒ fig. 80), they work only when the headlights have been auto-matically switched on. The static cornering lights do not come on when the headlight switch is in the /
position or when the fog lights themselves have been switched on ⇒  Switching lights on and off.
Automatic headlights (!54/)
Your vehicle may be equipped with automatic headlights (!54/), which are a convenience feature only and cannot always recognize all lighting and driving situations.
If the light switch is in the !54/ position, both vehicle lighting and instrument and switch lighting are
automatically switched on and off in the following situations ⇒ :

Automatic activation: Automatic deactivation:
If the low-light sensor registers darkness, for example when driving through a tunnel. If sufficient brightness is registered.
If the rain sensor recognizes rain and switches the windshield wipers on. If the windshield wipers have not moved for several minutes.

Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) works only with the low beams switched on and only at speeds above about 6 mph (10 km/h). The swivel-mounted lamps automatically improve road illumina-tion during cornering.
In some models, the headlights will turn independently, even when driving straight ahead. They can adjust according to the weather conditions and the speed of the vehicle to better light up the road ahead. The bulbs return to their original position after a short period of time, depending on the vehicle speed.
On vehicles equipped with the Adaptive Front Lighting System, the feature is switched on and off via
the Assistants menu in the instrument cluster display ⇒ page 16, Volkswagen Information System.
WARNING
Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see the road ahead and when you cannot be seen by other motorists.
x 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.
x 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.
x If automatic headlights (!54/) are 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/Leaving Home features (orientation lighting)

Leaving Home Action
Switch on: – Unlock the vehicle if the light switch is in the !54/ position and the low-light sensor registers darkness.
Switch off: – Automatically after preset delay period is over. – Lock the vehicle. – Turn the light switch to the / position. – Switch the ignition on.

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. 81 To the left of the steering wheel: Thumbwheel to adjust instrument panel lighting 1.

Headlight range adjustment
For vehicles equipped with halogen headlights: The headlight range cannot be manually adjusted. If you believe the headlights are not properly adjusted or are not sure, have them checked immediately
by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility ⇒ .
For vehicles equipped with HID (Xenon) headlights: The headlights are equipped with an automatic leveling feature that automatically adjusts the headlight range to the vehicle loading condition once the
low beams are switched on ⇒ .
WARNING
Headlights that are aimed too high because of the way the vehicle is loaded can blind and distract other drivers. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
x Always make sure the headlights are adjusted to loading conditions so that they do not blind others.
WARNING
If the automatic leveling feature of the headlights does not work properly or at all, the head-lights could blind and distract other drivers. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
x Have headlight range adjustment checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Interior and reading lights

Ambient (background) lighting
When the ignition and the headlights are switched on, ambient lights in the roof console light up.
There may also be lighting in the doors and footwells.
The interior and reading lights go out when you lock the vehicle or a few minutes after you re-move the vehicle key from the ignition. This helps to prevent unnecessary drain on the vehicle battery.