windshield wipers VOLKSWAGEN CC 2008 Owners Manual

Front view

Fig. 2 Vehicle front overview.
Key to ⇒ fig. 2:
(1) Inside mirror with sensor on the mirror base for:
– Rain sensor
– Low-light sensor
(2) Windshield wipers
(3) Engine hood release
(4) Headlights (on both left and right)
(5) Fog lights/static cornering lights (on both left and right)
(6) Threaded hole for the front towing eye (behind cover)
(7) Headlight washers (on both left and right)
(8) Park Distance Control (PDC) sensors (on both left and right, if
equipped)

– Intermittent operation for windshield wipers z
– “One-tap wiping” x
– Windshield wiper U
– Automatic wipe/wash for windshield W
(5) Multi-function steering wheel controls:
– Volume setting for radio, navigation system notifications, or
telephone calls & – '
– Mute switching for radio or activation of voice control \f
– Display Phone main menu or accept telephone calls -
– Audio, Navigation

Automatic headlight control (!54/)
Automatic headlight control is 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 in-
strument 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 driv-
ing through a tunnel.
If sufficient brightness is regis-
tered.
If the rain sensor recognizes rain
and switches the windshield wip-
ers on.
If the windshield wipers have not
moved for several minutes.

Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
The Adaptive Front Lighting System 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 illumination during
cornering.
On vehicles equipped with the Adaptive Front Lighting System, the
feature is switched on and off via the Assistants menu in the instru-
ment cluster display ⇒ Volkswagen Information System.

Windshield wipers and washer

NOTICE
To help prevent damage to the wiper blades and the wiper motor
when it is cold outside, always make sure that blades are not
frozen to the windshield before operating the wipers. Using the
windshield wiper service position can be helpful in cold weather
so the wipers do not freeze to the windshield ⇒  Windshield wip-
er service position.
Indicator light

frozen to the windshield before operating the wipers. Using the
service position can be helpful in cold weather so the wipers do
not freeze to the windshield ⇒  Windshield wiper service posi-
tion.
If the ignition is switched off while the wipers are running, the
wipers will continue at the same wiping speed when the ignition
is switched on again. Frost, ice, snow, leaves, and other objects
on the windshield can damage the wipers and the wiper motor.
Remove snow and ice from the wipers before you begin driv-
ing.
If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them care-
fully. Volkswagen recommends using a deicing spray.
NOTICE
Never switch on the windshield wipers when the windshield is
dry because the windshield can be scratched.
The windshield wipers work only if the ignition is switched on and
the engine hood is closed. The windshield wipers turn off automatical-
ly when the engine hood is opened.
The intermittent wiping for the front windshield depends on the
driving speed. The higher the speed, the faster the wipers move.
If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them careful-
ly. Volkswagen recommends using a deicing spray.
Windshield wiper functions

Wiper performance in different situations:
During automatic
wipe/wash:
While the washer system is working, the
Climatronic switches to recirculation for
about 30 seconds to help prevent the
washer fluid odor from entering the vehi-
cle interior.
During intermittent
wiping:
Speed-dependent interval control: The
higher the vehicle speed, the faster the
wipers move.

Heated washer nozzles
The heating thaws frozen washer nozzles, but not the fluid supply
hoses. When the ignition is switched on, the heat applied to the
washer nozzles is automatically regulated depending on the outside
air temperature.
Headlight washer system
The headlight washer system cleans the headlight glass.
If the ignition and the headlights (high or low beams) are switched on,
the headlights are cleaned the first time and every fifth time the front
windshield washers are activated. This happens only when the low or
high beams are on when the windshield wiper lever is pulled towards
the steering wheel. However, the headlights must still be washed by
hand periodically (for instance, during refueling) in order to get rid of
hard-to-remove dirt (like insect splatter).
To help make sure that the headlight cleaning system works during
winter weather, always keep the headlight washer nozzles free of
snow and remove any ice with a deicer spray before driving. Use a
deicer spray to remove any ice.
If there is something on the windshield, the wiper will try to wipe it
away. If it continues to block the wiper, the wiper will stop moving.
Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper on again.

Push the lever into the desired position ⇒ fig. 94:
(A) Rain sensor off (windshield wiper lever home position).
(B) Rain sensor active – automatic wiping as needed.
(1) Adjusting the sensitivity of the rain sensor:
– Move switch to the right – high sensitivity.
– Move switch to the left – low sensitivity.
After switching the ignition off and back on again, the rain sensor
stays on and works again with the wiper lever in position (B).
Possible reasons for changes in the way the rain sensor works
The rain sensor may misread what is happening in the detection zone
of its sensitive rain-sensor surface ⇒ fig. 95 (arrow) and not work for a
number of reasons, which include:
Worn out wiper blades: Worn out wiper blades may leave a film of
water or wiping streaks; this can cause the wipers to run longer, to
wipe more often, or to wipe continuously at high speed.
Insects: Insects hitting the sensor may trigger the wipers.
Salt streaks: Salt streaks on the windshield from winter driving can
cause wiping more often or continuously on glass that is almost dry.
Dirt: Caked-on dust, wax, any other buildup on the windshield (lo-
tus effect), or car-wash detergent residue can lower the rain sensor's
sensitivity and cause it to react too slowly or not at all.
Crack or chip in the windshield: If a stone hits and chips the wind-
shield while the rain sensor is on, this will trigger a wiper cycle. After
that, the rain sensor will recognize the change and recalibrate itself to
respond to the sensitive surface's reduced detection zone. Depending
on the size of the chip, the sensor's reaction pattern may or may not
change.
WARNING
The rain sensor cannot always recognize rain and activate the
wipers.
Switch the wipers on manually when water on the windshield
reduces visibility.
Clean the rain sensor's sensitive surface ⇒ fig. 95 (arrow) regular-
ly and check the wiper blades for wear or damage.

WARNING
If the hood is not closed properly, it could fly up and block your
view while you are driving. This can lead to a crash and serious
personal injuries.
After closing the engine hood, check that the hood release
lever is properly latched into the hood latch. The engine hood
must be flush with the surrounding auto body parts.
If you ever notice that the hood latch is not properly secured
when the vehicle is moving, stop at once and close it.
Never let anyone get in the way of the hood when closing it.
NOTICE
Make sure the windshield wipers are switched off and the
windshield wiper arms are resting on the windshield before you
open the hood. Otherwise, the windshield wipers and the hood
may be damaged.
Always put the windshield wiper arms down against the wind-
shield before driving the vehicle.
NOTICE
Before opening or closing the engine hood, make sure there is
enough room to do so, for example when the vehicle is in a gar-
age.