lights VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 2012 Owner's Guide

Automatic headlight control AUTO
The automatic headlight control is merely an aid and will not always be able to detect all driving sit-uations.
If the light switch is in position AUTO, the vehicle lights and the lighting in instruments and switches will switch on and off automatically in the following situations => .&.:
Automatically switched on
• When the rain sensor detects darkness, e.g. when driving through tunnels.
• When the rain sensor detects that it is raining and switches the wipers on.
Automatically switched off
• When the rain sensor detects that there is enough light.
• When the wipers have not been used for a few minutes.
Static cornering light
When cornering slowly or travelling around very tight bends, a static cornering light is switched on automatically to illuminate the inside of the bend.
The static cornering light is integrated into the fog lights and only lights up at speeds below approxi-mately 40 km/h (25 mph).
When reverse gear is engaged, the static corner-ing light on both sides of the vehicle may switch on to provide better illumination of the area when ma-noeuvring.
Main beam assist
r-("'n First read and observe the introductory 1..-JcJl Information and safety warnings.&. on page 106.
Main beam assist can help to prevent other road users from being dazzled.
Main beam assist (Light Assist)
Within the limits of the system, the main beam as-sist automatically switches the main beam on at speeds of over approximately 60 kmlh (37 m ph),
110 I Before the journey
A WARNING
Accidents can occur if roads are not suffi-ciently Illuminated and other road users have difficulty seeing the vehicle, or cannot see it at all.
• The automatic headlight control (AUTO) only switches on the dipped beam headlights when there is a change In the level of bright-ness and not, for example, if it Is foggy.
• Never drive with daytime running lights if the street Is not sufficiently lit due to weather and lighting conditions. The daytime running lights are not bright enough to Illuminate the road ahead and to ensure that other road users are able to see you.
• The rear lights will not be switched on with the daytime running lights. If the rear lights are not switched on, the vehicle may not be visible to other road users If it Is dark, raining, or If visibility Is poor.
m In cool or damp weather, the interior of the l..!J headlights, rear lights and turn signals may mist up briefly. This is normal and does not affect the service life of the lighting system of your vehi-cle. depending on environmental and traffic conditions, and switches it off again at speeds under approxi-mately 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. .,.

Switching main beam assist on and off manually
Function Action
Switching on -Switch on the ignition and turn the light switch to position AUTO. -Push the turn signal and main beam lever forwards from its initial position =:-page 107.
When the main beam assist is switched on, the indicator lamp w lights up in the instru-ment cluster display.
-Switch off the ignition. -OR: turn the light switch to a position other than AUTO =>page 108.
Switching off -OR: with the main beam switched on, pull the turn signal and main beam lever back-wards. -OR: push the turn signal and main beam lever forwards to switch on the manual main beam. The main beam assist is then switched off.
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-re-flective signs.
• When encountering other road users with insuf-ficient lighting, such as pedestrians or cydists.
• 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. . truck drivers. g
• If the camera is broken or the power supply is interrupted.
• In fog, snow or heavy rain.
• In dusty or sandy areas.
• Damage to the windscreen in the camera's vi-sion field.
• If the viewing field of the camera is misted up, dirty, covered by a sticker, snow or ice.
A WARNING
Do not let the extra convenience afforded by main beam control tempt you into taking any risks when driving-this can cause acci-dents. The system is not a substitute for the full concentration of the driver.
A WARNING (Continued)
• Always check the lights yourself and ad-just them to the prevailing conditions for lights, vision and road traffic.
• The main beam control may not be able to recognise all driving situations correctly and may not work properly in certain situations.
• If the camera's field of view is dirty, cov-ered or damaged, the function of the main beam assist may be impaired. This also ap-plies If changes are made to the vehicle's lighting system, for example if additional headlights are fitted.
CD
Please observe the following points in order to avoid impairing the proper function of the sys-tem:
• 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.
m The headlight flasher and the main beam can W be switched on and off manually at any time with the turn signal and main beam lever =>page 107.
m Light-emitting objects in the camera's field of W operation, e.g. mobile navigation devices, could impair the functions of the main beam assist system (Light Assist). Masking or switching over headlights for driving abroad
1"1'11 First read and observe the introductory L-lo:J.J Information and safety warnings & on page 106.
Lights and vision 1111

If you have to drive a right-hand drive vehicle in a left-hand drive country, or vice versa, the asymmet-ric dipped beam halogen headlights may dazzle oncoming traffic. Therefore, the headlights must be masked over if you are driving abroad.
Therefore you must apply stickers to certain parts of the headlighllenses if you are driving abroad. A qualified workshop can provide you with further in-formation. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles rec-ommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehi-cles dealership for this purpose.
m The use of the stickers on the headlights is L!J only permissible if the period of use is limited. Please contact a qualified workshop for a perma-nent alteration. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Ve-hicles dealership for this purpose. Coming Home and Leaving Home functions (orientation lighting)
,.....-.(')1 First read and observe the introductory l....-.lo:.l.l Information and safety warnings & on page 106.
The Coming Home function is switched on manual-ly. However, the "Leaving Home" function is con-trolled automatically by a rain sensor.
"Coming Home"
Switching on
Switching off
"Leaving Home"
Switching on
Switching off
!Action
-Switch off the ignition. -Activate the headlight flasher for approximately one second 107. The Coming Home lighting is switched on when the driver door is opened. The switch-off delay starts when the last vehicle door or the tailgate has been closed.
-Automatically after the set switch-off delay has elapsed. -Automatically if a door or the tailgate is opened approximately 30 seconds after switch on. -Turn light switch to position 0. -Switch on the ignition.
Action
-Unlock vehicle when light switch is in position AUTO and rain sensor has detected that it is dark.
-Automatically after the switch-off delay. -Lock the vehicle. -Turn light switch to position 0. -Switch on the ignition.
m When the Coming Home function is switched L!J on, no signal tone will be given as a reminder that a light is still switched on when the driver door is opened. 112 Before the JOurney

Fig. 87 Next to the steering wheel: control for in-strument and switch lighting as well as headlight range control
,....-('n First read and observe the Introductory l-Jo:-1.1 information and safety warnings & on page 106.
CD Instrument and switch lighting
When the headlights are switched on. the bright-ness of the instruments and switch lighting can be regulated to suit your requirements by turning the control =>Fig. 87 Q).
0 Headlight range control
Depending on what level it is set to. the headlight range control ® adjusts the position of the light cones in the headlights according to the load that the vehicle is carrying. This gives the driver the best visibility possible and means that oncoming traffic will not be dazzled => &.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dip-ped beam headlights are switched on.
To adjust, turn the control® to:
Setting Vehicle load level3l
Front seats occupied and light lug-gage in the vehicle.
Several seats occupied and light lug-gage in the vehicle.
All seats occupied and luggage com-2 partment fully loaded. Towing a trailer with a low drawbar load.
Front seats occupied and luggage 3 compartment fully loaded. Towing a trailer with maximum drawbar load.
•l If you have different loads, you can select a position be-;:j tween the settings. :::;; a: "'
Dynamic headlight range control
There is no control ® for headlight range if the ve-hicle has dynamic headlight control. The headlight range is automatically ad a pled to suit the vehicle load level as soon as the headlights are switched on=>&.
,A WARNING
Heavy objects in the vehicle can cause the headlights to dazzle and distract other road users. This can lead to accidents and serious Injuries.
• The light cone should always be adjusted to the load level of the vehicle to ensure that other road users are not dazzled.
,A WARNING
Failure or malfunction in the dynamic head-light range control can cause the headlights to dazzle or distract other road users. This can lead to accidents and serious injuries.
• Go to a qualified workshop to have the headlight range control checked immediately.
Lights and vision 113

Interior and reading lights
0 ( )
ITT·0116
Fig. 88 In the headliner: switch for the interior or reading lights
871·01ll
Fig. 89 In the passenger compartment: interior lights with rotary knob and reading lights in the roof
[Q] First read and observe the Introductory information and safety warnings&. on page 106.
Button/Po-Function sition or switch position
0 Switches interior lights or reading lights off.
Switches on the interior lights.
Switches on door contact switch (central position). The interior lights are switched on automatically when the vehicle is unlocked, a door is opened or the vehicle key is removed from the ignition lock. The light extinguishes a few seconds after all doors are closed, when the vehicle is locked or the ignition is switched on.
Switches the reading lights on or off.
Lights in the stowage compartments and luggage compartment
A light will be switched on or off automatically when the stowage compartment on the front pas-senger side or the tailgate is opened or closed.
1141 Before the journey
m The reading lights go out when the vehicle is W locked or after a delay of a few minutes when the vehicle key is removed from the ignition lock. This prevents the battery from discharging.

Protection from the sun
a:n Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Sun blind for the rear side windows 115
Windscreens made of heat-insulating glass . . 116
Sun visors
J
ltf·OOSl
Fig. 90 Sun visor.
t"'l1 First read and observe the introductory L-bll information and safety warnings Lh on page 115.
Sunblind for the rear side windows
t"'l1 First read and observe the introductory L-blJ information and safety warnings Lh on page 115.
The sunblinds for the rear side windows are fitted in the side trim of the windows.
• Use the handle to pull up the sunblind.
• Hook both ends of the bar into the brackets. Make sure that the sun blind is secured firmly in both brackets.
• To close the sunblind, unhook it at the top and guide it down by hand => (]).
A WARNING
Driving with the sun visors folded down and the sun blinds pulled out can reduce your view of the road.
• Sun visors and sun blinds should always be replaced in their holder if they are not be-ing used.
Various positions for the driver and front passenger sun visors:
• Folded down over the windscreen.
• Pulled out of the bracket and swung over to-wards the door 90 Q).
Illuminated vanity mirror
With the sun visor folded down. there may be a vanity mirror behind a cover. When you open the cover@, a lamp lights up.
The lamp will go out when the vanity mirror cover is pushed back or the sun visor is folded back up.
CD
To prevent damage to the sun blind and interior trim, do not let the sunblind snap down quickly.
Lights and vision 115

A WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents and severe injuries.
• Wiper blades should therefore always be changed if they are damaged or worn and no longer clean the windscreen properly.
Indicator lamp
Q)
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the glass before using the wipers. When parking the vehicle in cold weather, it may be helpful to leave the front windscreen wipers in the service position 119. [QJ First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 116.
Lit up Possible cause
Windscreen washer fluid level too low.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will go out after a few seconds.
Wiper lever
Fig. 92 Next to the steering wheel: wiper lever for operating the front wipers.
Solution
Fill up the washer fluid reservoir as soon as possible =>page 120.
Q)
Failure to observe illuminated indicator lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle be-ing damaged. Fig. 93 Next to the steering wheel: wiper lever for operating the rear wiper.
[QJ First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 116.
Move the lever into the required position
® Off Switches off the wipers.
Interval wipe for the windscreen.
Fig. 92 ® (vehicles without rain sensor) or ad-just the sensitivity of the rain sensor.
® LOW Slow wipe.
@ IOOH Fast wipe.
Lights and vision 117

Move the lever into the required position
0 lx Flick wipe -wipes briefly. Push and hold the lever down for longer to wipe more quickly.
® ,··.··· \X:) Pulling the lever aclivates the wash and wipe system for cleaning the windscreen.
® CQ Interval wipe for the rear window. The wiper will wipe the window approximately every 6 seconds .
0 ........ Pushing the lever activates the wash and wipe system for cleaning the rear window.
Q)
If the ignition is switched off while the wipers are still switched on, the wipers will continue to wipe on the same setting when the ignition Is switched on again. If there Is frost, snow or other obstructions on the windscreen or rear window, the wipers and wiper motor could be-come damaged.
• Remove any snow and ice from the wipers before setting off.
Wiper functions
• Carefully detach wiper blades that have be-come frozen onto the windscreen. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends using a de-leer spray for this.
Q)
Do not switch on the wipers when the window is dry. Using the wipers when the windscreen Is dry can damage the windscreen.
m The wipers will only function when the igni-W lion is switched on and the bonnet and tail-gate are closed.
m The rear window wiper is switched on auto-W matically if the front wipers are switched on and reverse gear is engaged. [Q First read and observe the introductory Information and safety warnings & on page 116.
Wiper response in various situations:
When the vehicle is stationary. When switched on, the wipers will temporarily be switched to the next setting down.
While the wash and wipe system is run-ning.
The Climatronic will switch to air recirculation mode for approxi-mately 30 seconds to prevent the smell of the windscreen wash-er fluid from entering the vehicle interior.
When the interval wipe is switched on. The wiper intervals vary according to the vehicle speed. The faster the vehicle is travelling, the shorter the interval.
Headlight washer system
The headlight washer system cleans the lenses on the headlights.
Once the ignition has been switched on, the head-lights will be washed the first time the windscreen washer system is used, and every fifth time there-after. To do this, pull the wiper lever towards the steering wheel when the dipped beam headlights or main beam are switched on. Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the headlights at regular in-tervals, for instance when filling the tank.
118 Before the journey
In winter, you should remove any snow from the headlight washer nozzles in the bumper to keep the headlight washer system in working order. Re-move any ice with a de-icer spray.
m The wipers will try to wipe away any obsta-W cles that are on the windscreen. The wipers will stop moving if the obstacle blocks their path. Remove the obstacle and switch the wipers back on again.

Service position for the front wipers
Fig. 94 Wiper blades in service position.
r--('n First read and observe the introductory L-J,::.IJ information and safety warnings & on page 116.
The wiper arms can be lifted off the windscreen when in the service position 94. Carry out the following steps to move the wipers to the serv-ice position:
Rain sensor
CD
®
Fig. 95 Next to the steering wheel: adjusting rain sensor® in wiper lever.
r--('n First read and observe the introductory L-J,::.U information and safety warnings & on page 116.
When the rain sensor is activated, it automatically controls the frequency of the wiper intervals, de-pending on the amount of rain &. The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be adjusted manually. Man-ual wipe 117.
• The bonnet must be closed 350.
• Switch the ignition on and then off again.
• Briefly press down the wiper lever 92 @).
Place the wiper arms back onto the windscreen before driving away. Briefly press the wiper lever down to bring the wiper arms back to the original position.
Lifting the front wipers
• Move the wiper arms to the service position be-fore lifting
• When lifting the wiper arm hold it only by the wiper blade mounting.
CD
• In order to prevent damage to the bonnet and the wiper arms, the wiper arms should only be lifted when in the service position.
• Always return the wiper arms to the wind-screen before starting your journey. Fig. 96 On the inside of the windscreen above the interior mirror: sensitive surface of the rain sensor
Push the lever to the desired position 95:
@ Deactivates the rain sensor.
CD Rain sensor is active -automatic wipe when necessary.
® Adjusting the sensitivity of the rain sensor:
-Switch to the right-high sensitivity.
-Switch to the left -low sensitivity.
Lights and vision 119

Recommended windscreen washer fluid
• For warm weather: summer windscreen wash G 052 184 A 1. Dilution 1:100 (1 part concen-trate, 100 parts water) in the washer fluid reservoir.
• All-year washer fluid G 052 164 A2. Dilution in winter to -18°C (0°F) approx. 1 :2 (1 part concen-trate, 2 parts water), otherwise dilute one part con-centrate to four parts water (1 :4) in the washer fluid reservoir.
Capacities
The capacity of the washer fluid reservoir is ap-proximately 3. 7 litres or approximately 5.0 litres in vehicles with a headlight washer system.
A WARNING
Never mix coolant additive or other unsuita-ble additives into the windscreen washer flu-id. An oily film may otherwise be left on the windscreen or rear window which will restrict the field of vision.
Mirrors
o:n Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Interior mirror .............. . 122
Exterior mirrors ............ . . .... 123
For safety reasons it is important that the driver po-sitions the exterior and interior mirrors correctly be-fore starting a journey '* &.
You can use the exterior mirrors and the interior mirror to observe traffic behind you and adjust driv-ing style accordingly. Looking in the exterior mir-rors and the interior mirror does not allow the driver to see the entre side and rear area of the vehicle. The area that cannot be seen is known as the blind spot. There may be objects and other road users in the blind spot.
Additional information and warnings:
• Exterior views '* page 5
• Changing gear '*page 260
• Braking, stopping and parking '*page 269
A WARNING (Continued)
• Use clean, clear water (not distilled water) with a washer fluid recommended by Volks-wagen Commercial Vehicles.
• A suitable anti-freeze agent should be added to the windscreen washer fluid If nec-essary.
CD
• Never mix other cleaning agents with the cleaning agents recommended by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This can cause the ingre-dients to separate and block the windscreen washer jets.
• When refilling or changing service fluids, please ensure that the correct fluids are added through the correct openings. Incorrect service fluids can cause serious functional problems and engine damage. A WARNING
Adjusting the exterior and interior mirrors while driving may cause the driver to become distracted. This can lead to accidents and se-rious Injuries.
• Exterior and interior mirrors should only be adjusted when the vehicle is stationary.
• When parking, changing lane, or perform-ing an overtaking or turning manoeuvre, al-ways pay careful attention to the area around the vehicle as objects and other road users may be located In the blind spot.
• Always ensure that the mirrors are posi-tioned correctly and that the rear view Is not restricted by ice, snow, condensation or any other objects.
A WARNING
Automatic anti-dazzle mirrors contain an electrolyte fluid which could leak If the mirror is broken.
• The leaking electrolyte fluid can cause lrri-tation to the skin, eyes and respiratory or-gans, especially In people who suffer from
Lights and vision 121