Volkswagen Touareg (2015 year). Instruction — part 8

A pretensioner that has deployed cannot be repaired. The entire safety belt must be re-

placed.

NOTICE

If the safety belt extender is left attached to the safety belt buckle, the safety belt warning
system will sense that the safety belt for that seat is being used. The warning light will not
come on and the warning chime will not sound even though the seat is occupied and the safety
belt is not being used.

Safety belt retractor, pretensioner, load limiter

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The safety belts in the vehicle are part of the vehicle's safety concept

⇒ Safety equipment and consist

of the following important features:

Automatic safety belt retractors

Every safety belt is equipped with an automatic belt retractor on the shoulder belt. As long as the
safety belt is pulled out slowly, the shoulder belt will extend to let you move freely under normal driving
conditions. The automatic safety belt retractor locks the belt when the belt is pulled out fast, during
hard braking and in a collision. The belt may also lock when you drive up or down a steep hill or
through a sharp curve.

Safety belt pretensioner

The safety belts on the front seats and the rear outboard seats have a pretensioner that helps take the
slack out of the safety belt and tighten it when the pretensioner is activated.

The pretensioners are activated by the electronic control unit for the airbag system in front, side, and
rear collisions. By tightening the safety belt, the pretensioner helps to reduce the occupant's forward
movement. The belt pretensioner works together with the airbag system; its function is monitored by
the airbag system indicator light. The belt pretensioner will not deploy in a rollover if the side airbags
are not activated.

A fine dust may be released upon activation. This is normal and is not caused by a fire in the vehicle.

Safety belt load limiter

All safety belts for outboard seating positions also have load limiters to help reduce the forces applied
to the human body in a crash.

Heed all safety regulations if the vehicle or individual components of the system have to be

scrapped. Your authorized Volkswagen dealer and authorized Volkswagen Service Facility are familiar

with these regulations

⇒ Service and disposal of belt pretensioners.

Service and disposal of belt pretensioners

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The pretensioners are part of the safety belts installed at the front seats in your vehicle. Installing,
removing, servicing, or repairing of safety belt pretensioners can damage the safety belt system and
prevent it from working correctly in a collision. The pretensioners themselves may then also not work
in the event of an accident, or not work properly.

There are some important things you have to know to make sure that the effectiveness of the system
will not be impaired and that discarded components do not cause injury or pollute the environment.
Undeployed safety belt pretensioners and airbag modules contain explosive materials that can cause
serious injuries to the general public and to people who work at dealerships and workshops, scrap
yards, and recycling facilities. For this reason, the systems must be properly handled when they or the
vehicles they are installed in are scrapped.

Undeployed safety belt pretensioners and airbag modules can also pollute the environment. Never
abandon vehicles or vehicle parts. If your vehicle must be scrapped, please make sure that it is done
safely, responsibly, and in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations. Take it to a li-
censed facility that has the knowledge and experience to properly dispose of the vehicle and its safety
belt system. Your authorized Volkswagen dealer and authorized Volkswagen Service Facility are
familiar with these regulations.

WARNING

Improper handling, care, servicing, and repair procedures can increase the risk of personal
injury and death by preventing a belt pretensioner from activating when needed or by caus-
ing it to activate unexpectedly.

The pretensioner can be activated only once. If a pretensioner has been activated, the

safety belt must be replaced.

Safety belt systems including the pretensioners cannot be repaired. Special procedures

are required to remove, install, and dispose of this system.

Never repair, adjust, or change pretensioners or any other part of the safety belt system

yourself. We strongly recommend that you have any work on the safety belt system per-
formed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. They

have the necessary technical information, training, and special equipment

⇒ Parts, accesso-

ries, repairs and modifications.

WARNING

Undeployed safety belt pretensioners and airbag modules contain explosive materials that
can cause serious personal injuries if they are not properly handled when they or the vehi-
cles they are installed in are scrapped.

Never abandon vehicles or vehicle parts.
Always scrap vehicles and vehicle parts, especially those containing undeployed airbag

modules and undeployed safety belt pretensioners, at a licensed facility that has the
knowledge and experience to properly dispose of the vehicle and its safety belt and airbag
systems.

Undeployed airbag modules and safety belt pretensioners are classified as Perchlorate Materi-

al. Special handling may apply – See http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all
applicable legal requirements regarding handling and disposal of the vehicle or parts of its restraint
system, including airbag modules and safety belts with pretensioners. Authorized Volkswagen dealers
and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the requirements, and we recommend
that you have them perform this service for you.

Lights

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Indicator lights

Turn signal lever and high beam switch

Switching lights on and off

Lights and vision features

Lights and vision features

“Coming home” and “Leaving home” feature (orientation lighting)

Instrument panel lighting and headlight range adjustment

Interior and reading lights

Always obey local vehicle lighting laws.

The driver is always responsible for the correct headlight settings and driving light.

More information:

Exterior views
Volkswagen Information System
Infotainment System
Replacing light bulbs

WARNING

Headlights that are aimed too high and improper use of the headlight flasher or high beams
can blind and distract other drivers. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.

Always make sure that headlights are properly adjusted.
Never use the headlight flasher or high beams when they can blind or distract other driv-

ers.

Indicator lights

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Lights
up

Possible cause

Proper response

One or more driving lights not
working or cornering light mal-
function.

Replace burned out bulb or
if all light bulbs are OK, visit an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility.

One or more brake lights
burned out.

See an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.

Adaptive Front Lighting Sys-
tem (AFS) malfunction.

See an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility

Headlight range adjustment
malfunction.

See an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility

Parking lights switched on.

;

One or more license plate
lights burned out.

See an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.

Fog lights switched on.

Turn signals, left or right.

If necessary check the vehicle
and trailer lighting.

The indicator light blinks twice
as fast if a turn signal is not
working on the vehicle or the
trailer.

Daytime running lights on.

High beams switched on or
headlight flashers in use.

Flashes Possible cause

Proper response

Driving light system malfunc-
tion.

See an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check. They go out after a few seconds.

WARNING

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages 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, stop

the engine, turn on the emergency flashers, and use other warning devices to warn approach-
ing traffic.

Never park the vehicle in areas where the hot catalytic converter and exhaust system can

come into contact with dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, oil, or other material that can catch fire.

A broken down vehicle presents a high accident risk for itself and others. Switch on

emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle to warn oncoming traffic.

NOTICE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.

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. 84 Turn signal lever and high beam switch.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Move the lever to the desired position

⇒

fig. 84

:

(1)

Right turn signal.

(2)

Left turn signal.

(3)

Switching high beams on

⇒ . The indicator light comes on in the instrument cluster when

the high beams are switched on.

(4)

Switching the high beams off and operating the headlight flasher. The headlight flasher turns on
the high beams as long as the lever is pulled and manually held in the pulled position. The indi-
cator light

lights up. When released, the lever moves back to the home position and turns off

the high beams. The indicator light

goes out.

Move the lever back to the home position to turn the feature off.

Convenience turn signal (lane change feature)

To use the convenience turn signal feature, move the lever up or down slightly, just to the point of
resistance and then release it. If you have the convenience turn signal (Conv. turn sig.) switched
on, the turn signals and the turn signal indicator flash 3 times. If it is switched off, they flash as long as
you hold the lever up or down, and go out when you release the lever.

The convenience turn signal is switched on and off in the Lights & Vision menu in the instrument

cluster display

⇒ Volkswagen Information System. If your vehicle is not equipped with the Lights &

Vision menu, the convenience turn signal feature can be deactivated by an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

WARNING

Improper use of high beams can distract and blind others, causing accidents and serious
injuries.

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 low beams are on.

Switching lights on and off

Fig. 85 Next to the steering wheel: Headlight switch.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Turn the light switch to the desired position

⇒

fig. 85

:

When the ignition is
switched off

When the ignition is switched
on

Fog lights, low beams and
parking lights switched off.

Headlights off, daytime running
lights (DRL) on.

Orientation lighting may be

switched on.

Automatic headlight control ac-
tive; DRL.

Parking lights switched on.
Low beams off. Parking lights
and DRL stay on.

Parking lights switched on.

Low beams switched off –
parking lights switched on.

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 or the instrument cluster shows that the fog lights are
switched on.

To switch on the fog lights : first turn the light switch to position

, then pull the light switch out

to the first detent.

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 situations, 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.

If the parking lights are switched on

⇒ Switching lights on and off.

Light switch in position

.

WARNING

Daytime running lights and parking 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 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 headlights
manually.

In cool or humid weather, the insides of the headlights, the taillights, and turn signals can tempo-

rarily fog up. This is normal and does not affect the service life of the vehicle's lighting system.

The length of time they stay on depends on the vehicle battery charge.

Lights and vision features

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Daytime running lights (DRL)

Separate lamps are installed in the headlights or in the front bumper for the daytime running lights.

When the daytime running lights are on, only these separate lamps come on

⇒ .

The daytime running lights come on whenever the ignition is switched on and the light switch is in
position or

. The or

indicator light in the instrument cluster indicates that the feature is

active

⇒ Indicator lights.

If the light switch is in position

, a low light sensor switches the instrument 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 vehicle is parked and the ignition is switched on.

The daytime running lights can be activated and deactivated in the Lights & Vision menu in the

instrument cluster display

⇒ Volkswagen Information System.

Function

Action

Switching the DRL off:

– Switch the ignition on.
– Turn the light switch to the posi-
tion.
– Set the parking brake.

Function

Action

Switching the DRL back on:

– Release the parking brake.
– OR: Turn the light switch to the

position.

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 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 headlight

control (headlight switch in the

position)

⇒

fig. 85

, they work only when the headlights have been

automatically 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 headlight control

Automatic headlight control is a convenience feature only and cannot always recognize all driving
situations.

If the light switch is in the

position, the outside vehicle lighting and the instrument lighting are

automatically switched on at dusk/nightfall and off in normal daylight in the following situations

⇒ :

Automatic activation:

Automatic deactivation/change to
daytime running lights:

If the low-light sensor registers
darkness, for example when driving
through a tunnel.

If sufficient brightness is registered.

If you drive faster than about
87 mph (140 km/h) for several se-
conds.

If you drive slower than about
40 mph (65 km/h) for several se-
conds.

If the rain sensor recognizes heavy
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 works only with the low beams switched on and only at speeds
about 6 mph (10 km/h). The swivel-mounted lamps automatically improve road illumination during
cornering.

The Adaptive Front Lighting System can be switched on and off in the Infotainment System.

Switch on the ignition.

Press the

CAR

Infotainment button.

Tap the Settings function key on the screen.

Select the menu item Lights and vision from the list.

Tap Adaptive front lighting system (AFS) to enable or disable this feature.

The feature is enabled when the check box in the Adaptive front lighting system (AFS) function key is
checked .

Lights with LED-technology

You cannot replace the LEDs. Contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

WARNING

Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see the road ahead and when you
cannot be seen by other motorists.

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.

If automatic headlight control (

) 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.

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.

In cool or humid weather, the insides of the headlights, rear lights, and turn signals can tempo-

rarily 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)

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

The basic settings for the “Coming home” and “Leaving home” features must be made in the Infotain-
ment System.

Enabling and disabling the “Coming home” and “Leaving home” features

The “Coming home” and “Leaving home” features can be enabled or disabled in the Infotainment
System.

Switch on the ignition.

Press the

CAR

Infotainment button.

Tap the Settings features key on the screen.

Select the menu item Lights and vision in the list.

Tap Coming home or Leaving home to enable or disable the feature.

Check the check box in the Coming home or Leaving home to select the feature key.

“Coming home” features

The lighting delay period can be adjusted in the Infotainment System.

Function key: More information

10 Sec.: The lighting delay period is about 10 seconds. Tap the function to

select the setting and close the window.

20 Sec.: The lighting delay period is about 20 seconds. Tap the function to

select the setting and close the window.

30 Sec.: The lighting delay period is about 30 seconds. Tap the function to

select the setting and close the window.

To close the window without changing the setting, tap X .

“Leaving home” feature

The “Leaving home” feature can be enabled or disabled in the Infotainment System. The lighting delay
period can also be adjusted in the Infotainment System.

Function key: More information

Off: Feature is switched off. Tap the function to select the setting and

close the window.

10 Sec.: The lighting delay period is about 10 seconds. Tap the function to

select the setting and close the window.

20 Sec.: The lighting delay period is about 20 seconds. Tap the function to

select the setting and close the window.

30 Sec.: The lighting delay period is about 30 seconds. Tap the function to

select the setting and close the window.

To close the window without changing the setting, tap X .

Switching the “Coming home” and “Leaving home” features on and off

The “Coming home” feature must be switched on manually. The “Leaving home” feature is automati-
cally controlled by a low-light sensor.

“Coming home” Action

Switch on:

– Switch off the ignition.

– Operate the headlight flasher for about 1 second
⇒ page 117.

Opening the driver door switches on the “Com-
ing home” feature. The delay period starts when the
last vehicle door or the rear hatch is closed. The “Com-
ing home” lighting is switched on when the driver door
is open, the headlight switch is set to AUTO, and the
low light sensor detects darkness. The delay period
starts once the last vehicle door or the rear hatch is
closed.

Switch off:

– Automatically after the preset delay period is over.

– Automatically if any door or the rear hatch is still open
about 60 seconds after activation.

– Turn the light switch to the position.

– Switch on the ignition.

“Leaving
home”

Action

Switch on:

– Unlock the vehicle when the light switch is not in the
position and the low-light sensor registers darkness. Un-
lock the vehicle if the light switch is in the AUTO position
and the low-light sensor registers darkness.

Switch off:

– Automatically after the preset delay period is over.

– Lock the vehicle.

– Turn the light switch to the position.

“Leaving
home”

Action

– Switch on the ignition.

Background lighting in the outside mirrors

The background lighting in the outside mirrors lights up the area close to the doors while you are
getting into or out of the vehicle. It is switched on when the vehicle is unlocked, a vehicle door is
opened, or the “Coming home” or “Leaving home” feature is activated. If the vehicle is equipped with a
light sensor, the background lighting in the outside mirrors is only switched on in darkness.

The lights stay on for about 10 seconds (lighting delay period). The “Coming home” and “Leav-

ing home” features can be enabled and disabled in the Infotainment System.

If the “Coming home” feature is switched on and the driver door is opened, no acoustic warning

will sound to alert that the light is still on.

Instrument panel lighting and headlight range adjustment

Fig. 86 Next to the steering wheel: Control for instrument cluster lighting.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Instrument panel lighting

When the lights are on, the brightness of the instrument panel lighting is adjusted by turning the

thumbwheel

⇒

fig. 86

.

Push and release button; the button pops out to let you change the adjustment.
Set the desired brightness and push the button back in.

In vehicles with daytime running lights (DRL), the instrument cluster lighting switches off automatically
when it is dark outside or when driving through tunnels, for example. You will need to switch the head-
lights on manually when this happens, so that the vehicle's taillights will turn on

Dynamic headlight range adjustment on vehicles with Adaptive Front Lighting System

The headlight range is automatically adjusted to the vehicle loading once the Adaptive Front Lighting
System is 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.

Always adjust headlights to loading conditions so that the light cone 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

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Button Function

Interior lights off.

Interior lights on.

Door contact switch-center position.

Interior lights go on automatically when the vehicle is unlocked,
a door is opened, or the vehicle key is removed from the igni-
tion.

The lights go out again a few seconds after you close the door.
They also go out when you lock the vehicle or switch on the
ignition.

Reading light on or off.

Glove and luggage compartment lights

The glove compartment and luggage compartment may have lights that come on automatically when
they are opened and go off when they are closed.

Footwell lighting

The footwell lighting lights up the front footwells on the driver and passenger sides when the parking
lights or low beams are switched on.

The brightness can be adjusted in the Infotainment System.

Press the

CAR

Infotainment button.

Tap the Settings function key on the screen.

Select the menu item Lights and vision in the list.

Select the menu item Footwell light or Ambient lighting from the sub-menu.

Place your finger on the touchscreen slider

and, keeping your finger on the screen, move your

finger to drag the slider to the desired brightness.

OR: Tap the - or + function key on the screen to move the slider in steps.

Background lighting

When the ignition and headlights are switched on, the roof console control buttons light up.

There may also be footwell lighting.

The brightness is set using the instrument lighting control

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.

You have to push the

button twice to switch on a reading light that has been automatically

switched off.

Sun protection

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Sun visors

Windshield made of heat-insulating glass

Rear side window sunshade

WARNING

Sun visors and side window shades can reduce visibility.

Always stow sun visors and side window shades when not needed to block sun glare.

Sun visors

Fig. 87 Sun visor.

Fig. 88 Double sun visors.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS