Garvey Volkswagen of Queensbury
 Sales 518-532-3966
Service 518-864-3610
483 Quaker Rd Queensbury, NY 12804
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What Your VW Dashboard Warning Lights Mean

Dashboard in Volkswagen with all icons illuminated

Dashboard Indicator Lights

Something unusual appear on your dash? The rules for indicator lights are the same for traffic lights: If it's yellow, be cautious and check it out as soon as possible. If it's red, pull off the road safely-then stop the engine and call for assistance.

Below are the possible warning lights you may experience with your Volkswagen and what they mean. **If you have any concerns call our Service Department immediately. And if you are looking for items to accessorize your Volkswagen, like floor mats, mud guards, cargo liners and WeatherTech products, be sure to head to our VW Accessory Shop.

Volkswagen grid of warning light indicators for Volkswagen vehicles
Volkswagen ABS warning light indicator

Antilock Braking System (ABS) Malfunction

If there is an ABS malfunction, the ABS warning light comes on in combination with the brake warning light.

Volkswagen warning light indicator with gear and exclamation point

Automatic Transmission Malfunction

Have the system checked immediately by a Volkswagen authorized dealer or service facility.

Volkswagen DRL warning light indicator

Daytime Running Lights

Daytime running lights on.

Volkswagen warning light indicator of filter

Particulate Filter (Diesel Engines)

Filter blocked with soot. See owner's manual.

Volkswagen warning light indicator of gas pump to signify low fuel

Low Fuel Level

Please refuel (1x audible warning).

Volkswagen warning light indicator of steering wheel

Steering

Stop the vehicle and do not continue to drive (3x audible warning).

  • Yellow Solid: Power steering assist reduced
  • Yellow Flashing: Malfunction in the electronic steering column lock
  • Red Solid: Power steering assist failure
  • Red Flashing: Malfunction in the electronic steering column lock - 1x audible warning
Volkswagen warning light indicator of container spilling for adBlue level warning

AdBlue Level Warning

Refill AdBlue tank or AdBlue system malfunction.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for brake light

Brake Light Bulb Failure

One or more brake lights burned out.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for transmission being hot

DSG Transmission Too Hot

Stop! Do not continue driving (allow the transmission to cool with the gear shifter in park position).

Volkswagen warning light indicator for fuel cap being off

Fuel Cap Off Or Missing

Fuel cap off or missing.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for oil pressure warning

Oil Pressure Warning

Stop - no oil pressure, turn engine OFF. See owner's manual (3x audible warning).

Volkswagen warning light indicator for tire pressure

Tire Pressure Monitoring

Tire pressure low or system failure (1x audible warning).

Volkswagen warning light indicator for AdBlue system malfunction

AdBlue System Malfunction Warning

AdBlue system malfunction or not filled to standard AdBlue.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for brake pad wear indicators

Brake Pad Wear Indicators

Check brake pad.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for electric parking brake

Electric Parking Brake Warning Light

Parking brake error. See owner's manual.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for hood being open

Hood Open

Stop! Engine hood is open or not closed properly.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for oil level low

Oil Level Low

Volkswagen warning light indicator for washer fluid low

Washer Fluid Low

Fill with washer fluid (1x audible warning).

Volkswagen warning light for Adblue no restart

AdBlue No Restart Warning

No engine restart possible - not enought AdBlue or AdBlue system malfunction.

Volkswagen warning light for bulb failure

Bulb Failure

  • Solid: Bulb failure
  • Flashing: Headlamp leveling or AFS defective
Volkswagen warning light for engine malfuction

Engine Malfunction (On-board Diagnostics)

Engine emission malfunction - bring in for service.

Volkswagen warning light for hybrid drive system malfunction

Hybrid Drive System Malfunction

  • Yellow: Hybrid system malfunction (See service facility)
  • Red: Stop the vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible
Volkswagen warning light indicator for parking brake

Parking Brake

  • Parking brake is applied
  • ABS malfunction (ABS light on, too): See owner's manual
  • Low brake fluid: Stop! (1x audible warning)
Volkswagen warning light indicator for airbag

Airbag

Airbag or belt tensioning system faulty or passenger airbags deactivated.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for coolant level low

Coolant Level Low Coolant Temperature Hig

Stop! Check coolant level. See owner's manual (3x audible warning).

Volkswagen warning light indicator for electronic power control

Electronic Power Control (Exhaust Gas)

Engine malfunction - bring in for service.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for immobilizer

Immobilizer

Incorrect Key. Key not adapted to vehicle.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for rain sensor malfunction

Rain Sensor Malfunction

Switch the ignition off and on again. If the light stays on, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or service facility.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for alternator low voltage output

Alternator Low Voltage Output

Charging system failure.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for diesel engine pre-glow

Diesel Engine Pre-Glow Before Engine Start-Up

  • Solid: Diesel engine pre-glow system is switched on
  • Flashing: Malfunction in the diesel engine
Volkswagen warning light indicator for ESP/ASR inactive

ESP/ASR

  • Solid: ESP/ASR inactive
  • Flashing: ESP/ASR event
Volkswagen warning light indicator for license plate lights burned out

License Bulb License Plate Bulbe Failure

One or more license plate lights burned out.

Volkswagen warning light indicator for shift lock

Shift Lock

Brake must be applied to shift vehicle into gear.