Volkswagen warning lights – what do they mean?

We hope you won’t need to use this page, but with our physical dealerships being closed due to the government’s coronavirus ‘lockdown’ rules, we wanted to provide you with all the information you need – including driving during the lockdown, and what to do if something does go wrong.

One thing all drivers dread is the unexpected appearance of a warning light on the dashboard – this can be worrying at the best of times, but will undoubtedly cause more stress during this challenging time. To help you identify any problems quickly, Volkswagen have created a handy guide to all of their warning lights, from ones you might recognise (boot lid open) to parts of your vehicle that you might not have encountered before (such as adaptive suspension dampers).

Warning lights on Volkswagen models come in three colours – red, amber and green. Their levels of severity are fairly self-explanatory – red means you need to pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so, while amber is less severe, but still indicates a problem that needs attention by a professional. Volkswagen say that green warnings are for information only and don’t require action but, at Johnsons, we would still advise you to take precautions – pull over and consult your car’s handbook.

View Volkswagen’s warning light guide in full here.

Breakdowns

If you have a red warning light or an emergency, you can call Volkswagen Roadside Assistance on 0800 777 192. Please note if you do not have Volkswagen Roadside Assistance or your roadside cover has expired, it can be extended on vehicles up to 10 years old, for £188 for one year or £254 for two years. Read more about this service and how social distancing currently applies here.

What’s more, if you are concerned about an amber warning light, some garages are still open to carry out essential work – especially for key workers!

Avoiding flat batteries

Because we aren’t driving as frequently due to lockdown limitations, one warning light that drivers are particularly concerned about seeing is the battery. However, a flat battery shouldn’t be a huge concern, especially if your vehicle is relatively new. Good engine performance can still be maintained by short trips, such as an essential food shop. Once permitted, take your car for a longer trip to allow your battery to restore any charge lost during the lockdown. If your battery does run flat, contact Volkswagen Roadside Assistance.

#StayAtHome vehicle care

As well as keeping an eye on your battery, there is other light maintenance you can undertake at home to give you the peace of mind that, should you need your car for essential trips, it is in good working order.

Keep your eye on our social media channels over the next few weeks, as we will be walking you though how to carry out these tasks at home, including checking your engine oil and checking your tyre pressure. You can find our social media channels here:

Not only will giving your car this TLC help you rest assured that your trusty steed is there if you need it to get food or other essential supplies, but it will also mean you can confidently look forward to the day when you can start going further afield again!


Further information about Volkswagen’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found here, including FAQs about finance plans and warranties.