Cleaning and maintenance

Warning lamp and coolant temperature display

~2min read

Fig. 194 Coolant temperature display in instrument cluster: Ⓐ cold; Ⓑ normal; Ⓒ warning

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

In normal driving conditions, the needle will be in the middle section of the scale. The temperature may also rise when the engine is working hard, especially at high ambient temperatures.

Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.

Flashesa) Needle position Possible cause Solution
Ⓒ
Warning area
Coolant temperature too high. Do not drive on!
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, and when safe to do so. Stop the engine, let the engine cool down until the needle is back in the normal area. Check the coolant level .
Ⓑ
Normal area
Coolant level too low. After the engine has cooled down, check the coolant level and refill engine coolant if the level is too low .
There is a fault if the coolant level is correct.
– Fault in the coolant system. Do not drive on!
Seek expert assistance.
– Ⓐ
Cold
The engine has not yet reached operating temperature. Avoid high engine revs and heavy engine loads until the engine is warm.
Failure to observe illuminated warning lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and can cause accident and serious injury.
  • Never ignore any illuminated warning lamps or text messages.
  • Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.

NOTICE

Failure to observe illuminated indicator lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle being damaged.

a) Displayed in colour on an instrument cluster with colour display.

Test yourself

A quick Volkswagen Golf quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.