Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual: Indicator light (telltale)

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject 

Tire Pressure Monitoring System display messages in the instrument cluster
Display	Possible cause or meaning ⇒	Proper response
Lights up	Lights up and a chime sounds once: The inflation pressure of one or more tires is significantly lower than the benchmark pressure set by the driver - or a tire has structural damage. Depending on vehicle equipment, the message Please check tires! will appear in the instrument cluster display.	Stop safely as soon as possible! Reduce speed immediately! Avoid fast concerning and hard braking! Check the condition and inflation pressure of all tires. Have damaged tires replaced.
Flashes	Flashes for about 70 seconds and then stays on: System malfunction.	Check and, if necessary, adjust the tire inflation pressure in all 4 tires. If the tire pressure is correct, switch the ignition off and back on. If the indicator light flashes again and then stays on or does not go out after checking and adjusting the air pressure in all four tires and storing the benchmark pressure in the MFI, take the vehicle to an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Have the system checked.

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

Incorrect tire pressures and/or underinflation can cause sudden tire failure, loss of control, collision, serious personal injury, or even death.

• When the warning symbol appears in the instrument cluster, stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so and inspect all tires.

• Incorrect tire pressure and/or underinflation can cause increased tire wear and can affect the handling of the vehicle and its stopping ability.

• Incorrect tire pressure and/or underinflation can also lead to sudden tire failure, including a blowout and sudden deflation, causing loss of vehicle control.

• The driver is responsible for the correct tire pressures for all tires on the vehicle. The recommended tire pressure values are listed on a sticker inside the driver door ⇒ Tires and wheels .

• The TPMS can only work correctly when all tires on the vehicle are filled to the correct cold tire inflation pressure. Always maintain the correct cold tire inflation pressure so that TPMS can do its job.

• Using incorrect tire pressure values can cause accidents or other damage. Check the pressure in all four tires when the tires are still cold. Never reduce air pressure in warm tires to match cold tire inflation pressure.

• Always inflate the tires to the correct specified cold tire pressure values for the tires installed on the vehicle; see the tire inflation pressure label on the driver door jamb ⇒ Tires and wheels .

• Always inflate tires to the recommended and correct tire pressure before driving off.

• Driving with underinflated tires causes them to flex (bend) more, letting them get too hot, which can result in tread separation, sudden tire failure, and loss of control.

• Excessive speed and/or overloading can cause heat buildup, sudden tire failure, and loss of control.

• If the tire pressure is too low or too high, the tires will wear prematurely and the vehicle will not handle well.

• If the tire is not flat and you do not have to change the tire or wheel immediately, drive at reduced speed to the nearest service station to check the tire pressure and add air as required.

• When replacing tires or wheel rims on vehicles equipped with TPMS, always read and heed the information and all WARNINGS in the section Tires and wheels⇒ Tires and wheels .

• The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated using the SET button whenever you remove and remount or change any wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or replacement wheels and tires are identical to those that were removed and even if the tire pressure does not change ⇒ Resetting and recalibrating the benchmark tire pressure .

Warning

Improper use of the MFI reset function can cause the TPMS to give false warnings or to give no warning despite dangerously low tire pressure ⇒ Tire Pressure Monitoring System and recalibration with the MFI .

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.

Note

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

If the ignition is switched on, an acoustic warning sounds when low tire pressure is detected. If a system malfunction is detected, no acoustic warning sounds.

Driving for a longer period of time on rough roads or with a dynamic and sporty style can make the TPMS system temporarily unavailable. The indicator light will come on, signaling a malfunction, but will go out again once road condition or driving style change.