What Causes the Maintenance Light to Illuminate in the Tiguan?
3 Answers
The maintenance light on the Tiguan's dashboard illuminates to remind the owner to perform scheduled maintenance at specific mileage intervals. Below is a detailed introduction to the functions of the car dashboard: 1. Conventional Gauges: The car dashboard is a device that reflects the working conditions of various vehicle systems. Common indicators include the fuel indicator, washer fluid indicator, electronic throttle indicator, front and rear fog light indicators, and warning lights. Generally, conventional gauges in cars include the speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, fuel gauge, and charging gauge. 2. Indicator or Warning Lights: The car dashboard features various indicator or warning lights, such as the coolant level warning light, fuel level indicator, washer fluid level indicator, charging indicator, high/low beam indicator, transmission gear indicator, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) indicator, traction control indicator, and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning light.
I've been driving my Tiguan for several years, and the maintenance light always gives me a headache when it comes on. The reasons vary: the most common is the fixed interval setting, such as the system automatically reminding you to change the oil or perform a full service every 5,000 or 7,500 kilometers. Another common issue is sensor failure, like a faulty oil pressure or oil level sensor, which sends incorrect data and causes the light to suddenly come on, especially during cold starts. It could also be that the technician forgot to reset the light after the last service, so the onboard computer keeps prompting without an update. If ignored, the engine might suffer from insufficient lubrication, accelerated wear, or even major failures. So, I always check the mileage records—if it's exceeded, I go to the service shop immediately; if not, I take it in to read the fault codes with a diagnostic tool and resolve the issue thoroughly. By the way, regular maintenance can extend the vehicle's lifespan, saving both money and hassle.
When the maintenance light comes on in my Tiguan, I usually check the current mileage. Most of the time, it's because the mileage has reached the preset value, and the system is prompting an oil and filter change. However, if the light comes on at low mileage, it could be a sensor issue, such as a faulty oil temperature sensor or moisture interference in the wiring affecting the signal. Another possibility is that the maintenance counter wasn't reset after the last service. For Volkswagen models, this requires a specific tool connected to the OBD port to reset. Delaying too long may lead to oil degradation, affecting engine efficiency and even increasing fuel consumption. Therefore, I recommend taking immediate action to confirm the cause and not waiting for the issue to worsen. Volkswagen's maintenance system is quite intelligent but often has minor glitches, so paying attention to maintenance details in daily use is crucial.
