What does the sun symbol on the Volkswagen dashboard mean?
2 Answers
The sun icon on the Volkswagen dashboard is the automatic transmission fault warning light of Volkswagen vehicles. Reasons for the warning light to illuminate: It may light up when the car's handbrake is not released. When driving, the handbrake must be released, and the light will go off after releasing the handbrake. When the car's brake fluid is insufficient, the light will illuminate and stay on. It is recommended to add brake fluid. When there is a fault in the braking system, the light will illuminate. In this case, the car must be taken to a repair shop for inspection and repair as soon as possible. Principle of automatic transmission: An automatic transmission uses planetary gear mechanisms to change gears. It can automatically shift gears based on the degree of the accelerator pedal and changes in vehicle speed. The driver only needs to control the speed by operating the accelerator pedal. It combines hydraulic transmission (hydraulic torque converter) and mechanical transmission (planetary gear set).
I've been driving a Volkswagen for eight years, and that little sun icon on the dashboard is particularly useful. It indicates that the light sensor is active, usually appearing when automatic headlights are engaged or when the dashboard automatically adjusts its brightness. When the system detects changes in external lighting conditions, such as entering/exiting tunnels or during dusk when light dims, this icon briefly illuminates to show it's adjusting dashboard brightness according to ambient light. If you notice the sun icon stays lit continuously, the sensor might be obstructed - like when my parking permit once blocked the windshield's sensor area. Wiping the sensor area glass with a damp cloth usually solves it. Remember, the sensor is typically located near that black area behind the rearview mirror.
