Available ambient lighting can help create a more personalized driving environment inside your Volkswagen. Depending on your model and trim, you may be able to select from multiple colors, adjust the brightness and coordinate the lighting with other digital displays. Most adjustments can be made directly through the Volkswagen infotainment touchscreen.

Watch: Adjusting Volkswagen Ambient Lighting

Follow along with this quick video demonstration to see where the ambient lighting controls are located and how to customize the settings.

How to Change Your Volkswagen Ambient Lighting

The exact menu names can vary slightly depending on the Volkswagen model, model year and infotainment system, but the process generally follows these steps.

1

Turn on the vehicle or infotainment system

Start your Volkswagen or switch on the vehicle electronics so the infotainment touchscreen and interior settings are available.

2

Open the vehicle settings

Select the vehicle icon or open the main vehicle menu on the infotainment screen. Depending on the system, you may see a menu labeled Vehicle, Settings or Interior.

3

Select the ambient lighting menu

Choose Ambient Lighting or Background Lighting from the available interior settings.

4

Choose your preferred color

Select an available preset color or use the color menu to find the lighting appearance you prefer. The number of available colors depends on the vehicle and equipment.

5

Adjust the brightness

Use the on-screen brightness control to increase or decrease the intensity of the ambient lighting. You may also be able to adjust individual lighting zones.

Helpful tip: Ambient lighting is easiest to see in lower-light conditions. If the changes are not obvious during the day, check the lighting again in a garage or after sunset.

Volkswagen Ambient Lighting Options

Ambient lighting features vary throughout the Volkswagen lineup. Depending on the model and trim, available settings may include the following:

Selectable Lighting Colors

Choose a color that matches your style, driving mood or preferred interior appearance. Some Volkswagen models provide a wide range of selectable colors.

Adjustable Brightness

Control how subtle or prominent the lighting appears. Lower brightness can create a soft glow, while higher settings provide a more noticeable effect.

Multiple Interior Zones

Some vehicles allow you to adjust lighting in different areas, such as the dashboard, doors, footwells or center console.

Drive Mode Coordination

On select models, the interior lighting or digital display colors may change when you select a different driving mode.

Volkswagen Ambient Lighting FAQs

Do all Volkswagen models have ambient lighting?

No. Ambient lighting availability varies by model, model year, trim level and optional equipment. Some Volkswagen vehicles have basic interior accent lighting, while others offer an expanded selection of colors and customization options.

Why can’t I find the ambient lighting menu?

Your vehicle may not be equipped with adjustable ambient lighting, or the setting may appear under a different menu name. Check the vehicle settings, interior settings or background lighting menu. You can also consult your owner’s manual or contact Volkswagen of Olympia.

Can I change the ambient lighting while driving?

Some settings may be available while the vehicle is in motion, but it is safer to make detailed infotainment adjustments while the vehicle is parked.

Will my Volkswagen remember the selected color?

In many equipped vehicles, the selected lighting settings are retained after the vehicle is turned off. Settings may also be connected to an individual driver profile, depending on the vehicle.

Can the ambient lighting be turned off?

Equipped vehicles generally allow you to reduce the brightness or disable some or all ambient lighting through the infotainment settings.

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Features, menu names and ambient lighting options vary by Volkswagen model, model year, trim level, infotainment system and optional equipment. The steps shown are general instructions and may not apply to every vehicle. Consult your Volkswagen owner’s manual or contact Volkswagen of Olympia for vehicle-specific assistance.