Matrix Lights and Cruise Control with ESC disabled

[ewok666]

Hi all,
we have a 2023 Tiguan R and there are two things that are extremely annoying: When I disable ESC (can’t stand that rubbish) the matrix lights no longer seem to work and it looks like cruise control doesn’t either. Is that expected and is there a way to change this with VCDS?
TIA

[Lucas_R]

Doubt it unfortunately. Since about 2021 the VAG cars are waaaaay more locked down in terms of what you can alter with coding/VCDS. Its very likely that the matrix headlights and cruise control are tied in somehow with the stability control.

[ewok666]

That’s too bad. Thanks anyway. My 2017 RS3 did not have those ‘problems maybe I’ll check them out.

[Lucas_R]

Yep anything built after about 2020-2021 is a pain in the butt to change things on, and in a lot of cases, you cant do anything.

[DV52]

@ewok666: Hmm.......... whilst I tend to agree that lots changed when the deities on the VAG mother-ship changed from MQB platform to MQB-evo platform - it really didn't effect the link between ESC and CC. The extract below is taken from the user manual on an older MQB model car:

Automatic switch-off

The CCS control will be switched off automatically or switched off temporarily:

• If the system detects a fault that could impair the function of the CCS.

• If the vehicle speed is higher than the stored speed for an extended period with the accelerator pedal depressed.

• If regulation related to the driving dynamics is taking place, e.g. by TCS and ESC.

• If the airbag is triggered.

So, when ESC is user-deactivated - I suspect that CC is also told that it is no longer able to control the highlighted restriction above - hence CC is designed to spit-the-dummy and self-disable. I would think that the same applies to ACC.

The link between ESC switch-OFF and the Matrix lights is more puzzling!! It's not an obvious connection (to me at least)- unless it's intended to be a designed inconvenience that prompts the driver to return the car to ESC-on .

Of course, if this car is equipped with IQ.DRIVE and/or Dynamic Light Assist (DLA) - stuff gets much more complicated and the link between ESC and the car's other drive assist systems (including the link to matrix lights) is more nuanced !!

Don