Volkswagen: Enable 12 V Sockets Continuously

Keep Stuff Running/Charging also During Your Breaks

By default, the 12 V power outlets are turned off when the car is switched off on modern Volkswagen cars. This applies to at least some 1st gen. MQB cars, like Golf Mk7 and Touran Mk2 (the example car used on this page). This is a major annoyance because even if you do not want to leave your tablet charging unattended, your snacks and medicines will get warm in your travel refrigerator (powered coolbox) during your driving breaks.

However, changing the behavior of the 12 V power outlets is extremely simple! It is so easy that I am upset that I learned this now after three hot summers with a 2017 Touran. Opposite to my original thought, it is not a software-controlled feature needing a configuration tool and software but the socket behavior can be changed without any tools:

1. Open the dashboard fuse box following the user guide.
2. Pull fuse F40 out by hands (do not use any metallic pliers).
3. Insert the fuse back in the upper position.
4. Done! Your sockets are now continuously powered; just close the fuse box.

The user guide even has a footnote telling that the fuse box picture shows the fuse F40 (for 12 V power sockets) at the position "as delivered from factory". However, it does not mention why it should ever be in any other position! – Now we learned that...

These pictures show what the change looked like on my Touran:
Fuse box as delivered from factory.	Fuse box after the change.

Volkswagen: 12 V pistorasiat jatkuvasti päälle

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