2010 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT battery

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Frequently asked questions
If you suspect a malfunction or vehicle damage, read and follow the following advice before contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. You may also find helpful information under “Characteristics” and “Checklist” in the index.

Description Possible causes, among others Possible remedy
Engine does not start.
Vehicle battery dead. – Perform jump-start– Charge vehicle battery
The wrong vehicle key is used. Use a valid vehicle key
Fuel level too low. Refuel
AdBlue fill level too low. Refill AdBlue
Vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked using vehicle key.
– Battery in the remote control vehicle key dead. – Too far away from vehicle (out of range). – Buttons have been pressed too many times.
– Replace the battery in the remote control vehicle key – Move closer to vehicle. – Synchronize vehicle key. – Lock or unlock vehicle manually
Unusual noises. Cold engine, braking assist systems, electronic steering column lock. Check the “Noises” entry in the index.
Odd driving behavior.
Assistance systems activated. Check the “Assistance systems” entry in the index.
DSG® Direct Shift Gearbox too hot. Stop vehicle as soon as you can do so safely
Outside mirrors move when vehicle is unlocked. Convenience settings are stored. Correct convenience settings
Front seats cannot be adjusted with power controls.
Vehicle battery dead. Charge vehicle battery
Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace if necessary
Features do not work as described in this manual.
Settings were adjusted in the Volkswagen Information System.
Check and reset to factory settings if necessary
Headlights do not light up the road as they should.
– Headlights adjusted too high.– Light bulbs burned out. – Low beams not switched on.
– Have the headlight range adjusted by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. – Change light bulbs – Switch on low beams
Electrical consumers do not work.
Vehicle battery charge too low. Charge vehicle battery
Remaining fuel level too low. Refuel
Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace if necessary
Fuel consumption higher than indicated.
– Short hauls. – “Jumpy” accelerator pedal.
– Avoid short distance driving. – Drive defensively. – Accelerate smoothly.
Electrical loads switched on. Switch off unnecessary loads.

Checklist
For your own safety and that of your passengers, carry out the following steps in the order listed ⇒ :
1. Park the vehicle at a safe distance from traffic and on a suitable surface ⇒ .
2. Switch on emergency flashers by pressing the  switch ⇒ fig. 190.
3. Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving, Braking and parking.
4. Shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only), Shifting.
5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch, Starting and stopping the engine.
6. Have all passengers exit and go to a safe location away from moving traffic, such as behind a guard rail.
7. Take all vehicle keys with you when leaving your vehicle.
8. Set up a warning triangle or other warning device in order to alert other motorists and cyclists.
9. Let the engine cool down and get expert assistance if necessary.
If the emergency flashers are on, use the turn signal lever to indicate a direction or lane change, for example when the vehicle is being towed. This temporarily interrupts the emergency flashers.
Switch on the emergency flashers when:
x Traffic suddenly slows down or stops in front of you to warn those approaching from behind.
x In any emergency situation.
x If the vehicle breaks down.
x When being towed.
Always obey traffic laws that govern the use of emergency flashers where you are driving.
If the emergency flashers are not working, a different method – as permitted by law – must be used to alert other motorists and cyclists to the breakdown.
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common sense.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter get very hot. They can cause fires and serious personal injury.
x Never park where parts of the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite flammable materials, such as dry grass, brush, leaves, spilled fuel, etc.
The vehicle battery will be drained if the emergency flashers are on for a long time – even if the ignition is switched off.

Color Current strength in amps
Red 10
Blue 15
Yellow 20
White or clear 25
Green 30
Orange 40
Opening the fuse box in the instrument panel
x Pull the lower part of the cover in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 213 and remove the cover from the bottom.
x On the inside of the cover there are plastic tweezers for removing and inserting fuses.
x To install, guide the cover from the bottom into the instrument panel and push in the direction opposite to the arrow until you can hear it latch into place.
Opening the fuse box in the engine compartment
x Open the engine hood ⇒ 
x Move the release tabs in the direction of the arrows ⇒ fig. 214 to unlock the fuse box cover.
x Remove the cover upward.
x To install push the cover onto the fuse box. The locking tabs must latch with an audible “click”.
Vehicles with battery located in the luggage compartment
There are additional fuses above the vehicle battery behind the panel on the left side of the luggage compartment. Have these fuses replaced by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
NOTICE
x To help prevent vehicle damage, be careful when removing fuse box covers and be sure to reinstall them properly.
x Open fuse boxes must be protected from dirt and moisture. Dirt and moisture in fuse boxes can cause damage to the electrical system.
The vehicle contains other fuses in addition to those mentioned in this section. Have these fuses replaced by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Replacing taillight bulbs in the vehicle body

Fig. 223 A: In the side of the luggage compartment: On vehicles with 3.6 liter engines, the vehicle battery is on the left side of the luggage compartment. The trim panel that separates the battery from the luggage compartment has to be removed to get the left taillight bulbs. B: Removing the taillight assembly.

Fig. 224 A: Removing bulb socket assembly. B: Removing the light bulbs.

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Changing light bulbs

7. Release the bulb socket assembly from the locking tabs ⇒ fig. 224 A (arrows) and remove the bulb socket assembly from the taillight assembly.
8. Replace the burned out light bulb with a new bulb of the same type B.
9. Put the bulb socket assembly in the taillight assembly. The locking tabs A must latch with an audible “click.”
Installing the taillight assembly

10. Carefully put the taillight assembly in the opening in the vehicle body.
11.
Carefully reinsert the taillight assembly into the opening in the luggage compartment lid. Hold the rear light assembly with one hand in the installation position, and with the other
hand tighten fastening screw ⇒ fig. 223 B (4).
12. Plug connector plug B (1) into the bulb socket assembly and push latch B (2) in the direction opposite to the arrow.
13. Check the taillight assembly for proper installation and secure fit.
14. Replace the small carpeted taillight access cover; and the battery trim panel, if any (see step 3 above).
15. Close the luggage compartment lid
Different models may have different taillights, and the light bulb may be in a different location than shown in the illustrations.
Replacing license plate lights

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WARNING
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle with a dead battery can cause the battery to explode, leading to serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery explosion:
x All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety
precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system ⇒ page 299, Vehicle battery.
x Always make sure that the battery providing starting assistance (the booster battery) has the same voltage as the dead battery (12 V) and about the same amperage capacity (see battery label).
x Never jump-start a vehicle with a thawed or frozen vehicle battery. The battery can explode. A dead battery can freeze at temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).
x A battery that is frozen or was frozen, but has since thawed, must be replaced.
x When the vehicle battery is jump-started, it gives off hydrogen gas, which is highly explosive! Always keep fire, sparks, open flame, and smoking materials far away from vehicle batteries. Never use a cellular telephone while connecting or disconnecting jumper cables.
x Jump-start batteries only in well-ventilated areas. Batteries give off highly explosive hydrogen gas during jump-starting.
x Always route the jumper cables so that they cannot get caught in any moving parts in the engine compartment.
x Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals with each other.
x Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to the negative terminal of the dead battery, as this may cause the hydrogen gas given off by the dead battery to explode.
x Never attach the negative cable from the vehicle providing starting assistance to any part of the fuel system or to the brake hoses or brake lines.
x Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to touch.
x Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery terminal to contact metal parts of the vehicle.
x Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufacturer.
NOTICE
To help prevent extensive damage to the vehicle electrical system, read and heed the following:
x Connecting jumper cables improperly can cause a short circuit and do expensive damage to the vehicle's electrical system.
x Do not let the vehicles touch each other while the jumper cables are connected. If they do, electrical current may flow between the vehicles when the positive (+) terminals are connected, causing electrical system damage.

Using jumper cables

Fig. 229 Diagram for attaching the jumper cables: Dead battery 1 and booster battery 2.

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Starting the engine
x Start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery that is providing help and let it run at idle speed.
x Turn on the ignition of the vehicle with the dead battery. If the engine starts, wait 2 to 3 minutes
until it “runs smoothly” before removing the jumper cables as described below ⇒ . If the engine does not start within about 10 seconds, turn off the ignition and wait at least 1 minute; then try again.
Before removing the jumper cables
(1) Switch off the headlights (if they are on).
(2) In the vehicle with the dead battery, switch on the heater fan and the rear window defroster. This helps to minimize voltage spikes when the cables are disconnected.
Removing the jumper cables
With the engine running, remove the jumper cables in reverse order to the way they were connected.
(1) Disconnect the black (-) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
(2) Disconnect the black (-) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
(3) Disconnect the red (+) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
(4) Disconnect the red (+) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
(5) Close the battery cover or snap shut the cap on the positive jump-start terminal9, as the case may be.