2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT sensor

Front view

Fig. 2 Vehicle front overview.
Key to fig. 2:
(1) Sensor on mirror base for:
– Low-light sensor
(2) Windshield wipers
(3) Engine hood release
(4) Headlights (on both left and right)
(5) Fog lights / static cornering lights (on both left and right)

Convenience menu Function
All
Manual unlocking/locking: All windows open or close when the key is held in the unlocking or locking position. Keyless Access: All windows close when the locking sensor on the door handle is pressed and held.
Driver
Manual unlocking: The driver window opens when the key is held in the unlocking position. Manual locking: All windows close when the key is held in the locking position. Keyless Access: All windows close when the locking sensor on the door handle is pressed and held.
Back The display switches back to the Convenience menu.
Mirror down Tilts passenger mirror down when backing up so you can see the curb Feature only available on vehicles equipped with memory seats.
Mirror adjust
IndividuallyBoth outside mirrors are adjusted separately.
Both mirrorsThe front passenger outside mirror is adjusted at the same time as the driver outside mirror.
Back The display returns to the Convenience menu.
Factory setting The display switches back to the Convenience menu.
Back The display switches back to the Settings menu.
Lights & Vision submenu

Lights & Vision menu Function
Coming Home Set how long the headlights and inside lights stay on after locking or unlocking the vehicle. Features can also be switched on or off Leaving Home
Conv. turn sig. Enable / disable lane change flash (convenience turn signal). When the feature is enabled, the turn signal flashes at least 3 times when the turn signal is tapped
Factory setting Resets the functions in the Lights & Vision submenu back to the factory settings.
Back The display switches back to the Settings menu.

Unlocking and locking vehicles with Keyless Access

Fig. 38 Ranges of the Keyless Access locking and starting system. Outside the vehicle: Unlocking range. Inside the vehicle: Starting range.

Fig. 39 Keyless Access locking and starting system: Sensor for unlocking A on the inside of the front door handles. Sensor for locking B on the outside of the front door handles.

All turn signals flash twice to confirm that the vehicle has been unlocked and once to confirm that it has been locked.
If the vehicle was unlocked and within the next few seconds no door or the luggage compartment lid has been opened, the vehicle is automatically locked again.
Unlocking and opening doors (Keyless Entry)
x Grasp the door handle of the driver or front passenger door so that you touch the unlocking sensor surface (A).
x Open the door.
Closing and locking doors (Keyless Exit)
x Close the driver door.
x Touch the sensor surface in the door handle on the driver or front passenger door (B). The vehicle is locked. The door being locked must be closed.
Unlocking and locking the luggage compartment lid
If the vehicle is locked and a valid remote control vehicle key is within range ⇒ fig. 38 of the luggage compartment lid, it unlocks automatically when opened.
x Open and close the luggage compartment lid as you would a standard luggage compartment lid, Luggage compartment lid.
The luggage compartment lid locks automatically when it is closed except in the following situations:
x The vehicle is completely unlocked.
x When an authorized remote control vehicle key is inside the vehicle.
Locking with a second vehicle key
If a remote control vehicle key is inside the passenger compartment, the vehicle can be locked from the outside only if a second valid remote control vehicle key is within range.
When the vehicle is locked from the outside, the keyless go (starting) function of any keys left in the passenger compartment will be deactivated. All other functions (remote central locking and unlocking as well as emergency starting) remain active and unchanged.
A key that was inside the vehicle when it was locked from the outside is reactivated:
x by pressing a button on the deactivated key.
x by pressing a door handle sensor when the deactivated key is outside of the vehicle, but within range.
x by starting the engine with the starter button on the center console (but not by starting the engine with the remote start button on a key that is outside of the vehicle, Remote start feature).
Automatic deactivation of sensors
If the vehicle has not been unlocked or locked for a longer period of time, the proximity sensors in the passenger door are automatically deactivated.
If a sensor on the door handle of a locked vehicle is activated too often, for instance by a bush or hedge that rubs against the vehicle, the sensors in the door handle on that side of the vehicle are switched off for about 30 minutes.
The door handle sensors become active again if one of the following events occurs:
x 30 minutes have passed.
x OR: The vehicle is unlocked using the 0 button in the remote control vehicle key.
x OR: The luggage compartment lid is opened.
x OR: The vehicle is mechanically unlocked with the vehicle key.

When you move the selector lever to Reverse (R), the static cornering lights on both sides of the vehicle may come on so that you can see the area around the vehicle better when backing up.
The static cornering lights work only when the headlights are on. If you are using automatic headlight
control (headlight switch in the AUT O position ⇒ fig. 98), they work only when the headlights have been automatically switched on. The static cornering lights do not come on when the headlight switch is in the O position or when the fog lights themselves have been switched on, Switching lights on and off.
Automatic headlight control (AUTO)
Automatic headlight control is a convenience feature only and cannot always recognize all lighting and driving situations.
If the light switch is in the AUT O position, both vehicle lighting and instrument and switch lighting are
automatically switched on and off in the following situations ⇒ :

Automatic activation:Automatic deactivation:
If the low-light sensor registers darkness, for example when driving through a tunnel. If sufficient brightness is registered.

WARNING
Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see the road ahead and when you cannot be seen by other motorists.
x Never use daytime running lights (DRL) to see where you are going. DRL are not bright enough to light up the roadway and be seen by other motorists. You will not be able to see far enough ahead for safety, especially at dusk or when it is dark. Always switch on the low-beam headlights at dusk or when it is dark.
x The taillights do not come on when the daytime running lights are switched on. A vehicle without taillights on cannot be seen by others in bad weather, at dusk, or when it is dark.
x If automatic headlight control (AUTO) is switched on, the low-beam headlights still may not be switched on in fog or heavy rain. You have to switch on the low-beam headlights yourself.
In cool or humid weather, the insides of the headlights, rear lights, and turn signals can temporarily fog up. This is normal and does not affect the service life of the vehicle's lighting system.
“Coming home” and “Leaving home” feature (orientation lighting)

“Coming home” Action
Switch off: – Automatically after delay period is over. – Automatically, if a vehicle door or the luggage compartment lid is still open about 30 seconds after activation. – Turn light switch to O position. – Switch the ignition on.

“Leaving home” Action
Switch on: – Unlock the vehicle if the light switch is in the AUT O position and the low-light sensor registers darkness.
Switch off: – Automatically after preset delay period is over. – Lock the vehicle. – Turn the light switch to the O position. – Switch the ignition on.
The delay period can be adjusted and the function can be switched on and off in the Lights & Vision menu, Volkswagen Information System.
If the “Coming home” feature is switched on and the driver door is opened, no warning chime will sound to alert you that the lights are still on.
Instrument panel lighting

Fig. 100 To the left of the steering wheel: Control for instrument panel lighting.

Applicable only in South Korea
Rain sensor

Fig. 105 Windshield wiper lever: Adjusting rain sensor 1.

Fig. 106 Inside the front windshield above the inside mirror: Sensitive rain sensor surface.

x Dirt: Caked-on dust, wax, any other buildup on the windshield (lotus effect), or car-wash detergent residue can lower the rain sensor's sensitivity and cause it to react too slowly or not at all.
x Crack or chip in the windshield: If a stone hits and chips the windshield while the rain sensor is on, this will trigger a wiper cycle. After that, the rain sensor will recognize the change and re-calibrate itself to respond to the sensitive surface's reduced detection zone. Depending on the size of the chip, the sensor's reaction pattern may or may not change.
WARNING
The rain sensor cannot always recognize rain and activate the wipers.
x Switch the wipers on manually when water on the windshield reduces visibility.
Clean the rain sensor's sensitive surface (arrow) regularly and check the wiper blades for wear or damage.
To remove wax and coats of polish safely, we recommend using an alcohol-based windshield cleaner.
Checking and refilling windshield washer fluid

Fig. 107 In the engine compartment: Cap of the windshield washer fluid reservoir.