2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC TPMS

NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Driving for a longer period of time on rough roads or with a dynamic and sporty style can make
the TPMS system temporarily unavailable. The indicator light will come on, signaling a malfunction, but
will go out again once the road condition or driving style changes.
Applicable only in the United States
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Fig. 135 Display screen in the instrument cluster: Current tire pressures in psi.

Tire pressure display screen
Meaning
(3) Benchmark pressure, front tires
(4) Current tire pressure, front right tire.
(5) No data received, right rear tire.
(6) Benchmark pressure, rear tires

If the tire pressure is too low, the relevant tires and the respective readings are highlighted in yellow.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly
underinflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly
underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to
trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system
is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.
Spare wheel or compact spare wheel
The spare wheel or compact spare wheel has no tire pressure sensor. When the spare or compact
spare wheel is mounted on the vehicle, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) indicator light will
flash in the instrument cluster display. The TPMS continues to monitor the other 3 wheels.
Tire storage
If the tires do not move for an extended period of time, the sensors will not transmit tire pressures to
the system. This saves sensor battery life. When the ignition is switched on, the sensors transmit
signals to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

WARNING
Incorrect tire pressure can cause sudden tire failure, loss of vehicle control and serious
personal injury.
x Always check and correct air pressure in all 4 tires, particularly after changing,
exchanging, or repairing tires.
x After that, always make sure that all 4 tires are inflated to the correct tire pressure for the
tires installed on the vehicle.
x See the tire pressure label and the Owner's Literature for recommended cold tire inflation
pressure and other important information.
x When replacing tires or wheel rims on vehicles equipped with TPMS, always read and
heed all of the information and WARNINGS .
NOTICE
x The wheel electronics are attached to special aluminum valves on the wheels. These valves
are screwed on rigidly. Never bend the valves “into position” when checking and adjusting tire
pressure.
x Missing tire air valve caps could result in damage to the valves, as well as to the sensors on
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Therefore, make sure your valve caps conform to the
specifications of those originally installed on the vehicle and that they are always tightly and
properly screwed on to the valves. Do not use metallic valve caps
x Do not use “comfort valve caps”, as these do not seal properly and could therefore cause
damage to the sensors.
x When changing or rotating the tires, be careful not to damage the valves or sensors.
x The aluminum valves that are installed should be replaced after about 6 years of use
because of aging in the rubber seals. The valves can be replaced when a tire is changed. Do
not reuse aluminum valves after they are removed. They must be replaced. The tire pressure
sensor can be reused.
Applicable only in Canada
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System may not react at first or may not react at all when you are driving
in a sporty manner, or on snow-covered or unpaved roads, when you are driving with snow chains, or
in certain other situations. A change in the tread circumference of a tire is signaled by the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System indicator in the instrument cluster (telltale).
The tire pressure recommended for the tires originally installed on the vehicle is on a sticker on the
driver door jamb
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly
underinflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly
underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if underinflation has not reached the level to
trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system
is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.
Resetting and recalibrating the benchmark tire pressure
Resetting the tire pressures in the Multi-function Display (MFI) resets the benchmark tire pressure
used by the TPMS to the current tire pressure in the tires based on the circumference of the tires.
To reset the reference tire pressure, switch on the ignition. In the MFI, navigate to the Settings
menu and select Tire pressure. Store and confirm the new tire pressures.
The recalibration must be performed each time the tire pressure in one or more tires has been
adjusted or after one or more tires has been changed, exchanged, or repaired. The new tire pressures
are stored in the system only after at least 20 minutes of normal driving.
If you have reset the benchmark tire pressure when your tires do not have the correct tire pressure,
this will prevent the TPMS from working properly. It may then give false warnings or may not give any
warning even if the tire pressure is too low.
For this reason, it is vital to make certain that all 4 tires are inflated to the correct pressure
when they are cold, before calibrating the system. Cold tire tires are tires that have not been driven
more than a couple of miles (kilometers) at low speed within the last 3 hours.
Recalibrate the system to reset the benchmark TPMS pressure in the following
situations:
x After installing tires on your vehicle that have recommended cold tire inflation pressures that are
different from the tires that were taken off.
x After any tire on your vehicle is removed and then remounted, even if the same tire and wheel rim
that were taken off are reinstalled (for instance, after repair).

x After any tire on your vehicle is changed and replaced by another tire, even if the replacement tire
is the same type and is inflated to the same pressure as the tire it replaced.
x After adjusting the tire pressure of any tire on the vehicle to its correct cold tire inflation pressure,
either by putting air in one or more tires or by letting air out. Do this even though air was only added
(or let out) to bring the tire to the inflation pressure it should have had all along.
x After rotating the front and rear wheels
x After mounting the compact spare tire.
WARNING
Incorrect recalibration can cause the TPMS to give false warnings or to give no warning
despite dangerously low tire pressure. Make certain the tire inflation pressure of all tires is
correct before resetting the system.
WARNING
Incorrect tire pressure can cause sudden tire failure, loss of vehicle control and serious
personal injury.
x Always check and correct air pressure in all 4 tires, particularly after changing,
exchanging, or repairing tires.
x After that, always make sure that all 4 tires are inflated to the correct tire pressure for the
tires installed on the vehicle. Then reset the system so that it can monitor the correct tire
pressure.
x See the tire pressure label and the Owner's Literature for recommended cold tire inflation
pressure and other important information.
x When replacing tires or wheel rims, always read and heed all of the information and
WARNINGS
x The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated whenever you remove and
remount or change any wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or replacement
wheels and tires are identical to those that were removed and even if the tire pressure does
not change.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System stops working if there is an ESC/ABS malfunction.
After a low tire pressure warning, the vehicle must stand and must not be driven for at least one
minute before the new benchmark tire pressures can be stored.

stem caps like those originally installed at the factory. The caps must be screwed on tightly. Do
not use metal valve caps or “comfort” valve stem caps.
Underinflation increases fuel consumption.
There may be differences between the pressure readings from a tire pressure gauge and the
pressures registered by the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The electronic Tire Pressure Monitoring
System is more accurate
When the TPMS warns that the pressure in at least one tire is too low, check the tire pressure in
all 4 tires with an accurate tire pressure gauge. Low tire pressure usually cannot be spotted by looking
at the tire. This is especially true for low-profile tires. When checking the tire pressures, refer to 218,
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Applicable only in the United States
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires

Engine Tire dimensions Tire pressure
bar psi kPa
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is configured at the factory with the correct tire inflation
pressure applicable for the vehicle model, engine and factory-installed tires. The tire inflation
pressure is listed on the tire inflation pressure label on the driver door jamb 274. The tire inflation
pressures for the road tires are listed on this label. The inflation pressure for the compact spare is as
specified on the tire pressure label or on a separate label for the compact spare, if there is one. In
the event of a discrepancy between the above figures and the tire pressures listed on the tire
inflation pressure label, the pressures listed on the label are the ones you should use. The listed
pressure applies to all road tires. If different tires are installed that do not have the same cold tire
inflation pressure as the tires originally installed on your vehicle, the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System cannot properly monitor tire inflation pressures unless the TPMS is reset to the new tire
pressures 229. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities have
the necessary special tools and can reset the TPMS for the new tires on your vehicle.

Applicable only in Canada
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires

NOTICE
When the spare wheel or compact spare is being used, the TPMS indicator light may start
flashing after about 10 minutes.
If possible, attach the spare wheel, compact spare wheel, or the wheel you took off the vehicle
securely in the luggage compartment.
Tire labeling

Fig. 157 International tire labeling.