2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC light

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
Y Not enough windshield washer fluid. Refill windshield washer reservoir at the next
opportunity

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check. They go out after a few seconds.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Windshield wiper lever

Fig. 79 Operating the front windshield wiper.

Headlight washer system
The headlight washer system cleans the headlight glass.
If the ignition and the headlights (high or low beams) are switched on, the headlights are cleaned the
first time and every fifth time the front windshield washers are activated. This happens only when the
low or high beams are on when the windshield wiper lever is pulled towards the steering wheel.
However, the headlights must still be washed by hand periodically (for instance, during refueling) in
order to get rid of hard-to-remove dirt (like insect splatter).
To help make sure that the headlight cleaning system works during winter weather, always keep the
headlight washer nozzles free of snow and remove any ice with a deicer spray before driving. Use a
deicer spray to remove any ice.
If there is something on the windshield, the wiper will try to wipe it away. If it continues to block
the wiper, the wiper will stop moving. Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper on again.
Windshield wiper service position

Fig. 80 Windshield wiper in service position.

x Check if there is still enough windshield washer fluid in the reservoir.
x Refill with an appropriate windshield washer fluid that is recommended by Volkswagen ⇒ .
Follow the directions on the container.
x In cold weather, always use a special windshield washer antifreeze solution that will help keep the
water from freezing ⇒ .
Recommended cleaners
x For the warmer months, Windscreen Clear SummerG 052 184 A1 or equivalent. Mixing ratio
1:100 (1 part concentrate to 100 parts water) in the windshield washer reservoir.
x All-season Windscreen ClearG 052 164 A2 or equivalent. Mixing ratio in winter to 0 °F (-18 °C)
about 1:2 (1 part concentrate to 2 parts water), otherwise, mixing ratio 1:4 in the windshield washer
reservoir.
Filling capacity
The windshield washer fluid reservoir holds about 3.1 qts. (3 liters); in vehicles with a headlight
cleaning system about 6.3 qts (6 liters).
WARNING
Never mix antifreeze or similar additives into the windshield washer reservoir. This could
produce an oily film on the windshield, which would considerably reduce visibility.
x Use clear water with a cleaning solution recommended by Volkswagen.
x If necessary, blend with a suitable windshield washer fluid antifreeze agent.
NOTICE
x Never mix cleaning solutions recommended by Volkswagen with other cleaning agents. If
you do, this could cause sediments or other by-products that can clog the windshield wiper
nozzles.
x When refilling, do not confuse one type of operating liquid with another! Otherwise serious
malfunctions and engine damage can occur!

The auto-dimming feature can be switched on and off with the switch on the inside mirror (2) A or (2)
B. When auto-dimming is activated, the indicator light (1) is on.
If the ignition is switched on, the sensor (3) automatically darkens the inside mirror depending on the
amount of light shining into the vehicle from the rear.
The auto-dimming feature is deactivated when you shift the transmission into reverse or switch on the
interior lights or the reading light.
Do not attach external navigation devices to the windshield or in the vicinity of the auto-dimming inside
mirror ⇒ .
WARNING
The illuminated display on an external navigation device can cause the auto-dimming inside
mirror to malfunction, which can result in crashes and serious injuries.
x Malfunctions in the auto-dimming function can result in the inside mirror being unable to
evaluate the exact distance of vehicles in the rear or other objects.
If the light striking the sensor is filtered or blocked (such as by a sunshade), the auto-dimming
inside mirror will not work properly or may not work at all.
Outside mirrors

Fig. 86 In the driver door: Adjusting knob for the outside mirrors.

WARNING
Unsuitable, worn, or damaged tie-down straps (elastic or non-elastic) can snap or come loose
during braking or other maneuvers or in a collision. Objects secured with these straps can
then come loose and fly through the passenger compartment, causing severe personal
injuries or death.
x To help prevent baggage or other items from coming loose and flying around, always use
suitable undamaged tie-down straps.
x Securely fasten the tie-down straps to the tie-downs.
x Loose or improperly secured objects in the luggage compartment can slide about
suddenly and change the vehicle's handling.
x Secure even small and light objects. Loose objects in the luggage or passenger
compartment can fly about during sudden braking maneuvers or in the event of an accident
and injure occupants.
x Never exceed the maximum allowable load on the tie-downs when securing objects.
x Never secure a child seat to the tie-downs.
WARNING
Elastic straps have to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the luggage
compartment. Hooks on these straps can cause serious personal injury if not handled
properly and attached securely.
x Always protect eyes and face from injury from the hooks when attaching them to the tie-
downs in the luggage compartment.
x Always hold the hooks on elastic straps firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do not let
them snap back and hit you.
x First attach the hooks on the straps to the tie-downs at the rear seat backrest in the
luggage compartment and then to the tie-downs near the loading edge of the luggage
compartment. This way, if one of the hooks on the elastic straps snaps back, it will move
away from you, decreasing the risk of personal injury.
The maximum load for the tie-downs is about 785 lbs. (356 kg).
For suitable straps and luggage stowage systems, please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer
or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

WARNING
Improper use of the trailer hitch can cause accidents and injuries. An improperly installed,
incorrect, or damaged trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the towing vehicle
and cause serious personal injuries.
x Only use an undamaged, properly mounted trailer hitch.
x Never repair or modify the trailer hitch.
x To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk to pedestrians and cyclists
when the vehicle is parked, always remove the ball mount when you are not towing a trailer.
x Never install a “weight distributing” or “load equalizing” trailer hitch on your vehicle. The
vehicle was not designed for these kinds of trailer hitches. The trailer hitch attachment can
fail, causing the trailer to tear loose from the vehicle.
WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or large things can change the way the vehicle
handles, increase the distance it needs to stop safely, and cause accidents.
x Always secure the load properly with suitable and undamaged straps so that the load will
not shift.
x Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the
vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.
x Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under
unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.
x Trailers with a high center of gravity tip more easily than trailers with a low center of
gravity.
x Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
x Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas, the speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are
lower than for vehicles without trailers. Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h; under
exceptional circumstances 60 mph - 100 km/h) when towing a trailer. This applies even if the
local speed limit is higher.
If you are driving a new vehicle or a vehicle with a new or rebuilt engine, do not tow a trailer
during the break-in period, about 600 miles (1000 km)
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need maintenance more often because of the extra load it
has to move.
When you are not towing, remove the trailer hitch ball. This helps keep the trailer hitch from
causing damage to your vehicle and to others if your vehicle is hit from behind.
Some models need a trailer hitch to tow or tow-start other vehicles. You may want to always
carry the ball mount in the vehicle after it has been removed. Be sure to stow it securely.

WARNING
x An improperly installed or incorrect trailer hitch can cause a trailer to separate from the
tow vehicle and cause serious personal injuries.
x If you don't have to tow a trailer any more, remove the entire trailer hitch. Always seal all
bolt holes to prevent water and deadly exhaust fumes from getting into the vehicle.
NOTICE
x If the trailer lights are not connected properly, the vehicle's electronics may be damaged.
x If the trailer uses too much electricity, the vehicle's electronics may be damaged.
x Never connect the electrical system for the trailer directly to the electrical connections for
the rear lights or to any other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to
provide power to the trailer.
If you tow a trailer frequently, Volkswagen recommends having the vehicle serviced between the
regular maintenance and inspection intervals because of the extra load it has to pull.
Hitching up and connecting a trailer

WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or bulky items changes the way the vehicle
handles and increases the distance it needs to stop safely.
x Always watch what is happening up ahead and around you. Brake earlier than you would
if you were not towing a trailer.
x Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the
vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.
x Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under
unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.
x Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently. Always avoid sudden maneuvers and
hard braking.
x Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows even the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower
than for vehicles without trailers.
Ball mount

Fig. 95 Dimensions of the ball mount support.