2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC warning light

used and there is some rust on the discs, clean the brake discs and pads once in a while by carefully
braking a couple of times while driving at relatively high speed to help clean the brake discs and pads.
Make sure nobody is behind you and that you do not endanger yourself or others ⇒ .
Brake system malfunction
If you brake and find that the vehicle doesn't brake nearly as well as it used to (sudden increase in
stopping distance), a brake circuit may have failed. The brake warning light H or "2!+%will come on
and a message may appear in the instrument cluster display. If you believe the vehicle is safe to drive,
immediately take it to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility for repair. Drive slowly and very carefully, allow for the longer stopping distance, and be ready
to push longer and harder on the brake pedal to slow the vehicle down.
Brake booster
The brake booster works only when the engine is running. It increases the force on the brakes above
and beyond the pressure put on the brake pedal by the driver.
If the brake booster is not working, or if the vehicle has to be towed, you will have to push the brake
pedal harder to make up for the lack of booster assistance and the resulting longer stopping distance
⇒ .
WARNING
New brake pads do not provide maximum braking performance.
x New brake pads do not have the best stopping power for the first 200 miles (320 km) and
must be “broken in.” You can compensate for the slightly reduced braking force by putting
more pressure on the brake pedal.
x Drive with extra care while the new brake pads are being broken in. This reduces the risk
of collisions and serious personal injuries due to a loss of control over the vehicle.
x Never follow other vehicles too closely or put yourself into other situations that might
require sudden, hard braking, especially when the brake pads have not been broken in.
WARNING
Overheated brakes will reduce the vehicle's stopping power and increase stopping distances
considerably.
x When driving downhill, the brakes have to work especially hard and heat up quickly.
x Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, always reduce speed
and shift into lower gear (manual or automatic transmission). This will let the vehicle use
engine braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake system could
overheat and possibly fail. Only use the brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down
more or to stop.
x A damaged front spoiler or a non-standard spoiler can reduce airflow to the brakes and
make them overheat.
WARNING
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react slower and need longer stopping
distances.
x Carefully apply the brakes to test them.
x Always dry brakes and clean off ice and salt coatings with a few cautious brake
applications when visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions permit.

Brake fluid specifications
Volkswagen has developed a special brake fluid that is optimized for the brake system in your
Volkswagen. Volkswagen recommends that you use brake fluid that expressly conforms to quality
standard VW Standard 501 14 for optimum performance of the brake system. Check the information
on the container for the brake fluid you want to use to make sure it meets the requirements for your
vehicle.
Brake fluid that complies with VW Standard 501 14 can be purchased from your authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
If this special brake fluid is not available you may – under these circumstances – use another high
quality brake fluid that complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4
⇒ .
Please note, however, that not all brake fluids that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 have the same chemical composition. Some of these brake fluids can
contain chemicals that could, over time, degrade or damage internal parts of the vehicle’s brake
system.
Volkswagen therefore recommends that you use brake fluid that expressly complies with VW
Standard 501 14 for optimum brake system performance over the long term.
Brake fluid level
The fluid level in the transparent brake fluid reservoir must always be between the MIN and MAX
marking ⇒ .
On some vehicles, engine components block the view of the brake fluid reservoir and make it
impossible to see the brake fluid level. If you cannot clearly see the brake fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir, please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the brake pads wear and the
brakes are automatically adjusted.
Changing brake fluid
Brake fluid must be changed according to the service schedule in your ⇒ Booklet Warranty and
Maintenance. Have the brake fluid checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility. Refill only with new brake fluid that meets the standards listed above.
WARNING
Brake failure and reduced brake performance can be caused by not having enough brake
fluid in the reservoir or by old or incorrect brake fluid.
x Check the brake system and brake fluid level regularly.
x Always change the brake fluid according to the service schedule in your
⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance.
x Hard braking with old brake fluid may cause vapor lock. Vapor lock reduces braking
performance, increases stopping distances and can even cause total brake failure.
x Always make sure that only the correct brake fluid is used. Only use brake fluid that
expressly conforms to VW Standard 501 14 or, if it is not available, only use a high-quality
brake fluid that conforms to U.S. Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 requirements.
x Using another brake fluid, or one that is not of high quality, can impair the function of the
brake system and reduce its effectiveness. If the container does not say that the brake fluid
complies with VW Standard 501 14, or U.S. Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4, do not use it.
x The brake fluid must be new.

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
D
Power steering assist is reduced.
Stop, restart the engine, and drive a short
distance. If the yellow warning light does not
come on again, you do not need to have the
steering system checked.
Otherwise, have the steering checked
immediately by an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility.
Vehicle battery was disconnected and
has been reconnected.
Drive a short distance at about 10–12 mph
(15–20 km/h).


Flashes Possible cause Proper response
D Electronic steering column lock
malfunction.

Your vehicle's Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) uses the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
sensors to indirectly check the tire pressure of all 4 tires while you are driving. The sensors monitor the
tread circumference (rolling circumference) and vibration characteristics of the individual tires. TPMS
warns if there is a significant loss of pressure in one or more tires while the vehicle is moving.
Pressure loss is signaled by the indicator light Ç (described below) as well as by text warnings in the
instrument cluster display if your vehicle has this display (Multi-Function Indicator- MFI).
The original benchmark pressure is the recommended maximum load cold tire inflation pressure for
the tires that come with your vehicle. This pressure is listed on the tire pressure label on the driver
door jamb. After adjusting the tire pressures in all 4 tires, you must confirm and store the new cold
inflation pressures using the Settings menu in the instrument cluster , which changes the
benchmark pressure to match the current pressure of the tires on your vehicle.
Recalibrating the TPMS to reset the benchmark cold tire inflation pressure is explained below
More information:
x Volkswagen Information System
x Transporting
x Braking, stopping and parking
x Exterior care and cleaning
x Tires and wheels
x Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
x Consumer information

x The 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 .
x If you have to adjust the tire pressure on a warm tire, fill the tire with 2.0 - 4.35 psi (20 - 30 kPa)
more than the pressure specified on the tire pressure label inside the driver door 272.
x If the TPMS determines that the air pressure in at least one tire is too low, carefully check the
pressure in all 4 tires with an accurate tire pressure gauge. Low tire pressure usually cannot be
determined by looking at the tire. This is especially true of low-profile tires.
If you have work done on your wheels or tires, inform the workshop that the vehicle is equipped
with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
New tires may expand slightly the first time they are driven at high speeds, which can trigger a
tire pressure warning. Remember that tire pressure can only be properly measured when the tire is
“cold” .
Only replace old tires with tires that have been approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle type.
Applicable only in the United States
Indicator light (telltale)

WARNING
Incorrect tire pressures and/or underinflation can cause sudden tire failure, loss of control,
collision, serious personal injury, or even death.
x When the warning symbol Ç appears in the instrument cluster, stop the vehicle as soon as
it is safe to do so and inspect all tires.
x Incorrect tire pressure and/or underinflation can cause increased tire wear and can affect
the handling of the vehicle and its stopping ability.
x Incorrect tire pressure and/or underinflation can also lead to sudden tire failure, including
a blowout and sudden deflation, causing loss of vehicle control.
x The driver is responsible for the correct tire pressures for all tires on the vehicle. The
recommended tire pressure values are listed on a sticker inside the driver's door
x The TPMS can only work correctly when all tires on the vehicle are filled to the correct
cold tire inflation pressure. Always maintain the correct cold tire inflation pressure so that
TPMS can do its job.
x Using incorrect tire pressure values can cause accidents or other damage. Check the
pressure in all 4 tires when the tires are still cold. Never reduce air pressure in warm tires to
match cold tire inflation pressure.
x Always inflate the tires to the correct specified cold tire pressure values for the tires
installed of the vehicle; see the tire inflation pressure label on the driver door jamb .
x Always inflate tires to the recommended and correct tire pressure before driving off.
x Driving with underinflated tires causes them to flex (bend) more, letting them get too hot,
which can result in tread separation, sudden tire failure, and loss of control.
x Excessive speed and/or overloading can cause heat build-up, sudden tire failure, and loss
of control.
x If the tire pressure is too low or too high, the tires will wear prematurely and the vehicle
will not handle well.
x If the tire is not “flat” and you do not have to change the tire or wheel immediately, drive at
reduced speed to the nearest service station to check the tire pressure and add air as
required.
x When replacing tires or wheel rims on vehicles equipped with TPMS, always read and
heed the information and all WARNINGS in the section, Tires and wheels.
WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to
break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.
x Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Applicable only in Canada
Indicator light (telltale)

WARNING
Incorrect tire pressures and/or underinflation can cause sudden tire failure, loss of control,
collision, serious personal injury, or even death.
x When the warning symbol Ç appears in the instrument cluster, stop the vehicle as soon as
it is safe to do so and inspect all tires.
x Incorrect tire pressure and/or underinflation can cause increased tire wear and can affect
the handling of the vehicle and its stopping ability.
x Incorrect tire pressure and/or underinflation can also lead to sudden tire failure, including
a blowout and sudden deflation, causing loss of vehicle control.
x The driver is responsible for the correct tire pressures for all tires on the vehicle. The
recommended tire pressure values are listed on a sticker inside the driver door.
x The TPMS can only work correctly when all tires on the vehicle are filled to the correct
cold tire inflation pressure. Always maintain the correct cold tire inflation pressure so that
TPMS can do its job.
x Using incorrect tire pressure values can cause accidents or other damage. Check the
pressure in all 4 tires when the tires are still cold. Never reduce air pressure in warm tires to
match cold tire inflation pressure.
x Always inflate the tires to the correct specified cold tire pressure values for the tires
installed on the vehicle; see the tire inflation pressure label on the driver door jamb Tires and
wheels.
x Always inflate tires to the recommended and correct tire pressure before driving off.
x Driving with underinflated tires causes them to flex (bend) more, letting them get too hot,
which can result in tread separation, sudden tire failure, and loss of control.
x Excessive speed and/or overloading can cause heat build-up, sudden tire failure, and loss
of control.
x If the tire pressure is too low or too high, the tires will wear prematurely and the vehicle
will not handle well.
x If the tire is not “flat” and you do not have to change the tire or wheel immediately, drive at
reduced speed to the nearest service station to check the tire pressure and add air as
required.
x When replacing tires or wheel rims on vehicles equipped with TPMS, always read and
heed the information and all WARNINGS in the section 267, Tires and wheels.
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
WARNING
Improper recalibration can cause the TPMS to give false warnings or to give no warning
despite dangerously low tire pressure
WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to
break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.
x Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

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.