2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC warning

WARNING
Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious personal injury.
x Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. The engine can be started and
vehicle systems such as the power windows can be operated, leading to serious personal
injury.
x Never leave children, disabled persons, or anyone who cannot help themselves in the
vehicle. The doors can be locked with the remote control vehicle key. This could result in
people being trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. For example, depending on the time of
year, people trapped in the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.
x Heat build-up in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in
temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures, particularly
in summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and
death, particularly to small children.
x Never remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a
stop. The steering wheel will lock and you will not be able to steer or control the vehicle.
Leaving the key in the ignition for a long time when the engine is not running will drain the vehicle
battery.
Leaving the selector lever for a long period of time in any position other than Park (P) when the
ignition is switched off can drain the vehicle battery.
On automatic transmission vehicles, the vehicle key can be removed from the ignition switch
only when the transmission is in Park (P). You may have to press the release button on the
transmission selector lever to put the lever into Park (P).
Starting the engine

WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. The vehicle could move
suddenly, especially when the vehicle is in gear, resulting in accidents and personal injury.
WARNING
“Starting fluids” can explode and can cause a “run-away” vehicle condition.
x Never use starting assist fluids.
NOTICE
x You can damage the starter or the engine if you try to start the engine when the vehicle is
still moving, or if you try to restart the engine right after switching it off.
x Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle acceleration, and heavy engine loads when the
engine is cold.
x Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle. Unburned fuel can get into
the catalytic converter and damage it. The steering column may also be locked.
Do not let your vehicle warm up while standing; instead, start driving right away after making sure
that you have good visibility through all windows. This will help the engine reach operating
temperature faster and keep down emissions.
Major consumers of electricity are temporarily switched off when the engine is being started.
After starting a cold engine, there may be increased operating noises for a few seconds. This is
normal and harmless.
Stopping the engine

Please perform these steps only in the order listed.
Step Operation
7. Removing the vehicle key from the ignition switches off electrical equipment and
activates the steering column lock.

WARNING
Never stop the engine before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. You can lose control
of the vehicle, crash, and be seriously injured.
x The airbags and safety belt pretensioners will not work when the ignition is switched off.
x The brake booster does not work when the engine is not running. More brake pedal
pressure will be needed to stop the vehicle.
x The power steering system does not work when the engine is not running, and you will
need more force to steer the vehicle.
x When the key is removed from the ignition switch, the steering will lock and you will not
be able to steer the vehicle.
NOTICE
If the vehicle has been driven hard for a long time, the engine could overheat when it is
stopped. To reduce the risk of engine damage, let the engine idle in Neutral for about 2 minutes
before you switch off the ignition.
If the ignition is switched on or the engine is running and the driver door is opened, a chime
sounds. The chime is also a reminder to switch off the engine and turn off the ignition before leaving
and locking the vehicle from the outside.
On vehicles with automatic transmissions, the vehicle key can only be removed from the ignition
when the transmission is in Park (P).
After the engine has been switched off, the radiator fan in the engine compartment may keep
running for several minutes, or may start running after the vehicle has been parked for a while, even if
the ignition is switched off and the vehicle key has been removed. The radiator fan shuts off
automatically when the engine has cooled down enough.
Electronic immobilizer

WARNING
Improper use of the engine preheating system may cause short circuits, fires, and serious or
fatal personal injuries.
x Always connect the connecting cable to a 120 Volt Ground Fault Circuit (GFI) wall outlet.
The outlet must be protected from water, moisture and other fluids.
x Never connect the engine preheating system to a conventional socket, regardless of
whether the socket is protected or not.
WARNING
Using an outlet or power cables that are incorrect or damaged, using electrical appliances
incorrectly, or ignoring safety precautions can result in short circuits, accidents, injuries, and
life-threatening electrical shocks.
x Never use a damaged outlet or a damaged power cable.
x Always plug the preheating system into a 120 Volt Ground Fault Circuit (GFI) wall outlet
that is properly protected against rain and other moisture.
x Always check the fuse protection of the 120 Volt power source before using the
connecting cable.
x Always use a 12 gauge or heavier heavy-duty extension cable that can be properly
grounded to a three-prong GFI outlet. The extension cable must not be longer than 100 ft
(30 meters).
x Check the cables for damage before every use. Never use a damaged cable. Damaged
cables must be replaced. See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen
Service Facility.
x Only use the cables provided.
x Always remove the connecting cable before starting the engine.
x Never attempt to alter or repair cables or other electrical components.
x Never let plugs or connectors come into contact with water, moisture, or any other fluids.
If the engine preheating system is used occasionally, test the GFI circuit breaker (Ground Fault
Circuit Interrupter) once a month. Test it once a week if the system is used regularly.

WARNING
Constant braking causes the brakes to overheat and even to fail leading to collisions and
serious personal injury.
x Never “ride” the brakes or apply the brake pedal too often or too long.
x Riding the brakes will substantially reduce braking performance, increase stopping
distance, and can cause complete brake system failure.
NOTICE
x Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pedal when you do not want to
brake. This will make the brakes wear faster.
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
even fail. Only use the brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.
Warning and indicator lights

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.
x Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, turn
on the emergency flashers, stop the engine, and use other warning devices to warn
approaching traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Pedals

Fig. 113 Pedals in vehicles with manual transmission: 1 Accelerator pedal, 2 Brake pedal, 3 Clutch pedal.

Fig. 114 Pedals in vehicles with automatic transmission: 1 Accelerator pedal, 2 Brake pedal.

WARNING
Objects in the driver footwell can prevent the pedals from moving freely. This can cause loss
of vehicle control and increase the risk of serious personal injuries.
x Always make sure that nothing can interfere with the pedals.
x Always fasten floor mats securely to the floor.
x Never put floor mats or other floor coverings on top of already installed floor mats.
x Always make sure that nothing can fall into the driver footwell while the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE
Always make sure that the pedals are able to move freely and that nothing can interfere with
them. If a brake circuit fails, more brake pedal travel will be needed to bring the vehicle to a
stop. The brake pedal must be pressed farther and harder than normal.
Manual transmission: Gearshift lever

Fig. 115 Gearshift pattern of a 5-speed manual transmission.

Fig. 116 Gearshift pattern of a 6-speed manual transmission.

The positions of the individual gears are shown on the gearshift lever ⇒ fig. 115 or ⇒ fig. 116.
x Depress the clutch pedal all the way and hold.
x Move the gearshift lever into the desired position ⇒ .
x Release the clutch pedal to engage the gear.
The clutch pedal must be fully depressed to start the engine.
Shifting into reverse
x Only shift to the reverse gear when the vehicle is not moving.
x Depress the clutch pedal fully and hold ⇒ .
x Move the gearshift lever to neutral and press down.
x Move the shift lever to the left and then push forward into the reverse gear position ⇒ fig. 115 (R)
or ⇒ fig. 116 (R).
x Release the clutch pedal to engage the gear.
Downshifting
You should always downshift gear by gear when driving, meaning always into the next lowest gear. Do
not downshift when the engine rpm (revolutions per minute) is too high ⇒ . At fast speeds or high
engine rpm, skipping over one or more gears when downshifting can cause damage to the clutch and
transmission, even if a gear is not engaged ⇒ .
WARNING
Downshifting to a lower gear incorrectly can result in loss of vehicle control and can cause
accidents and serious personal injuries.
WARNING
When the engine is running and a gear is engaged, the vehicle will start to move as soon as
the clutch pedal is released, even when the parking brake is applied. This also applies when
the parking brake is engaged.
x Never shift into reverse when the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE
Shifting down to a gear that is too low when driving at fast speeds or high engine rpm can
cause extensive damage to the clutch and transmission. That is true even if the clutch pedal is
pressed so that the clutch is not engaged.
NOTICE
To help prevent damage and premature wear:
x Do not rest your hand on the gearshift lever while driving. Over time, the pressure will
cause premature wear in the transmission.
x Make sure that the vehicle has come to a complete stop before shifting into reverse.
x Always depress the clutch pedal all the way when changing gears.