2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC warning 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 Park the vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic and where no part of the hot cata-
lytic converter and exhaust system can come into contact with flammable materials under the
vehicle, such as dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, etc.
x A broken down vehicle presents a high accident risk for itself and others. Switch on
emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle to warn oncoming traffic.
WARNING
Roads and bridges may be dangerously icy even if the outside air temperature is above freez-
ing.
x If you use the outside temperature display to tell you about frost conditions, remember
that roads can even ice over at temperatures above +39 °F (+4 °C). Always remember: even if
the “snowflake symbol” (icy road warning) is not displayed, there could still be black ice on
the road.
x Never rely exclusively on the outside temperature display.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
The instrument cluster displays and their arrangement may vary depending on the vehicle model
and engine. For displays without warning and information messages, malfunctions are only signaled
with indicator lights.
If there are multiple warning messages, the symbols are displayed for several seconds in order of
importance. The symbols are displayed until the cause has been corrected.

x If there is a child restraint installed on the front passenger seat.
x If there is a blanket or seat cover on the front passenger seat.
x If the seat is damp or wet.
x If the outside temperature or the temperature inside the passenger compartment is 77 °F (25 °C) or
more.

Function Action for seat heating ⇒fig.43
Switch on: Press the Aor ebutton. Seat heating is switched on
to maximum.
Adjust the heating
level:
Press the A or e button repeatedly until the desired
heating level is set.
Switch off: Press the A or ebutton repeatedly until all indicator
lights in the button are off.

Special seat heating features
On the driver and the passenger side, the seat heating will resume at the setting that was set when the
ignition was switched off. However, this feature only works if the key is not taken out of the ignition
switch.
People suffering from a low level of perceived pain or a lowered awareness of pain as from
medication, paralysis, or chronic illness (e.g. diabetes) should NEVER use the seat heating feature
⇒ !
The use of seat heating by persons with these conditions could result in burns to the back, buttocks,
and legs that may take a long time to heal and may never heal completely. If you have any of these
conditions, you should take regular breaks and get out of the vehicle, particularly on long trips. Consult
your doctor for advice regarding your specific condition.
WARNING
Certain medical conditions, such as paralysis and diabetes, and certain medications can
increase the risk of serious burns when the seat heating feature is switched on.
x Vehicle occupants who have a low level of perceived pain or a lowered awareness of pain
can receive serious burns to the back, buttocks, and legs that take a long time to heal or may
never heal completely.
x Never use the seat heating feature if you or your passengers are at risk of being burned
because of a medical condition. Take regular breaks and get out of the vehicle, particularly
on long trips. Consult your doctor for advice regarding your specific condition.
x Never let exposed skin remain in contact with the seat upholstery when the seat heating is
being used.
WARNING
A wet seat can cause the seat heating to malfunction and increase the risk of serious burns.
x Always make sure the seats are dry before using the seat heating.
x Never sit on the seat with wet clothes.
x Never put damp or wet things including clothes on the seat.
x Never spill liquids on the seats.

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.
A warning chime also sounds.
The safety belt warning light ª comes on for 6 seconds when the ignition is switched on. A warning
chime also sounds for up to 6 seconds if the driver's safety belt is not buckled. The chime stops
sooner if the driver buckles his or her safety belt. The warning light and the chime go out when both
driver and front passenger have bucked their safety belts.
If the driver and front seat passenger do not both fasten their safety belts within about 24 seconds
after the chime stops and the vehicle is moving at a speed of more than about 15 mph (25 km/h), the
chime will again sound for about 6 seconds, then go off for about 24 seconds, then sound again for
about another 6 seconds. The same thing happens if one of the safety belts is fastened and then
unfastened while the vehicle is moving. The safety belt warning light ª also flashes. The warning
chime continues to sound at 24 second intervals for up to 2 minutes. No chime sounds at speeds of
less than about 5 mph (8 km/h).
If the ignition is switched on, the safety belt warning light ª stays on until the driver and front
passenger have both buckled their safety belts.
WARNING
Not wearing a safety belt or wearing an improperly positioned safety belt increases the risk of
severe personal injury or death. Safety belts offer optimum protection only when used
correctly.
Frontal collisions and laws of physics

Fig. 47 A vehicle with passengers not wearing safety belts approaches a wall.

Fig. 48 A vehicle with passengers not wearing safety belts hits a wall.

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response

One or more driving lights not working or
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
malfunction.
Replace burned out bulb, or
If all light bulbs are OK, see an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.

Fog lights switched on (indicator light on
the headlight switch or the instrument
cluster).



Left or right turn signal.
The indicator light blinks twice as fast if a
turn signal is not working on the vehicle or
the trailer.
Check the turn signals on the vehicle and
the trailer.

Daytime running lights (DRL) on.
$2,

 High beams switched on or headlight
flashers in use.

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.
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, stop
the engine, turn on the emergency flashers, and use other warning devices to warn
approaching traffic.
x Never park the vehicle in areas where the hot catalytic converter and exhaust system can
come into contact with dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, oil, or other material that can catch fire.
x A broken down vehicle presents a high accident risk for itself and others. Switch on
emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle to warn oncoming traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights provide bright, uniform lighting to help you see and be
seen. The light comes from an electric arc between two electrodes in the gas-filled bulb. Over time, the
electrodes can wear down and the gap between them will get wider. The HID lamp’s control unit then
increases the voltage to keep the arc’s brightness constant. However, the commonly called “Xenon”
bulbs will also ultimately burn out. Before they burn out, HID lamps can flicker. A message will then
appear in the MFI. This is your reminder to see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service facility to check the headlights.

WARNING
Daytime running lights are not bright enough to let you see ahead or be seen by others when
it is dark.
x Always switch on the low-beam headlights at dusk or when it is dark and whenever the
weather is bad or visibility is poor.
x Never use the daytime running lights to see where you are going. They are not bright
enough and will not let you 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 with the daytime running lights. Unless the taillights are on,
a vehicle cannot be seen by others in bad weather, at dusk, or when it is dark.
x Even if automatic headlight control (AUTO) is switched on, the low-beam headlights may
still not come on by themselves in fog or heavy rain. You have to switch on the low-beam
headlights manually.
In cool or humid weather, the insides of the headlights, the taillights, and turn signals can
temporarily fog up. This is normal and does not affect the service life of the vehicle's lighting system.
Applicable only in the United States
Lights and vision features

when you turn a corner. If you turn to the right, the right fog light comes on; turn left and the left fog
light comes on. The light dims and goes out when the steering wheel is straightened out again.
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. 73), 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
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 !54/, 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.
If the rain sensor recognizes rain and switches
the windshield wipers on.
If the windshield wipers have not moved for
several minutes.

Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
The Adaptive Front Lighting System works only with the low beams switched on and only at speeds
above about 6 mph (10 km/h). The swivel-mounted lamps automatically improve road illumination
during cornering.
On vehicles equipped with the Adaptive Front Lighting System, the feature is switched on and off via
the Assistants menu in the instrument cluster display
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, the 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.
Applicable only in Canada
Lights and vision features

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, the 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)

The delay period can be adjusted and the function can be switched on and off in the Lights &
Vision menu
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 and headlight range adjustment

Fig. 74 To the left of the steering wheel: Thumbwheel to adjust instrument panel lighting 1.