2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Owners Manual

NOTICE
If the safety belt extender is left attached to the safety belt buckle, the safety belt warning
system will sense that the safety belt for that seat is being used. The warning light will not
come on and the warning chime will not sound even though the seat is occupied and the safety
belt is not being used.
Safety belt retractor, pretensioner, load limiter

yards, and recycling facilities. For this reason, the systems must be properly handled when they or the
vehicles they are installed in are scrapped.
Undeployed safety belt pretensioners and airbag modules can also pollute the environment. Never
abandon vehicles or vehicle parts. If your vehicle must be scrapped, please make sure that it is done
safely, responsibly, and in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations. Take it to a li-
censed facility that has the knowledge and experience to properly dispose of the vehicle and its safety
belt system. Your authorized Volkswagen dealer and authorized Volkswagen Service Facility are
familiar with these regulations.
WARNING
Improper handling, care, servicing, and repair procedures can increase the risk of personal
injury and death by preventing a belt pretensioner from activating when needed or by caus-
ing it to activate unexpectedly.
x The pretensioner can be activated only once. If a pretensioner has been activated, the
safety belt must be replaced.
x Safety belt systems including the pretensioners cannot be repaired. Special procedures
are required to remove, install, and dispose of this system.
x Never repair, adjust, or change pretensioners or any other part of the safety belt system
yourself. We strongly recommend that you have any work on the safety belt system per-
formed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. They
have the necessary technical information, training, and special equipment.
WARNING
Undeployed safety belt pretensioners and airbag modules contain explosive materials that
can cause serious personal injuries if they are not properly handled when they or the vehi-
cles they are installed in are scrapped.
x Never abandon vehicles or vehicle parts.
x Always scrap vehicles and vehicle parts, especially those containing undeployed airbag
modules and undeployed safety belt pretensioners, at a licensed facility that has the
knowledge and experience to properly dispose of the vehicle and its safety belt and airbag
systems.
Undeployed airbag modules and safety belt pretensioners are classified as Perchlorate Materi-
al. Special handling may apply – see http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all
applicable legal requirements regarding handling and disposal of the vehicle or parts of its restraint
system, including airbag modules and safety belts with pretensioners. Authorized Volkswagen dealers
and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the requirements, and we recommend
that you have them perform this service for you

Lights

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
 One or more driving lights not working or
cornering light 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).



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 approach-
ing 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.

Applicable only in South Korea
Indicator lights

Turn signal lever and high beam switch

Fig. 95 Turn signal lever and high beam switch.

Applicable only in the United States and Canada
Switching lights on and off

Fig. 96 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel: A vehicles with front fog lights. B vehicles without front
fog lights.

WARNING
Daytime running lights and parking 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 tempo-
rarily fog up. This is normal and does not affect the service life of the vehicle's lighting system.
Applicable only in Mexico, the AGCC, and South Korea
Switching lights on and off

Fig. 97 Headlight switch next to the steering wheel: A vehicles with front fog lights. B vehicles without front
fog lights.