2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT wheel

x Push the head restraint down while pressing button (2).
x Fold the backrest of the rear seat bench back so that it locks securely.
x Adjust the head restraint according to the occupant's size.
WARNING
Driving without head restraints or with improperly adjusted head restraints increases the risk
of serious injuries in a collision.
x Always drive with the head restraints in place and properly adjusted to help minimize the
risk of neck injury in crash.
x Always reinstall head restraints as soon as possible so that vehicle occupants are proper-
ly protected.
NOTICE
When removing or reinstalling the head restraint, take care that the head restraint does not
strike the headliner or other parts of the vehicle. The headliner or other parts of the vehicle
could otherwise be damaged.
Adjusting the steering wheel position

Fig. 62 Manual adjustment for the steering wheel position.

WARNING
Improper use of the steering column adjustment feature can result in serious personal injury
and even death.
x Always pull the lever (1) firmly upward after adjusting the steering column so that the
steering wheel does not change position suddenly while the vehicle is moving.
x Never adjust the steering column while the vehicle is moving. If you find that you need to
adjust the steering wheel while driving, stop the vehicle in a safe place and make the proper
adjustment.
x Never adjust the steering wheel so that it points toward your face. Always make sure that
the steering wheel points toward your chest. Otherwise, the airbag system cannot protect
you properly in the event of a crash.
x Always hold the steering wheel on the outside of the steering wheel rim with your hands
at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to help reduce the risk of serious personal injury if the
driver's airbag inflates.
x Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position or with your hands anywhere
inside the steering wheel or on the steering wheel hub. Holding the steering wheel the wrong
way increases the risk of severe injury to the arms, hands, and head if the driver airbag de-
ploys.
Center armrest

Fig. 63 Front center armrest.

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.

The daytime running lights are switched on whenever the ignition is switched on and the light switch is
in position / or !54/. The indicator light  or $2, in the instrument cluster indicates that the feature is
active.
If the light switch is in position !54/, a low-light sensor switches the instrument and switch lighting on
and off automatically.
Daytime running lights (DRL) parking feature
Some models are equipped with a daytime running lights (DRL) parking feature that switches the
daytime running lights off when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is switched on.

Function Action
Switching the DRL off: – Switch the ignition on.
– Turn the light switch to the O position.
– Set the parking brake.
Switching the DRL on: – Release the parking brake.

Static cornering lights
Your vehicle may have fog lights under the front bumper that are also static cornering lights. On some
models the static cornering lights may also be integrated in the headlights. At speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h), the light on one side of the vehicle will come on automatically 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 !54/ position ⇒ fig. 96), 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 (!54/)
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.

“Leaving home” Action
Switch off: – Automatically after preset delay period is over.
– Lock the vehicle.
– Turn the light switch to the / position.
– Switch the ignition on.

The delay period can be adjusted and the function can be switched on and off in the Lights &
Vision menu ⇒ page 17.
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

Fig. 98 To the left of the steering wheel: Control for instrument panel lighting.

WARNING
Parking improperly can cause serious personal injury.
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.
x Never park the vehicle where the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite
flammable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.
x Always apply the parking brake when parking your vehicle.
x Improper use of the parking brake can seriously injure you and your passengers.
x Never use the parking brake to slow down the vehicle when it is moving, except in an
emergency. The stopping distance is much longer because only the rear wheels are braked.
Always use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
x Never activate the throttle manually from the engine compartment when the engine is
running and the automatic transmission is in gear. The vehicle will start to move as soon as
the engine speed increases even if the parking brake is on.
x Never leave children or anyone who cannot help themselves behind in the vehicle. They
could release the parking brake and move the gear selector lever or gear shift, which could
cause the vehicle to start moving. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
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, trapping passengers 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.
NOTICE
x Always be careful when you park in areas with parking barriers or high curbs. These vary in
height and could damage your bumper and related parts if the front of your vehicle hits a
barrier or curb that is too high while you are getting into or out of a parking spot. To help
prevent damage, stop before the tires of your vehicle touch a parking barrier or curb.
x Always be careful when you enter a driveway or drive up or down steep ramps or over
curbs or other obstacles. Parts of the vehicle close to the ground may be damaged (such as
bumper covers, spoilers, and parts of the engine, suspension, and exhaust systems).
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.
WARNING
Driving with bad brakes can cause a collision and serious personal injury.
x If the brake warning light "2!+% or H does not go out, or comes on when driving, either the
brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low or there is a fault in the brake system. Stop the
vehicle as soon as you can do so safely and get expert assistance.
x If the brake warning light "2!+% or H comes on at the same time as the ABS warning
light !"3 or J, the ABS may not be working properly. This could cause the rear wheels to lock
up relatively quickly during braking. Rear wheel brake lock-up can cause loss of vehicle
control.
x If you believe the vehicle is safe to drive, drive slowly and very carefully to the nearest
authorized Volkswagen dealer, authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or other qualified
workshop and have the brake system inspected. Avoid sudden hard braking and steering.
x If the ABS indicator light !"3 or J does not go out, or if it comes on while driving, the ABS
system is not working properly. The vehicle can then be stopped only with the standard
brakes (without ABS). You will not have the protection ABS provides. Contact your
authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility as soon as
possible.
x If the symbol "2!+% 7%!2or I lights up in the instrument cluster display, whether alone or
together with a text message, immediately contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the brake pads checked and, if necessary,
replaced.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Parking brake

Fig. 145 Between the front seats: Parking brake.