2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT warning

(F) 27.8 inches (705.3 mm)
(G) 41.3 inches (1048.2 mm)
WARNING
Improper or incorrect connections to the vehicle electrical system can cause malfunctions
that affect the entire vehicle electrical system and cause accidents and serious personal
injury.
x Never connect the electrical system of the trailer directly to the electrical connections of
the rear lights or other unsuitable power sources. Use only a suitable connector to provide
power to the trailer.
x Have any trailer hitch retrofit or other work on a trailer hitch done by a qualified workshop.
WARNING
An improperly installed or unsuitable trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the
towing vehicle and result in a major accident with serious personal injuries.
Applicable only in the United States and Canada
Maximum permissible trailer weight

WARNING
The center armrest can restrict the driver's arm movement and cause crashes and serious
personal injury.
x Always keep storage compartments in the center armrest closed while driving.
WARNING
Never let a passenger, especially a child, ride on the center armrest.
There may be a 12 Volt socket, an AUX-IN jack, USB port, or a multimedia jack (MEDIA-IN) in
the center armrest storage compartment ⇒ Booklet Radio or ⇒ Booklet Navigation system.
Applicable only in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the AGCC
Glove compartment

Fig. 122 On the passenger side: Glove compartment.

Fig. 123 Inside the glove compartment.

Key to ⇒ fig. 123:
(1) Valet parking key in holder.
(2) SET button for Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
(3) Button for Valet Parking feature.
(4) Owner's Manual in Owner's Manual slot.
(5) Holder for pen and notepad.
Opening and closing the glove compartment
If necessary, unlock the glove compartment. It is locked when the key slot is vertical.
To open, pull the handle ⇒ fig. 122.
To close, push the lid up.
Owner's Manual slot
The slot at the top of the glove compartment is designed to hold the Owner's Manual.
The Owner's Manual is in this glove compartment slot ⇒ fig. 123 (4).
Always keep the Owner's Manual in this slot.
Holder for the valet parking key
There is a holder for the valet parking key in the glove compartment.
The holder is on the left side of the glove compartment (1).
You should keep the valet parking key in this holder. Slide the valet key into the holder from above, do
not snap it into the holder from the front.
Holder for pen and notepad
There are holders for a pen and a notepad in the glove compartment cover (5).
Buttons in the glove compartment
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) SET button ⇒ page Error! Bookmark not defined.,
⇒ page Error! Bookmark not defined. (2) and the Valet Parking button ⇒ page 65 (1) are also locat-
ed in the glove compartment.
WARNING
An open glove compartment door can increase the risk of serious injury during sudden brak-
ing or driving maneuvers or in a crash.
x Always keep the glove compartment closed while the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE
In some vehicle models, design considerations have made it necessary to have openings in the
glove compartment behind the Owner's Manual slot, for example. Small items may fall through
these openings and get behind the instrument panel. This can cause unusual noises and dam-
age the vehicle. Never put any small objects in the glove compartment for this reason.

Holders for pen and notepad
There are holders for a pen and a notepad in the glove compartment cover (3).
Button in the glove compartment
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) SET button is also located in the glove compartment
(1).
WARNING
An open glove compartment door can increase the risk of serious injury during sudden brak-
ing or driving maneuvers or in a crash.
x Always keep the glove compartment closed while the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE
In some vehicle models, design considerations have made it necessary to have openings in the
glove compartment behind the owner's manual slot, for example. Small items may fall through
these openings and get behind the instrument panel. This can cause unusual noises and dam-
age the vehicle. Never put any small objects in the glove compartment for this reason.
Rear center armrest storage compartment

Fig. 126 Rear center armrest storage compartment.

WARNING
The center armrest must always be folded up and the storage compartment and cup holders
closed to reduce the risk of injuries when the vehicle is moving.
x Never let anybody, especially children, ride on the rear center armrest or in the center
position on the rear seat when the armrest is folded down. An improper seating position can
increase the risk of serious injury in a crash.
x Close the storage compartment only if no one is in the way.
Other storage compartments

WARNING
Always keep the armrest folded up when the vehicle is moving to reduce the risk of injury.
x Never let anybody, especially children, ride on the rear center armrest or in the center
position on the rear seat when the armrest is folded down. An improper seating position can
increase the risk of serious injury in a crash.

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.