2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT park assist

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.

To help make it more difficult to steal your vehicle, you should always make sure the steering column
is locked before leaving the vehicle.
Electronic steering column lock
Vehicles with Keyless Access: The steering column is locked if the driver door is opened with the
ignition switched off. The vehicle must be standing still and the transmission must be in Park (P) on an
automatic transmission vehicle.
If the driver door is opened before the ignition is switched off, the electronic steering column lock is
activated only after the vehicle has been locked with the vehicle key or via the sensor in the door
handle.
Mechanical steering column lock
Vehicles without Keyless Access: The steering column is locked if the vehicle is stationary and the
vehicle key is removed from the ignition switch.

Engaging the steering column
lock
Disengaging the steering column
lock
Parking the vehicle. Turn the steering wheel slightly to
take pressure off the steering
column lock.
Remove the vehicle key. Insert the vehicle key into the
ignition switch.
Turn the steering wheel slightly until
you hear the steering column lock
engage.
Hold the steering wheel in this
position and turn the ignition switch.

Power steering
Power steering automatically adjusts to driving speed, steering torque, and the steering angle of the
wheels. Power steering works only when the engine is running.
If power steering is reduced or lost completely, it will be much harder to steer and control the vehicle.
Counter-steering assistance
Counter-steering assistance is part of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This feature makes it easier
for the driver to control the vehicle in difficult situations. For example, if you have to brake hard on a
surface that provides uneven traction, the vehicle could pull to the right or left. ESC detects this
situation and helps the driver counter-steer with additional steering power ⇒ .
WARNING
The counter-steering assistance in ESC can do no more than help the driver steer in difficult
situations. The driver must still control the vehicle. The vehicle does not steer by itself with
this feature!
NOTICE
If the ignition is off, the steering column lock will engage and the vehicle cannot be steered.
For this reason, you must leave the ignition on when going through an automatic car wash, for
example, so that the wheels will still steer.

In order to Operation
Deactivate display by driving
forward:
Drive forward faster than about 10 mph (16 km/h).

Screen
Function buttons on the screen ⇒ fig. 150:
(1) Display or hide the menu bar.
(2) Turn off the rearview camera screen.
(3) Turn off the sound.
(4) Adjust display: brightness, contrast, color (for vehicles with navigation unit).
Special considerations

1) Do not use Rear Assist in the following situations:
– When an incorrect or unclear image is displayed, such as when there is poor visibility or the lens is
dirty.
– If the area behind the vehicle cannot be seen clearly or completely.
– If the rear of the vehicle is heavily loaded.
– When the luggage compartment lid is open.
– If the driver is not familiar with the system.
– If the position or angle of the camera has changed, such as after a rear-end collision. Have the
system checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.


2) Examples of optical distortion by the camera
The Rear Assist camera displays only two-dimensional images. Recesses and protruding objects on
the ground or protruding parts on other vehicles are difficult or impossible to identify due to the lack
of depth of field.
Objects or another vehicle may seem closer or farther away on the screen than they really are:
– When driving from a level surface onto an upward or downward slope.
– When driving up or down a slope onto a level surface.
– If the rear of the vehicle is heavily loaded.
– When approaching protruding objects. These objects can disappear from the field of view when
backing up.

Cleaning the camera lens
Keep the camera lens clean and free of snow and ice:
x Engage the parking brake.
x Switch on the ignition.
x Select the reverse gear.
x Wet the camera lens with a commercially available alcohol-based glass cleaner and clean with a
dry cloth ⇒ .
x Remove snow with a brush.
x Remove ice with deicer spray ⇒ .

NOTICE
x Never use abrasive cleaning agents to clean the camera lens.
x Never remove snow or ice on the camera lens with warm or hot water. This can damage the
camera lens.
Volkswagen recommends practicing parking with Rear Assist in a safe place with little or no
traffic or in a parking lot under good visibility and weather conditions in order to familiarize yourself
with the system, the orientation lines and the way they work.
Rear Assist does not work when the luggage compartment lid is open.
Parking

Fig. 151 On the screen: Static orientation lines for the parking space behind the vehicle.

Checklist
For your own safety and that of your passengers, carry out the following steps in the order listed ⇒ :
1. Park the vehicle at a safe distance from traffic and on a suitable surface ⇒ .
2. Switch on emergency flashers by pressing the  switch ⇒ fig. 189.
3. Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving.
4. Shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only).
5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch.
6. Have all passengers exit and go to a safe location away from moving traffic, such as behind a
guard rail.
7. Take all vehicle keys with you when leaving your vehicle.
8. Set up a warning triangle or other warning device in order to alert other motorists and cyclists.
9. Let the engine cool down and get expert assistance if necessary.
If the emergency flashers are on, use the turn signal lever to indicate a direction or lane change, for
example when the vehicle is being towed. This temporarily interrupts the emergency flashers.
Switch on the emergency flashers when:
x Traffic suddenly slows down or stops in front of you to warn those approaching from behind.
x In any emergency situation.
x If the vehicle breaks down.
x When being towed.
Always obey traffic laws that govern the use of emergency flashers where you are driving.
If the emergency flashers are not working, a different method – as permitted by law – must be used to
alert other motorists and cyclists to the breakdown.
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common
sense.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter get very hot.
They can cause fires and serious personal injury.
x Never park where parts of the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite
flammable materials, such as dry grass, brush, leaves, spilled fuel, etc.
The vehicle battery will be drained if the emergency flashers are on for a long time – even if the
ignition is switched off.

WARNING
Changing a wheel, especially on the side of the road, can be dangerous. To help reduce the
risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Move the vehicle a safe distance off
the road where it is safe to change the wheel.
x Always make sure that all passengers, especially children, are in a safe place outside the
vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic (such as behind a guard rail).
x Turn on the emergency flashers and set up another warning device about 25 yards (25
meters) behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
x Change a wheel by yourself only if you are familiar with the necessary steps. Otherwise,
get expert assistance.
x Always switch the engine off, firmly apply the parking brake, and shift the transmission
into Park (P) (automatic transmission) or any gear (manual only) to help prevent the vehicle
from moving suddenly and slipping off the jack.
x Always make sure that the ground is level and firm. If necessary, place the jack on a large
and sturdy board or on a similar ground support.
x Always block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel being changed with chocks or other
similar things.
x If you are towing a trailer, always unhitch it from your vehicle before starting to change
the wheel. Always apply the trailer brakes firmly and make sure the trailer cannot move
unintentionally.
x Always use proper and undamaged tools when changing a wheel.
x Once a wheel is lifted off the ground, having the transmission in Park (P) or in gear will not
prevent sudden vehicle movement.
x Always use a jack that has been approved by the manufacturer for your vehicle. Never use
other jacks, even if they have been approved for use on other Volkswagen models.
x To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen
the screws on rims with threaded rim rings.
x After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked with an accurate
torque wrench.
x After changing a wheel or tire, reset the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common
sense.
Removing the wheel
x Review the checklist.
x Loosen the wheel bolts.
x Lift the vehicle.
x Completely unscrew and remove the previously loosened wheel bolts using the hexagonal socket
in the screwdriver handle ⇒ fig. 211. Place the wheel bolts on a clean surface.
x Remove the wheel.