2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT sensor

Front view

Fig. 2 Vehicle front overview.
Key to fig. 2:
(1) Front windshield
(2) Windshield wipers
(3) Engine hood
(4) Engine hood release
(5) Headlights
(6) Fog lights / static cornering lights
(7) Front license plate bracket
(8) Sensor on mirror base for:
– Low-light sensor

Unlocking and locking vehicles with Keyless Access

Fig. 36 Ranges of the Keyless Access locking and starting system. Outside the vehicle: Unlocking range.
Inside the vehicle: Starting range.

Fig. 37 Keyless Access locking and starting system: Sensor for unlocking A on the inside of the front door
handles. Sensor for locking B on the outside of the front door handles.

All turn signals flash twice to confirm that the vehicle has been unlocked and once to confirm that it
has been locked.
If the vehicle was unlocked and within the next few seconds no door or the luggage compartment lid
has been opened, the vehicle is automatically locked again.
Unlocking and opening doors (Keyless Entry)
x Grasp the door handle of the driver or front passenger door so that you touch the unlocking sensor
surface (A).
x Open the door.
Closing and locking doors (Keyless Exit)
x Close the driver door.
x Touch the sensor surface in the door handle on the driver or front passenger door (B). The vehicle
is locked. The door being locked must be closed.
Unlocking and locking the luggage compartment lid
If the vehicle is locked and a valid remote control vehicle key is within range ⇒ fig. 36 of the luggage
compartment lid, it unlocks automatically when opened.
x Open and close the luggage compartment lid as you would a standard luggage compartment lid
⇒ page 74.
The luggage compartment lid locks automatically when it is closed except in the following situations:
x The vehicle is completely unlocked.
x When an authorized remote control vehicle key is inside the vehicle.
Locking with a second vehicle key
If a remote control vehicle key is inside the passenger compartment, the vehicle can be locked from
the outside only if a second valid remote control vehicle key is within range.
When the vehicle is locked from the outside, the keyless go (starting) function of any keys left in the
passenger compartment will be deactivated. All other functions (remote central locking and unlocking
as well as emergency starting) remain active and unchanged.
A key that was inside the vehicle when it was locked from the outside is reactivated:
x by pressing a button on the deactivated key.
x by pressing a door handle sensor when the deactivated key is outside of the vehicle, but within
range.
x by starting the engine with the starter button on the center console (but not by starting the engine
with the remote start button on a key that is outside of the vehicle).
Automatic deactivation of sensors
If the vehicle has not been unlocked or locked for a longer period of time, the proximity sensors in the
passenger door are automatically deactivated.
If a sensor on the door handle of a locked vehicle is activated too often, for instance by a bush or
hedge that rubs against the vehicle, the sensors in the door handle on that side of the vehicle are
switched off for about 30 minutes.
The door handle sensors become active again if one of the following events occurs:
x 30 minutes have passed.
x OR: The vehicle is unlocked using the 0 button in the remote control vehicle key.
x OR: The luggage compartment lid is opened.
x OR: The vehicle is mechanically unlocked with the vehicle key.

Convenience functions
The door opening function when touching a sensor surface on a door handle is carried out depending
on the settings activated in the Settings – Convenience menu.
NOTICE

x The door handle sensor surfaces can be activated by a strong stream of water or steam if a
valid vehicle key is within range of the vehicle.
The door may not open if the outside and inside door handles are used at the same time.
If the vehicle battery or the battery in the remote control vehicle key is weak or dead, it might not
be possible to unlock and lock the vehicle using Keyless Access. The vehicle can still be manually
locked or unlocked with the key bit.
The driver message Key not in range appears in the instrument cluster display if there is no
remote control vehicle key inside the vehicle or if the system does not recognize the remote control
vehicle key. The key may not be recognized, for example, if it is covered by something that interferes
with the signal (such as a briefcase), or if the remote control vehicle key battery is weak. Electronic
devices such as cell phones can also interfere with the signal.
Dirt on the door handles that contains a lot of salt (especially in winter) can affect the way the
door handle sensors work. Cleaning the door handles can help with this problem.
If the automatic transmission is not in Park (P) position, the electronic steering column lock will
not lock and the vehicle will not lock via sensors in the front door handles or the remote control vehicle
key.

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.

Automatic activation: Automatic deactivation:
If the low-light sensor registers darkness, for
example when driving through a tunnel.
If sufficient brightness is registered.

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 (!54/) 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, rear lights, 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
Lights and vision features

If the light switch is in the AUT O 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.
Vehicles without daytime running lights (DRL): if
you drive faster than 140 km/h (85 mph) for a few
seconds.
Vehicles without daytime running lights (DRL: if
you drive slower than 65 km/h (40 mph) for a few
minutes.

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 (!54/) 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, rear lights, and turn signals can tempo-
rarily 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)

Applicable only in South Korea
Rain sensor

Fig. 103 Windshield wiper lever: Adjusting rain sensor 1.

Fig. 104 Inside the front windshield above the inside mirror: Sensitive rain sensor surface.