2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC Owners Manual

Adjust the tire pressure
The proper tire pressure helps reduce rolling resistance as well as fuel consumption.
When purchasing new tires, always make sure that the tires are optimized for lower rolling resistance.
Use low viscosity engine oil
Fully “synthetic,” low viscosity engine oils that expressly comply with Volkswagen oil quality standards reduce fuel consumption. Low viscosity engine oils reduce the frictional resistance on the engine and are distributed more evenly and quickly, particularly when cold-starting the engine. The effect is particularly apparent in vehicles that frequently travel short distances.
Always ensure the right engine oil level is maintained and keep to the scheduled service intervals (engine oil changes).
Make sure the engine oil that you purchase expressly complies with Volkswagen oil quality standards and is the oil approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle.
Avoid unnecessary weight
The lighter the vehicle, the more economical and eco-friendly it will be. For example, an extra 220 lbs (100 kg) of weight increases fuel consumption by up to 1 pint per 60 miles (0.3 l/100 km).
Remove all unnecessary items and unnecessary dead weight from the vehicle.
Remove unnecessary aftermarket components
The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the less fuel it will consume. Aftermarket components such as bicycle racks reduce its aerodynamic performance.
Therefore, remove unnecessary structures and unused rack systems, particularly if planning to drive at higher speeds.

Starting assistance systems

accelerator. For Hill Hold to work, the engine must be running and the vehicle must be in First Gear or Reverse (manual transmission) or in Drive (D), Sport Drive (S), or Reverse (R) (automatic transmission) and you must use the foot brake to hold the vehicle before starting to move.
Hill Hold keeps the brake applied for not quite 2 seconds with the same force you used to prevent the vehicle from moving. This gives you time to take your foot off the brake, let the clutch out on a manual transmission vehicle, and gently depress the accelerator to get the vehicle moving again. If you do not depress the accelerator pedal and get the vehicle moving again within this time, the brakes will release and the vehicle will roll downhill. Furthermore, if any requirement for engaging Hill Hold is no longer met while the vehicle is stopped, Hill Hold disengages and the brakes are automatically released and will no longer hold the vehicle.
Hill Hold is activated automatically when points 1 to 3 are met at the same time:

Step Manual transmissionAutomatic transmission
1. Hold the stopped vehicle on an incline with the foot or parking brake.
2. The engine must be running “smoothly.”
3. A manual transmission vehicle must be in 1st gear (1) if headed up a hill or in Reverse (R) if backing up a hill; you must hold the clutch down and the foot brake must be depressed to keep the vehicle from moving.
An automatic transmission vehicle must be in Reverse (R), Drive (D), or Sport Drive (S) and the foot brake must be depressed to keep the vehicle from moving.
4. To drive off, take your foot off the brake pedal as you let the clutch out and gently depress the accelerator within 2 seconds.
To drive off, take your foot off the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator within 2 seconds.
Hill Hold is immediately deactivated:
x If any requirement listed in the table above is no longer met.
x If the engine is not running smoothly or the engine malfunctions.
x If the engine stalls or is switched off.
x Automatic transmission vehicles: If the transmission is in Neutral (N).
x Automatic transmission vehicles: If a tire does not have enough road contact (such as when the vehicle is tipped or at an angle).
WARNING
The intelligent technology of Hill Hold cannot overcome the laws of physics. Never let the increased convenience provided by Hill Hold tempt you into taking risks.
x The Hill Hold feature cannot hold the vehicle in all hill start situations (for example, if the surface is icy or slippery).
x Hill Hold can only help keep the vehicle from moving for less than 2 seconds. After that, the brakes will be released and the vehicle can roll down the hill.

Cruise Control System (CCS)

Applicable only in the United States
Indicator lights

Fig. 144 In the instrument cluster display: Cruise control status indications.

Applicable only in Canada
Indicator lights

Fig. 145 In the instrument cluster display: Cruise control status indications.

Cruise control operation

Fig. 146 On the left side of the steering column: Cruise control operating lever.

In order to: You must ⇒ fig. 146 Result:
Push and hold the lever in the SPEED + position (+) to increase the set speed continuously until the higher desired speed is reached and the lever is released.
Reduce set speed (while cruise control is actively controlling vehicle speed).
Push the lever briefly to the SPEED – position (–) to reduce the set speed continuously in increments of 5 mph (10 km/h) and store.
Cruise control will slow the vehicle down without braking by reducing the flow of fuel to the engine until the new lower speed is reached and saves the new lower speed in the memory.
Push and hold the lever in the SPEED – position (–) to reduce the set speed until the lower desired speed is reached and the lever is released.
Switch off cruise control. Push the lever to the OF F position (2). Pushing the lever briefly to the first detent deactivates the cruise control and saves the stored speed. Pushing the lever to the second detent turns off the cruise control and deletes the stored speed.
Driving downhill with cruise control
If cruise control cannot maintain constant speed while driving downhill, slow the vehicle with the foot brake and downshift if necessary.
Automatic deactivation
Cruise control speed regulation is automatically deactivated or temporarily interrupted:
x If the system detects an error that could affect the function of the cruise control.
x If the vehicle has accelerated and goes faster than the stored speed for a longer time.
x If the brake or clutch pedal is depressed.
x If the vehicle shifts gear (manual transmission).
x If an airbag deploys.