2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC trailer

Rear view

Fig. 3 Vehicle rear overview.
Key to ⇒ fig. 3:
(1) Rear window
– Rear window defroster
– Rear window antenna
(2) High-mounted brake light
(3) Taillights (on both left and right) ,
(4) Volkswagen emblem. Area for:
– Luggage compartment release
– Rear Assist camera (if equipped)
(5) Threaded hole for the rear towing eye (behind cover)
(6) Roof antenna
(7) Park Distance Control (PDC) sensors (on both left and right, if equipped)
(8) Area for attaching a trailer hitch

d W e a r s h o e s t h a t g i v e y o u r f e e t a g o o d g r i p , a n d t h a t g i v e y o u a f e e l f o r t h e p e d a l s .
d M a k e s u r e t h a t t h e f l o o r m a t o n t h e d r i v e r s i d e i s p r o p e r l y f a s t e n e d a n d c a n n o t i n t e r f e r e w i t h t h e pedals.
d A s s u m e a p r o p e r s e a t i n g p o s i t i o n b e f o r e t h e v e h i c l e s t a r t s t o m o v e a n d k e e p t h i s p o s i t i o n w h i l e driving. Make sure that all passengers do the same, Adjusting the seating position.
d P r o p e r l y f a s t e n y o u r s a f e t y b e l t b e f o r e d r i v i n g t h e v e h i c l e a n d w e a r y o u r s a f e t y b e l t p r o p e r l y a t a l l times while driving. Make sure that all passengers do the same, Safety belts.
d O n l y t r a n s p o r t a s m a n y p a s s e n g e r s a s t h e r e a r e s e a t s a n d s a f e t y b e l t s a v a i l a b l e .
d N e v e r d r i v e i f y o u r d r i v i n g a b i l i t y h a s b e e n i m p a i r e d , f o r e x a m p l e b y m e d i c a t i o n , a l c o h o l o r i l l e g a l drugs.
d N e v e r l e t p a s s e n g e r s o r p h o n e c a l l s d i s t r a c t y o u w h i l e d r i v i n g , a n d n e v e r t a k e y o u r a t t e n t i o n o f f t h e road while using vehicle software or adjusting vehicle equipment or accessories.
d A l w a y s a d a p t y o u r s p e e d a n d d r i v i n g s t y l e t o v i s i b i l i t y , w e a t h e r , r o a d , a n d t r a f f i c c o n d i t i o n s .
d A l w a y s o b e y t r a f f i c l a w s a n d s p e e d l i m i t s .
d O n l o n g t r i p s m a k e f r e q u e n t r e s t s t o p s – a t l e a s t o n c e e v e r y 2 h o u r s .
d S e c u r e a n i m a l s i n t h e v e h i c l e w i t h a s y s t e m t h a t c o r r e s p o n d s t o w e i g h t a n d s i z e .
WARNING
Always observe traffic rules and posted speed limits and use common sense. Your good judgment can mean the difference between arriving safely at your destination and being seri-ously injured in a crash or other kind of accident.
Regular service and maintenance of your vehicle is important both for operational and driving safety and to help prolong your vehicle's service life. Always follow the scheduled maintenance inter-
vals in the ⇒ booklet Warranty and Maintenance, especially for changing the brake fluid. Hard use, frequent stop-and-go driving, driving in very dusty areas, trailer towing, and other factors may make it necessary to have the vehicle serviced more frequently. Ask an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for more information.
Driving in other countries

Unlocking and locking the luggage compartment lid
If the vehicle is locked and a valid remote control vehicle key is within range ⇒ fig. 23 A of the luggage compartment lid, it unlocks automatically when opened.
Open and close the luggage compartment lid as you would a standard luggage compartment lid, Luggage compartment lid
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.
Sensor-controlled luggage compartment lid opener (Easy Open)
If your vehicle has Keyless Access, it may also be equipped with the Easy Open feature.
When a valid vehicle key is within the opening range of the luggage compartment lid A, the luggage compartment lid can be unlocked and opened by moving your foot within the sensor’s range B below the rear bumper.
x Switch off the ignition.
x Stand in front of the middle of the rear bumper.
x Quickly move your foot and shin as close to the bumper as possible. Your shin must be in the upper part of the sensor’s range and your foot in the lower part B (1).
x Quickly move your shin out of range B (2). The luggage compartment lid opens automatically.
If the luggage compartment lid does not open, wait a few seconds and try again.
The high-mounted brake light flashes once to show that the Easy Open feature is opening the luggage compartment lid.
The luggage compartment lid locks automatically after closing if the vehicle was locked before and a valid vehicle key is not inside the vehicle.
Easy Open may not work properly or at all in the following situations (examples):
x If the rear bumper is very dirty.
x If the rear bumper has salty water on it after driving on salted roads.
x If a trailer hitch has been retrofit on the vehicle.
Easy Open may be automatically deactivated in heavy rain to help prevent unintentional deployment caused by water running down the vehicle, for example.
The Easy Open feature may be turned on and off in the Settings – Convenience menu, Volkswagen Information System.
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, Starting and stopping the engine. A key that was inside the vehicle when it was locked from the outside is reactivated by pressing the 0 button on the
deactivated key ⇒ fig. 21.
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 a short time.
The door handle sensors become active again if one of the following events occurs:

x A short time has 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 emergency key.
Convenience features
The settings in the Settings – Convenience menu, Volkswagen Information System determine which doors open when the door handle unlocking surface is grasped.
CAUTION
If a valid vehicle key is within range of the luggage compartment lid, the Easy Open feature can deploy unintentionally in some cases and open the luggage compartment lid: for example, when sweeping the ground or floor below the rear bumper, if there is a strong stream of water or steam, or when carrying out maintenance or repairs around the rear bumper. If the luggage compartment lid opens unintentionally, it can injure anyone or damage anything in its way.
x Never leave a valid vehicle key within range of the luggage compartment lid unattended.
x Always turn off the Easy Open feature through the Volkswagen Information System
⇒ page 24, Volkswagen Information System in the following situations:
– Before carrying out any maintenance or repairs on the vehicle.
– Before washing the vehicle.
– Before mounting a bicycle rack or connecting a trailer hitch to the vehicle.
NOTICE
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 , Emergency closing and opening.
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 mobile 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, Exterior care and cleaning.
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.

Lights up Possible cause Proper response

One or more driving lights not working or cornering light malfunction. Replace burned out bulb
Cornering light malfunction. If all light bulbs are OK, see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) malfunction.
Fog lights switched on (indicator light on the headlight switch). Refer to 2014 owners manual



Left or right turn signal. The indicator light blinks twice as fast if a turn signal is not working on the vehicle or the trailer.
Check the turn signals on the vehicle and the trailer.
 Daytime running lights (DRL) on. Refer to 2014 owners manual
$2,
 High beams switched on or headlight flashers in use. Refer to 2014 owners manual

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function check. They go out after a few seconds.
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.
x Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, stop the engine, turn on the emergency flashers, and use other warning devices to warn approaching traffic.
x Never park the vehicle in areas where the hot catalytic converter and exhaust system can come into contact with dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, oil, or other material that can catch fire.
x A broken down vehicle presents a high accident risk for itself and others. Switch on emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle to warn oncoming traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights provide bright, uniform lighting to help you see and be seen. The light comes from an electric arc between two electrodes in the gas-filled bulb. Over time, the electrodes can wear down and the gap between them will get wider. The HID lamp’s control unit then increases the voltage to keep the arc’s brightness constant. However, the commonly called “Xenon” bulbs will also ultimately burn out. Before they burn out, HID lamps can flicker. A message will then appear in the MFI. This is your reminder to see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service facility to check the headlights.

x Passengers.
x Total luggage and other cargo.
x Roof load including the roof rack system.
x Factory-installed or retrofitted accessories.
x Hitch weight and tongue weight for trailer towing.
Please refer to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross front and rear Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) for your vehicle, which are printed on the vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification Label on the driver door jamb.
WARNING
Exceeding maximum permissible weight ratings can result in vehicle damage, accidents, and serious personal injury.
x Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the permissible Gross Axle Weight Rating. Also, never let the total of these actual weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
x Always remember that the vehicle's handling and braking will be affected by extra load and the distribution of this load. Adjust your speed accordingly.
NOTICE
x Always distribute the load evenly and as low as possible in the vehicle. The vehicle capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers and luggage).
x When transporting a heavy load in the luggage compartment, carry the load as close to the rear axle (as far forward) as possible so that the vehicle's handling and braking are affected as little as possible.

Trailer towing

WARNING
Improper use of the trailer hitch can cause accidents and injuries. An improperly installed, incorrect, or damaged trailer hitch can cause the trailer to separate from the towing vehicle and cause serious personal injuries.
x Only use an undamaged, properly mounted trailer hitch.
x Never repair or modify the trailer hitch.
x To reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions, and the risk to pedestrians and cyclists when the vehicle is parked, always remove the ball mount when you are not towing a trailer.
x Never install a “weight distributing” or “load equalizing” trailer hitch on your vehicle. The vehicle was not designed for these kinds of trailer hitches. The trailer hitch attachment can fail, causing the trailer to tear loose from the vehicle.
WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or large things can change the way the vehicle handles, increase the distance it needs to stop safely, and cause accidents.
x Always secure the load properly with suitable and undamaged straps so that the load will not shift.
x Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.
x Reduce your speed even more than you otherwise would when going downhill and under unfavorable load, weather, or wind conditions.
x Trailers with a high center of gravity tip more easily than trailers with a low center of gravity.
x Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
x Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas, the speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower than for vehicles without trailers. Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h; under exceptional circumstances 60 mph - 100 km/h) when towing a trailer. This applies even if the local speed limit is higher.
If you are driving a new vehicle or a vehicle with a new or rebuilt engine, do not tow a trailer during the break-in period, about 600 miles (1000 km), Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifications.
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need maintenance more often because of the extra load it has to move.
When you are not towing, remove the trailer hitch ball. This helps keep the trailer hitch from causing damage to your vehicle and to others if your vehicle is hit from behind.
Some models need a trailer hitch to tow or tow-start other vehicles. You may want to always carry the ball mount in the vehicle after it has been removed. Be sure to stow it securely.