2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC brake

WARNING
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react slower
and need longer stopping distances.
Carefully apply the brakes to test them.
Always dry brakes and clean off ice and salt coatings with a
few cautious brake applications when visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions permit.
WARNING
Driving when the brake booster is not working increases stop-
ping distances and can cause accidents and serious personal
injuries.
Never let the vehicle coast when the engine is switched off.
If the brake booster is not working (such as when the vehicle
is being towed), a lot more pedal force is needed to slow down
and stop.
NOTICE
Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pe-
dal when you do not want to brake. Constant pressure on the
brake pedal can make the brakes overheat. Riding the brakes
will substantially reduce braking performance, increase stopping
distance, and can cause complete brake system failure.
Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or
steep, always reduce speed and shift into lower gear (manual or
automatic transmission). This will let the vehicle use engine
braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake
system could overheat and possibly fail. Only use the brakes
when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.
When the front brakes are serviced, you should have the rear
brake pads inspected at the same time. The wear of all brake pads
should be visually checked regularly. The best way to check for brake
pad wear is to have your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility visually inspect the pads through the

help keep the vehicle going in the intended direction. If you are travel-
ing at a speed that causes you to run off the road before ESC can
provide any assistance, you may not experience the benefits of ESC.
ESC includes and/or works together with the ABS, BAS, ASR, EDL,
and XDL systems (see below). ESC is switched on all the time. In
certain situations when you need less traction or additional traction
cannot be achieved, you can switch off ASR by pressing the m button
⇒ fig. 145. Be sure to switch ASR on again when you no longer need
less traction.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
ABS helps to keep the wheels from locking up and helps to maintain
the driver's ability to steer and control the vehicle. This means the
vehicle is less likely to skid, even during hard braking:
Push the brake pedal down hard and hold it there. Don't take your
foot off the pedal or reduce the force on the pedal!
Do not “pump” the brake pedal or let up on it!
Steer the vehicle while pushing down hard on the brake pedal.
ABS stops working if you release or let up on the brake.
When ABS is doing its job, you will notice a slight vibration through
the brake pedal and hear a noise. ABS cannot shorten the stopping
distance under all conditions. The stopping distance may even be
longer, for instance, when driving on gravel or on newly fallen snow
covering an icy or slippery surface.
Brake Assist (BAS)
The Brake Assist System can help to reduce stopping distances. If
you press the brake pedal very quickly, BAS detects an emergency
situation. It then very quickly builds up full brake system pressure,
maximizing braking power and reducing the stopping distance. This
way, ABS can be activated more quickly and efficiently.
Do not reduce pressure on the brake pedal! BAS switches off auto-
matically as soon as you release or let up on the brake.
Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)
ASR reduces engine power directed to spinning wheels and adjusts
power to the road conditions. Even under poor road conditions, ASR
can make it easier to get moving, accelerate, and climb hills.

ASR can be switched on or off manually ⇒  Switching Anti-Slip Regu-
lation (ASR) on and off.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL and XDL)
EDL is applied during regular straight-line acceleration. EDL gently
brakes a drive wheel that has lost traction (spinning) and redirects the
drive force to other drive wheels. In extreme cases, EDL automatical-
ly switches off to keep the brake from overheating. As soon as the
brake has cooled down, EDL automatically switches on again.
XDL is an extension of the Electronic Differential Lock system. XDL
does not react to drive wheel slippage when driving straight ahead.
Instead, XDL detects slippage of the inside front wheel during fast
cornering. XDL applies enough brake pressure to this wheel in order
to stop the slippage. This improves traction, which helps the vehicle
stay on track.

WARNING
Driving fast on icy, slippery, or wet roads can lead to a loss of
control and result in serious personal injury for you and your
passengers.
Always adjust your speed and driving style to road, traffic,
weather, and visibility conditions. Never let the additional safe-
ty that ESC, ABS, BAS, ASR, and EDL can provide tempt you
into taking extra risks.
Braking assistance systems cannot overcome the laws of
physics and always prevent loss of vehicle control. Slippery
and wet roads are still dangerous even with ESC and the other
systems!
Driving too fast on wet roads can cause the wheels to lose
contact with the road and “hydroplane.” A vehicle that has lost
road contact cannot be braked, steered, or controlled.
These systems cannot reduce the risk of accident, for exam-
ple if you drive too fast for conditions or if you do not keep
your distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Although these systems are very effective and can help you
control the vehicle in many difficult situations, always remem-
ber that your vehicle handling control is limited by tire traction.
When accelerating on a slippery surface, for example on ice
and snow, depress the accelerator carefully. Even with these
systems, the wheels may start to spin, leading to a loss of vehi-
cle control.

WARNING
The effectiveness of ESC can be significantly reduced if other
components and systems that affect vehicle dynamics, includ-
ing but not limited to brakes, tires, and other systems men-
tioned above, are not properly maintained or functioning.
Always remember that vehicle alterations or modifications
can affect the functioning of the ABS, BAS, ASR, EDL, and ESC
systems.
Changing the vehicle suspension or using an unapproved
tire/wheel combination can change the way the ABS, BAS, ASR,
EDL, and ESC systems work and reduce their effectiveness.
The effectiveness of ESC is also determined by the tires fitted
⇒  Tires and wheels.
All 4 wheels must be equipped with identical tires in order for
ESC and ASR to work properly. Differences in the tread circumfer-
ence of the tires can cause the system to reduce the engine power
when it is not expected.
If ABS is not working, ESC, ASR, and EDL will also not work.
You may hear noises when these systems are active.
Switching Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) on and off

Fig. 145 In the center console: Button for switching ASR on and off
manually.

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) only works when the engine is
running. This system includes ABS, EDL and ASR.
ASR can be switched off by pressing m ⇒ fig. 145 while the engine is
running. Switch off ASR only in situations where there is not enough
traction, such as the following:
When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces.
When “rocking” the vehicle back and forth when you are stuck.
Afterward, activate ASR again by pressing the button m.
Brake fluid

Fig. 146 In the engine compartment: Brake fluid reservoir cap.

Check the information on the container for the brake fluid you want to
use to make sure it meets the requirements for your vehicle.
Brake fluid that complies with VW Standard 501 14 can be pur-
chased from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
If this special brake fluid is not available you may – under these cir-
cumstances – use another high quality brake fluid that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4 ⇒ 
.
Please note, however, that not all brake fluids that comply with U.S.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 have the
same chemical composition. Some of these brake fluids can contain
chemicals that could, over time, degrade or damage internal parts of
the vehicle’s brake system.
Volkswagen therefore recommends that you use brake fluid that ex-
pressly complies with VW Standard 501 14 for optimum brake sys-
tem performance over the long term.
Brake fluid level
The fluid level in the transparent brake fluid reservoir must always be
between the MIN and MAX marking ⇒ .
On some vehicles, engine components block the view of the brake
fluid reservoir and make it impossible to see the brake fluid level. If
you cannot clearly see the brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir,
please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as
the brake pads wear and the brakes are automatically adjusted.
Changing brake fluid
Brake fluid must be changed according to the service schedule in
your ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance. Have the brake fluid
checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility. Refill only with new brake fluid that
meets the standards listed above.

WARNING
Brake failure and reduced brake performance can be caused by
not having enough brake fluid in the reservoir or by old or in-
correct brake fluid.
Check the brake system and brake fluid level regularly.
Always change the brake fluid according to the service
schedule in your ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance.
Hard braking with old brake fluid may cause vapor lock. Va-
por lock reduces braking performance, increases stopping dis-
tances and can even cause total brake failure.
Always make sure that only the correct brake fluid is used.
Only use brake fluid that expressly conforms to VW Standard
501 14 or, if it is not available, only use a high-quality brake flu-
id that conforms to U.S. Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 require-
ments.
Using another brake fluid, or one that is not of high quality,
can impair the function of the brake system and reduce its ef-
fectiveness. If the container does not say that the brake fluid
complies with VW Standard 501 14, or U.S. Standard
FMVSS 116 DOT 4, do not use it.
The brake fluid must be new.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous.
To reduce the risk of poisoning, never use food, beverage or
other non-original containers to store brake fluid. Someone
might be misled by the original label on the container, or by the
shape of the container, and drink the brake fluid. This could oc-
cur even if you relabel the container as “brake fluid.”
Only store brake fluid in the closed, original container and
keep it out of the reach of children.
NOTICE
Brake fluid will damage vehicle paint, plastic parts, and tires.
Wipe any brake fluid off vehicle paint and other vehicle parts
immediately.