2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC warning

(2) Switch
(3) Sensor for recognizing entry of light
The auto-dimming feature can be switched on and off with the switch
on the inside mirror (2) A or (2) B. When auto-dimming is activated,
the indicator light (1) is on.
If the ignition is switched on, the sensor (3) automatically darkens the
inside mirror depending on the amount of light shining into the vehicle
from the rear.
The auto-dimming feature is deactivated when you shift the transmis-
sion into reverse or switch on the interior lights or the reading light.
Do not attach external navigation devices to the windshield or in the
vicinity of the auto-dimming inside mirror ⇒ .
WARNING
The illuminated display on an external navigation device can
cause the auto-dimming inside mirror to malfunction, which
can result in crashes and serious injuries.
Malfunctions in the auto-dimming function can result in the
inside mirror being unable to evaluate the exact distance of ve-
hicles in the rear or other objects.
If the light striking the sensor is filtered or blocked (such as by a
sunshade), the auto-dimming inside mirror will not work properly or
may not work at all.

WARNING
Improper use of the folding outside mirrors can cause personal
injury.
Always make sure that nobody is in the way when folding the
mirrors in or out.
Make sure that you do not get your finger caught between the
mirror and the mirror base when moving the mirrors.
WARNING
Incorrectly estimating distances with the right outside mirror
can cause collisions and serious injury.
The right outside mirror has a convex (curved) surface. This
widens your field of vision. But vehicles or other objects seen
in a convex mirror will look smaller and farther away than they
really are.
If you use the right outside mirror to judge distances from
vehicles behind you when changing lanes, you could estimate
incorrectly and cause a crash and serious injuries.
Whenever possible, use the inside mirror to more accurately
judge distance and size of vehicles or other objects seen in the
convex mirror.
Always make sure you have a clear view to the rear of the ve-
hicle.
NOTICE
Always fold in the outside mirrors when taking the vehicle
through an automatic car wash.
Never fold power mirrors in manually because doing so could
damage the electrical drive.
To reduce fuel consumption, use outside mirror heating only
when needed.
When first switched on, outside mirror heating works with maxi-
mum heat for about 2 minutes.

WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the ve-
hicle, causing serious personal injury during hard braking or
sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be
struck and thrown through the passenger compartment by the
front airbags if they inflate. To help reduce the risk of serious
personal injury:
Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle.
Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.
Do not stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in open bins in the
vehicle or on top of the instrument panel.
Remove hard, heavy, and sharp objects from clothing and
bags in the vehicle interior and stow securely. Always put
heavy items in the luggage compartment.
Always secure objects in the passenger compartment proper-
ly with suitable straps so that they cannot move into the de-
ployment area of a side or front airbag during braking, in a
sudden maneuver, or in a collision.
Always make sure that there is nothing on the front passen-
ger seat when the backrest is folded forward. When the
backrest is folded forward, even light objects could be pushed
into the seat cushion and cause the weight-sensing mat in the
seat to register enough weight to turn the airbag on.
Always make sure that the PASSENGER AIR BAG /&& light is
on and stays on whenever the backrest of the front passenger
seat is folded forward ⇒  Seat functions.
Passengers must never ride in an incorrect seating position
because objects are being transported in the vehicle.
Never let anybody sit in a seat that is blocked by objects be-
ing carried in the vehicle.

WARNING
Heavy loads will influence the way your vehicle handles and
increase stopping distances. Heavy loads that are not properly
stowed or secured can cause loss of control and serious injury.
Secure the load properly to keep it from shifting.
Always remember when transporting heavy objects that a
change in the center of gravity also changes the way your vehi-
cle handles:
– Always distribute the load as evenly as possible.
– Secure heavy objects properly as far forward in the lug-
gage compartment as possible.
– Always tie down heavy items securely with suitable straps
using the tie-downs in the luggage compartment.
Securely latch the rear seat backrest in the upright position.
Never exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating or the Gross Ve-
hicle Weight Rating on the safety compliance sticker on the left
door jamb. Exceeding permissible weight can cause the vehicle
to skid and handle differently.
Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and
the weight distribution in the vehicle. Take road, weather, traf-
fic, and visibility conditions into account as well.
Always accelerate gently and avoid sudden braking and driv-
ing maneuvers.
Always brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a
loaded vehicle.
Stowing luggage

WARNING
Driving with an unlatched or open luggage compartment lid can
lead to serious personal injury.
Never transport objects larger than those that fit completely
in the luggage compartment, because the luggage compart-
ment lid cannot be fully closed properly.
After closing the lid, always pull up on it to make sure that it
is properly closed and cannot open suddenly when the vehicle
is moving.
Always stow all objects securely in the luggage compart-
ment. Loose objects can fall out of the luggage compartment
and injure others on the road behind you.
Drive carefully; anticipate what other drivers will do.
Avoid abrupt or sudden acceleration, steering, or braking,
because the unlatched luggage compartment lid can move
suddenly.
Always mark objects sticking out from the luggage compart-
ment clearly for others to see. Obey all applicable legal re-
quirements.
Never use the luggage compartment lid to “clamp” or “hold”
objects that stick out of the luggage compartment.
Always remove any luggage rack or other rack mounted on
the luggage compartment lid (along with any luggage on the
rack) before driving with an open luggage compartment lid.

WARNING
Driving with an open luggage compartment lid can cause poi-
sonous carbon monoxide in the engine exhaust to get into the
passenger compartment.
Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness, inattentiveness, poi-
soning, and loss of consciousness. It can lead to accidents and
severe personal injuries.
Always keep the luggage compartment lid closed while driv-
ing to help keep poisonous exhaust fumes from being drawn
into the vehicle.
Never transport objects that are too large to fit completely
into the luggage area, because then the luggage compartment
lid cannot be fully closed.
If you absolutely must drive with an open luggage compart-
ment lid, do the following to reduce the risk of carbon monox-
ide poisoning:
– Close all windows and the power sunroof.
– Switch off the climate control system's air recirculation fea-
ture.
– Open all air vents in the instrument panel.
– Set the fresh air fan to the highest speed.
NOTICE
The open luggage compartment lid changes the vehicle height.
Driving a loaded vehicle

Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehi-
cle.
If applicable, observe information about driving with a trailer ⇒ 
Trailer towing.
If applicable, observe information about driving with a roof rack ⇒ 
Roof rack.
WARNING
Heavy loads can change the way your vehicle handles and in-
crease stopping distances. Heavy loads that are not properly
stowed or secured can shift suddenly, causing loss of control
and serious injury.
Secure the load properly to keep it from shifting.
Always remember when transporting heavy objects that they
change the vehicle's center of gravity and also the way it han-
dles.
– Always distribute the load as evenly as possible.
– Secure heavy objects as far forward in the luggage com-
partment as possible.
– Secure luggage in the luggage compartment using suitable
straps and the tie downs ⇒ Tie-downs. Also see ⇒  Luggage
compartment.
Always tie down heavy items securely with suitable straps.
Securely latch the rear seat backrest in the upright position.
Never exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating or the Gross Ve-
hicle Weight Rating on the safety compliance sticker on the left
door jamb. Exceeding permissible weight can cause the vehicle
to skid and handle differently.
Always adapt 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.
Always accelerate gently and avoid sudden braking and driv-
ing maneuvers.
Always brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a
loaded vehicle.

WARNING
Exceeding maximum permissible weight ratings can result in
vehicle damage, accidents, and serious personal injury.
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.
Always remember that the vehicle's handling and braking will
be affected by extra load and the distribution of this load. Ad-
just your speed accordingly.
NOTICE
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).
When transporting a heavy load in the luggage compartment,
carry the load as close to the rear axle (as far forward) as possi-
ble so that the vehicle's handling and braking are affected as
little as possible.