2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Drain

If the engine is switched off and accessories in the trailer are on and use electricity from the vehicle, the vehicle battery will be drained as long as the electrical systems of the vehicle and the trailer are connected.
Loading the trailer

WARNING
Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious personal injury.
x Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. The engine can be started and vehicle systems such as the power windows can be operated, leading to serious personal injury.
x Never leave children, disabled persons, or anyone who cannot help themselves in the vehicle. The doors can be locked with the remote control vehicle key. This could result in people being trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. For example, depending on the time of year, people trapped in the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.
x Heat build-up in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures, particularly in summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and death, particularly to small children.
x Never remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a stop. The steering wheel will lock and you will not be able to steer or control the vehicle.
Leaving the key in the ignition for a long time when the engine is not running will drain the vehi-cle battery.
Leaving the selector lever for a long period of time in any position other than Park (P) when the ignition is switched off can drain the vehicle battery.
On automatic transmission vehicles, the vehicle key can be removed from the ignition switch only when the transmission is in Park (P). You may have to press the release button on the transmis-sion selector lever to put the lever into Park (P).
Starter button

Fig. 151 In the center console: Starter button of the Keyless Access with push button start.

WARNING
Improper use of the remote start feature can cause fire, burns and other serious injuries.
x Always park the vehicle in a place that is vented to the outdoors and has a continuous exchange of fresh, outside air.
x Only use the remote start feature when no one is around or inside the vehicle.
x Always make sure that you can see the vehicle when the engine is running.
x Never leave children, disabled persons, anyone who cannot help themselves, or pets in the vehicle. The doors are locked when the engine is running with the remote start feature. Vehicle occupants would be trapped in the vehicle in an emergency and rescue from the outside would be delayed.
x Never start the engine if children or animals are inside the vehicle. When the engine is running, electrical equipment including electrical seat adjustment controls can be operated and cause serious injuries.
x Never start the engine or let it run in a garage, in an enclosed or confined area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a poisonous, colorless and odorless gas. Carbon mon-oxide can cause dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness and even death.
x Always make sure that the area where the engine runs in the remote start mode is well ventilated. Carbon monoxide in a garage or other enclosed area can cause dizziness, impair the ability to drive, and even result in unconsciousness.
x Never start the engine when the vehicle is covered with a protective cover. Hot vehicle components and exhaust could ignite the protective cover.
x Never start the engine near combustible or explosive materials. The exhaust could ignite flammable materials.
NOTICE
x Do not use the remote start feature if the engine Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) ⇒  Indica-
tor lights, ⇒  Indicator lights has come on, smoke or unusual smells come from the vehicle, an unusual or unexpected operating condition occurs and the condition has not been diagnosed and corrected. Please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
x Remote start is possible when one or more windows are open. Always remember that unau-thorized access to the vehicle through open windows as well as operation of HomeLink®, in-cluding access to your garage or other property, is possible when the engine is running in remote start mode. Always make sure that all of the windows are securely closed to help pre-vent unauthorized access to the vehicle, its features and contents.
Using the remote start feature can increase fuel consumption and drain the vehicle battery.
Use of the remote start feature may be regulated or prohibited in some areas. In some areas you may be required to be able to see the vehicle when it is running in remote start mode. Please inform yourself about state and local requirements that may apply and be sure to follow them when using the remote start feature.
Various vehicle functions, such as the low beam headlights and the windshield wipers, are disabled when the engine is running during a remote start.

Leaving the selector lever for a long period of time in any position other than Park (P) when the ignition is switched off can drain the vehicle battery.
Shifting with Tiptronic®

Fig. 160 Selector lever in Tiptronic position.

Fig. 161 Steering wheel with optional Tiptronic shift paddles.

Adding engine coolant
x Always protect face, hands and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
x Carefully unscrew the cap ⇒ .
x Add only new engine coolant according to Volkswagen specifications (⇒ Engine coolant specifica-
tions ) ⇒ .
x The engine coolant level must be inside the marks on the side of the reservoir ⇒ fig. 186. Do not
fill above the top edge of the filling range! ⇒ 
x Screw the lid tightly.
x Even in an emergency, do not use any other kind of coolant additive if engine coolant meeting
Volkswagen specifications (⇒ Engine coolant specifications) is unavailable! Instead, add distilled
water only ⇒ . As soon as possible, have the correct coolant ratio restored using engine coolant
that meets Volkswagen specifications ⇒  Engine coolant specifications.
WARNING
Hot steam and hot engine coolant can cause serious burns.
x Never open the hood if you see steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment. Always wait until you no longer see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine.
x Always let the engine cool down completely before carefully opening the hood. Hot com-ponents will burn skin on contact.
x When the engine has cooled down and you are ready to open the hood:
– Firmly apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only).
– Take the vehicle key out of the ignition.
– On vehicles with Keyless Access, make sure that the remote control vehicle key is out of range of the vehicle and that the vehicle cannot be started by depressing the starter
button ⇒  Starter button.
– Always keep children and others away from the engine compartment and never leave them unsupervised.
x The engine coolant system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never unscrew the coolant expansion tank cap when the engine is hot. Hot coolant can spray out and cause severe burns and other serious injuries.
– Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counterclockwise direction while applying light downward pressure on the top of the cap.
– Always protect your face, hands, and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
x Never spill fluids on the engine or exhaust system when refilling. Spilling fluids onto hot parts of the engine or exhaust system can cause a fire. Under some conditions, the ethylene glycol in engine coolant can catch fire.
NOTICE
x Use distilled water only when adding coolant! All other types of water contain chemical compounds that can cause extensive corrosion damage to the engine. This can even lead to engine failure. If you have added non-distilled water, take the vehicle immediately to an author-ized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the coolant system drained, flushed, and refilled completely with the proper coolant.

x Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery; otherwise the alarm system will go off.
x First disconnect the negative cable (-) and then the positive cable (+) ⇒ .
Connecting the vehicle battery
x Prior to reconnecting the battery, switch off all electrical systems and devices and the ignition.
x Connect the positive cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-) ⇒ .
After the battery is connected and the ignition is switched on, different indicator lights may come on. They should go out after you drive a short distance at 10–12 mph (15–20 km/h). If the indicator lights do not go out , contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and have the vehicle checked.
If the battery was disconnected for a long time, the next scheduled service may not be correctly calcu-
lated and displayed ⇒  Instrument cluster The maximum permissible service and maintenance inter-
vals are shown in the ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance.
Vehicles with Keyless Access
If the ignition will not start after reconnecting the vehicle battery, lock the vehicle from the outside and
unlock it again ⇒  Unlocking and locking vehicles with Keyless Access. Then try to start the ignition again. If the ignition cannot be switched on, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop for assistance.
Automatic electrical load deactivation
If the vehicle battery drain is high, the intelligent onboard electrical system management automatically takes steps to help prevent battery drain.
x The idle speed is increased so that the alternator provides more power.
x The power to devices that consume a lot of electricity is cut back or switched off completely.
x When the engine is started, the power supply to the 12 Volt sockets and the cigarette lighter ⇒  Cigarette lighter is temporarily interrupted.
The onboard electrical system management cannot always keep the battery from being drained. For example, the battery will drain if the engine is not running, but the ignition is switched on or the parking lights are left on for a long time when parked.
Battery disconnection in an accident with airbag deployment
In vehicles with a battery in the luggage compartment, the electrical connection to the battery is dis-connected automatically in a collision with airbag deployment. This helps to prevent a short-circuit.
What drains the vehicle battery?
x Long periods when the engine is not running, especially when the ignition is on.
x Using electrical systems or devices when the engine is switched off.
x Leaving the vehicle unlocked for several days when not in use.
x The selector lever is left for a long period of time in any position other than P when the ignition is
switched off ⇒  Automatic transmission: Selector lever.
WARNING
Failure to use the proper battery with proper mounting and connections may cause short circuits, fires, and serious personal injuries.
x Always use only maintenance-free or cycle-free, leak-proof batteries with the same speci-fications and dimensions as the original equipment battery. Specifications are listed on the battery housing.

WARNING
Improper care and cleaning of vehicle components can impact the safety features of the ve-hicle and cause severe injuries.
x Always clean and maintain vehicle components according to manufacturer's instructions.
x Only use approved or recommended cleaners.
NOTICE
Vehicle care products containing solvents can damage plastics and other vehicle the materials.
Wash the vehicle only at specifically designated wash locations to prevent water contaminated with oil, grease and fuel from entering the storm drain sewer system. In some areas it is against the law to wash motor vehicles anywhere than other than at specified designated car washing locations.
When buying vehicle care products, try to choose those that are not harmful to the environment.
Never throw out vehicle care products with ordinary household waste. Always read and heed all the instructions and all WARNINGS on the package.
Washing the vehicle

The vehicle battery will be drained if the emergency flashers are on for a long time – even if the ignition is switched off.