engine warning light VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2008 Owners Manual

Outside temperature display
At outside temperatures below about +39 °F (+4 °C), a “snowflake symbol” (icy road warning) appears in the display. The symbol flashes at first, then stays on until the outside temperature rises above
+43 °F (+6 °C) ⇒ .
When the vehicle is not moving or when you are driving at very low speeds, the temperature displayed may be slightly higher than the actual outside temperature.
The measurement range is from -40 °F (-40 °C) to +122 °F (+50 °C).
Compass display (if applicable)
On vehicles equipped with compass display, the current compass direction is indicated in the instru-ment cluster display when the ignition and navigation system are switched on, Compass.
Selector lever positions
The selector lever position is shown both on the side of the selector lever and in the instrument cluster display. The respective gear may also be shown in the instrument cluster display in Drive D and Sport Drive S, as well as in Tiptronic® mode.
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 Park the vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic and where no part of the hot cata-lytic converter and exhaust system can come into contact with flammable materials under the vehicle, such as dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, etc.
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.
WARNING
Roads and bridges may be dangerously icy even if the outside air temperature is above freez-ing.
x If you use the outside temperature display to tell you about frost conditions, remember that roads can even ice over at temperatures above +39 °F (+4 °C). Always remember: even if the “snowflake symbol” (icy road warning) is not displayed, there could still be black ice on the road.
x Never rely exclusively on the outside temperature display.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
The instrument cluster displays and their arrangement may vary depending on the vehicle model and engine. For displays without warning and information messages, malfunctions are only signaled with indicator lights.
If there are multiple warning messages, the symbols are displayed for several seconds in order of importance. The symbols are displayed until the cause has been corrected.

Vehicle status, Main menus: Premium version
Settings, Settings menu
▪ Language
▪ MFI data
– Travel time
– Curr. consum. (current fuel consumption)
– Av. consum. (average fuel consumption)
– Range
– Route
– Av. speed
– Digit. speed (digital speed display)
– Oil temp. (oil temperature; 3.6 liter engine only)
– Speed warn. (speed warning)
– Back
▪ Convenience, Convenience submenu
– ATA confirm
– Central locking
Auto unlock
Unlock doors
Back
– Window op. (window operation)
Off
All
Driver
Back
– Mirror down (vehicles with memory seats)
– Mirror adjust
Individually
Both mirrors
Factory setting
Back
▪ Lights & Vision, Lights & Vision submenu
– Coming home
– Leaving home
– Conv. turn sig. (convenience turn signal)
– Factory setting
– Back
▪ Time
– Hours
– Minutes
– 24 hr. mode
– Daylight save
– Back
▪ Snow tires (winter tires)
– On
– + 5 mph
– - 5 mph

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.

x Do not release the parking brake lever until the engine starts to move the vehicle forward. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, you can also depress and hold the brake pedal for added braking and then let up on the brake pedal when you feel that the vehicle “wants” to move forward.
x Drive ahead slowly.
WARNING
Improper trailer towing can cause loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Driving with a trailer and carrying heavy or bulky items changes the way the vehicle handles and increases the distance it needs to stop safely.
x Always watch what is happening up ahead and around you. Brake earlier than you would if you were not towing a trailer.
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 Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently. Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.
x Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
x Reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows even the slightest sign of swaying.
x Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
x Always obey speed limits. In some areas speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower than for vehicles without trailers.
Ball mount

Fig. 117 Dimensions of the ball mount support.

WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious personal injury when starting and running the vehicle's engine:
x Never start the engine or let it run in a confined or enclosed area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death.
x Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly or some other unexpected event could occur, resulting in property damage or personal injury.
x Never use starting assist fluids. Starting fluids can explode and can cause a “run-away” vehicle condition.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter get very hot. They can cause fires and serious personal injury.
x Never park the vehicle where the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite flammable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.
x Never apply additional undercoating or rust proofing on or near the exhaust manifold, exhaust pipes, catalytic converter, diesel particulate filter, or heat shields.
Warning and indicator lights

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, turn on the emergency flashers, stop the engine, and use other warning devices to warn approaching traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Vehicle key positions in the ignition switch

Fig. 147 In the ignition switch: Vehicle key positions.

2. Press the V button twice in a row (2).
The turn signals will blink each time you press a button. The parking lights come on during the remote start, Lights.
Ending the remote start
Press button (2), (3), or (4) in the vehicle key to switch the engine off.
Automatic stop or remote start not possible
If one of the following conditions occurs, the remote start feature will stop, the engine will be switched off automatically, or the engine will not start:
x The vehicle is unlocked, Power locking and closing system.
x The engine hood or luggage compartment lid is opened, Power locking and closing system.
x The selector lever is in not in Park (P), Shifting.
x A vehicle key is in the ignition.
x The brake pedal or accelerator pedal is depressed.
x The fuel level drops down to “Reserve” while the engine is running in the remote start mode, Refueling.
x The vehicle battery is too weak or is dead, Vehicle battery.
x The warning flasher switch is pressed, In an emergency.
x The engine Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL), Indicator lights, Indicator lights was on when the vehicle was last parked before activating the remote start mode.
Driving after a remote start
You cannot drive the vehicle if the engine was started with the remote start feature or if the engine is running in remote start mode. To be able to drive, you must first switch the remote started engine off with the vehicle key or the starter button and then start it again with the vehicle key in the ignition lock or with the starter button.

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 monoxide 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), 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 unauthorized access to the vehicle through open windows as well as operation of HomeLink®, including 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 prevent 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.

NOTICE
x Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pedal when you do not want to brake. This will make the brakes wear faster.
x 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 even fail. Only use the brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.
Warning and indicator lights

To release the ASL, depress and hold the brake pedal with the ignition switched on. Press the release button on the selector lever at the same time.
The ASL is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly through Neutral (N) (e.g., when shifting from Reverse (R) to Drive (D)). This makes it possible to “rock” the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The ASL engages automatically if the brake pedal is not depressed and the lever is in Neutral (N) for more than about 1 second and the vehicle is traveling no faster than about 3 mph (5 km/h).
In rare cases, the ASL may not engage on vehicles with DSG® Direct Shift Gearbox. If this happens, power to the drive wheels will be interrupted to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly. The green indicator light k will blink and a text message will be displayed. To engage the Automatic Shift Lock (ASL):
x Depress and then release the brake pedal. Try to engage the ASL again.
WARNING
Moving the selector lever to the wrong position can cause loss of vehicle control, a collision, and serious personal injury.
x Never accelerate when moving the selector lever.
x When the engine is running and a drive position is engaged, the vehicle will start to move as soon as the brake pedal is released.
x Never shift into Reverse or Park when the vehicle is moving.
WARNING
Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious personal injury.
x Never get out of the driver's seat while the engine is running, especially when the transmission is in a drive gear. If you must leave your vehicle while the engine is running, always set the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P).
x Never leave the vehicle in Neutral (N). It will roll down hills, whether the engine is running or not.
x When the engine is running and a drive gear - Drive (D), Sport Drive (S), or Reverse (R) - has been selected, press and hold the brake pedal to keep the vehicle from moving. The vehicle may “creep” and move forward or backward even if the engine is idling slowly.
x Never shift into Reverse (R) or Park (P) when the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE
Even though the transmission is in Park (P), the vehicle may move a couple of inches (a few centimeters) forwards or backwards if you take your foot off the brake pedal after stopping the vehicle without first setting the parking brake.
If the selector lever is moved into Neutral (N) by mistake when the vehicle is moving, take your foot off the accelerator pedal. Wait until the engine speed has dropped to idle speed before moving the selector lever into a drive gear.
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.