ignition switch VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2012 Owner's Guide

x Preparations for working in the engine compartment
x Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
WARNING
Working on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, explosions, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system.
x Before working on the electrical system, always switch off the ignition and all electrical consumers and disconnect the negative (-) cable from the standard 12 Volt battery.
x When you change a light bulb, always switch off the light first.
x Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries in general.
x Always wear eye protection. Never let battery acid or lead particles come into contact with your eyes, skin, or clothing.
x Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection. To reduce your risk of injury, never tilt the batteries, as this could spill acid through the vents and burn you.
x If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for several minutes and then get immediate medical attention. If you swallow any battery acid, get medical attention immediately.
x When disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle electrical system, always disconnect the negative cable (-) first and then the positive cable (+).
x Always switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting 12 Volt batteries. Reconnect the plus cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-). Never reverse the polarity of the connections. This could cause a fire.
x A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the battery is being charged.
x Do not smoke and avoid fires, sparks, and open flames when working. Never create sparks or electrostatic charges when handling cables and electrical equipment. Never short circuit the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause serious personal injury.
x Never use or attempt to charge a damaged or frozen battery, or a battery that was frozen but has thawed. Charging a frozen or thawed battery could cause explosions and chemical burns! Replace damaged or frozen vehicle batteries immediately. A dead battery can freeze at temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).
x If the battery has a vent line or tube, make sure that it is properly connected to the battery.
x Always make sure that the vent line is securely attached to a vehicle battery that is located in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning
x Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead components, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash your hands after handling.
NOTICE
x Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an extended period of time as ultraviolet rays may damage the battery housing.
x If the vehicle is left standing in the cold for a long time, protect the vehicle battery from freezing. A battery will be permanently damaged by freezing.

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
calculated and displayed ,Instrument cluster The maximum permissible service and maintenance
intervals 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 disconnected 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 specifications and dimensions as the original equipment battery. Specifications are listed on the battery housing.

WARNING
When the vehicle battery is charged, it produces highly explosive hydrogen gas.
x Charge vehicle batteries only in well-ventilated areas.
x Never charge a frozen or thawed battery. A dead battery can freeze at temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).
x You must replace the vehicle battery if it was frozen.
x Incorrectly connected cables can cause a short-circuit. First connect the positive cable (+) and then the negative cable (-).
NOTICE
x Never disconnect a vehicle battery or connect 2 vehicle batteries to each other when the ignition is switched on or the engine is running. Using the wrong battery can damage the electrical system or electronic components and cause electrical malfunctions.
x Never use a vehicle battery that does not meet specifications for the vehicle battery for your vehicle . Using the wrong battery can damage the electrical system or electronic components and cause electrical malfunctions.
x Never connect power generating equipment, such as a solar panel or battery charger, to the 12 Volt socket or the cigarette lighter, Cigarette lighter in order to charge the vehicle battery. This can damage the vehicle's electrical system.
Dispose of the vehicle battery according to regulations. Vehicle batteries contain poisonous substances such as sulfuric acid and lead.
Battery acid can pollute the environment. Catch leaking operating fluids and dispose of them properly.

Checklist
For your own safety and that of your passengers, carry out the following steps in the order listed ⇒ :
1. Park the vehicle at a safe distance from traffic and on a suitable surface ⇒ .
2. Switch on emergency flashers by pressing the  switch ⇒ fig. 190.
3. Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving, Braking and parking.
4. Shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only), Shifting.
5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch, Starting and stopping the engine.
6. Have all passengers exit and go to a safe location away from moving traffic, such as behind a guard rail.
7. Take all vehicle keys with you when leaving your vehicle.
8. Set up a warning triangle or other warning device in order to alert other motorists and cyclists.
9. Let the engine cool down and get expert assistance if necessary.
If the emergency flashers are on, use the turn signal lever to indicate a direction or lane change, for example when the vehicle is being towed. This temporarily interrupts the emergency flashers.
Switch on the emergency flashers when:
x Traffic suddenly slows down or stops in front of you to warn those approaching from behind.
x In any emergency situation.
x If the vehicle breaks down.
x When being towed.
Always obey traffic laws that govern the use of emergency flashers where you are driving.
If the emergency flashers are not working, a different method – as permitted by law – must be used to alert other motorists and cyclists to the breakdown.
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common sense.
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 where parts of the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite flammable materials, such as dry grass, brush, leaves, spilled fuel, etc.
The vehicle battery will be drained if the emergency flashers are on for a long time – even if the ignition is switched off.

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Starting the engine
x Start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery that is providing help and let it run at idle speed.
x Turn on the ignition of the vehicle with the dead battery. If the engine starts, wait 2 to 3 minutes
until it “runs smoothly” before removing the jumper cables as described below ⇒ . If the engine does not start within about 10 seconds, turn off the ignition and wait at least 1 minute; then try again.
Before removing the jumper cables
(1) Switch off the headlights (if they are on).
(2) In the vehicle with the dead battery, switch on the heater fan and the rear window defroster. This helps to minimize voltage spikes when the cables are disconnected.
Removing the jumper cables
With the engine running, remove the jumper cables in reverse order to the way they were connected.
(1) Disconnect the black (-) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
(2) Disconnect the black (-) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
(3) Disconnect the red (+) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
(4) Disconnect the red (+) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
(5) Close the battery cover or snap shut the cap on the positive jump-start terminal9, as the case may be.

Towing manual transmission vehicles
x Release the parking brake.
x Shift the transmission into Neutral (N).
x If possible, have the vehicle towed with the front wheels off the ground.
x If necessary, the vehicle can also be towed with the rear wheels off the ground ⇒ .
Towing automatic transmission vehicles
x Release the parking brake.
x Shift the transmission into Neutral (N).
x Tow the vehicle only with its front wheels off the ground ⇒ .
When not to tow your vehicle
If there is little or no oil in the transmission because of damage to your vehicle, it must be moved with the drive wheels off the ground. The vehicle can only be towed if its ignition is switched on and its electrical system is operating. In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed at all and must be transported on a flatbed truck or trailer:
x If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
x If the vehicle battery is dead (because the electronic steering column lock engages and cannot be released).
x If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).
WARNING
It is not safe for children or other persons to ride in a vehicle that is being towed.
x Never let children or anyone else remain in the vehicle while it is being towed.
NOTICE
The drive axle rotates while the vehicle is being towed with its rear wheels off the ground. This can damage the automatic transmission.
x Never tow automatic transmission vehicle with the rear wheels off the ground.
x Tow manual transmission vehicles with the rear wheels off the ground only if it is certain that no transmission fluid can leak out.
heed the information and WARNINGS in the owner's manual of the vehicle being towed.