light VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2012 Service Manual

NOTICE
x The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by hard or sharp things on the shelf below the rear window.
x Do not keep any food, medicine, or other items sensitive to heat or cold in the vehicle. They can be damaged or made unusable by heat or cold.
x Things that are made of transparent materials (such as eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, or transparent suction cups on the windows) can magnify sunlight and damage the vehicle.
The ventilation slots between the rear window and the luggage compartment cover must not be blocked so that stale air can escape from the vehicle.
Storage compartments in the front doors

Fig. 131 In the driver door: Storage compartment.

WARNING
Clothes or other items on the shelf behind the rear seat backrest may limit visibility, and cause accidents and severe personal injuries.
x Always hang clothes so that they do not limit visibility.
x Always use the built-in coat hooks only for lightweight clothing. Never leave any heavy or sharp-edged items in the pockets that may interfere with airbag deployment and can cause personal injury in a collision.

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

NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Pedals

Fig. 152 Pedals in vehicles with manual transmission: 1 Accelerator pedal, 2 Brake pedal, 3 Clutch pedal.

Fig. 153 Pedals in vehicles with automatic transmission: 1 Accelerator pedal, 2 Brake pedal.

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.

Lights up Possible cause Proper response
D
Power steering assist is reduced.
Stop, restart the engine, and drive a short distance. If the yellow warning light does not come on again, you do not need to have the steering system checked. Otherwise, have the steering checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Vehicle battery was disconnected and has been reconnected. Drive a short distance at about 10–12 mph (15–20 km/h).

Flashes Possible cause Proper response
D Electronic steering column lock malfunction.