VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2013 B8 / 6.G Owners Manual

If the light switch is in the AUT O position, both vehicle lighting and instrument and switch lighting are
automatically switched on and off in the following situations ⇒ :

Automatic activation: Automatic deactivation:
If the low-light sensor registers darkness, for
example when driving through a tunnel.
If sufficient brightness is registered.
Vehicles without daytime running lights (DRL): if
you drive faster than 140 km/h (85 mph) for a few
seconds.
Vehicles without daytime running lights (DRL: if
you drive slower than 65 km/h (40 mph) for a few
minutes.

WARNING
Crashes and other accidents can happen when you cannot see the road ahead and when you
cannot be seen by other motorists.
x Never use daytime running lights (DRL) to see where you are going. DRL are not bright
enough to light up the roadway and be seen by other motorists. You will not be able to see far
enough ahead for safety, especially at dusk or when it is dark. Always switch on the low-
beam headlights at dusk or when it is dark.
x The taillights do not come on when the daytime running lights are switched on. A vehicle
without taillights on cannot be seen by others in bad weather, at dusk, or when it is dark.
x If automatic headlight control (!54/) is switched on, the low-beam headlights still may not
be switched on in fog or heavy rain. You have to switch on the low-beam headlights yourself.
In cool or humid weather, the insides of the headlights, rear lights, and turn signals can tempo-
rarily fog up. This is normal and does not affect the service life of the vehicle's lighting system.
“Coming home” and “Leaving home” feature (orientation lighting)

“Leaving home” Action
Switch off: – Automatically after preset delay period is over.
– Lock the vehicle.
– Turn the light switch to the / position.
– Switch the ignition on.

The delay period can be adjusted and the function can be switched on and off in the Lights &
Vision menu ⇒ page 17.
If the “Coming home” feature is switched on and the driver door is opened, no warning chime will
sound to alert you that the lights are still on.
Instrument panel lighting

Fig. 98 To the left of the steering wheel: Control for instrument panel lighting.

Interior and reading lights

Sun protection

Windshield made of heat-insulating glass

Fig. 100 Heat-reflective windshield with communications window (blue shaded area).

Windshield wiper and washer

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
Y Not enough windshield washer fluid. Refill windshield washer reservoir at the next
opportunity.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check. They go out after a few seconds.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Windshield wiper lever

Fig. 101 Operating the front windshield wiper.

NOTICE
To help prevent damage to the wiper blades and the wiper motor when it is cold outside, al-
ways make sure that blades are not frozen to the windshield before operating the wipers. Using
the service position can be helpful in cold weather so the wipers do not freeze to the wind-
shield.
x If the ignition is switched off while the wipers are running, the wipers will continue at the
same wiping speed when the ignition is switched on again. Frost, ice, snow, leaves, and other
objects on the windshield can damage the wipers and the wiper motor.
x Remove snow and ice from the wipers before you begin driving.
x If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them carefully. Volkswagen recom-
mends using a deicing spray.
NOTICE
Never switch on the windshield wipers when the windshield is dry because the windshield can
be scratched.
The windshield wipers work only if the ignition is switched on and the engine hood is closed. The
windshield wipers turn off automatically when the engine hood is opened.
The intermittent wiping for the front windshield depends on the driving speed. The higher the
speed, the faster the wipers move.
If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them carefully. Volkswagen recommends
using a deicing spray.
Windshield wiper functions

If there is something on the windshield, the wiper will try to wipe it away. If it continues to block
the wiper, the wiper will stop moving. Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper on again.
Windshield wiper service position

Fig. 102 Windshield wiper in service position.

Applicable only in South Korea
Rain sensor

Fig. 103 Windshield wiper lever: Adjusting rain sensor 1.

Fig. 104 Inside the front windshield above the inside mirror: Sensitive rain sensor surface.