VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2015 B8 / 6.G Owners Manual

Driving a loaded vehicle

x Total luggage and other cargo.
x Roof load, including the roof rack system if permitted ⇒  Roof rack.
x Factory-installed or retrofitted accessories.
x Hitch weight and tongue weight for trailer towing ⇒  Loading the trailer.
Please refer to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross front and rear Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) for your vehicle, which are printed on the vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification
Label on the driver door jamb ⇒  Important vehicle labels.
WARNING
Exceeding maximum permissible weight ratings can result in vehicle damage, accidents, and serious personal injury.
x Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed the permissible Gross Axle Weight Rating. Also, never let the total of these actual weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
x Always remember that the vehicle's handling and braking will be affected by extra load and the distribution of this load. Adjust your speed accordingly.
NOTICE
x Always distribute the load evenly and as low as possible in the vehicle. The vehicle capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers and lug-gage).
x When transporting a heavy load in the luggage compartment, carry the load as close to the rear axle (as far forward) as possible so that the vehicle's handling and braking are affected as little as possible.

Luggage compartment

WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the vehicle, causing serious personal injury during hard braking or sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be struck and thrown through the passenger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment.
x Always secure objects in the passenger compartment properly with suitable straps so that they cannot move into the deployment zone of a side or front airbag during sudden braking, in a sudden maneuver, or in a collision.
x Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.
x Never stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in the vehicle's open storage compartments, on the shelf behind the rear seat bench, or on the top of the instrument panel.
x Always remove hard, heavy, or sharp objects from clothing and bags in the vehicle interi-or and stow them securely in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Transporting heavy objects causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change and increases braking distances. Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause serious personal injury.
x Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change by shifting the vehicle's center of gravity.
x Always distribute luggage evenly and as low as possible within the vehicle. The vehicle capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers and luggage).
x Always stow luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment as far forward of the rear axle as possible and secure them with appropriate straps to the tie-downs provided.
x Never exceed the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Axle Weight Ratings, which are printed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the door jamb of the driver door. Exceeding the permissible weight can cause the vehicle to skid and behave differently.
x Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate your payload and its weight distribution within your vehicle.
x Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the accelerator pedal and avoid sud-den braking and other maneuvers.
x Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.
NOTICE
The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that rub against them.
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.

Folding the rear seat backrest forward and back into place

Fig. 115 On the left side of the luggage compartment: Release lever for the left-side rear seat backrest. The release lever for the right-side rear seat backrest is on the right side of the luggage compartment.

Fig. 116 Rear seat bench: Seat backrest folded down.

WARNING
Improper folding and improper latching of the rear seat backrest can cause serious personal injury.
x Always make sure there are no people or animals in the area around the rear seat backrest when folding it forward.
x Never fold the rear seat backrest up or down while the vehicle is moving.
x When folding the rear seat backrest back up, make sure that the safety belt does not get caught or damaged.
x Keep hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of the way when folding the rear seat backrest up and down.
x Each rear seat backrest must be securely latched in the upright position so that the safety belts on the rear seats can provide protection. This is particularly the case for the middle seat on the rear bench.
x If a seat is used with an unsecured backrest, the passenger will move forward together with the rear seat backrest during sudden braking, driving maneuvers, or a collision.
x No one, including children, may ride on the rear seats if the rear seat backrest is folded down or not correctly latched.
NOTICE
Before folding the rear seat backrest forward, adjust the front seats so that the rear seat's head restraint or backrest cushion will not touch the front seats.
There is a separate release lever in the luggage compartment for each rear seat backrest sec-tion.
Luggage compartment pass-through

Fig. 117 In the rear seat backrest: Opening luggage compartment pass-through without lock.

Fig. 118 In the rear seat backrest: Opening luggage compartment pass-through with lock.

Tie-downs

Fig. 119 In the luggage compartment: Tie-downs.

WARNING
Elastic straps have to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the luggage compartment. Hooks on these straps can cause serious personal injury if not handled properly and attached securely.
x Always protect eyes and face from injury from the hooks when attaching them to the tie-downs in the luggage compartment.
x Always hold the hooks on elastic straps firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do not let them snap back and hit you.
x First attach the hooks on the straps to the tie-downs at the rear seat backrest in the lug-gage compartment and then to the tie-down hooks near the loading edge of the luggage compartment. This way, if one of the hooks on the elastic straps snaps back, it will move away from you, decreasing the risk of personal injury.
The maximum load for the tie-downs is about 785 lbs. (356 kg).
For suitable straps and luggage stowage systems, please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Roof rack
Important information about roof racks
For technical reasons, the vehicle body is not designed to carry a roof rack. Never mount a roof rack
on your vehicle. Mounting a roof rack will do considerable damage to the vehicle ⇒ .
WARNING
Mounting a roof rack on the vehicle can cause an accident and serious personal injuries.
x Never mount a roof rack on the vehicle.
x A roof rack could come loose while driving and fall off the roof of the vehicle.
NOTICE
Installing a roof rack or carrier of any kind will cause expensive damage to your vehicle that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.