warning VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2013 B8 / 6.G Owners Manual

WARNING
Overloading a vehicle can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, serious
personal injury, and even death.
x Carrying more weight than your vehicle was designed to carry will prevent the vehicle
from handling properly and increase the risk of the loss of vehicle control.
x The brakes on a vehicle that has been overloaded may not be able to stop the vehicle in a
safe distance.
x Tires on a vehicle that has been overloaded can fail suddenly, including a blowout and
sudden deflation, causing loss of control and a crash.
x Always make sure that the total load being transported - including the weight of a trailer
hitch and the tongue weight of a loaded trailer - does not make the vehicle heavier than the
vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Applicable only in the United States and Canada
Determining the correct load limit

WARNING
Inappropriate spare parts and accessories as well as unprofessionally performed work,
modifications and repairs can cause vehicle damage, accidents and serious personal
injuries.
x Volkswagen strongly recommends to only use accessories approved by Volkswagen and
Genuine Volkswagen Parts®. These parts and accessories have been evaluated by
Volkswagen for their suitability, reliability and safety.
x Have repairs and vehicle modifications performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized
Volkswagen Service Facilities have the required tools, diagnostic equipment, repair
information, and trained personnel to properly replace any airbag in your vehicle and assure
system effectiveness in a crash.
x Only install parts on the vehicle that are consistent with factory-installed parts with
respect to design and characteristics.
x Never store, mount or attach objects, such as cup holders or phone cradles on or next to
the airbag module covers or within the airbags deployment zones.
x Only use wheel rim / tire combinations approved by Volkswagen for the respective vehicle
type.
Break-in period

WARNING
Improper vehicle modifications and repairs affect the performance of the airbag system and
cause malfunctions and severe personal injuries.
x Never store, mount or attach objects, such as cup holders or phone cradles, on or next to
the airbag module covers or within the airbag deployment zones.
x Objects on or near the surface where airbags are located can come loose and cause
serious personal injury if the airbag deploys.
Operating fluids and equipment

WARNING
Using a mobile phone or CB radio inside the vehicle without a properly installed and separate
outside antenna can be dangerous to your health and that of your passengers because the
electromagnetic radiation energy that cell phones and CB radios emit may be above
established limits. This also applies if the outside antenna is not installed properly.
x Always keep the mobile phone antenna at least 8 in (20 cm) away from pacemakers. Heart
specialists advise that cell phones can adversely affect the way pacemakers work.
x Never carry a mobile phone that is switched on in the breast pocket directly over a
pacemaker.
x If you suspect there may be interference with a pacemaker or other medical device, switch
the mobile phone off immediately.

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. 189.
3. Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving.
4. Shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only).
5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch.
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.

Applicable only in the AGCC and South Korea
Warning triangle, high-visibility vest, first-aid kit, and fire extinguisher

Fig. 190 In the luggage compartment: holder for the warning triangle (version 1).

Fig. 191 In the luggage compartment: holder for the warning triangle (version 2).

Fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher may be located in a holder in the footwell in front of or under the front passenger
seat.
The fire extinguisher must comply with the valid legal requirements. It must be fully functional and
checked regularly. See the testing label on the fire extinguisher.
WARNING
In the event of a sudden driving or braking maneuver or accident, loose objects could be
flung though the vehicle and cause severe injuries.
x Always secure the fire extinguisher, high-visibility vest, first-aid kit, and warning triangle
safely in the vehicle.
Only applicable in the AGCC
Fire extinguisher with seal on the fire extinguisher canister

Fig. 192 Under the passenger seat: Location of the fire extinguisher. On the top of the fire extinguisher:
Operating levers.

Fig. 193 On the fire extinguisher: Pressure gauge.

It is important to know where the fire extinguisher is stored, how to remove and how to use it before
you need it to put out a fire.
Please be sure to read the operating instructions and heed the other important information on the fire
extinguisher label before you have to use it in a later emergency.
Using the fire extinguisher
x Release the retaining tab on the fire extinguisher bracket upward, in the direction of the arrow
⇒ fig. 192.
x Remove the fire extinguisher from the bracket.
x Lift the lever on the fire extinguisher in the direction of the arrow (A) to break the seal on the
extinguisher canister.
x While holding the fire extinguisher upright, direct the nozzle at the source of the fire.
x Press the release in the direction of the arrow (B) to release the extinguishing agent.
x Extinguish the fire from the bottom up.
x Stop extinguishing the fire only when the flames are quenched.
x If possible, have another fire extinguisher or other extinguishing agent available in case the fire
reignites!
Installing the fire extinguisher
x Guide the fire extinguisher into the attachment straps.
x Place the fire extinguisher on the bracket.
x When locking the attachment strap, always make sure that the locking bars engage securely.
Fire extinguisher maintenance
Check the following on the fire extinguisher regularly:
x Expiration date: do not exceed the expiration date on the fire extinguisher.
x Pressure gauge: the needle ⇒ fig. 193 must be in the green area (ready for use).
x General inspection: make sure the components are secure and check for rust, dents or other
damage.
x Intact tamper-resistant seal: shows that the fire extinguisher has not been used.
WARNING
A loose fire extinguisher in the passenger can be thrown around the passenger compartment
and cause serious personal injury during hard braking, an emergency maneuver or during a
crash
x Always make sure that the fire extinguisher is properly and firmly secured in bracket
provided.

WARNING
Improper use of the fire extinguisher can cause serious personal injury.
x Never point or discharge the fire extinguisher at a person unless it is necessary.
x Always keep the fire extinguisher out of the reach of children.
x Never expose the fire extinguisher to direct sunlight.
x Always make sure that the fire extinguisher is clean and ready to use, but never use
aggressive cleaners, clean the fire extinguisher only with a moist cloth.
x Always stay at least 3 ft (1 m) away from a fire when using the fire extinguisher.
x The contents of the fire extinguisher are under pressure, always handle it with care and
never subject it to impact or abuse.
x Never try to open or repair the fire extinguisher, always leave work on the fire extinguisher
to a trained specialist.
x If the fire extinguisher is damaged, corroded or cannot be used because it is too old, have
a trained specialist depressurize and dispose of the fire extinguisher properly.
WARNING
The fire extinguisher can only be used once and must then be replaced with a fire
extinguisher of the same kind and size.
x The expiration date of the fire extinguisher is specified by law. The expiration date is
marked on the fire extinguisher housing.
x Replace the fire extinguisher immediately after use or upon reaching its expiration date.
x For safety reasons, the fire extinguisher must only be serviced or replaced by a trained
specialist. Please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility with appropriate certification.
Read and follow the information contained in the labels on the fire extinguisher housing regarding
usage, maintenance and inspection intervals for the fire extinguisher.
Have the fire extinguisher checked regularly to help make sure that it will work when needed
(every 2 years is recommended).
Do not use fire extinguishers in the vehicle that have been partially used or that have expired.
Heed all applicable legal requirements.

x Slip the cover up and over the selector lever ⇒ .
Emergency release for the selector lever
x Push the release lever ⇒ fig. 202 in the direction of the arrow and hold it in this position.
x Press the release button in the selector lever handle and shift the selector lever to Neutral (N).
WARNING
Never shift the transmission out of Park (P) without first firmly applying the parking brake.
Otherwise, the vehicle can start to roll unexpectedly, especially on hills or inclines, and cause
an accident and serious injuries.
NOTICE
Even with the selector lever is in N (Neutral), the automatic transmission will be damaged if the
vehicle is towed (or you let it coast) for an extended period or at high speed with the engine
shut off.