open VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2015 B8 / 6.G Workshop Manual

Adding engine coolant
x Always protect face, hands and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
x Carefully unscrew the cap ⇒ .
x Add only new engine coolant according to Volkswagen specifications (⇒ Engine coolant specifica-
tions ) ⇒ .
x The engine coolant level must be inside the marks on the side of the reservoir ⇒ fig. 186. Do not
fill above the top edge of the filling range! ⇒ 
x Screw the lid tightly.
x Even in an emergency, do not use any other kind of coolant additive if engine coolant meeting
Volkswagen specifications (⇒ Engine coolant specifications) is unavailable! Instead, add distilled
water only ⇒ . As soon as possible, have the correct coolant ratio restored using engine coolant
that meets Volkswagen specifications ⇒  Engine coolant specifications.
WARNING
Hot steam and hot engine coolant can cause serious burns.
x Never open the hood if you see steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment. Always wait until you no longer see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine.
x Always let the engine cool down completely before carefully opening the hood. Hot com-ponents will burn skin on contact.
x When the engine has cooled down and you are ready to open the hood:
– Firmly apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only).
– Take the vehicle key out of the ignition.
– On vehicles with Keyless Access, make sure that the remote control vehicle key is out of range of the vehicle and that the vehicle cannot be started by depressing the starter
button ⇒  Starter button.
– Always keep children and others away from the engine compartment and never leave them unsupervised.
x The engine coolant system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never unscrew the coolant expansion tank cap when the engine is hot. Hot coolant can spray out and cause severe burns and other serious injuries.
– Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counterclockwise direction while applying light downward pressure on the top of the cap.
– Always protect your face, hands, and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
x Never spill fluids on the engine or exhaust system when refilling. Spilling fluids onto hot parts of the engine or exhaust system can cause a fire. Under some conditions, the ethylene glycol in engine coolant can catch fire.
NOTICE
x Use distilled water only when adding coolant! All other types of water contain chemical compounds that can cause extensive corrosion damage to the engine. This can even lead to engine failure. If you have added non-distilled water, take the vehicle immediately to an author-ized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the coolant system drained, flushed, and refilled completely with the proper coolant.

More information:
x ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance
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. Recon-nect 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 ultra-violet rays may damage the battery housing.

Checking the vehicle battery electrolyte level

Fig. 188 In the engine compartment: Open the sleeve covering of the vehicle battery.

Fig. 189 In the side of the luggage compartment: On vehicles with 3.6 liter engines, the vehicle battery is on the left side of the luggage compartment.

Checking the vehicle battery acid level
x If the lighting conditions are poor, use a flashlight so that you can clearly see the battery acid level indicator and tell what color it is. Never use an open flame or an unprotected light source.
x The round battery window (“acid level indicator”) on the top of the battery changes color, depend-ing on the battery's electrolyte level.

Color indication Action
Light yellow or colorless Battery electrolyte level is too low. The vehicle battery may need to be replaced. Have it checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Black Battery electrolyte level is satisfactory.

WARNING
Working on the batteries can cause serious acid burns, explosion, or electrical shock.
x Always wear eye protection and protective gloves.
x Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection.
x Never tilt the vehicle battery. Acid could spill out of the battery vents and burn you.
x Never open a vehicle battery.
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.
x If you swallow any battery acid, get medical attention immediately.
Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the vehicle battery

WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the wet brakes or, in winter, brake discs or pads coated with ice, react slower and need longer stopping distances.
x Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a few careful applications of the brake. Make sure not to endanger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.
CAUTION
Sharp edges under the vehicle can cut exposed skin.
x Always protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings, etc.
NOTICE
x The water temperature must not be more than +140 °F (+60 °C).
x To help prevent damage to the paint, do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
x Do not use insect sponges, abrasive kitchen sponges or similar things to clean the vehicle. These can damage the paint finish.
x Never clean headlights with a dry cloth or sponge. Always use a wet cloth or sponge. For best results use soapy water.
x When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather, do not let water get into the lock cylinders or point the hose at gaps around the doors, hood, or luggage compartment lid. The water could freeze on the locks and seals and make it difficult to open the vehicle!
NOTICE
To help prevent vehicle damage in a car wash:
x Compare the vehicle track width with the dimensions of the guide rails in the car wash to help prevent damage to wheel rims and tires!
x Make sure there is enough clearance for the height and width of the vehicle.
x To help prevent paint damage to the engine hood, place wiper blades against the windshield after they have dried. Do not let them snap back into place.
x Fold the outside mirrors toward the vehicle body. Do not fold power folding mirrors manual-ly!
x Lock the luggage compartment lid to prevent unintentional opening in the car wash.
Washing with a power washer

WARNING
Improper use of power washers can cause serious invisible permanent damage leading to tire failure and loss of vehicle control. This can cause accidents and severe personal injury.
x Keep sufficient distance between water jet and tires. Never wash tires with a nozzle that sprays the water out in a direct stream regardless of the distance to the tire and even for a very short time.
x Never use “dirt blasters” to clean tires. Even spraying from a relatively long distance for a very short time can do visible or invisible damage to tires.
WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the wet brakes or, in winter, brake discs or pads coated with ice, react slower and need longer stopping distances.
x Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a few careful applications of the brake. Make sure not to endanger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.
NOTICE
x Water temperature should not be more than +140 °F (+60 °C).
x To help prevent damage to the paint, do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
x Do not clean icy or snow-covered windows with a power washer.
x When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather, do not let water get into the lock cylinders or point the hose at gaps around the doors, hood, or luggage compartment lid. The water could freeze on the locks and seals and make it difficult to open the vehicle!
Cleaning windows and outside mirrors

Reporting Safety Defects
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Volkswagen of America, Inc. 3800 Hamlin Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or Volkswagen of America, Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153);
go to http://www.nhtsa.gov;
or write to:

Administrator NHTSA 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE. Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.

Emergency closing and opening

Opening the luggage compartment lid from inside the luggage
compartment

Fig. 199 Behind the rear seat backrest on the driver side: releasing the rear seat backrest.

Fig. 200 Inside the luggage compartment: Unlocking the luggage compartment lid.

Color Current strength in amps
Brown 7,5
Red 10
Blue 15
Yellow 20
White or clear 25
Green 30
Orange 40

Opening the fuse box in the instrument panel
x Pull the lower part of the cover in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 214 and remove the cover from the bottom.
x On the inside of the cover there are plastic tweezers for removing and inserting fuses.
x To install, guide the cover from the bottom into the instrument panel and push in the direction
opposite to the arrow ⇒ fig. 214 until you can hear it latch into place.
Opening the fuse box in the engine compartment
x Open the engine hood ⇒ 
x Move the release tabs in the direction of the arrows ⇒ fig. 215 to unlock the fuse box cover.
x Remove the cover upward.
x To install push the cover onto the fuse box. The locking tabs must latch with an audible “click”.
Vehicles with battery located in the luggage compartment
There are additional fuses above the vehicle battery behind the panel on the left side of the luggage compartment. Have these fuses replaced by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
NOTICE
x To help prevent vehicle damage, be careful when removing fuse box covers and be sure to reinstall them properly.
x Open fuse boxes must be protected from dirt and moisture. Dirt and moisture in fuse boxes can cause damage to the electrical system.
The vehicle contains other fuses in addition to those mentioned in this section. Have these fuses replaced by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.