brakes VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC 2015 1.G User Guide

Brake booster
The brake booster works only when the engine is running. It increas-
es the force on the brakes above and beyond the pressure put on the
brake pedal by the driver.
If the brake booster is not working, or if the vehicle has to be towed,
you will have to push the brake pedal harder to make up for the lack
of booster assistance and the resulting longer stopping distance ⇒ .
WARNING
New brake pads do not provide maximum braking performance.
New brake pads do not have the best stopping power for the
first 200 miles (320 km) and must be “broken in.” You can com-
pensate for the slightly reduced braking force by putting more
pressure on the brake pedal.
Drive with extra care while the new brake pads are being bro-
ken in. This reduces the risk of collisions and serious personal
injuries due to a loss of control over the vehicle.
Never follow other vehicles too closely or put yourself into
other situations that might require sudden, hard braking, espe-
cially when the brake pads have not been broken in.
WARNING
Overheated brakes will reduce the vehicle's stopping power
and increase stopping distances considerably.
When driving downhill, the brakes have to work especially
hard and heat up quickly.
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 possibly fail. Only use the
brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or
to stop.
A damaged front spoiler or a non-standard spoiler can re-
duce airflow to the brakes and make them overheat.

WARNING
Wet brakes or brakes coated with ice or road salt react slower
and need longer stopping distances.
Carefully apply the brakes to test them.
Always dry brakes and clean off ice and salt coatings with a
few cautious brake applications when visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions permit.
WARNING
Driving when the brake booster is not working increases stop-
ping distances and can cause accidents and serious personal
injuries.
Never let the vehicle coast when the engine is switched off.
If the brake booster is not working (such as when the vehicle
is being towed), a lot more pedal force is needed to slow down
and stop.
NOTICE
Never “ride” the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pe-
dal when you do not want to brake. Constant pressure on the
brake pedal can make the brakes overheat. Riding the brakes
will substantially reduce braking performance, increase stopping
distance, and can cause complete brake system failure.
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 possibly fail. Only use the brakes
when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.
When the front brakes are serviced, you should have the rear
brake pads inspected at the same time. The wear of all brake pads
should be visually checked regularly. The best way to check for brake
pad wear is to have your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility visually inspect the pads through the

ASR can be switched on or off manually ⇒  Switching Anti-Slip Regu-
lation (ASR) on and off.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL and XDL)
EDL is applied during regular straight-line acceleration. EDL gently
brakes a drive wheel that has lost traction (spinning) and redirects the
drive force to other drive wheels. In extreme cases, EDL automatical-
ly switches off to keep the brake from overheating. As soon as the
brake has cooled down, EDL automatically switches on again.
XDL is an extension of the Electronic Differential Lock system. XDL
does not react to drive wheel slippage when driving straight ahead.
Instead, XDL detects slippage of the inside front wheel during fast
cornering. XDL applies enough brake pressure to this wheel in order
to stop the slippage. This improves traction, which helps the vehicle
stay on track.

WARNING
The effectiveness of ESC can be significantly reduced if other
components and systems that affect vehicle dynamics, includ-
ing but not limited to brakes, tires, and other systems men-
tioned above, are not properly maintained or functioning.
Always remember that vehicle alterations or modifications
can affect the functioning of the ABS, BAS, ASR, EDL, and ESC
systems.
Changing the vehicle suspension or using an unapproved
tire/wheel combination can change the way the ABS, BAS, ASR,
EDL, and ESC systems work and reduce their effectiveness.
The effectiveness of ESC is also determined by the tires fitted
⇒  Tires and wheels.
All 4 wheels must be equipped with identical tires in order for
ESC and ASR to work properly. Differences in the tread circumfer-
ence of the tires can cause the system to reduce the engine power
when it is not expected.
If ABS is not working, ESC, ASR, and EDL will also not work.
You may hear noises when these systems are active.
Switching Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) on and off

Fig. 145 In the center console: Button for switching ASR on and off
manually.

Check the information on the container for the brake fluid you want to
use to make sure it meets the requirements for your vehicle.
Brake fluid that complies with VW Standard 501 14 can be pur-
chased from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
If this special brake fluid is not available you may – under these cir-
cumstances – use another high quality brake fluid that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4 ⇒ 
.
Please note, however, that not all brake fluids that comply with U.S.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 have the
same chemical composition. Some of these brake fluids can contain
chemicals that could, over time, degrade or damage internal parts of
the vehicle’s brake system.
Volkswagen therefore recommends that you use brake fluid that ex-
pressly complies with VW Standard 501 14 for optimum brake sys-
tem performance over the long term.
Brake fluid level
The fluid level in the transparent brake fluid reservoir must always be
between the MIN and MAX marking ⇒ .
On some vehicles, engine components block the view of the brake
fluid reservoir and make it impossible to see the brake fluid level. If
you cannot clearly see the brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir,
please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as
the brake pads wear and the brakes are automatically adjusted.
Changing brake fluid
Brake fluid must be changed according to the service schedule in
your ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance. Have the brake fluid
checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility. Refill only with new brake fluid that
meets the standards listed above.

WARNING
The intelligent technology of Hill Hold cannot overcome the
laws of physics. Never let the increased convenience provided
by Hill Hold tempt you into taking risks.
The Hill Hold feature cannot hold the vehicle in all hill start
situations (for example, if the surface is icy or slippery).
Hill Hold can only help keep the vehicle from moving for less
than 2 seconds. After that, the brakes will be released and the
vehicle can roll down the hill.

Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and often.
Clean the wheels and under the door sills last. Use a different sponge
or wash mitt.
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.
Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a
few careful applications of the brake. Make sure not to endan-
ger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.
CAUTION
Sharp edges under the vehicle can cut exposed skin.
Always protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp
metal edges when cleaning the underbody, the inside of the
wheel housings, etc.
NOTICE
The water temperature must not be more than +140 °F
(+60 °C).
To help prevent damage to the paint, do not wash the vehicle
in direct sunlight.
Do not use insect sponges, abrasive kitchen sponges or simi-
lar things to clean the vehicle. These can damage the paint fin-
ish.
Never clean headlights with a dry cloth or sponge. Always use
a wet cloth or sponge. For best results use soapy water.
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!

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.
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.
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.
Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a
few careful applications of the brake. Make sure not to endan-
ger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.
NOTICE
Water temperature should not be more than +140 °F (+60 °C).
To help prevent damage to the paint, do not wash the vehicle
in direct sunlight.
In order for Park Distance Control to work correctly, the sen-
sors in the rear bumper must be kept clean and clear of snow
and ice.
When using a power washer or steam cleaner, only spray the
sensors directly for a short period of time and always keep the
nozzle at least 4 inches (10 cm) from the sensor.
Do not clean icy or snow-covered windows with a power
washer.
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

Engine life is influenced by how you drive the vehicle for the first
1000 miles (1600 km). Even afterwards, driving at moderate engine
speeds, especially when the engine is cold, will tend to reduce engine
wear and help the engine to last longer and go farther. But do not
drive at an excessively low engine speed, either. Always downshift if
the engine is not running smoothly. For the first 600 miles
(1000 km):
Do not use full throttle.
Don't let the engine speed get above 2/3 the maximum speed.
Do not tow a trailer.
From 600 to 1000 miles (1000 to 1600 km): Speed may gradually
be increased to maximum permissible road and engine speed.
New tires and brake pads
New tires and replacement tires ⇒  Tires and wheels
Brakes ⇒  About the brakes
Breaking in a new engine gently will increase service life and
reduce oil consumption.
Parts and accessories

WARNING
Changing a wheel, especially on the side of the road, can be
dangerous. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Move
the vehicle a safe distance off the road where it is safe to
change the wheel.
Always make sure that all passengers, especially children,
are in a safe place outside the vehicle and away from the vehi-
cle and traffic (such as behind a guard rail).
Turn on the emergency flashers and set up another warning
device about 25 yards (25 meters) behind the vehicle to warn
approaching traffic.
Change a wheel by yourself only if you are familiar with the
necessary steps. Otherwise, get expert assistance.
Always switch the engine off, set the electronic parking
brake, and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic
transmission) or any gear (manual only) to help prevent the ve-
hicle from moving suddenly and slipping off the jack.
Always make sure that the ground is level and firm. If neces-
sary, place the jack on a large and sturdy board or on a similar
ground support.
Always block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel being
changed with chocks or other similar things.
If you are towing a trailer, always unhitch it from your vehicle
before starting to change the wheel. Always apply the trailer
brakes firmly and make sure the trailer cannot move uninten-
tionally.
Always use proper and undamaged tools when changing a
wheel.
Once a wheel is lifted off the ground, having the transmission
in Park (P) or in gear will not prevent sudden vehicle move-
ment.
Always use a jack that has been approved by the manufac-
turer for your vehicle. Never use other jacks, even if they have
been approved for use on other Volkswagen models.
To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious
personal injuries, never loosen the screws on rims with thread-
ed rim rings.