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Steering -> Steering system information for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Sixth Generation (2005-2010)

Lights  
up  
Possible cause  
Proper response  
Stop, restart the engine, and drive a short  
distance. If the yellow warning light does not  
come on again, you do not need to have the  
steering system checked.  
Otherwise, have the steering checked  
immediately by an authorized Volkswagen  
dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service  
Facility.  
Power steering assist is reduced.  
Vehicle battery was disconnected and  
has been reconnected.  
Drive a short distance at about 10–12 mph  
(15–20 km/h).  
Flashes  
Possible cause  
Proper response  
Stop!  
Electronic steering column lock  
malfunction.  
The ignition cannot be switched on. The  
vehicle must not be towed! Get professional  
assistance.  
Steering system stiff.  
Turn the steering wheel back and forth.  
Switch the ignition off and then switch it on  
again. Heed any messages shown in the  
instrument cluster display, if applicable.  
On vehicles with Keyless Access, press the  
starter button briefly twice in a row without  
depressing the brake or clutch pedal.  
Do not drive any farther if the steering  
column remains locked after you switch on  
the ignition. Contact your authorized  
Steering column not locked / unlocked.  
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized  
Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.  
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.  
WARNING  
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to  
break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.  
Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.  
Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.  
NOTICE  
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.  
Steering system information  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
To help make it more difficult to steal your vehicle, you should always make sure the steering column  
is locked before leaving the vehicle.  
Electronic steering column lock  
Vehicles with Keyless Access: The steering column is locked if the driver door is opened with the  
ignition switched off. The vehicle must be standing still and the transmission must be in Park (P) on an  
automatic transmission vehicle.  
If the driver door is opened before the ignition is switched off, the electronic steering column lock is  
activated only after the vehicle has been locked with the vehicle key or via the sensor in the door  
handle.  
Mechanical steering column lock  
Vehicles without Keyless Access: The steering column is locked if the vehicle is stationary and the  
vehicle key is removed from the ignition switch.  
Engaging the steering column  
lock  
Disengaging the steering column  
lock  
Parking the vehicle  
Turn the steering wheel slightly to  
take pressure off the steering  
column lock.  
Remove the vehicle key.  
Insert the vehicle key into the  
ignition switch.  
Turn the steering wheel slightly until  
you hear the steering column lock  
engage.  
Hold the steering wheel in this  
position and turn the ignition switch.  
Power steering  
Power steering automatically adjusts to driving speed, steering torque, and the steering angle of the  
wheels. Power steering works only when the engine is running.  
If power steering is reduced or lost completely, it will be much harder to steer and control the vehicle.  
Counter-steering assistance  
Counter-steering assistance is part of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This feature makes it easier  
for the driver to control the vehicle in difficult situations. For example, if you have to brake hard on a  
surface that provides uneven traction, the vehicle could pull to the right or left. ESC detects this  
situation and helps the driver counter-steer with additional steering power ⇒ꢀ  
.
WARNING  
The counter-steering assistance in ESC can do no more than help the driver steer in difficult  
situations. The driver must still control the vehicle. The vehicle does not steer by itself with  
this feature!  
NOTICE  
If the ignition is off, the steering column lock will engage and the vehicle cannot be steered.  
For this reason, you must leave the ignition on when going through an automatic car wash, for  
example, so that the wheels will still steer.