Get Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Sixth Generation (2005-2010)

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

ꢀIntroduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Indicator light (telltale) ꢀ

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and recalibration with the SET button

Your vehicle's Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) uses the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

sensors to indirectly check the tire pressure of all 4 tires while you are driving. The sensors monitor the

tread circumference (rolling circumference) and vibration characteristics of the individual tires. TPMS

warns if there is a significant loss of pressure in one or more tires while the vehicle is moving.

Pressure loss is signaled by the indicator light ꢀ (described below) as well as by acoustic warnings

and text warnings in the instrument cluster display if your vehicle has this display (Multi-Function

Indicator - MFI).

The original benchmark pressure is the recommended maximum load cold tire inflation pressure for

the tires that come with your vehicle. This pressure is listed on the tire pressure label on the driver

door jamb, Tire inflation pressure inside the fuel filler flap, Tire inflation pressure. After adjusting the

tire pressures in all 4 tires, you must confirm and store the new cold inflation pressures by pressing the

SET button, which changes the benchmark pressure to match the current pressure of the tires on your

vehicle, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and recalibration with the SET button.

Recalibrating the TPMS to reset the benchmark cold tire inflation pressure with proper use of the SET

button is explained below, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and recalibration with the SET

button.

More information:

ꢀ

Volkswagen Information System

Transporting

Braking, stopping and parking

Exterior care and cleaning

Tires and wheels

Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications

Consumer Information

WARNING

Incorrect tire pressures and/or underinflation can cause sudden tire failure, loss of control,

collision, serious personal injury or even death.

ꢀ

When the warning symbol appears in the instrument cluster, stop and inspect the tires.

Incorrect tire pressure and/or underinflation can cause increased tire wear and can affect

the handling of the vehicle and stopping ability.

Incorrect tire pressures and/or underinflation can also lead to sudden tire failure,

including a blowout and sudden deflation, causing loss of vehicle control.

The driver is responsible for the correct tire pressures for all tires on the vehicle. The

ꢀ

recommended tire pressure values are listed on a sticker inside the driver door, Tire inflation

pressure inside the fuel filler flap, Tire inflation pressure.

ꢀ The TPMS can only work correctly when all tires on the vehicle are filled to the correct

pressure.

ꢀ Using incorrect tire pressure values can cause accidents or other damage. Always inflate

the tires to the correct specified cold tire pressure values for the tires installed on the vehicle.

ꢀ

Always maintain correct cold tire inflation pressure so that TPMS can do its job.

Always inflate tires to the recommended and correct tire pressure before driving off.

Driving with underinflated tires causes them to flex (bend) more, letting them get too hot,

resulting in tread separation, sudden tire failure, and loss of control.

Excessive speed and/overloading can cause heat build-up, sudden tire failure and loss of

control.

ꢀ

ꢀ If the tire pressure is too low or too high, the tires will wear prematurely and the vehicle

will not handle well.

ꢀ

If the tire is not “flat” and you do not have to change a wheel immediately, drive carefully

and at reduced speed to the nearest service station to check the tire pressure and add air as

required.

ꢀ

When replacing tires or wheel rims on vehicles equipped with TPMS always read and heed

the information and all WARNINGS regarding, Tires and wheels.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated using the SET button whenever

ꢀ

you remove and remount or change any wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or

replacement wheels and tires are identical to those that were removed and even if the tire

pressure does not change, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and recalibration with

the SET button.

WARNING

Improper use of the SET button can cause the TPMS to give false warnings or to give no

warning despite dangerously low tire pressure, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and

recalibration with the SET button.

Underinflation increases fuel consumption and tire wear.

Do not rely solely on the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Check your tires regularly to make

sure they are properly inflated and have no signs of damage, such as punctures, cuts, cracks, and

blisters. Remove any objects that become embedded in the tire tread but have not penetrated into the

body of tire itself.

When you take delivery of the vehicle, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System is calibrated for the

factory-recommended cold tire inflation pressure for the tires on your vehicle, as shown on the label

inside the fuel filler flap, Tire inflation pressure inside the driver door, Tire inflation pressure.

ꢀ

The system must be recalibrated using the SET button whenever you remove and remount or

change any wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or replacement wheels and tires are

identical to those that were removed and even if the tire pressure does not change, Tire Pressure

Monitoring System (TPMS) and recalibration with the SET button.

ꢀ

If you have to adjust the tire pressure on a warm tire, fill the tire with 2.0 - 4.35 psi (20 - 30 kPa)

more than the pressure specified on the tire pressure label inside the fuel filler flap, Tire inflation

pressure inside the driver door, Tire inflation pressure.

ꢀ

If the TPMS determines that the air pressure in at least one tire is too low, carefully check the

pressure in all 4 tires with an accurate tire pressure gauge. Low tire pressure usually cannot be

determined by looking at the tire. This is especially true of low-profile tires.

If you have work done on your wheels or tires, inform the workshop that the vehicle is equipped

with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

New tires may expand slightly the first time they are driven at high speeds, which can trigger a

tire pressure warning. Remember that tire pressure can only be properly measured when the tire is

“cold”, Tires and wheels.

Only replace old tires with tires that have been approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle type.

Indicator light (telltale) ꢀ

ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Lights up

Proper response

Possible cause or meaning ⇒ꢀ

Lights up and a chime sounds once:

The inflation pressure of one or more

tires is significantly lower than the

benchmark pressure set by the driver -

or a tire has structural damage.

Depending on vehicle equipment, the

message Please check tires!will

appear in the instrument cluster display.

ꢀ Stop safely as soon as possible!

Reduce speed immediately! Avoid fast

cornering and hard braking!

Check the condition and inflation pressure

of all tires. Have damaged tires replaced.

ꢀ

Flashes

Proper response

Possible cause or meaning ⇒ꢀ

Check and, if necessary, adjust the tire

inflation pressure in all 4 tires. If the tire

pressure is correct, switch the ignition off

and back on. If the indicator light flashes

Flashes for about 70 seconds and then again and then stays on or does not go out

ꢀ

stays on:

System malfunction.

after checking and adjusting the air

pressure in all 4 tires and pressing the SET

button, take the vehicle to an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility. Have the

system checked.

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

Incorrect tire pressures and/or underinflation can cause sudden tire failure, loss of control,

collision, serious personal injury, or even death.

ꢀ

When the warning symbol ꢀappears in the instrument cluster, stop the vehicle as soon as

it is safe to do so and inspect all tires.

Incorrect tire pressure and/or underinflation can cause increased tire wear and can affect

the handling of the vehicle and its stopping ability.

Incorrect tire pressure and/or underinflation can also lead to sudden tire failure, including

a blowout and sudden deflation, causing loss of vehicle control.

The driver is responsible for the correct tire pressures for all tires on the vehicle. The

ꢀ

recommended tire pressure values are listed on a sticker inside the fuel filler flap, Tire

inflation pressure inside the driver door, Tire inflation pressure.

ꢀ

The TPMS can only work correctly when all tires on the vehicle are filled to the correct

cold tire inflation pressure. Always maintain the correct cold tire inflation pressure so that

TPMS can do its job.

ꢀ

Using incorrect tire pressure values can cause accidents or other damage. Check the

pressure in all 4 tires when the tires are still cold. Never reduce air pressure in warm tires to

match cold tire inflation pressure.

ꢀ

Always inflate the tires to the correct specified cold tire pressure values for the tires

installed on the vehicle; see the tire inflation pressure label on the driver door jamb, Tires and

wheels.

ꢀ

Always inflate tires to the recommended and correct tire pressure before driving off.

Driving with underinflated tires causes them to flex (bend) more, letting them get too hot,

which can result in tread separation, sudden tire failure, and loss of control.

Excessive speed and/or overloading can cause heat build-up, sudden tire failure, and loss

of control.

ꢀ

ꢀ If the tire pressure is too low or too high, the tires will wear prematurely and the vehicle

will not handle well.

ꢀ

If the tire is not “flat” and you do not have to change the tire or wheel immediately, drive at

reduced speed to the nearest service station to check the tire pressure and add air as

required.

ꢀ

When replacing tires or wheel rims on vehicles equipped with TPMS, always read and

heed the information and all WARNINGS in the section, Tires and wheels.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated using the SET button whenever

ꢀ

you remove and remount or change any wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or

replacement wheels and tires are identical to those that were removed and even if the tire

pressure does not change, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and recalibration with

the SET button.

WARNING

Improper use of the SET button can cause the TPMS to give false warnings or to give no

warning despite dangerously low tire pressure, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and

recalibration with the SET button.

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.

If the ignition is switched on, an acoustic warning sounds when low tire pressure is detected. If a

system malfunction is detected, no acoustic warning sounds.

Driving for a longer period of time on rough roads or with a dynamic and sporty style can make

the TPMS system temporarily unavailable. The indicator light will come on, signaling a malfunction, but

will go out again once the road condition or driving style changes.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and recalibration with the SET

button

Fig. 130 In the glove compartment: SET button for the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Your vehicle's Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) indirectly checks the tire pressure of all 4 tires

while you are driving by using the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) sensors to monitor the tread

circumference (rolling circumference) and vibration characteristics of the individual tires.

The tread circumference of a tire can change:

ꢀ

If a tire's inflation pressure is too low.

If the tire's tread is damaged or the tire is structurally damaged.

If one side of the vehicle is more heavily loaded than the other.

If there is more weight on one axle than the other (such as when towing a trailer).

If a compact spare wheel has been mounted.

If a wheel was replaced on each axle.

If a tire was changed.

If the tire pressure was changed, or wheels were rotated or replaced, but the TPMS was not reset.

ꢀ If there are snow chains on the tires. Using snow chains can cause the system to give false

warnings because snow chains increase tire circumference.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System _Çmay not react at first or may not react at all when you are

driving in a sporty manner, or on snow-covered or unpaved roads, when you are driving with snow

chains, or in certain other situations. A change in the tread circumference of a tire is signaled by the

Tire Pressure Monitoring System indicator in the instrument cluster (telltale).

The tire pressure recommended for the tires originally installed on the vehicle is on a sticker on the

driver door jamb, Tires.

Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the

inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation

pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle

placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those

tires).

As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System

(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly

underinflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check

your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly

underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also reduces

fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.

Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's

responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if underinflation has not reached the level to

trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.

Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system

is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure

telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately 1 minute and

then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups

as long as the malfunction exists.

When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire

pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation

of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning

properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on

your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue

to function properly.

Resetting and recalibrating the benchmark tire pressure

The SET button for the Tire Pressure Monitoring System is in the glove compartment ⇒ꢀfig. 130. The

SET button resets the benchmark tire pressure used by the TPMS to the current tire pressure in the

tires based on the circumference of the tires. To reset the TPMS, switch on the ignition and then press

and hold the SET button until you hear a confirmation chime. The chime usually sounds after a couple

of seconds. The SET button must be pressed for at least 2 seconds but no more than 30 seconds

each time the tire pressure in one or more tires has been adjusted or after one or more tires has been

changed, exchanged, or repaired. The new tire pressures are stored in the system only after at least

20 minutes of normal driving.

If you use the SET button to reset the benchmark tire pressure when your tires do not have the correct

tire pressure, this will prevent the TPMS from working properly. It may then give false warnings or may

not give any warning even if the tire pressure is too low.

For this reason, it is vital to make certain that all 4 tires are inflated to the correct pressure

when they are cold before pressing the SET button. Cold tire tires are tires that have not been

driven more than a couple of miles (kilometers) at low speed within the last 3 hours.

Use the SET button to reset the benchmark TPMS pressure in the following situations:

ꢀ After installing tires on your vehicle that have recommended cold tire inflation pressures that are

different from the tires that were taken off.

ꢀ

After any tire on your vehicle is removed and then remounted, even if the same tire and wheel rim

that were taken off are reinstalled (for instance, after repair).

After any tire on your vehicle is changed and replaced by another tire, even if the replacement tire

is the same type and is inflated to the same pressure as the tire it replaced.

After adjusting the tire pressure of any tire on the vehicle to its correct cold tire inflation pressure,

ꢀ

either by putting air in one or more tires or by letting air out. Do this even though air was only added

(or let out) to bring the tire to the inflation pressure it should have had all along.

ꢀ

After rotating the front and rear wheels, Tires and wheels.

After mounting the compact spare wheel.

WARNING

Improper use of the SET button can cause the TPMS to give false warnings or to give no

warning despite dangerously low tire pressure. Make certain the tire inflation pressure of all

tires is correct before using the SET button.

WARNING

Incorrect tire pressure can cause sudden tire failure, loss of vehicle control and serious

personal injury.

ꢀ

Always check and correct air pressure in all 4 tires, particularly after changing,

exchanging, or repairing tires.

After that, always make sure that all 4 tires are inflated to the correct tire pressure for the

ꢀ

tires installed on the vehicle. Then push the SET button for the Tire Pressure Monitoring

System (TPMS) so that it can properly monitor the pressure in the tires.

ꢀ Press and hold the SET button until the confirmation chime sounds. Hold the SET button

for at least 2 seconds, but not more than 30 seconds.

ꢀ

See the tire pressure label ⇒ꢀfig. 121, ⇒ꢀfig. 122 and the Owner's Literature for

recommended cold tire inflation pressure and other important information.

When replacing tires or wheel rims, always read and heed all of the information and

WARNINGS, Tires and wheels.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated using the SET button whenever

ꢀ

you remove and remount or change any wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or

replacement wheels and tires are identical to those that were removed and even if the tire

pressure does not change.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System stops working if there is an ESC/ABS malfunction, Braking

and parking.

After a low tire pressure warning, the vehicle must stand and must not be driven for at least 1

minute before the SET button can be used to store a new benchmark tire pressure.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Sixth Generation (2005-2010)

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