Luggage compartment -> Introduction for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Luggage compartment  
¤ Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Folding the rear seat backrest forward and back into place  
Luggage compartment pass-through  
Tie-downs  
Shopping bag hooks  
Luggage net  
Always stow heavy objects in the luggage compartment and make  
sure that the rear seat backrests are securely latched in their upright  
position. Always secure objects to the tie-downs with suitable straps.  
Never overload the vehicle. Remember that the vehicle load, as well  
as how it is distributed, can affect vehicle handling and braking  
.
More information:  
Airbag system  
Lights  
Transporting  
Trailer towing  
Tires and wheels  
WARNING  
An open or unlocked luggage compartment poses special risks  
for children.  
Close and lock the luggage compartment lid and all doors  
when the vehicle is not in use. First, make certain that no one is  
left inside.  
Never leave your vehicle unattended or let children play  
around the vehicle, especially with the luggage compartment lid  
left open. A child could crawl into the vehicle and pull the lid  
shut, becoming trapped and unable to get out. This could cause  
severe or fatal injuries.  
A closed vehicle can become very hot or very cold, depend-  
ing on the season. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that  
can cause unconsciousness or death, particularly to small chil-  
dren.  
Never let children play in or around the vehicle.  
Never let anyone ride in the luggage compartment.  
WARNING  
Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the ve-  
hicle, causing serious personal injury during hard braking or  
sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be  
struck and thrown through the passenger compartment by the  
front airbags if they inflate. To help reduce the risk of serious  
personal injury:  
Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put  
luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment.  
Always secure objects in the passenger compartment proper-  
ly with suitable straps so that they cannot move into the de-  
ployment zone of a side or front airbag during sudden braking,  
in a sudden maneuver, or in a collision.  
Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.  
Never stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in the vehicle's  
open storage compartments, on the shelf behind the rear seat  
bench, or on the top of the instrument panel.  
Always remove hard, heavy, or sharp objects from clothing  
and bags in the vehicle interior and stow them securely in the  
luggage compartment.  
WARNING  
Transporting heavy objects causes the handling characteristics  
of the vehicle to change and increases braking distances.  
Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the  
vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause serious  
personal injury.  
Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteris-  
tics of the vehicle to change by shifting the vehicle's center of  
gravity.  
Always distribute luggage evenly and as low as possible  
within the vehicle. The vehicle capacity weight figures apply  
when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers  
and luggage).  
Always stow luggage and heavy items in the luggage com-  
partment as far forward of the rear axle as possible and secure  
them with appropriate straps to the tie-downs provided.  
Never exceed the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or  
Gross Axle Weight Ratings, which are printed on the Safety  
Compliance Certification Label located on the door jamb of the  
driver door. Exceeding the permissible weight can cause the  
vehicle to skid and behave differently.  
Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate  
your payload and its weight distribution within your vehicle.  
Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the ac-  
celerator pedal and avoid sudden braking and other maneu-  
vers.  
Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded  
vehicle.  
NOTICE  
The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can  
be damaged by objects that rub against them.  
The ventilation slots between the rear window and the shelf be-  
hind the rear seat backrest must not be blocked so that stale air can  
escape from the vehicle.