Get Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifications -> Using a mobile phone without a vehicle-integrated antenna - some important things to know Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Some state laws restrict the retrieval or downloading of data stored by

EDRs installed in a vehicle for the express purpose of retrieving data

after an accident or crash event without the owner's consent.

Volkswagen will not access the EDR and/or similar data or give it to

others - unless the vehicle owner (or lessee if the vehicle has been

leased) agrees, or;

upon the official request by the police;

upon the order of a court of law or a government agency; or

for the defense of a lawsuit through the judicial discovery process.

Volkswagen may also use the data for research about vehicle opera-

tion and safety performance or provide the data to a third party for

research purposes without identifying the specific vehicle or infor-

mation about the identity of its owner or lessee.

NOTE: Your vehicle may be equipped with Volkswagen Car-Net.

Please see the Volkswagen Car-Net Terms of Service and Privacy

Policy at (http:// www.vw.com/carnet) for details regarding how

Volkswagen collects, processes, transmits, uses and shares infor-

mation obtained through the Volkswagen Car-Net equipment and

service.

Your vehicle is also equipped with a number of electronic control

modules for various vehicle systems, such as engine management,

emission control, airbags, and safety belts.

These electronic control modules record data during normal vehicle

operation that may be needed by trained technicians for diagnostic

and repair purposes. The recording capability of these modules is

limited to data (no sound is recorded). Only a small amount of data is

actually recorded over a very limited period of time, or stored when a

system fault is detected by a control module. Some of the data stored

may relate to vehicle speed, direction, or braking, as well as restraint

system use and performance in the event of a crash. Stored data can

also only be read and downloaded with special equipment that is di-

rectly connected to the vehicle.

Using a mobile phone without a vehicle-integrated antenna -

some important things to know

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Mobile or cellular telephones send and receive radio waves, some-

times called “radiofrequency energy” (RF energy), both when they are

being used and when they are in standby mode. Current scientific

literature indicates that radio waves that exceed a certain level can

have effects on the human body. Limits and guidelines have been

established by governmental authorities and international committees

in an effort to keep the electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones

at levels that will not cause health problems. However, there is no

scientifically based proof that wireless phones are absolutely safe.

Therefore, some experts recommend a precautionary approach re-

garding the use of mobile phones by taking measures that lower the

personal exposure to electromagnetic fields. When using a mobile

telephone inside a motor vehicle without a proper connection to an

integrated vehicle telephone antenna, the personal exposure to elec-

tromagnetic fields will be higher than when using the mobile tele-

phone while properly connected to an integrated or other outside ve-

hicle telephone antenna.

Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional hands-free system

that will permit many of the features of compatible Bluetooth^®enabled

mobile telephones to be used for greater convenience and is con-

sistent with the laws of an increasing number of states and localities

that prohibit the use of mobile telephones without some kind of

hands-free device.

The hands-free system in your vehicle can be used with certain mo-

bile phones that are connected by wire and hardware connector or via

compatible Bluetooth^®enabled phones with a cradle that is designed

to fit your mobile telephone.The special cradle offers several ad-

vantages: The phone cradle must be safely secured to the base plate.

Your phone is firmly attached to the instrument panel and is within

reach at all times. Placing the phone in its cradle permits it to be

charged, but more importantly connects the mobile phone to the vehi-

cle's outside antenna. A mobile telephone that is properly connected

to the integrated or other outside vehicle telephone antenna will lower

the personal exposure to electromagnetic fields. You should also ex-

perience a better quality of service. Although a mobile telephone can

be used inside your vehicle without a cradle, the phone will not be

securely attached to the vehicle, will not be charged through the cra-

dle wiring, and more importantly will not be connected to the vehicle's

integrated telephone antenna. The mobile phone will also not be re-

charged. You might also experience more dropped calls and an over-

all impaired quality of the connection.

Therefore we strongly recommend that you use your mobile tele-

phone in your vehicle only when it is properly attached to an appro-

priate cradle mounted on a base plate on the instrument panel.

Because of the large number and variety of mobile telephones on the

market and the frequency with which new models are introduced,

Volkswagen does not offer cradles for mobile telephones. Please

check with the manufacturer of the mobile telephone that you plan to

use.

Bluetooth^®is a registered trademark of Bluetooth^®SIG, Inc.

WARNING

A mobile phone on the seat, instrument panel or in other places

can be thrown around the inside of the vehicle during a sudden

braking maneuver, a crash or other accident and injure vehicle

occupants.

Never place or attach accessories or other objects (such as

cup holders, telephone brackets, note pads, navigation sys-

tems, large, heavy or bulky objects) on the doors, on the wind-

shield, over or near the area marked “AIRBAG” on the steering

wheel, instrument panel, backrests or between these areas and

the occupant. Such objects could cause serious injury in a col-

lision, especially if an airbag inflates.

WARNING

Using a mobile phone or CB radio inside the vehicle without a

properly installed and separate outside antenna can be danger-

ous to your health and that of your passengers because the

electromagnetic radiation energy that mobile phones and CB

radios emit may be above established limits. This also applies if

the outside antenna is not installed properly.

Always keep the mobile phone antenna at least 8 in. (20 cm)

away from pacemakers. Heart specialists advise that mobile

phones can adversely affect the way pacemakers work.

Never carry a mobile phone that is switched on in the breast

pocket directly over a pacemaker.

If you suspect there may be interference with a pacemaker or

other medical device, switch the mobile phone off immediately.

Parts, accessories, repairs, and modifications -> Using a mobile phone without a vehicle-integrated antenna - some important things to know for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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