Get Roof rack Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Roof rack

¤ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Attaching the roof rack base carrier and roof rack

Securing a load on the roof rack

The roof of your vehicle has been designed to optimize aerodynamics

and does not have traditional rain gutters that are used to attach

many kinds of roof racks.

Since the rain gutters are molded into the roof to provide efficient

aerodynamics, only Volkswagen-approved base carrier mounts and

roof racks can be used.

When should the roof rack be removed?

When it is no longer needed.

Before driving through an automatic car wash.

When the vehicle would otherwise be too high for minimum clear-

ance to enter, for example, a garage.

More information:

Lights

Transporting

Tires and wheels

Saving fuel and helping the environment

Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications

WARNING

Transporting heavy or bulky loads on the roof rack will change

the way the vehicle handles by shifting the vehicle's center of

gravity and increasing the wind drag.

Always secure the load properly with suitable and undam-

aged straps so that the load will not shift.

Cargo that is large, heavy, bulky, long or flat will have a nega-

tive effect on the vehicle's aerodynamics, center of gravity and

overall handling.

Always avoid sudden maneuvers and hard braking.

Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and

the weight distribution in the vehicle. Take road, weather, traf-

fic, and visibility conditions into account as well.

NOTICE

Always remove the roof rack before driving through an auto-

matic car wash.

Your vehicle is higher when the roof rack is installed, especial-

ly when it is loaded. Compare the vehicle height with existing

clearance heights, such as underpasses and garage doors.

Always make sure that the roof rack system and anything be-

ing carried on it does not interfere with the roof antenna, the

power sunroof or the luggage compartment lid.

Make sure that the luggage compartment lid does not touch

items on the roof rack when opened.

If a roof rack is installed, fuel consumption increases due to in-

creased air resistance.

Attaching the roof rack base carrier and roof rack

Fig. 107 Under the rubber seal above the front and rear doors: At-

tachment points for the base carrier.

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

The base carrier is the basis of a complete roof rack system. For

safety reasons, additional attachments are necessary for transporting

luggage, bicycles, surfboards, skis and small boats. Suitable acces-

sories can be purchased from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Mounting the roof rack base carrier and roof rack

Always attach the base carrier and roof rack correctly.

Always carefully follow the installation instructions from the base car-

rier or roof rack manufacturer.

There are two markings on the rubber seal above each door of the

vehicle ⇒ꢀfig. 107 (1).

The attachment points for the base carrier are located between the

markings, on the underside of the roof frame, under the rubber seal

above the doors (2).

Only mount the base carrier at the attachment points shown in the

illustration.

Once you have installed the base carrier correctly, you can secure

the roof rack on the base carrier according to the manufacturer's in-

structions.

WARNING

Installing or using a base carrier or roof rack improperly can

cause the entire system to fly off the vehicle, causing accidents

and injuries.

Always follow the installation instructions provided by the

manufacturer.

Use the base carrier and roof rack only if they are undam-

aged and properly installed.

Secure the base carrier only at the attachment points shown

in the illustration (2).

Always install the base carrier and roof rack properly.

Make sure that all bolts and fasteners are properly installed

and properly tightened before every trip and retighten them as

needed after driving a short distance. During a long trip, check

all bolts and fasteners at each stop.

Always properly install special fixtures for items such as bi-

cycles, skis, surfboards, etc.

Do not modify or repair the base carrier or roof rack.

Follow the installation instructions provided for installing the roof

rack system. Always carry them in the vehicle.

Securing a load on the roof rack

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

It is not possible to secure a load unless the roof rack system has

been properly installed ⇒ꢀ

.

Maximum permissible roof load

The maximum permissible roof load is 220 lbs. (100 kg). The roof

load is the combined weight of the roof rack and the items being car-

ried on the roof ⇒ꢀ

.

Be sure you know the weight of the roof rack and the items you want

to transport on the roof. Weigh them if necessary. Never carry a total

of more than the maximum permissible roof load.

When using a roof rack with a lower load limit, do not load the rack to

the maximum weight mentioned above. In this case, you may only

load the roof rack to the weight limit specified in the system's installa-

tion instructions.

Distributing the load

Distribute the load evenly and secure it properly ⇒ꢀ

.

Checking the mountings

After the base carrier and rook rack have been installed, check all

bolts and fasteners after driving a short time and at regular intervals

thereafter.

WARNING

If the maximum permissible roof load is exceeded, accidents

and substantial vehicle damage may occur.

Never exceed the specified roof load, the maximum Gross

Axle Weight Rating, or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

Do not exceed the loading capacity of the roof rack, even if

the permissible roof load is not fully utilized.

Always make sure that loads are evenly distributed and that

heavier items are, as far as possible, toward the front.

WARNING

Loose or improperly secured items can fall off the roof rack and

cause accidents and injuries.

Always use suitable, undamaged tie-down ropes and ratchet

straps.

Secure the load properly.

Roof rack for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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