Steering -> Steering system information for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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 for vehicles without Keyless  
Access  
The steering column is locked if the vehicle is not moving and the  
vehicle key is removed from the ignition switch. The electronic steer-  
ing column will not lock if the vehicle is still moving for longer than  
10 seconds after the vehicle key was removed.  
Electronic steering column lock for 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 vehi-  
cle.  
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.  
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 sur-  
face 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 ex-  
ample, so that the wheels will still steer.