Get Windshield wipers and washer Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Windshield wipers and washer

¤ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Indicator light

Windshield wiper lever

Windshield wiper functions

Windshield wiper service position

Rain sensor

Checking and refilling windshield washer fluid

More information:

Exterior views

Climate control

Working in the engine compartment

Exterior care and cleaning

WARNING

Windshield washer fluid without enough frost protection can

freeze on the windshield and reduce visibility.

Use the windshield washer system with enough frost protec-

tion for winter temperatures.

Never use the windshield wipers/washers when it is freezing

without first defrosting the windshield. The washer solution

may freeze on the windshield and reduce visibility.

WARNING

Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the

risk of accidents and severe injuries.

Always replace wiper blades that are worn, damaged, or do

not keep the windshield clear.

NOTICE

To help prevent damage to the wiper blades and the wiper motor

when it is cold outside, always make sure that blades are not

frozen to the windshield before operating the wipers. Using the

windshield wiper service position can be helpful in cold weather

so the wipers do not freeze to the windshield ⇒ꢀ Windshield wip-

er service position.

Indicator light

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Lights

up

Possible cause

Proper response

Not enough windshield

washer fluid.

Refill windshield washer reser-

voir at the next opportunity

Y

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.

NOTICE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in

vehicle damage.

Windshield wiper lever

Fig. 92 Operating the front windshield wiper.

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Move the lever to the desired position ⇒ꢀ :

(A) /&& Wiper switched off.

Intermittent wiping for the windshield.

Adjust the interval settings with switch ⇒ꢀfig. 92 (1) (vehi-

cles without rain sensors) or the sensitivity of the rain sen-

(B) z

sor (vehicles with rain sensors).

(C) ,/7 Slow wiper speed.

(D) ()'( Fast wiper speed.

One-tap wiping – brief wiping. Hold the lever pressed

down longer to wipe more often.

(E) ꢀx

Pull the lever toward the steering wheel to activate the

windshield washers, then release.

(F)

W

NOTICE

To help prevent damage to the wiper blades and the wiper motor

when it is cold outside, always make sure that blades are not

frozen to the windshield before operating the wipers. Using the

service position can be helpful in cold weather so the wipers do

not freeze to the windshield ⇒ꢀ Windshield wiper service posi-

tion.

If the ignition is switched off while the wipers are running, the

wipers will continue at the same wiping speed when the ignition

is switched on again. Frost, ice, snow, leaves, and other objects

on the windshield can damage the wipers and the wiper motor.

Remove snow and ice from the wipers before you begin driv-

ing.

If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them care-

fully. Volkswagen recommends using a deicing spray.

NOTICE

Never switch on the windshield wipers when the windshield is

dry because the windshield can be scratched.

The windshield wipers work only if the ignition is switched on and

the engine hood is closed. The windshield wipers turn off automatical-

ly when the engine hood is opened.

The intermittent wiping for the front windshield depends on the

driving speed. The higher the speed, the faster the wipers move.

If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them careful-

ly. Volkswagen recommends using a deicing spray.

Windshield wiper functions

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Wiper performance in different situations:

When the vehicle is not

moving:

The wiper speed changes temporarily to

the next lower speed.

Wiper performance in different situations:

During automatic

wipe/wash:

While the washer system is working, the

Climatronic switches to recirculation for

about 30 seconds to help prevent the

washer fluid odor from entering the vehi-

cle interior.

During intermittent

wiping:

Speed-dependent interval control: The

higher the vehicle speed, the faster the

wipers move.

Heated washer nozzles

The heating thaws frozen washer nozzles, but not the fluid supply

hoses. When the ignition is switched on, the heat applied to the

washer nozzles is automatically regulated depending on the outside

air temperature.

Headlight washer system

The headlight washer system cleans the headlight glass.

If the ignition and the headlights (high or low beams) are switched on,

the headlights are cleaned the first time and every fifth time the front

windshield washers are activated. This happens only when the low or

high beams are on when the windshield wiper lever is pulled towards

the steering wheel. However, the headlights must still be washed by

hand periodically (for instance, during refueling) in order to get rid of

hard-to-remove dirt (like insect splatter).

To help make sure that the headlight cleaning system works during

winter weather, always keep the headlight washer nozzles free of

snow and remove any ice with a deicer spray before driving. Use a

deicer spray to remove any ice.

If there is something on the windshield, the wiper will try to wipe it

away. If it continues to block the wiper, the wiper will stop moving.

Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper on again.

Windshield wiper service position

Fig. 93 Windshield wiper in service position.

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

In the service position, the wiper arms can be lifted away from the

windshield ⇒ꢀfig. 93. The wipers are moved to the service position as

follows:

The engine hood must be closed ⇒ꢀWorking in the engine com-

partment.

Switch the ignition off, turn it on briefly, and then off again.

Press the windshield wiper lever down briefly ⇒ꢀfig. 92 (E) when the

ignition is off.

Wipers move into service position.

Carefully fold the wiper arms back onto the windshield before driving!

Switch the ignition on and press the windshield wiper lever down

briefly ⇒ꢀfig. 92 (E). The wiper arms move back to their original posi-

tion.

Lifting the wiper blades and tilting them away from the

windshield

Put the wiper arms in service position ⇒ꢀ .

Do not handle the wiper blades, handle the wiper arms only at the

attachment above the wiper blades.

NOTICE

To help prevent damage to the engine hood and the wind-

shield wiper arms, lift the wiper arms away from the windshield

only when they are in the service position.

Always carefully fold the windshield wiper arms down against

the windshield before driving the vehicle.

Rain sensor

Fig. 94 Windshield wiper lever: Adjusting rain sensor 1.

Fig. 95 Inside the front windshield above the inside mirror: Sensitive

rain sensor surface.

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

When switched on, the rain sensor automatically shortens or length-

ens the time between wiping intervals depending on how hard it is

raining ⇒ꢀ . The rain sensor's sensitivity can be adjusted manually.

Manual wiping (vehicles without rain sensors), see ⇒ꢀpage 187,

Windshield wiper lever.

Push the lever into the desired position ⇒ꢀfig. 94:

(A) Rain sensor off (windshield wiper lever home position).

(B) Rain sensor active – automatic wiping as needed.

(1) Adjusting the sensitivity of the rain sensor:

– Move switch to the right – high sensitivity.

– Move switch to the left – low sensitivity.

After switching the ignition off and back on again, the rain sensor

stays on and works again with the wiper lever in position (B).

Possible reasons for changes in the way the rain sensor works

The rain sensor may misread what is happening in the detection zone

of its sensitive rain-sensor surface ⇒ꢀfig. 95 (arrow) and not work for a

number of reasons, which include:

Worn out wiper blades: Worn out wiper blades may leave a film of

water or wiping streaks; this can cause the wipers to run longer, to

wipe more often, or to wipe continuously at high speed.

Insects: Insects hitting the sensor may trigger the wipers.

Salt streaks: Salt streaks on the windshield from winter driving can

cause wiping more often or continuously on glass that is almost dry.

Dirt: Caked-on dust, wax, any other buildup on the windshield (lo-

tus effect), or car-wash detergent residue can lower the rain sensor's

sensitivity and cause it to react too slowly or not at all.

Crack or chip in the windshield: If a stone hits and chips the wind-

shield while the rain sensor is on, this will trigger a wiper cycle. After

that, the rain sensor will recognize the change and recalibrate itself to

respond to the sensitive surface's reduced detection zone. Depending

on the size of the chip, the sensor's reaction pattern may or may not

change.

WARNING

The rain sensor cannot always recognize rain and activate the

wipers.

Switch the wipers on manually when water on the windshield

reduces visibility.

Clean the rain sensor's sensitive surface ⇒ꢀfig. 95 (arrow) regular-

ly and check the wiper blades for wear or damage.

To remove wax and coats of polish safely, we recommend using

an alcohol-based windshield cleaner.

Checking and refilling windshield washer fluid

Fig. 96 In the engine compartment: Cap of the windshield washer

fluid reservoir.

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Check the windshield washer fluid level regularly and refill as neces-

sary.

There is a filter screen in the filler neck of the windshield washer fluid

reservoir. The screen helps to keep large particles and debris from

getting into and clogging the windshield washer nozzles when adding

windshield washer fluid. Take the screen out only to clean it. If the

screen is damaged or missing, have it replaced immediately, other-

wise the system may become clogged and not work properly.

Open the engine hood ⇒ꢀ Working in the engine compartment.

The windshield washer fluid reservoir can be identified by the Y

symbol on its cap ⇒ꢀfig. 96.

Check if there is still enough windshield washer fluid in the reser-

voir.

Refill with an appropriate windshield washer fluid that is recom-

mended by Volkswagen ⇒ꢀ . Follow the directions on the container.

In cold weather, always use a special windshield washer antifreeze

solution that will help keep the water from freezing ⇒ꢀ

.

Recommended cleaners

For the warmer months, Windscreen Clear SummerG 052 184 A1

or equivalent. Mixing ratio 1:100 (1 part concentrate to 100 parts wa-

ter) in the windshield washer reservoir.

All-season Windscreen ClearG 052 164 A2 or equivalent. Mixing

ratio in winter to 0 °F (-18 °C) about 1:2 (1 part concentrate to 2 parts

water), otherwise, mixing ratio 1:4 in the windshield washer reservoir.

Filling capacity

The windshield washer fluid reservoir holds about 3.1 qts. (3 liters); in

vehicles with a headlight cleaning system about 6.3 qts. (6 liters).

WARNING

Never mix antifreeze or similar additives into the windshield

washer reservoir. This could produce an oily film on the wind-

shield, which would considerably reduce visibility.

Use clear water with a cleaning solution recommended by

Volkswagen.

If necessary, blend with a suitable windshield washer fluid

antifreeze agent.

NOTICE

Never mix cleaning solutions recommended by Volkswagen

with other cleaning agents. If you do, this could cause sedi-

ments or other by-products that can clog the windshield washer

nozzles.

When refilling, do not confuse one type of operating liquid

with another! Otherwise serious malfunctions and engine dam-

age can occur!

Windshield wipers and washer for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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