Get Maintenance Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Eight Generation (2014-2023)

Maintenance

Service

Information regarding the service schedule

Information regarding maintenance of your vehicle and the type and scope of service work can be found in your service schedule. The service schedule is included

with your manual Service schedule.

Vehicle care

Vehicle care information

Regular, proper care helps to maintain your vehicle.

The longer dirt remains on the surfaces of vehicle components, the more difﬁcult it may be to clean and care for them. Long-term exposure can make it impossible

for dirt to be removed.

For questions regarding care products or for vehicle components that are not listed, consult a suitably qualiﬁed professional. Suitably qualiﬁed professionals can

provide you with suitable accessories. Volkswagen recommends contacting your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Read

and follow the usage instructions on the packaging.

WARNING

Improper care and cleaning of vehicle components could impair vehicle safety equipment and cause serious injuries.

Clean and maintain vehicle components only according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Always use approved or recommended cleaning solution.

Never use cleaning solutions that contain solvents. Solvents can cause permanent damage to the airbag module.

Protect your hands and arms against components with sharp edges, for example when cleaning the inside of the wheel housings.

WARNING

Dirty, foggy, or icy windows reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents and serious injuries. The vehicle safety equipment could become impaired.

Only drive when there is clear visibility through all windows.

Do not use water-repellent window solutions on the windshield. This can cause intense glare under poor visual conditions.

WARNING

Care products can be poisonous and dangerous. Unsuitable care products and incorrect application of care products can cause accidents, serious injuries,

burns, and poisoning.

Only store care products in their sealed original containers.

Read and follow the package leaﬂet.

Keep children away from all care products.

Only use care products outside or in well-ventilated areas so that no harmful vapors are inhaled.

Never use turpentine, engine oil, nail polish remover, or other ﬂuids with vapors that dissipate easily for vehicle care. They are poisonous and highly

ﬂammable.

NOTICE

Cleaning dirt with aggressive and solvent-based products can cause permanent damage to vehicle equipment, even if only exposed to the vehicle component

for a brief period, for example on seat cushions or decorative parts.

Do not allow dirt to dry.

Have stubborn spots removed by a suitably qualiﬁed, authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Washing the vehicle

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

and Vehicle care information.

Washing your vehicle regularly prevents exposure to contamination, which may damage the paint.

Matte-ﬁnish vehicles require special care due to the particular properties of the paint.

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To ensure that your vehicle is washed correctly and appropriately, note the following information

⇒

, ⇒

.

WARNING

After a car wash, the braking efﬁciency may be delayed due to damp or icy brake rotors and brake pads in the winter, and this can increase the braking distance.

Perform careful braking maneuvers to “dry and remove ice” from the brakes. Do not endanger other road users while doing this.

NOTICE

Improper car washes can increase the risk of severe vehicle damage.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.

In cold weather, never direct a jet of water at locks, doors, or the trunk lid. Vehicle components could freeze.

Removing stubborn dirt on matte paint

Soak insects or bird excrement that have adhered to the surface immediately with water and spray with a special cleaner for matte paint.

Remove tar splashes on the paint surface with commercially available tar removers. Residue must not be removed by intensive rubbing.

Remove tree resin and rust particles with special cleaner for matte paint and a cleaning clay bar. Slide the cleaning clay bar over the affected areas without

pressing down on it.

Spray grease and ﬁngerprints with matte paint ﬁnish spray and rub with a soft microﬁber cloth.

Rinse gasoline residue immediately with plenty of water.

Automatic car washes

If your vehicle has matte paint, never select a wash program with wax or drying aids.

If your vehicle has matte paint, only use textile car washes, never brush car washes.

For vehicle with decorative and protective decals, never use a wash package with hot wax.

Choose car washes without brushes.

Also ensure that the underside of the vehicle is washed regularly and thoroughly to remove any residue.

Observe the information provided by the car wash operator, particularly with regard to attachments on the vehicle, e.g. spoilers

The windows are closed and the outside mirrors are folded in.

⇒

.

Vehicles with steering column lock: If the vehicle is mechanically towed in the car wash, the steering column must not be locked ⇒ Steering information.

The windshield wiper ⇒ Window wipers and the rain/light sensor ⇒ Rain/light sensor are switched off.

If applicable: the roof antenna has been removed.

NOTICE

Car washes which mechanically scan contours may damage the vehicle, e.g. spoiler.

Pressure washers

Never use rotating nozzles. Observe the manufacturer's instructions.

Only use water up to maximum +140 °F (+60 °C).

Move the water jet evenly with a distance of at least 20 inches (50 cm) between the spray nozzle and all parts of the vehicle.

Do not direct the water at the same spot for a long period of time.

If possible, do not direct the water straight at sensitive vehicle components, e.g. rubber seals, side windows, glossy trims, tires, sensors, camera lenses,

decorative and protective decals.

Never clean icy or snow-covered door windows with a pressure washer.

Hand washing

Individual contaminations on the paint can be removed with a cleaning clay bar.

1. Clean dust and large dirt deposits from the vehicle with plenty of water.

2. If your vehicle has matte paint, remove insects, grease spots and ﬁngerprints with a special cleaner for matte paint. Apply the product using a microﬁber cloth

with gentle pressure.

3. Clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a washing glove, or a washing brush with light pressure. Start at the roof, and continue to work from the top down. Only

use a cleansing shampoo on stubborn dirt.

281

If your vehicle has matte paint, clean from top to bottom with a neutral cleansing shampoo and a microﬁber cloth. Wash the microﬁber cloth thoroughly at

frequent intervals.

4. Clean the wheels and side members with a clean sponge.

5. Rinse with plenty of water.

6. Let the vehicle air dry. Remove water residue with a leather cloth.

NOTICE

Washing the vehicle incorrectly can destroy the matte paint ﬁnish.

Never use washing programs with wax treatment.

Generally, only cleaning agents free of solids and abrasives, such as cleansing shampoos or insect removers, can be used for cleaning purposes.

Do not use insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar. The surface may be damaged.

NOTICE

The plenum chamber drain can be blocked by leaves and dirt. Water that cannot drain may leak into the interior. Water introduced manually into the plenum

chamber, for example with a pressure washer, can cause considerable vehicle damage.

Remove leaves or other loose objects with a vacuum or by hand.

Have the area under the perforated cover cleaned by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Only wash the vehicle in facilities speciﬁcally designed for that purpose. This will reduce the risk of water contaminated with oil from entering the sewer system.

Exterior care and cleaning

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

and Vehicle care information.

The following overview gives recommendations for cleaning and caring for individual vehicle components.

Door windows, glass surfaces

Remove wax residue, for example from care products, with a suitable glass cleaner or the Volkswagen Genuine cleaning cloth.

Remove snow with a hand brush.

Remove ice with a plastic scraper. When doing so, scrape in one direction only.

Defrost the ice with a suitable deicer or Volkswagen Genuine deicer.

Wiper blades:⇒ Cleaning and changing wiper blades.

Paint

Always treat surfaces with extreme care to prevent paint damage.

Treat light contaminants, for example deposits, insects, and cosmetics, immediately with a clean soft towel and a mild soap solution of maximum

two tablespoons of neutral soap in a liter of water, or with a cleaning clay bar.

Clean spilled fuel or operating materials immediately.

Dampen rust spots with soap solution. Then remove with a cleaning clay bar.

Have corrosion removed by suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility.

In the event of paint damage, consult suitably qualiﬁed professionals and have the paint damage repaired. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

A preservation treatment protects the vehicle paint. When water no longer clearly beads up and drips off clean vehicle paint, the vehicle should be retreated with a

wax protectant if not earlier.

For matte paint, use a soft round sponge to apply a special wax for matte paint to the cleaned vehicle. Remove excess wax with a microﬁber cloth.

Even if a wax protectant is applied regularly in an automatic car wash, Volkswagen recommends protecting the vehicle paint at least twice a year with a

suitable hard wax or Volkswagen Genuine hard wax.

Polishing is only needed if the appearance of the vehicle paint is poor and a shiny ﬁnish can no longer be achieved using protectants.

Never polish matte-ﬁnish surfaces. The surface will be permanently damaged by the paint shining.

Plenum chamber, engine compartment

282

Fig. 162 Between the engine compartment and windshield: plenum chamber (general example).

Remove leaves or other loose objects with a vacuum or by hand ﬁg. 162 , ⇒

.

Always have the engine compartment cleaned by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility qualiﬁed in this respect ⇒

.

Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Water introduced manually into the plenum chamber, for example with a pressure washer, can cause considerable vehicle damage.

NOTICE

The plenum chamber drain can be blocked by leaves and dirt. Water that cannot drain may leak into the interior.

Have the area under the perforated cover regularly cleaned by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility qualiﬁed in

this respect. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Sensors, camera lenses

Fig. 163 In the rear of the vehicle: Rear View Camera system on the handle (general example).

Clean the area in front of the sensors or the camera with a soft cloth and solvent-free cleaning solution.

283

Clean sensitive surfaces of the rain/light sensor and the camera window on the windshield as you would windows and glass surfaces (depending on the

equipment).

Remove snow with a hand brush.

Never use warm or hot water.

Defrost the ice with a suitable deicer or Volkswagen Genuine deicer.

Decorative and protective decals

Remove contaminants as described for paint. For matte decorative decals, use a suitable plastic cleaner or a Volkswagen Genuine plastic cleaner.

Treat the vehicle every three months with liquid hard wax. The vehicle must be free of dirt and dust before treating. Apply using only clean, soft microﬁber

cloths. Do not use hot wax, even in a car wash.

Hard contaminants: remove gently with ethyl alcohol and then wash with warm water.

The durability and coloring on decorative and protective decals can be affected by environment conditions, such as sunlight, moisture, air pollution, stone chips,

etc. Decorative decals may show signs of wear and aging after approximately one to three years, and protective decals after approximately two to three years.

In very hot climates, the decorative decals may fade slightly within one year and the protective decals within two years.

Trims made out of chrome-plated plastic, aluminum or stainless steel

Clean surfaces with a suitable chrome and aluminum product or Volkswagen Genuine chrome and aluminum products.

Chrome-plated trims can be protected with a suitable hard wax or Volkswagen Genuine hard wax.

Headlights, taillights

Use a soft sponge saturated with a mild soap solution of maximum two tablespoons of neutral soap in a liter of water to remove dirt. Do not use cleaning

solutions containing alcohol and/or solvents.

Remove stubborn dirt with a suitable chrome and aluminum product or Volkswagen Genuine chrome and aluminum products.

Wheels

Remove contaminants and road salt with plenty of water.

Clean dirty alloy wheels with a suitable rim cleaner or with Volkswagen Genuine rim cleaner. Volkswagen recommends applying a suitable hard wax or

Volkswagen Genuine hard wax to the rims every three months.

Repair a damaged protective paint layer immediately with a paint pen. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, if

necessary.

Remove brake dust with a suitable rim cleaner or Volkswagen Genuine rim cleaner.

Door lock cylinder

1. Defrost the door lock cylinder with a suitable door lock deicer or Volkswagen Genuine deicer.

Do not use any door lock deicers with degreasing substances.

WARNING

The engine compartment is a dangerous area in any vehicle. There is a risk of injury, scalding, accidents, and burns when performing any work in the engine

compartment.

Always note the necessary handling guidelines and the safety precautions every time before working in the engine compartment ⇒ Safety precautions for

working in the engine compartment.

Have all the work performed by suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility.

NOTICE

Incorrect cleaning and care can cause vehicle damage.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Never use cleaning objects that are too hard or abrasive.

Interior care and cleaning

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

and Vehicle care information.

The following overview gives recommendations for cleaning and caring for individual vehicle components.

NOTICE

Incorrect cleaning and care can cause vehicle damage.

284

Never use steam cleaners, brushes, hard sponges, etc.

Have tough spots removed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Door windows

Clean the door window with a glass cleaner.

Wipe the door windows dry with a clean chamois or a lint-free cloth.

Textiles, microﬁber, leatherette

Regularly remove dirt particles that adhere to the surface with a vacuum cleaner so that the material is not permanently damaged by scrubbing.

Remove contaminants with a suitable interior cleaner or Volkswagen Genuine interior cleaner.

For grease-based contaminants such as oil, use a suitable interior cleaner or Volkswagen Genuine interior cleaner. Blot away the dissolved grease or dye with

an absorbent towel. If necessary, treat afterwards with water.

For contaminants, for example from pens or nail polish, use a suitable interior cleaner or Volkswagen Genuine interior cleaner. If necessary, treat afterward wit

a mild soap solution of maximum two tablespoons of neutral soap in a liter of water.

Never use leather cleaners, solvents, ﬂoor polish, shoe polish, paint remover, or other similar substances.

Never use pressure washers, steam cleaners or cooling sprays.

Natural leather

Remove fresh dirt with a cotton cloth and a mild soap solution of maximum two tablespoons of neutral soap in a liter of water. Do not let any ﬂuids seep into the

cracks.

For contaminants, for example from pens or nail polish, use a suitable leather cleaner or Volkswagen Genuine leather cleaner.

Treat dried spots with a suitable leather cleaner or with Volkswagen Genuine leather cleaner.

Remove any fresh spots of grease such as oil with an absorbent cloth.

Apply leather care to seats regularly and each time you clean. If leaving the vehicle parked for long periods of time, you should cover the leather to protect it

from direct sunlight.

Never treat leather with solvents, ﬂoor polish, shoe polish, paint remover, or other similar substances.

Plastic parts

Clean with a soft, damp cloth.

If a mild soap solution of maximum two tablespoons of neutral soap in a liter of water cannot remove stubborn stains, use a solvent-free plastic cleaner or

Volkswagen Genuine plastic cleaner, if necessary.

Trims, decorative trims made out of chrome, aluminum or stainless steel

Clean using a clean, soft towel and mild soap solution of maximum two tablespoons of neutral soap in a liter of water, in a dust-free area.

Treat anodized surfaces with a suitable chrome and aluminum product or Volkswagen Genuine chrome and aluminum products.

Controls

1. Use a soft brush to remove large dirt deposits as well as any dirt that is difﬁcult to reach.

2. Use a clean, soft cloth and a fairly mild soap solution of maximum two tablespoons of neutral soap in a liter of water. Fluids must not enter into the controls.

Displays and screens

Do not clean the instrument cluster display and the Infotainment system screen when they are dry.

1. Turn off the Infotainment system temporarily to clean it.

2. Use a suitable cleaning cloth or Volkswagen Genuine cleaning cloth with some water, suitable glass cleaner, or an LCD cleaner.

Rubber seals

Clean with a soft, lint-free cloth and plenty of water.

Treat regularly with a suitable rubber care product or Volkswagen Genuine rubber care product.

Safety belts

1. Unreel the safety belt completely and leave the belt unreeled.

2. Remove large spots of dirt with a soft brush.

3. Clean the safety belt with a mild soap solution of maximum two tablespoons of neutral soap in a liter of water.

4. Let the belt webbing dry completely, then allow the belt to retract.

WARNING

285

Improper cleaning can cause damage to the safety belts, anchors, and the automatic safety belt retractors.

Never attempt to modify or remove the safety belts to clean them.

Never use chemical products to clean the safety belts and their components.

Do no use any corrosive ﬂuids, solvents, or sharp objects.

Do not allow ﬂuids and objects to enter the safety belt buckle.

Let the safety belt dry after cleaning before allowing it to retract completely.

Wood trims

Clean with a soft cloth and fairly mild soap solution of maximum two tablespoons of neutral soap in a liter of water.

Cleaning the seat covers

If dye from clothing such as denim stains the seat cushion, this is not considered a defect in the vehicle upholstery. Airbag system components and connectors may

be installed in the seat cushions. Damage, incorrect cleaning and handling, or moisture can also cause an airbag system malfunction as well as damage to the

vehicle electrical system ⇒

.

Depending on the equipment, electrical components and connectors may be installed in the seat surface with seat heating, which can be damaged by incorrect

cleaning or handling. This can also result in damage to other areas of the vehicle electrical system.

Never use pressure washers, steam cleaners or cooling sprays.

Never soak seat covers.

Never switch on seat heating to dry the seats.

Do not use detergent pastes or mild detergent solutions.

If there is uncertainty, contact suitably qualiﬁed professionals for assistance. Volkswagen recommends contacting your Volkswagen dealership.

WARNING

Improper care and cleaning of vehicle components could impair vehicle safety equipment and cause serious injuries.

Clean and maintain vehicle components only according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Needless to say, it is easier to see signs of wear and dirt caused by normal usage on bright materials in the vehicle interior. These signs of use are unavoidable

and also indicate the unavoidable deterioration caused by normal usage. Please follow the corresponding care instructions.

Accessories, replacement parts, repairs, and modiﬁcations

Accessories and replacement parts

Consult qualiﬁed professionals before purchasing Genuine Volkswagen Accessories, replacement parts, or operating equipment, for example if you would like to

retroﬁt the vehicle with Genuine Volkswagen Accessories or if parts need to be replaced. Qualiﬁed professionals are aware of legal regulations and factory

recommendations for Genuine Volkswagen Accessories, replacement parts, and operating equipment. Volkswagen recommends contacting your authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Volkswagen recommends using only approved Volkswagen Accessories and Volkswagen Original Parts®. Volkswagen has veriﬁed their reliability, safety, and

suitability. Qualiﬁed professionals are also qualiﬁed to perform installations correctly. Volkswagen recommends contacting your authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Products that are not approved by Volkswagen may not have been evaluated by Volkswagen regarding the reliability, safety, and suitability for the vehicle, despit

ongoing market observation. Therefore, Volkswagen can also not be responsible in individual cases if approval is given by an ofﬁcially-recognized technical

inspection and control authority or clearance is given by a government agency.

Retroﬁtted devices that have a direct effect on vehicle control, must have an e symbol (the approval symbol for the European Union) and be approved by

Volkswagen for the vehicle. Such devices could include a cruise control system or an electronically-controlled damping system.

Additional electrical devices that do not have a direct effect on vehicle control must have a symbol (manufacturer's Declaration of Compliance for the European

Union). Such devices could include refrigerators, computers, or ventilators.

WARNING

Unsuitable accessory parts and replacement parts may cause vehicle damage, malfunctions, accidents and severe injuries.

Volkswagen recommends using only approved Volkswagen Accessories and Volkswagen Genuine Parts ^®. Volkswagen has veriﬁed their reliability,

safety, and suitability.

Only install parts on the vehicle whose design and function are identical to the parts installed at the factory.

Only use rim/tire combinations that are approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle model.

286

WARNING

Items in the deployment zone of the airbag may cause serious or fatal injuries if the airbags deploy.

Never attach or position objects in the airbag deployment zone.

Repairs and technical modiﬁcations

Volkswagen guidelines must be followed when performing repairs and technical modiﬁcations ⇒

.

Interference with electronic components and their software can cause malfunctions. Because of the way electronic components are interconnected, such

malfunctions can also impair systems that are not directly involved. This means that you risk both a substantial reduction in the operational safety of your vehicle

and increased wear of vehicle components.

An authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility cannot assume any liability for damage resulting from repairs and technical

modiﬁcations that were performed incorrectly.

An authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility is not responsible for damage resulting from repairs and technical modiﬁcations that

were performed incorrectly. Such damages are also not covered by the Volkswagen warranty.

Have all repairs and technical modiﬁcations performed by suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting your authorized Volkswagen dealer

or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for Volkswagen Genuine Parts®.

Volkswagen repair information

Volkswagen service information and ofﬁcial Volkswagen repair information can be purchased.

Customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Central and South America:

Contact suitably qualiﬁed professionals for assistance. Volkswagen recommends contacting your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility. Or register with the erWin (electronic repair and service information) web portal:

https://erwin.volkswagen.de

Customers in North America and Canada:

If you wish to order the printed service information, please contact:

Volkswagen Technical Literature Ordering Centerliterature.vw.com

You can also register for the erWin web portal:

https://erwin.vw.com

Diagnostic connection (on-board diagnosis)

In the vehicle interior, there is a diagnostic connection (OBD ) to read event memories. Event memories document faults that have occurred and deviations from

speciﬁed values from the control module ⇒

.

The diagnostic connection (OBD) is located in the footwell on the driver's side on the underside of the instrument panel or next to the hood release lever behind a

cover.

Only have the event memory read out and reset by suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Additional information about the saved data can be obtained from suitably

qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

After a malfunction is ﬁxed, the information about it will be deleted from the event memory. Other memory content is overwritten continuously.

Vehicles with special modiﬁcations and mountings

The attachment and mounting manufacturer should make sure that the applicable environmental laws and regulations are met for the attachments and mountings,

especially the EU directive 2000/53/EG about old vehicle and EU directive 2003/11/EG about market introduction restrictions and the use of certain hazardous

materials and compounds.

The installation instructions for any retroﬁtted equipment should be saved by the vehicle owner and provided to the removal facility if the vehicle is scrapped. This

ensures that even vehicles with retroﬁtted equipment will be disposed of in a way that will not harm the environment.

Windshield repairs

To perform functions, some equipment requires an electric or electronic component that is secured to the inside of the windshield near the interior rearview mirror,

for example. If the windshield is damaged within the area covered by the electrical or electronic component's visual ﬁeld, for example with a stone chip, then the

windshield must be replaced. Stone chip repairs can cause malfunctions in the equipment.

After a windshield is replaced, the camera and sensors must be adjusted and calibrated by suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting

your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Impairment or damage to sensors and cameras

The sensors or cameras could shift or become damaged as a result of incorrect repairs, structural changes to the vehicle (such as “lowering”), installation of after-

market equipment, or changes to the trim panels. This can also be caused by collisions when parking and by minor damage, such as a stone hitting the windshield.

The area in front of and around the sensors and cameras must not be covered by stickers, auxiliary headlights, decorative license plate frames, or similar objects.

Note the position of sensors and cameras on your vehicle ⇒ Vehicle overviews.

287

If ignored, important vehicle functions of driver assistance systems could be impaired and vehicle damage could result.

Have repairs or structural changes performed by suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting your authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Additional information:

Painting near the sensors can impair the function of the system that uses those sensors.

The Volkswagen emblem can impede the view of the radar sensors to the front on some vehicle versions. Therefore only operate the vehicle with the original

Volkswagen emblem or an emblem approved by Volkswagen.

Engine/motor protection

Engine/motor protection can reduce the risk of damage to the vehicle underbody and the oil pan, for example if driving over curbs, entering driveways, or on

unpaved roads.

Have the retroﬁtting work performed by suitable qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility.

Engine/motor protection may not be available in all countries.

WARNING

Repairs and modiﬁcations to the vehicle that are performed incorrectly can impair the effectiveness of the driver assistance systems and deploying airbags.

This can cause malfunctions, accidents and fatal injuries.

Only have suitably qualiﬁed professionals make repairs or modiﬁcations to a vehicle. Volkswagen recommends contacting your authorized Volkswagen

dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

WARNING

Repairs and modiﬁcations to the vehicle that are performed incorrectly may cause vehicle damage, accidents and severe injuries.

Volkswagen recommends using only approved Volkswagen Genuine Parts^®. Volkswagen has veriﬁed their reliability, safety, and suitability.

Only have suitably qualiﬁed professionals make repairs or modiﬁcations to a vehicle. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service

Facilities have the required tools, diagnostic devices, repair information, and qualiﬁed personnel. Volkswagen recommends contacting your authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Only install parts on the vehicle whose design and function are identical to the parts installed at the factory.

Only use rim/tire combinations that are approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle model.

WARNING

Incorrect use of the diagnostic connection can cause malfunctions, which can then result in collisions and serious injuries.

Never read out the event memory yourself using the diagnostic connection.

Never load data yourself using the diagnostic connection in the vehicle.

Only have the event memory read out with the diagnostic connection by suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an

authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Airbag system repairs and situations that can affect the system function

Volkswagen guidelines must be followed when performing repairs and technical modiﬁcations ⇒

.

Only have modiﬁcations and repairs on the front bumper, doors, front seats, headliner, or body performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility. Airbag system components and sensors may be located on these vehicle components.

Airbag system components can be damaged during all procedures on the airbag system and when removing and installing system components while performing

other repair procedures. This may prevent the airbags from deploying or cause them to deploy incorrectly in the event of an accident.

The instructions must be followed so that the effectiveness of the airbags is not impaired and removed components do not cause injuries and environmental

pollution. An authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility is familiar with these instructions.

A modiﬁcation to the vehicle suspension can impair the functionality of the airbag system during a collision. For example, using a rim/tire combination that is not

approved by Volkswagen, lowering the vehicle, or changing the suspension stiffness including the springs, suspensions struts, shock absorbers, etc., can change

the force that is measured by the airbag sensors and transmitted to the electronic control module. For example, some changes to the suspension can increase the

force measured by the systems and trigger the airbag system in accidents where the airbags would normally not be deployed if the modiﬁcations had not been

made. Other modiﬁcations can reduce the force measured by the sensors and prevent the airbag from deploying when it should have deployed.

WARNING

288

Repairs and modiﬁcations that were done incorrectly can cause damage and malfunctions to the vehicle as well as impair the effectiveness of the airbag

system. This can cause accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

Only have an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility make vehicle repairs or modiﬁcations.

The airbag module cannot be repaired; it must be replaced.

Never install airbag components removed from old vehicles or from recycling.

WARNING

A modiﬁcation to the vehicle suspension including using a rim/tire combination that is not permitted can change the functionality of the airbag and increase the

risk of severe or fatal injuries in an accident.

Never install suspension components that do not have the same properties as the original parts installed in the vehicle.

Never use rim/tire combinations that are not approved by Volkswagen.

Mobile phone usage in the vehicle

Electromagnetic waves

When using a mobile phone or radio equipment without connecting to the exterior antenna, the electromagnetic waves will not be deﬂected outward in an optimum

way. Increased waves in the vehicle interior can occur, especially when reception is poor, for example in rural areas. This could be a potential health risk ⇒

.

Depending on the equipment, it may be possible to use a suitable telephone interface to connect the mobile phone to the exterior antenna. This will improve the

connection quality and increase the range.

Using a phone

In many countries, using a phone in the vehicle is only permitted if there is a hands-free connection, for example using a Bluetooth ^®connection. Before using the

phone, secure it in a suitable holder ⇒

or store it in a storage compartment, such as in the center console, to prevent it from sliding around.

Radio

If operating radio devices, follow the legal regulations and the user guide from the manufacturer. The aftermarket installation of radio devices is subject to approval.

Contact qualiﬁed professionals for more information about installing radio equipment. Volkswagen recommends contacting your Volkswagen dealership.

WARNING

Mobile devices that are loose or not secured correctly can be thrown through the vehicle interior during sudden driving or braking maneuvers or in the event of a

collision and cause injuries.

Secure or store the mobile phone and accessories safely outside the deployment range of the airbags.

WARNING

Using a mobile device or radio equipment inside the vehicle without a connection to an exterior antenna may create electromagnetic energy that exceeds

permissible limits. This may be dangerous to your health and that of your passengers. This also applies if the exterior antenna is not installed correctly.

Maintain a distance of at least 8 inches (20 cm) between the device aerials and any active medical implants, such as pacemakers.

Do not carry a mobile device that is turned on directly above or in the immediate vicinity of any active medical implants, for example by keeping a phone

in a shirt pocket.

Switch off the mobile device immediately if you suspect there is interference with an active medical implant or other medical device.

289

Maintenance for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Eight Generation (2014-2023)

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