Get Driving -> Brake support systems Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Nineth Generation (2023-2025)

3. Seek expert assistance.

Gearbox overheated

The warning lamp lights up red.

An acoustic signal may also be given. A text notification may also be shown on the instrument cluster display.

The automatic gearbox can become too hot as a result of moving off frequently on uphill gradients, for example.

1. Allow the gearbox to cool down with engaged parking lock and running engine →

2. If the indicator lamp does not go out, switch on the electronic parking brake and leave the vehicle standing.

3. Seek expert assistance. Failure to do so could result in considerable damage to the gearbox.

Manual release of the parking lock

If the power fails in the vehicle, e.g. due to a flat 12-volt vehicle battery, and the vehicle has to be pushed or towed, the driving mode

selector must be released manually.

1. Seek expert assistance.

Vehicle does not move even though position is engaged

If the vehicle will not move in the required direction, the system may have selected the position incorrectly.

1. Depress the brake pedal and reselect the position.

2. If the vehicle still does not move in the required direction, there is a system fault. Seek expert assistance and have the system

checked.

WARNING

If the parking lock is released and the electronic parking brake is switched off, the vehicle can start moving unexpectedly when on

uphill and downhill gradients. This can lead to accidents and serious injuries.

● Never release the parking lock when the electronic parking brake is switched off.

NOTICE

If the vehicle rolls for an extended period or at high speed with the engine switched off and in gear selector position , the automatic

gearbox will be damaged.

● Do not allow the vehicle to roll for an extended period or at high speed with the engine switched off and in gear selector position ,

e.g. when being towed.

NOTICE

If the gearbox becomes too hot or overheats, this can lead to increased wear or damage to the component.

● Avoid moving-off operations and driving at walking pace as long as the gearbox is overheated.

● Drive faster than around 20 km/h (around 12 mph) or park the vehicle in a safe place immediately when a warning is displayed for

the first time indicating that the gearbox has overheated.

● Park the vehicle in a safe place immediately and switch off the engine if the text message and acoustic warning are repeated

around every 10 seconds.

● Allow the gearbox to cool down.

● Continue driving only when the acoustic warning is no longer emitted.

Brake support systems can stabilise the vehicle in critical driving or braking situations and help to increase driving safety. The driver is

responsible for driving safety →

—Continue to brake with the necessary force when a brake support system is performing a control intervention.

—Steer the vehicle if necessary.

WARNING

Brake support systems is not a substitute for the full attention of the driver and operate only within the limits of the respective

system. Driving fast on icy, slippery or wet roads as well as driving too close to the vehicle in front can have an adverse effect on

vehicle stability and lead you to lose control over the vehicle. If you do not pay due attention, there is a risk of accidents and serious

or even fatal injuries.

● Always pay due attention and do not rely exclusively on the system. The driver is always responsible for all driving tasks.

● Ensure that your speed and driving style are always appropriate for the current visibility, weather and road/traffic conditions. Never

take any safety risks.

● Always keep the footwell under the pedals clear so that the brake pedal can move freely.

● Always use suitable tyres because driving stability depends on the grip of the tyres.

—The ESC, ABS and TCS can function properly only if all four wheels are fitted with the correct tyres →

—If the ABS fails, ESC, TCS and EDS will also cease to function.

The status of the brake functions is checked automatically when the ignition is switched on. The indicator lamps light up briefly and

then go out again. If an indicator lamp remains lit up, there is a fault. Go to a suitably qualified workshop immediately. Volkswagen

recommends using an authorised repairer.

WARNING

The effectiveness of ESC can be reduced considerably if other components and systems which affect driving dynamics are not

serviced properly or are not functioning properly. This applies in particular to changes to the suspension and wheel and tyre

combinations that have not been approved. This can result in accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Have vehicle conversions and modifications carried out only by a suitably qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using an

authorised Volkswagen repairer.

● Always use suitable tyres because driving stability depends on the grip of the tyres.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ESC control intervention to reduce the risk of skidding and improve driving stability → . The indicator lamp flashes yellow.

Traction control system (TCS)

TCS control intervention to prevent the wheels from spinning. The indicator lamp flashes yellow.

TCS reduces the drive output if wheelspin occurs and adapts the output to suit the road surface conditions. The TCS makes it easier to

pull away, accelerate and drive up hills →

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

ABS prevents the wheels from locking during braking so that the vehicle can still be steered →

Brake Assist system

BAS can help to reduce the stopping distance. If the driver depresses the brake pedal quickly in an emergency braking situation, the

BAS will increase the braking force →

Swerve support in emergency situations

If Front Assist detects the risk of a collision, an urgent warning of the Front Assist system will be displayed. Swerve support intervenes

in emergency situations.

If the driver performs an evasive manoeuvre into another lane, ESC brakes individual wheels and helps to dynamically guide the vehicle

around an obstacle. The vehicle is stabilised in the lane into which the evasive manoeuvre has taken place.

Electronic differential lock (EDL and XDS)

EDS brakes a spinning wheel automatically and distributes the drive force to the other drive wheels.

XDS is an extension of the electronic differential lock and improves traction by braking interventions in order to keep the vehicle on its

intended course.

Automatic Post-Collision Braking System

If the airbag control unit has detected a collision in an accident situation, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System will initiate

braking automatically.

Requirements for automatic braking:

The driver does not press the accelerator.

Electronic brake pressure distribution system

The electronic brake pressure distribution regulates the braking force between the front axle and the rear axle outside of any ABS

regulation. This avoids excessive braking of the rear axle and keeps the vehicle stable during braking.

Electromechanical brake servo

The electromechanical brake servo supports the driver's foot movement when the ignition is switched on, and boosts the pressure

applied to the brake pedal by the driver → . In the event of a braking intervention by a driver assist system, such as when ACC is

performing a control intervention or during emergency braking, the brake pedal may move independently.

The brake pressure boost will reduce gradually after you switch off the ignition. Messages are displayed on the digital instrument

cluster display if the vehicle is still held by means of the brake pedal. The brake servo function is restricted in this case.

Secure the stationary vehicle against rolling away (→ Parking).

WARNING

Driving without the brake servo or with restricted brake servo function can considerably increase the braking distance. This can lead

to accidents with serious or fatal injuries.

● Never switch the engine or ignition off while the vehicle is in motion.

● Press the brake pedal with more force if the brake servo is not working or if the vehicle is being towed.

● Always keep the footwell under the pedals clear so that the brake pedal can move freely.

Driving situations

Depending on equipment, various brake support systems can be switched on and off.

To prevent any safety risk, brake support systems should not be switched off under normal conditions →

WARNING

With the ESC switched off, there is a much greater chance of the vehicle breaking away. Inexperienced drivers may find it difficult to

control the vehicle when driving at high speeds. This can result in accidents and serious or fatal injuries.

● Switch off ESC only if you are experienced in offroad driving.

● Switch on the ESC Sport only if you are driving on a closed road or track and have the necessary skills for sporty driving.

● Never take any safety risks.

Switching on and off

1. Open the vehicle settings in the Infotainment system (→ Vehicle settings menu).

2. Open the Vehicle menu.

3. Open the Exterior menu.

4. Open the Brakes menu.

5. Activate the function in the ESC system drop-down list.

When the setting is no longer used, the brake support system should be switched back on fully →

TCS

It can help to switch off TCS when driving on loose terrain or when rocking the vehicle “backwards and forwards” if it has become

stuck →

TCS Switched off manually. The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

ESC Sport

This function supports a sporty driving style. The ESC intervenes later to stabilise the vehicle, for example when taking bends in the

road at high speed →

ESC Sport switched on. The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

ESC Off

This function supports experienced drivers when driving offroad. The ESC is switched off and no stabilising interventions take place.

Always observe the safety warnings →

ESC Switched off manually. The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

1. Depending on the equipment, confirm the selection in the instrument cluster.

Creating ESC operation as a favourite in the Infotainment system

In order to access the ESC settings directly, you can create a favourite function in the Infotainment system Control Centre, for example

for switching off ESC. This function depends on the vehicle equipment (→ Infotainment system overview).

Electromechanical brake servo failure

The warning lamp lights up red.

A text message may also be displayed.

1. Press the brake pedal more firmly as the braking distance will increase due to the lack of brake servo support.

2. Seek expert assistance.

Electromechanical brake servo fault

The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

A text message is displayed for a few seconds.

The brake pedal may pulsate when pressed.

1. Press the brake pedal more firmly as the braking distance will increase due to the reduced brake servo support.

2. Go to a suitably qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.

Anti-lock brake system failure or fault

The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

Driving -> Brake support systems for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Nineth Generation (2023-2025)

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