This document is an owner's manual for the Volkswagen Passat, Passat Estate, and Passat Alltrack, Edition 07.2020. It details various driver assist systems, their functions, technical specifications, usage, and troubleshooting.
Driver Assist Systems
The manual covers several driver assist systems designed to enhance safety and driving comfort.
Cruise Control System (CCS)
Function Description:
The CCS helps maintain a speed set by the driver. It operates when driving forwards at speeds from around 20 km/h (15 mph). The system allows the driver to exceed the stored speed for overtaking, resuming the set speed afterward.
Usage Features:
- Switching On/Off: Press the dedicated button to switch on. To switch off, press and hold the button.
- Setting Speed: While driving, press the
SET button to store and regulate the current speed.
- Adjusting Speed:
- Variant 1 Steering Wheel: Use
RES for +1 km/h (1 mph), SET for -1 km/h (1 mph), and the + or - buttons for +10 km/h (5 mph) or -10 km/h (5 mph) respectively.
- Variant 2 Steering Wheel: Gently press
+ or - for 1 km/h (1 mph) adjustments. Strongly press + or - (or swipe over) for 10 km/h (5 mph) adjustments.
- Press and hold buttons for continuous speed changes.
- Resuming Control: Press the
RES button to resume the stored speed after interruption.
- Interrupting Control: Briefly press
CNL or the brake pedal.
- Displays: The instrument cluster shows the stored speed and CCS status. Warning lamps indicate "CCS switched on" or "CCS switched on, system control active." If no speed is stored, "---" is displayed.
- Changing Gear: Control is interrupted when the clutch pedal is depressed and resumes automatically after the gear change.
- Driving Downhill: The set speed may be exceeded. The driver should use the foot brake and change down a gear if necessary.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Speed Range: Approx. 20 km/h (15 mph) and above.
Maintenance Features:
- Troubleshooting: If a fault occurs, switch off the system and visit a qualified workshop. Automatic interruptions can occur due to prolonged clutch depression, exceeding stored speed, no forward gear, or intervention by brake support systems (TCS, ESC, Front Assist).
Warnings:
- Do not use CCS in heavy traffic, insufficient distance to vehicles, steep/winding roads, slippery surfaces (snow, ice, wet roads, loose chippings, flooded roads), or offroad/unpaved roads.
- Always adapt speed and distance to conditions.
- Switch CCS off after use to prevent unintentional speed control.
- Avoid setting excessively high speeds for prevailing conditions.
Speed Limiter
Function Description:
The speed limiter prevents the vehicle from exceeding a driver-stored speed.
Usage Features:
- Switching On/Off: Press the dedicated button to switch on. Press and hold the button to switch off.
- Starting Control: While driving, press the
SET button.
- Setting Speed: The current speed is stored as the maximum speed.
- Adjusting Speed:
- Variant 1 Steering Wheel: Use
RES for +1 km/h (1 mph), SET for -1 km/h (1 mph), and + or - for +10 km/h (5 mph) or -10 km/h (5 mph) respectively.
- Variant 2 Steering Wheel: Gently press
+ or - for 1 km/h (1 mph) adjustments. Strongly press + or - (or swipe over) for 10 km/h (5 mph) adjustments.
- Press and hold buttons for continuous speed changes.
- Interrupting Control: Press
CNL or the brake pedal.
- Resuming Control: Press
RES. The limiter reactivates when speed drops below the stored speed.
- Displays: Instrument cluster shows stored speed and status. Warning lamps indicate "Speed limiter switched on" or "Speed limiter switched on, system control active."
- Driving Downhill: Set speed may be exceeded. The driver should use the foot brake and change down a gear if necessary.
- Overriding: Fully depress the accelerator beyond the point of resistance to temporarily interrupt. The green indicator lamp flashes, and an acoustic warning may sound.
- Switching to CCS/ACC: Press the button and select the desired system on the instrument cluster.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Speed Range: Approx. 30 km/h (20 mph) and above.
Warnings:
- Always switch off after use to avoid unintentional regulation.
- The driver remains responsible for vehicle speed. Do not drive at full throttle unnecessarily.
- Dangerous to use in adverse weather (aquaplaning, snow, ice, leaves). Use only when conditions allow.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Function Description:
ACC maintains a constant set speed and automatically adapts it to maintain a selected distance from a vehicle in front. It uses a radar sensor at the front of the vehicle.
Usage Features:
- Switching On/Off: Press the button to switch on. Press and hold the button to switch off.
- Starting Control: While driving forwards, press the
SET button. ACC stores the current speed and distance.
- Setting Distance: Adjust in five steps (very small to very large) using the dedicated button or by swiping. The instrument cluster displays the chosen setting.
- Setting Speed:
- Variant 1 Steering Wheel: Use
RES for +1 km/h (1 mph), SET for -1 km/h (1 mph), and + or - for +10 km/h (5 mph) or -10 km/h (5 mph) respectively.
- Variant 2 Steering Wheel: Gently press
+ or - for 1 km/h (1 mph) adjustments. Strongly press + or - (or swipe over) for 10 km/h (5 mph) adjustments.
- Press and hold buttons for continuous speed changes.
- Resuming Control: Press the
RES button.
- Cancelling Control: Briefly press the button or the brake pedal.
- Displays: Instrument cluster shows set speed, distance, and ACC status. Warning lamps indicate "ACC has taken control," "ACC has taken control; no vehicle detected ahead," or "ACC has taken control; vehicle detected ahead."
- Brake Request: If automatic deceleration is insufficient, ACC requests additional braking via instrument cluster message, red warning lamp, and acoustic warning.
- Overtaking: If indicating to overtake, ACC accelerates and reduces distance to the vehicle in front.
- Stop-and-Go Traffic: With automatic gearbox, ACC can brake to a standstill and hold the vehicle. It can automatically move off again if the vehicle in front moves off. Reactivate readiness by pressing
RES or grasping the steering wheel (with Travel Assist).
- Predictive Cruise Control (if equipped): Adapts speed to detected speed limits and road course (bends, junctions, roundabouts) using Dynamic Road Sign Display and navigation data.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Speed Range: Approx. 30 km/h (20 mph) to 210 km/h (130 mph), or up to 150 km/h (95 mph) in USA.
- Radar Sensor Range: Approx. 120 m (400 ft).
Maintenance Features:
- Troubleshooting: "ACC not available" or unexpected behavior can be due to a dirty/impaired radar sensor, add-on parts, displaced/damaged sensor, paintwork/modifications, or system malfunction. Clean the radar sensor (page 348) and check for visible damage (page 354). If issues persist, visit a qualified workshop.
- System Control Cannot Be Started: Ensure a forward gear (not 1st) is engaged (manual gearbox, >25 km/h), a forward position is selected (automatic gearbox), brake lights are working, ESC is not active, and the brake pedal is not depressed.
Warnings:
- ACC cannot overcome physical limits. Driver concentration is always required.
- Adapt speed and distance to conditions.
- Do not use in poor visibility, steep/winding roads, slippery surfaces, or offroad.
- Brake immediately if requested or if the vehicle rolls unintentionally.
- Always be prepared to control speed.
- "ACC ready to start" warning: vehicle may move off automatically. Always check the road ahead.
- Setting distance: Insufficient distance or large speed differences can lead to collisions. Always be prepared to brake.
- Observe country-specific minimum distance regulations.
- Set larger distances in wet/snowy conditions or poor visibility.
- ACC does not detect persons, animals, crossing/oncoming vehicles, or other stationary obstacles.
- Delayed response if radar sensor is impaired.
- ACC reacts to stationary vehicles only up to 60 km/h (37 mph) and does not perform emergency braking.
- Radar sensor measures straight ahead; tight bends may cause incorrect detection.
- ACC may not react or react with delay to vehicles outside sensor range (narrow vehicles, sudden lane changes, projecting bodies).
- Predictive cruise control: Cannot overcome physical limits. Driver concentration is always required. Ensure speed is appropriate for conditions. Pay attention to traffic.
- Predictive cruise control limitations: Only detects speed limit signs, not rights of way or traffic lights. May not be available on unrecorded roads. Announced speeds may be reset if not detected by Dynamic Road Sign Display. Not available for speed limits below 30 km/h (20 mph).
Area Monitoring System (Front Assist)
Function Description:
Front Assist, including City Emergency Braking System and Pedestrian Monitoring, helps avoid accidents by warning of imminent collisions, preparing for emergency braking, assisting with braking, and initiating automatic braking. It uses a radar sensor at the front of the vehicle.
Usage Features:
- Automatic Activation: Automatically active when ignition is switched on.
- Cancelling Automatic Braking: Can be canceled by steering or pressing the accelerator.
- Automatic Braking: Can decelerate the vehicle to a standstill. The vehicle will not be held permanently; depress the brake pedal. Brake pedal may feel harder during automatic braking.
- Distance Warning: Detects unsafe distances to vehicles ahead. Indicator lamp lights up.
- Switching On/Off: Switch on/off in the Assist systems menu of the Infotainment system (page 35) or instrument cluster menus (page 34). Switching off Front Assist also switches off advance and distance warnings.
- Setting Distance and Advance Warnings: Adjust in the Assist systems menu (page 35). Warning time for advance warning can also be set.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Radar Sensor Range: Approx. 120 m (400 ft).
- Distance Warning Speed Range: Approx. 65 km/h (40 mph) to 210 km/h (130 mph).
- Operating Speed Ranges (Advance Warning, Urgent Warning, Automatic Braking, Braking Intervention):
- Vehicle stationary: 30-85 km/h (20-53 mph) for warnings, 5-55 km/h (3-33 mph) for automatic braking, 5-85 km/h (3-53 mph) for braking intervention.
- Vehicle also moving: 30-250 km/h (20-155 mph) for warnings, 5-250 km/h (3-155 mph) for automatic braking and intervention.
- Pedestrian also moving: 30-65 km/h (20-40 mph) for warnings, 5-65 km/h (3-40 mph) for automatic braking and intervention.
- Crossing pedestrian: 30-65 km/h (20-40 mph) for warnings, 5-65 km/h (3-40 mph) for automatic braking and intervention.
Maintenance Features:
- Troubleshooting: "Front Assist not available" or unexpected behavior can be due to a dirty/impaired radar sensor, add-on parts, displaced/damaged sensor, paintwork/modifications, or system malfunction. Clean the radar sensor (page 348) and check for visible damage (page 354). If issues persist, visit a qualified workshop.
- Front Assist does not function as expected: Radar sensor dirty, system limits exceeded, overheated brakes.
Warnings:
- Front Assist cannot overcome physical limits. Driver concentration is always required.
- Adapt speed and distance to conditions.
- Cannot prevent all accidents or serious injuries.
- May issue unnecessary warnings or braking interventions in complex situations (e.g., traffic islands).
- Function impaired if radar sensor is dirty or displaced.
- Without Pedestrian Monitoring, it does not react to persons, animals, or crossing/approaching vehicles in the same lane.
- Always be prepared to take over control.
- Switch off Front Assist in situations like towing, covered radar sensor, faulty radar sensor, or after external force.
- Pedestrian Monitoring: Cannot overcome physical limits. Driver concentration is always required. Adapt speed and distance. Brake or avoid pedestrians if warned. May issue unnecessary warnings in complex situations (e.g., sharp turns).
Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist)
Function Description:
Lane Assist helps the driver stay in lane by detecting road lane markings using a camera in the windscreen and providing corrective steering intervention if the vehicle moves too close to a detected marking.
Usage Features:
- Switching On/Off: Automatically switches on with ignition (country-dependent). Can also be switched on/off in Assist systems menu of Infotainment system or instrument cluster. Also switches on with comfort drive function (Travel Assist).
- Displays: Instrument cluster shows:
- Road lane markings detected, system not regulating.
- Road lane markings detected, system actively intervening on the indicated side.
- System not regulating.
- Warning lamps indicate "System is active and ready to perform control intervention" or "System intervention (corrective steering intervention)."
- Driver Intervention Prompt: If no steering activity, the system prompts the driver to steer via acoustic warnings and instrument cluster display. If no reaction, it switches to passive state.
- Steering Wheel Vibration: Can occur if the system can no longer detect a lane during a major steering intervention or if the vehicle drives over a detected lane marking (if activated in settings).
Important Technical Specifications:
- Speed Range: Active from around 60 km/h (35 mph).
Maintenance Features:
- Troubleshooting: "Fault message, lane keeping system not available" can be due to a dirty/impaired camera window, add-on parts, displaced/damaged camera, or system malfunction. Clean the windscreen (page 348) and check for visible damage (page 354). If issues persist, visit a qualified workshop.
- System Not Responding: Do not attach objects to the steering wheel.
Warnings:
- Lane Assist cannot overcome physical limits. Driver concentration and steering are always required.
- Adapt speed and distance to conditions. Hands must always be on the steering wheel.
- Cannot recognize all lane markings. May incorrectly detect poor road surfaces or structures as markings. Override undesired interventions immediately.
- May provide undesired intervention or no assistance in very sporty driving, poor weather/road conditions, road works, over hilltops/dips.
- Always observe the area around the vehicle.
- Function may be impaired if camera's field of view is dirty, covered, or damaged.
Travel Assist
Function Description:
Travel Assist combines ACC with adaptive lane guidance, allowing the vehicle to maintain a preselected distance from the vehicle in front and stay in a predefined lane position. It controls the accelerator, brake, and steering automatically.
Usage Features:
- Switching On/Off: Press the dedicated button on the multifunction steering wheel.
- Starting Control: Maintains current speed and preset distance, and keeps the vehicle in lane if markings are detected.
- Cancelling Control: Briefly press the button or the brake pedal.
- Driver Intervention Prompt: If hands are off the steering wheel, the system prompts for active steering via acoustic warnings and instrument cluster display. If no reaction, it provides an additional warning (short braking jolt), tensions the driver's belt, and deactivates. Emergency Assist may activate.
- Displays: Instrument cluster shows "Adaptive lane guidance active" and "Set distance, no vehicle detected ahead." Indicator lamps show "Travel Assist active, Adaptive Cruise Control and adaptive lane guidance active" or "Travel Assist active, Adaptive Cruise Control active, adaptive lane guidance passive."
Important Technical Specifications:
- Speed Range: Regulates between 30 km/h (20 mph) and 210 km/h (130 mph). Adaptive lane guidance can be used between 0 km/h (0 mph) and 250 km/h (155 mph).
Maintenance Features:
- Troubleshooting: "Travel Assist not available" or unexpected behavior can be due to sensor system faults (ACC or Lane Assist), system malfunction, or system limits exceeded. If issues persist, visit a qualified workshop.
- "Take over steering" prompt: Occurs if the steering wheel is released for a few seconds or system limits are reached. Take hold of the steering wheel.
- Automatic Switch-Off: Occurs if the steering wheel is released for an extended period (without Emergency Assist) or due to fault/malfunction.
- Control Interrupted Unexpectedly: Occurs if the turn signal is activated.
Warnings:
- Travel Assist cannot overcome physical limits. Driver concentration is always required.
- Observe system limits for ACC and Lane Assist.
- Adapt speed and distance to conditions.
- Do not use in poor visibility, steep/winding roads, slippery surfaces, or offroad.
- Does not react to persons, animals, or crossing/approaching vehicles in the same lane.
- Brake immediately if requested or if the vehicle rolls unintentionally.
- Hands must always be on the steering wheel.
- Be prepared to control speed at all times.
Semi-automatic Vehicle Control in a Medical Emergency (Emergency Assist)
Function Description:
Emergency Assist detects a lack of driver activity and can keep the vehicle in lane or brake it to a standstill, helping prevent or reduce accident consequences. It uses the same sensors as ACC and Lane Assist.
Usage Features:
- Automatic Activation: Always active when ignition is switched on if Lane Assist and ACC are active and a forward driving position is selected.
- Driver Intervention Prompt: If no driver activity, it prompts the driver to take control via acoustic warnings and a braking jolt. A message appears on the instrument cluster. Driver's belt may be tensioned.
- System Intervention: If the driver does not respond, the system brakes the vehicle and keeps it in lane. Hazard warning lights switch on. Driver's belt may be tightened.
- Overriding Control: Can be overridden at any time by using the steering wheel or pedal.
- Stopping: If stopping distance is sufficient, the vehicle will brake to a standstill, and the electronic parking brake will engage.
- Displays: Indicator lamps show "System intervention (corrective steering intervention)."
Warnings:
- Emergency Assist cannot overcome physical limits. Driver is always responsible for controlling the vehicle.
- Adapt speed and distance to conditions.
- Cannot prevent all accidents or serious injuries.
- May carry out unwanted brake/steering interventions if ACC radar sensor or Lane Assist camera are covered/displaced.
- Does not react to persons, animals, or crossing/approaching vehicles in the same lane.
- If triggered unexpectedly, cancel intervention by braking or steering.
- Switch off Lane Assist if it behaves differently than expected.
- Do not use Travel Assist.
- Have the system checked by a qualified workshop.
Lane Change System (Side Assist)
Function Description:
Side Assist assists when checking for traffic behind the vehicle by monitoring the area with radar sensors and informing the driver via visual signals in the wing mirrors.
Usage Features:
- Switching On/Off: Switch on/off in Assist systems menu of Infotainment system. Yellow indicator lamp in exterior mirror housing lights up briefly when switched on.
- Displays: Yellow indicator lamp in exterior mirror housing lights up if vehicle is being overtaken or overtaking another vehicle with a speed difference up to 15 km/h (9 mph). It flashes if a potentially critical situation is detected when indicating.
- "Side Assist Plus" (if equipped with Lane Assist): Warns the driver with corrective steering intervention during lane changes in critical situations, even if the turn signal is activated. Steering wheel vibrates if intervention is overridden.
- Brightness: Visual display brightness changes automatically with ambient light. Basic brightness can be adjusted in the Assist systems menu.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Speed Range: Active from around 15 km/h (9 mph). Deactivates below 10 km/h (6 mph).
Maintenance Features:
- Troubleshooting: "Lane change system fault" (yellow indicator lamp and central warning lamp) requires a qualified workshop visit. "No sensor visibility" (system switches off) requires cleaning radar sensors or removing stickers/accessories (page 350).
- System Not Responding: Can be due to dirty radar sensors, impaired sensor visibility (dirt, snow, cleaning residue), general operating conditions not met, water covering sensors, vehicle damage in sensor area, blocked detection ranges (add-on parts, bicycle carriers), paintwork/structural modifications in sensor area, or tinted side windows.
Warnings:
- Side Assist cannot overcome physical limits. Driver concentration is always required.
- Adapt speed and distance to conditions. Hands must always be on the steering wheel.
- Observe mirror displays and instrument cluster. Pay attention to surroundings.
- Do not use if radar sensors are dirty, covered, or damaged.
- Display in wing mirror may be hard to see in direct sunlight.
- May interpret traffic situations incorrectly in tight bends, middle of two lanes, varying lane widths, crests, poor weather, or special roadside structures.
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