Volkswagen Passat Maintenance Guides - Common Volkswagen Passat Repair Questions Answered
With thousands of Volkswagen Passat specialists in our network, the reliable and slick vehicle is hugely popular.
To keep our drivers informed and to answer their most asked questions we have compiled Passat queries into this post.
Volkswagen Passat Tyre Pressure
What is the recommended tyre pressure of a Volkswagen Passat?
The recommended tyre pressure for your Volkswagen Passat can be found within your car’s owner manual or inscribed on the tyre placard in the driver’s door interior.
For the 2019 Volkswagen Passat the minimum tyre pressure should be 33 psi which is equal to 230 kPa or 2.3 bar.
How to check Volkswagen Passat tyre pressure?
The tyre pressure of your Passat can be checked at a petrol station and he designated tyre point, or by a mechanic as part of a servicing.
You can also check your tyre pressure at home with the purchase of a handheld pressure gauge.
These cost around £10 and will cut costs in the long term as they allow you to check and subsequently adjust tyre pressure prior to MOT’s to prevent failing.
What should I do once I see a tyre pressure warning?
Once the tyre pressure warning light illuminates on your dashboard, your next point of call is to adjust tyre pressures to the recommended level.
After tyres have been inflated to the correct level the tyre pressure warning light should not stay illuminated.
If this is not the case, contact a mechanic as you may have a leak or puncture, alternatively there may be a problem with your TPMS system.
How do I reset a Volkswagen Passat tyre pressure light?
The exact process for resetting your Volkswagen Passat is dependent upon your model, the exact details for the reset process can be found in your car owner’s manual.
The process will depend on whether you have an infotainment system or not.
Volkswagen Passat Warning Lights
What do the warning lights mean on a Volkswagen Passat?
As with all Volkswagen vehicles, the dashboard warning lights follow a traffic light colour system.
The light illuminating in green is a sign the system is working well and simply indicates that the corresponding component is currently in use.
A yellow warning light signposts that something is not working properly and requires a check over ASAP.
Red lights thus represent a potentially dangerous and urgent issue, in this instance it is advised that you stop driving immediately (as soon as is safe).
What does a Volkswagen Passat engine management warning light mean?
Across Volkswagen vehicles, this warning light is referred to primarily as the emissions control or engine management lamp.
This usually illuminates in accompaniment to engine failure signs from a decline in power to shudder when accelerating.
The light could be signifying something as minor as a loose gas cap or a huge mechanical issue, making it one best looked at by a mechanic.
How to reset a Volkswagen Passat oil service warning light?
The exact process for resetting the oil service warning light on your Volkswagen Passat’s dashboard is dependent upon the exact model as well as the car’s manufacture country and year.
Thus, this accurate information can be found in your owner’s manual.
For most model years the process is:
Turn the key to on position.
Select the Settings menu.
Select the Service sub-menu.
Select “Reset”
Press “OK”.
Press “OK” again to confirm.
Volkswagen Passat Service Intervals
When are Volkswagen Passat service intervals?
Volkswagen recommend an oil change around every 10,000 miles or after one year. They also recommend an annual full service alongside your legally required MOT.
If you undertake a very high mileage, particularly one that involves a lot of driving in urban areas, VW would recommend an interim service.
Volkswagen Passat Common Problems
What are common Volkswagen Passat electric handbrake problems?
It is likely that any electric handbrake issues on your Passat are connected to the button which can develop an intermittent fault which can be fixed by a trained mechanic. If left faulty its functionality will further decrease, in turn increasing repair costs. Therefore, we would recommend that any problems with an electric handbrake be dealt with swiftly by a specialist garage.
Is clutch shudder common on a Volkswagen Passat?
Any appearance of clutch shudder with the Volkswagen Passat is an indication of clutch failure and therefore than a replacement is impending. The sooner a clutch replacement is carried out the less damage will incur to the car’s other components.
Difficulty changing into second gear on the Volkswagen Passat?
If you are facing difficulty changing up or down to second gear on your manual gearbox, fear not as this has been a reported issue on the Volkswagen Passat. Luckily this issue is easily resolved with a gearbox oil change.
Volkswagen Passat Oil
What the best oil to use for a Volkswagen Passat?
Volkswagen recommends a 502.00 rated oil, which is always synthetic; specifically, 5W-40 or failing that 0W-40 and 0W-30 will work just fine.
What is the oil capacity for a Volkswagen Passat?
The oil capacity of your Volkswagen Passat varies depending on the model year and country of manufacture.
The exact quantity for your vehicle can be found in your car owner’s manual.
What to do if a Volkswagen Passat leaks oil?
Your VW Passat leaking oil may be the result of a multitude of issues; from minor to some serious engine problems.
The first thing to do when you notice a leak is to try and identify the source, as soon as possible.