VW Passat has service interval reminder feature that notifies the driver when the vehicle is due for service, for example, for an oil change. If the service interval display was not reset after the oil change service or inspection service, you can reset the display from the service menu.
Notifications about service events appear in the instrument cluster display and in the infotainment system. There are different versions of the instrument cluster and infotainment system; therefore, the versions and appearances of the displays may vary.
Service appointments at Volkswagen are divided into oil change services and inspections. The service interval display informs the driver about the next service appointment which includes an engine oil change and about the next inspection.
Fixed vs flexible oil change interval
The service intervals are specified for vehicles with the fixed oil change service interval. Intervals are determined individually on vehicles with the flexible oil change service interval. Oil change services only need to be performed if the vehicle requires it. The specific operating conditions and the personal driving style are also taken into consideration.
Service notification
If an oil change service or an inspection service is due in the near future, a service notification will be displayed when the ignition is switched on. The specified mileage or time is the distance or time until the next service can be completed.
The service early warning message is first displayed 30 days prior to the calculated oil change service due date. The displayed remaining distance to be traveled is always rounded to 100 km (miles) and the remaining time is rounded to whole days. The current service message can only be retrieved as of 310 miles (500 km) after the last service. Until then, only dashes appear on the display.
Service event
In the case of vehicles without text messages, when an oil change service or an inspection service is due, a warning chime will sound and a service reminder will appear in the instrument cluster when switching on the ignition. You can then see a wrench symbol 
for a few seconds, and a clock symbol with an indicator showing the number of days to the service appointment that is due. The number of miles (kilometers) stated is the maximum number of miles (kilometers) that can be driven before the service appointment. In addition, to the top right of the display you can see which service appointment the reminder applies to ( 1 for oil change service, 2 for inspection).
If the service reminder is displayed for both service appointments (display 1 and 2 at the top right of the instrument cluster display), then for vehicles without messages, the number of kilometers and the display in days applies for the very next service appointment.
For vehicles with messages in the instrument cluster display, Oil change service or Inspection in — – km or — days appears.
Retrieving service messages
When the ignition is on, the engine is off, and the vehicle is stationary, the current service message can be retrieved.
- Press the
button in the instrument cluster repeatedly until the wrench symbol is displayed and the number 1 is shown in the top right of the display.
The values displayed apply to the oil change service. - Press the button in the instrument cluster again.
The wrench symbol is displayed and the number 2 is shown at the top right of the display.
The values displayed apply to the inspection.
Method 2
- Select the Settings menu.
- Select the Info menu item from the Service sub-menu.
An overdue service is indicated by a minus sign before the number of kilometers or days.
Resetting the oil change service
If the service interval display was not reset in your Passat after the oil change service or inspection service, you can perform in instrument cluster settings.
For vehicles with messages:
- Switch the ignition off.
- Press and hold the 0.0/SET button in the instrument cluster.
- Switch the ignition back on.
- Release the 0.0/SET button.
- Confirm the confirmation prompt in the instrument cluster by pressing the OK button on the multi-function steering wheel.
For vehicles without messages:
- Switch the ignition off.
- Press and hold the 0.0/SET button in the instrument cluster.
- Switch the ignition back on.
- Release the 0.0/SET button and then press the button within 20 seconds.
Do not reset the service interval display between service intervals or incorrect information will be displayed.
If the service interval display is manually reset during a valid flexible oil change service interval, the fixed oil change service interval is activated. The service interval will no longer be determined on an individual basis.
What happens when you disconnect the 12 volt battery?
If the 12 volt battery in a vehicle with the flexible service interval has been disconnected for an extended period, the time for the next oil change service cannot be calculated. Therefore, the service interval displays may show incorrect calculations. If this is the case, follow the maximum permissible maintenance intervals.
