How to Reset the Maintenance Reminder for a 2013 Passat?
3 Answers
With the ignition switch in the ON position, the "SERVICE" indicator will flash and disappear after starting. After maintenance, the maintenance light should be reset. Next, first press the small wrench button with your left hand, then turn the ignition switch to the ON position (the position before starting the engine) with your right hand. Then release the small wrench button with your left hand and press the minute adjustment button on the time setting. Turn off the ignition switch and remove your left hand from the time button. Finally, turn the ignition switch back on or start the engine, and the maintenance reminder will disappear, completing the manual maintenance reset.
My car is a 2013 Passat, and I have to manually reset the maintenance reminder every time after servicing. Here's how: Turn off the engine and get out, then press and hold the small round button on the lower right of the instrument cluster (marked with 0.0). Without releasing the button, turn the key to the ON position (but don't start the engine). Keep holding for about 10 seconds until the maintenance menu pops up on the dashboard, then release the button and immediately press it once more to confirm. The whole process needs to be done in one smooth motion - I failed the first couple times because I pressed too quickly. For versions with multifunction steering wheel buttons, you might need to use the directional buttons to navigate the menu, but most 2013 models rely on that physical button. After resetting, remember to start the engine to check. If the light still flashes, the operation might not have been done properly - try again and it should work. If it still doesn't resolve, then you'll need to visit a repair shop to reset it with their computer.
I've studied the maintenance reset logic of Volkswagen vehicles. The 2013 Passat uses traditional physical buttons for operation. With the engine off, press and hold the 0.0 reset button at the lower right corner of the instrument panel. While keeping it pressed, turn on the ignition to initiate the instrument self-test (do not start the engine). Wait until the wrench icon and reset prompt appear on the screen, then release the button and immediately press it again to confirm. Note that after turning on the ignition, you must keep the button pressed continuously for over 10 seconds for it to take effect. This reset principle works by clearing the maintenance timer in the vehicle's computer, and performing it yourself won't affect the warranty. If there's no response when pressing the button, check if the button is stuck or if the battery is low causing system unresponsiveness. From my experience, operation response tends to be slightly slower when the car is cold in winter - you might want to wait until the interior warms up before trying again.
