Heating and ventilation (manual heater) (VW Passat B3)

Handle A - Fan mode switch and outside air supply regulator

4 fixed fan operation modes (speeds) can be set. In the handle position between 1 and 0, the outside air supply to the passenger compartment is steplessly regulated.

In position 0, the outside air supply is closed and the fan is switched off. In this mode, polluted air from outside does not enter the passenger compartment, but since this can cause the windows to fog up, it is recommended to switch off the outside air supply only for a short time.

In cars with a filter on the air intake of the heater, mode 0 is necessary only for protection against gaseous air pollution (odor) - dust, soot, etc. are retained by the filter.

Handle B - Temperature regulator

When turned clockwise, the temperature increases; when turned counterclockwise, it decreases.

Handle C - Air distribution regulator

Depending on the position of this handle, the air entering the cabin is directed to certain ventilation grilles and nozzles (see table).

Ventilation grilles and nozzles

The temperature of the air supplied through the heater to the ventilation grilles is regulated by handle B, and the distribution of the air flow between the grilles (nozzles) is regulated by handle C. Grilles 3 and 4 can additionally be opened and closed: by turning the handle located on the side of the grille upwards, the grille opens, by turning it downwards, it closes.

To change the vertical direction of the air flow, grilles 3 and 4 can be rotated up and down.

To change the horizontal direction of the air flow, move the handle located in the middle of the corresponding grille.


Rear lower nozzles (at the feet of the rear passengers) open simultaneously with nozzles 5.

Removal frost from windshield and side windows:

• Set handle A to position 3
• Turn knobs B and C clockwise until they stop.
• Close the grill 3.
• Warm air can be additionally directed to the side windows through grilles 4.

Preventing the windshield and side windows from fogging up:

If there is high humidity (for example, during rain) if the glass fogs up, it is recommended to set the following mode:

• Set handle A to position 2 or 3
• If necessary, set handle B to the middle position (heating mode)
• Set regulator C to position
• Close grille 3. Warm air can be additionally directed to the side windows through grilles 4.

Fast interior heating:

• Set handle A to position 3
• Turn handle B clockwise until it stops
• Set handle C to position
• Close the grill 3; open grates 4 partially or completely.

Moderate heating of the passenger compartment

After the windows have defogged and the desired air temperature in the cabin has been reached, the following mode is recommended:

• Set handle A to position 1 or 2
• Use knob B to set the desired heater temperature
• Use handle C to set the desired direction of warm air flow ( or ). If the windshield fogs up, set the knob C to position 4 ().
• Close the grill 3
• Adjust the desired power and direction of the warm air flow coming out of the grilles 4.

Ventilation (without interior heating)

• Use knob A to set the desired ventilation intensity (fan speed)
• Turn handle B counterclockwise until it stops
• Set handle C to position #img9#
• Open grates 3 and 4.

If necessary, handle C can be set to any other position.

General instructions

To ensure that the heating and ventilation function properly, the air intake opening in front of the windshield must be free of ice, snow and leaves.

Handles B and C provide smooth adjustment and can be set to any position; handle A has fixed positions 1-4.

To prevent the windows from fogging up at low speeds, always set the heater fan to low or medium speed.

Heating depends on the coolant temperature - full heater power can only be achieved when the engine is warm.

Exhaust ventilation is provided through openings in the rear of the passenger compartment, which must be freely accessible. For this reason, in a Limousine, the gap between the luggage rack and the rear window must not be blocked by luggage, and in a Variant, it is not recommended to heavily load the rear corners of the luggage compartment.

In addition, on models with a folding shelf, the gaps between the shelf and the side consoles of the shelf must not be covered by cargo.