2023 Volkswagen Passat Pricing and Specs

It certainly sounds like you could have a fuel problem and a fuel filter can definitely get clogged over time, becoming worse and worse. But you might also have a fuel pump problem or even a fault in the injection system that is causing the issue. Don’t rule out a random ignition or electrical problem, either, as these can cause the same symptoms.

So, go back to basics. Check the fuel volume and pressure and have the car electronically scanned to see if the computer throws up any hints on what’s wrong. Even if the fuel pump is delivering lots of fuel when you test it, don’t rule out an intermittent pump problem.

Sometimes, as fuel pumps wear, they can cut out when they get hot or sometimes when they simply feel like it.

From what I can gather, the 2017 Passat in its Australian-delivered configuration doesn’t include the ability to automatically fold its mirrors in when you lock the doors. Certainly, you can do this manually for when you tackle an automatic car-wash, but that becomes tedious if you want the mirrors folded every time you lock and leave the car.

But what’s interesting is that the car in other markets does, in fact, incorporate this feature, so it’s entirely possible, since your car already has the hardware) that the function is buried away deep, deep inside the set-up menus with a series of incomprehensible steps required to enable the function. Modern cars are subject to numerous hacks like this one, and a VW dealer might be able to point you in the right direction. It’s a handy feature and one that is valued highly by those who park on narrow streets each night. Actually, that’s why European versions of the Passat have the function in the first place, but it seems a bit mean that VW would drop it for our market.

Hi Chloe, the wrench symbol is the service indicator light on this generation of Passat. I would take the car to your nearest licenced mechanical repairer and have them read the fault codes logged in the ECU, which is basically your car’s brain. Basically, when a part of your car stops working properly it sends an error message to the ECU, which has an error code it can display when the mechanic plugs their scan tool into the computer. This model Passat had an issue where the service light would come on, requiring the ECU’s software to be updated by the dealer. I’d take the car in and see what error codes come up as the first job.