Getting locked out of your car is a major inconvenience. The last thing you need when you are in a rush is for your key fob to fail and to find yourself unable to gain access to your vehicle. If you have a Volkswagen Passat and your key is not working, keep reading this article.
Here we explain how to unlock a Volkswagen Passat without a key fob and the reasons why you might not be able to unlock your VW in the first place.
It is possible to unlock a Volkswagen Passat without a key fob, you will instead need to use the master key. If your battery-powered key fob is not working, you can unlock your VW Passat by opening the door manually.
To do this, you will need to gain access to the hidden keyhole on the door handle. There is a small panel on the handle with space underneath where you can insert a flat head screwdriver or the master key.
Pop the key or screwdriver in the gap and use it as a lever to release the panel. Once the panel is removed you will see the keyhole. If you haven’t already done so, press the small button on the side of your remote key to release the master key; you can now manually unlock your VW Passat.
How Do You Unlock The Door On a Volkswagen Passat?
The Volkswagen Passat uses keyless entry technology, this allows drivers to unlock and start their vehicle without having to use the key at all. The VW Passat has a remote battery-powered key with a master key inside.
You can unlock and lock your VW Passat using the following methods:
- Press the unlock/lock button twice on the key fob. When the vehicle is locked the wing mirrors will fold in, depending on which trim you have.
- Manually unlock the door by exposing the hidden keyhole on the door handle and using the master key
- Use the keyless entry technology. This feature works when the remote key is in your pocket/in close proximity to the car. Just open the driver’s door handle and the car will automatically unlock. To lock the car, all you need to do is touch the small indentation on the door handle with your finger, the car will make a quick beep alert and you will know the vehicle is now locked.
For a more thorough look at how the VW Passat keyless entry works, take a look at this YouTube tutorial:
Why Is My Passat Key Not Working?
Keyless entry is very convenient. You don’t even need your keys in your hand to unlock your car and start it up – amazing! However, as with all technology, there is the potential for things to occasionally go wrong.
If you can unlock your Passat using the buttons on the key fob or the keyless entry technology, it may be due to one of the following issues:
- The battery in the key remote has drained.
- The key remote needs to be reset.
- The car battery is dead.
If the battery in your key remote is dead, none of the buttons will work and the keyless entry technology will fail. The remote key and your car work together to enable the keyless access technology to work. If your car battery is dead, the car won’t be able to detect the signal from the remote and you will not be able to access the car automatically.
Don’t panic, it is possible to access your VW Passat without the use of the battery-powered remote key or the automatic keyless access feature. Keep on reading to find out how to unlock a Passat without a key remote.
How Do You Manually Unlock A Passat?
When you find yourself locked out of your VW Passat, the first thing you need to do is stay calm. This problem has an easy fix and you will be inside your car again in no time.
If your battery is dead in your remote key, you can still get into your car in a good old-fashioned way. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to manually unlock a Passat:
Step 1 – Find the keyhole
The VW Passat does not have a visible keyhole on the driver’s door. However, there is a keyhole hidden under a plastic panel on the handle.
Step 2 – Remove the panel
Underneath the panel is a small hole. To access the keyhole, you first need to remove the panel. To do this simply insert a flathead screwdriver into the hole and use it to prise the panel off.
Step 3 – Unlock the door
Once the panel is removed you will see the keyhole. Depending on which model VW Passat you have, the key will either be at the side of the remote and you can flick it out like a switchblade using a button, or it will be inside the remote.
If your master key is inside the casing of the remote key, all you need to do is press the small button on the side of the remote, this will release the master key. Once you have the key, you can insert it into the keyhole and manually unlock your Passat.
Here is a YouTube tutorial demonstrating exactly how you can manually unlock a Passat.
How Do I Reset My Volkswagen Remote?
A common reason why drivers can’t unlock their VW Passat is that the battery in the remote key has died. This problem can be easily solved by replacing the battery. However, the remote may need to be reset following a battery change, this needs to be done to keep your key and car working in sync.
Your local dealership will be able to replace and reset your remote key, but it is possible to get the job done yourself. Here is an easy to follow step-by-step guide, detailing exactly how to reset the VW remote key:
Krok 1
Open your car by gaining access to the hidden keyhole on the driver’s side door handle. Remove the panel to reveal the keyhole and then use the master key from your key remote to unlock the door.
Krok 2
Your next step is to start the car using the master key. Your car will recognize that this is the same key that was used to unlock the car and this recognition will enable your vehicle to start.
Krok 3
Now your key has been reset. You can turn the car off and reinsert the key into your remote. Now, with a fresh battery and after being reset, you should have no problems using the buttons on the remote or the keyless access feature to gain entry to your VW Passat.
How To Open a VW Passat Trunk Without Key?
If the battery in your remote key is not working, you will not be able to use the ‘unlock trunk’ button. As we have discussed, it is possible to open your Passat manually, but what about getting into the trunk?
It depends on the model Passat that you have, but there should be a way to access the trunk by pressing a lever behind the rear seats.
In some models, this lever can only be accessed by opening up a panel with the key, in others the panel can easily be prised open and the car’s own key is not required.
By flicking the switch/lever inside this panel, you will be able to bring the rear seats down and gain access to the trunk this way.
Krok 1
Open the back door and locate the panel on the back of the rear seat (usually on the left seat).
Krok 2
Insert your key to unlock the top of the panel, or use a screwdriver to gently prise it open.
Krok 3
Now the panel is open, you can insert a screwdriver into the small gap and use it to press the switch hidden inside.
Krok 4
Once you have pressed the switch/lever, the seat will release and come forward.
Krok 5
There will now be enough space for you to gain access to the trunk. If you need to, you will now be able to release the other rear seats by pressing a button inside the trunk. By dropping the other rear seats forward you will create more space and it will be easier for you to add or remove items from the trunk.
Here is a YouTube tutorial that clearly demonstrates how you can get into the trunk of a VW Passat without a key:
Nejčastější dotazy
How do you get into a locked Volkswagen?
You can get into a locked Volkswagen using several methods. You can either use the unlock button on the remote key, use the keyless access feature or open the door manually by revealing the hidden keyhole on the driver’s door.
The VW Passat has sensors that detect when the remote key is closed and these sensors enable the doors to open automatically when you place your hand on the driver’s door handle. However, if the battery in either your car or key remote is dead, you will need to open your Passat manually using the master key.
How do you open the door of a Volkswagen Passat manually?
To manually open the door of a Volkswagen Passat, you need to first locate the keyhole on the driver’s side door. The keyhole is hidden under a removable panel on the door handle.
Just use a flat head screwdriver or the master key to carefully prise the panel off from the door. Now the keyhole is exposed and you can manually unlock your vehicle.
How do you unlock a keyless car door without a key?
termín bezklíčový přístup can be a little misleading. To open your keyless vehicle, your remote key still needs to be in close proximity to the car.
Keyless access works by the sensors on your car picking up the signal from your remote, if the signal is not received the door will not open. If there is a malfunction or the battery in your keys is dead, you can still gain access to your keyless vehicle by using the master key to unlock it manually.
However, if you have lost your keys you will need to buy a replacement and program the new key, in order for it to sync up with your car sensors and work effectively.
How do I get a new VW key?
If you have lost the key to your VW, you will need to contact your local Volkswagen dealership. Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork, including your driver’s license and proof of ownership.
The new key will need to be programmed to work with your car and the replacement fees can vary between models, if your vehicle has keyless access technology, you can expect the replacement fee to be quite expensive.
Proč investovat do čističky vzduchu?
The keyless access technology used in Volkswagen Passat cars can be a huge time saver. Gone are the days of rooting through your bag or coat pockets to find your keys.
As long as your keys are on your person somewhere, you will be able to unlock your Passat, all thanks to the sensors and smart technology. However, technology is only better when everything is working smoothly.
If the battery is dead in your remote key or there is an issue with the sensors, you may not be able to unlock your Passat using keyless access technology or the remote buttons. If you are locked out of your Passat right now, don’t worry, it is possible to unlock your VW manually and we have shared exactly how you can do this in this article.
It is not always a dead battery stopping drivers from entering their car, sometimes things get lost and this includes car keys! Getting into your VW Passat can be very tricky if you don’t have the keys, especially with all of the antitheft features in place.
You can buy replacement keys from your Volkswagen dealership but this can be pricey. To keep your car keys safe you could purchase a key finder, wear them on a chain on your belt or attach them to a large key ring.
Hanging your keys on a hook as soon as you get home is an easy way to keep your keys safe and easy to find when you need them.
Unlocking a VW Passat without a working key is possible, you just need to find the hidden keyhole! We hope after reading this article you are now able to regain access to your Passat and get your journey started.
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