Installing the Warning Triangle by Urlik

If you've seen the movie Ronin , you probably noticed the spiffy warning triangle inside the trunk lid of the Audi S8 . This Audi part is also designed to fit inside the trunk lid of your B5 Passat . This is definitely a do-it-yourself project. In order to install the triangle, you'll need the following parts from your local Volkswagen dealer :

1 Bracket P/N 3B5-860-285-B-B41
2 Pop-in Nuts P/N 811-807-577-C
2 Screws P/N N-905-488-01
1 Warning Triangle P/N 4B0-093-055

Stargazer's Note: Make sure to check the fit with the bracket because I got two different size triangles with two different sized brackets with the same part numbers. No cutting of the liner is required to get the right triangle to fit. Here are the most recent (25 Apr 2000) part numbers for the sedan, as provided by Phil Teves of ScottVW.com :

Triangle: 4B5-860-251B
Bracket: 3B5-860-285B-B41
Plastic Nut (x2): 811-807-577C
Screws (x2): N-013-941-3

The wagon uses the warning triangle in the accessories catlogue which is part number 8L0-093-055. It comes in an orange rectangular plastic case. All of the necessary installation pieces are already on the car and it fits neatly into one of the compartments at the side of the cargo area.

According to Phil Teves, "These numbers are valid and in the system and are available. These are not accessories but rather 'hard parts' that are found in the parts ETKA CD Rom that we use."

The warning triangle is different than the one displayed on the VW web site . These parts cost me approximately $40 at my dealer before a VW Club discount. Installation took me approximately 20 minutes.

1. Remove the 13 fuzzy screws that hold the mat on the trunk lid.
2. Carefully remove the mat. The hand grips make it difficult but I was able to remove it by grabbing the grips and pulling lightly down on them, running them along the lid bottom.
3. Pop the two plastic nuts into the two squares near the bottom of the open lid .
4. There are many ways to mark the holes for the two screws. The method I used was to put the trunk lid mat back in place. I then lightly pulled it out and place two small dabs of grease on the pop-in nuts. I pressed the mat against the nuts then removed the mat. On the back of the mat I now had two little grease marks for my holes.
5. Drill two small screw guide holes on your marks.
6. Put your mat back in place and put 4 corner fuzzy screws in about half way.
7. Screw the bracket into your two guide holes. The bracket is a wonderful design. Simply a 1/3 turn will lock or unlock the bracket. The bracket opens fully and is padded inside to protect the triangle from rubbing and making noises.
8. Replace the rest of the screws and snug everything up. Stand back and admire your work!

This was really an easy project that gives your Passat even more German character, in my opinion. Don't take my word for it, look at the pictures. Thanks to HunterRose who gave me much of the information you read here. If you have any questions you can e-mail me at