VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 2012 Owners Manual

Opening the engine hood
x Before you open the hood, make sure that the windshield wiper arms are resting on the windshield
⇒ .
x Open the driver door and pull the inside hood release lever in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 114
A. The engine hood is released from its latch by a spring ⇒ .
x Push the outside hood release lever*(arrow) and lift the hood all the way up.
x Pull the hood support out of its bracket in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 115 A and insert it into
the opening in the hood*(arrow).
Closing the engine hood
x Lift the hood slightly ⇒ .
x Take out the hood support and clamp it in place in its bracket A.
x Lower the engine hood by hand until it is about 8 in. (20 cm) above its latch and then let it drop into
place to latch it. Do not push down on it afterwards!
If the hood does not close completely, open it again and close it properly.
When the hood is properly closed, you can see that it fits flush with the other body parts. The indicator
light in the instrument cluster display will go out..
WARNING
If the hood is not closed properly, it could fly up and block your view while you are driving.
This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
x After closing the engine hood, check that the hood release lever is properly latched into
the hood latch. The engine hood must be flush with the surrounding auto body parts.
x If you ever notice that the hood latch is not properly secured when the vehicle is moving,
stop at once and close it.
x Never let anyone get in the way of the hood when closing it.
NOTICE
x Make sure the windshield wiper arms are resting on the windshield before you open the
hood. Otherwise, the windshield wipers and the hood may be damaged.
x Always put the windshield wiper arms down against the windshield before driving the
vehicle.
NOTICE
Before opening or closing the engine hood, make sure there is enough room to do so, for
example when the vehicle is in a garage.

Engine oil

Your engine was factory-filled with a high-quality, “synthetic” all-season engine oil that meets strict
Volkswagen oil quality standards and has a viscosity grade of SAE 5W-40. or SAE 5W-30. You can
use this oil for normal driving in all temperatures.
If you need to add oil between oil changes, use only a high quality oil that expressly complies with the
Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine:

Engines Engine oil specification
Gasoline engines
VW 502 00
VW 503 00
VW 504 00
Diesel engines VW 507 00

At the time this Manual was printed, the engine oils available in the U.S. that meet these Volkswagen
standards are “synthetic” oils. This does not mean, however, that any “synthetic” engine oil will meet
Volkswagen standards. Always use an approved oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil
quality standard that applies to your vehicle's engine.
General recommendations:
If “synthetic” oil that meets the applicable Volkswagen oil quality standard with viscosity grade
SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30 is not available in your area, be sure to use a viscosity grade suitable for
the climate, season, and operating conditions that exist where the vehicle is used. Make sure the oil
meets the quality standard listed in ⇒ table..
Engine oils are constantly being improved. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized
Volkswagen Service Facilities are always up-to-date regarding new developments and changes.
Volkswagen therefore recommends that you have the engine oil changed by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
NOTICE
x If you need to add oil and there is none available that meets the Volkswagen oil quality
standard your engine requires, you may add a total of no more than 1/2 quart (0.5 liter) of a
high-quality “synthetic” oil that meets ACEA A3 specifications and has a viscosity grade of
SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30.
x Use only a high quality engine oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil quality
standard specified for your vehicle's engine. Using any other oil can cause serious engine
damage that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
x Do not mix any lubricants or other additives into the engine oil. Doing so can cause engine
damage! Damage caused by these kinds of additives are not covered by any Volkswagen
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil capacities

WARNING
Engine oil can ignite when it touches hot engine parts. This can cause fires, burns, and other
severe injuries.
x Never spill oil on the engine. Oil spilled on a cold engine can also cause a fire when the
engine warms up.
x Always make certain that you screw the cap of the engine oil filler opening back on tightly
after adding oil and that the dipstick has been pushed all the way back into the in the guide
tube. This helps prevent engine oil from leaking onto the hot engine when the engine is
running.
NOTICE
x Do not start the engine if the engine oil level is above range (A). Contact an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Otherwise the catalytic
converter and engine can be damaged!
x When changing or topping off fluids, make sure that you pour the fluids into the correct
reservoirs. Adding the wrong type of operating fluids will cause serious malfunctions and
engine damage.
The engine oil level should never be above range (A). Otherwise oil can be drawn in by the
crankcase ventilation system and enter the atmosphere via the exhaust system.
Engine oil consumption

Depending on the way the vehicle is driven and the operating conditions, oil consumption can be
up to 1 quart per 1200 miles (0.5 liter per 1000 km). Consumption may be higher for new vehicles
during the first 3000 miles (5000 km).

Engine coolant

Flashes Possible cause Proper response
~
Engine coolant temperature too
high.

The engine cooling system is filled at the factory with a mixture of specially conditioned water and at
least 40 percent of Volkswagen engine coolant additive G 13 (TL-VW 774 J). This engine coolant
additive is pink.
This mixture provides antifreeze protection down to -13 °F (-25 °C). It also helps to protect the light
alloy parts in the engine cooling system against corrosion. In addition, the mixture helps prevent
calcium deposits and increases the boiling point of the engine coolant.
To protect the engine, the mixture must always contain at least 40% coolant additive even in warm
weather or climates where antifreeze protection is not needed.
If more antifreeze protection is needed for climate conditions, the percentage of coolant additive can
be increased. However, the coolant additive percentage must never be more than 60%; otherwise,
antifreeze protection is reduced and the ability of the mixture to cool the engine is also reduced.
When adding engine coolant, use a mixture of distilled water and at least 40% coolant additive G 13
or G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) for optimum corrosion protection ⇒ .
Do not mix G 13 with G 12 plus or G 11. Mixing these coolant additives together significantly reduces
corrosion protection ⇒  and can lead to engine damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen
Limited Warranty.
WARNING
Too little antifreeze protection in the engine cooling system can cause engine failure and
severe injuries.
x Always make sure there is enough of the correct coolant additive to provide proper
antifreeze protection at the coldest temperatures that can be expected where the vehicle will
be used.
x At extremely cold temperatures, the coolant could freeze, causing the vehicle to break
down. The heater would also not work, and vehicle occupants could be without protection at
subfreezing temperatures.
NOTICE
Never mix original Volkswagen engine coolant additives with other additives not approved by
Volkswagen. Mixing Volkswagen coolant additives with coolant additives made by other
manufacturers can seriously damage the engine and the engine cooling system.
x If the fluid in the engine coolant reservoir is any color but pink, then G 13 was mixed with a
different engine coolant. If this is the case, the engine coolant must be replaced immediately.
Otherwise serious malfunctions or engine damage can occur!
Engine coolant and engine coolant additives can pollute the environment. Collect leaking
operating fluids and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and
regulations.
.

Hot steam and hot engine coolant can cause serious burns.
x Never open the hood if you see steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment.
Always wait until you no longer see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine.
x Always let the engine cool down completely before carefully opening the hood. Hot
components will burn skin on contact.
x When the engine has cooled down and you are ready to open the hood:
– Firmly apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or
Neutral (manual only).
– Take the vehicle key out of the ignition.
– On vehicles with Keyless Access, make sure that the remote control vehicle key is out
of range of the vehicle and that the vehicle cannot be started by depressing the starter
button..
– Always keep children and others away from the engine compartment and never leave
them unsupervised.
x The engine coolant system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never unscrew the
coolant expansion tank cap when the engine is hot. Hot coolant can spray out and cause
severe burns and other serious injuries.
– Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counterclockwise direction while applying
light downward pressure on the top of the cap.
– Always protect your face, hands, and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by
covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
x Never spill fluids on the engine or exhaust system when refilling. Spilling fluids onto hot
parts of the engine or exhaust system can cause a fire. Under some conditions, the ethylene
glycol in engine coolant can catch fire.
NOTICE
x Use distilled water only when adding coolant! All other types of water contain chemical
compounds that can cause extensive corrosion damage to the engine. This can even lead to
engine failure. If you have added non-distilled water, take the vehicle immediately to an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the
coolant system drained, flushed, and refilled completely with the proper coolant.
x Refill engine coolant only up to the top edge of the marked fill range . Excess engine
coolant may be forced out of the engine cooling system when it gets hot and cause damage.
x In the case of significant engine coolant loss, refill engine coolant only when the engine is
completely cooled down. Significant engine coolant loss is a sign of leaks in the cooling
system. Have the engine cooling system checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Otherwise the engine may be damaged!

x When changing or topping off operating fluids, make sure that you pour the fluids into the
correct reservoirs. Serious malfunctions and engine damage can result if you pour operating
fluids into the wrong reservoir.