VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 2012 Owners Manual

Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications

WARNING
Inappropriate spare parts and accessories as well as improperly performed work,
modifications and repairs can cause vehicle damage, accidents and serious personal
injuries.
x Volkswagen strongly recommends to only use accessories approved by Volkswagen and
Genuine Volkswagen Parts®. These parts and accessories have been evaluated by
Volkswagen for their suitability, reliability and safety.
x Have repairs and vehicle modifications performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized
Volkswagen Service Facilities have the required tools, diagnostic equipment, repair
information, and trained personnel to properly replace any airbag in your vehicle and assure
system effectiveness in a crash.
x Only install parts on the vehicle that are consistent with factory-installed parts with
respect to design and characteristics.
x Never store, mount, or attach objects, such as cup holders or phone cradles, on or next to
the airbag module covers or within the airbags deployment zones.
x Only use wheel rim/tire combinations approved by Volkswagen for the respective vehicle
type.
Break-in period

Parts and accessories

x Accessories and other things installed in front of the cooling air intakes impair the
efficiency of the engine coolant. The engine can overheat under high outside temperatures or
under high engine loads!
Leaking operating fluids can pollute the environment. Collect leaking operating fluids in suitable
containers and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and
regulations.
CB radio equipment

Although your vehicle is not equipped with an EDR, it is equipped with a number of electronic control
modules for various vehicle systems, such as engine management, emission control, airbags, and
safety belts.
These electronic control modules also record data during normal vehicle operation for diagnostic and
repair purposes. Their recording capability is limited to data (no sound is recorded). Only a small
amount of data is actually recorded over a very limited period of time, or stored when a system fault is
detected by a control module. Some of the data stored may relate to vehicle speed, direction, or
braking, as well as restraint system use and performance in the event of a crash. Stored data can only
be read and downloaded with special equipment.
Using a mobile phone in a motor vehicle when it is not connected to
the vehicle telephone antenna - some important things to know

WARNING
A mobile phone on the seat, instrument panel or in other places can be thrown around the
inside of the vehicle during a sudden braking maneuver, a crash or other accident and injure
vehicle occupants.
x Never place or attach accessories or other objects (such as cup holders, telephone
brackets, note pads, navigation systems, large, heavy or bulky objects) on the doors, on the
windshield, over or near the area marked “AIRBAG” on the steering wheel, instrument panel,
backrests or between these areas and the occupant. Such objects could cause serious injury
in a collision, especially if an airbag inflates.
WARNING
Using a mobile phone or CB radio inside the vehicle without a properly installed and separate
outside antenna can be dangerous to your health and that of your passengers because the
electromagnetic radiation energy that cell phones and CB radios emit may be above
established limits. This also applies if the outside antenna is not installed properly.
x Always keep the mobile phone antenna at least 8 in. (20 cm) away from pacemakers. Heart
specialists advise that cell phones can adversely affect the way pacemakers work.
x Never carry a mobile phone that is switched on in the breast pocket directly over a
pacemaker.
x If you suspect there may be interference with a pacemaker or other medical device, switch
the mobile phone off immediately.

Consumer information

Safety Compliance Certification Label
A safety certificate affixed to the door jamb in the driver door confirms that at time of production all
necessary safety standards and requirements of the traffic safety agency of the respective country
were met. The month and year of production as well as the vehicle identification number may be listed
as well.
Radiator fan and high voltage warning sticker
A warning sticker about the radiator fan and the high voltage of the electrical system is located in the
engine compartment next to the engine hood release. The vehicle ignition system complies with the
Canadian standard ICES-002.
Operating your vehicle outside of the United States and Canada

NOTICE
Antennas installed on the insides of windows can be damaged by abrasive objects or by
corrosive or acidic cleaning agents or other chemicals. Do not place any stickers on the
windshield-integrated antenna and never clean the antenna with corrosive or acidic cleaning
agents or other chemicals.
If electrical devices are operated close to the integrated windshield antenna, interference with AM
radio reception may occur.
UTQG classification

WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Volkswagen service information