windshield wipers VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 2015 Owner´s Manual

Front view

Fig. 2 Vehicle front overview.
Key to fig. 2:
(1) Inside mirror with sensor on mirror base for:
– Rain sensor (if equipped)
– Low-light sensor (if equipped)
(2) Windshield wipers
(3) Engine hood release
(4) Headlights (on left and right)
(5) Fog lights/static cornering lights (on left and right, if equipped)
(6) Threaded hole for the front towing eye (behind cover)
(7) Turn signals (on left and right)

Daytime running lights (DRL)
Separate lamps are installed in the headlights or in the front bumper for the daytime running lights (DRL).
The daytime running lights are switched on whenever the ignition is switched on and the light switch is in position / or !54/.
When the daytime running lights are switched on, only these separate lamps come on ⇒ .
If the light switch is in position !54/, a low-light sensor switches the low beams as well as the instru-ment and switch lighting on and off automatically.
Daytime running lights (DRL) parking feature
Some models are equipped with a daytime running lights (DRL) parking feature that switches the daytime running lights off when the parking brake is engaged and the ignition is switched on.

Function Action
Switching the DRL off: – Switch the ignition on. – Turn the light switch to the / position. – Set the parking brake.
Switching the DRL back on: – Release the parking brake.

Static cornering lights
Your vehicle may have fog lights under the front bumper, which on some models are also static cor-nering lights. On some models the static cornering lights may be integrated in the headlights. At speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h), the light on one side of the vehicle will come on automatically when you turn a corner. If you turn to the right, the right fog light comes on; turn left and the left fog light comes on. The light dims and goes out when the steering wheel is straightened out again.
When you move the selector lever to Reverse (R), the static cornering lights on both sides of the vehicle may come on so that you can see the area around the vehicle better when backing up.
The static cornering lights work only when the headlights are on. If you are using automatic headlights
(headlight switch in the !54/ position ⇒ fig. 72), they work only when the headlights have been auto-matically switched on. The static cornering lights do not come on when the headlight switch is in the /
position or when the fog lights themselves have been switched on ⇒  Switching lights on and off.
Automatic headlights (!54/)
Your vehicle may be equipped with automatic headlights (!54/), which are a convenience feature only and cannot always recognize all lighting and driving situations.
If the light switch is in the !54/ position, both vehicle lighting and instrument and switch lighting are
automatically switched on and off in the following situations ⇒ :

Automatic activation: Automatic deactivation:
If the low-light sensor registers darkness, for example when driving through a tunnel. If sufficient brightness is registered.
If the rain sensor recognizes rain and switches the windshield wipers on. If the windshield wipers have not moved for several minutes.

Windshield wipers and washer

Lights up Possible cause Proper response
Y Not enough windshield washer fluid. Refill windshield washer reservoir at the next opportunity

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function check. They go out after a few seconds.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Windshield wiper lever

Fig. 78 Operating the front windshield wipers.

Move the lever to the desired position ⇒ :
(F) W Pull the lever toward the steering wheel to activate the windshield washers, then release.

NOTICE
To help prevent damage to the wiper blades and the wiper motor when it is cold outside, al-ways make sure that blades are not frozen to the windshield before operating the wipers. Using the service position can be helpful in cold weather so the wipers do not freeze to the wind-
shield ⇒  Windshield wiper service position.
x If the ignition is switched off while the wipers are running, the wipers will continue at the same wiping speed when the ignition is switched on again. Frost, ice, snow, leaves, and other objects on the windshield can damage the wipers and the wiper motor.
x Remove snow and ice from the wipers before you begin driving.
x If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them carefully. Volkswagen recom-mends using a deicing spray.
NOTICE
Never switch on the windshield wipers when the windshield is dry because the windshield can be scratched.
The windshield wipers work only if the ignition is switched on.
The intermittent wiping for the front windshield depends on the driving speed. The higher the speed, the faster the wipers move.
If the wiper blades freeze to the windshield, loosen them carefully. Volkswagen recommends using a deicing spray.
Windshield wiper functions

Wiper performance in different situations:
During intermittent wiping: Speed-dependent interval control: The higher the vehicle speed, the faster the wipers move.

Heated washer nozzles
Some vehicles are equipped with heated washer nozzles. The heating thaws frozen washer nozzles, but not the fluid supply hoses. When the ignition is switched on, the heat applied to the washer noz-zles is automatically regulated depending on the outside air temperature.
If there is something on the windshield, the wiper will try to wipe it away. If it continues to block the wiper, the wiper will stop moving. Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper on again.
Windshield wiper service position

Fig. 79 Windshield wiper in service position.

Possible reasons for changes in the way the rain sensor works
The rain sensor may misread what is happening in the detection zone of its sensitive rain-sensor
surface ⇒ fig. 81 (arrow) and not work for a number of reasons, which may include:
x Worn out wiper blades: Worn out wiper blades may leave a film of water or wiping streaks; this can cause the wipers to run longer, to wipe more often, or to wipe continuously at high speed.
x Insects: Insects hitting the windshield may trigger the wipers.
x Salt streaks: Salt streaks on the windshield from winter driving can cause wiping more often or continuously on glass that is almost dry.
x Dirt: Caked-on dust, wax, any other buildup on the windshield (lotus effect), or car-wash detergent residue can lower the rain sensor's sensitivity and cause it to react too slowly or not at all.
x Crack or chip in the windshield: If a stone hits and chips the windshield while the rain sensor is on, this will trigger a wiper cycle. After that, the rain sensor will recognize the change and recalibrate itself to respond to the sensitive surface's reduced detection zone. Depending on the size of the chip, the sensor's reaction pattern may or may not change.
WARNING
The rain sensor cannot always recognize rain and activate the wipers.
x Switch the wipers on manually when water on the windshield reduces visibility.
Clean the rain sensor's sensitive surface ⇒ fig. 81 (arrow) regularly and check the wiper blades for wear or damage.
To remove wax and coats of polish safely, we recommend using an alcohol-based windshield cleaner.
Checking and refilling windshield washer fluid

Fig. 82 In the engine compartment: Cap of the windshield washer fluid reservoir.

When the hood is properly closed, you can see that it fits flush with the other body parts. The display
in the instrument cluster no longer indicates that the engine hood is open ⇒ page 266, Display.
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 wipers are switched off and 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.

Removing wax residue
Automatic car washes and vehicle care products can leave a wax residue on all glass surfaces. These wax residues can only be removed with special cleaners or cleaning cloths. Wax residue left on the windshield can cause the windshield wipers to grab and squeak instead of gliding smoothly. We recommend that after every car wash you remove any wax residue left on the windshield with a window cleaning cloth/chamois G 052 522 A1 or equivalent.
Windshield wiper squeak and grab can be reduced by filling the windshield washer fluid tank with a wiper fluid containing wax-removing agents. Make sure to maintain the proper mixing ratio when
refilling the washer fluid tank. Grease-removing cleaning agents cannot remove wax residue ⇒ .
Windshield cleaners, special cleaners, and cleaning cloths are available from your authorized Volkswagen dealer and authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Removing snow
Remove snow from all windows and outside mirrors with an appropriate brush.
Removing ice
The best way to remove ice is with a deicer spray. When using an ice scraper always scrape in one direction, never back and forth. Dirt can scratch the glass when moving the scraper backward.
WARNING
Dirty or fogged up windows reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents and severe injuries.
x Don't drive until you have clear visibility through all windows.
x Remove ice, snow and condensation from all inside and outside window surfaces.
NOTICE
x Never mix recommended cleaning agents with other cleaning agents in the windshield washer reservoir. If you do, this could cause sediments or other by-products that can clog the windshield washer nozzles.
x Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from windows and mirrors. This could cause the glass to crack!
x The heating elements for the rear defroster are on the inside of the rear window. Do not put stickers over the heating elements on the inside of the rear window and never clean the inside of the windows with corrosive or acidic cleaning agents or other chemicals that could damage the heating elements.
x 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.