VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 2015 3.G Owners Manual

NOTICE
To help prevent vehicle damage in a car wash:
x Compare the vehicle track width with the dimensions of the guide rails in the car wash to help prevent damage to wheel rims and tires!
x Switch off the rain sensor before driving the vehicle through a car wash ⇒  Rain sensor.
x Make sure there is enough clearance for the height and width of the vehicle.
x To help prevent paint damage to the engine hood, place wiper blades against the windshield after they have dried. Do not let them snap back into place.
x Fold the outside mirrors toward the vehicle body.
x Lock the luggage compartment lid to help prevent unintentional opening in the car wash.
Maintaining and cleaning the convertible top

NOTICE
x Never clean with a pressure washer, even briefly. The convertible top cloth and seals could be damaged and could leak.
x Never clean the convertible top with gasoline, stain remover, benzene, paint thinner, detergent solutions, or other aggressive substances. Do not use any abrasive cleaning materials or stiff brushes.
x Avoid parking under trees that drop a lot of sap or pollen.
x Bird droppings must be removed immediately because they damage the convertible top.
Washing with a power washer

x When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather, do not let water get into the lock cylinders or point the hose at gaps around the doors, hood, or luggage compartment lid. The water could freeze on the locks and seals and make it difficult to open the vehicle!
NOTICE
Never wash the convertible top with a power washer. The convertible top could be damaged.
Cleaning windows and outside mirrors

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.
Cleaning and changing the windshield wiper blades

Fig. 150 Changing the windshield wiper blades.

x If the blades are very dirty, carefully clean them with a sponge or cloth ⇒ .
x Carefully fold the wiper arm back down onto the windshield.
Changing wiper blades
x Lift the wiper arm(s) away from the windshield.
x Press and hold the release button ⇒ fig. 150 (1).
x While lifting the wiper blade in the direction of the wiper arm, pull off the wiper blade in the direction of the arrow. This may require moderate force.
x Install a new wiper blade of same length and type onto the wiper arm by pushing in the opposite direction of the arrow until it latches.
x Carefully fold the wiper arm back down onto the windshield.
WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents and severe injuries.
x Always change wiper blades if they are damaged or worn, and if they cannot clean the windows sufficiently.
NOTICE
x Damaged or dirty wiper blades can scratch the windshield.
x Solvents, abrasive sponges and sharp-edged objects will damage the graphite coating on the wiper blades.
x Do not clean the windows with gasoline, nail polish remover, paint thinner or similar fluids.
x To help prevent damage to the engine hood and the windshield wiper arms, lift the wiper arms away from the windshield only when they are in the service position.
Waxing and polishing vehicle paint

Caring for and cleaning chrome and aluminum parts

Cleaning vehicle graphics
Vehicle graphics can be washed in an automatic car wash, provided that hot wax is not applied.
Please heed the information and instructions on ⇒  Washing the vehicle and ⇒  Washing with a power washer.
When using a pre-spray cleaner, power washer, or steam cleaner, always keep the nozzle at least 16 inches (40 cm) from vehicle graphics. Never spray the vehicle graphics with water pressure above
1450 psi (100 bar) ⇒ .
Insect splatter, bird droppings, tree sap, road dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot, road salt, and other aggressive materials can damage vehicle graphics.
The longer these aggressive deposits stay on the vehicle graphics, the more damage they do. High temperatures (including strong sunlight) increase their corrosive effects. Wash the vehicle immediately
and thoroughly with warm water or with a mild soap solution ⇒ .
Remove stubborn deposits carefully with mild alcohol-based cleaners and then rinse with warm water. Do not clean vehicle graphics with aggressive cleaning agents such as gasoline, paint thinner, or solvents.
Caring for vehicle graphics
In general, follow the same care instructions for vehicle graphics as you do for the vehicle’s paint finish
⇒  Waxing and polishing vehicle paint.
Apply a coat of liquid hard wax to vehicle graphics regularly, at least once every three months. Hard wax smoothes out the surface and repels dirt.
To apply hard wax, use a microfiber cloth only.
Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for information on suitable care products.
NOTICE
x Always keep the spray nozzle perpendicular to the edges and surface of vehicle graphics.
x When cleaning vehicle graphics with a power washer or steam cleaner, only spray the graphics briefly and always keep the nozzle at least 16 inches (40 cm) from the vehicle. Never spray the vehicle graphics with water pressure above 1450 psi (100 bar).
x Depending on the type of brush used in the car wash, brushes can cause fine scratches on vehicle graphics.
x To help prevent lasting damage to vehicle graphics, remove contaminants as soon as possible using suitable cleaning agents.
Damage to vehicle graphics caused by stone impact, for example, can only be corrected by replacing the entire damaged vehicle graphics element. Volkswagen recommends having the work performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop.
Cleaning wheel rims

Repair any paint damage on steel wheels before rust begins to form.
Cleaning alloy wheels
Every 2 weeks: Wash road salt and brake dust off alloy wheels, and clean the wheels with an acid-free detergent. Every 3 months: Volkswagen recommends applying a hard wax compound to the wheels.
If road salt and brake dust are not removed regularly, they can corrode the metal.
Use an acid-free detergent specifically designed for light alloy wheels. Do not use car polish or other abrasive products.
If the protective coating is damaged, for example by stone impact, repair the damaged area right away.
Caring for rubber door and window seals

Fig. 151 Caring for rubber seals: Seals on the side windows A, the roof seal B, and door seals C.

Overview of recommended rubber conditioning products

Seal Recommended product
(A) and (B) Clean only. Do not use any conditioning products.
(C) Rubber conditioning product without silicone or special lubricantG 052 172 A1.

NOTICE
Using incorrect conditioning products can damage the seals. For information on suitable conditioning products, see your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Deicing door lock cylinders

If necessary, the engine compartment should be cleaned by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Incorrect cleaning procedures could remove corrosion protection and damage electrical components, among other things. In addition, water could enter
directly into the vehicle interior through the plenum chamber ⇒ .
Never use a power washer to clean the engine compartment ⇒ .
If the engine compartment is extremely dirty, have it cleaned professionally by your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Plenum chamber
The plenum chamber is located in the engine compartment between windshield and engine, under a perforated cover. Outside air is taken into the vehicle interior from the plenum chamber via the climate control system.
Regularly remove leaves and other loose objects from the plenum chamber cover by hand or with a vacuum cleaner.
WARNING
Injuries, scalding, electric shock, accidents, and fire hazards can occur while working on the engine or in the engine compartment!
x Before working in the engine compartment, be sure to familiarize yourself with the
necessary procedures and generally accepted safety precautions ⇒  Working in the engine compartment.
x Volkswagen recommends having the work performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
NOTICE
Spraying or pouring water (for example, with a power washer) into the plenum chamber can cause severe damage to the vehicle.
Wash the engine compartment only in special wash bays so that the oily dirt and fuel residue that are washed off the vehicle will not enter the sewage system. In some areas it illegal to wash the engine compartment anywhere other than at such specified locations.