VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI 2013 5G / 7.G Owners Manual

Checklist
If you are uncertain in any way, have the work done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed
work. Make sure that you check the following items regularly. The best thing is to check them every
time you refuel:
d Windshield washer fluid level
d Engine oil level
d Engine coolant level
d Brake fluid level
d Tire pressure
d Vehicle lighting necessary for driving safety:
– Turn signals
– Low beams and high beams
– Taillights
– Brake lights
– License plate lights
Information regarding changing light bulbs
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and injuries.
x Please note and follow the points listed in the checklist.

Fuel
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Gasoline
Gasoline additives
The correct fuel grade for your engine is shown on a sticker located on the inside of the fuel filler flap
⇒ fig. 147.
Bad or poor quality fuel reduces operating performance, efficiency and service life of the engine. If you
notice any symptoms like rough engine idle or performance or “bucking,” immediately reduce the
vehicle speed, accelerate slowly, and keep the engine speed in the middle of the rpm range. Avoid
high rpm and rapid acceleration. If these symptoms should appear right after refueling, switch off the
engine. In both cases contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility to have the engine checked.
More information:
x ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance
x Refueling
x Engine control and exhaust system
WARNING
Improper refueling or handling of fuel is dangerous and can cause fire, explosion, and severe
burns.
x Fuel is highly explosive and flammable and can cause severe burns and other injuries.
x Heed applicable safety warnings and obey local fuel handling regulations.
x Always make sure the fuel cap is screwed on all the way. This keeps fuel from spilling out
and from evaporating.
x Failure to shut the engine off while refueling and/or to insert the pump nozzle fully into the
vehicle's filler neck could cause fuel overflow and fuel spray. Fuel spray and overflowing fuel
are dangerous because they can cause fire or serious injury.
x For safety reasons, the engine must be turned off when refueling.
x Never get back into your vehicle while refueling. If in exceptional circumstances you must
get back in your vehicle while refueling, make certain that you close the door and touch metal
to discharge static electricity before touching the filler nozzle again. Static electricity can
cause sparks that can ignite fuel vapors released during refueling.
Gasoline additives

Volkswagen recommends TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. For more information on TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, please go to the official Web site http://www.toptiergas.com.
If quality gasoline with additives that do not contain metal is not available or engine malfunctions
occur, you should add the required additives while refueling ⇒ .
Not all gasoline additives are effective. Using the wrong additives can cause significant and expensive
damage to the engine and the catalytic converter. Never use additives that contain metal. Please note
that metal can be included in some aftermarket gasoline additives that are available to be added to
gasoline during or after refueling to help improve knock resistance or increase the octane rating.
Volkswagen recommends using only additives approved by Volkswagen. Appropriate additives as well
as instructions on how to use them are available from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Do not add any other gasoline additives.
NOTICE
You can damage the engine by using incorrect additives.
x Using incorrect gasoline additives can cause extensive engine damage as well as damage
to the catalytic converter.
x If you must fuel your vehicle with gasoline whose octane rating is too low, only drive with
the engine speed in the middle of the rpm range and with low engine load. Avoid high rpm and
heavy engine load. Otherwise, the engine could be damaged. Refuel your vehicle with gasoline
with the required octane rating as soon as possible.
x Do not use fuel that is labeled at the pump as containing metal. Lead replacement fuel
contains high concentrations of metallic additives. Engine damage could result.
x Fueling your vehicle just one time with leaded fuel or fuel that contains other metallic
additives can affect the performance of the catalytic converter and cause extensive damage to
it.

Preparations for working in the engine compartment
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Warning light
Getting ready to work in the engine compartment
Opening and closing the engine compartment
Always position the vehicle on a firm and level surface before doing any work in the engine
compartment.
The engine compartment of a vehicle is a hazardous area. Never do any work on the engine or in the
engine compartment unless you
x know exactly how to carry out the job,
x have the correct technical information and the proper tools and supplies, and
x are familiar with the necessary safety precautions ⇒ .
If you are uncertain in any way, have the work done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed
work.
More information:
x Exterior views
x Windshield wiper and washer
x Starting and stopping the engine
x Brake fluid
x Checks while refueling
x Engine oil
x Engine coolant
x Vehicle battery
x Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
WARNING
Unintended vehicle movement during maintenance work can cause serious personal injuries.
x Never work under the vehicle unless you have safely secured the vehicle from moving. If
you must work under the vehicle with the wheels on the ground, always make sure that the
vehicle is on level ground, that all 4 wheels are chocked to keep them from moving, and that
the key is not in the ignition.
x If you must work under a vehicle raised on a floor jack, always make sure that the vehicle
is safely supported on safety stands intended for that purpose that are strong enough to
support the weight of the vehicle. The jack supplied with the vehicle is not strong enough for
this purpose and can collapse causing serious personal injury.

WARNING
The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially dangerous area and can cause
serious personal injury.
x Always use extreme caution when doing any work in the engine compartment. Always
follow commonly accepted safety practices and use common sense. Never risk personal
injury.
x Never perform any work in the engine compartment unless you know exactly how to carry
out the job and have the correct technical information and the correct tools.
x If you are uncertain about what to do, have the work performed by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified
workshop. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed work.
x We strongly recommend that you always have HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon)
headlights and H7 bulbs replaced by a qualified technician. Serious personal injury may
result from improperly performed work.
x Never open or close the engine hood if steam or coolant is escaping. Hot steam or coolant
can cause serious burns. 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.
x Hot parts of the engine and the exhaust system 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.

WARNING
High voltage systems in the engine compartment can cause electrical shocks or even
electrocution, severe burns, other serious injuries, and even death!
x Never short-circuit the electrical system. Be especially careful when using jumper cables.
The vehicle's battery could explode!
x To reduce the risk of electrical shock and personal injury while the engine is running or
being started:
– Never touch ignition cables. Never touch other components of the high voltage
electronic ignition system.
– Never touch the wiring of the HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) headlights.
x Read and heed the important information and warnings on cleaning the engine
compartment , Cleaning the engine compartment
WARNING
Moving parts in the engine compartment can cause serious personal injury on contact.
x Never reach into the area around or touch the radiator fan. Contact with the blades can
cause serious personal injury. Always remember that the radiator fan is temperature-
controlled and can come on suddenly even when the engine has been switched off for a while
and the key has been removed from the ignition.
x If you have to perform a check or repair when the engine is running, there are more risks
from the rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan, etc., and from the
high-voltage ignition system. Always use extreme care.
– Always make sure that jewelry, loose clothing and long hair do not get caught in
rotating engine parts. Before starting any work remove your jewelry, take off your necktie,
tie back and cover your hair, and do not wear clothing that can hang down and get caught
in moving engine parts.
– Always use extreme caution if the accelerator pedal has to be depressed to perform a
check. The vehicle will start to move even if the parking brake is on.
x Never leave any objects in the engine compartment, for example cleaning rags and tools.
Objects left behind can cause malfunctions, engine damage, and even fires.
WARNING
Operating fluids and some materials in the engine compartment can catch fire easily, causing
burns and other serious personal injuries!
x Never smoke near the engine compartment.
x Never work next to open flames or sparks.
x Never pour or spill operating fluids or other flammable liquids on the engine. These fluids
can ignite on hot engine parts and cause injuries.
x If work on the fuel system or the electrical system is necessary:
– Always disconnect the 12 Volt vehicle battery. Make sure the vehicle is unlocked when
you disconnect the battery, or the alarm will go off. Never touch the electrical wiring of the
ignition system.
– Never work near heaters, water heaters, or other open flames.
x Always have a functional, approved fire extinguisher nearby.

NOTICE
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.
Fluid leaks and spills are harmful to the environment. Regularly check the ground underneath
your vehicle for this reason. If you find spots of oil or other fluids, have your vehicle checked by your
authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Dispose of leaked operating
fluids properly.
Warning light

d Hold the brake pedal down until the engine is switched off.
d Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving
d Shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only)
d Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch
d Let the engine cool down sufficiently.
d Keep children and others away from the vehicle.
d Make sure the vehicle cannot move unexpectedly.
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may result in serious injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common
sense.
Opening and closing the engine compartment

Fig. 148 In the footwell on the driver side: Inside engine hood release lever.

Fig. 149 Above the radiator grille: Outside engine hood release.

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. 148.
The engine hood is released from its latch by a spring ⇒ .
x Push the outside hood release lever ⇒ fig. 149 (arrow) and lift the hood all the way up. A gas-filled
strut will hold the hood up.
Closing the engine hood
x Pull the hood down to overcome the resistance of the gas-pressure strut ⇒ .
x Lower the engine hood by hand until it is about 1 ft. (30 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 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
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Warning and indicator lights
Engine oil specifications
Engine oil capacities
Checking the engine oil level and adding oil
Engine oil consumption
Changing engine oil
More information:
x ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance
x Preparations for working in the engine compartment
x Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
WARNING
Improper handling of engine oil can cause severe burns and other serious injuries.
x Always wear eye protection.
x Engine oil is poisonous and must be stored out of the reach of children.
x Store engine oil only in the closed original container. This also applies to used oil until
disposal.
x To reduce the risk of poisoning, never drain the oil into empty food or beverage
containers that might mislead someone into drinking from them.
x Continuous contact with used engine oil is harmful to your skin. Always protect your skin
by washing thoroughly with soap and water.
x Engine oil becomes extremely hot when the engine is running and can cause severe
burns. Always let the engine cool down to the touch.
Like all other operating fluids, engine oil can pollute the environment. Collect leaked or spilled
operating fluids and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and
regulations.
Engine oil specifications