tow VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 1992 T4 / 4.G Owner's Manual

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DRIVING
TIPS

Driving
safely
Attention

The
operational
condition of your
vehicle
is
essential
to
safe

driving.
Therefore before moving off, always check
the following points:
• Lights and
turn
signals
•
Mirror
settings
• Cleanliness of
headlights,
lenses and
windows

Also
check at regular intervals, preferably
when filling the tank, all the checks listed on
page160

Furthermore compliance
with
the specified Inspection intervals - in particular the brake
fluid changing - is of great importance for operational safety - pages 93 and 98.
Attention

Safety
on the
road
depends to a

large
extent
on the personal
atti­

tude
and
style
of driving.

To
be on the safe side you should:
•
Always
put
seat
belt
on
before
moving
off -
even
in
town
traffic
-

and

• Ensure
that
all your passengers - including
those
on the
rear
seat
- are

wearing
their
belts
correctly
- page
15

Passengers
without seat belts can en­

danger
not only themselves, but also the
driver.
•
Adjust
head
rests
to body size.
The
upper edge of headrest must be ap­proximately at eye
level.

• Ensure
that
no
articles
interfere
with
operation
of pedals - page 29
•
Stow
all
luggage
correctly:
- in
boot
- page 28
- on the shelves - page 27
- on the
roof
- page 75 • Do not
drive
when
you
feel
tired.

Stop
for a break at the latest after driving for
two hours.
•
Never
drive
when
your
reactions
are
impaired
in any way. Not only alcohol but also drugs and many

medicines
can be very detrimental to your

reactions.

•
Adapt
vehicle
speed to
traffic
and
road
conditions.
Remember
that
particularly on smooth slip­
pery roads the handling and braking is li­
mited by the adhesion of the tyres. On wet

roads
the
front
wheels can aquaplane at
high
speeds.
The vehicle can then no longer

be
steered and braked properly.
•
Strictly
adhere
to the
traffic
regu­
lations
-
particularly
the speed li­

mits
-.
Further instructions on safety are given in
the various chapters in this manual.
78
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DRIVING
TIPS

Driving economically and ecologically
.'arious
factors determine the fuel
con­

sumption,
the burden on the environment

and
the wear on the engine, brakes and

lyres.

The personal style of driving
Determines
to a great extent the economi-
:al
aspect and the exhaust and noise
devel­

opment:

jOp
Do not
warm
up the
engine
with

W» the
vehicle
stationary.
At idling speed it takes a very long
time
until
the engine becomes operationally
warm. However, in the warm-up phase,
wear and the discharge of pollutants is
oarticularly high. For
this
reason, drive
off immediately the engine has started
and avoid
high
engine speeds.

f
h Avoid
full
throttle
acceleration.

of only is the
fuel
consumption reduced

considerably
if one accelerates
with
feel­
ing, but the disturbance to the environ­

ment
and the wear are also reduced.

rflri
Do not
drive
with
unnecessarily
high
engine
revs
-
change
up as
soon as possible,
only
change
down
when
the
engine
no
longer
runs

smoothly.

The
fuel
consumption is for example
more
than
twice as
high
in 2nd gear
than
it is in top
gear.
At the same
time,
the re­ duced engine speed means a reduction
in engine noise.
On vehicles
with
an automatic gearbox
the economy programme should be se­
lected.

c^p
Try not to
drive
at
maximum
TO
speed.

The
fuel
consumption, exhaust pollution
and noise increase disproportionately at

high
speeds. If approximately only 3
quarters of top speed is utilised, the
fuel

consumption
will
be reduced by about
half.
Experience has shown
that
the loss in
time
is only marginal.

c
j-,
Drive
as
smoothly
as possible and
look
well
ahead.

Unnecessary
acceleration and braking

must
be paid for
with
higher
fuel
con­
sumption and more disturbance to the environment.

Switch
the
engine
off
during

<Ef
traffic
hold-ups. The individual
operating
condi­
tions

Naturally
also
affect fuel consumption.

The
following factors for instance are not fa­

vourable
to good fuel consumption:

•
High traffic density, particularly large
.towns with numerous traffic lights.

•
Frequent stop/start driving, always re­starting and warming up the engine.

•
Driving in heavy, slow moving traffic in
low
gear so that the engine speed is
rela­

tively high in relation to the distance cov­
ered.
CQ~, One
should,
therefore,
plan
trips
in
advance
and try to
avoid
local

traffic
and
overcrowded
motor­
ways.

Obviously
the fuel consumption is
also
af­

fected
by factors over which the driver has
no
control. It is for example normal for the

consumption
to increase in the winter or in

arduous
conditions (bad roads, trailer tow­ ing etc.).

79
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DRIVING
TIPS

The technical
prerequisites

"or
a low fuel consumption and efficiency were "built in" at the factory. Particular im­
portance was placed on the lowest possible

disturbance
to the environment. To retain

and
make the best possible use of these
characteristics
attention should be paid to
the following points:

Vehicles
fitted
with
a
catalytic

converter
may
only
be
driven
on

unleaded
petrol.

Even
those
vehicles
which
do
not
have
a
catalytic
converter

should
be
driven
on
unleaded
petrol
for the
sake
of the
environment.

The
prescribed
maintenance

operations
should
be
carried
out

exactly
as
specified
in the
Service
Schedule - see
also
page
93.
Having your vehicle regularly serviced by
a Volkswagen dealer not
only
ensures
that
it is always operationally fit, but it
also ensures economy, lowest possible burden on the environment and a long
service
life.
Check the
tyre
pressures
every
4

weeks.

Low
tyre
pressures increase the rolling

resistance.
This not
only
increases the

fuel
consumption and
tyre
wear,
but the
handling is also impaired.
Do not
carry
unnecessary
ballast

in the
luggage
boot

Particularly in
town
traffic
when one has to accelerate
often,
weight
has a
great
in­
fluence on the
fuel
consumption. As a

rule
of
thumb:
For every 100 kg of
weight

the consumption increases by approxi­
mately
litre
per 100 km.

Remove
roof
rack
immediately

after
use
Particularly at
high
speeds the increased
air resistance makes
itself
felt
consider­

ably.

gCK
Electrical
consumers
should
only
be
switched
on
when
they

are
actually
required

Heated rear windows, additional driving

lights
and heater blower consume a con­
siderable amount of
current.
The higher
alternator
load
also increases the
fuel

consumption. For instance, over a period of 10 hours, the heated rear window
will

increase
the
fuel
consumption by ap­
proximately 1
litre.
Check the
fuel
consumption
reg­

ularly

The
fuel
consumption should be checked
each
time
the
tank
is
filled
up. By doing
this
inconsistencies on the vehicle which
lead to an increased
fuel
consumption
can be discovered sooner.
• Check the
engine
oil
level
each
time
the
tank
is
filled
up

The
oil consumption depends to a great ex­

tent
on the engine load and
speed.
Depend­
ing on the style of driving the consumption

can
be as much as 1.0 litres/1000 km.
It is normal for the oil consumption of a new

engine
to reach its lowest level after a cer­
tain mileage has been covered. The
con­
sumption cannot be properly
assessed
until
the vehicle has run approx. 5000 km.

This
also
applies to the fuel consumption
and
the engine output.
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DRIVING
TIPS

Trailer
towing

~~e
vehicle is intended mainly for the trans-
cctation of persons and luggage but it can, th the appropriate technical equipment,

=
so be used to tow a trailer.
Ibiler towing not only places more stress : - the vehicle, it also calls for more concen-
ration from the driver.
::r this reason the operating and driving in­ductions on the next pages must be strict- . adhered to.
Technical
requirements
" :he vehicle is supplied
with
a factory-
• ::ed towing bracket, all
that
is technically -
d
legally necessary for trailer towing will =ve been taken into account.
: should be noted
that
a 13 pin socket is
::ed
instead of the 7 pin one used previous- . This new socket makes it possible to con-
ect additional electrical components on trailer for which there were no connec-

ns
in the previous socket, such as a
cara-

n refrigerator, reversing lights etc.
the following table the wiring of the ter-
nals
in the 7 pin socket is compared
with

at of the 13 pin socket.
I a 7

13
Trailer electrical

Pin Pin
components

L
1 Turn signal
left

54g
2
Rear
fog light
31
311

Earth
for the circuits 1-8

R
4
Turn signal
right

58
R
5
Tail
light, outline -, marker
- and number plate lights

right

54 6
Brake
lights

58L
7
Tail
light, outline -, marker
- and number plate lights

left

- 82>

Reversing
light
-
92!

Power
supply (cont. +)
-
102!

Charging
wire + for battery
in trailer
- 11
free
- 12
free
-
1311

Earth
for circuits 9-12
1) Both earth wires must not be connected to­ gether on the trailer side.
21 Not connected at the factory. If the trailer to be towed has a 7 pin plug,
either a 13 pin plug can be
fitted
as shown
in the table or an adapter cable can ce zz-
tained from a Volkswagen dealer.
If the vehicle is to be
fitted
with
a towing
bracket subsequently, the following must

be
noted:
• The towing bracket is a safety part. Only
a
bracket which has been designed and
type-approved for this vehicle may be
used.
It is advisable to use towing brackets from
the Volkswagen range of accessories as

these
are identical to the ones
fitted
by the
factory. The
fitting
instructions supplied

with
these brackets have also been ap­ proved by the factory.
• The trailer socket must be connected properly to the electrical system of the ve­
hicle.
This applies to terminal 54 g in the 7
pin socket or for terminals 2 and 8 -13 in the
13
pin socket.
81
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DRIVING
TIPS

• As the factory installation of a towing bracket includes the modification of the

cooling
system, this should also be done
when service installing a bracket. Other­

wise
overheating may occur when the en­ gine is pulling hard (mountains, high ambi­
ent temperature, heavy trailer loads).

Certain
vehicle versions can be equipped

with
a heavy-duty cooling system ex fac­

tory,
even though the vehicle is delivered

without
a towing bracket. Details can be ob­
tained from Volkswagen dealers.
• Volkswagen dealers have all the
necess­
ary information on the installation of towing
brackets
and the
fitting
of a heavy-duty

cooling
system. The installation should
therefore be done by them.
• If, when towing a trailer for commercial
purposes,
the permissible
total
weight of

vehicle
and trailer - also
with
passenger
cars
- exceeds 3500 kg, it is necessary to in­
stall and use a tachograph in most European

countries.
Operations
instructions

• When inserting the 13 plug
into
the
socket
on the vehicle, the ribbed sleeve on
the plug must be turned fully to the
right.

The
lid of the socket then engages over the
boss
on the
sleeve.

• If the
traffic
behind the trailer cannot be
seen
properly
with
the standard rear view mirrors, additional outside mirrors will be

necessary.
Both outside mirrors must be

fitted
on folding arms and adjusted to give
a
good view to the rear at all times.
• Pitching movements between towing
vehicle
and trailer can be reduced by heavy-
duty springs and shock absorbers on the rear axle. If these springs and shock ab­

sorbers
have not already been
fitted
at the
factory, they can, in many
cases,
be servi­

ce-installed
by a Volkswagen dealer.
• Pitching and snaking movements can
also
be reduced by stabilizers which can be
obtained from and
fitted
by Volkswagen
dealers
in most European countries. • The permissible trailer weight11 - see

page
151 -must not be
exceeded
on any
ac­

count.
• When towing a trailer in mountainous re­
gions,
note
that
the trailer weights given ir
the "Technical data" are only valid for gradi­ ents up to 10 or 12 %. If the trailer weigh'
is
below the permissible maximum a corre­
spondingly steeper gradient can be

climbed.

• The given trailer weights are only appli­
cable
for altitudes up to 1000 m above see
level.
As the engine
output
and thus the
climbing ability drops due to the decreasing
air density, the weight of vehicle and trailer must also be reduced by 10 % for eacr

further
1000 m or part thereof.
1 The permissible vehicle/trailer weight
con­
sists
of the permissible
total
weight of tow­ing vehicle plus the permissible
total
weight
of trailer. If the permissible trailer load is to be
fully utilized it may be necessary to reduce
the weight of the towing vehicle appropriate­ ly. The towing vehicle must however not be
lighter than the trailer.
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DRIVING
TIPS

• Where possible make
full
use of the maximum permissible drawbar weight on

call
of the towing bracket - see page 151 -
cut do not exceed it.
• While observing the permissible trailer
and
drawbar weight, distribute the load in
the trailer so
that
heavy objects are as near
as
possible to the axle. The objects must
a
so be secured so
that
they cannot slip
aoout.
• Check the
tyre
pressures on the towing
/ehicle
and the trailer.
• The headlight settings, should be
:hecked
with
trailer attached before mov- ng off and adjusted as necessary.

On
vehicles
with
headlight beam control it

is
only necessary to
turn
the knurled disc in
:ash
in the appropriate direction.
Driving
instructions

To
obtain the best possible handling of ve­
hicle
and trailer, the following should be

noted:

• Try to avoid driving
with
an unladen ve­
hicle
and a loaded trailer. If this cannot be

avoided,
only drive slowly to allow for the unfavourable weight distribution.
• As driving stability of vehicle and trailer
decreases
when the speed increases do not
drive at the maximum permissible top
speed
in unfavourable road, weather or
wind conditions - particularly when going downhill. In any
case
the speed must be reduced im­
mediately the trailer shows the slightest

sign
of snaking. On no account try to stop
the snaking by accelerating.
• For safety reasons one should not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph). This also
applies
in countries where higher speeds
are permitted. • Always brake in good time. If the trailer

has
an overrun brake, apply the brakes gen­
tly at
first
then firmly. This will avoid the
jerk­
ing caused by the trailer wheels locking.

Change
down before going down a steep hill so
that
the engine can act as a brake.
• When a long climb in a low gear
with
ex­ tremely high engine revs must be nego­
tiated at exceptionally high ambient tem­peratures the coolant temperature gauge must be observed. When the gauge needle

moves
to the
>~zza'
e~z of :ne
scale,
the road speed must be reduced immediately. If nevertheless ~g amp flashes,
stop immediately and si ow the engine to

cool
off at idling speed for several minutes.
• The cooling effect of the radiator fan
can­
not be increased by changing down, be­

cause
the speec of t~e
~a~
s ~o! dependent
on the engine
speed.
One should therefore not change down even when towing a
trailer as long as :-e e-g -e zar cope with­ out the vehicle speed dropping too much.
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DRIVING
TIPS

General
notes

• During the running-in period avoid trailer "owing as much as possible.
• It is advisable to have the vehicle ser-
.ced
between the Inspection intervals if it
s
used frequently for towing a trailer.
• ""he trailer and drawbar load figures on
:re
data plate of the towing bracket are for
:es:
certification only. The correct figures

forthe
vehicle, which may be lower than the
acove
figures, are given in the vehicle docu-

~e~:s
and in this manual.
• The towing bracket increases the un-
535"
weight of the towing vehicle and the

pay-load
must be reduced to correspond. In some countries (for example Germany)
the following additional legal requirements
apply:
• A special warning lamp must be
fitted
within
the driver's range of vision to show

that
the trailer
turn
signals are working.
• The maximum draw bar weight - see
page
151 - must be shown on a clearly
vis­

ible sticker at the rear of the towing vehicle.
• The installation of a towing bracket must
be
passed by a legally approved test centre

and
then proof of installation is entered in
the vehicle documents by the
traffic
author­ ity.
• The maximum speed permissible when towing a trailer is 80 km/h (50 mph).
84
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GENERAL
MAINTENANCE
The
multigrade-improved
lubricity
oils as per VW
Specification
500 00 m/e in addition the following advantages:

-
All year round use at practically all tem­ peratures.

-
Low frictional
losses
in the engine.

-
Best possible starting even at very low temperatures.
»Jotes
I
Single
grade
oils. Due to their limited
i-scosity
ranges these oils are not generally
j_::eptable for all year round use. "erefore these oils should only be used in

-
:reme climatic
zones.

•
When using SAE 5 W-30 multigrade oil, xntinuous high engine speeds and engine

seeding
should be avoided. This restriction
::es
not apply to multigrade-improved lu-
r city oils.
Checking
oil
level

Every
engine uses a certain amount of oil.

The
oil
consumption
can be up to 1.0
litres per 1000 km - see also page 80. The
engine oil level must therefore be checked
at regular intervals, preferably when filling
the tank and before a long journey.

The
location of the dipstick is shown in the illustration.

The
vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking
the oil level. After stopping engine
wait a few minutes for the oil to drain back
to the sump.

Then
pull the dipstick out, wipe it
with
a
clean
cloth and insert again.

Then
pull dipstick out again and check the oil
level:
A
- Oil
must
be topped-L.c.
Afterwards it suffices v.-5-:_e : e e
is
somewhere in area B.

B
- Oil can be topped-up. It can then happen
that
the c e.e s -

area
C.

C
- Oil
must
not be topped-up.

When
the engine is working hard sue as -
sustained
high-speed motorway cruising in
summer, when towing a trailer or :re~
climbing mountain
passes,
the c: e.e
should
be kept at area C (not
above

Note

If the dipstick does not have a- c"ee: -

measuring
area,
the upper and lows- e~zi
of the etched area form the MAX.
a~
z '.'
marks.
The oil level must be betv.ee- re
two marks. If it has dropped to 're '.' ". mark, oil must be added,
however
on no

account
above
the MAX.
mark.
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GENERAL
MAINTENANCE

Gearbox
oil
Specifications

Manual
gearbox
and
final
drive

•
Gear
oil,
API-GL
4, SAE 80 or
•
Gear
oil, G 50, SAE 75 W-90

Automatic
gearbox

• Final drive:
Gear
oil, G 50, SAE 75 W-90 I Gearbox part: ATF Dexron®
Checking oil
level
rVith
a
manual
gearbox
and
final

drive
the oil level does not need checking.
'.ith the
automatic
gearbox
the oil

•e.
el in the final drive does not need check- *g either.

"he
ATF
level
in
gearbox
part
must ": .'/ever be checked in between the inter-

•BS
given in Service Schedule. To do this
ire vehicle must be standing on a level sur-
fe:e.
The
level must only be checked when
He ATF is
warm.
(Approximately 10 km

Irrer
starting from
cold,
the ATF has re­
tted the required temperature.) If fluid is
l:: :: or too hot the reading will be incorrect.
1
he engine must be running at idling
speed,

the handbrake must be applied and the se­ lector lever at "N".

To
check, pull dipstick (see Fig.) out, wipe
with a clean lint-free rag and then insert it
fully
again.

Pull
the dipstick out and check ATF
level.

When
the ATF is
warm
the
level
must
be
between
the two
marks
- other­

wise
the vehicle must be taken to a
Volks­
wagen
dealer without delay so that they can
find the reason for the incorrect
level.
It is not sufficient to merely top up or drain off

ATF.
Changing oil

For
the manual
gearbox
with
final

drive
the oil does not need changing.
For the
automatic
gearbox
the :
the final drive does not need
chariC-g

either. The ATF in gearbox part must how­

ever
be changed at the intervals given in
Service
Schedule.
Because of the disposal
prob­

lems,
the
special
tools
necessary
and the
specialist
knowledge
re­
quired,
the ATF
changing
should

preferably
be
done
by a
Volkswagen
dealer.

Notes

•
When
there
is no
lubricant
in the
manual
or
automatic
gearbox,
the

engine
must
not be
started
and the
vehicle may only be
towed
with
the

driving
wheels
lifted.

• No
additives
may be
mixed
with
the lubricants.
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GENERAL
MAINTENANCE
nere are two marks
with
which the oil level
:an be
checked.

• Outside on container (Fig.) • Inside on dipstick attached to the cap. ~he oil level should always be between the
MAX."
and "MIN" marks. When the level

"as
dropped down below the "MIN" mark

:^e
power assisted steering should be
:necked
at a Volkswagen dealer. It is not
sufficient merely to top up
with
hydraulic oil.

Note
f the power assisted steering fails at any
: me or when engine is not running (vehicle on tow) the vehicle remains fully steerable cut more force must be used to
turn
the
steering wheel. Cooling
system

Under
normal conditions the cooling
sys­

tem is almost maintenance-free.
The vehicle is
fitted
with
a hinged radiator
which can be folded forward when required
- see page 104.
The cooling system is filled at the factory
with
a permanent coolant which is not

changed.
The coolant consists of water and

a
40 % concentration of our coolant additive
G
11 V8B (anti-freeze on glycol basis
with

anti-corrosion additives). This mixture not
only gives the necessary frost protection
down to -25 degrees C but also protects the
alloy parts in the cooling system against cor­
rosion.
In addition it prevents scaling and ra­
ises
the boiling point of the coolant.
The concentration of the coolant therefore must not be reduced in the summer or in
warm countries, by topping up
with
plain
water. The
coolant
additive
propor­

tion
must
be at
least
40 %.
If greater protection against frost is re­
quired, the proportion of G 11 V8B additive

can
be increased, but only up to 60 % other­
wise the anti-freeze protection is reduced
and furthermore the cooling effect is im­
paired.
Vehicles
for export to cold countries -s~a .
have frost protection down to -35 decrees

C.

Only
our G 11 V8B or an additive v/rs :~e

specification
TL-VW 774 B (markea or
container) should be added to the coolant.
The additives can be obtained from
Volks­

wagen dealers.

Other
additives
can be
very
detri­

mental
to the
anti-corrosion
effect
in
particular.

The
subsequent
corrosion
damage
can
lead
to
coolant
loss
resulting
in

major
engine
damage.
www.vwT4camper.info - a useful website for owners and enthusiasts of VW T4 Transporter Campervans