VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 2013 3.G Owners Manual

In an emergency

Checklist
For your own safety and that of your passengers, carry out the following steps in the order listed ⇒ :
1. Park the vehicle at a safe distance from traffic and on a suitable surface ⇒ .
2. Switch on emergency flashers by pressing the  switch ⇒ fig. 133.
3. Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle from moving
4. Shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only)
5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch
6. Have all passengers exit and go to a safe location away from moving traffic, such as behind a
guard rail.
7. Take all vehicle keys with you when leaving your vehicle.
8. Set up a warning triangle or other warning device in order to alert other motorists and cyclists.
9. Let the engine cool down and get expert assistance if necessary.
If the emergency flashers are on, use the turn signal lever to indicate a direction or lane change, for
example when the vehicle is being towed. This temporarily interrupts the emergency flashers.
Switch on the emergency flashers when:
x Traffic suddenly slows down or stops in front of you to warn those approaching from behind.
x In any emergency situation.
x If the vehicle breaks down.
x When being towed.
Always obey traffic laws that govern the use of emergency flashers where you are driving.
If the emergency flashers are not working, a different method – as permitted by law – must be used to
alert other motorists and cyclists to the breakdown.
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common
sense.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter get very hot.
They can cause fires and serious personal injury.
x Never park where parts of the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite
flammable materials, such as dry grass, brush, leaves, spilled fuel, etc.
The vehicle battery will be drained if the emergency flashers are on for a long time – even if the
ignition is switched off.

Emergency closing and opening

NOTICE
If the vehicle's battery fails or if the power windows won't work, the door window will not lower
when you open or close the door. Always close and open the door carefully to help prevent
damage to the window, the paint, or the rubber seal.
NOTICE
To help prevent vehicle damage, carefully remove and properly reinstall parts after emergency
locking or unlocking.
Manually unlocking and locking the driver door

Fig. 134 Door handle on driver door: Concealed lock cylinder.

Access, deactivate the alarm by holding the remote control vehicle key to the right of the steering
column trim and pressing the starter button
The driver door can be unlocked separately from the inside the vehicle by pulling the door handle
to open the door
The anti-theft alarm system, when installed, is not activated when the vehicle is locked manually
with the key bit
Manually locking the passenger door

Fig. 135 On the edge of the passenger door: A unlocked, B locked.

Opening the luggage compartment lid from the passenger
compartment

Fig. 136 In the bottom of the driver door pillar: Emergency release cover.

Fig. 137 In the bottom of the driver door pillar: Luggage compartment lid emergency release.
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS on
page 290.
x Open the driver door.
x Insert the vehicle key from below (in the direction of the arrow) into the opening in the cover
⇒ fig. 136 A. Carefully remove the cover from the trim with the vehicle key.
x Grasp the cover and pull on the release loop attached to it B (1) in the direction of the arrow until
the cord is completely extended.
x Pull slowly and firmly on the release loop in the direction of the arrow until the luggage
compartment lid releases ⇒ fig. 137 A.
x Keep the release loop pulled and carefully move toward the rear of the vehicle until you can reach
the luggage compartment lid B ⇒ .
x Open the luggage compartment lid B.
x Gently release the tension on the loop and guide it back.

NOTICE
Use caution when guiding the luggage compartment lid release loop forward and back to help
prevent damage to the vehicle paint.
Opening the luggage compartment lid from inside the luggage
compartment

Fig. 138 Inside the luggage compartment: Opening the luggage compartment lid.

Fig. 140 Convertible top emergency closing (2).
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS on
page 290.
The convertible top can be closed by hand if there is a malfunction ⇒ . Before using the
emergency closing function, make sure the preliminary requirements for the normal convertible top
closing process are met 64.
Only use the convertible top emergency closing procedure if the top will not close even though all
of the technical requirements are met, or if all of the requirements cannot be met.
The X indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash if there is a convertible top malfunction. A
message providing information or instructions may also appear in the instrument cluster display. Only
perform these steps in the specified order.
1. Release the convertible top
Release the open convertible top as follows:
x Remove the cover (boot) from the convertible top if it is installed .
x Remove the hexagonal socket wrench for releasing the convertible top, the emergency handle for
latching the convertible top, and the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit
x Unscrew the bolts ⇒ fig. 139 A (1) (arrow) on both sides of the convertible top counterclockwise
using the rounded end of the hexagonal socket wrench. Remove the bolts completely.
2. Close the convertible top
Lift the convertible top out of the tray and close it by hand as follows:
x Close the convertible top until it meets the windshield B (2) (arrow). Have a second person help
(one person on either side), if necessary ⇒ .
3. Latch the convertible top
Latch the convertible top using the emergency handle as follows:
x Carefully remove the front cover under the convertible top using the flat blade of the screwdriver
⇒ fig. 140 C (3). The emergency locking mechanism is located behind it.
x Push the end of the screw in the top of the emergency handle down so the end of the screw is
flush with the top of the handle.
x Insert the emergency handle in the emergency release opening and turn until it locks into place D
(4) (small arrow).
x Keep the handle pressed in place and turn the screw in the center of the emergency clockwise to
tighten using the Phillips head end of the screwdriver D (4).
x Turn the handle counterclockwise to open the convertible top hooks. You may have to push up on
the front of the convertible top slightly so the hooks can open all the way.

x Pull the convertible top down using the emergency handle and turn the handle clockwise until the
convertible top latches completely and securely. The X indicator light goes out.
x Turn the screw in the center of the emergency handle counterclockwise to loosen using the Phillips
head end of the screwdriver and remove the handle.
x Reinstall the front cover over the emergency lock opening.
x Put the hexagonal socket wrench, emergency handle, and screwdriver back into the vehicle tool kit
298.
x Drive to an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have
the convertible top serviced. The bolts that were removed cannot be reused and must be replaced with
new bolts before the top can be opened again ⇒ .
WARNING
The wind generated by driving can open the convertible top if it is not latched. This can cause
accidents and serious injuries.
x Never drive if the convertible top is not latched.
CAUTION
To help reduce the risk of personal injury, never touch moving parts when the convertible top
is closing.
x Always be careful not to pinch your hands when closing the convertible top manually.
x Always be careful not to pinch yourself or others when pressing the convertible top onto
the windshield frame.
NOTICE
To help prevent significant vehicle damage, do not operate the convertible top after performing
the emergency closing procedure until the bolts are replaced with correct, new bolts by an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Emergency release for the selector lever

Fig. 141 Removing the selector gate cover.

Fig. 142 Releasing the selector lever lock.