ESP VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 2013 3.G Owners Manual

Type of
notification
Symbol
color
Explanation
Priority 2 warning
message
Yellow Symbol flashing or continuously lit – sometimes with acoustic warn-
ings.
Malfunctions or low operating fluid levels may cause vehicle dam-
age and vehicle breakdown ⇒ .
Check malfunction as soon as possible. Contact an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for
assistance if necessary.
Information text – Information about various vehicle situations.

Odometer displays
The odometer indicates the total distance driven by the vehicle.
The trip odometer (Trip) shows the distance driven since the last time the trip odometer was reset.
The last digit indicates 1/10 mile (100 meters).
Outside temperature display
At outside temperatures below about +39 °F (+4 °C), a “snowflake symbol” (icy road warning) appears
in the display. The symbol flashes at first, then stays on until the outside temperature rises above
+43 °F (+6 °C) ⇒ .
When the vehicle is not moving or when you are driving at very low speeds, the temperature displayed
may be slightly higher than the actual outside temperature.
The measurement range is from -40 °F (-40 °C) to +122 °F (+50 °C).
Compass display (if applicable)
On vehicles equipped with compass display, the current compass direction is indicated in the instru-
ment cluster display when the ignition and navigation system are switched on.
Selector lever positions
The selector lever position is shown both on the side of the selector lever and in the instrument cluster
display. The respective gear may also be shown in the instrument cluster display in Drive D and Sport
Drive S, as well as in Tiptronic® mode.
Gear recommendation (manual transmission)
When the vehicle is moving, a fuel economy gear recommendation may appear in the instrument
cluster display
Alternative speed display (mph or km/h)
The alternative speed display shows the current vehicle speed in units other than the units shown on
the vehicle’s speedometer. For example, if the speedometer shows mph, the alternative speed display
shows a digital readout of the current vehicle speed in km/h. This feature can be especially helpful
when driving in countries where speed limit signs are posted in units other than those shown on the
vehicle’s speedometer.
x Start the engine.
x Press the

d Properly fasten your safety belt before driving the vehicle and wear your safety belt properly at all
times while driving. Make sure that all passengers do the same
d Only transport as many passengers as there are seats and safety belts available.
d Never drive if your driving ability has been impaired, for example by medication, alcohol or illegal
drugs.
d Never let passengers or phone calls distract you while driving, and never take your attention off the
road while using vehicle software or adjusting vehicle equipment or accessories.
d Always adapt your speed and driving style to visibility, weather, road, and traffic conditions.
d Always obey traffic laws and speed limits.
d On long trips make frequent rest stops – at least once every 2 hours.
d Secure animals in the vehicle with a system that corresponds to weight and size.
WARNING
Always observe traffic rules and posted speed limits and use common sense. Your good
judgment can mean the difference between arriving safely at your destination and being seri-
ously injured in a crash or other kind of accident.
Regular service and maintenance of your vehicle is important both for operational and driving
safety and to help prolong your vehicle's service life. Always follow the scheduled maintenance inter-
vals in the 

d Does the factory-installed navigation system work in the countries where you will be driving, and is
navigation data available?
d Are special or heavy-duty tires necessary for the kind of driving expected?
NOTICE
Volkswagen is not responsible for mechanical damage that may result from substandard fuel
or service or the unavailability of Genuine Volkswagen parts.
Driving through water on roads

x Make sure the plus and minus poles of the battery are correctly positioned.
Dispose of old batteries in an environmentally responsible manner and keep them out of the
reach of children.
Batteries of the type used in your remote control vehicle key may contain Perchlorate Material.
Special handling may apply – see http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all legal
requirements regarding handling and disposal of these batteries. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and
authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the requirements, and we recommend that
you have them perform this service for you.
Synchronizing the remote control vehicle key

Convenience features
To use the convenience closing feature to close all power windows, hold your finger on the lock sensor
surface on the outside of the door handle for a few seconds until the windows close.
Remove your finger from the lock sensor surface ⇒ fig. 25 (B) to stop the function. If you touch the
unlock sensor surface (A) on the inside of the door handle immediately after releasing the lock sensor
surface (B) (arrow), all of the windows will open (safety function).
Pinch protection is active during convenience closing of the windows.
NOTICE
The door handle sensor surfaces can be activated by a strong stream of water or steam if a
valid vehicle key is within range of the vehicle.
x All windows may open if you turn the spray of water or steam away from and then back onto
the door handle sensor surface in quick succession. If at least one power window is opened
and the sensor is continuously activated, convenience closing is started.
The door may not open if the outside and inside door handles are used at the same time.
If the vehicle battery or the battery in the remote control vehicle key is weak or dead, it might not
be possible to unlock and lock the vehicle using Keyless Access. The vehicle can still be manually
locked or unlocked with the key bit 266.
The driver message Key not in range appears in the instrument cluster display if there is no
remote control vehicle key inside the vehicle or if the system does not recognize the remote control
vehicle key. The key may not be recognized, for example, if it is covered by something that interferes
with the signal (such as a briefcase), or if the remote control vehicle key battery is weak. Electronic
devices such as cell phones can also interfere with the signal.
Dirt on the door handles that contains a lot of salt (especially in winter) can affect the way the
door handle sensors work. Cleaning the door handles can help with this problem.
If the automatic transmission is not in Park (P) position, the electronic steering column lock will
not lock and the vehicle will not lock via sensors in the front door handles or the remote control vehicle
key.
Anti-theft alarm system
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
Your vehicle is either equipped with an anti-theft alarm system or pre-equipped for anti-theft alarm
system installation. If the vehicle is pre-equipped for installation of the anti-theft alarm system, the
alarm system can be retrofitted by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen
Service Facility.
The anti-theft alarm system makes it more difficult for someone to break into or steal the vehicle.
The anti-theft alarm system is automatically activated when the vehicle is locked by pressing the lock
button on the remote control vehicle key.

When is the alarm triggered?
The anti-theft alarm system sounds for about 30 seconds and the turn signals flash for up to 5 minutes
if the following occurs with respect to the locked vehicle:
x Opening a door that has been mechanically unlocked.
x Forcibly opening a door.
x Forcibly opening the engine hood.
x Forcibly opening the luggage compartment lid.
x Switching on the ignition with an invalid key.
x Disconnecting the vehicle battery.
Deactivating the alarm
Unlock the vehicle with the unlock button on the remote control vehicle key or switch on the ignition
with a valid vehicle key.
For vehicles with Keyless Access, the alarm can be deactivated by holding the remote control vehicle
key to the right of the steering column trim and pressing the starter button .
After the alarm has stopped and the vehicle is opened again in the same or a different area that
is protected by the alarm, the alarm is triggered again. For example, the alarm will sound again if the
luggage compartment lid is opened after one of the doors has been opened.
The anti-theft alarm system is not activated when the vehicle is locked with the power lock
switch 1on the inside of the driver or front passenger doors.
If the driver door is mechanically unlocked using the vehicle key bit, only the driver door is un-
locked, not the entire vehicle. Switching on the ignition deactivates the anti-theft alarm system and
activates the central locking button. To unlock the doors, use the central locking button or remote
control vehicle key.
If the vehicle battery is dead or weak, the anti-theft alarm system will not work properly.

Switches in the driver door
Key to fig. 29:
(1) For the rear side windows.
(2) For the window in the driver door and to open or close all other windows at the same time.
(3) For the window in the passenger door.
Opening or closing windows

Function Action
Opening: Press the switch.
Closing: Pull the switch.
Opening the driver door
window:
Press the -switch.
Closing the driver door
window:
Pull the - switch.
Opening all windows: Press and hold the - switch until all windows
open.
Closing all windows: Pull and hold the - switch until all windows close.
Stopping automatic
movement:
Press/pull the respective switch again.

You can still use the power windows for several minutes after the ignition is switched off as long as the
driver or passenger door has not been opened. When the vehicle key has been removed from the
ignition and the driver door has been opened, the power windows cannot be opened or closed.
Power windows – features

One-touch opening and closing
The one-touch feature automatically opens/closes a power window all the way. The window switch
does not have to be held down/up.
For one-touch opening: Press the switch for the window down briefly as far as it goes.
For one-touch closing: Pull the switch for the window up briefly as far as it goes.
Stopping automatic movement: Pull/press the switch again.
Reactivating the one-touch feature
If the vehicle battery is disconnected or dead and the windows are not completely closed, the one-
touch feature will not work and must be reactivated:
x Switch on the ignition.
x Close all windows and doors.
x Pull the -switch up and hold it for at least 2 seconds in this position.
x Release the - switch, pull up and hold again. The one-touch feature is now reactivated.
The one-touch feature can be reactivated for one or more windows at the same time.
Convenience closing
The convenience closing feature lets you close the windows from outside the vehicle as follows:
x Manual locking: lock the vehicle with the vehicle key bit in the driver door and keep the key turned
in the locking position to close all windows
x Vehicles with Keyless Access: hold your finger on the lock sensor surface on the outside of the
door handle for a few seconds until the windows close
WARNING
Improper use of power windows can result in serious personal injury.
x Never let anyone get in the way of a power window when closing it.
x When locking the vehicle from the outside, make sure that no one, especially children,
remains in the vehicle when the convertible top is closed. The windows will not open in case
of an emergency.
x Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. You can still use the power win-
dows for several minutes after the ignition is switched off as long as the driver or passenger
door has not been opened.
NOTICE
The windows must go down slightly when you unlock the vehicle. Otherwise the windows and
seals could be damaged when opening the doors.
If the power windows malfunction, the one-touch feature, as well as pinch protection may not
work properly. See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility right
away.
If convenience closing of the power windows from the outside requires removing the cover cap of
the lock cylinder on the driver door, the cover cap must be reinstalled after the vehicle is locked 266.

NOTICE
Objects with sharp edges or that cause scratches or dirty components can damage the con-
vertible top or the rear window.
x Never remove snow and ice with sharp objects or objects that can cause scratches.
x Only open and close the convertible top when it is clean.
NOTICE
If the convertible top is opened frequently when it is damp or it is left open for several weeks at
a time, it may develop creases and pressure marks and could be damaged.
x Do not leave the convertible top open for long periods of time.
x Only open the convertible top when it is completely dry.
When parking the vehicle with the convertible top open, the vehicle interior is not protected
against unauthorized access.
x Always close the convertible top and lock the doors and luggage compartment before leaving the
vehicle.
x Always store objects left in the vehicle in the locked luggage compartment.
The convertible top will only open or close when the luggage compartment lid is completely
closed. Do not open the luggage compartment lid when the convertible top is opening or closing.
Indicator lights

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
X Convertible top is opening or closing. Wait until the convertible top has fully opened
or fully closed.


Flashes Possible cause Proper response

The convertible top opening or closing
process is not finished or there is a con-
vertible top malfunction.
Check if the opening or closing process has
finished. If necessary, end the process using
the convertible top button , Opening and
closing the convertible top.
Check if all technical requirements are met. If
not, take the necessary steps to meet the
technical requirements , General information.
Check if there is a convertible top malfunc-
tion. If necessary, correct the malfunction or
have the system checked by your authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen
Service Facility , What to do if the convertible
top will not move.

Messages in the instrument cluster display
When the ignition is switched on, the indicator lights come on briefly for a function check. They go out
after a few seconds.

Display text Proper response
Speed too high!
Reduce your speed. You can only operate the convertible top at speeds
up to about 30 mph (50 km/h) . If the convertible top has already begun
opening or closing, it will stop if you drive faster. You can only continue
opening or closing the convertible top once the vehicle speed drops
below about 30 mph (50 km/h).
Decrease speed!
Reduce your speed. At 28 mph (45 km/h), the system warns the driver
not to exceed the maximum speed for opening or closing. If the opening
or closing process has already started, it will not stop.
Convert. top:
Release cover!
Convertible top cover (boot) is still installed. Roof operation is not possi-
ble. Remove the convertible top cover.
Error:
Convertible top
Service!
See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility. You cannot operate the convertible top if a system component
malfunctions. Use the emergency procedure to close the open converti-
ble top if necessary
Error:
Open convertible
top!
Open the convertible top
Error:
Close convertible
top!
Have the system checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. There is a malfunction in a
control module. It is not possible to open or close the convertible top.
Use the emergency procedure to close the convertible top .
Low voltage:
Please start en-
gine!
The vehicle battery is drained to the point that it cannot provide the
power needed to completely open or close the convertible top. Start the
engine by jump-starting if necessary. Open or close the convertible top
while the engine is running. Volkswagen recommends taking a longer
drive afterward to help recharge the vehicle battery.
Convertible
top open
This message and a chime confirm that the convertible top is completely
open or closed.
Convertible
top closed
Convertible top
not functional.
Owner's manual!
Outside temperature too low. You can still close the convertible top, if
necessary.
Have the system checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. There is a malfunction in a
control module. It is not possible to open or close the convertible top.
Use the emergency procedure to close an open convertible top if neces-
sary .
Continue
convertible
top operation
The opening or closing process was interrupted. Press the button
⇒ fig. 30 (A) again until the opening or closing process has finished.
Convertible
top operation
This text message indicates the convertible top is currently opening or
closing. Press and hold the button ⇒ fig. 30 (A) again until the opening or
closing process has finished.