transmission VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 2013 3.G Owners Manual

Lower center console

Fig. 7 Overview of the lower center console.
Key to fig. 7:
(1) Lever for:
– Manual transmission
– Automatic transmission
(2) 12 Volt socket
(3) Storage compartment with cup holder in the center console
(4) Center armrest with storage compartment (if equipped)
(5) Parking brake lever
(6) Starter button for the Keyless Access locking and starting system
(7) Storage compartment

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

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.

NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Vehicle key positions in the ignition switch

Fig. 96 In the ignition switch: Vehicle key positions.
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
If there is no vehicle key in the ignition, the steering column is locked.
Vehicle key position ⇒ fig. 96
(0) Ignition switched off. Steering column lock engaged. The vehicle key can be removed.
(1) Ignition is switched on. Diesel engine is preheated (if applicable). Steering column lock can be
released.
(2) Start the engine. When the engine starts, release the vehicle key. When released, the vehicle
key returns to position (1).
If you use the wrong key
If an unauthorized vehicle key has been inserted into the ignition switch, it can be removed as follows:
x Automatic transmission: The vehicle key cannot be removed from the ignition unless both the key
and the selector lever have been moved to the correct position. Press the release button on the
transmission selector lever, move the selector lever to the Park (P) position, and release the button.
The vehicle key can now be removed.
x Manual transmission: Pull out the vehicle key.

WARNING
Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious personal injury.
x Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. The engine can be started and
vehicle systems such as the power windows can be operated, leading to serious personal
injury.
x Never leave children, disabled persons, or anyone who cannot help themselves in the
vehicle when the convertible top is closed. The doors can be locked with the remote control
vehicle key. This could result in people being trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. For
example, depending on the time of year, people trapped in the vehicle can be exposed to very
high or very low temperatures.
x Heat build-up in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in
temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures, particularly
in summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and
death, particularly to small children.
x Never remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a
stop. The steering wheel will lock and you will not be able to steer or control the vehicle.
Leaving the key in the ignition for a long time when the engine is not running will drain the vehicle
battery.
Leaving the selector lever for a long period of time in any position other than Park (P) when the
ignition is switched off can drain the vehicle battery.
On automatic transmission vehicles, the vehicle key can be removed from the ignition switch
only when the transmission is in Park (P). You may have to press the release button on the
transmission selector lever to put the lever into Park (P).
Starter button

Fig. 97 In the center console: Starter button of the Keyless Access locking and starting system.

x Before driving downhill, especially on hills that are long or steep, always reduce speed and
shift into lower gear (manual or automatic transmission). This will let the vehicle use engine
braking and reduce the load on the brakes. Otherwise, the brake system could overheat and
even fail. Only use the brakes when you need them to slow the vehicle down more or to stop.
Warning and indicator lights

Pedals

Fig. 99 Pedals in vehicles with manual transmission: 1 Accelerator pedal, 2 Brake pedal, 3 Clutch pedal.

Fig. 100 Pedals in vehicles with automatic transmission: 1 Accelerator pedal, 2 Brake pedal.
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
All pedals must always be able to move freely in and out without interference from floor mats or other
things.
Only use floor mats that leave the pedal area free and are held securely in place with floor mat
fasteners to help prevent sliding.
If a brake circuit malfunctions, more brake pedal travel is needed to bring the vehicle to a full stop, and
it is important that nothing is in the way when you have to depress the brake pedal harder and farther
than normal.
WARNING
Objects in the driver footwell can prevent the pedals from moving freely. This can cause loss
of vehicle control and increase the risk of serious personal injuries.
x Always make sure that nothing can interfere with the pedals.
x Always fasten floor mats securely to the floor.
x Never put floor mats or other floor coverings on top of already installed floor mats.
x Always make sure that nothing can fall into the driver footwell while the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE
Always make sure that the pedals are able to move freely and that nothing can interfere with
them. If a brake circuit fails, more brake pedal travel will be needed to bring the vehicle to a
stop. The brake pedal must be pressed farther and harder than normal.

Manual transmission: Gearshift lever

Fig. 101 Gearshift pattern of a 5-speed manual transmission.

Fig. 102 Gearshift pattern of a 6-speed manual transmission.

Downshifting
You should always downshift gear by gear when driving, meaning always into the next lowest gear. Do
not downshift when the engine rpm (revolutions per minute) is too high ⇒ . At fast speeds or high
engine rpm, skipping over one or more gears when downshifting can cause damage to the clutch and
transmission, even if a gear is not engaged ⇒ .
WARNING
Downshifting to a lower gear incorrectly can result in loss of vehicle control and can cause
accidents and serious personal injuries.
WARNING
When the engine is running and a gear is engaged, the vehicle will start to move as soon as
the clutch pedal is released, even when the parking brake is applied. This also applies when
the parking brake is engaged.
x Never shift into reverse when the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE
Shifting down to a gear that is too low when driving at fast speeds or high engine rpm can
cause extensive damage to the clutch and transmission. That is true even if the clutch pedal is
pressed so that the clutch is not engaged.
NOTICE
To help prevent damage and premature wear:
x Do not rest your hand on the gearshift lever while driving. Over time, the pressure will
cause premature wear in the transmission.
x Make sure that the vehicle has come to a complete stop before shifting into reverse.
x Always depress the clutch pedal all the way when changing gears.
x Do not hold the vehicle on a hill using engine power with the clutch pedal partially engaged
and the engine running.

Automatic transmission: Selector lever

Fig. 103 Automatic transmission selector lever with shift lever release button (arrow).