VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE 1992 T4 / 4.G Manual Online

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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

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
Filling the
tank

The
filler neck is on the left-hand side of the

vehicle.

The
tank holds about 80 litres. Trouble-free
refuelling
calls
for correct
use
of filler
nozzle.

•
Insert
nozzle
fully into tank neck and do not
tilt
it.

On
vehicles with a catalytic converter the

spring-loaded
flap below the filler opening
must be
pressed
open with the filler
nozzle.

This
should
also
be noted when using a pet­ rol can to
fill
the tank. As soon as the
correctly
oper­

ated
automatic
nozzle
switches

off for the
first
time,
the
tank
is
full.

Do not try
then
to put
more
fuel
in
because the expansion space in
tank
will
be
filled
- the
fuel
can
then
over­

flow
when
it becomes
warm.

After
filling tank, screw cap on tightly and
lock
it.

Note

•
Never
drive
until
the
fuel
tank
is completely
empty
on vehicles
with

a catalyst. The
irregular
fuel
supply
can cause misfiring. This
allows
un-
burnt
fuel
into
the exhaust system.
Which can cause
overheating
and damage to the catalyst.

•
When carrying a spare can of petrol on the vehicle, official regulations must be ob­
served.
For safety reasons we advise you not to carry a spare can of petrol. In an
acci­

dent the can could become damaged and petrol
escape.

55
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GENERAL
MAINTENANCE
Fuel

Petrol
engines
Vehicles
with
catalyst

62 and 81 kW Fuel
injection
en­
gines
Unleaded
regular
petrol

RON11 not
lower
than
91

rQp
On
vehicles
with
catalytic
con-
<35
verter
only
unleaded
petrol
may
be
used.

The
use of leaded petrol is very detrimental
to the functioning of the emission control
system
because the lead is deposited in the
catalytic converter.
rijK
Even
one
tankful
of
leaded
pet-
®5
rol
will
detract
from
the
effi­

ciency
of the
catalytic
converter.

Although unleaded fuel may again be used
afterwards the original efficiency of the
catalytic converter is never fully attained.
On
vehicles
with
Lambda probe2' the mix­
ture formation is also negatively affected.
11
Octane
Number, indicates the ignitability of
Diesel

2) Lambda = Air/petrol relationship Vehicles
without
catalytic
con­

verter

62 kW
Carburettor
engine

unleaded
or leaded
regular
petrol

RON1) not
lower
than
91

i-Op
In the
interests
of our
environ-

ment
unleaded
petrol
should
be

used
whenever
possible.

Notes

• Unleaded petrol must comply
with
DIN3' 51 607 and leaded petrol
with
DIN 51 600.
• Only good quality petrol containing addi­ tives should be used - see also" Petrol addi­

tives"
next column.
• If in an emergency the octane rating of the available petrol is lower than
that
re­quired by the engine, only drive
with
me­
dium engine speeds and low engine load­
ing.
High
engine
loading
with
full

throttle
or
high
revs
can cause en­
gine
damage.
Fill tank
with
petrol of the
correct rating as soon as possible.
31 Standards issued by the German Standards Institution.
Petrol
additives

The
quality of the fuel has a decisive influ­
ence
upon the running behaviour, perform­

ance
and service life of the engine. The addi­
tives which are mixed into the petrol are of particular significance. One is advised
therefore only to use good
quality
pet­
rol
containing
additives.

If such fuel is not available, or if engine
troubles such as starting difficulties, stalling during idling, vibration and loss of power
occur,
the appropriate additives should be
mixed
with
the petrol when filling the tank.
At temperatures between about 0 and 15
degrees
C, these additives prevent possible icing up of the carburettor, have an anti-cor­
rosion effect, clean the fuel system and pre­
vent deposits building up in the engine.

Petrol
additives available in accessory
outlets have not all shown themselves to be
effective. Therefore additives which have

been
tested for
Volkswagen
engines are av­

ailable
from Volkswagen dealers in
Ger­
many and in many export countries. The

Volkswagen
dealers are also informed
with
regard to the use of additives, and they know what to do in
cases
where deposits

have
already built up.

SB
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GENERAL
MAINTENANCE
Diesel engines

Diesel
fuel

I
DIN 51 601.
CN1'
not
lower
than
45.

Driving
in
winter

When
using summer Diesel trouble may be
experienced
at temperatures below 0 de­

grees
C because the fuel thickens due to

wax
separation.

Br
this
reason,
winter
Diesel
which is more

"esistant
to cold is sold during the winter in

Germany,
and this works satisfactorily
:Dwn
to between -15 and -22 degrees C,

cepending
on the type of fuel
used.

I countries with different climatic condi-
" :ns the Diesel fuels offered have a differ­

ent
temperature characteristic.
Check
with ; kswagen dealers or filling stations in the
::
jntry
concerned regarding the character-
s:
cs of Diesel fuels.
Filter
preheating

The
vehicle is
fitted
with a filter preheater.

This
will ensure, that the fuel system re­
mains
operational down to about - 25 de­

grees
C provided that winter Diesel which
is
cold resistant down to - 15
degrees
C is
used.
Diluting with petrol is then no longer
necessary
under these conditions.
If, at temperatures below - 25 degrees C
the fuel is waxed to such an extent that the
engine
will not start it is sufficient to place
the vehicle in a warm room for a while.
Fuel
additives
(anti-waxing agents and

similar
fluids) must not be mixed with the
Diesel
fuel.

Cetane
Number, indicates the ignitability of
Diesel
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GENERAL
MAINTENANCE
Care
of car

Regular
and
careful
care
helps
to

maintain
the
value
of the
vehicle.

Furthermore
it can be one of the

stipulations
for the
upholding
of

warranty
claims should corrosion

damage
and
paint
defects
occur.

Every
Volkswagen dealer carries stocks
of

suitable car care materials. The instructions
for use on the container should be followed.

Attention

•
If
misused,
car
care
materials
can
be
injurious
to
health.

•
Car
care
materials
must
al­

ways
be
stored
in a
safe
place

where
they
are out of the
reach
of
children.

When
buying
car
care
materials

one
should
select
products

which
do not
damage
the
environ­

ment.
Empty
containers
which
these
materials
were in do not be­

long
with
household
waste.
Washing

The
best protection against environmental

influences
is frequent washing and waxing.

How
often this treatment
is
required
de­

pends,
amongst other things on
how
much
the vehicle is
used,
how
it
is parked (garage, in open under trees etc.),
the
seasons,

weather conditions
and
environmental
in­
fluences.

The
longer bird droppings, insects, tree
resin,
road
and
industrial grime,
tar
spots,
soot, road salt
and
other aggressive
ma­

terials remain on
the
vehicle paint the more lasting their destructive effect will be. High
temperatures e.g. from strong sunlight
in­

tensifies
the
corrosive effect.
In certain circumstances weekly washing

can
be
necessary,
in
other conditions monthly washing
with
appropriate waxing
may
be
fully adequate.
After
the
period when salt
is put on the

roads
the underside
of
the vehicle should al­

ways
be
washed thoroughly.
Automatic
wash
plants

The
vehicle paint
is so
durable
that
the ve­

hicle
can normally be washed without prob­

lems
in an
automatic wash plant. Howeve'
the influence on the paint depends
to
a large extent
on the
design
of the
plant,
the
filter­
ing
of
the wash water, the type
of
wash anc

care
material, etc.
If
the paint has a
matt
ap­
pearance
after going through
the
wash
plant
or is
even scratched this should
be

brought
to the
notice
of the
plant operate
immediately.
If
necessary
a
different wash
plant should
be
used.

Notes

• Before going through
the
wash plant, apart from
the
usual precautions (closing
windows and sliding roof, retracting the aer­ial) there
is
nothing further
to
note. How­

ever,
to
prevent damage
the
door mirrors

should
be
folded
in.

•
If
there are special
fittings
on the vehicle - such as spoilers, roof rack, two-way radio
aerial
etc.
it is
best
to
speak
to the
plant op­erator.
88
www.vwT4camper.info - a useful website for owners and enthusiasts of VW T4 Transporter Campervans