Volkswagen 1969 Model User manual

Customer Identification Card
Thit is another feature of Volkswagen Service that
adds to your convenience. Just present this Manual
whenever you stop for service et your Authorized
Volkswegen Dealer. Your identification Card will
quickly furnish the Service Adviser with your name
and address and all pertinent vehicle data.

Volkswagen Owner's Manual
1969 Models
Warranty Voucher
for the new VW automobile
Type:
Chassis No.
Engine No.
In accordance with the terms of warranty printed overleaf.
VOLKSWAGEN PACIFIC, INC.
11300 PLAYA STREET, CULVER CITY, CALIF.
SELLING DEALER: CIRCLE MOTORS INC. #177
The warranty commences at the data the VW automobile is
delivered to the original purchaser,
viz. on
(To be filled in by selling VW dealer)
and covers a period of 24 months or the period before the
vehicle has been driven 24000 miles, whichever event shall first
occur. Should any warranty claim arise, you are requested to
submit this voucher to your VW Dealer.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC.

No warranties, express or implied, as to Volkswagen vehicles sold in the United States are
made either by Volkswagen of America, Inc. or by the manufacturer or by the selling dealer,
except the following warranty by Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Warranty for new Volkswagen vehicles
This warranty Is issued by Volkswagen of America, Inc. (''VWoA"), the authorized United States importer of Volkswagen vehicles.
Free repair or replacement in
United States and Canada of
defective parts for 24
months or 24,000 miles
1. VWoA warrants that every Volkswagen vehicle imported by VWoA and sold as a new vehicle to a retail
customer by an authorized United States Volkswagen dealer will be free from defects in material and
workmanship under normal use and service for 24 months after the date of delivery of the vehicle to the
original retail customer or until the vehicle has been driven 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. This
warranty is limited, however, to the following: If any pan of the vehicle becomes defective during this
period under normal use and service and the vehicle is brought to the workshop of any authorized
Volkswagen dealer in the continental United States, Hawaii or Canada, the dealer will, without charge,
either repair the defective part or replace it with a new or factory reconditioned part.
Maintenance and validation by
owner required to keep
warranty in effect
2. In order to keep this warranty in effect, the owner must do two things:
FIRST: The owner must have the vehicle maintained and serviced as prescribed in the Volkswagen
Maintenance Schedule (See page 55).
SECOND: Every twelve months during the warranty period the owner must obtain from an authorized
United States Volkswagen dealer a Validation Stamp on the Maintenance Card to show that the vehicle has
been maintained and serviced in accordance with the Volkswagen Maintenance Schedule. Validation will be
made upon presentation of bills or other evidence sufficient to satisfy the dealer that the required service
and maintenance have been performed. The validated Maintenance Card must be submitted whenever a
claim is made under this warranty.
Items not covered by warranty 3. VWoA's warranty does not cover:
(i) Defects damage or deterioration due to normal use, wear and tear or exposure; (ii) normal maintenance
services, such as fuel system cleaning and wheel, brake or clutch adjustments; (iii) the replacement of
service items, as, for instance, spark plugs, ignition points, V-belts, wiper blades or brake and clutch
linings; (iv) deterioration of upholstery, soft trim and appearance items; (v) damage or defects due to
misuse, alteration, negligence or accident; and (vi) damage or defects due to the repair of the vehicle by
someone other than an authorized Volkswagen dealer or the installation of parts other than genuine
Volkswagen parts.

Warranty outside United
States and Canada
No other warranties made
4. If the vehicle is brought to an authorized Volkswagen workshop outside the continental United States,
Hawaii or Canada, VWoA's warranty will not be applicable, and defective parts will be repaired or replaced
free of charge with new or factory reconditioned parts only within the terms and limitations of the
warranty for new Volkswagen vehicles in effect in the country where such authorized Volkswagen
workshop is located.
5. This warranty is in lieu of all other express or implied warranties of VWoA. the
manufacturer and the selling dealer, including any implied warranty of
merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Neither VWoA nor the
manufacturer assumes, or authorizes any person to assume, on its behalf, any
other obligation or liability.
Let us explain the warranty . . .
Volkswagen of America, Inc is proud of the quality of automobiles it imports. It warrants new vehicles for a period of 2 years or 24,000 miles from the date of
purchase, whichever comes first. In general the complete vehicle including battery and tires is covered under the provisions of the Volkswagen New Vehicle
Warranty. It will be honored by any Authorized Volkswagen Dealer in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Canada.
This warranty is transferable if the ownership of the vehicle changes within the above period.
In order to keep the warranty in force, you as the owner of the vehicle have certain responsibilities. It is important that the vehicle be maintained properly. To
facilitate record keeping, this booklet provides on pages 57 to 59 space for listing maintenance services and oil changes as they are performed. Maintenance
services should be performed by Authorized Volkswagen Dealers. They offer with their factory-trained Volkswagen mechanics
and special tools, fast, efficient service in accordance with Volkswagen quality standards.
Validation is a requirement of the Volkswagen New Vehicle Warranty. One year after the date of delivery the warranty must be validated for the second year.
This can be done at any Authorized Volkswagen Dealership in the USA or Canada. For that purpose, you should present to the Authorized Volkswagen Dealer the
maintenance record for your vehicle. Provided that maintenance services or oil changes were performed in accordance with Volkswagen specifications, dated
bills of other than Authorized Volkswagen Dealers will be accepted as proof that these services were performed on time.

Not all repairs, adjustments and replacements, however, are the result of defects in material or workmanship. There are other circumstances beyond the control
of the manufacturer that might make a workshop visit necessary. These depend mainly on where you drive and how you drive. They would include weather and
atmospheric conditions, varying road surfaces, individual driving habits and vehicle usage.
For example, you are required to pay for the following:
Maintenance services and oil changes
Wheel alignment and wheel balancing —the frequency of such services depends on driving conditions such as rapid starts and stops, tire skidding,
hitting pot holes end curbs, etc.
Mechanical adjustments —including brake, clutch, door locks are required as a matter of normal operation of a motor vehicle. This protects you against
early or expensive replacements.
Brake end clutch linings —are directly affected by driving habits and use. The replacement of these linings and the reconditioning of brake drums should be
performed whenever necessary
Spark plugs and ignition points —are subject to wear. Periodic replacements ensure you of maximum engine performance and gasoline economy.
Wiper blades —life expectancy will vary widely depending on climatic conditions and extent of use. You are the best judge to decide when they should be
replaced.
Light bulbs and fuses —are service items.
Paint, chrome, trim and other appearance items —are affected by normal wear and exposure. Proper care of these items can add to their
appearance and durability. (Imperfections are normally apparent during New Vehicle pre-delivery inspection. For your protection, please report any imperfection
to your Dealer immediately after you notice it.)
Tires and batteries —are subject to wear. If there is a defect you pay only for the amount of use you have gotten. An adjustment for tires is based on the
remaining tread depth, for batteries on time used based on 36 months of service. This is known as the pro-rata method of adjustment.

Contents
Getting acquainted . ....................................... . 3
Winter operation ................. 23
Care of car . . ........................ ................ 25
Minor repairs and adjustments ....................................... . . 28
Trouble shooting 37
How to lubricate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Technical data ............... . ....................... ................ 47
Identification plate, Chassis and Engine numbers 52
Index .............................................. 53
Lubrication and maintenance . ............................................. 55
Maintenance Record .................................. 57
All pictures are of the Volkswagen Fastback Sedan with four speed synchromesh transmission and the text is based on this vehicle. Where the
controls. equipment and technical data of the Squareback Sedan and the Automatic Transmission differ considerably, attention is drawn to the
difference.
Specifications are subject to alteration without notice

This sticker assures you that your 1969 Volkswagen complies with ail US Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards which were in effect at the time when the vehicle was produced.
Volkswagenwerk AG
certifies to the dealer that
this vehicle conforms to all US
federal motor vehicle safety
standards applicable at time
of manufacture.
The tires of your Volkswagen conform to the US Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. When purchasing
replacement tires, make sure that their label shows the same specifications for tire size, load carrying
capacity etc.

Getting acquainted
It is advisable
to read this Owner's Manual carefully. You will then
get to know your new car quickly and will be able to
start off on your trip with complete confidence. You
will notice, your Volkswagen has many features
designed with your safety in mind.
The first part of this manual deals with the
operation of your Volkswagen. Everything about
winter driving, tips on care of the vehicle and
numerous points on carrying out small repairs and
adjustments are given in the second half. It further
contains information on lubrication and
maintenance and some interesting technical data.
Additionally, this book contains the warranty
voucher and the terms of warranty as well as a
punchcard for the free-of-charge maintenance
service and a maintenance schedule. An easy-to-
use maintenance record provides a stamping field.
so you can tell at a glance when a maintenance
service is due. The stamps in the squares show that
the oil changes and maintenance services have
been carried out regularly.
Only one key
is required to open the doors and start the engine.
Be sure the key number is recorded in the front of
the manual If you should lose the key. you can
obtain a replacement from your Authorized
Volkswagen Dealer.
3

Sit down and make yourself comfortable
When driving, you must be comfortable. That is why
the Volkswagen has separate front seats which are
built so that you can alter seat position and
backrest rake to suit your require-
ments. This is quite simple-just lift the lever-A-on
the side of the seat and slide the seat forward or
backward. After adjusting, be sure the seat is
securely locked in position.
The backrest angle can also be set to eight
different angles by turning the large knob-B-. Try
them out until you find the angle which suits you
best.
As a safety feature, the backrests of your
Volkswagen are secured against tilting forward. To
release the lock. just pull the knob-C-on the side of
the backrest upward.
To take the seats out, press the leaf spring on the
inner runner down and slide seat to the front.
4

Before closing the door
The doors can be closed more easily if a
window is opened slightly. 1 - Vent wing lock
To open the vent wing, turn knob of vent
wing fastener until locking catch points in
driving direction and push knob of vent
wing fastener forward.
2 - Window crank
3 - inside door handle
4 - Armrest and door closing grip
5- Locking knob
The doors cannot be opened from inside or
outside unless the locking knobs are raised.
When leaving the vehicle, just press the
locking knob down and pull the trigger in
the outer handle as you close the door.
The vehicle is then locked.
If the door closes by itself after the locking
knob has been depressed, it will not lock
because the locking knob will spring up
automatically. This is an additional safety
measure to prevent you from being locked
out if the door should slam shut while the
key is still inside the vehicle.
5

In front of you - the instrument panel
Even if it is not your first Volkswagen, just have a quick look at the dash and try
out the various knobs and levers with the ignition switched on:
1 - Speedometer
2 - Fuel gauge
When the needle is on the "R'' mark there
is about one gallon of fuel left in the tank.
It's time to refuel at the next opportunity.
The following warning lights are in the fuel
gauge dial:
a - light green - oil pressure
b - red - generator
c - blue - headlight high beam
d - light green arrows- turn signals
e - dark green - parking lights
6

3- Clock
The clock is electrically operated. The hands can
be moved by pressing in and turning the knob in
the dial center.
4 - Windshield wipers and
windshield washer system
The two-speed wipers are switched on by turning
the switch. They park automatically when switched
off. When the knob in the center of the wiper
switch is pressed, the washer sprays water on to
the windshield.
5- Light switch
Pull the knob out to the first stop to switch on the
parking, license plate, tail and instrument lights. A
green warning light in the dial of the fuel gauge
also lights up. When the knob is pulled out to the
next stop, the headlights are switched on. At the
same time, the green warning lamp for the parking
lights is turned off.
The brightness of the instrument lights
can be adjusted by turning the lighting switch
knob.
6 - Turn signal switch
Lever up — right turn signals
Lever down — left turn signals
The turn signals are cancelled automatically upon
completion of a turn.
Pull the lever toward steering wheel to raise or
lower headlight beams. A blue warning light
in the fuel gauge dial shows when the headlight
high beams are switched on.
7 - Steering-ignition lock
l — Ignition off - steering locked
2 — Ignition off - steering free
3 — Ignition on
4 — Starting
Important
Remove key from lock only when vehicle is
stationary.
8- Fresh air ventilation
The volume of fresh air coming from the vents - 8a
-at the lower edge of the windshield can be
controlled with the upper knob. The lower knob
regulates fresh air for the legroom.
Turn knobs to the left —increasing air flow
Turn knobs to the right - decreasing air flow
9 - Glove compartment
To open turn knob to the left.
Inside the glove compartment is the release lever
-10 - for the front hood.
10- Release lever for
the front hood
To close the front hood, just press it down firmly
until you hear it click.
11 - Ashtray
To remove ashtray, press leaf spring down and pull
ashtray out.
12 - Defroster vents
13 - Emergency blinker switch
If the vehicle is disabled or parked under
emergency conditions, pull the switch to make all
four turn signals blink at once. A warning light in
the switch knob blinks when the system is turned
on.
14 - Warning light for dual
circuit brakes
See explanation on page 17.
15 - Release for fuel tank flap
16 - Switch for rear
window defogger
The rear window defogger is actuated by this switch
after switching on the ignition. The green control
lamp near the switch will light up when the system
is in operation. After the rear window has been
cleared, switch off the rear window defogger so as
not to place an unnecessary drain on the battery.
7

Above the windshield
1- Sun visors
You can lift the visors out of the center mounting
end swing them toward the door windows to prevent
glare from the sides.
2 - Rear view mirrors
Outside and inside mirrors are adjustable so that
they can be set to give clear vision to the
rear at all times. The outside mirror is hinged to
fold flat upon contacting anything. The inside rear
view mirror is rimmed with plastic for safety and
designed to detach upon impact. It is equipped with
an anti-glare provision and can be adjusted at the
lower portion of the mirror.
3 - Sliding roof (optional
equipment)
For safety reasons, the sliding roof crank should
always be in the recess. When closing the roof, turn
the crank as far as it will go then turn it back
slightly until it can be folded into the recess.
8

In the footwell and between front seats
1 - Clutch pedal
(Four speed synchromesh transmission only)
2- Brake pedal
Vehicles with four speed synchromesh trans-
mission.
2a- Brake pedal
Vehicles with Automatic Transmission.
3 - Accelerator pedal
4 - Gearshift lever
Detailed instructions on the Automatic
Transmission are given on page 21.
5- Handbrake
To release the handbrake, pull the lever up slightly
first and press the locking knob.
6 - Heating control lever
Lever up - heat on
Lever down - heat off
The heating will be more effective if you open one of
the vent wings slightly because the fan can then
force the warm air into the body interior more
easily.
7 - Heater control slides in front
footwell
The flow of warm air into the front footwell can be
controlled separately on each side.
Knob up — open
Knob down — closed
8 - Control lever for heating
in rear footwell
This lever controls the flow of warm air into the
rear footwell when the heat is on.
Lever up — rear seat heat on
Lever down — rear seat heat off
At low temperatures it is advisable to leave the rear
outlets closed when first moving off. This increases
the flow of air to the windshield to prevent steaming
up when humidity is high. As soon as the windshield
is clear, the rear footwell outlets should be opened
so that the interior of the body heats up as quickly
and uniformly as possible.
9

10
Behind you
1 - Flexible window
2 - Interior lighting
The light has a built-in switch which is operated by
pressing on the side of the lens. There are three
positions:
Lamp in center position - light comes on when
a door is opened
Lamp pressed in on right -light on
Lamp pressed in on left - light off
3 - Assist straps and coat hooks
4 - Ashtrays
They are removed by opening them and lifting them
out of housing at the bottom first. To insert, hook
the ashtray onto the leaf spring at the top first and
then press in at the bottom.

11
Seat belts
Each seat in your Volkswagen is equipped with a
seat belt. Occupants of the vehicle should wear
the belts at all times.
Shoulder belts should not be worn by persons less
than approximately 55 inch in height.
The front seats
Each front seat is equipped with a combination lap /
shoulder belt that is completely adjustable to fit
different sized people and to allow for seat and
backrest adjustment. When not in use, the lap
section of the belt retracts and the belt should be
hung on the hook on the door post by means of the
hole in the buckle tongue. This prevents the belt
from lying about and getting dirty and permits easy
entrance and exit for the rear seat passengers.
Operation: After sitting down and adjusting the
seat and backrest positions, pull the belt buckle
across in front of you to the center of the car.
Insert the buckle tongue into the opening in the
housing on the center tunnel and press it in lightly.
A click will be heard when the buckle locks. Be sure
the belts is not twisted Pull lap belt through buckle
until belt is completely unrolled from retractor and
belt fits snugly across lap. Take up any slack by
moving slide. Adjust shoulder belt by pulling belt
until it fits snugly across chest. Take up any slack
by moving slide. To lengthen either section of the
belt, release buckle from housing, hold buckle at a
right angle to belt and pull belt through buckle. No
further adjustment should be necessary if the same
person uses the seat belt each time.
To release the belt, pull the unlocking lever on the
tunnel housing upward. Only a light pull and a slight
movement of the lever is necessary.

The rear seats
Each rear seat is equipped with an adjustable lap
belt.
Operation: After sitting down and making
yourself comfortable, pull the longer section of the
belt across in front of you until the buckles meet,
insert the tongue of the outboard buckle into the
recess in the inboard buckle and press lightly
together. A click will be heard when the buckles
interlock. Be sure the belt is not twisted. Pull belt
through the buckle until belt fits snugly across the
pelvic area. Take up any slack by moving the slide.
To lengthen the belt, release buckle, hold buckle on
longer section at a right angle to belt and pull belt
through buckle. No further adjustment should be
necessary if the same person uses the seat belt
each time.
To release the belt, pull the unlocking lever on the
inboard buckle. Only a light pull and a small
movement of the lever is necessary.
Each seat
is also equipped with a third mounting point to
facilitate subsequent installation of combination
lap / shoulder belts.
12
Do not strap in more than one person
with each belt.
Cleaning: To keep belts clean, wash belts with
mild detergent without removing from vehicle. Dry
belts in the shade and do not allow lap belts to
retract until completely dry. Do not bleach or dye
the belts or use any other material to clean the
belts because some of these agents can weaken
the webbing.
Check buckles, retractors and finings periodically
to make sure they function correctly and belts to
ensure that the webbing has not been damaged.
Now let us have a look...
..

... in the front luggage compartment...
Whether you are taking a lot of luggage with you or not, load the front luggage compartment first,
using the heaviest pieces of luggage if possible. The correct distribution of load means the best
road - holding, so take advantage of the possibilities offered by the Volkswagen with its two
luggage compartments.
The front hood is opened by pulling
the lever on the left inside the glove
compartment. The hood springs up slightly
under spring pressure and can be opened
fully when the safety hook near the lock
has been pressed upward.
To close the hood press it down firmly
until you hear a click. Never try to close
the hood by pressing at the side, always
press it in the center near the lock.
13

1- Container for windshield
washer
As soon as the cap of the container is loosened, the
air supply from the spare tire to the windshield
washer container is interrupted by means of a valve
in the filler cap. The washer container can be filled
completely with washer fluid. It is advisable to add
a cleaning solution to the water such as
Volkswagen's Windshield Washer Anti-Freeze and
Solvent as clear water alone is usually not adequate
to ensure that the windshield is cleaned quickly and
properly. If enough of this cleaning agent is put in,
it also acts as a mild anti-freeze solution in the
winter. Anti-freeze fluids are also commonly
available Follow the direction on the container for
the amount to be used.
After filling container ensure that the filler cap is
always screwed on tightly
2 - Spare wheel
It also serves as an air supply for the windshield
washer container, therefore, the spare tire
pressure should occasionally be checked and
inflated to 43 p.s.i. The air flow from the spare tire
to the washer container will automatically be
interrupted by a valve in the filler cap if the tire
pressure ever falls below 26 p.s.i. (Squareback
Sedan 36 p.s.i ). As a result, the spare tire will
always have the required pressure should it be
needed. Whenever you use the spare tire, make
sure that the tire pressure is according to
specifications shown on page 49.
3 - Jack
Operation of the jack is described together with
wheel changing on page 29.
14
4—Tools
In the tool roll you will find:
1 hub cap remover
1 pair of combination pliers
1screwdriver with reversible blade for
slotted and Phillips screws
1 open-end wrench 6 mm and 13 mm
1 socket wrench for wheel
bolts and spark plugs
1bar for socket wrench (also used to operate
the jack)
5 - Brake fluid reservoir
The brake fluid level should always be above the
protruding edge near the top of the container. If the
brake fluid level ever falls below this edge, the
complete brake system should be thoroughly
examined by your Authorized VW Dealer.
Brake fluid is water absorbent and should,
therefore, be renewed every 2 years. This
should be performed by an Authorized VW Dealer.