Volkswagen beetle 1972 User manual

Volkswagen Owner's Manual:
Operation and Maintenance
1972 Models
Es a 2
Volkswagen volkswagen Volkswagen
Sedan 111 Sedan 113 Convertible
VOLKSWAGENWERK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
© 1971 Volkswagenwerk Aktiengeselischatt
All rights reserved.
May not be reproduced or translated in whole
Specification subject to alteration without notice.
561.007 23
or in part without the written consent of Valkswagenwerk AG.
Printed
in
Germany
8.71

The
VOLKSWAGEN
OWNER'S
MANUAL
consists
of
two
major
parts:
operation
description
and
Diagnosis
&
Maintenance
record.
The first part acquaints you with your Volkswagen Warranty and the operation of your
car. It also gives you information on fuel, oil and lubrication.
The
second
part
deals
with
the
maintenance
of
your
Volkswagen.
It
explains
what
the
VOLKSWAGEN
DIAGNOSIS
and
MAINTENANCE
is
all
about,
and
how
to
keep
your
Volkswagen
in top driving
condition.
Always
have
your
Volkswagen
Owner's
Manual
with
you
when
you
take
your
car
to
an
Authorized
Volkswagen
Dealer
for
service
.....
it
provides
your
Service
Adviser
with the
information
he
needs
and
enables
him
to make
the
necessary
entries
for
you.
Please
read
this
manual
before
you
drive
your
new
Volkswagen.
Acquaint
yourself
with
its
features,
and
know
how to
operate
it
more
safely
..
because
the more
you
know
about
it,
the
more
you
will
enjoy driving
your
Volkswagen.

Pictures and text in this manual are
based on the 1972 Volkswagen Sedan
113 with Manual Transmission. Where
the controls, equipment and technical
data of the Volkswagen Sedan 111, the
Automatic Stick Shift and the Volks-
wagen Convertible differ considerably,
we will point this out in the text
It has always been Volkswagen's policy
to
continuously
make
technical
impro-
vements; therefore, the right is reserved
to make changes at any time during the
model year without notice.

Contents
page
Warrant 7
Dear VW Owner «dd 18
Vehicle identification . . . 15
Keys 16
DOOM caf sev st aa Keak one AT
Windows چ󰾯 ms mae 18
GORI MED 18
Safety bets 20
Instrument panel ....,..,... 22
Ignition/steering lock ......., 24
Emergency flasher.......... 24
Brake warning light jus BS
Headlight switch . . . ч 25
Instrument
illumination
гоа
Ж
Speedometer 26
Fuel gauge . . =.. Bb
Rear window defogger >.. <... 27
Turn signal/headlight dimmer
switch lever. . . s 28
Lane changer. TE |
Windshield wiper/washerlever. .. 29
Generator warning m. 30
Oil pressure warning light... ... 30
ATF warning light .......... 30
Rear view mirrors can SF
Manual Transmission
Automatic Stick Shift
Starting hints
Sun visors
Interior light
Assist
straps
and
coat
hooks
Ashtrays v nee cea ea
Giove compartment
Luggage compartments, tront and
rear .. 5
Heater/Defroster
Ventilation
Sliding root
Convertible top
Air conditioner .
Auxiliary heater .
Sectional side view of the car
attached to page. . .
Towing and trailer hauling
Winter operation
Tires
Spare wheel
Jack 1
Changing a wheel . . ;
page
32
34
36
Container
for
windshield
washer
fluid
Brake
fluid
reservoir.
|...
Sale for аал
Fue!
supply
.
.
ieu
4
0
Checking the engine oil ievel
Checking the ATF level .
Removing end installing seats
Cleaning your VW
Engine oil
Transmission
oil
and
Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Volkswagen Diagnosis and
Maintenance pers
Testreport.... 2...
Maintenance record .
Additional service р
‘Scheduled maintenance .
Address change cards
Index
VW
distributor
addresses
. .

Volkswagen
offers
a
quality
product
Maintain
this
quality
by
having
your
Volkswagen
serviced
regularly.
A
ser-
vice
schedule
that
we
recommend
is
explained
in
the
section
Volkswagen
Diagnosis
and
Maintenance.
Should you have occasion to make use
of your Volkswagen Warranty, itis ways
helpful to have the related serv. e re-
ceipts handy.

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No
express
warranties,
as
to
Volkswagen
vehicles
sold
in
the
United
States
are
made
either
by
Volkswagen
of
America,
Inc.
("VWoA"),
or
by
the
manufacturer,
the
distributor
or
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
the United States
and Canada of
defective parts
for 24 months
or 24,00 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 trom defects in material.
and workmanship under normal use and
service for 24 months after the date of deli-
very of the vehicle to the 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 part of the vehicle be-
comes defective under normal use and
service and the vehicle is brought during
this period to the workshop of any author-
ized Volkswagen dealor in the continen-
tal United States, Hawaii or Canada, the
Gealer will, without charge, either repair
the detective part or replace it with a new
or factory reconditioned part.
Maintenance
quired to keep.
warranty
in effect
Items not
covered
by
warranty
2. In order to keep this warranty in effect,
the owner must have the vehicle maintain-
ed and serviced as prescribed in the
Volkswagen Maintenance Schedule.
3. VWoA's warranty does not cover:
(i) Defects, damage or deterioration due
to normal use, wear and tear or exposure;
(1)
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, wiper blades or
brake linings; (iv) deterioration of uphol-
stery, soft trim and appearance items;
( damage or defects due to misuse,
alteration, negligence or accident; (vi)
damage or defects due to the repair of the
vehicle by someone other than an author-
ized Volkswagen dealer or the installation
of parts other than genuine Volkswagen
parts;
(vii)
damage
or
detects
due
to
the

Warranty.
outside
the
United
States
and
Canada
No other
warranties made
use of the vehicle in competitive events,
including rallies and races; (viii) and loss
of time, inconvenience, loss of use of the
vehicle or other consequential damage.
4. If the vehicle is brought to an authorized
Volkswagen workshop outside the conti-
nental United States, Hawaii or Canada,
VWoA's
warranty
will
not
be
applicable
and
defective
parts
will
be
repaired
or
re-
placell
free
of
charge
with
new
or
factory
reconditioned parts only within tho terms
and
limitations
of
the
warranty
for
new
Volkswagen
vehicles
in
offoct
in
the
coun-
try
where
such
authorized
Volkswagen
workshop is located.
5. This warranty is in lieu of all other ex-
press
warranties
of
VWoA,
the
manufac-
turer, the distributor and the selling
dealer. Neither VWoA nor the manufac-
turer assumes, or authorizes any person
to
assume,
on
its
behalf,
any
other
obliga-
tion or liability.
Let us explain the warranty ...
Volkswagen
of
America,
Inc.
is
proud
of
the
quality
of
the
auto-
mobiles
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 space for listing diagnosis, maintenance,
and oil change services as they are performed.
Diagnosis
and
maintenance
services
should
be
performed
by
Authorized
Volkswagen
dealers,
They
have
Volkswagen
train-
ed mechanics
and special
tools
to provide
fast,
efficient
service
їп accordance
with Volkswagen
quality
standards.
The
terms
of
your
warranty
require
you
to
keep
a
maintenance
record
of your
vehicle.
Provided
that maintenance
or oil
change
services
were
performed
in accordance
with Volks-
wagen
specifications,
dated
bills of other
than
Authorized
Volkswagen
dealers
will be accepted
as proof
that these
services
were
performed
when
required.

Not
all
tépairs,
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.
Diagnosis services — except those diagnosis services for
which a free coupon is presented at specified mileage inter-
vals.
Wheel alignment and wheel balancing. The frequency of
these
services
depends
on
driving
conditions
such
as
rapid
starts
and
stops,
tite
skidding,
hitting
pot
holes
and
curbs,
etc.
Mechanical
adjustments
—
including
brakes,
clutch,
door
locks
—are
required
as
a
matter
of
normal
operation
of
a
motor
vehicle.
This
protects
you
against
early
or
expensive
replace-
ments.
Brakes
and
clutch
linings
are
directly
affected
by
driving
habits
and
use.
The
replacement
of
brake
linings,
brake
pads,
cluten
linings
and
shock
absorbers,
and
the
reconditioning
of
brake
drums
and
brake
discs
should
be
performed
whenever
necessary.
to
Spark
plugs
and
ignition
points
are
subject
to
wear.
Periodic
replacements
ensure
you
of
maximum
engine
performance
and gasoline
economy.
Wiper
blades
will
have
a
varied
lite
expectancy,
depending
on
climatic
conditions
and extent
of use. You are the best judge
of
when
they
should
be
replaced
Light bulbs and fuses are service items.
Paint,
chrome,
convertible
top,
trim
and
other
appearance
items
are
affected
by
normal
wear
and
exposure.
Proper
care
of these items
can add to their
appearance
and durability.
(Im-
pertections
are
normally
apparent
during
Now
Vehicle
Pre-
Delivery
Inspection.
For your
protection,
please
report
any
imperfection
to your dealer
immediately.)
Tires
and
battery
are
subject
to
weer.
If
there
is
a
defect,
you
pay
only
for
the
amount
of
use
you
obtained,
An
adjustment
for
tires
is
based
on
the
remaining
tread
depth.
Battery
adjust-
ment
is
according
to
time
used,
based
on
24
months
of
service
This
is
known
as
the
pro-rata
method
of
adjustment.

Volkswagen
parts,
accessories
and
exchange
units
are
identified
by
these
trade-
marks.
All
meet
the
same
exacting
quality
control
standards
as
the
original
equipment
on
the
car,
anc
comply
with
all
applicable
Government
safety
regulations,
They
are
guaranteed
to
be
free
from
defects
in
material
or
workmanship
for
a
period
‘of
6
months
or
6.000
miles,
whichever
comes
first.
All
Volkswagen
parts
and
accessories
are
available
at
your
Authorized
Volkswagen.
Dealer.
Also, ask him about rebuilt parts under the Volkswagen Exchange Service . . . they
cost less than new parts but carry the same warranty.
п

Dear VW Owner:
А lot has gone into the manufacture of
Your Volkswagen. Including advanced
engineering techniques, rigid quality
controls and demanding inspections.
The engineering and safety features that
have gone into your VW will be enhanced
by... you,
the safe driver
-who
knows
his
vehicle
and
all
the
con-
trols,
—who maintains his vehicle properly,
-who uses his driving skills wisely.
Because safe driving is important to you,
we urge you to read this manual care-
fully,
to
maintain
your
VW
properly
and
to follow the check list shown below
whenever you use your VW.
Before getting behind the wheel:
1- Make sure that the tires are inflated
correctly.
2- Watch the tread depth indicator on
the tires. Look for bruises and wear.
3- See that all windows are clean and
unobstructed
4—Check that headlight and tail light
lenses are clean.
5— Check that all lights are functio
properly.
6
Check
turn
signal
lamps
and
indica-
tor
light
(ignition
on).
9
In the driver's seat:
1 Position seat properly tor easy reach
of controis.
2- Adjust inside and outside mirrors for
unobstructed rear view.
3.— Fasten safety belts.
4- Check brake warning light (ignition
on).
5— Check brake operation.
6- Make sure that all doors are closed
securely and locked.
And
when
you
are
on
the
highway:
1
—
Always
drive
defensively.
Expact
the
unexpected,
2- Use signals to indicate turns and lant
changes.
3- Turn on headlights at dusk.
4- Follow at a safe distance. A good
rule of thumb is to allow a minimum
of
one
car
length
for
each
10
mph
of
speed.
5-
Reduce
speed
during
night
hours
апо
inclement
weather.
6- Observe speed limits and obey high-
way signs.
7
—
When
tired,
get
off
the
highway,
stop
an
take
a
rest:
8- When stopped or parked, always set
the parking brake.
9—
When
stalled
or
stopped
for
repairs,
move
the
car well
off
the
road.
Set
the
emergency
flasher
and
use
road
flares
or
other
warning
devices
to
warn
other
motorists,
13

This
sticker
is
your
assurance
that
your
1972
Volkswagen
complies
with
all
U.S.
i
Feder
гу
f
г
MANUFACTURED
BY
VOLKSWAGENWERK
AG
E
H
wie
dele
Un
‘tect
at
ane
ura
is
THIS
VEHICLE
CONFORMS
TO
ALL
APPLICABLE
FEDERAL
MOTOR
lolo
maniotured:
Youcan
tind
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STANDARDS
IN
EFFECT
ON
THE
DATE
OF
MANU-
tris
чене
onthe
tatt
coorjamb:
FACTURE
SHOWN
ABOVE...
The
sticker
also
shows
the
month
and
year
of
production
as
well
as
the
chassis
number
of
your
car
(perforation).

Vehicle Identification
Qc»
The identification plate
is the “birth certificate” of your Volks-
wagen. It is located under the front hood
next to the hood lock.
On the Volkswagen Sedan 111, the plate.
can be found in the spare wheel well
The plate shows such information as
manufacturers
name,
place
of
origin,
model, weights and "Fahrgest-Nr."
which is the chassis number of your car.
The chassis number
is
also
located
on
the
instrument
panel
on
the
driver's
side
so
that
it
is
visible
from
the
outside
through
the
windshield.
This
is
for
your
protection
....
to
aid
in
the
apprehension
of
car
thieves
and
the
recovery
of
stolen
vehicles
The chassis number is ао stamped on.
the
frame
tunnel
under
the
rear
seat.
The engine number
is stamped on the generator support
flange.

Keys
16
Your Volkswagen comes with two sets of
keys
The key with the elongated head is for
the doors and the ignition/steering lock.
The
key
with
the
round
head
is
for
the
glove
compartment
only.
The
glove
com-
partment
of
the
VW
Sedan
111
does
not
have
a
lock.
Do not invite car theft
by leaving your car unattended with the
key
in
the
ignition
lock.
Take
the
key
with you and lock the doors.
A
buzzer
will
remind
you
when
you
open
the
driver's
door
and
the
key
is
still
in
the
ignition
lock.
Itis
a
good
idea
to
keep
a
record
of
your
key
numbers
in
your
wallet
together
with
your
license.
If
you
should
lose
a
koy,
your
Authorized
VW
Dealer
will
thus
be
able
to
quickly
secure
a
replacement
key
for
you
To
locate
the
key
number
of
the
ignition
key,
slide
the
cover
off
the
head.

Doors
Always drive with locked doors to pre-
vent inadvertent opening of a door from
the inside, especially with smaller chil-
dren in the car.
Since your Volkswagen is almost air tight
it will be easier to close the door if you
open a window slightly.
To lock and unlock doors from the
outside
You can lock and unlock your car with a
key, of course.
But you can also lock it without a key.
First push in the inside locking knob on
the upper door panel. Then depress the
plunger in the outside door handle as
you
close
the
door.
On the VW Convertible depress the
locking lever in the inside door handle.
If the door, with the locking knob or
locking lever depressed, closes by itself,
the locking device will disengage auto-
matically. We provided this additional
safety feature so you won't be locked
out if the door should slam shut while
the key is still inside the car.
To lock and unlock doors from the
inside —
depress or pull out the locking device.
The locking lever on the VW Convertible
looks like this:
meda
door
handles
(pull
to
open)
7

Windows
V. recommend you do not put decals or
other signs on the windows of your car
that interfere with the driver's vision.
We have made the windshield and win-
dows large for clear, unobstructed visibi-
lity
You can lower and raise the windows in
the front doors by means of winders, We
‘cushioned the knobs for your safety.
To open the vent window, turn knob into
driving direction, move locking lever
forward and push out window.
Seats
We recommend you do not adjust the
driver's seat while driving. Yourseat may
suddenly jerk forward or backward,
which could result in loss of contro!
Your Volkswagen has adjustable front
seats with built-in headrests.

To move the seat forward and backward
pull the lever at the front right-hand side
of the seat. Now slide the seat to the
desired position. Let the lever go, and
move the seat slightly back and forth to.
make sure it is securely engaged.
You can adjust the backrest to four diffe-
rent angles.
Push the backrest slightly forward to
take the weight off; then turn the lever on.
the outboard side of tho seat.
We have installed a lock on the sido of
the backrest.
You can disengage this lock by pulling
up the lever. Tilt the backrest forward
апа out of the way for easy access to ће
rear passenger compartment.
19

Safety belts
Asaety belt is provided for each seating
position in your Volkswagen. For your
protection,
fasten
your
safety
belt
before
driving off and wear it at all times while
the car is in motion.
Store
safety
belts
of
unoccupied
seats
properly.
This
reduces
the
possibility
of
their
becoming
a
striking
object
in
case
of
a
sudden
stop.
A shoulder belt should not be worn by a
person less than 4' 7" in height because
it would not be in its most protective
position,
and
therefore
may
increase
the
Possibility
of
injury
in
a
collision.
Do not strap in more than one person in
each belt.
20
Safety belts for front seats
The front seats are equipped with combi-
nation lap/shoulder belts. For easy stor-
age a hook is provided on the door post.
To fasten your combination lep/shoul-
der belt, grasp the belt tongue. take it off
the hook on the door post and pull the
belt across your chest and lap. Insert
the belt into the anchor housing on the
center tunnel and press until it is se-
curely locked.
Bolts should not be worn loose or twist-
ed. They should fit snugly across your
body. The lap belt section should be
completely unrolled from the retractor.
To adjust the length of the belts, press in
the release on the buckle (arrow) as you
pull
the
respective
belt
section
in
the
desired direction. With this release it is
also possible to adjust the belt length
with the buckle already engaged in the
anchor housing. Take up any slack of
the loose belt by moving the slide on the
belt.
To release the belt, pull the lever with
the
white
top
on
the
anchor
housing
up-
ward.
When not in use the belt should be hung
on the hook provided for this purpose on
the door post.

Safety belts for rear seats
The rear seats are equipped with ad-
justablo
lap
belts.
Pull
the
longer
section
across
your
lap
and
insert
the
tongue
in
the
inboard
buckle.
Press
until
you
hear
a
click
to
be
sure
the
belt
is
locked
securely.
The belt should not be worn loose or
twisted.
To release the bell, pull the lever (white
top) on the buckle.
To lengthen or shorten the rear belt, hold
the bell tongue at a right angle to the belt
and pull the respective belt section in the
desired direction. Take up any slack of
the loose belt end by moving the slide on.
the belt
Keep safety belts clean. If cleaning is
necessary,
wash
them
with
a
mild
soap
solution, without removing them trom
the car.
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. Do not
use any other cleaning agents. They may
weaken the webbing
Check buckles and retractors tor proper
function. Check belt webbing and bind-
ings for damage.
The belts should always be kept on top.
of
the
seat
for
ready
use.
Do
not
permit
them to get caught undor tho seal.
2