Volkswagen Beetle 1973 User manual

Volkswagen Owner’s Manual:
Operation and Maintenance
Owner:
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Volkswagen Owner’s Manual
Operation and Maintenance
>
1973 Models
Volkswagen Volkswagen Volkswagen
Sedan 111 Sedan 113 Convertible
Volkswagenwerk Aktiengesellschaft
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20?d6t0f»» Printed in German, I 73
II

The VOLKSWAGEN OWNER S MANUAL consists ol 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. lubrication, plus technical data.
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. Check the mileage chart at the end of this
manual. It will tell you when to bring your car to your Authorized Volkswagen Dealer
lor periodic oil change, diagnosis and maintenance services.
The first maintenance service at 600 miles is free of charge
(you only pay for engine and transmission oil).
You are further entitled to free diagnosis services at 6,000,
12,000,18,000 and 24,000 miles.
Always hays youf Volkswagen Owner's Manual with you when you lake your car to
an Authorized Volkswagen Dealer lor 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.
Ill
Pictures and text in this manual are
based on the 1973 Volkswagen Sedan
113 with Manual Transmission Where
the controls, equipment and lechnical
data ot the Volkswagen Sedan 111. the
Automatic Stick Sh.ft and the Volks¬
wagen Convertible differ considerably,
we will point this out in the text
Various items shown or described in
the manual may be options on certain
models. Check with your Authorized
VW Dealer on available options or
accessories
It has always been Volkswagen s policy
to continuously make lechnical impro¬
vements; therefore, the right is reserved
to make changes at any time during the
model year without notice.
IV

CONTENTS
pa go
Address change cards D 12
Air cleaner. 52
Air Conditioner. 28
Alternator warning light.12
Ashtrays.15
Assist straps and coat hooks. . . .15
Automatic Stick Shilt.18
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . 51
Auxiliary Heater. 27
Battery . 4 0
Brake fluid reservoir 39
Brake warning light.. . 11
Bulb chart. 45
Bulb replacing.46
Changing a wheel. 35
Changing engine oil. 50
Chassis number ... 3
Checking engine oil level. 49
Cleaning your VW.43
Convertible top.26
Dear VW Owner. 1
Oefroster.23
Diagnosis and Maintenance . .0 1
Distributor addresses.59
Doors. 4
Emergency flasher.10
Engine oil grades.54
Fuel gauge . . 1 2
Fuel supply.40
Fuses.41
Dear VW Owner:
A lot has gone into the manufacture of
your Volkswagen Including advanced
engineering techniques, rigid quality
control and demanding inspections.
The engineering and safety features that
have gone Into your VW will be enhanced
by . you.
the sate 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 on this
page whenever you use your VW.
page
Glove compartment .20
Headlight switch. . 1 1
Heater. 2 2
Heater lever spot light .22
Ignition/steering lock.10
Instrument illumination.11
Instrument panel . 8
Interior light .15
Jack. 34
Keys. 4
Lane changer ... 1 3
Lubrication 5 3
Luggage compartments ...... 21
Maintenance record.D 7
Manual Transmission. 16
Manual Transmission oil .51
Oil pressure warning light.12
Bear seat removing and installing . 45
Rear view mirrors 14
Rear window defogger. 14
Safety belts. 6
Seats . 5
Sliding roof . .... 25
Spare wheel.. . . 33
Spark plugs, cleaning and replacing 49
Speedometer with fuel gauge
and warning lights ... .12
Starting hints.20
Sun visors. 15
Before getting behind the wheel:
1 - Make sure that the tires are inflated
correctly.
2- W atch 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 tights are functioning
properly
6- Check turn signal lamps and Indica¬
tor light (ignition on).
In the driver s seat:
1 - Position seat properly tor easy reach
of control b.
2 - Adjust inside and outside mirrors for
unobstructed rear view.
3 - Fasten safety belts
4-Check brake warning light when
starting the engine
5 - Check brake operation
6-Make sure that all doors are closed
securely and locked
page
Technical data .60
Tires. 32
Towing and trailer hauling . ... 30
Transmission oil grades 55
Troubleshooting. 5 6
Turn signal/headlight
dimmer switch lever. 13
V-belt adiustmg or replacing ... 48
Vehicle identification. 3
Ventilation . ... 24
Warranty . ..VII
Windows . 5
Windshield washer fluid container 39
Windshield wiper/washer lever . . 13
Winter operation.31
V
And when you are on the highway:
1 - Always drive defensively Expect the
unexpected
2 - Use signals to indicate turns and lane
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
and inclement weather.
6- Observe speed limits and obey high¬
way signs.
7 - When tired, get off the highway, stop
and 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. Sot
the emergency flasher and use road
flares or other warning devices to
warn other motorists
1

TYPE PASSENGER CAR
MANUFACTURED BY VOLKSWAGENWERK AG (month/year)
THBVEHCLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR
VEHCLE SAFETY STANDARDS^ EFFECT ON THE DATE OF MANU¬
FACTURE SHOWN ABOVE
GVWR LB. OOOO (chassis number)
GAWR LB. FRONT 0000/REAR 0000
This sticker is your assurance that your
1973 Volkswagen complies with all U S.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
which were in effect at the time the
vehicle was manufactured. You can find
this sticker on the left doorjamb.
The sticker also shows the month and
year of production and the chassis num¬
ber of your car (perforation) as well as
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and ihe
Gross Axle Weight Rating
2
Vehicle Identification
The identification plate
is the birth certificate'' of your Volks¬
wagen It is located under the Iront hood
next to the hood lock.
On the Volkswagen Sedan 111. the plate
can be found in the spare wheel well.
The chassis number
is also located on the instrument panel
on the dnver'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 stolon vehicles.
The engine number
is stamped on the generator support
flange.
The plate shows such information as The chassis number is also stamped on
manufacturer s name, place of origin, the frame tunnel under the rear seat
model, weights and ‘Fahrgest.-Nr.'*.
which is the chassis number of your car.
3
SOT

Keys Doors
Your Volkswagen comes with two sets of
keys:
The key with the elongated head is for
the doors and the ignition/stoering lock
The key with the round head >s for the
glove compartment only The glove com¬
partment of the VW Sedan 111 does not
have a lock
It 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.
Since your Volkswagen is almost air tight
it will bo easier to close the door if you
open a window slightly
The locking lever on the VW Convertible
looks like this
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.
II is a good idea to keep a record of your
key numbers in your wallet together with
your license, if you should lose a key
your Authorized VW Dealer will thus be
able to quickly secure a replacement key
for you
Windows
We recommend you do not put decals or
other signs on the windows of your car
that will interfere with the driver s vision.
You can lower and raise the windows in
the front doors by means of winders. We
cushioned Ihe knobs for your safely
To open the vent window, turn knob into
driving direction, move locking lever
forward and push out window
To make closing ihe vent window easier,
we suggest you first push on the forward
pari of the vent window so that it tits
snugly against the weatherstripping
Then grasp the knob, and move the lever
back lo lock it in place
Always drive with locked doors to pre¬
vent inadvertent opening of a door from
the inside, especially with smaller chil¬
dren in the car.
To lock and unlock doors from the
oulsida
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
ihe 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 ms»de door handle
Seats
We recommend you do not adfusl Ihe
driver's seat while driving. Your seat may
suddenly }erk forward or backward,
which could result in loss of control.
Your Volkswagen has adjustable front
seats with built-in headrests
Seat adjustment
To move the seal forward and backward
pull ihe lever on ihe inboard side of the
seat. Now slide ihe seat to Ihe desired
position. Let the lever go. and move the
seat slightly back and forth to make Sure
it is securely engaged

Safety belts
Backrest adjustment
To adjust the backrest, lift the lever at
the outooard side of the seat cushion
as you exert slight body pressure In the
direction desired Lei the lever go lo
lock the backrest in position.
We have installed a lock on the side ot
the backrest
You can disengage this lock by pulling
up the lever. Tilt the backrest forward
and out of the way for easy access to the
rear seal and rear luggage compartment.
6
A shoulder belt should not be worn by a
person less than 4 7 In height, because
H would not be In its most protective
position, and therefore may increase the
possibility of injury in a collision.
To fasten your tap/shoulder belt, grasp
the ben tongue and pull the belt in a con¬
tinuous slow motion across your chest
and lap. Insert the belt tongue into the
corresponding anchor housing on the
center tunnel and push down until it Is
securely locked with an audible click.
Belts should not be worn twisted.
To unfasten the belt, push in the release
marked PRESS on the corresponding
anchor housing The belt tongue will
spring out of the anchor housing.
To store the lap/shoulder belt, guide the
belt tongue to its stowed position behind
the assist strap on the door post. For the
passengers comfort, the retracting
forces of the belt are relatively low and
winding up of the belt may be slow Make
sure the bell is fully wound up on the
retractor.
A safety belt is provided for each sealing
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.
Safety belts that were subjected to ex¬
cessive stretch forces during an accident
should be replaced
An audio-visual warning system for the
front seats will remind the driver and
from passenger to put on their safety
bells The buzzer will sound and the
FASTEN SEAT BELTS sign on the dash¬
board will light up as soon as a gear is
engaged. The warning system will also
be activated «f the passenger in the front
passenger scat is not wearing a safety
bell.
Make sure the bell of the unoccupied
passenger seat is fully wound up on its
retractor so that the belt tongue is in
its stowed position behind the assist
strap on the doorpost This reduces the
possibility of its becoming a striking
obiecl m case of a sudden stop.
Do not strap in more than one person in
each belt
Safety belts for rear seats
The rear seats are equipped with lap
belts with an automatic retractor. If you
have pulled out too much of the belt,
the retracting mechanism will take up
the slack until the belt fits snugly
across your lap and will stay locked In
this position.
Safety belts for front seats
The front seats are equipped with lap/
shoulder belts with an automatic locking
retractor. The bell adjusts automatically
to your size and movements as long as
the pull on the belt is slow. A sudden
motion locks the belt The automatic
locking mechanism in tne retractor will
also lock the belt when driving down a
sleep hill or in a curve, and when the
car's speed is reduced
To fasten your lap belt, grasp the belt
longue on the outboard side of the seat,
and pull it across your lap and Insert the
longue in the inboard buckle. Push in
until you hear a click to be sure the belt
is locked securely.
To unfasten the belt, push in tne release
marked PRESS in the buckle
To store the belt, guide the belt tongue
to the retractor Make sure the belt is
fully wound up on the retractor Bell
tongue and buckle should always be
kepi on top of the seat for ready use. Do
not permit them to get caught under the
seat
Belt care
Keep safely belts clean. If cleaning is
necessary, wash them with a mild soap
solution, without removing them from
the car.
Do not allow the belts to retract until
they are completely dry.
Do not bleach or dye safely belts Do not
use any other cleaning agents. They
may weaken the webbing.
Check buckles and retractors for proper
function Check bell webbing and bind¬
ings for damage.
7

Instrument panel
vw 111
1 -Vents lor heating/defrost mg (there are 3) . ... 23
2 - Vents lor heating/defrostmg and fresh air ventilation
{there is a pair on each side).23/25
3- Brake warning light.11
4 - Headlight switch.11
5 - Speedometer dial wilh fuel gauge and warning lights 12
6-Safety belt warning light. 6
7 - Plate ovor radio aperture
8 - Glove compartment . . .20
9-Turn signal and headlight dimmer switch lever .13
10-Windshield wiper/washer lever .13
6
11 - Fresh air control knobs (2).. . 25
12- Fuse box. 4 1
13- Ignition/steering lock .10
14- Horn
15 - Control knob tor Auxiliary Heater
(optional equipment).27
16- Ashtray .15
17- Emergency flasher swilch.10
16 - Spot light to illuminate the heater levers between
the front seats. 22
VW 113 and Convertible
1 - Vent for heatmg/defrostmg and fresh air ventilation
lover the full width of the windshield).22
2 - Vents for heating/defrosting and fresh air ventilation
for the front side windows (there is one on each side) 23
3 - Speedometer dial with fuel gauge and warning lights 12
4- Venls for fresh air venlllaiion (2) . 24
5- H eadlight switch. 11
6- I nstrument illumination.11
7 - Brake warning light. 11
8 - Safety belt warning light. 6
9- Control switch for Auxiliary Heater
(optional equipment).27
10 - Switch for rear window defogger
(VW Sedan 113 only). 14
11 - Emergency flasher switch.10
12 - Plate over radio aperture
13-Glove compartment, lockable .20
14 - Loudspeaker grille
15 - Turn signal and headlight dimmer switch lever . 13
16- Windshield wiper/washer lever.13
17- Horn
18 - Ignition/steering lock. 1 0
19 -Knob for fresh air fan.24
20 - Fresh air control knobs (2).24
21 - Spot light to illuminate the heater levers between
the front seats.22
22-Ashtray.15
9

Ignition/steering lock
The steering is equipped with an anti¬
theft igmlion lock.
Fasten safety belts. Make sure the gear¬
shift lever Is in Neutral before turning the
ignition key.
1 - Ignition off/steering locked.
Insert the key. If it is difficult to turn
the key. gently move the steenng
wheel until the key turns freely.
2 - Ignition on/steering free (for towing)
3- Starter engages.
The key returns to position 2 as soon
as it Is released Never operate the
starter longer than a few seconds. If
the engine should fail lo start, turn
the key back to position 1 and repeat
the starting procedure More on start¬
ing on page 20
To remove the key and to lock the steer¬
ing. turn the key back to position 1 and
pull it out Turn the steering wheel until
it locks.
The steering column will lock when you
remove the key. Therefore OO NOT
REMOVE the key while you are driving
or as the car is rolling to a slop.
10
It you leavo the key in the ignition/steer¬
ing lock, the buzzer will sound when the
driver's door is opened. This is your
reminder to remove the key.
Emergency flasher switch
VW 113 A ■ VW111:
l_i ^'
If your car is disabled or parked under
emergency conditions, depress the
lower half ol the rocker switch (VW 111
pull out the knob) to make all four turn
signals flash simultaneously. The warn¬
ing light in the switch or knob flashes,
loo.
When the headlight switch is operated,
the emergency flasher switch or knob
glows with reduced brightness for easy
recognition in the dark When the emer¬
gency flasher is not In operation, the
brightness of the light can be regulated
together with the instrument panel lights
(see instrument illumination) The light
has full brightness when the emergency
flasher system is m operation.
Move the car well oil the road when
stalled or stopped lor repairs.
Brake warning light
Your Volkswagen is equipped with a dual
circuit brake system. Both circuits, one
for the front brakes and one tor the rear
brakes, can function independently.
If the brake warning light lights up when
you apply the brakos while driving, one
of the two brake circuits may have failed.
The other brake circuit will still operate
but a longer distance and greeter pedal
pressure are required to bring the car to
a halt.
Pull off the road and slop
Try out the effectiveness of the brakes
by carefully starting and stopping on the
road shoulder
If you judge that the brakes operate
safely enough to take you to the nearest
dealer, proceed cautiously and at low
speed. If you do not feel it is safe to con¬
tinue. have your car towed to the nearest
dealer lor repair.
Proper functioning ol brake warning light
The brake warning light will light up when
the ignition is turned on It will go out
after the engine has been started This is
your assurance that the brake warning
light functions properly
If the brake warning light does not light
up when turning on the ignition, or if it
does not go out after starting, there may
be a defect in the electrical system. If
this is the case, contact your Authorized
VW Dealer
In some VW 111 models, chocking of the
Drake warning light is accomplished as
follows: Depress the brake warning light
after turning the ignition on. If the knob
does not light up. contact your nearest
VW Dealer
Headlight switch - VW 113 : r
I 1
Depress the rocker switch to the first
stop to turn on the parking and side
marker, license plate tail and instrument
lights, emergency flasher light, spot light
for the heater levers and the light in the
TEMP-switch for the optional Auxiliary
Heater.
Depress the switch to the second stop
to turn on the headlights (ignition on).
Instrument illumination - VW 113
Turn the thumb wheel next to the rocker
switch to ad|ust the brightness of the
Instrument lights and Ihe heater lever
spot light
Headlight switch - VW 111
Pull the knob to the first stop to turn on
the parking and side marker, license
plate, tail and instrument lights, emer¬
gency flasher light, spot light for the
heater levers and the light in the TEMP-
switch tor the optional Auxiliary Heater
Pull the knob to the second stop to turn
on the headlights (ignition on).
Instrument Illumination - VW 111
Adjust the brightness of the instrument
lights and Ihe heater lover spot light by
turning Ihe headlight switch knob
Note
To preserve the battery, the headlights
will go out automatically when the
ignition is turned ofl or when Ihe engine
is started.
11

Speedometer dial
The speedometer indicates the speed,
the odometer records the miles driven.
The last digit in red indicates 1/10 of a
mile.
The following warning lights are in the
speedometer dial
a-red
©
alternator
b - green
o
turn signals
c- red
OIL
oil pressure
d - blue
=D
high beam
Fuel gauge
It is located in the speedometer dial, and
only indicates the fuel level when the
igmuon is turned on.
When the needle i$ on ' R". there is a
reserve of about 1 gallon of fuel left in
your tank . . time to refuel al the next
gas Btation.
The red warning lights for alternator and
oil pressure In the speedometer dial will
light up when the ignition is turned on.
They should go out after you have started
the engine
12
a - Alternator warning light (Q)
Slop at once ...
if the alternator warning light comes on
while you are driving
Turn the engine oft!
Check first whether the V-belt is slipping
or broken. The V-belt not only drives
the alternator but also the fan that cools
the engine
Tighten or replace the belt.
abed
c — Oil pressure warning
light 0|L
Stop at once ...
if the oil pressure warning light comes on
while you are driving.
Turn the engine off!
Check the oil level to make sure you
have enough oil. If the oil level is normal,
do not drive on but contact your nearest
Authorized VW Dealer.
An occasional flickering of tho oil pres¬
sure warning light when the engine is
idling after a long high-speed trip is no
cause lor concern if the light goes out
upon acceleration.
Whenever stalled or stopped for repair,
move the car well off the road. Turn on
the emergency flasher and mark the car
with road flares or other warning devices.
Before working on any pari In the engine
compartment, turn the engine oft and
wait untM the engine has cooled down
sufficiently.
Turn slgnal/headllght dimmer switch
lever and windshield wiper/washer
lever
There are two levers just behind the
steering wheel
The lever on the left side is for the turn
signal/headlight dimmer switch.
The lever on the right side is for the
windshield wiper/washer system
The turn signals and the windshield
wipers only work with the ignition on.
Turn signals
Lever up - right turn signal
Lever down - left turn signal
The green turn signal indicator light
comes on in the speedometer dial when
you operate the lever.
The turn signals are cancelled automati¬
cally when you have completed a turn
(like driving around a corner), and the
steering wheel returns to the straight¬
ahead position.
If a turn signal i$ defective, the control
light flashes at about twice the normal
frequency. Have your Authonzed VW
Dealer check and repair it for you.
Lane changer
To indicate your intention when chang¬
ing lanes on expressways slightly lift
or depress the lever to an intermediate
position The lever will return to the OFF
position when released
Headlight dimmer
Dim the headlights by pulling the lever
toward the steering wheel. The blue indi¬
cator light In the speedometer dial will
light up whon the high beams are on.
Windshield wipers NA/I PE
The windshield wiping system operates
at two speeds low and high.
Lifting lever to first stop - low speed
Lifting lever lo second stop - high speed
If you iust slightly lift the lever before
reaching the first stop, the wipers will
wipe as long as the lever is held in this
position and come to a stop when re¬
leased
To give you full battery power while
starting the engine, operating windshield
wipers will stop automatically at this
moment.
Windshield washer
<4? WASH
To spray washer fluid on the windshield,
pull the lever toward the steering wheel
You can operate the washer from any
selected wiping position.
Avoid running the wiper blades over a
dry windshield .. you may scratch the
glass. Spray washer fluid on it first.
13

Rear view mirrors
Rear window defogger
(VW Sedan 113 only)
The rear window defogger - together
with the flow-through ventilation - will
help to keep fhe ins«de of the rear win¬
dow clear of condensation and fro9t in
the winter.
Turn the ignition on first before you
switch on the rear window defogger.
To give you full battery power while
starting the engine, the operating rear
window defogger will turn off auto¬
matically at this moment
After the rear window has been cleared,
switch off the rear window defogger to
avoid an unnecessary drain on the bat¬
tery
Depress the rocker switch to turn on the
rear window defogger. The green control
lamp in the switch will light up to remind
you that the defogger is switched on.
Be careful when removing objects from
the luggage compartment behind the
rear seat. Sharp edges may damage the
defogger in the rear window.
14
Assist straps and coat hooks
There is one assist strap and one coat
hook on each side on the door post.
Hang clothes in such a way that they do
not Impair the driver's vision.
Interior light
The switch positions are
Up - ON |with doors open)
Center - OFF
Down - ON (with doors closed)
On the VW Convertible, the light and light
switch are on the mirror bracket.
The switch positions are
Left - ON (with doors open)
Center - OFF
Right -ON (with doors closed)
Adjust the outside and inside mirrors
before driving off II is imporlant for safe
driving that you havo good vision to the
rear
Outside mirror
The outside mirror is hinged and folds
flat against the car when struck from
either direction
Inside day-night mirror (except VW 111)
You can move the day-night mirror from
clear daylight visibility to non-glare visi¬
bility at night by adiustmg the lever up¬
ward or downward at the bottom of the
mirror.
Ashtrays
From ashtray
Pull to open the ashtray in the instrument
panel To remove the tray, depress the
leaf spring which you see just beneath
the top cover Now pull out the tray
To put it back in. fold the top cover down.
Insert the tray in the guide rails and push
in with the heel of your hand
Rear ashtray
To remove the ashtray in the rear
passenger compartment, press down on
the tray and pull out To reinstall, just
push the ashtray back in again
Sun visors
To protect the driver from side glare, the
sun visor on the driver s side can be
moved toward the door window after
lifting it out of its center mounting. The
sun visor on the passenger s side cannot
be moved toward the side.
15

Controls tor Manual Transmission
1 - Clulch pedal
Always depress the clutch pedal fully
when changing gears Do not hold the
car on a steep hill with the clutch pedal
partially depressed. This may cause pre¬
mature wear or damage
2 - Brake pedal
Make it a habit to check the operation of
your brakes. You will remember from
page i 1 that the brake warning light will
alert you if one brake circuit may have
tailed.
Make sure that the movement of the
brako pedal is not obstructed by a floor
mat or any other object.
Volkswagen automobiles have excellent
brakes, but they are still subject to wear
depending on how the brakes are
used If you find that me brake pedal
travel has increased, have the brakes
adjusted, if necessary, between the spe¬
cified maintenance intervals
Keep in mind that the braking distance
increases very rapidly as the speed in¬
creases At 60 mph, for example, it is not
twice but tour times longer than at
30 mph Tire traction is also less effec¬
tive when tne roads are wet and slippery
Therefore, always maintain a safe
distance
16
Driving through deep water may reduce
tire traction. Moisture on the brakes may
also affect braking afficiency. Cautiously
apply the brakes for a tast. If you notice
a lag In the braking action, the brakes
may be wet. They will dry after you have
applied the brakes a few times, but do it
very cautiously.
Brake linings may not have the highest
possible braking efficiency when new
Therefore allow for longer braking
distance during me initial 100 to 150
miles This also applies when brake
shoes are renewed
3 - Accelerator pedal
For good fuel economy we recommend
smooth and even acceleration
Very fast, racy driving, alternating be¬
tween full throttle and hard braking,
raises the fuel consumption consider¬
ably. Also, tires and brake linings wear
faster.
You can drive most economically be¬
tween.
12 and 28 mph in 2nd gear
22 and 44 mph in 3rd gear
31 and 62 mph in 4th gear
4 - Gearshift lever
The Manual Transmission is fully syn¬
chronized. The four forward gears and a
reverse gear are arranged as illustrated.
The shift pattern is also shown on me
instrument panel below me speedo¬
meter. On the VW 111, the shift pattern is
on Ihe lace of the ashtray under the
dashboard.
Resting your hand on the shift lever knob
while driving will cause premature wear
to the transmission.
Speed ranges
You can drive your Volkswagen at full
speed from fhe first day. You do not have
a break-in schedule. There are. however.
certain recommended speed ranges lor
the various gears
1 st gear 0-16 mph
2nd 12-34 mph
3rd gear 22-56 mph
4th gear from 31 mph up
If you have a traffic situation where it is
necessary for you to overtake rapidly,
you can accelerate, for a brief period
only, up to
37 mph in 2nd gear
62 mph in 3rd gear
Reverse
Only shift into Reverse when the car is
not moving. To engage Ihe reverse gear,
press Ihe lever down move it to the left
and pull back.
The back-up lights go on automatically
when you engage the reverse gear (with
Ihe ignition on).
5 - Parking brake lever
To set the parking brake, press In the
reloase button at the end of the lever as
you pull up the lever. The parking Drake
is engaged as soon as you release the
button on the raised lever.
To release the parking brake, pull the
lever slightly up as you depress the
release button. Then push the lever all
the way down
Be sure It is fully released. A partially
engaged parking brake promotes wear
of the brake lining.
Do not remove the key from Ihe steering
lock wMIe the car is rolling to a stop.
The steering column is lockod as soon as
you remove the key. Take out the key
only after the car is parked.
Always set the parking brako when park¬
ing your car On sleep hills also turn the
wheels toward the curb.
17

VW Automatic Stick Shift
At first glance
you will notice the lack of a clutch pedal.
Driving with the Automatic Stick Shift is
simpler and shifting is easier We sug¬
gest you carefully read the following in¬
structions to familiarize yourself with the
operation of the transmission.
The Automatic SUcfc Shift
transmission consists of a torque con¬
verter. a power-operated clutch for shift¬
ing. and a mechanical three speed
transmission. The torque converter mul¬
tiplies the torque produced by the engine
and allows the vehicle to bo driven with
very little shifting - usually two driving
ranges will be used. It automatically
changes the torque from the engine in an
infinitely variable ratio according to driv¬
ing conditions. Since the torque con-
18
Reverse
Engage the reverse gear only when the
car is not moving Depress the selector
lever first to overcome a safety catch
before shifting into Reverse The back¬
up lights go on automatically when the
reverse gear is engaged (with the
ignition on).
Moving off
With the parking brake set. move the
selector lover to Neutral and start the
engine Shift into the range you wish to
use. normally Range 1 After shifting be
sure to remove your hand from Ihe lever
to allow the clutch to engage To move
off. release the brake and accelerate.
Do not release the brake before you arc
prepared to move, because power is
transmitted to the wheels as soon as a
gear is engaged
Shitting
is easy Simply release the accelerator
pedal and move the gearshift lever from
the range you are into the range you
want, remove your hand from the gear¬
shift lever, and again step on the accele¬
rator.
For easier selection of the driving ranges
1 and 2 which are used most, the gear¬
verler is a fluid coupling, it also permits
stopping the vehicle with an engaged
gear while Ihe engine is running The
clutch interrupts the flow of power from
the engine to permit the gears in the
transmission to be shifted. Bocause the
power-operated clutch Is actuated by
the first alight movement ot the gearshift
fever, there is no need tor a clutch pedaf.
Driving ranges
With the lever mounted on the frame
tunnel you can select three forward drive
ranges and one reverse. The neutral
position N is botween all gears In the
H-pattern
Neutral
is the only range in which you can start
the engine. In this position, the power
flow to the rear wheels is interrupted.
It should be used when the car is
standing at Idle, with the parking brake
engaged.
From the Neutral position you select the
desired drive range.
shift lever always stays on the right side
when in Neutral, as shown in the illustra¬
tion.
Stopping
Release the accelerator and apply the
foot brake If you are going to start off
again in another range, you may shill
into the new range while the vehicle «$
standing still, but if you remain in a driv¬
ing range apply the foot or parking brake
to prevent the vehicle from creeping.
Do not remove the key from the ignition/
steering lock until you have parked the
car. because removal of the key locks
the steering.
Driving Range 1
is for starting off and accelerating It
covers the speed range from 0-53 mph.
Always use this range first before shifting
into Range 2. Range 1 is also recom¬
mended for use In city traffic, slow
moving lines of vehicles, and whenever
maximum acceleration is required for
passing. It the lever is m Range 2. you
may downshift into Range 1 at any speed
under 53 mph
Driving Range 2
Always use Range 1 first before shifting
into Range 2. Range 2 should normally
be used for highway driving. It is the only
range thai can be used for speeds above
53 mph. You may shift into Range 1 at
any speed under 53 mph
Low Range
Shift into Low when you want to get the
car moving up steep hills, especially
when carrying a heavy load or when
towing, and when driving down a steep
hill or parking in tight spaces.
When parking your car. apply the park¬
ing brake and turn the wheels toward
the curb
If you like quiet, smooth driving.
which saves fuel, we recommend lhat
you shift to Range 2 at about 20 to
25 mph.
If you went maximum acceleration
you can stay in Range 1 right up to
53 mph and then shift Into Range 2.
Naturally, this will use more fuel.
Keep in mind ...
1 - When starting off. shift into a driving
range before releasing the parking
brake
2 - After shifting, remove your hand from
the selector lever
3 - When idling for an extended period
of time, shift into Neutral and apply
the parking brake When stopped in
traffic, apply either the parking or
foot brake to prevent creeping.
4-When parking apply the parking
brake. On hills, also turn the wheels
toward the curb
19

Starting hints
Never start or let the engine run in an
enclosed unventilated area. Exhaust
fumes from the engine contain carbon
monoxide which is colorless and odor¬
less. Carbon monoxide, however, is a
very harmful gas. and can be fatal If
inhaled.
Before turning the ignition koy. make
sure ihe gearshift lever is in Neutral. The
Automatic Stick Shift can bo started in
Neutral only
As soon as the engine starts, release the
ignition key
If the ongme does not start the first time
or stalls, turn the ignition key all the way
to the left and restan
Operate the starter for a few seconds
only.
Summer starling
Operate the starter while slowly depres¬
sing the accelerator pedal
Winter starting
First depress the accelerator pedal fully
and release slowly to activate the auto¬
matic choke Then start the engine.
20
Luggage compartments
Your VW has two luggage compart¬
ments. one under the front hood, and the
other behind the roar seal.
Front luggage compartment
To unlock the front hood, pull the re¬
lease lever inside the glove compart¬
ment See previous page.
Now open the front hood by depressing
the release button in the hood handle
To lock the front hood, lower the hood
and press the handle down firmly Do
not press on one side of the hood Make
sure the hood is securely locked
On Ihe Manual Transmission, also de¬
press the clutch pedal when starting so
that the starter only has to crank the
engine.
Oo not try to warm up the engine by
letting it idle with the car stationary ..
drive off immediately and maintain mo¬
derate speed until the engine is warm
Starting Ihe engine at operating
temperature
Before operating the starter, depress
the accelerator pedal fully . do not
release it. Now start.
Since improper weight distribution can
affect the car handling, take advantage
of the two luggage compartments. Load
the front luggage compartment first,
using Ihe heaviest pieces of luggago. if
possible.
Rear luggage compartment
Additional luggage can be stored In the
space behind the rear seat You can ex¬
pand this luggage area by folding the
backrest down and fastening it in this
position.
To release the backrest, pull the strap on
the left, as seen in driving direction
When you fold the backrest back, it locks
automatically in its place
Glove compartment
To open - Turn knob to the left
To close - Press door, lock
engages
To lock or unlock - Turn key to nght
(except VW 111) or left
Inside the glove compartment is the
release lever for the front hood. A locked
glove compartment prevents access to
Ihe luggage compartment and the spare
wheel.
To hold the backrest in the folded-down
position, hook the retaining strap (on
the back of the backrest) under the seat
rail.
To adjust the length of the strap, unhook
the strap and move the slide
A - to lengthen the strap
B - to shorten the strap
21

Articles stored in the luggage area be¬
hind the rear seat can be concealed from
the outside view by a cover. This cover is
attached with hinges to the backrest.
To make use of the cover, release the
backrest and fold it forward Lift the
cover up. Then move backrest and cover
back. The cover will rest on the edge
below the rear window Press the back¬
rest back to lock it in place.
We recommend you do not place articles
on the cover. Such items may become
dangerous projectiles when dislodged
during a sudden stop. They may also
reduce the driver's vision to the rear.
22
Heater/Defroster
A fresh a«r heater/defroster is standard
equipment on your Volkswagen. The
control levers are located on the tunnel
between the front seats The heater lever
spot light will illuminate the levers when
the parking or headlights are turned on
The bnghmess of the 9pot light and
instrument illumination can be adjusted
by turning the thumb wheel (VW lit
light switch knob) See page 11
1 a - Heater temperature lever(TEMP)
The lever toward the passenger s seat
controls the temperature level
Lever up - heal on fully
Lever down - heat off
By setting it at any intermediate position.
you can select the degree of heat that is
most comfortable for you
After a reasonable warm-up time, which
also depends on the speed of the car.
warm air will enter the car s intenor
through the windshield vent -1 the
side window vents - 2 and outlets in
the tront and rear tootweiis.
In the VW 111 . warm air will enter the
car s interior through the three wind¬
shield vents - 1 the heater/defroster
vents - 2 a- below the windshield and
outlets in the front and rear tootweiis
Footwell outlets
There are tour footwell outlets, two in
the front and two In the rear. The front
outlets are located just beneath the
doors, the rear outlets are under the
rear seat. Front and rear footwells are
opened and closed with the heat distri¬
bution lever-lb-.
1b-Heat distribution lever for front
and rear footwells (DEF-HEAT)
With the lever on the tunnel next to the
driver’s seat you can control the dis¬
tribution of heal to the front and rear
footwells.
Lever down - front and rear footwells
closed
Lever up - front and rear footwells
fully open
You can select any intermediate position
to regulate the distribution of heat to the
tront and rear tootweiis.
2 - Defroster vents lor front side
windows
(except VW 111)
Volume and direction of the air coming
from the outlets on me dashboard can
be controlled separately by adjusting
the flaps in the outlets. They can be
opened or closed by pressing against
one side of the flaps When the flaps are
closed, the entire volume of warm air
flows through the vent at the windshield
(- 1 -).
Hints for defogging and defrosting
Detogging and defrosting your wind¬
shield will be more effective if you direct
the total air flow toward the windshield.
Here is what to do:
1 . Heater temperature lever - la- all the
way up (TEMP) - heat is on.
2. Heat distribution lever -1b- all Ihe
way down (DEF) - no heat to the tronl
and rear footwells.
3. For side window detoggmg/dcfrostmg
turn the flaps in vents - 2 - to the side
- a«r toward the tront side windows.
To Increase the fresh air flow, turn the
left fresh air knob - 20 - to the left (see
page 36) and turn on the fresh air fan
-19—.
Now all air is directed toward the wind¬
shield and tront side windows.
In the VW ill. follow the above steps 1.
and 2. In addition, set the levers In the
vents - 2 a- below the windshield
straight up. Turn the fresh a*r knobs
-11 - (see page 25) to the left to in¬
crease the air flow - now all air is direct¬
ed toward the windshield.
VW111
23

Ventilation
Flow-through ventilation provides a con¬
tinuous draft-free exchange of air while
driving Air enters the car through the
grille on the front hood and inside vent9
A water separator prevents ram from
entering
The air in tne passenger compartment is
drawn out through inside openings near
the rear window and escapes to the out¬
side through louvers.
A two-speed electric fan (except VW111)
behind the instrument panel increases
the flow of air when driving at low speeds
and also supplies fresh air when the car
is standing still (ignition on).
VW 113
20 - Fresh air knobs
You can regulate the volume and distri¬
bution of fresh air with the two knobs.
Left knob - turn to left
Air flow to windshield vent -1- and side
window vents -2- increases
24
VW111
11 - Fresh air control knobs
You can regulate the volume of fresh air
for each side separately by turning the
knobs.
Turn left - air flow increases
Turn right - air flow decreases
To stop the air flow completely, turn the
knobs to the right beyond the pressure
point.
Right knob - turn to left
Air flow toward passenger compartment
increases (vents - 4 -). The vanes in the
vents can be adjusted upward, down¬
ward or sideways
To decrease the air flow, turn the knobs
to the right
To stop the air flow completely, turn the
knob to the right beyond the pressure
point.
19-Fresh air fan
You can increase the regular air flow by
turning on the two-speed fan
The switch positions arc:
2a and 2b - Fresh air vents
Fresh air comes out through a pair of
vents on each 9ide.
Each upper vent has a lever. When the
lever is in the straight-up position the air
is directed toward the windshield. In the
down position (move lever to the nght),
the air is directed into Ihe passenger
compartment. Air will flow in bolh direc¬
tions when you select an intermediate
position.
0 -off
I - low speed
II- high speed
The fan operation is most effective if you
have opened the fresh air vents by turn¬
ing the fresh air knobs all the way to the
left.
To give you full battery power while
starling the engine, the operating fresh
air fan will stop automatically at this
moment
Sliding roof
(optional on the VW 113)
We call the VW with a sliding roof Ihe
VW Sunroof.
To open the sliding roof, pull the handle
out and turn it counterclockwise, to
close the sliding roof, turn the handle
clockwise. The sliding roof is locked in
any open position.
For safety reasons, fold the handle back
into Its recess as shown in the illus¬
tration
VW111
25

Convertible top
The convertible lop should never be
opened or closed while Iho car is in
motion.
How to open the convertible top
The lop should bo dry bolore you open It.
1 - First release the locking levers on
the sides above the windshield and
fold the top back
2 - Press down the top to engage the
locking catches -1 - on both sides.
Make sure the padding does not gel
caught under the fold down stop
-2-or in the linkage.
3 - How take the covering boot (a sepa¬
rate cover that comes with every now
VW Convertible) and slide it over the
folded-down top Tuck in the sides
Fasten all 9napa and rubber straps of
the boot securely to the body.
How to close the convertible top
1 - The top should be dry before closing
it. First take off the boot and turn
down the rear windows Press the top
down lightly to disengage the locking
26
VW Auxiliary Heater (optional equipment)
Do not start or let the engine or heater
run in an enclosed, unventilated area to
warm up the car. Exhaust fumes from the
engine or gasoline healer contain car¬
bon monoxide, which is colorless and
odorless Carbon monoxide, however, is
a very harmful gas. and may be fatal
H inhaled.
To switch the heater on, depress the
lower half of the rocker switch (VW 111:
pull out the knob) This lights up a green
indicator light in the rocker switch or
m the knob.
The indicator light will also glow when
the headlight switch is operated while
the Heater is not m operation. This
feature has been provided tor easy
recognition of the switch or knob in the
dark.
To avoid an unnecessary dram on the
battery, switch the heater off after about
25- 30 minutes if the engine has not been
started in the meantime.
A heat limit switch will turn the heater off
periodically. The heater will come on
again automatically within 3 minutes
To switch the heater olt. press on the
upper half of the rocker switch <VW 111
push the knob in) The indicator light
then goes out but the blower motor con¬
tinues to run until the heater has cooled
down.
The heater must be switched off when
filling the fuel tank.
When it is very cold, the full battery capa¬
city is required to start the engine. To
catches on both sides Fold the top
up and toward the front
2 - From inside the car. grasp both levers
and pull the top forward until the pins
enter the guide holes on the wind¬
shield frame.
3 - Engage the hooks at the end of the
lever Into the grasping brackets
above the windshield frame Now
lock the lop lightly by pushing the
levers upward
4-As a last step, open and close the
rear windows to properly position the
weatherstrips.
avoid starting difficulties, it is advisable
not to preheat the vehicle intenor under
these conditions, that is, do not switch
the heater on until the engine o running.
The heater normally requires no special
maintenance. It is advisable, however,
to have the heater plug checked once a
year before the cold weather sets in and
a new plug installed If necessary. The
fuel system should also be checked tor
cleanliness and the electrical connec¬
tions lor tightness
Dunng the winter and when driving over
very poor roads, mud or snow may tend
to accumulate In the exhaust and com¬
bustion air intake pipes. Have these
pipes checked for blockage from time
to time so that tho heater continues to
work properly
When the heater is not in use tor long
periods, for instance during the summer,
the fuel in the heater can evaporate It
is therefore advisable to operate the
heater briefly once a month when it is
not in regular use.
Heal output 8 00QBTU/h
Fuel Gasqllne from fuel tank
Fuel consumption
appr 0.7 pint/h (0 6 Imp pint/h)
Current consumption 40 watts
27

VW Air Conditioner (optional equipment)
The illustration shows a VW M3 equipped with an air conditioner. The controls and
air discharge louvers for the air conditioner in the VW 1M are arranged in a similar
way.
Operating controls
1 - Air volume switch ("FAN”)
This switch servos two functions. It turns
the air conditioning system on and off
and controls the fan speed. The Ian posi¬
tions are:
1 st position - HIGH
2 nd position - MEDIUM
3rd position - LOW
28
2 - Air temperature control (“TEMP")
By progressively lurning the control to
the hght. the desired cooling range can
be selected It is in the coldest position
When turned as far as possible to the
right.
3 and 4 - Air discharge louvers
Louvers - 3 - can be adjusted up or down
with the small knob on tho lower edge of
the louver housing. The vane in the
louver housing can be moved sideways
to direct the conditioned air flow to the
left or right. Louvers - 4 - and all louvers
on the VW 111 can be adjusted up, down
or sideways by moving the center vane
Starting the Air Conditioner
With the windows and fresh air regulator
closed, turn the air temperature control
to the desired position and select the air
volume speod desired On extremely hot
days turn the air volume to full capacity
and open a window Within a few
minutes, the hot air will be forcod out of
the car and the window can be rolled up
as cooling starts.
Adjust the air discharge louvers to the
desired position
Stopping the Air Conditioner
Turning the air volume switch to the
‘ OFF" position stops the entire air con¬
ditioning system.
When restarting a stalled engine, it is
not necessary to turn ofl the air condi¬
tioner. The current to the air conditioner
isintorruptedduring thestarting process.
Operational hints
If the car interior becomes too cold aftor
adjusting the air volume, turn the air
temperature control to the left until the
desired comfort level ist reached.
If the windows fog over on the exterior
on warm, humid days, turn the air tempe¬
rature control to the left until the win¬
dows clear up. or turn the windshield
wipers on.
If the windows fog over on the interior,
they can be quickly cleared by turning
on the air conditioner.
During highway driving set the air tem¬
perature control in approximately the
middle position.
Maintenance hints
During the winter season, it is advisable
to operate your Air Conditioner for a brief
moment every week. This will help to
keep the seals and fittings properly
lubricated.
After the winter months and before ex
tended summer usage, the air conditio¬
ner should be checked and. if necessary,
serviced by an Authorized VW Dealer
Tho condenser should be checked
periodically for cleanliness If clogged in
any area with dirt or insects, the con¬
denser should be washed down with
water.
If the condenser fins are bent, the car
should be taken to an Authorized VW
Dealer for straightening of the con¬
denser fins.
An air-conditioned Volkswagen should
only be raised on a lift that provides
adequate clearance to prevent damage
to the refrigerant hoses.
Circuit breaker
An automatic resetting circuit breaker
for the current supply of the air condi¬
tioning system is located under the rear
seat. It is connected directly to ihe
battery
Note:
When a VW Air Conditioner is installed,
the vehicle capacity weight will be
reduced accordingly (see sticker on the
inside of the glove compartment door)
29

Towing and trailer hauling
A - Towing
Your Volkswagen is equipped with two
lowmg eyes, one at the front ar>d one at
the roar. They are for emergency towing
over short distances only.
Rear
A towing eye is attached to the left rear
bumpor bracket
Front
The VW 113 and VW Convertible have a
towing eye welded to the nght-hand side
of the frame head
On the VW 111, a towing eye is welded to
the nght-hand side of the lower axle tube.
When towing your VW place the gearshift
lever In Neutral. Turn the ignition on to
be able to operate parking lights, turn
signals and stop lights. Be sure to
release the parking brake.
Always observe state laws and munlci-
pal ordinances governing towing.
30
Winter operation
Your VW has an air-cooled engine. Do
not, under any circumstances, try to in¬
fluence the engine temperature by cover¬
ing the louvers below the rear window or
in the rear hood. These louvers must
always be kept open so that air can flow
to the carburetor and the engine cooling
fan.
Battery
During the winter months, the battery is
subjected to greater use than in the
summer months More current is con¬
sumed when starting at very low tem¬
peratures Lights and the rear window
defogger are used more often. Besides,
the battery tends to decrease in capacity
as the temperature drops
Therefore, it is very important to keep
your battery in the best possible condi¬
tion. Sec also Battery" on page 40.
Do not expose battery to open flame or
electric spark as hydrogen gas gene¬
rated by the batlery Is explosive. Do not
let battery acid come in contact with
skin, eyes, fabric or painted surfaces.
A really cold battery may not have the
same capacity as a battery at normal
temperature. If you mainly drive short
distances or In city traffic, have the
battery checked and. if necessary,
charged between regular inspections.
Please keep in mind ...
The towing eyes on your Volkswagen are
not designed for towing by commercial
tow trucks. Also, never have your VW
towed by the bumper.
The driver of the towing car must be very
careful when driving off and shifting to
avoid sudden and abrupt jerks.
The driver of the towed car must always
keep the low rope taut
B - Trailer hauling
It is possible to low a trailer with your
Volkswagen
The total weight of a trailer (without
brakes) should not exceed 882 lbs The
trailer tongue load should be 55 to 88 lbs.
Distnbute load in the trailer evenly. And
remember the additional trailer weight
aflects the braking of your car so that a
longer distance is needed to bring the
car and trailer to a 9top Te9t the brakes
before starting out on a tnp with a trader
VW Automatic Stick Shift
If you plan to tow a trailer with the VW
Automatic Stick Shift, have an ATF
warning light installed on the dashboard
Door locks
can freeze in the winter if water gets into
them When washing your car in the
winter, do not aim the water |et directly
al the locks. It is a good idea to put tape
over the keyholes to prevent water
from seeping in. Water in the locks must
be removed with compressed air after¬
wards. Squirt lock de-icer, anti-froeze.
or glycerine into the lock cylinders to
prevent the locks from freezing.
To open a frozen lock, warm up the key
before inserting it. It might also help to
warm the lock. Do not use hot water as It
will later freeze m the lock.
Emergency equipment
It is good planning to carry emergency
equipment in your car. Some of the
things you should have are window
scraper, snow brush, container or bag
of 9and or salt, flares, small shovel, first-
aid kit, etc.
Engine oil
To make starting easier during the cold
winter months, we suggest you choose a
thinner grade motor oil. Turn to page 54
for the recommended od grades
by your Authorized VW Dealer
When towmg a trailer, start out In the low
driving range Always Shift to a lower
range when driving up or down steep
hills.
ATF warning light
Stop at once ...
if the ATF warning light comes on. It
indicates that the Automatic Trans¬
mission Fluid may have reached too high
a temperature. Tms may be caused by
$top-and-go traffic, mountain driving,
etc.
Stop the engine and check the ATF level
If it is not as required, do not continue
dnving. Contact your nearest Authorized
VW Dealer.
If you have enough ATF, you may con¬
tinue driving bid only In a lower driving
range. The ATF warning light should go
out after a while when the ATF has suffi¬
ciently cooled down
If the ATF warning light has come on
while driving In Low range, stop the
engine to permit the ATF to cool down
You may continue driving after the ATF
warning light has gone out.
If you drive mostly short distances and in
city traffic, we recommend you have your
engine oil changed at 1500-mile inter¬
vals In the winter.
Transmission oil
SAE 90 grade transmission oil can gene¬
rally be used all year Only in areas with
a cold climate is it necessary to use the
thinner SAE 80 transmission oil during
the winter months.
In arctic climate and areas with tempera¬
tures consistently below -13 = F. use
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) for
the manual transmission and final drive.
When the temperature rises, replace the
ATF with SAE 80 or SAE 90 grade trans¬
mission oil. See also page 55.
Windshield washer
Add anti-freeze to the washer fluid, such
as Volkswagen's Windshield Washer
Anti-Freeze & Solvent, to prevent it from
freezing. Follow the instructions on the
can for the right amount to be used.
Spark plugs
Make sure the spark plugs are not worn
or have a gap larger than 0.028 in.
For further details see page 49
31

Tires
Your Volkswagen is equipped with tube¬
less bias ply tires Volkswagen tires
comply with all applicable U S Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Tire pressures
For good car handling and long tire ser¬
vice life, it is important to maintain re¬
commended tire pressures. Tires which
are inflated above or below specifica¬
tions can cause Increased lire wear, in¬
creased gas consumption and affect the
road holding of the car
VW-recommended cold tke Inflation
pressures are listed on a sticker on the
inside of the glove compartment door.
In the interest of safety, check the tire
pressure of all tires, including the spare
tire, at least once a week, and always be¬
fore going on a long trip
For road use do not exceed the maxi¬
mum tire Inflation pressure listed on the
tire sidewall.
32
If you notice that tires are wearing
unevenly, consult your Authorized VW
Dealer. Uneven wear may not always be
due to improper wheel alignment. It can
be the result of individual driving habits
such as cornering at high speeds. If the
lire pressure is not chocked and adiusi-
ed regularly, abnormal lire wear can
also occur.
Do not drive with worn tires or tires
showing cuts or bruises as they may lead
to sudden deflation.
Tire replacement
In the interest of maximum safety and
best all-around car handling, always buy
replacement tires that show the same
specifications with regard to lire size,
design, load carrying capacity, tread
pattern, etc This also applies to VW-
recommended alternate replacement
tires.
Tire specifications are imprinted on the
sidewall of the tires. If in doubt, check
with your Authorized VW Dealer
Replace all 4 tires at the same time If
this is not possible, replace tires in pairs,
either front or rear.
New tires do not possess maximum trac¬
tion. They tend to be slippery. Break new
lires in by driving at moderate speed lor
I he first 60-tOO miles
Spare lire pressure
Since the sparo tire supplies the pres¬
sure to operate the windshield washer,
the pressure of the spare tire should be
between 29-42 psl (2.0-3.0 kg/cm*).
This pressure level is only to be main¬
tained for the operation of the windshield
washer system. For road use. the
pressure in the spare tire should oe ad¬
justed as specified on the sticker on the
inside of the glove compartment door.
See also page 34.
Tire rotation
It uneven tire wear should occur, we re¬
commend that the tires be rotated as
shown in the sketch below. Afterwards,
the tire pressures must be corrected
The wheel bolts should be torqued
diagonally to 67-94 ft. lbs. See also
page 36.
X_ )
Winter tires
Winter tires give good traction in snow or
slush
For a better grip on hard snow or ice, you
can use winter tires with studs, but check
with your State Motor Vehicle Bureau for
possible restrictions. Winter tires with
studs should be run at moderate speed
when new to give the studs time to settle.
Winter tires should preferably be mount¬
ed on all four wheels. They should also
conform to the same toad requirements
as original equipment tires.
Inflation pressures for winter tires are
listed on the slicker on the inside of the
glove compartment door. Do not exceed
the maximum tire inflation pressure
listed on the tire sidewall.
Winter tires do not fulfill their purpose if
the tread depth is less than <4 mm|.
For safety reasons, it is not advisable to
drive with winter tires at top speeds
Winter tires do not have the same degree
ot traction on dry. wet or snow-tree roads
89 regular tires
Wheel balancing
A wheel should always be balanced after
a tire repair. Also, since regular use can
cause tire imbalance, the wheels should
be balanced from time to time. Unbalan¬
ced wheels may affect car handling and
tire life.
Tire wear
The original equipment tires on your VW
have built-in tread wear indicators. They
are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves and will appear as approxima¬
tely \ft inch bands when the tire tread
depth becomes ’/jg of an inch. When the
indicators appear in two or more adja¬
cent grooves. It is time to replace the
tires We recommend, however, that you
do not let the tires wear down to this ex¬
tent. Worn tires cannot gnp the road sur¬
face properly, and are even less effective
on wet roads.
indicator visibio - tread worn
Tire care
1 - Frequently check tires for damage.
Remove Imbedded material
2 -Keep oil and gasoline away from
tires.
3 - Replace worn tires in time.
4 - Replace missing valve dust caps aB
soon as possible.
Spare wheel
The spare wheel is under the front hood.
To unlock the hood, pull the lever Inside
the glove compartment
In the VW 113. the spare wheel is stored
horizontally under the luggage compart¬
ment cover
33