Volkswagen Beetle 1977 User manual

/g\ Volkswagen
Owner'sManual Beetle
1977

Blankpage!
Allpagesofthemanualisincluded,eventheblank
insideofthecover(thispageandthesecondlast)The
actualpagenumberingstartswithpagethreebeing
pagel
Inthemiddleofthemanualtherearefourunnumbered
colorpages.Sobetweenpage34and35therearean
additional4 pages.
i
NOTE: Thisisa copyoftheoriginalOwnersManual
includedwitha newcar.Itisnota repairmanual!

VolkswagenOwner'sManual
1977Models
A
Volkswagen
Beetle Volkswagen
Convertible
VOLKSWAGENWERKAKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

FuelInjectionEnginesandCatalyticConverters
FederalandStateLawsintheUnitedStates require automobilestomeetspecificstandards.ThereforevehiclesmeetingU.S.
specifications maydifferfromvehiclesnormallymarketed In othercountrieswherenecessarysparepartsforservicingsuch
vehiclesorspecificfuelsmaynotbereadilyavailable.
Fuelinjectionengines
U.S.specificationVolkswagenmodelsequipped with fuel
injectionenginesrequirespecialservicefacilitiesandparts.
Suchfacilitiesandpartsarenotcommonlyavailableoutside
theUnitedStatesandCanada.SinceVolkswagenofAmerica,
Inc.andVolkswagenwerkAGdonotrecommendthesaleof
Volkswagenvehicleswithfuelinjectionenginesforusein
areasinwhichadequateservicefacilitiesandpartsarenot
available,UnitedStatesspecificationVolkswagenmodels
with fuelinjectionarenotnormallysoldforuseoutsidethe
UnitedStatesandCanada.
CatalyticConverters(Californiaonly)
VWmodelsbuiltforCaliforniaareequippedwitha catalytic
converterwhichisa majorelementoftheemissioncontrol
system. Suchvehiclesrequireunleadedgasolinesforthe
engine.Depositsfromleadedgasolinesandfueladditives
containingsulfur,zinc,nickelorbariumrendercatalytic
converters inoperative, andthusdefeattheirpurposeto
controlharmfulexhaustemissions.
Sinceunleadedgasolinesmaynotbeavailableoutsidethe
UnitedStatesandCanada,VolkswagenofAmerica,Inc.and
VolkswagenwerkAGdonotrecommendthesaleofVolks-
wagenvehiclesequippedwithcatalyticconvertersforuse
outsidetheUnitedStatesandCanada.
ItIs importanttokeepyournewvehicleinproperoperating
condition. If enginemalfunctionshould occur, particularly
involvingenginemisfireorothernoticeablelossofperfor-
mance,donotcontinuetooperateyourvehicle inthat cond-
itionbutprompllycontactanauthorizeddealer.Continued
operationofyourvehiclewitha severemalfunctioncould
causethecatalyticconvertertooverheat,
Aswithanyothervehicle,donotparkoroperatethisvehicleinareaswherecombustiblematerialssuchasgrassorleaves
cancomeintocontactwitha hotexhaustsystem.Undercertainconditions, Ihese materialscouldbeignitedbya hotexhaust
system.
ShouldyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheuseofU.S.specificationVolkswagenmodels,whichareequipped with fuelinjection
enginesorcatalyticconverter In a particularcountryorarea,weadvise Ihat yourequeslspecificinformationfromyour
authorizeddealer,CustomerAssistanceofVolkswagenofAmerica,Inc.orVolkswagenCanadaLtd.

ThisVolkswagenOwner'sManual acquaintsyou with theoperationofyourcar.InyourOwner'sManualyouwillalso
findinformationon fuel, lubrication, technical data, plusanexplanationofhowthe
emissioncontrolsystemworks.
ReadthismanualbeforeyoudriveyournewVolkswagen.Acquaintyourselfwithits
featuresandknowhowtooperateyourcarmoresafely. becausethemoreyou
knowaboutit.themoreyouwillenjoydrivingyourVolkswagen
TheWarrantyandMaintenance foryournewVolkswagenIsexplainedina separatebooklet.Thefirstpartofthe
WarrantyandMaintenancebookletacquaintsyouwiththeNewCarWarrantyand
theEmissionControlSystemWarranty.
ShouldyouhaveoccasiontomakeuseofyourVolkswagenWarranty,
helpfultohavetherelatedservicereceiptshandy. itisalways
Thesecondpartof Ihe WarrantyandMaintenancebookletdealswiththeVolks-
wagenComputerAnalysisandMaintenance.Itexplainshowyoucankeepyour
Volkswagenintopdrivingconditionbyhavingitservicedregularly.
Checktheservicescheduleandmileagechart in theWarrantyandMaintenance
booklet. It willtellyouwhentobringyourcartoyourAuthorizedVolkswagen
Dealerforitsperiodicoil change, computeranalysisandmaintenanceservice.
AlwayshavetheWarrantyandMaintenancebookletwithyouwhenyoutakeyour
cartoanAuthorizedVolkswagenDealerforservice...itprovidesyourService
Adviserwiththeinformationheneedsandenableshimtomakethenecessary
entriesforyou.Soyou'llhavea recordofallperformedservices.

CONTENTS
page
Acceleratorpedal 21
Aircleaner53
AirConditioner31
Alternatorwarninglight17
Ashtrays19
Assiststrapsandcoathooks20
AuxiliaryHeater30
Battery34,42
Brakefluidreservoir41
Brakes 21, 22
Brakewarninglight15
Bulbchart47
Bulbreplacing48
Catalyticconverter17.23.43
Chassisnumber7
CleaningyourVW45
Clutchpedal21
Convertibletop29
page
DearVWOwner6
Defroster25
Doors8
EGRlight17
Emergencyflasher16
EmissionControlSystem62
Enginenumber7
Engine oil. changing52
Engine oil. checking51
Engineoilgrades55
Fanbelt:adjustingorreplacing...50
Fuelgauge17
Fuelinjection2
Fuelsupply42
Fuses43
GasStationInformation66
page
.. 23
Gearshiftlever. . .
Glovecompartment
Headlightswitch16
Headrestraints10
Heater25
Heaterleverspotlight25
Ignition/steeringlock15
Instrumentillumination16
Instrumentpanel13.14
Interiorlight20
Jack37
Keys8
Lanechanger18
Licenseplatelight49
Lubricants55
Lubrication54
Luggagecompartments24

page
Oilpressurewarninglight 17
Rearseat:removingandInstalling47
Rear view mirrors20
Rearwindowdefogger19
Reverse22
Safetybelts11
bfialS. ._........ 1(J, *+{
Slidingroof28
Sparewheel36
Spark plugs cleaningandreplacing51
Speedometerwithfuelgauge
andwarninglights17
Speedranges22
Startinghints23
Sunvisors20
Technicaldata58
Tires35
page
Toolkit38
Towingandtrailerhauling33
Transmission21
Transmissionoil53
Transmissionoilgrades55
Troubleshooting56
Turnsignal/headlight
dimmerswitchlever18
V-belt adjustingorreplacing....50
VehicleIdentification7
Ventilation27
Warninglights 16.17
Wheelchanging38
Windows9
Windshieldwasherfluidcontainer.. 41
Windshieldwiper/washerlever...18
Winteroperation34
Picturesandtextinthismanualare
basedonthe1977VolkswagenBeetle.
Wherethecontrols,equipmentand tech-
nical data oftheVolkswagenConvertible
differ considerably, wewillpointthisout
inthetext.
Variousitemsshownordescribedin
themanualmaynotapplytothemodel
youhavechosen.Checkwithyour
AuthorizedVWDealeronavailable
equipment, optionsoraccessories.
IthasalwaysbeenVolkswagen'spolicy
tocontinuouslymaketechnicalImpro-
vements;therefore,therightisreserved
tomakechangesatanytimeduringthe
modelyearwithoutnotice.

DearVWOwner
Alothasgone into themanufactureof
yourVolkswagen.Includingadvanced
engineeringtechniques,rigidquality
controlanddemandinginspections.
Theengineeringandsafetyfeaturesthat
havegoneintoyourVWwillbeenhanced
by...you,
thesafedriver
-whoknowshisvehicleandallthe con-
trols,
-whomaintainshisvehicleproperly
-whouseshisdrivingskillswisely.
Becausesafedriving is importantto
you, weurgeyoutofollowthecheck
lisl shownonthispagewheneveryou
useyourVW.
Beforegettingbehindthewheel:
1 — Makesurethatthetiresareinflated
correctly.
2-Watch thetreaddepthindicatoron
thetires.Lookforbruisesandwear.
3-Seethatallwindowsarecleanand
unobstructed.
4-Check thatheadlightandtaillight
lensesareclean.
5-Check thatalllightsarefunctioning
properly.
6-Check turnsignallampsandindica-
torlight(ignitionon).
Inthedriver'sseat:
1-Positionseatproperlyforeasyreach
ofcontrols.
2- Ad]ustinsideandoutsidemirrorsfor
unobstructedrearview.
3- Fastensafetybelts.
4 —Check brakewarninglightwhen
startingtheengine.
5- Checkbrakeoperation.
6 —Make sure that alldoorsareclosed
securelyandlocked.
Andwhenyouareonthehighway:
1- Alwaysdrivedefensively.Expectthe
unexpected.
2- Usesignalstoindicateturnsandlane
changes.
3- Turnonheadlightsatdusk.
4-Follow ata safedistance.A good
ruleofthumbistoallowa minimum
ofonecarlengthforeach10 mph of
speed.
5 —Reduce speedduringnighthours
andinclementweather.
6-Observespeedlimitsandobey high-
waysigns.
7-When tired, getoffthe highway, stop
andtakea rest.
8-When stoppedorparked,alwaysset
theparkingbrake.
9-When stalledorstoppedforrepairs,
movethecarwelloffthe road. Set
theemergencyflasheranduseroad
flaresorotherwarningdevicesto
warnothermotorists.

VehicleIdentification
GVWLaI
&01WLSEKOVIIffll.WIIM"
1«t«Si£m£hOW lOOMra
f*JT*»rl
IB^il
SafetyComplianceSticker
Thisstickerisyourassurancethatyour
newVolkswagencomplieswithall
applicableFederalMotorVehicleSafety
Standardswhichwereineffectatthe
timethevehiclewasmanufactured.You
canfindthisstickerontheleftdoorjamb.
Thestickeralsoshowsthemanufac-
turer'sname,themonthandyearof
productionandthechassisnumberof
yourcar(perforation)aswellasthe
GrossVehicleWeightRatingandthe
GrossAxleWeightRating.
Thechassisnumber
islocatedontheinstrumentpanel
onthedriver'ssidesothatitisvisible
fromtheoutsidethroughthe windshield
Thisisforyourprotection...to aid in
theapprehensionofcarthievesandthe
recoveryofstolenvehicles,
Theenginenumber
isstampedonthealternatorsupport
flange.

Keys
YourVolkswagencomeswithtwosetsof
keys:
Thekeywiththeelongatedhead(A)is
forthedoorsandtheignition/steering
lock.
Thekeywiththeroundhead (B) isfor
theglovecompartmentdoorofthe
Convertible.
DonotInvitecartheft
byleavingyourcarunattendedwiththe
keyIntheignitionlock.Takethekey
with youandlockthedoors.
Abuzzer will remindyouwhenyouopen
thedriver'sdoorandthekeyisstill in the
ignitionlock.
It isa goodideatokeepa record ot your
keynumbersinyourwallettogetherwith
yourlicense.Ifyoushouldlosea key,
yourAuthorizedVWDealerwillthusbe
abletoquicklysecurea replacementkey
tor you.
Doors
Alwaysdrivewithlockeddoorstopre-
ventinadvertentopeningofa doorfrom
theinside,especiallywithsmaller chil-
dreninthecar.
Fromoutside
Opendoorsbysqueezingtrigger in outer
doorhandle(1).
Lockandunlockdoorswiththekeyby
turningthekeytotheleftorright(2),
Doorscanalsobelockedwithouta key
Firstdepresslockingknob (3), then
squeezetriggerinouterdoorhandleas
youclosedoor,

Windows Seats
If thedoor,withthelockingknobde-
pressed, closesbyitself,thelocking
knobwilldisengageautomatically.We
provided this additionalsafetyfeature
soyouwon'tbelockedoutifthedoor
shouldslamshutwhilethekeyIsstill
insidethecar.
Frominside
Lockandunlockdoorsbydepressingor
raisinglockingknob(3).
Toopen doors, pullinsidedoorhandle
(4).
SinceyourVWisalmostair-tight.Itwill
beeasiertoclosethedoorifyouopen
awindowslightly.
Werecommendyoudonotputdecalsor
othersignsonthewindowsofyourcar
thatmayinterferewiththedriver'svision.
Youcanlowerandraisethewindowsin
thedoorsbymeansofwinders.We
cushionedtheknobsforyoursafety.
Toopentheventwindow,turnknobinto
drivingdirection,movelockinglever
forwardandpushoutwindow,
Tomakeclosingtheventwindoweasier,
wesuggestyoufirstpushontheforward
pari oftheventwindowsothatitfits
snuglyagainsttheweatherstripping.
Thengraspthe knob, andmovethelever
backtolockItinplace.
Werecommendyoudonotadjustthe
driver'sseatwhiledriving.Yourseat
maysuddenlyjerkforwardorbackward,
whichcouldresultinlossofcontrol.
Seatadjustment
Tomovetheseatforwardand backward,
pullthelever(1)infrontoftheseatNow
slidetheseattothedesiredposition.Let
thelevergo,andmovetheseatslightly
backandforthtomakesureitissecurely
engaged
•.

Headrestraints
Thepaddedheadrestraintsofthefront
seatsarefullyadjustable.
Toadjustneight,pullheadrestraintup
orpushitdown(a).
Tooffermaximumsupport,theupper
edgeoftherestraintshouldbeslightly
higherthanthelevel ol youreyes.
Totiltrestraintforwardor back, grasp
it firmly withbothhandsandmoveto
desiredposition(b).
Ifyoucantouchtherestraintwithyour
headslightlytotherear,therestraintis
properlyadjusted.
Backrestadjustment
Frontseatpassengersshouldnotridein
amovingcarwiththebackrestreclined.
Safetybeltsonlyofferprotectionwhen
thebackrestisinanuprightdriving
position.
Toadjustthebackrest,turnthewheelat
thesideoftheseat cushion, with your
bodyweighttaken ofl thebackrest.
Toreleasebackrestlock
pulluptheleveronthe side ofthe back-
rest.Tiltthebackrestforwardandoutof
thewayforeasyaccesstotherear
passengercompartment.
Ifthelevercannoteasilybemovedup-
ward, pushthebackrestforwardslightly
asyoupullupthelever.
Fouryourandyour passengers pro-
tection, thebackrestlocksmustbe
engagedatalltimeswhilethecarisin
motion.
to

Safetybelts
Asafetybeltisprovidedforeachseating
position in yourVolkswagen.
Safetybeltsthatweresubjectedtoex-
cessivestretchforcesduringanaccident
shouldbereplaced.
SafetyBeltWarningSystem
Anaudio-visualwarningsystemisinter-
connectedwiththedriver'ssafety belt
Every time theignitionisturnedon.the
FASTENBELTSwarninglightonthe
dashboardwillcomeonforabout
6secondsasa remindertobuckleup.
Ifthedriverdoesnotfastenthesafety
belt, thebuzzerwillalsocomeonforthe
durationofthissixsecondperiod.The
buzzerwillgooffassoonasthedriver
hasbuckledup.
Foryourandyourpassenger'sprotec-
tion, werecommendyouwearsafety
beltsatalltimeswhilethecarisin
motion.
Safetybeltsforfrontseals
Thefrontseatsareequippedwithlap/
shoulderbeltswithanautomaticlocking
retractor.Thebeltadjustsautomatically
toyoursizeandmovementsaslongas
thepullonthebeltisslow.A sudden
motionlocksthebelt.Theautomatic
lockingmechanismintheretractorwill
alsolockthebeltwhendrivingdowna
steephillorina curve,andwhenthe
car'sspeedisreduced.
Donotstrap in morethanonepersonin
eachbelt.
Ashoulderbellshouldnotbewornbya
personlessthan 4' 7"inheight,because
itwouldnotbeinitsmostprotective
position, andtheretoremayincreasethe
possibility ol injuryina collision.
Tofastenyourlap/shoulder belt, grasp
thebelttongueandpullthebeltina con-
tinuousslowmotionacrossyourchest
andlap.Insertthebelttongueintothe
correspondinganchorhousingonthe
centertunnelandpushdownuntilitis
securelylockedwithanaudibleclick.
Pulltheshoulderpartofthebelttoen-
surethatthelappartfitstightly.
Beltsshouldnotbeworn twisled.
Tounfastenthe bell, pushintherelease
markedPRESSonthecorresponding'
anchorhousing.Thebelttonguewill
springoutoftheanchorhousing.
11

Tostorethelap/shoulderbelt,guidethe
belttonguetoitsstowedpositionbehind
theassiststraponthedoorpost.Forthe
passenger'scomfort,theretracting
forcesofthebeltarerelativelylowand
windingupofthebeltmaybeslow.Make
surethebeltisfullywounduponthe
retractor.
Makesurethebeltoftheunoccupied
passengerseat is fullywounduponits
retractorsothatthebelttongueisinits
stowedpositiononthedoorpost.This
reducesthepossibilityofitsbecoming
astrikingobjectincaseofasuddenstop.
Donotdrive with therearseatcushion
removedandthebackrestfoldeddown.
In thefolded-downposition,thebackrest
mayinterferewith Ihe operationofthe
frontsafetybelts.
Safetybeltsforrearseats
Therearseatsareequipped with lap
beltswithanautomaticretractor.Ifyou
havepulledouttoomuchofthe belt,
theretractingmechanismwilltakeup
theslackuntilthebeltfitssnugly
acrossyourlapand will staylocked in
thisposition.
12
Tofastenyourlapbelt,graspthebelt
tongueontheoutboardsideoftheseat,
andpullitacrossyourlapandinsertthe
tonguein Ihe inboardbuckle.Pushin
untilyouheara clicktobesurethebelt
islocked securely
Tounfastenthe belt, pushintherelease
markedPRESSinthebuckle.
TostoreIhe belt, guidethebelttongue
totheretractor.Makesurethebeltis
fullywoundupontheretractorBell
tongueandbuckleshouldalwaysbe
keptontopoftheseatforreadyuse.Do
notpermit Ihem togetcaughtunderthe
seal.
Beltcare
Keepsafetybeltsclean. If cleaning is
necessary,washthemwitha mildsoap
solution, withoutremovingthemfrom
thecar.
DonotallowIhebeltstoretractuntil
theyarecompletelydry.
Donotbleachordyesafetybelts.Donot
useanyothercleaningagents.They
mayweakenthewebbing.
Checkbucklesandretractorsforproper
function. Checkbeltwebbingand bind-
ingsfordamage.

Instrumentpanel
Beetle
1 - Vents forheating/defrosting (thereare 3)25
2- Ventsforheating/defrostingandfreshairventilation
(thereisa paironeachside)25.27
3-Headlight switch16
4- Speedometerdialwithfuelgaugeandwarninglights17
5-Safety beltandbrakewarninglight. .......11.15
6-Plateoverradioaperture
7-Glove compartment23
8-Turn signalandheadlight dimmer switchlever....18
9-Windshield wiper/washerlever18
10-Freshair controlknobs(2)27
11 - Fusebox43
Switchforrearwindowdefogger19
12-Horn
13- Ignition/steering lock15
14- ControlknobforAuxiliaryHeater
(optionalequipment)"...30
15-Ashtray 19
16-Emergency flasherswitch16
17- Spotlighttoilluminatetheheaterleversbetween
thefrontseats25
18-Knob torfresh air fan28
13

VWConvertible
1- Ventsforheating/defrostingandfreshairventilation
(thereare2)25
2- Ventsforheating/defrostingandfreshairventilation
forthefrontsidewindows(thereisoneoneachside).26
3-Speedometerdialwithfuelgaugeandwarninglights. 17
4-Vents forfreshairventilation(2)............27
5-Headlightswitch16
6-Instrument illumination16
7-Safety beltandbrakewarninglight 11.15
8-Control switchforAuxiliaryHeater
(optionalequipment)30
9-Accessoryswitch(open)
!-•
10-Emergency flasherswitch16
11 - Plateoverradioaperture
12—Glove compartment,lockable- 23
13- Loudspeakergrille
14—Turn signalandheadlightdimmerswitchlever....18
15-Windshield wiper/washerlever18
16-Horn
17-Ignition/steering lock15
18-Knob forfreshairfan28
19-Fresh aircontrolknobs(2)27
20- Spotlighttoilluminatetheheaterleversbetween
the front seats25

Ignition/steeringlock
Thesteeringisequipped with an anti-
theftignitionlock.
Foryourprotection,fastensafetybelts.
MakesurethegearshiftleverIsin
NeutralbeforeturningtheIgnitionkey.
1 — Ignitionoff/steeringlocked.
Insertthekey. If itisdifficulttoturn
thekey,gentlymovethesteering
wheeluntilthekeyturnsfreely.
2- Ignitionon/steeringfree(fortowing).
3-Starter engages.
Thekeyreturnsto posilion 2 assoon
asitisreleased,Neveroperatethe
starterlongerthana fewseconds.If
theengineshouldfailtostart,turn
thekeybacktoposition 1 andrepeat
thestartingprocedure. More onstart-
ingonpage 23.
Toremovethekeyandtolockthesteer-
ing, turnthekeybacktoposition1 and
pull It out.Turnthesteeringwheeluntil
itlocks.
Thesteeringcolumnwilllockwhenyou
removethekey.ThereforeDONOT
REMOVEthekeywhileyouaredriving
orasthecar is rollingtoa stop.
If youleavethekeyintheignition/steer-
inglock,thebuzzerwillsoundwhenthe
driver'sdoor is opened.ThisIsyour
remindertoremovethekey.
h
CASTENBELT'
(©IBRAKE
Brakewarninglight
YourVolkswagen is equippedwitha dual
circuitbrakesystem.Bothcircuits,one
forthefront drakes andonefortherear
brakes, canfunctionindependently.
If thebrakewarninglightlightsupwhen
youapplythebrakeswhile driving, one
ofthetwobrakecircuitsmayhavefailed.
Firstmakesuretheparkingbrake is fully
released.
Note
Ifonebrakecircuitshouldhave failed,
theother will still operate, buta longer
distanceandgreaterpedalpressureare
requiredtobringthecartoa halt.
Pullofftheroadandstop.
Tryouttheeffectivenessofthebrakes
bycarefullystartingandstoppingonthe
roadshoulder.
Ifyoujudgethatthebrakesoperate
safelyenoughtotakeyoutothenearest
dealer,proceedcautiouslyandatlow
speed Ifyoudonotfeelitissafeto con-
tinue, haveyourcartowedtothenearest
dealerforrepair.
Properfunctioningofbrakewarninglight
Thebrakewarninglightwilllightupwhen
theignitionisturnedon.Itwillgoout
aftertheenginehasbeenstartedandthe
parkingbrakereleased.Thisisyour
assurancethatthebrakewarninglight
functionsproperly.
IS

Ifthebrakewarninglightdoesnotlight
upwhenturningonthe ignition, orifit
doesnotgooutafterstartingtheengine
andreleasingtheparking brake, there
maybea defectintheelectricalsystem.
Ifthisisthecase,contactyourAuthor-
izedVWDealer.
Emergencyflasherswitch
Beetle Convertible:
IfyourcarIsdisabledorparkedunder
emergencyconditions,pullouttheknob
tomakeallfourturnsignalsflash simul-
1(>
i^i^^K W Mm M^m
taneously(Convertible:depressthe
lowerhalfoftherockerswitch).The
warninglight in theswitchflashes,too.
WhentheheadlightswitchIsoperated,
theemergencyflasherswitchglowswith
reducedbrightnessforeasyrecognition
inthedarkWhentheemergencyflasher
isnotinoperation,thebrightnessofthe
lightcanberegulatedtogetherwiththe
instrumentpanellights(seeinstrument
illumination).Thelighthasfullbright-
nesswhentheemergency flashersystem
isinoperation.
Movethecarwellofftheroadwhen
stalledorstoppedforrepairs.
Headlightswitch
Beetle
Convertible
Pulltheknobtothefirststop(Convert-
ible: depresstherockerswitch)toturn
ontheparkingandsidemarker,license
plate, tailandinstrumentlights,emer-
gencyflasherlight,spotlightforthe
heaterleversandthelightinthe TEMP-
switchfortheoptionalAuxiliaryHeater.
Pulltheknobtothesecondstop(Con-
vertible:depresstherockerswitch)to
turnontheheadlights(ignitionon).
Note
Topreservethebattery,theheadlights
willgooutautomaticallywhenthe
ignitionIsturnedofforwhentheengine
isstarted.
Instrumentillumination
Adjustthebrightnessoftheinstrument
lightsandtheheaterleverspotlightby
turningtheheadlightswitchknob(Con-
vertible:byturningthethumbwheelnext
totherockerswitch).

Speedometerdial
Thespeedometerindicatesthespeed;
theodometerrecordsthemilesdriven
Thelastdigitinredindicates1/10ofa
mile.
Thefollowingwarninglightsareinthe
speedometer dial.
a- ExhaustgasrecirculationlightEGR
TheEGRindicatorlampwilllightup
every 15,000 miles,Thisisyourreminder
totakeyourcartoyourauthorizeddealer
forthescheduledemissioncontroland
maintenanceservices.
N
5060 '
I V5 VI
b-Catalytic converter lightCAT
(notconnected).
6 0 1 •
bc
km/h
MPH
d
160
s
/
* / •
. 100
Oil • /
ef (
B!}
405
©
c-Alternator warninglight
Stopatonce...
Ifthealternatorwarninglightcomeson
whileyouaredriving.
Turntheengineoff!
CheckfirstwhethertheV-beltisslipping
orbroken.TheV-beltnotonlydrives
thealternatorbutalsothefanthatcools
theengine.
Tightenorreplacethebelt(seealso
page 57/'Troubleshooting'. itemF)
e-Oil pressurewarninglight [J j J
Stopatonce...
iftheoilpressurewarninglightcomeson
whileyouaredriving.
Turntheengineoff I
Checktheoilleveltomakesureyou
haveenoughoil.Ifthecauseissome-
whereelse,donotdriveonbutcontact
yournearestAuthorized VW Dealer.
Anoccasionalflickeringoftheoilpres-
surewarninglightwhentheengineis
idlingaftera longhigh-speed trip isno
causeforconcernifthelightgoesout
uponacceleration.
Theredwarninglightsloralternatorand
oilpressureinthespeedometerdialwill
lightupwhentheignitionisturnedon.
They shouId gooutafteryouhavestarted
theengine.
Wheneverstalledorstoppedforrepair,
movethecarwellofftheroad.Turnon
theemergencyflasherandmarkthecar
withroadflaresorotherwarningdevices.
Beforeworkingonanypartintheengine
compartment,turntheengineoffand
wailuntiltheenginehascooleddown
sufficiently.
Controllightsd (turnsignals)andg (high
beam)seenextpage.
Controllightf (rearwindowdefogger)
seepage 19
Fuelgauge
ItislocatedInthespeedometer dial, and
onlyindicatesthe luel levelwhenthe
ignitionisturnedon.
Whentheneedleison "R". thereIsa
reserveofabout1 gallonoffuelleft in
yourtank... timetorefuelatthenext
gasstation. 17

Turnsignal/headlightdimmerswitch
leverandwindshieldwiper/washer
lever
Therearetwoleversjustbehindthe
steeringwheel:
Theleverontheleftsideisfortheturn
signal/headlightdimmerswitch.
Theleverontherightsideisforthe
windshieldwiper/washersystem.
Theturnsignalsandthewindshield
wipersonlyworkwiththeignitionon.
Turnsignals \-/
Leverup- rightturnsignal
Leverdown- leftturnsignal
Thegreenturnsignalindicatorlightin
thespeedometerdialcomesonwhen
youoperatethelever.
Theturnsignalsare cancelled automati-
callywhenyouhavecompleteda turn
(likedrivingarounda corner),andthe
steeringwheelreturnstothestraight-
aheadposition.
Ifa turnsignalisdefective,thecontrol
lightflashesatabouttwicethenormal
frequency.HaveyourAuthorizedVW
18Dealercheckandrepairitforyou.
Lanechanger
Toindicateyourintentionwhenchang-
inglanesonexpressways,slightlylift
ordepressthelevertoanintermediate
position. TheleverwillreturntotheOFF
positionwhenreleased. Wipers
^
Turn
signals
Lane
changer
Lane
changer
Turn
signals
Headlightdimmer "~\s
Dimtheheadlightsbypullingthelever
towardthe steeringwheel. Theblue indi-
catorlightinthespeedometerdialwill
lightupwhenthehighbeamsareon.
Windshieldwipers WIPE^^
Thewindshieldwipingsystemoperates
attwospeeds:lowand high.
Liftinglevertofirststop- lowspeed
Liftinglevertosecondstop- highspeed
Ifyoujustslightlylifttheleverbefore
reachingthefirststop,thewiperswill
wipeaslongastheleverisheldinthis
positionandcometoa stopwhenre-
leased.
Togiveyoufullbatterypowerwhile
startingtheengine,operatingwindshield
wipers will stopautomaticallyatthis
moment. „•*••»
Windshieldwasher Xp' WASH
Tospraywasherfluidonthewindshield,
pullthelevertowardthesteeringwheel.
Youcanoperatethewasherfromany
selectedwipingposition.
Avoidrunningthewiperbladesovera
drywindshield...youmayscratchthe
glass. Spraywasherfluidonitfirst.