Volkswagen Beetle 1978 User manual

Volkswagen
Owner’s Manual

Volkswagen Owner’s Manual
1978 Models
SED a.
—Or too
Volkswagen Volkswagen
Beetle Convertible
{WAGENWERK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Printed in Germany 8,77

Operating your car outside the U.S.A. or Canada
Goverr “wnt regulations in the United
States ~*
mobile
“anada require that auto-
specific emission regu-
svfety standards. Therefore
ae U.S. and Canada differ
~ soid in other countries.
If you plan to take your car outside the
continental limits of the United States
or Canada, there is the possibility that:
@ gasoline may have a considerable
lower octane rating. Excessive engine
“knock” and serious engine damage
could result;
@ service may be inadequate due to
lack of proper service facilities, tools
or diagnostic equipment;
@ replacement parts may not be readily
available;
@ unleaded fuels for cars with catalytic
converter may not be available.
ikswaceo cannot be resvonsible for
mechenica| damage ‘hat could
alt cause of dequate fuel,
ce or paris availability.
Certain Volkswagen models are available
for delivery in Europe under our tourist
delivery and return shipment program.
For details consult an authorized dealer
or write to:
in U.S.A. Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Tourist Delivery
818 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 07632
in Canada Volkswagen Canada Ltd.
Tourist Delivery
1920 Eglinton Avenue East
Scarborough, OntarioMiL2M2
if you bought your car abroad and want
to bring it back home, be sure to find out
about current import and customs re-
gulations first.

Your new Volkswagen
Your Owner’s Manual
Your Warranty and
Maintenance booklist
is the result of many years of technical research and endurangg,testing,
It is a sophisticated product of engineering, a car paspioned fer
maximum efficiency and driving pleasure, a car designed with
your safety in mind.
contains a host of useful information. Read it botore you dive your
new car. Acquaint yourself with your car's features and know how
to operate it more safely. The more y:.u know about your Volkswagen,
the more you will enjoy driving it.
FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION and longer service life of your car, we
ask you to heed our instructions ana cautions. Igaoring *hem could
result in extensive mechanical failure or even phwsical injury
axplains how you can keen ulkswager in top driving sengition
by feving iced regularly. Aiweys have .he \
Mainionancs tet you when you take y
Your Service Adviser wil record
aos! loat's 2 good recors to have,

Contents
page
Accelerater pedal. 24
Ail cleaner. . . 8
Air Conditioner oa 3
Alternator warning light... . . . « 7
Ashtrays... - 19
Assist straos and coat hooks. . 20
Auxiliary Heater sacle t 30
Pavtely,... ge ees 34,42
Pirake fluid reservoir... 42.4
takes... . 228 20,22
Brake warning light 18
Sulh chart . 7
Bulb *upise.ng. 48
Catelyt 47, 23, 43
Chassis nunider. oH ot
Cleaning your VW 45
Oluwh cedai. 2
Zor vertinie to rar . 20
page
Dear VWW Owner... ...------ 6
Defroster. . .
Doors... ...
EGR light... .... - 7
Emergency flasher... .... - .16
Emission Control System. . - . . . 62
Engine number. ........- 20%
Engine oil, changing. ........ 52
Engine oil, checking . ot
Engine oil grades... 22... 55
Fan belt: adjusting or replacing . . . 50
Fuel gauge.......--..-
Fuel injection
Fuel supply .
Fuses.
Gas Slationinformation ws es 66
Gearshift lever . .
Glove compartment... . . - Peres
Headlight switch
Head restraints
Heater .
Heater lever spot |
ignition/steering lock.
Instrument illumination... .. . .. 16
instrument panel -
Interior light .
Jack . .
Keys...
Lane changer .
License plate light .
Lubricants.
Lubrication . . 4
Luggage compartments

Oil pressure warning light
Rear seat: removing and installing . 47
Rear view mirrors
Rear window defogger
Reverse oan
Safety belts... .
Sliding root
Spare wheel
Spark plugs: cleaning and replacing 51
Speedometer with fuel gauge
and warning lights
Speed ranges... .
Starting hints... .
Sunvisors......
Technical data... -
TURE sy) wives bear eater OK © Ow
WOOL Cr Grins eA D LT SY ED 38
Towing and trailer hauling | Do baka ¢ 33
Transmission... . . aa 21
Transmission oil 6. ee ee 53
Transmission oll grades... ... . 55
Troubleshooting
Turn signal/headlight
dimmer switch lever... . . vee
V-belt; adjusting or replacing . . . . 50
Vehicle Identification .
Ventilation, ©... 6
Warning lights, .
Wheel changing. . .
Windows.......-
Windshield washer fluid container. . 41
Windshiel¢ wiper*vasher !over . . . 18
Winter operation é : 2 84
Pictures and text in this manual are
based on the 1978 Volkswagen Beetie.
Where the controls, equipment and tech-
nical data of the Volkswagen Convertible
differ considerably, we will point this out
in the text.
Various items shown or ‘déscribed in
the maaual ‘nay not apply to the modal
you fave chosen. Check. ayith -yous
Authorized VW. Dealer on availably
equipment. options or accessories.
It has always baen Voikswagen's policy
to continuously make technical impro-
vements;, !"erefore, the righi is reserved
to make changes at any.time during tne
model year without notice.

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 safe driver
—who knows his vehicle and all the con-
trois,
who maintains his vehicle properly,
-wiio uses his driving skills wisely.
Because safe driving is important to
you, we urge you to follow the check
list ‘shown on this page whenever you
use your VW,
Never cacy additional fuc! in pertabie
sortainers in your car, Such cor
nezs, futl or partially empty, m= .-a*,
cause an explosion, ur resu't i) fina i
ase of a collision,
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 functioning
properly.
6—Check turn signal lamps and indica-
tor light (ignition on).
In the driver's seat:
1—Position seat properly for easy reach
of controls.
2— Adjust inside and outside mirrors for
unobstructed rear view.
3— Fasten safety belts.
4—Check brake warming light when
starting the engine.
5 Check brake operation
6—Moeke sure thet all doe
securely and ocks
are closed
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—Always keep a safe distance from
the car in front of you, depending on
traffic, road and weather conditions,
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. Set
the emergency flasher and use road
flares or other warning devices to
warn other motorists.

Vehicle Identification
DS HOMRE casos, RAL JOT OEE
Pee cite Wert by Re HE oF Sane Se Se
hah ENA (crore umbet
(832-092)
Yyesaal ren ert
aaa Ce es ea
12-599
Safety Compliance Sticker
This sticker is your assurance that your
new Volkswagen complies with all
applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safely
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 manufac-
turer's name, the month and year of
production and the chassis number of
your car (perforation) as well as the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating.
The chassis number
is 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 engire number
is stamped on the alterna
flange.
support

Keys
Your Volkswagen comes with two sets of
keys:
‘The key with the elongated head (A) is
for the doors and the ignition/steering
lock.
Give compartmeni door of the
Convertinia
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.
It 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.
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.
From outside
Open doors by squeezing trigger in outer
door handle (1).
Lock and unlock doors with the key by
turning the key to the left or right (2).
Doors can also be locked without a key.
First depress locking knob (3), then
squeeze trigger in outer door handle as
you close door.

If the door, with the locking knob de-
pressed, closes by itself, the locking
knob will disengage automatically. We
provided this additional safety feature
80 you won't be locked out if the door
should slam shut while the key is still
inside the car.
From inside
Lock and unlock doors by depressing or
raising locking knob (3).
To open doors, pull inside door handle
(4).
Since your VW is almost air-tight, it will
be easier to close the door if you open
a window slightly.
Windows
We recommend you do not put decals or
other signs on the windows of your car
that may interfere with the driver's vision.
You can lower and raise the windows in
the 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.
To make closing the vent window easier,
we suggest you first push on the forward
part of the vent window so that it fits
snugly against the weatherstripping.
Then grasp the knob, and move the lever
back to lock it in place.
Seats
We recommend you do not adjust the
driver's seat while driving, Your seat
may suddenly jerk forward or backward,
which could result in loss of control.
Seat adjustment
To move the seat forward and backware,
pull the lever (1) in front of the seat. Now
slide the seat to the desired, position, Let
the lever go, and move the'seat'#tightly
back and forth to maké sure it is securely
engaged.

Head restraints
The padded head restraints of the front
seats are fully adjustable.
To adjust height, pull head restraint up
or push it down (a).
To offer maximum support, the upper
edge of the restraint should be slightly
higher than the level of your eyes.
Tc tilt restraint forward or back, grasp
it firmly with both hands and move to
desired position (b).
If you can touch the restraint with your
head slightly to the rear, the restraint is
proverly adjusted.
Backrest adjustment
Front seat passengers should not ride in
a moving car with the backrest reclined.
Safety belts only offer protection when
the backrest is in an upright driving
position.
To adjust the backrest, turn the wheel at
the side of the seat cushion, with your
body weight taken off the backrest.
To release backrest lock
pull up the lever on the side of the back-
rest. Tilt the backrest forward and out of
the way for easy access to the rear
passenger compartment.
If the lever cannot easily be moved up-
ward, push the backrest forward slightly
as you pull up the lever.
Four your and your passenger's pro-
tection, the backrest locks must be
engaged at all times while the car is in
motion.

Safety belts
A safety belt is provided for each seating
position in your Volkswagen,
Safety belts that were subjected to ex-
cessive stretch forces during an accident
should be replaced.
Safety Belt Warning System
‘An audio-visual warning system is inter-
connected with the driver's safety belt.
Every time the ignition is turned on, the
FASTEN BELTS warning light on the
dashboard will come on for about
6 seconds as a reminder to buckle up.
if the driver does not fasten the safety
belt, the buzzer will also come on for the
duration of this six second period. The
buzzer will go off as soon as the driver
has buckled up.
For your and your passenger's protec-
tion, we recommend you wear safety
belts at all times while the car is in
motion.
Safety belts for front seats
The front seats are equipped with lap/
shoulder belts with an automatic locking
retractor. The belt 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 the retractor will
also lock the belt when driving down a
steep hill or in a curve, and when the
car's speed is reduced,
Do not strap in more than one person in
each
belt.
Z
A shoulder belt should not be worn bya
person less than 4 7” or 1.40 minheight,
because it would not be in its most
protective position, and therefore may
increase the possibility of injury in a
collision.
To fasten your lap/shoulder belt, grasp
the belt tongue and pull the belt in a con
tinuous slow motion across your chest
and lap. Insert the bell tongue into the
corresponding anchor housing on the
center tunnel and push down until it is
securely locked with an audible click.
Pull the shoulder part of the bel! to en:
sure that the lap part fits tightly
Belts should not be worn twisted.
To unfasten the belt, push in the release
marked PRESS on the cotresponding
anchor housing. The beli 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
passenger's comfort, the retracting
forces of the belt are relatively low and
winding up of the belt may be slow. Make
‘sure the belt is fully wound up on the
retractor,
Make sure the belt of the unoccupied
passenger seat is fully wound up on its
retractor so that the belt tongue is in its
stowed position on the doorpost. This
reduces the possibility of its becoming
a striking object in case of a sudden stop.
Do not drive with the rear seat cushion
removed and the backrest folded down.
Inthe folded-down position, the backrest
may interfere with the operation of the
front safety belts.
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.
To fasten your lap belt, grasp the belt
tongue on the outboard side of the seat,
and pull it across your lap and insert the
tongue 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 the 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. Belt
tongue and buckle should always be
kept on top of the seat for ready use, Do
not permit them to get caught under the
seat.
Belt care
Keep safety 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 safety belts. Do not
use any other cleaning agents. They
may weaken the webbing.
Check buckles and retractors for proper
function. Check belt webbing and bind-
wigs for damage.

Instrument panel
Beetle
1— Vents for heating/defrosting (there are 3)... ... . 25
2— Vents for heating/defrosting and fresh air ventilation
(there is a pair on each side). » 25,27
3-Headlight switch... ..
4— Speedometer dial with fuel gauge and warning lights 17
5~ Safety belt and brake warning light... .. .. 11,4
6 —Plate-over radio aperture
7-Glove compartment... ..... . 23
8—Turn signal and headlight dimmer switch tev 8
9~ Windshield wiper/washer lever sags . 18
10-Fresh air control knobs (2)... 7
anal
{a12-606 |
ite) eee Tee ee eee ,
Switch for rear window defogger. . . ... .
42—Horn
— Ignition/steering lock. ,
14 — Control knob for Auxiliary Heater
the front seats.
18 — Knob for fresh air fan.
« 43
oe)
15

VW Convertible
1-Verts tor heating/defrosting and fresh air ventilation
(there aus 2).
- Vers fi ‘eating/detrosting and fresh air ventilation
for v's Irent side windows (there is one on each side). 26
Ss — Sprevor eter dial with fuel gauge and warning Henley 17
+ Verits for fresh air vertiiation (2) Kat oo eee
‘euadtighi switch . as 18
ent iuminstion . . + a 16
y belt und biake warning light... . . . 211,15
vitoh for Auxiliary Heater
a ment) 4 vs 4 +... 90
“. Far window defo ger aon 19
10 — Emergency flasher switch 16
11 — Plate over radio aperture
12—Glove compartment, lockable... ..........5 23
13 — Loudspeaker grille
14—Turn signal and headlight dimmer switch lever... . 18
15— Windshield wiper/washer lever ............ 18
ontrot knobs (2).
lium nate the heater levers between
ha front
21—Ashtray.... -

Ignition/steering lock
The steering is equipped with an anti-
theft ignition lock.
For your protection, fasten safety belts.
Make sure the gearshift lever is in
Neutral before turning the ignition key.
1 Ignition off/steering locked.
Insert the key. If itis difficult to turn
the key, gently move the steering
wheel until the key turns freely.
2— Ignition on/steering free (for towing).
8 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 to start, turn
the key back to position 1 and repeat
the starting procedure. More on start-
ing on page 23.
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 DO NOT
REMOVE the key while you are driving
or as the car is rolling to a stop.
It you leave the key in the ignition/steer-
ing lock, the buzzer will sound when the
driver's door is openea. This is your
reminder to remove the key.
Brake warning igh
Your Vo! quipped with a dual
circuit brake sy Bolh circuits, one
r
‘or ihe front brakes and one for the re
brakes, can function independently.
If the brake warning light lights up when
you apply the brakes while driving, one
of the two brake circuits may have failed.
First make sure the parking brake is fully
released,
Note
Hf one brake circuit should have failed,
the other will still operate, but a longer
distance and greater pedal pressure are
required to bring the car to a halt.
Pull off the road and stop.
Try out the effectiveness of the brakes
by carefully starting and stopping on the
road shoulder,
If you judge that the brakes bperate
safely enough to take you to the nearest
dealer, proceed cautiously and-at low
speed. If you do not feel itissxfeto con-
tinue, have your car towed to theinearest
dealer for repair.
Proper functioning of brake.warning ight
The bra‘ce warning light will lig
the ignition is turned on, It
fiay the engine has been stertod and thi
oerking brake released. sThisciseyour
assurancenthat the brake vwaminy sight
functions properly.

lf the brake warning light does not light
up when turning on the ignition, or if it
does not go out after starting the engine
and releasing the parking brake, there
may be a malfunction in the electrical
system. If this is the case, contact your
Authorized VW Dealer.
Emergency flasher switch
Convertible:
| wits
3°
Beetle (4 *)
{f your car is disabled or parked under
emergency conditions, pull out the knob
to ‘rake al! four urn signals flash simul-
taneously (Convertible: depress the
lower half of the rocker switch). The
warning light in the switch flashes, too.
When the headlight switch is operated,
the emergency flasher switch glows with
reduced brightness for easy recognition
in the dark. When the emergency 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 bright-
ness when the emergency flasher system
is in operation.
Move the car well off the road when
Stalled or stopped for repairs.
Headlight switch
Convertible; 2D
Beetle
Pull the Knob he first slap (Convert-
ible: ress. the rocker tch) to turn
on the parkin J side marker, license
olate, iail and instrument lights, emer-
ency flasher light, ot light for the
heater levers and the light Inthe TEMF
switen for the optional Auxiliary Heater,
Pull the knob to the second stop (Con-
vertible: depress the rocker switch) to
turn on the headlights (ignition on).
Note
To preserve the battery, the headlights
will go out automatically when the
ignition is turned off or when the engine
is started.
instrument illumination
Adjust the brightness of the instrument
lights and the heater lever spot light by
turning the headlight switch knob (Con-
vertible: by turning the thumb wheel next
to the rocker switch).

Speedometer dial
The speedometer indicates the road
speed; the odometer records the distance
driven. The last digit in red indicates
1/10 of a mile.
The following warning lights are in the
speedometer dial:
a—
Exhaust
gas
recirculation
light
EGR
(not
connected
in
Canada)
The EGR indicator lamp will light up
every 15,000 miles or 24,000 kilometers.
This is your reminder to take your car to
your authorized dealer for the scheduled
emission control and maintenance services,
km/h
MPH
BI2-A0S
b — Catalytic converter light
(not connected).
CAT
c — Alternator warning light
Stop at once... ©
if the alternator warning light comes on
while you are driving.
Turn the engine off!
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
(see
also
page
57/"'Troubleshooting"’,
item
F).
e — Oil pressure warning light Ol L
Stop atonce..,
if the oil pressure warning light comes on
while you are driving.
Turn the engine «
Chark the oil lave! to make sure you
have enough o! he cause is soma-
Whare elisa, de not drive an but cantact
your nearest Authorized VW Dealer.
An occasional flickering of the oil pres-
sure warning light when the engine is
idling after a long high-speed trip is no
cause for concern if the light goes out
upon acceleration.
The red warning lights for alternator and
oll pressure in the speedometer dial will
light up when the ignition is turned on.
They should go out after you have started
the engine.
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 part in the engne
compartment, turn the engine oft and.
wait until the engine has cooled down
sufficiently.
Control
lights
d
(turn.signals)
snd
g
“hig
beam)
see
next
page.
Control
light
.f,
(rear
see page 19.
Fuel gauge
itis located in the speédometes cies and
only indicates the fuel level whity the
ignition is turned on.
When the needle is on ‘ A”, there is <
rosarve of about 1 gallon of fuel left.in
your tank ... time to refuel at the ney:
gas
station.
winder detygguer)
17

Turn signal/headlight 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,
ar a COS
Lever up —right turn signal
Lever down —left turn signal
he green turn signal indicator tight in
tis speedometer dial comes on when
yeu operate the lever.
The -urn signals are cancelled automati-
c.ily when you have completed a turn
(ike driving around a corner), and the
~. ating wheel returns to the straight
ane ad pesition.
if 4turn signal ‘s o¢fect've, the contro!
‘ght flashes at about twice the norma’
frequency.
4am yout Authorized VW
and repair it for you.
Lane changer
To indicate your intention when chang-
ing lanes on expressways, slightly lift
or depress the laver to an intermediate
position. The lever will return to the OFF
position when released.
Turn
signals
ven
signals
Headlight dimmer 3D
Dim the headlights by pulling the lever
toward the steering, wheel, The blue indi-
cator light in the speedometer dial will
light up when the high beams are on.
Windshield wipers WIPES?
The windshield wiping system operates
at two speeds: low and high.
Lifting lever to first stop — low speed
Lifting lever to second stop — high speed
If you just 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 OS 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.
4void running the wiper blades over a
dry windshield ... you may scratch the
glass. Spray washer fluid on it first.

Rear window defogger
The rear window defogger — together
with the flow-through ventilation — will
help to keep the inside of the rear win-
dow clear of condensation and frost in
the winter.
Turn the ignition on first before you
‘switch on the rear window defogger.
Depress the rocker switch under the
dashboard to turn on the rear window
defogger. The green control lamp in the
speedometer dial (Convertible: in the
switch) will light up to remind you that
the defogger is switched on.
Beetle
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.
Be careful when removing objects from
the luggage compartment behind the
rear seat. Sharp edges may damage the
defogger in the rear window.
Convertible
Ashtrays
Front ashtray (picture)
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,