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.