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CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT 
STEERING LOCK/IGNITION/STARTER
 SWITCH 
The
 steering is equipped
 with
 an
 antitheft 
 ignition lock. 
 Switch
 positions 
1 -
 Ignition
 off/steering can be
 locked. 
 •
 Pull
 out the key and
 turn
 steering wheel until it
 locks. 
WARNING 
 • This position
 only
 locks the
 steering 
wheel
 and not the
 shift
 control
 lever. 
 Sudden and
 unexpected
 vehicle
 move
ment
 may occur if the
 shift
 control 
lever
 is
 moved
 out of P
 (Park)
 (automa
tic
 transmission)
 or out of
 gear
 (manual 
transmission)
 and the
 parking
 brake
 is  not
 firmly
 set. 
•
 Never
 remove
 key
 from
 steering
 lock 
or
 turn
 key off
 while
 the
 vehicle
 is  moving. The
 steering
 wheel
 will
 lock, 
causing loss of control. 
2-
 Ignition
 on/steering free.  If it is difficult to
 turn
 the key from po
sition 1 to 2, gently move the steering 
wheel until the key turns freely. 
 3
 - Starter engages. 
Key
 returns to Pos. 2 as soon as it is 
released. 
"Starting procedures" see next 
 pages. 
In position 3, the power supply to 
headlights, windshield wipers, 
blower motor and rear window defog-
ger
 is temporarily interrupted to
 con
serve
 battery power. 
Before
 the starter can be operated again 
the key must be turned back to position 1. 
The
 non-repeat lock in the ignition switch  prevents the starter from being operated 
when engine is running as this could 
damage
 the starter. 
In position 2 and 3 several warning/in
dicator lights will come on.
 Refer
 to 
"Warning/indicator lights" for details. 
Chime If you leave the key in the ignition/steering 
lock, the chime will sound when the 
driver's door is opened. This is your  reminder to remove the key and lock the 
doors. 
 
 
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CONTROLS
 AND
 EQUIPMENT 
WARNING
 / INDICATOR
 LIGHTS 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 
your vehicle is equipped
 with
 several 
•nportant indicator and warning devices to 
~ionitor the continued reliable operation of  .our vehicle. Familiarize yourself
 with 
:hese
 devices so if one should come on  .ou know what to do. 
-allure to heed applicable warnings and  "nportant vehicle information may result in 
serious
 personal injury or vehicle damage. 
WARNING 
•
 Whenever
 stalled
 or stopped for 
 epair,
 move
 the
 vehicle
 a
 safe
 distance 
off the road, stop the
 engine
 and
 turn 
on the
 emergency
 flasher
 (see
 page 
46). 
• The
 engine
 compartment
 of any 
-lotor
 vehicle
 is a
 potentially
 hazard
 ous
 area.
 Before
 you check
 anything
 in 
?ie
 engine
 compartment,
 stop the 
 engine
 and let it cool down.
 Always 
exercise
 extreme
 caution
 when
 work
 ing
 under
 the
 engine
 hood.
 Heed
 all of 
re
 WARNINGS
 on
 page
 97. 
 page 
1 - Brake 43 
2
 - Safety belt 18 
3
 - Turn signals 44 
4 - Alternator 44 
 5
 - For additional light 
6 - For additional light  7 - Oil pressure 43 
8 - High beam 45 
9 - Coolant temperature/level . . . 45 
10 - For additional switch  9 10
 B25-5t? 
1-Brake
 « -> 
The
 light comes on while the engine is 
 cranking.
 It goes out after the engine is started and the parking brake is
 fully 
released.
 This is your assurance
 that
 the 
brake warning light is functioning properly. 
If the brake warning light does not light JC 
while cranking the engine or setting :ne  parking brake, there may be a malfunction in the electrical system. In this
 case
 c;~-
tact your Volkswagen dealer. 
'where applicable 
 Always
 heed
 WARNINGS
 on next page 
 
 
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I CONTROLSAND EQUIPMENT 
WARNING If the brake warning
 light
 does not go 
out
 with
 the engine running and the  parking brake released or lights up 
while driving, the fluid level
 in
 the brake 
fluid reservoir may
 be
 too low. 
This might be
 due
 to
 a
 leak in one of the  two independently functioning brake circuits. 
If the brake pedal travel has increased, 
one of the brake circuits may have 
failed.
 Avoid driving the vehicle and  have it towed to the nearest Volkswa
gen dealer or qualified workshop for re pair. 
If brake pedal travel has not increased 
and
 braking performance remains un
 impaired,
 proceed carefully to
 your 
nearest Volkswagen dealer or qualified 
workshop to have the braking system  inspected and corrected. 
For detailed information see
 "Brakes" on 
page 29.  2-
 Safety belt
 |
 A
 FASTEN
 BELTS 
Refer
 to
 "Safety belts"
 on
 page
 14 for 
details. 
3
 -
 Turn
 signals E^ 
Refer
 to
 "Turn
 signal/headlight dimmer 
switch lever" on page 49 for details. 
4
 - Alternator 
This
 light comes
 on
 when
 the
 ignition
 is 
 turned on and goes out after the engine
 is 
started.
 If the
 light does
 not go out
 after 
starting
 and
 revving-up
 the
 engine 
momentarily
 or
 lights
 up
 while driving, 
there may be a malfunction
 in
 the electrical  system
 or
 the V-belt
 to
 the alternator may be loose
 or
 broken. 
In
 this
 case,
 turn
 the engine off and 
contact
 your
 Volkswagen dealer. 
5
 - For additional
 light 
6
 - For additional
 light 
 7
 - Engine Oil pressure 
When
 the
 ignition
 is
 turned
 on, the oil 
 pressure warning light comes on for a bulb 
check.
 It
 should
 go out
 after
 the
 engine 
has
 started. 
If the
 warning light does
 not go out or 
flashes
 while driving
 (above
 2000
 engine  rpm a buzzer
 will
 sound simultaneously),
 it 
indicates,
 that the oil pressure is too low. 
Stop the engine immediately, check the 
engine
 oil
 level
 and add
 oil, if necessary. 
If engine oil level is normal, but the
 light 
continues to flash, do not continue to 
operate the vehicle. This could damage 
the engine. 
Turn
 the engine off and contact the nearest  Volkswagen dealer for assistance. 
The oil pressure warning
 light
 is not an  indicator for low engine oil level. To 
check
 the oil level, always use dipstick 
(see page 99). 
Make
 it a habit to have the engine oil 
level checked
 with
 every
 fuel filling. 
 
 
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I
 CONTROLS AND
 EQUIPMENT 
CRUISE
 CONTROL* 
JB33-509 
The cruise control allows you
 to
 maintain  a constant cruising speed above
 22 mph 
 35
 km/h),
 without
 actuating
 the ac
celerator pedal. 
Any
 manual operation, such
 as
 acceler ating, gearshifting
 or
 braking can be done independently
 of
 the cruise control. 
The cruise control
 is
 operated
 with
 sliding 
 button
 A
 and pressure
 button
 B
 positioned 
at the end
 of
 the
 turn
 signal/headlight dim mer switch lever. 
 WARNING 
•
 To help keep the vehicle under
 con
trol do not use the cruise control when  driving on winding or slippery
 roads,
 in heavy or in varying traffic. 
•
 Do not
 use
 the
 Resume
 feature when 
the previously set speed is too fast for  the existing traffic
 conditions. 
Sliding
 button
 A to
 position
 ON
 actuates 
the cruise control system. 
Accelerate
 to the
 desired speed
 and de
 press
 button
 B
 (SET).
 This sets
 the
 cruising speed and stores
 it in a
 memory. The 
foot
 can then
 be
 taken
 off the
 accelerator 
 pedal. 
With
 button
 B, the programmed speed can 
 also
 be
 increased. When
 the
 button
 is
 de
pressed,
 the
 vehicle accelerates
 until
 the 
knob
 is
 released. 
If
 you accelerate
 - for
 example when
 pas
sing
 - the
 previously programmed speed 
will
 be
 resumed automatically after the ac celerator pedal
 is
 released. 
 When the cruise control is switched on, 
do
 not shift into Neutral without de
clutching!
 The engine
 will
 rev up imme
diately and may
 possibly
 be damaged. 
The cruise control
 is
 temporarily disen gaged when brake
 or
 clutch pedal
 is de
pressed
 or
 when
 the
 road speed drops 
considerably below programmed
 speed, 
for example when driving uphill. 
To
 re-engage the system, slide
 button
 A to 
 RES
 (Resume) and
 the
 vehicle will auto
matically accelerate
 to the
 previously 
programmed
 speed. 
A
 programmed speed can
 be
 completely 
 erased
 from the memory
 of
 the cruise
 con
trol
 system
 by
 sliding
 button
 A to the
 OFF  position.
 A
 programmed speed
 is
 always 
erased
 when the ignition
 is
 switched
 off. 
WARNING 
Do
 not remove key from steering lock, 
while you are driving or while the vehi
 cle
 is rolling to a stop. The steering 
wheel
 will
 lock when you remove the  key, and
 you
 will
 not be able to steer the 
vehicle. 
'where applicable  49 
 
 
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VEHICLE OPERATION 
OPERATE
 YOUR VEHICLE SAFELY 
A
 lot has gone
 into
 the manufacture of  your Volkswagen, including advanced engineering techniques, rigid quality 
control and demanding inspections. 
These
 engineering and safety features will  be enhanced by you, the safe driver, 
• who knows the vehicle and all controls 
• who maintains the vehicle properly 
• who uses driving skills wisely. 
For
 your own safety as well as
 that
 of 
those around you - be a responsible 
driver. If you
 drink,
 do not
 drive.
 The use 
of alcohol, drugs and certain medications 
will seriously impair perception, reactions  and driving ability, substantially increasing 
the risk of an accident and personal
 injury. 
 Do not
 drive
 if you are
 tired,
 ill or
 under 
emotional
 stress. 
The
 following
 points
 are also
 important 
 for
 your
 safety,
 please
 observe
 them 
all. 
 First
 things
 first... 
• Turn the engine off before performing 
any checks or repairs on the vehicle. 
• Be sure tires are inflated correctly. 
Check
 for damage and
 tire
 wear. 
• See
 that
 wheel bolts or nuts are pro
perly tightened and not loose or missing. 
• Check engine oil level, add if neces
sary.
 Make it a habit to have engine oil 
checked
 with
 every fuel filling. 
• Check coolant level to assure sufficient 
engine cooling. 
• Be sure you have a well charged 
battery. 
• Check brake fluid level. If too low, have 
brake system checked. 
• Replenish windshield washer fluid. 
• Replace worn or cracked wiper blades. 
• See
 that
 all windows are clear and un
obstructed. 
• Check whether all
 light
 lenses are 
clean. 
 • Be sure all lights are working and head
lights are aimed correctly. 
• Check under vehicle for leaks. 
• Make sure the movement of either 
brake,
 clutch or accelerator pedal is not  hampered in any way. 
• Be sure all luggage is stored securely. 
You'll
 find helpful hints on how to perform  most of these checks in this manual. If in 
doubt, have these checks performed by 
your dealer or any other qualified 
 mechanic. 
Emergency
 equipment 
It is good practice to carry emergency 
equipment in your vehicle. Some of the 
things you should have are: emergency 
 light,
 first-aid kit, small shovel, and for the 
winter
 season,
 an ice scraper, snow brush, 
 a
 container or bag of sand or salt, etc. 
70 
 
 
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VEHICLE
 OPERATION 
In the
 driver's
 seat 
 •
 Check operation of horn. 
•
 Adjust seat for easy reach of controls. 
•
 Adjust head restraints to your
 size. 
•
 Adjust inside and outside rear view mir-
brs. 
•
 Use safety belts as directed. 
•
 Assure yourself
 that
 all passengers, 
especially
 children, are properly buckled  up. 
•
 Check operation of
 foot
 and parking 
orakes. 
•
 Check all warning and indicator lights 
v/hen starting the engine. 
•
 Do not leave vehicle idling unattended. 
•
 Lock all doors
 from
 inside to prevent in advertent opening of doors
 from
 inside 
and unwanted
 entry
 from
 outside.  On the
 road 
•
 Always drive defensively. Expect the 
unexpected. 
•
 Observe speed
 limits
 and obey road 
signs. 
•
 Use signals to indicate
 turns
 and lane 
changes. 
•
 Turn on headlights at dusk. 
•
 Always keep a safe distance
 from
 the 
vehicle in
 front
 of you, depending on
 traf
fic, road and weather conditions. 
•
 Reduce speed at
 night
 and during incle
ment weather. 
•
 If you smell gas fumes in the vehicle, 
drive
 with
 the windows open, but keep the  rear lid
 closed.
 Have the cause im
mediately located and corrected. 
•
 Make frequent rest stops, at least
 after 
every two hours of driving. 
•
 When
 tired
 pull off the road, stop and 
take a rest. Turn the engine off. Do not sit in  the vehicle
 with
 engine idling. Engine exhaust is dangerous if inhaled. 
 •
 When stopped or parked, always set 
the parking brake. Move the selector lever 
to "P" (Automatic transmission) or move 
the gearshift lever to reverse or
 first
 gear  (Manual transmission). When parking on 
hills,
 turn
 wheels
 toward
 the curb. 
•
 When stalled or stopped for repairs, 
move the vehicle well off the road. Turn on 
emergency flasher and use other warning 
devices
 to alert other motorists. Do not  park or operate the vehicle in areas where 
the hot exhaust system may come in
 con
tact
 with
 dry
 grass,
 brush, fuel spill or other  material which can cause a fire. 
•
 Make it a habit to have the engine oil 
checked
 with
 every fuel filling. 
 
 
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VEHICLE OPERATION 
OPERATE
 YOUR VEHICLE ECONOMICALLY AND
 MINIMIZE
 POLLUTION 
Your
 personal
 style
 of
 driving
 determines  your operating costs,
 exhaust
 emissions and noise levels. To obtain the best
 possi
ble fuel economy,
 minimize
 pollution
 and 
save
 wear and tear on the engine, brakes 
and tires, observe the following points: 
• Keep a
 light
 foot
 on the accelerator. 
• Drive smoothly, avoid abrupt changes 
in speed as much as possible. 
• Avoid jack rabbit starts and sudden 
stops. 
• Avoid unnecessary idling. Turn the 
engine off. 
• "Warm up" idling wastes gas. Start the 
engine
 just
 before you are ready to drive. 
Accelerate
 slowly and smoothly. 
• Do not drive longer than necessary in 
the lower gears. By upshifting early you 
 can
 economize on fuel consumption.  • Organize your trips to include in several 
errands. 
• Any additional weight carried in the 
vehicle reduces fuel economy. Always  keep cargo to a minimum and remove all 
unnecessary
 items. 
• Remove roof and ski racks when not in 
use. 
• All electrical consumers contribute to 
increased
 fuel consumption. Therefore, 
use
 fan, rear window defogger, etc., only 
when needed. 
• Check your vehicle's fuel consumption 
regularly. Keep a
 written
 tally sheet or use 
the
 trip
 odometer. Fuel consumption will 
vary
 with
 traffic, road and weather condi
tions. 
• Have your vehicle serviced by an 
Volkswagen
 dealer at the specified inter
 vals
 (see page 95 and your Maintenance brochure).  • Air cleaner should be inspected to 
assure
 proper engine "breathing". 
• Battery should be fully charged. 
• Wheels should be properly aligned. 
• Tires should be inflated to correct pres
sures.
 Check
 tire
 pressures regularly - at  least once a month. 
• The published ENVIRONMENTAL-
PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) and Trans
port
 Canada
 mileage
 estimates
 may not 
agree
 with
 your
 actual
 highway
 mileage 
which
 will
 vary,
 depending
 upon
 vehicle 
 load
 and speed,
 road
 and
 weather
 condi
tions,
 trip
 length,
 etc. 
• Have the engine oil level checked
 with 
every fuel filling. Engine oil consumption 
 is
 normal but tends to be higher when the 
engine is new. The use of quality engine oil 
and a correct engine oil level are essential 
for vehicle performance and economical  operation at all times. 
72 
 
 
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iLER TOWING 
VEHICLE OPERATION 
phLT .'jlkswagen was primarily designed 
pr : assenger transportation. If you plan to 
m*
 B.
 trailer you should be mindful that 
MLT
 :ar will be performing a service it was 
•cr "tended for. The additional load will 
Wee durability and economy of per-
m~ ance.  • :. :ow a trailer, your Volkswagen may 
mc. -9 more frequent maintenance due to 
ft* extra
 load. 
Gc not tow a trailer during the break-in  kriod of your vehicle. 
Keep an eye on your coolant tempera-
fere gauge. If coolant temperature warn- rc light comes on pull off the road to a sa's place to allow engine to cool down. 
Maximum trailer weight 
A vailer for your vehicle is limited to a
 typi-
ca class I trailer. The maximum gross 
Bier weight and the tongue load must not 
eoeed the specifications listed in the 
[fechnical Information/Data section of this 
 ranual. 
Do not exceed the gross vehicle weight 
•rhich is the weight of the driver, passen ger, luggage, trailer hitch and tongue 
weight of the loaded trailer.  Trailer hitch 
Use a weight-carrying hitch conforming to 
the gross trailer weight. The hitch must be  suitable for your vehicle and trailer and 
securely bolted to the body. Always check 
with the trailer hitch manufacturer to make 
sure that you are using the correct hitch.  Do not use a bumper hitch. 
The hitch must be installed in a way not to  interfere with the impact-absorbing 
bumper system. No modifications should 
be made to the vehicle exhaust and brake 
systems. From time to time check that all  hitch mounting bolts remain securely fas
tened. 
If not towing a trailer for a long period of 
time,
 remove the trailer hitch. This pre
vents the hitch from causing damage  should your vehicle be struck from behind. 
When removing the trailer hitch, seal all  bolt holes to prevent water and exhaust 
fumes from entering the vehicle. 
Trailer brakes  If your trailer is equipped with a braking 
system,
 check to be sure that it conforms 
to all regulations. 
The trailer brake system must not be di rectly connected to the vehicle's brake sys
tem. 
 Tire pressure 
When towing a trailer, inflate the tires of 
your vehicle to the cold tire pressure listed on the label on the left front door jamb. In
flate trailer tires to trailer and tire manufac
turer's specifications. 
Safety chains 
Always use safety chains between your  car and trailer. 
Trailer lights 
Trailer lights must meet all regulations. Do  not connect the trailer light system directly 
to the light system of your vehicle. Be sure 
to check with your Volkswagen dealer for 
correct wiring, switches and relays. 
Before you tow a trailer 
Correct and even load distribution. All ob
jects inside the trailer should be held  securely in place to guard against shifting, be it forward, backward or sideways. 
Never allow a passenger in a moving 
trailer. 
 
 
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