1990 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER parking brake

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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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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

For
best roadability adjust your load to the
maximum allowed tongue load. To be sure

measure
tongue load of loaded trailer on
bathroom
scales.

Check
that
both sides of your trailer can be

seen
from the driver's seat. If necessary in­
stall extended rear-view mirrors.

Check
proper working of vehicle and
trailer lights.

Check
cold
tire
pressure of both vehicle

and
trailer.

Be
sure trailer safety chains are properly

connected
from trailer to the hitch on the

vehicle.
Leave enough slack in the chains
to permit turning corners.

Trailer
towing
tips
Your
vehicle handles differently when tow­ ing a trailer because of the additional
weight. Safety, performance and economy
will greatly depend on how carefully you
load
your trailer and operate your "rig."
Before
you actually tow your trailer, prac­
tice turning, stopping and reversing in an
area
away from
traffic
until
you learn the
feel of your vehicle and trailer
unit.

Reversing
is
difficult
and requires practice.

Steering
while reversing is generally oppo­
site of
that
when backing your vehicle with­
out a trailer.

Observe
speed limits. In some areas

speeds
for vehicles towing trailers are lower than for regular vehicles.
Maintain a greater distance between your

vehicle
and the one in
front.
You will need more room to stop.

When
passing remember
that
you cannot
accelerate
as fast as you normally would

because
of the added load. Make sure you
have
enough room to
pass.
After passing
allow plenty of room for your trailer before

changing
lanes again.

Avoid
jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
Slow
down in crosswinds and on rougi"

roads.
Be especially carefull when
pas­

sing
other vehicles and trucks.

When
parking always block the wheels o: both vehicle and trailer. Do not park
with
a
trailer on a slope. If it cannot be avoided dc
so
only after the following:
• Apply brakes.
• Have someone place wheel blocks
under both vehicle and trailer wheels.
• With wheel blocks in place slowly re­

lease
brakes
until
wheel blocks absorb the

load.

• Apply parking brake.
•
Place
transmission in
"P"
for automatic
or in
first
or reverse gear for manual trans­
mission.

74


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VEHICLE
OPERATION

WARNING continued
•
The permanently engaged allwheel-
drive
will
provide
good
performance on relatively wet or slippery
roads.
Be
sure
to use these features and advantages
wisely. Do not let the excellent traction
which your VW
SYNCRO
offers lead

you
to underestimate the difficulties
and risks involved in negotiating wet or
slippery
roads. Always drive defen­

sively
and adapt vehicle operation and
driving speed to road and
traffic
condi­

tions.
Driving Off-Road
WARNING
The Vanagon/Transporter
Syncro
is not an off-road or all
terrain
vehicle. Use of
this or any other vehicle under off-road
conditions
requires special skills and knowledge. The off-road operation of
this or any other
vehicle
can
lead
to per­
sonal
injury.

•
Driver and all
passengers
must
wear

safety belts at all times.

•
Keep your thumbs and fingers on
the outside of the steering wheel.
Potholes
or rocks can
jerk
the
wheel

from your grip; it really hurts if a spoke
catches
you on the way around.

Off-Road
Driving
Driving off-road places extra demands
on

your vehicle and on you, the driver.
If
under

exceptional
circumstances
you
judge
it

safe
and
appropriate
to
leave
the
paved highway,
first
make sure
that
your vehicle

is
in top
mechanical condition. Make cer­

tain
that
all
vehicle systems
are
function­ ing normally,
in
particular,
for
example,

that
the engine, especially the cooling
sys­

tem,
is
operating properly and
that
trans­
mission,
brakes and steering are function­ ing normally. Tires must have adequate

tread,
be
free
of
damage
and be
adequately inflated.

Before
driving over
difficult
terrain, such as

mud,
sand,
water, snow
or
steep
slopes,

we recommend engaging
the
differentia lock*
at low
speed.
Important
information
regarding
the
differential lock
is on
page

33/34.

Whenever
you
operate your
car you
should
be
well
and fit, but
your physical

and
mental condition
are
especially
im­

portant
when driving
off
the road.

As
a
general rule
you
should
go
only where others have gone before.

Always
obey applicable
Federal,
State
and
local regulations
and
above
all re­

spect
and protect the environment. Do
not

scar
the
land, avoid unnecessary wheel
spinning and other driving behavior which

will
create
ruts
and destroy vegetation.
Be

careful when parking and when standing

with
a hot
engine. The catalytic converter

with
which your vehicle
is
equipped devel­

ops
very high temperatures which can set
dry grass and brush
on
fire. Respect
the

wildlife, leave animals
to
themselves
and

do not destroy their areas
of
refuge. Above
all,
be
considerate and operate your vehi­

cle
sensibly and safely. Nature
is a
natural
resource
which belongs
to
all
of
us.
'where applicable


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VEHICLE OPERATION

I'iving
off-road on Steep Inclines
I Sidehills
Before reviewing how to drive up steep
• s and along sidehills, make note of an -oortant point. If you don't make it to the

co.
or your vehicle is about to slide or roll
= :eways,
turn
off the engine, put it
into

I
'3t
gear, put on the parking brake and get

W
on the uphill side and walk down. An
:^nce
of prevention is
worth
a pound of i.re.
Steep
Inclines
When preparing to climb a steep incline,
first
find out whether you can make it. If
necessary,
walk the course. Be sure there

is
enough clearance on all sides of the ve­
hicle to avoid damage. If you have the
slightest doubt don't try it! It is always a
good idea to make a
trial
run to get the feel
of the surface and how much
effort
is
needed.
Go straight uphill. When the tires
begin to
spin,
apply a
little
extra gas and let
them dig in slightly. Step on the brakes
while you shift
into
reverse and drive straight back down. That's
right
- in re­

verse
gear, clutch out and driving.
Abso­
lutely not in neutral and
trying
to let your­
self down on the brakes. To avoid sideroll remember never
turn
your vehicle
side­

ways on a hill or steep incline.
On
your attempt, give yourself a running
start. Accelerate to the hill and then,
just

as
you approach the top,
ease
off the gas
to slow down.
When driving down, keep the vehicle heading straight downhill in low gear and
under control. If it begins to slide, don't lock up the brakes. You can't steer a
skid­

ding wheel. Touch the gas instead to
straighten your car out.


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VEHICLE
CARE

ENGINE
COMPARTMENT LID

mu
have access to the engine compart-

•Mit
lid from inside the luggage compart- -ent.

"lb
open the
lid,
roll the floor covering out of
~9
way and
turn
both lock handles to the
Tb close the lid, reverse the above proce- ;jre.
ENGINE
COMPARTMENT
Always exercise extreme caution when
working on the engine. WARNING
•
Before you check anything in the en­
gine compartment, stop the engine,
fully set the parking brake and remove
the ignition key.

•
Do not work on
your
car if you are
tired or ill, under emotional stress or under influence of drugs, medication
or alcohol.

•
Always let the engine cool down. Hot
components will burn skin on contact.

•
Do not spill engine oil, ATF, brake

fluid,
antifreeze and washer solvent on hot engine components, especially not
on the exhaust system.
These
fluids
are
flammable.

•
Always disconnect the battery
ground strap if you must work on the

fuel
system or the electrical system.
Never
smoke or work near heaters or
other fire hazards if you must work
around
fuel.
Always keep an approved
fire extinguisher immediately
avail­
able.
Be
especially careful if engine is run­

ning:

•
If work must be done with the engine
running, always fully set the parking

brake,
and make sure the shift lever is
in Neutral (Manual transmission) or

Park
(Automatic transmission).

•
Always be alert and extremely
cau­

tious around the engine at
all
times par­
ticularly when the engine is running.

•
Always exercise extreme caution to

prevent
neckties,
jewelry,
long hair or
loose clothing from getting caught in
the fan blades, the V-belts, or any other
moving
engine parts.

•
To avoid electrical shock and per­

sonal
injury
never
touch ignition ca­
bles
or components of the high voltage
electronic ignition system while the en­
gine is running or even when starter is

cranked.

97


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VEHICLE CARE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID / MANUAL TRANSMISSION OIL
Automatic Transmission Fluid
The torque converter and the transmis­
sion are lubricated with Automatic Trans­ mission Fluid (ATF).
The final drive requires hypoid oil SAE 90,
which does not have to be changed.
Checking the ATF level
The ATF has to be checked at frequent intervals, for instance, when the engine
oil is being checked or at least at the intervals specified in your Maintenance
booklet.
Always heed WARNINGS on page 97. A correct ATF level is very important for
transmission operation.
To obtain an accurate reading, the
vehicle must be on level ground, and the
fluid must have reached operating
tem­

perature. Normally, after a cold-start the
fluid will reach operating temperature when the vehicle has been driven for ab­
out 6 miles or 10 km. If the ATF is too cool
or too hot, the fluid level reading will be inaccurate.
WARNING Before checking the ATF, the selector
lever must be securely locked in the Park position and the parking brake ap­
plied firmly.
Checking the ATF level is potentially hazardous because the hot engine has
to be running during the check. Do not
attempt to check the ATF before read­ ing all WARNINGS on page 97.
The ATF filler neck is in the engine com- partement on the left hand side. The dip­
stick is attached to the
plug.
Pull it out
and wipe clean first before inserting it to
take a reading. The Automatic transmission may be da­
maged by even a tiny speck of dirt.
Only use lint free rags to wipe the dip­
stick.
To get a true reading, the ATF must be at operating temperature.
You have enough ATF if the fluid level is between the two marks on the dipstick. I:
should never be above or below these marks. If level is too high or too low do not
just add or drain ATF. Have your dealer check and correct the cause as soon as possible.
For correct ATF specifications, see "Lub­
ricants" on page 85.
Changing the ATF
The ATF has to be changed at the inter­ vals specified in your Maintenance boo­klet.
Do not tow the vehicle or run the engine
without ATF in the transmission.
Manual Transmisson Oil Both transmission and final drive are
combined in one housing. The lubrican: used is hypoid oil which does not have tc
be checked or changed. If you shoulc
suspect a leak, contact your VW dealer.


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HANGING
AWHEEL

DO-IT-YOURSELF-SERVICE

WARNING
•
If you have a flat tire, move a safe

distance
off the road.
Turn
off the
engine, the emergency flasher on and use other warning devices to alert
other motorists.

•
Passengers must not remain in the
vehicle when it is
jacked
up.

•
Make
sure that passengers wait in a

safe
place away from the vehicle and

well
away
from
the roadway
and
traffic.

•
Before you change a wheel, be sure
the ground is level and
firm.
If neces­
sary, use
a
board under the jack.

•
Set the parking brake and block the
wheel opposite the defective wheel on
the other side of the vehicle. Engaging

a
gear or placing the Automatic trans­
mission
selector lever in P (Park)
posi­

tion is not a substitute for fully setting
the parking brake.
Stepl

•
Take out the bag with jack and tools
from under the driver's seat.
Step 2
•
With the wheels
still
firmly resting on
the ground, remove the hub cap/wheel
cover of the defective wheel. Wheels with wheel cover

(left
illustration)

•
The wheel cover can be pulled off with
puller clip and lug wrench.
Wheels with hub cap
(right
illustration)

•
Remove chrome plated hub cap with
puller clip and lug wrench.
Insert
clip in
holes at rim of a hub cap. Put wheel
wrench through
clip,
brace one end of
wrench on wheel rim and pull lightly on
other end.
When you place the hub cap face down, you can use it as a
tray
for lug bolts
(front

wheels) or lug nuts
(rear
wheels).

125


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