
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 
page 
1 - Air vents 51 
2 - Light switch and thumb wheel  for instrument illumination 46 
3 - Safety belt and brake warning lights 43, 47 
4 - Speedometer with trip odometer 40  5 — Warning/indicator lights 6, 43 
6 - Clock or tachometer with fuel gauge and  coolant temperature gauge 40,41 
7 - Rear window defogger switch 47 
8 - Emergency flasher switch 46  9 - For additional switch 
10 - Air vents, left and right 51 
11 - Ashtray 64 
12 - Loudspeaker grille 
13 - Fuses 128  14 - Turn signal/headlight dimmer switch lever 48 
15 - Horn  page 
16 - Digital clock 40 
17 - Steering lock/ignition/starter switch 38 
18 - Temperature switch for auxiliary heater 57 
19 - Windshield wiper/washer lever 50 
20 - Secondary heat exchanger switch 53 
21 - Emission Control System (ECS) 45 
22 - Climate controls 51 
23 - Air vents 51 
24 - Radio1) 
25 - Cigarette lighter 63  26 - Glove compartment 64 
1) A separate brochure is provided for your factory-installed 
radio.
 If you replace your radio, please be sure to read the notes 
in the chapter "Do-it-yourself Service", page 135. 
Note 
Some features mentioned are standard equipment on some 
models only or are options on others. 
 
 
www.westfaliaT3.info  - a  useful  website  for owners  and enthusiasts  of VW  Westfalia  T25 / T3  Campervans   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
CONTROLS
 AND
 EQUIPMENT 
•
 Never shift into Reverse (R) or Park 
(P) when the vehicle is in motion. 
•
 Do not remove the key from the ig
nition steering lock until you have 
parked the vehicle, because removal 
of the key
 will
 lock the steering wheel. 
•
 If the selector lever is unintention
ally moved into Neutral (N)
 while
 driv
ing,
 take
 your foot off the accelerator  pedal and
 wait
 until the engine speed 
has
 dropped to idling before selecting 
a driving position. 
Maneuvering 
•'/hen
 alternating between forward and 
-averse
 - for
 instance,
 while
 maneuvering 
ne
 vehicle
 into a tight parking
 space
 -
 :nly
 shift when the
 vehicle
 has
 come
 to a 
full stop and the
 engine
 is running at idle 
 soeed. 
 Stuck
 in snow, mud or sand 
When
 alternating between forward and 
 reverse
 in an effort to free the
 vehicle, 
depress
 the
 accelerator
 pedal
 slightly 
while
 the
 transmission
 is in
 gear,
 and 
 release
 the
 accelerator
 pedal
 while 
shifting.
 Do not
 race
 the
 engine
 and
 avoid 
spinning
 the
 wheels.
 Do not repeat 
 "rocking"
 back and
 forth
 with
 wheels 
spinning
 at high engine speed and heavy
 throttle,
 as serious damage may 
be caused to the automatic transmis
sion
 and other critical parts. 
Kickdown
 device 
The
 kickdown
 device
 gives
 maximum 
 acceleration
 when the
 accelerator
 pedal
 is 
pressed
 down
 past
 the full throttle
 posi
tion.
 Depending
 on
 road
 speed
 and 
 engine
 speed,
 either the upshift is
 delayed 
(forced
 throttle) or the box
 changes
 down 
into
 the next lower
 gear. 
WARNING 
Be
 careful when using the kickdown on 
slippery
 roads. Rapid acceleration may 
cause
 skidding. 
 Stopping 
•
 When
 stopping briefly, at a traffic light 
for
 example,
 it is not
 necessary
 to
 move 
the
 selector
 lever
 to
 Neutral.
 Simply
 apply 
the
 brakes.
 To start
 again
 release
 brake 
 and
 accelerate. 
•
 The driving
 positions
 must
 never
 be 
used
 for holding the
 vehicle
 at rest
 uphill. 
Always
 use your foot
 brakes
 when 
 stopped
 on
 inclines. 
WARNING 
•
 Never get out of the driver's seat 
when the engine is running and the 
 selector
 lever is not securely locked in 
the P position. 
•
 If you must leave the vehicle move 
the selector lever securely into the P 
 position
 and apply parking brake 
firmly. 
Towing 
To
 tow the
 vehicle
 see instructions 
 "Emergency
 towing" on
 page
 138. 
 
 
 
www.westfaliaT3.info  - a  useful  website  for owners  and enthusiasts  of VW  Westfalia  T25 / T3  Campervans   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
fCONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT 
TURN SIGNAL / HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH LEVER 
Turn signals 
The turn signal indicator light flashes when you operate the lever (ignition on). 
Lever up - right turn signal 
Lever down - left turn signal 
The turn signals are cancelled automatic ally when you have completed a turn (for 
example when turning a corner), and the 
steering wheel returns to the straight-
ahead position. 
If a turn signal fails, the indicator light 
flashes about twice as fast. A light bulb  may have to be replaced.  Headlight dimmer 
With headlights on (light switch in second 
 stop),
 you can switch to either high or low beam by pulling the lever toward the steering wheel past the point of resistance. 
When high beam is on, the indicator light  will light up. 
Headlight flasher 
With headlights on or off, you can signal  with your headlights (in lieu of horn), by  repeatedly pulling the lever just up to the 
point of resistance. 
Lane changer 
Move the lever up or down just to the point 
of resistance - the indicator light must  also flash at the same time. The lever will 
return to the OFF position when released. 
The lever will return to the OFF position  when released. 
 
 
www.westfaliaT3.info  - a  useful  website  for owners  and enthusiasts  of VW  Westfalia  T25 / T3  Campervans   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
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. 
 
 
www.westfaliaT3.info  - a  useful  website  for owners  and enthusiasts  of VW  Westfalia  T25 / T3  Campervans   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
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 
 
 
www.westfaliaT3.info  - a  useful  website  for owners  and enthusiasts  of VW  Westfalia  T25 / T3  Campervans   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
VEHICLE
 OPERATION 
The
 function
 of the
 all-wheel 
 drive
 and how it
 works 
In contrast to conventional four wheel 
drive systems
 that
 require transmissions 
to be manually engaged when needed, 
the Vanagon/Transporter Syncro all-wheel 
drive system is always engaged. Only the 
amount of power being transmitted to the 
front
 and rear wheels changes automati
 cally
 as the road surface demands. 
The automatic distribution of power is 
 accomplished
 through a
 fluid
 shear
 cou
pling (viscous coupling)
 that
 is
 part
 of the 
front
 axle. The design of the viscous
 cou
 pling keeps driving force losses to a mini
mum while distributing the forward
 thrust 
to all four wheels when needed.  When the going gets rough, especially 
when wet, slippery or snow covered roads 
cause
 the rear or
 front
 wheels to slip, the 
viscous
 coupling automatically transfers driving force to the other wheels to help 
you keep moving. 
The distribution of drive forces allows the 
 Syncro
 to adapt to changing road surfaces 
and provide increased traction automati
cally.
 The Syncro driver is therefore able to 
fully
 concentrate on the road and
 traffic 
conditions. 
 This
 extraordinary drivetrain concep: 
makes
 the Vanagon/Transporter Syncrc 
an extremely efficient road vehicle suit
able for a wide variety of uses and applica
tions. While it has proved is ability to han
dle poor weather and road conditions anc 
 has
 limited off-road capabilities, re
member your Vanagon/Transporter
 Syn
cro is not an off-road or all-terrain vehicle. 
76 
 
 
www.westfaliaT3.info  - a  useful  website  for owners  and enthusiasts  of VW  Westfalia  T25 / T3  Campervans   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
VEHICLE OPERATION 
Advantages off the all-wheel drive 
The Vanagon/Transporter Syncro
 all-
 wheel drive system
 has the
 following
 ad
vantages over
 a
 two-wheel drive vehicle: 
Driving Power 
Driving Power
 is
 greatly increased
 by the 
continual all-wheel drive especially
 on 
 snow
 and
 slippery surfaces, when starting 
off from
 a
 standstill,
 and
 when driving
 on 
rough roads. 
Within reason, your Vanagon/Transporter  Syncro
 can go
 places where other
 vehi
cles
 may
 likely
 get
 stuck.
 It is
 easier
 to
 stop 
on slippery hills
 and get
 going again. 
Moving Force 
As
 the
 driving force applied
 to the
 road  goes
 to
 four wheels instead
 of two, the 
amount
 of
 slip
 is
 considerably reduced. 
This improves
 the
 traction between tire  and road surface
 and
 thereby,
 the
 drive-
ability
 on
 slippery road surfaces.  On vehicles with two-wheel drive,
 the
 driv
ing wheels
 can
 spin
 on
 slippery surfaces
 if 
too much acceleration
 is
 applied. This 
greatly reduces tire grip
 and can
 result
 in 
 loss
 of
 vehicle control. 
By distributing
 the
 driving forces
 to
 four
 in
stead
 of two
 wheels,
 the
 wheels
 of the
 Va nagon/Transporter Syncro
 are
 less likely 
to spin under
 the
 same conditions. 
Snow tires 
With
 the
 all-wheel drive system
 the
 Vana gon/Transporter Syncro
 is
 good
 for
 winter 
driving even with standard tires. However, 
we recommend
 the use of all
 season tires 
or radial snow tires (M
 +
 S) with
 or
 without 
studs*,
 on all
 wheels,
 for
 better driving, 
cornering
 and
 braking,
 in
 winter weather. 
Details under "Snow tires"
 on
 page
 118 
also apply. 
Snow chains 
Snow chains can improve both road traction 
and braking when driving
 in
 severe winter 
weather. Therefore,
 use
 snow chains
 on 
your all-wheel drive vehicle when required.  For additional information,
 see
 page
 119. 
 Operation 
In contrast
 to
 conventional all-wheel drive 
systems that require transmissions
 to be 
manually engaged when needed,
 the Va
 nagon/Transporter Syncro all-wheel drive 
system
 is
 always engaged. Only
 the 
amount
 of
 power being transmitted
 to the 
front
 and
 rear wheels changes automati cally
 as the
 road surface demands.
 The 
Syncro driver
 is
 therefore able
 to
 fully
 con
centrate
 on the
 road and traffic conditions. 
The differential lock*
 for the
 rear axle must  only
 be
 used when
 the
 vehicle
 is
 stuck
 or 
 in immediate danger
 of
 becoming stuck. For further information
 on the
 differential 
lock,
 see
 page
 33. 
78  "Check with your local Motor Vehicle Bureau
 for 
possible restrictions. 
'where applicable 
 
 
www.westfaliaT3.info  - a  useful  website  for owners  and enthusiasts  of VW  Westfalia  T25 / T3  Campervans   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
-
VEHICLE
 OPERATION 
Driving on dry roads 
Attention 
"his
 is an
 all-wheel drive multipurpose 
 rassenger
 vehicle which
 will
 handle
 and 
maneuver
 differently
 from
 an ordinary
 pas
senger
 car in driving conditions which may 
occur
 on
 streets
 and
 highways
 and off-
'oad.
 As
 with
 other vehicles
 of
 this type,
 if 
you make sharp turns
 or
 abrupt maneu
vers,
 the
 vehicle
 may
 roll over
 or
 may
 go 
 kit
 of
 control and
 crash.
 You should read 
:he driving guidelines
 and
 instructions
 in 
the Owner's
 Manual.
 The
 driver
 and all 
 oassengers
 should wear safety belts
 at all 
times. 
Do
 not
 engage
 the
 differential lock on nor
mal
 dry
 roads
 as it
 will
 not
 provide any ad
vantage. Under these circumstances,
 an 
 engaged differential lock
 will
 impair the ve-
nicle's
 maneuverability and
 will
 cause
 ex
cessive
 tire
 wear. 
 Driving on wet, slippery roads 
Due
 to the
 all-wheel drive,
 the
 engine 
power
 is
 transmitted evenly
 to a
 moder
ately slippery road surface. 
On
 wet surface 
As
 with
 any
 other vehicle, excessive driv ing speed on very wet roads can cause hy
droplaning
 and
 loss
 of
 vehicle control. 
Therefore, slow down.
 The
 differential  lock* must
 not be
 engaged. 
Important
 instructions
 on
 the
 differential 
locks
 are to be found on page
 33/34. 
On
 slippery surfaces 
On
 slippery surfaces the rear axle differen
tial
 lock may only be engaged when
 start
 ing
 from
 a
 standstill
 or at
 very low
 speeds. 
When
 the
 road surface has improved
 the 
 lock should
 be
 disengaged again.  On
 snow covered surfaces 
On
 a
 snow covered road, maintain traction  by making gradual changes
 in
 speed
 or
 di
rection. Avoid sudden maneuvers. Be alert 
to problems other drivers around you may  be having which could create
 a
 hazardous 
situation
 for
 you. 
In heavy snow, maintaining reasonable 
momentum
 is
 important
 for
 safe vehicle 
operation. Try
 to
 keep moving
 by
 using
 the 
 L-gear and
 a
 steady accelerator pedal
 at 
low
 speed. 
WARNING 
•
 Always
 maintain
 a safe driving 
speed,
 especially
 when
 road and 
weather
 conditions are poor. 
•
 Excessive
 driving speed on very wet 
roads can cause hydroplaning and 
loss
 of vehicle control. 
•
 Always avoid forceful and
 abrupt 
braking action.
 You
 could block all four 
wheels simultaneously and lose
 con
trol
 of the vehicle. 
•
 The braking capability of your Vana-
gon/Transporter Syncro is
 greatly
 de
pendent on the
 traction
 of your tires. 
'where applicable  79 
 
 
www.westfaliaT3.info  - a  useful  website  for owners  and enthusiasts  of VW  Westfalia  T25 / T3  Campervans