
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
CONTROLS
 AND
 EQUIPMENT 
WARNING continned  •
 The
 engine compartment
 of any 
motor vehicle
 is a
 potentially hazard
ous
 area.
 Before you check anything  in the engine compartment, stop
 the 
engine and
 let it
 cool down. Always 
exercise extreme caution when work
 ing
 one the
 engine. Heed
 all of the 
WARNINGS on page
 97. 
Reduce the risk
 of
 scalding from
 hot 
coolant by following these steps. 
• If the coolant reservoir cap must be 
removed, wait until
 the
 engine
 has 
cooled down. 
• Protect face, hands
 and
 arms
 by 
covering
 the cap
 with
 a
 large, thick 
 rag
 to
 protect against escaping fluid 
and
 steam. 
• Carefully and slowly
 turn
 cap
 one 
turn
 to
 allow excess pressure
 to es
 cape before completely removing 
cap. 
•
 To
 help avoid being burned,
 do not 
spill
 antifreeze
 or
 coolant
 on the ex
haust system
 or hot
 engine parts. 
 Under
 some conditions, the ethylene 
glycol
 in
 engine coolant
 is
 combusti
 ble. 
 If a
 visual check shows that coolant level 
and V-belt
 are
 normal,
 but the
 warning  light continues to
 flash,
 contact
 your
 near
est dealer
 to
 have
 the
 cause located
 and 
corrected. 
For more details see "Cooling system"
 on 
page 104. 
If the
 coolant gauge needle nears
 the 
upper end
 of
 the scale and the engine ap
pears
 to be
 overheating,
 turn
 off the air 
conditioner. 
Do
 not
 install accessories
 (fog
 lights
 or
 in
sect screens,
 for
 example)
 on top of the 
front
 bumper.
 They
 may
 restrict engine 
 cooling. 
 5
 -
 Fuel gauge 
The needle
 in
 the fuel gauge will indicate  the fuel level
 in the
 tank shortly after
 the 
 ignition is switched on. 
The fuel tank capacity is
 16
 gal/60
 (syncro 
 18.5/70)
 liters. 
When
 the
 needle reaches the
 red
 area
 at 
 the bottom there
 is a
 reserve
 of
 about 2.6 U.S. gal.
 or
 10 liters
 of
 fuel left in the tank. 
Time to refuel. 
 
 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
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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![VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 1990 T4 / 4.G Owners Manual Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
3REAK-IN
 PERIOD 
VEHICLE
 OPERATION] 
DURING AND
 AFTER
 BREAK-IN PERIOD 
Turing
 the first few operating
 hours,
 the 
r-gines
 internal VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 1990 T4 / 4.G Owners Manual Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
3REAK-IN
 PERIOD 
VEHICLE
 OPERATION] 
DURING AND
 AFTER
 BREAK-IN PERIOD 
Turing
 the first few operating
 hours,
 the 
r-gines
 internal](/manual-img/18/7415/w960_7415-69.png)
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
3REAK-IN
 PERIOD 
VEHICLE
 OPERATION] 
DURING AND
 AFTER
 BREAK-IN PERIOD 
Turing
 the first few operating
 hours,
 the 
r-gine's
 internal friction is higher than 
 a:er
 when all the moving parts
 have
 been 
:-oken
 in. How well this break-in
 process 
e
 done
 depends
 to a
 considerable
 extent 
 :n
 the way the
 vehicle
 is driven during the 
-"-3t
 900
 miles
 (1500 kilometers). 
For
 the first 600 miles 
(1000 kilometers): 
•
 Do not use full
 throttle. 
•
 Do not drive faster
 than
 3A of top 
speed. 
•
 Avoid high engine speeds. 
From
 600 to 900 miles 
(1000 to 1500 kilometers): 
The
 speed
 can gradually be
 increased
 to 
 :he
 maximum road
 speed
 or
 engine 
 speed. 
After break-in period 
The maximum permissible engine speed 
 is
 5200
 rpm and should not be exceeded. 
Shift into the higher gear before reaching the red area at the end of the scale of 
the tachometer. See page 41. 
Excessive
 engine
 speeds
 are automati
cally
 reduced. 
 •
 Details
 on how to operate the
 Manual 
and
 Automatic
 transmission
 are outlined 
in
 the
 "Controls
 and
 equipment"
 chapter. 
•
 Avoid full
 throttle
 starts and abrupt 
stops. 
•
 Try to avoid running the engine at 
maximum speed. Shifting up early helps 
to save fuel and reduces noise. 
•
 Do not overstrain engine; select pro
per gear before reaching top speeds. 
•
 Do not let engine labor. Shift down 
when engine no longer runs smoothly. 
•
 All
 revs
 are only
 valid
 when
 engine
 is 
properly
 warm. 
•
 Always
 observe
 local
 and national 
speed
 limits. 
Applies
 in addition to vehicles 
 with
 Automatic
 Transmission: 
Make
 it a habit to
 accelerate
 gradually 
instead
 of
 using
 full throttle. During
 gra
dual
 acceleration
 the
 transmission
 shifts 
earlier
 into the next higher
 gear
 thus 
saving
 fuel. 
 WARNING 
•
 New tires do not
 possess
 maximum 
traction. They tend to be slippery.  Break new tires in by driving cautiously 
at moderate speed for the first 100  miles (160 kilometers). 
•
 New brake pads and linings do not 
have optimum friction properties and 
must be "broken in" during the
 initial 
 100 to 150 miles (150 to 200 kilometers) 
of normal city driving. You can compen sate for this by applying more pressure 
on
 the brake pedal. This also applies 
 later
 when new pads or linings are 
installed. 
 
 
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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 
 
 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
VEHICLE CARE 
ENGINE OIL 
Engine oil consumption  t 3 normal for your engine to consume oil. 
T-Q
 rate of oil consumption depends on 
re quality and viscosity of
 oil,
 the speed at 
 Mich
 the engine is operated, the climate, 
read
 conditions as well as the amount of  : ution and oxidation of the lubricant. 
Because
 of these variables, no standard 
 •e:e
 of oil consumption can be esta-
:
 shed,
 but drivers should expect an in
 creased
 oil consumption at high speeds 
s.nd when the engine is new. 
• The
 engine
 in your
 vehicle
 depends 
on oil to
 lubricate
 and cool all of its
 mov
ing
 parts.
 Therefore
 the
 engine
 oil 
should be checked
 regularly
 and
 kept
 at 
the
 required
 level. 
•
 Make
 it a
 habit
 to
 have
 the
 engine
 oil 
level
 checked
 with
 every
 fuel
 filling. 
• Lack of
 sufficient
 engine
 oil may
 lead 
to
 severe
 engine
 damage. 
• The oil pressure
 warning
 light
 is not 
an oil
 level
 indicator. 
Always
 heed
 WARNINGS
 on
 page
 97. 
 The
 engine oil dipstick and the oil filler 
neck
 are located behind the license plate 
lid. 
Checking the
 engine
 oil
 level 
The
 best time to check the engine oil level 
 is
 when the oil is warm. 
• Turn off the engine. 
• To get a true reading, the vehicle should 
be
 on level ground. After turning off the en
gine,
 wait a few minutes for the oil to return 
to the crankcase. 
• Flip license plate down. 
• Pull out dipstick and wipe it clean
 with
 a 
rag. 
• Reinsert dipstick; push it in all the way.  • Pull dipstick out again. The oil level is 
correct if it is between the "max" and "min"  marks on the dipstick. 
• If oil level is below "min" mark, or not 
showing on dipstick, add oil immediately. 
• Make sure
 that
 the dipstick is com
pletely in. 
Adding
 engine
 oil  • Unscrew cap from oil filler neck. 
• Pull extension tube out of filler neck as 
far as it will go. 
• Only add the amount of oil needed. The 
difference between the "min" and "max"  marks on the dipstick is about
 1
 U.S. quart 
or
 1
 liter. Always select a quality oil
 with
 the 
correct specification. See "Lubricants" on 
 page
 85. 
Do not exceed the MAX
 marking. 
Otherwise,
 the excess oil may be drawn in 
through the crankcase breather into the  exhaust system. The oil would then burn in 
the catalytic converter and cause dam
 age. 
•
 Push
 in the extension tube, replace fil
ler cap and hand tighten securely. 
WARNING 
The oil
 filler
 cap
 must
 be secure to avoid oil spill causing
 fire
 hazard. 
 
 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 
I TECHNICAL
 DESCRIPTION 
ENGINE 
 MANUAL
 TRANSMISSION 
AUTOMATIC
 TRANSMISSION 
• Four stroke gasoline engine in rear. 
• Four cylinder horizontally opposed. 
• Crankshaft
 with
 four main bearings. 
• Liquid cooling system, thermostatically 
controlled. 
• Thermoswitch operated electric fan. • Pressure oil feed
 with
 gear - type 
pump and
 full
 flow
 filter. 
• Self-adjusting hydraulic valve filters. 
• AFC (Airflow controlled) fuel injection. 
•
 Paper
 element air cleaner. 
• Exhaust emission control system
 with 
activated charcoal
 filter
 in the fuel system. 
• Breakerless electronic ignition.  • Single plate, dry clutch. 
• Synchronized four speed transmission 
and'
 differential in one housing
 with
 com
mon lubrication. 
•
 Rear
 wheel drive,
 with
 two constant 
velocity joints per drive shaft. 
Syncro  • Hydraulically operated single plate 
clutch. 
• Baulk synchronised 4-speed manual 
transmission
 with
 additional Low-speed 
traction gear (4+L transmission). 
• Permanent four-wheel drive through 
viscous
 coupling. 
• Manually operated differential lock for 
rear final drive available as optional extra.  • Hydrodynamic torque converter an: 
planetary gearing
 with
 three forward an: 
one reverse gear. 
• Final drive in separate housing. 
•
 Rear
 wheel drive,
 with
 two constar: 
velocity joints per drive shaft. 
 
 
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