1990 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER service

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Your new
Volkswagen

may have all or some of the equipment

described
in this manual. Therefore, you may find explanations of equipment not
installed in your vehicle.

Check
with
your authorized Volkswagen

dealer
on available options or
accesso­
ries.

Note

WARNINGS
concern
safety
and are co­ lor
identified
throughout
this
manual.
Please
note
that
the items of equipment
marked
with
an asterisk* may be stand­
ard on certain models but are only avail­
able
as options on other models.
In addition to this Owner's Manual, your

Vanagon/Transporter
comes
with

• the Radio
Operating
Instructions*,
In Canada,

these
manuals are also available in
French.
To obtain a copy, contact your

dealer
or
write
to:

Au
Canada
on peut se procurer un exem- plaire de ce Manuel en francais aupres du

concessionnaire
ou du:

Volkswagen
Canada,
Inc.
Customer
Assistance/

Assistance
a la Clientele 1940 Eglinton Ave. East

Scarborough,
Ontario
M1L2M2

If you sell your
Volkswagen

the Owner's Manual, the Warranty booklet and the Maintenance booklet

should
be
left
in the vehicle to make
Warranty terms as well as all operating, safety and maintenance information avail­

able
to the next owner.
If you change your address or if
you
bought
this
Volkswagen
used

be
sure to send in a "Notice of Address

ChangeVNotice
of Used Car Purchase"
post card. This card can be found in the
Warranty booklet or obtained from your
Volkswagen
dealer.
It is in your own
interest
that
we can

contact
you should the
need
arise.
Your
Owner's
Manual

applies
to all Vanagon/Transporter models
currently sold in the USA and
Canada.
It
contains important operating safety infor­ mation. Keep this booklet in your glove
box at all times for ready reference.

Read
it before you drive your new vehicle.

Pay
particular attention to the "Break-in
period hints" and to all points listed under

"Vehicle
operation".

Acquaint
yourself
with
your vehicle's fea­ tures and know how to operate it more

safely.
The more you know about your

Volkswagen,
the more you will enjoy driving it. For your own protection and longer service life of your vehicle, always

heed
our instructions and warnings. Igno­
ring them could result in extensive da­

mage
or serious personal injury. • the
Warranty
Booklet
and
• the
Maintenance
Booklet.
Your
Warranty
booklet
which is a separate brochure, contains
detailed information about the warranties
covering your Volkswagen.
Your
Maintenance
booklet
which is a separate brochure, explains how you can keep your Volkswagen in top
driving condition by having it serviced regularly. Always have the Maintenance
booklet
with
you when you take your

vehicle
to a Volkswagen dealer for service.

Your
Service Adviser will record each
scheduled
service.


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1
INSTRUMENT PANEL
Illustration instruments and controls
Warning and indicator light symbols
CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT

Keys,
central locking system .... 7, 8
Doors 9
Rear lid 11
Windows, mirrors 12, 13 Safety belts, head restraints . . . .14,19
Seats 20 Luggage compartment, pedals . 28,29
Brakes, Transmission 29, 32 Differential lock 33
Automatic-transmission 35 Steering lock/ignition/starter switch . 38
Starting procedures 39 Instrument cluster 40
Warning/indicator lights 43 Switches 46 Emergency flasher 46
Light switch, turn signals .... 46,48
Cruise control 49
Windshield wipers 50 Ventilation/Heating 51
Air conditioning 54
Heater 57
Sliding roof 62
Roof-rack 68 VEHICLE OPERATION
Break-in period - and afterwards . . 69
Operate your vehicle safety 70
Operate your vehicle economically
and minimize pollution 72
Trailer towing 73 Driving with the all-wheel drive ... 75
VEHICLE CARE
Fuel tank, fuel supply 85,86
Vehicle care (exterior/interior) . . 90, 93 Maintenance, inspection intervals . . 95 Engine compartment lid,
engine compartment 97 Lubricants, engine oil 98,99
Engine oil filter 101
Transmission oil 102
Power steering 103
Cooling system 104 Brake fluid 108
Battery 109
Windshield washers/wipers . . . 112,113
Tires/wheels 114 Difficult operating conditions .... 120
Winter driving 121
Accessories 122
DO-IT-YOURSELF SERVICE
Jack and tools 123 Spare wheel 124
Changing a wheel 125 Fuses, bulbs 128, 130 Adjusting headlights
134

Installing,
replacing the radio . . . . 135
Emergency starting 136
Emergency towing 138
Lifting vehicle . . 140
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Engine, transmission 142

Steering,
suspension, brakes,
body, chassis 143 Emission-control-system 144
TECHNICAL DATA
Engine, spark plugs .
V-belts capacities . . Dimensions
Weights
Vehicle identification 146
147
148
150 151
CONSUMER INFORMATION
Service manuals 152
GAS STATION INFORMATION
Location of servicing points 156
ALPHABETICAL INDEX 158


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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.


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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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Volkswagen
Professionals—

Trained
to
Know
Your
Car Volkswagen owners expect quality customer oriented service. Volkswagen dealers understand this.
They
provide factory trained and certified technicians,
state
of the art equipment and genuine Volkswagen
parts
for your car.
Competent know-how and commitment
to
you and your car,

that's
Volkswagen Service.


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AINTENANCE
VEHICLE CARE

Ibur
vehicle has been designed to help «eep maintenance requirements to a mini--jm. However, a certain amount of regu­
lar maintenance is still necessary to as­ s-re your vehicle's safety, economy and re- ability.

Maintenance
Service is
required
every

12
months
or
every
15,000
miles
(24,000

kilometers),
whichever occurs
first.

I addition, it is necessary to perform an oil

nange
6 months after each Maintenance

Service,
or after each 7,500 miles (12,000
•: (ometers) whichever occurs
first.

"he
first
oil change must be performed 6 ~ionths after the delivery of the vehicle or
after 7,500 miles (12,000 kilometers).
Under
difficult
operating
conditions, for

example
at extreme low outside tempera­
tures or in very dusty regions, etc., some
service
work should be performed bet­
ween the intervals specified.

This
applies particularly to: • oil changes, and
• cleaning or replacing the air
filter.

The
maintenance work should be per­ formed by Volkswagen dealers because
they have the expertise, the workshop facilities and the special tools required. It is important
that
this work is per­
formed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Proof
of servicing in accordance
with
the
maintenance schedule may be a condition
for upholding a possible warranty claim
made
within the warranty period.
Safety
and
environmental
concerns

place
very strict limits on the nature of re­

pairs
and adjustment on engine and trans­
mission
parts which an owner can per­
form.
Tampering
with
safety-related
parts
can
endanger
you as
well
as
other

motorists.

Always
observe environmental regula­ tions when disposing of old engine oil,
used
brake fluid,
dirty
engine coolant,
spent batteries or worn out tires.

95


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[
VEHICLE
CARE

LUBRICANTS I
Climate Tropical
40'
30-
20- 10-
0-

10'

20

30'
Single grade oil
Multi grade oil
Gasoline Engines
|B25-565/21

Engine
Your engine was factory filled with an all- season high quality engine oil. If you need
to add oil between oil changes use any high quality petroleum or synthetic based
oil with correct specifications.
The following term must appear on the oil container singly or in combination with
other designations: "API Service SF or
SG".

Engine oils are graded according to their
viscosity. The proper grade to be used in your engine depends on existing climatic
or seasonal conditions. Refer to the temperature chart when
selecting engine oil. As temperature ranges of the different oil grades overlap,
brief variations in outside temperatures
are no cause for alarm. It is also permissi­ ble to mix oil of different viscosities if you
find it necessary to add oil.
When using SAE 10 W or SAE 5 W-20 or SAE 5 W-30 engine oil, avoid high speed
long distance driving if outside tempera­
ture rises above the indicated limits.
Engine Oil Identification Symbol
Select an oil for your vehicle which
con­

forms to the standards of the American Pe­
troleum Institute (API). A symbol has been added to the top of some oil containers to help in selecting the correct oil.
-l -l
/ / SAE '. j -2
t—i iow-3o jji -3

1B25-
532
98 (1) The top portion indicates the oil quality
by API designations.
(2) The center portion shows the SAE oil
viscosity grade.
(3) The lower portion indicates that the oil
has fuel saving capabilities. Transmission
Manual transmission: Hypoid oil SAE 80 (Mil-L-2105 or

API/GL4).

Automatic transmission:
ATF Dexron® or Dexron II® for torque cor
verter and hypoid oil SAE 90 (Mil-L-2105
E

orAPI/GL5) for final drive.
Front axle differential (Syncro only)
Hypoid oil SAE 80 (Mil-L 2105 B M
API/GL 4) or synthetic transmission oi
G50,
SAE75W-90.
The lubricant used does not have to be
changed.

Should the need arise to add oil, it shoulc
only be done with the necessary workshop equipment.
Power steering
ATF Dexron®
Lubricant additives
Volkswagen does not recommend the use of oil additives. It may adversely af­
fect your warranty.


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