1992 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER Owners Manual

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GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Balancing
wheels

iThe wheels on new vehicles are balanced, however when the vehicle is running vari-:
JS
influences can cause the wheels to be­
come unbalanced and this causes steering . ibration.

As
imbalance also increases steering,
sus­
pension and
tyre
wear the wheels should be

calanced
again. Furthermore a wheel snould always be rebalanced when the
tyre

"as
been repaired or when a new
tyre
has
!been
fitted.

Incorrect
wheel
alignment
"correct wheel alignment not only causes

jexcessive,
usually uneven
tyre
wear but can

also
impair the car's safe handling. If un­ usual
tyre
wear is noticed, contact a Volks-
jv.agen dealer.
Wear
indicators

At the
bottom
of the tread of the original
tyres there are 1.6 mm high"wear indica­
tors" running across the tread - see fig.
There are 6 - 8 of these indicators - accord­
ing to make - evenly spaced around the
tyre

circumference. Marks on the walls of the

tyre
(for example the letters "TWI" or
triangles) show the locations of the wear indicators.
Attention

• At the
latest
when
then
the

tyres
are
worn
down
to the
wear
indicators
they
must
be
renewed

without
delay.

•
Worn
tyres
are
detrimental
to
road
holding
particularly
at
high

speeds on wet roads. In
addition

the
vehicle
tends
to
aquaplane
sooner. We
strongly
recommend

therefore
that
new
tyres
are
fitted
when
the
tread
depth
is
down
to 3 mm.

Note

When tread depth is down to 1.6 ~~ measured in the tread groove next to the
wear indicator bar - the official permiss c e minimum tread depth has been reachec -
export countries this figure may
differ''.
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GENERAL
MAINTENANCE
*
^

v
J
l B43
-
155~|

Changing
the wheels round If
the
front
tyres are worn more than the rear
it
is
advisable
to
change
the
wheels round

as
shown.
All
tyres will then have approxi­ mately
the
same length
of
service life.
With certain types
of
tread wear
it
can be an advantage
to
change the wheels diagonally.

Volkswagen
dealers have
the
necessary
in­

formation.
Renewing wheels/tyres

Wheels
and tyres are important design
fea­
tures. The wheels and tyres approved by us should be
used.
They are specially matched
to
the
model concerned
and
contribute largely
to the
excellent road holding
and

safe
driving characteristics.

Volkswagen
dealers have the up-to-date in­
formation
on
which brands
of
tyres are ap­ proved
by us.

• Fitting
and
repairing tyres requires
ex­
pert knowledge and special tools. This work
may only be carried out by specialist person­

nel.

djn
Because
of the
problem
of dis-
<^>
posing
of the old
tyres,
the

special
tools
necessary
and the
specialist
knowledge
required,
tyre
changing
should
preferably
be
done

by
a
Volkswagen
dealer.

Furthermore, many Volkswagen dealers
stock
an
attractive range
of
wheels
and

tyres.
•
For
safety reasons
the
tyres should
be
renewed
in
pairs and
not
singly. The tyres

with
the deepest tread should always be on
the
front
wheels. • Only combine radial
ply
tyres
of the

same
type,
size
(rolling circumference) anc if possible
the
same tread pattern
on all 4

wheels.

•
If the
spare wheel differs from
the
ver­
sion
fitted
on the
vehicle (e.g. winter tyres
or wide tyres)
the
spare may only
be
usee briefly
to
replace
a
flat
tyre
and
with
an
ap­propriately careful style
of
driving.
It
mus:
be replaced
with
the
normal wheel as soor

as
possible.
• Never
fit
used tyres where their previous history
is not
known.
112
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GENERAL
MAINTENANCE

•
Knowing
the
tyre
lettering and its
meaning
makes
the
selection
of the correct

tyres
easier.
Radial
ply tyres
have
the
fol­
lowing
lettering on the
sidewall:

e.g.:
195 / 70 R 15 97 S reinforced
195 =
Tyre
width in mm
70 = Height/width ratio in %

R
=
Radial
construction
code
letter
=
Radial

15 =
Wheel
diameter in
inches

97 =
Carrying
capability
code

S
=
Speed
code
letter
rein =
Reinforced
version

The manufacturing date is
also
to be
seen
on the tyre wall
(possibly
only on inner

side
of
wheel):

DOT
... 120 ...
means
that the tyre was
pro­

duced
in the 12th
week
of 1990.
Attention

Tyres
which are more than 6 years old should only be used in
an emergency and then
with
a particularly careful style of driv­

ing.
If you wish to fit your car
with
non­
standard wheels or tyres please note:
Attention

•
For technical reasons it is not normally possible to use wheels
from other vehicles - in certain
circumstances
not even wheels
from the same vehicle model!

•
Wheels and wheel bolts are matched to one another.

On
changing to a different type
of wheel (e.g. alloy wheels or
wheels
with
winter
tyres) the cor­ rect bolt
with
the proper length
and conical shape must be
used.
The security of the wheels and
the functioning of the brake
sys­

tem depend on this!

•
Using types of wheel and or
tyres which have not been ap­

proved
by us for your vehicle
model can be detrimental tc thi
safety of the vehicle. It can also
affect the vehicle under the
Con­

struction and Use regulations.

•
If wheel
trim
discs
are
subse­
quently installed it is essential to
ensure
that
the air flow remains
adequate to cool the brakes.

Volkswagen
dealers
have
a :ne
~e:e;5;~
information
about the
poss
;e :
~

of
wheels,
tyres and
wheel
trims.
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GENERAL
MAINTENANCE

Winter
tyres
In winter conditions winter tyres will dis­
tinctly improve the vehicle's handling. This
applies
in particular to vehicles that are
equipped
with wide tyres.
Because
of their
construction (width, rubber mixture, tread
formation etc.) these tyres provide
less
trac­
tion on ice and snow.

When
fitting
winter tyres note the follow­

ing:

• Only radial ply winter tyres may be fitted.
The
factory recommended tyre
sizes
are
givenonpagel
46.
• To obtain the best possible handling
characteristics,
winter tyres must be
fitted

on all four wheels. • Winter tyres are no longer fully effective
when the tread has worn down to a depth
of 4 mm.
• All-weather tyres can also be used in­
stead
of winter tyres.
• If you have a
flat
tyre the remarks on
using
the spare wheel on page 112 should

be
noted.
• Do not leave winter tyres
fitted
for an un­
necessary
long period because when the

roads
are free of snow and ice the handling
with summer tyres is better.
For
environmental
reasons

summer
tyres
should
be
fitted

again
as soon as possible
because
normally
they
are
quieter
in
running,
tyre
wear
is
reduced
and the
fuel

consumption is
lower.
Snow chains
Snow chains may only be
fitted
on
the
front
wheels.

Snow
chains must not be
fitted
on 215/65 F
16
tyres. When
necessary
the vehicle mus:

be
equipped with smaller tyres - see

Wheels,page146.

Only
use thin chains which do not stanc

clear
more than 15 mm (including ten-

sioner).

When
using snow chains wheel
trim
plates
and
trim
rings must be taken off. For safet
reasons
the wheel bolts must then be f ittec
with caps which are available from
Volks­

wagen
dealers.

When
driving over roads which are free of
snowyou
must remove the
chains.
On such
roads
they are detrimental to vehicle handl­

ing,
damage the tyres and wear out quickly.
In Germany, the maximum permissible

speed
with snow chains is 50 km/h.
114
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GENERAL
MAINTENANCE
Arduous
operating
conditions
ne vehicle construction and equipment is
resigned for normal operating conditions.
his also applies to the frequency and the
extent of the maintenance laid down in the
service
Schedule.
f the vehicle is used in arduous operating
conditions (e.g. continuous trailer towing,
exceptionally high or low ambient tempera-

:ures,
very dusty conditions, poor quality

ruel,
etc.) it may be necessary to carry out
special
technical preparations, such as ;hanging the oil to the appropriate viscosity, ^stalling special air cleaners, modifying the
ignition timing etc. Furthermore, the main­
tenance must also be matched to the oper­
ating conditions - see also page 93.
Driving
abroad

If the vehicle is to be taken abroad, the fol­
lowing must also be borne in mind:
• If the vehicle has a catalytic converter, one must ensure
that
unleaded petrol will be available during the journey - see
page 86.The automobile clubs offer infor­ mation about the unleaded filling station
network.
• Although there are more than 10 000
Volkswagen
dealers all over the world to
service
Volkswagen vehicles there are
countries in which only a limited amount of

service
is available or none at all.
• In certain countries it is also possible
that
your vehicle model is not soid so
that
certain
spare
parts will not be available or
that
the

Volkswagen
personnel are not familiar
with
the repair procedure should anything go
wrong.
The Volkswagen
Sales
Centres in Germany or the
Importer
concerned will be only too
pleased
to give advice on the necessary
technical preparation of the vehicle, on the maintenance required and on the repair

possibilities.

The addresses are given in the vehicle wallet. • When the vehicle is used in a country
which drives on the opposite side of the road to the home country the wedge

shaped
areas on the headlight lenses must be masked - see page 129.

Driving
on
holiday

Before starting off note the following
points:
• The roadworthiness and driving safety are particularly important when on holiday-

see
page 78.
• With a fully laden vehicle and/or roof rack, the handling changes. The driving
style must be adapted to the different condi­
tions - more information on loading is given
on page 28.
The
tyre
pressures must be checked - see
page147.

• When a trailer is to be towed, there are many special points to note - see page 81.
• If an oil change or an Inspection Service
is
probably going to become necessary dur­
ing the
trip,
it is advisable to have this work
done before going on holiday if possible.

115
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GENERAL
MAINTENANCE

Winter
driving
T

Ac

The an«

safe
high

ensi

supf

with
poin

sub:

tech latei
• /
fori

any

thro

SWc
pete

A
In
m
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V
G
u
P
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r<
In winter the following points should be
noted:
• Winter weather is particularly hard on the
battery
and it should therefore be
checked,
preferably by a Volkswagen
dealer, before the onset of cold weather. If the vehicle is not driven for several weeks
when the temperatures are very low, the
battery
should be taken out - for
further
in­
formation see page 107.
• On a vehicle
with
a Diesel engine, winter
Diesel
must be used at temperatures below
0 degrees C - see page 87.
• The water should be drained out of the
Diesel
fuel
filter
before the onset of
winter.

This
operation is also included in the Lubri­ cation
Service.

• The anti-freeze in the cooling system should be checked before the cold
season
starts - see page 101.
• The engine oil viscosity must be correct for the ambient temperature - see page 99.
• Particularly in
winter,
frequent washing and waxing of the vehicle is the best way to protect it against harmful environmental in­

fluences.
• In winter the windscreen washer
sys­

tem should always be filled
with
a window
cleaning solution containing an anti-freeze
additive.
• To remove snow and ice
from
the win­ dows and mirrors, a plastic scraper should be used - see page 90.
• The road holding and handling can be im­ proved in winter road conditions by the use
of winter or All-weather tyres - see pages 114and146.
• When driving in mountainous districts in winter it is advisable to take snow chains

with
you. On some such roads, snow chains
are obligatory - see also page 114.
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Accessories,
modifications
and
renewal
of
parts

The Caravelle/Transporter is
built
in accord­
ance
with
the most modern principles of
safety technology and offers therefore a nigh degree of active and passive safety. To
ensure
that
this remains so the vehicle as supplied by the factory may not be modified
without
careful thought. The following
points must be noted if the vehicle is to be subsequently
fitted
with
accessories,
technically modified or have parts renewed ater on:
• Always consult a Volkswagen dealer be­
fore
purchasing accessories and
before
any modifications are carried out because
through close cooperation
with
us the Volk­
swagen
Organisation is particularly com-
oetent in such matters.

Attention
In
your
own
interests
we recom­

mend
that
only
genuine
acces­
sories or
only
expressly
approved

Volkswagen
accessories1 and
Genuine
Volkswagen
Parts
are used on
your
Caravelle/Trans­

porter.
The
reliability,
safety
and

suitability
of
these
accessories
and
these
parts
has
been

specially
determined
for the Ca­
ravelle/Transporter.
•
Despite
continuous
market
ob­

servation
we
cannot
assess or ac­

cept
responsibility
for
other

products
even
though
in some
cases
approval
has
been
given
by
a
legally
appointed
test
centre
or
an
official
permit
has
been
given.
• Approved Volkswagen accessories and
Genuine
Volkswagen Parts can be obtained
from Volkswagen dealers who will of
course
carry out the
fitting
correctly.
• Additionally connected electric
con­
sumers
e.g. cold box, horns, fans etc. must
correspond to the electromagnetic com­patibility as per DIN VDE 40 839. Otherwise
functional defects can occur in the vehicle.
• If technical modifications are to be
made,
our guidelines must be observed.

This
is to ensure
that
no damage occurs to
the vehicle, the
traffic
and operating safety
is
retained and
that
the modifications are

permissible.
Volkswagen dealers will also
carry out this work correctly or will recom­ mend a specialist workshop.
GENERAL
MAINTENANCE

Mobile
telephones
and
two way
radios

Mobile
telephones
CT.-.-5:
:5 -
not be operated ms ;e:"f .r' : ; ~ :•_

a
separate external aer a
When transmitting,
tress
azz a:5s ate high frequency energy. :a~
for physical reasons nana \; ' sheet metal body and are
'e~e::5;
~s :•
the body.

Attention
Mobile
telephones
and
two-way

radios
operated
inside
the ve­

hicle
without
a
separate
external

aerial
can be
injurious
to
healthl

Notes

• The
high
frequency
transmitting
energy
radiated
inside
the
vehicle

can
interfere
with
the
functioning
of
the
vehicle
electronics.

For
these reasons and to avc z "55" :: ~z
the operating range of the rroc
e:5er:"a

or two-way radio, a specie
external
:•. :
must be
fitted
to the vehicle.
Not available in all Export markets.
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DO-IT-YOURSELF

First
aid kit.
Warning

triangle
Vehicle
tools

The First Aid Kit and warning triangle can be
secured
under the
front
passenger's seat mot on vehicles
with
swivelling seats).

Note:

The
first
aid kit and warning triangle are not part of vehicle equipment.
Double
Cab
under rear seat
1 Pick-up behind the driver's seat

Vehicle
tools and jack are stowed as fol­
lows:

Van, Kombi,
Caravelle

at rear
left
of luggage compartment
Note

On
vehicles
with
side
trim
panels the tools
are stored behind a removable cover.
118
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