2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE Owners Manual

Engine coolant specifications

Vehicle battery

WARNING
Working on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid
burns, fires, explosions, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS
and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system.
x Before working on the electrical system, always switch off the ignition and all electrical
consumers and disconnect the negative (-) cable from the standard 12 Volt battery.
x When you change a light bulb, always switch off the light first.
x Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries in general.
x Always wear eye protection. Never let battery acid or lead particles come into contact with
your eyes, skin, or clothing.
x Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness.
Always wear protective gloves and eye protection. To reduce your risk of injury, never tilt the
batteries, as this could spill acid through the vents and burn you.
x If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for
several minutes and then get immediate medical attention. If you swallow any battery acid,
get medical attention immediately.
x When disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle electrical system, always disconnect
the negative cable (-) first and then the positive cable (+).
x Always switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting 12 Volt batteries.
Reconnect the plus cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-). Never reverse the polarity of
the connections. This could cause a fire.
x A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the battery is being charged.
x Do not smoke and avoid fires, sparks, and open flames when working. Never create
sparks or electrostatic charges when handling cables and electrical equipment. Never short
circuit the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause serious personal injury.
x Never use or attempt to charge a damaged or frozen battery, or a battery that was frozen
but has thawed. Charging a frozen or thawed battery could cause explosions and chemical
burns! Replace damaged or frozen vehicle batteries immediately. A dead battery can freeze at
temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).
x If the battery has a vent line or tube, make sure that it is properly connected to the battery.
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning
x Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead components,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash
your hands after handling.
NOTICE
x Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an extended period of time as
ultraviolet rays may damage the battery housing.
x If the vehicle is left standing in the cold for a long time, protect the vehicle battery from
freezing. A battery will be permanently damaged by freezing.
Emergency starting and starting the engine with a very weak vehicle battery or after the vehicle
battery has been replaced may change or delete system settings (including time, date, personal
convenience settings, and programming). Check the settings and correct as necessary once the
vehicle battery has built up a sufficient charge.

Warning light

Exterior care and cleaning

WARNING
Improper care and cleaning of vehicle components can impact the safety features of the
vehicle and cause severe injuries.
x Always clean and maintain vehicle components according to manufacturer's instructions.
x Only use approved or recommended cleaners.
NOTICE
Vehicle care products containing solvents can damage plastics and other vehicle the materials.
Wash the vehicle only at specifically designated wash locations to help prevent water
contaminated with oil, grease and fuel from entering the storm drain sewer system. In some areas it is
against the law to wash motor vehicles anywhere than other than at specified designated car washing
locations.
When buying vehicle care products, try to choose those that are not harmful to the environment.
Never throw out vehicle care products with ordinary household waste. Always read and heed all
the instructions and all WARNINGS on the package.
Maintaining and cleaning the convertible top

WARNING
The convertible top may move by itself due to gravity. This can lead to injuries.
x Always close the convertible top completely when cleaning. Never leave the convertible
top partly open to clean the roof pillar shafts on the side or the roof rods.
x Never reach into the shafts or grab the rods when the convertible top is opening, closing
or stopped.
NOTICE
x Never clean with a pressure washer, even briefly. The convertible top cloth and seals could
be damaged and could leak.
x Never clean the convertible top with gasoline, stain remover, benzene, paint thinner,
detergent solutions, or other aggressive substances. Do not use any abrasive cleaning
materials or stiff brushes.
x Avoid parking under trees that drop a lot of sap or pollen.
x Bird droppings must be removed immediately because they damage the convertible top.
Washing with a power washer

NOTICE
x Water temperature should not be more than +140 °F (+60 °C).
x To help prevent damage to the paint, do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
x Do not clean icy or snow-covered windows with a power washer.
x When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather, do not let water get into the lock
cylinders or point the hose at gaps around the doors, hood, or luggage compartment lid. The
water could freeze on the locks and seals and make it difficult to open the vehicle!
NOTICE
Never wash the convertible top with a power washer. The convertible top could be damaged.
Undercoating