2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE Owners Manual

The convertible top button does not work when the convertible top cover is installed. If the button
is pressed anyway, the convertible top indicator light will blink as long as the button is pressed.
What to do if the convertible top will not move

Description Possible solution
The convertible top
will not open or close.
– Check to make sure all the preliminary requirements for convertible top
operation are met
– If the convertible top still will not operate, use the emergency procedure to
close the convertible top, if necessary
– Have the system checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
The convertible top
stops when opening
or closing.
– Check the instrument cluster display for information on what to do ⇒ table.
– Pull the button ⇒ fig. 30 to completely close and latch the convertible top.
– If the convertible top does not close completely and latch, try to close and
latch it using the emergency closing procedure
– Get professional help if necessary and have the system checked by an
authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility,
or another qualified workshop.

Automatic Rollover Support System

Fig. 35 Behind the rear bench seat backrest: Automatic Rollover Support System.
The Automatic Rollover Support System® works with the reinforced windshield frame, properly worn
safety belts, and the airbag system, to help protect vehicle occupants in a rollover accident.
If the Automatic Rollover Support System is triggered, 2 supports behind the rear seat backrest deploy
upwards in a fraction of a second.
The Automatic Rollover Support System works only when the ignition is switched on. It deploys when
the convertible top is open as well as when it is closed.
The Automatic Rollover Support System is electronically controlled together with the airbag system. A
malfunction in the rollover support system is indicated by the airbag indicator light t in the instrument
cluster

The Automatic Rollover Support System can only deploy one time. After the Automatic Rollover Sup-
port System has deployed, you cannot slide it back into its original position. It must be replaced by an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
The Automatic Rollover Support System may deploy in the following situations:
x In driving situations in which the vehicle tips sharply to one side, consistent with the values pro-
grammed into the electronic control module.
x In certain frontal, side, and rear-end collisions.
x In rollovers.
x If the vehicle briefly leaves the ground, for example when cresting a hill at a comparatively high
speed.
WARNING
The Automatic Rollover Support System can cause serious injuries if persons or objects are
in the way when it deploys.
x Never use accessory seat covers or protective covers that block the rollover protection
deployment area.
x Every rear seat passenger must be properly seated on a seat of his or her own and must
stay in a proper seating position at all times.
x Always keep the area around the supports free of anything that could interfere with their
deployment or fly about and injure occupants when the supports deploy.
x Never take the covers off the Automatic Rollover Support System.
x Never attach a child seat, child restraints, straps, or anything else to the rollover protec-
tion supports.
WARNING
If there is a system malfunction, the Automatic Rollover Support System may cause serious
injuries by not deploying properly, by not deploying at all, or by deploying unexpectedly.
x If a malfunction exists in the system, have it checked immediately by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. A malfunction exists in the
system if the indicator light:
– does not come on when the ignition is turned on;
– does not go out about 5 seconds after you start the engine;
– goes out after switching on the ignition and then comes back on again;
– comes on or flickers when you are driving.
NOTICE
If deployed, the Automatic Rollover Support System can damage the convertible top fabric
when opening or closing the top.
x Do not open or close the convertible top if the Automatic Rollover Support System has
deployed.

Adjusting the seating position

WARNING
Always adjust seat, safety belts, and head restraints properly before driving and make sure
that all passengers are properly restrained.
x Push the passenger seat as far back as possible. Always be sure that there are at least
10 inches (25 cm) between the front passenger's breastbone and the instrument panel.
x Always adjust the driver's seat and the steering wheel so that there are at least 10 inches
(25 cm) between your breastbone and the steering wheel.
x Adjust the driver's seat so that you can easily push the pedals all the way to the floor
while keeping your knee(s) slightly bent. The distance to the instrument panel in the knee
area must be at least 4 inches (10 cm).
x If these requirements cannot be met for physical reasons, contact an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to see whether adaptive
equipment is available.
x Always hold the steering wheel on the outside of the steering wheel rim with your hands
at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to help reduce the risk of personal injury if the driv-
er's airbag inflates.
x Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position or with your hands at other places
inside the steering wheel rim or on the steering wheel hub. Holding the steering wheel the
wrong way can cause serious injuries to the hands, arms, and head if the driver's airbag in-
flates.
x Pointing the steering wheel toward your face decreases the ability of the driver's airbag to
help protect you in a collision.
x Never drive with backrests reclined or tilted back farther than necessary to drive comfort-
ably. The farther back the backrests are tilted, the greater the risk of injury caused by incor-
rect positioning of the safety belts and improper seating position.
x Never drive with the front seat passenger backrest tilted forward. If the front airbag de-
ploys, the front backrest can be forced backward and injure passengers on the rear seat.
x Sit as far back as possible from the steering wheel and the instrument panel.
x Always sit upright with your back against the backrest with the front seats properly ad-
justed. Never lean against or place any part of your body too close to the area where the air-
bags are located.
x Rear seat passengers who are not properly seated and restrained are more likely to be
seriously injured in a crash.
WARNING
Improper adjustment of the seats can cause accidents and severe injuries.
x Never adjust the seats while the vehicle is moving. Your seat may move unexpectedly and
you could lose control of the vehicle. In addition, you will not be in the correct seating posi-
tion while adjusting the seats.
x Adjust the front seat height, angle and longitudinal direction only if the seat adjustment
area is clear.
x The adjustment of the front seats must not be restricted by things in the footwell in front
or behind the seats.
Examples of improper seating positions

Not wearing or improperly fastening safety belts increases the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Safety
belts can work only when they are properly positioned on the body. An improper seating position
significantly impairs the protection provided by safety belts. This can cause severe or even fatal inju-
ries. Improper seating positions also increase the risk of serious injury or death when an airbag de-
ploys and strikes an occupant who is not in the proper seating position. The driver is responsible for all
passengers and especially children riding in the vehicle.
The following are only some examples of seating positions that will increase the risk of serious injury
or death.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is moving:
x Never stand up in the vehicle.
x Never stand on the seats.
x Never kneel on the seats.
x Never ride with the seat backrest reclined.
x Never lean up against the instrument panel.
x Never lie down on the rear seat.
x Never sit on the edge of the seat.
x Never sit sideways.
x Never lean out the window.
x Never put your feet out the window.
x Never put feet on the instrument panel.
x Never rest your feet on the seat cushion or back of the seat.
x Never ride in the footwell.
x Never sit or stand on the armrests.
x Never ride without your safety belt properly fastened.
x Never ride in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Contact with parts of the vehicle interior can cause serious personal injury in a crash.
x Always make sure that all vehicle occupants stay in a proper seating position and are
properly restrained whenever the vehicle is moving.
x Improper seating positions increase the risk of serious and fatal injury, especially when an
airbag deploys and strikes a passenger in an improper seating position.

Proper seating position

Fig. 36 The driver should never sit closer than 10 inches (25 cm) of the steering wheel.

Fig. 37 Proper safety belt positioning and head restraint adjustment.
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
The following describes the proper seating positions for the driver and front seat passenger.
If you have a physical impairment or condition that prevents you from sitting properly on the driver seat
with the safety belt properly fastened and reaching the pedals, special modifications to your vehicle
may be necessary. Only the proper seating position ensures optimum protection by the safety belt and
airbag.
Contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility or call the
Volkswagen Customer CARE Center at 1-800-822-8987 for information about possible modifications
to your vehicle.
For your own safety and to reduce injuries in the event of sudden braking maneuvers or accidents,
Volkswagen recommends the following seating positions:
Applies to all vehicle occupants:
x Adjust head restraints so that the upper edge of the head restraint is at least at eye level or higher.
Position the back of your head as close as possible to the head restraint ⇒ fig. 36 and ⇒ fig. 37.
x Push the head restraint completely down for short people, even if the top of the head is then below
the upper edge of the head restraint.
x Tall people should pull the head restraint all the way up.

x Adjust the seat backrest angle to an upright position so that your back is in full contact with it when
the vehicle is moving.
x Always keep both feet on the floor and in the footwell whenever the vehicle is moving.
x Always adjust and fasten safety belts properly .
Driver–seat and steering wheel adjustment:
x Adjust the steering wheel so that there are at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the steering wheel
and your breast bone ⇒ fig. 36. When adjusting the proper distance to the steering wheel, grasp the
top of the steering wheel with your elbows slightly bent.
x Always hold the steering wheel on the outside of the steering wheel rim with your hands at the
9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to help reduce the risk of personal injury if the driver's airbag inflates.
x Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position or with your hands at other places inside
the steering wheel rim or on the steering wheel hub. Holding the steering wheel the wrong way can
cause serious injuries to the hands, arms, and head if the driver's airbag inflates.
x Adjust the steering wheel so that the steering wheel cover points at your chest and not at your
face. Pointing the steering wheel toward your face decreases the ability of the driver's airbag to help
protect you in a collision.
x Adjust the driver's seat so that you can easily push the pedals all the way to the floor while keeping
your knee(s) slightly bent.
x Adjust the seat height so that the top point of the steering wheel can be reached.
x Always keep both feet in the footwell so that you are in control of the vehicle at all times.
Passenger–front seat adjustment:
x Push the passenger seat as far back as possible in order to ensure optimum protection if the
airbag is deployed.
Manual controls on the driver and passenger seat

Fig. 38 Controls on the left front seat.

fig. 38 Function Action
(1) Move the front seat forward or
back.
Pull the lever up and move the front seat. The front
seat must lock in place after the lever is released!
(2) Fold the backrest forward and
back into the upright position
Folding forward: Pull the handle and fold the
backrest forward while pushing the seat forward.
Folding back into the upright position: Push the seat
all the way back, and fold the backrest back into the
upright position. The backrest must lock in place!
(3) Lumbar support control. Pull the lever up or push it down.
(4) Adjust the backrest angle. Lean forward and turn the adjuster wheel forward or
backward.
(5) Adjust the seat height. Move the lever several times up or down.

Adjusting the front and rear head restraints

Fig. 39 Adjusting the head restraints.