2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE fuel cap

WARNING
Driving with a fuel tank that is almost empty can lead to stalling in traffic, a collision, and
serious personal injuries.
x When the fuel tank is almost empty, fuel supply to the engine can be interrupted,
especially when driving over bumps, across slopes, and up and down hills.
x Steering and braking assistance as well as ESC and related systems will not work if the
engine “sputters” or stalls due to lack of fuel.
x Always refuel when the tank is 1/4 full to reduce the risk of running out of fuel and stalling
in traffic.
NOTICE
x Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
x Never drive until the fuel tank is completely empty. The irregular fuel supply can cause the
engine to misfire. This allows unburned fuel to get into the exhaust system and damage the
catalytic converter or the diesel particulate filter.
The small arrow next to the gas pump symbol in the fuel gauge shows the side of the vehicle with
the fuel filler flap.
Applicable only in the United States
Misfueling guard for diesel vehicles

Fig. 116 With open fuel cap: Misfueling guard in the fuel filler neck.

The misfueling guard can generally only be properly opened with a correct nozzle from a standard
diesel fuel pump. Under certain circumstances it may be necessary to turn the nozzle back and forth
slightly with light pressure to open the misfueling guard. If the misfueling guard cannot be opened this
way, see the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and
have the fuel system checked.
WARNING
Spilled fuel can cause fires, explosions, burns, and other severe injuries.
x Do not refuel from devices other than correct, undamaged standard diesel fuel pump
nozzles.
x Always stop refueling once the pump nozzle switches off so that the tank does not
overflow.
NOTICE
x It is your responsibility to put the right fuel in your vehicle and any damage that results is
not covered under the Emissions warranties or any other Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
x If you put any amount of the incorrect fuel in the fuel tank, do not start the engine under any
circumstances. Immediately contact the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.
x If diesel fuel should get on any rubber hose, it must be wiped off immediately. The same
applies if diesel fuel gets onto other parts of the vehicle, especially paint, tires, or a plastic
part. Wash the contaminated vehicle parts right away with soap and warm water to help
prevent leaks and serious damage.
x Never force a fuel nozzle in the misfueling guard. If you have problems inserting a fuel
nozzle, first check to make sure you are using the correct diesel fuel. If you are, go to a pump
with the standard diesel nozzle. Forcing a fuel nozzle in the misfueling guard can damage it so
that it can no longer help prevent misfueling.
Fuel capacities
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Engine Fuel tank capacity
Gasoline and diesel engines About 14.5 gallons (55.0 liters),
including about 2 gallons (7.0 liters) reserve.

Refueling checklist

Volkswagen therefore recommends that you have the engine oil changed by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Engine oil quality is based not only on requirements for engines and exhaust treatment systems, but
also on fuel quality. Engine oil comes into contact with fuel and fuel residue in all internal combustion
engines, causing engine oil to age and its lubricating qualities to deteriorate.
Your engine was factory-filled with a high-quality, “synthetic” all-season engine oil that meets strict
Volkswagen oil quality standards and has a viscosity grade of SAE 5W-40. or SAE 5W-30. You can
use this oil for normal driving in all temperatures.
If you need to add oil between oil changes, use only a high quality oil that expressly complies with the
Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine:

Engines Engine oil specification
Gasoline engines
VW 502 00
VW 503 00
VW 504 00

At the time this Manual was printed, the engine oils available in the U.S. that meet these Volkswagen
standards are “synthetic” oils. This does not mean, however, that any “synthetic” engine oil will meet
Volkswagen standards. Always use an approved oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil
quality standard that applies to your vehicle's engine.
General recommendations:
If “synthetic” oil that meets the applicable Volkswagen oil quality standard with viscosity grade
SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30 is not available in your area, be sure to use a viscosity grade suitable for
the climate, season, and operating conditions that exist where the vehicle is used. Make sure the oil
meets the quality standard .
Engine oils are constantly being improved. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized
Volkswagen Service Facilities are always up-to-date regarding new developments and changes.
Volkswagen therefore recommends that you have the engine oil changed by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
NOTICE
x If you need to add oil and there is none available that meets the Volkswagen oil quality
standard your engine requires, you may add a total of no more than 1/2 quart (0.5 liter) of a
high-quality “synthetic” oil that meets ACEA A3 specifications and has a viscosity grade of
SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30.
x Use only a high quality engine oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil quality
standard specified for your vehicle's engine. Using any other oil can cause serious engine
damage that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
x Do not mix any lubricants or other additives into the engine oil. Doing so can cause engine
damage! Damage caused by these kinds of additives are not covered by any Volkswagen
Limited Warranty.
Applicable only in the United States
Engine oil capacities
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

WARNING
Driving faster than the maximum speed for which the winter tires on your vehicle were
designed can cause sudden tire failure including a blowout and sudden deflation, loss of
control, crashes and serious personal injuries.
x Winter tires have a maximum speed rating that may be lower than your vehicle's maximum
speed.
x Never drive faster than the maximum speed for which the winter tires installed on your
vehicle are rated because tires that are driven faster than their rated speed can fail suddenly.
x Never exceed the maximum load rating for the winter tires installed on your vehicle.
Install summer tires promptly in the spring. Summer tires offer better handling characteristics for
temperatures above +45 °F (+7 °C). They are quieter, do not wear as quickly, and reduce fuel
consumption.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated using the SET button whenever you
remove and remount or change any wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or replacement
wheels and tires are identical to those that were removed and even if the tire pressure does not
change
If necessary, ask your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility
about permissible winter tire dimensions.
Snow chains
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
Obey local regulations as well as the applicable speed limits when driving with snow chains.
Snow chains improve forward motion, traction and braking characteristics under wintry conditions.
Snow chains may be used only on the front wheels and only in tire and wheel combinations that
have been approved by Volkswagen.
Please contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility about
appropriate wheel, tire and snow chain dimensions.
If possible, use only chains with low profile links that are not thicker than 37/64 in. (15 mm) including
the tensioner.
Remove center hubcaps and decorative rim rings before installing snow chains ⇒ . However, for
safety reasons, caps must be installed on the wheel bolts. These are available from authorized
Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities.
Compact spare wheel
For technical reasons, snow chains cannot be used on the compact spare 256.
If you must use snow chains and have a compact spare wheel mounted, move the compact spare
wheel to the rear axle if a front tire has to be replaced. The tire taken off the rear axle can then be
used to replace the flat front tire. Be sure to install the unidirectional tires so that they will run in the
proper direction. Volkswagen recommends installing the snow chains before mounting the wheel to
the vehicle.

Cold tire inflation pressure
The tire pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for a tire of a specified size that has not
been driven for more than a couple of miles (kilometers) at low speeds in the 3 hour period before the
tire pressure is measured or adjusted.
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant, air conditioner, and additional weight of optional equipment.
Extra load tire
A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher inflation pressures than the corresponding
standard tire.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The load-carrying capacity of a single axle system, measured where the tire contacts the ground.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The maximum loaded weight of the vehicle.
Groove
The space between 2 adjacent tread ribs.
Load rating (code)
The maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given inflation pressure. You may not find this
information on all tires because it is not required by law.
Maximum load rating
The load rating for a tire at the maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The total of:
x Curb weight.
x Accessory weight.
x Vehicle capacity weight.
x Production options weight.
Maximum (permissible) inflation pressure
The maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated. Also called “maximum inflation
pressure.”
Normal occupant weight
Means 150 lbs (68 kilograms) times the number of occupants seated in the vehicle up to the total
seating capacity of your vehicle.
Occupant distribution
The placement of passengers in a vehicle.
Outer diameter
The diameter of a new, properly inflated tire.
Overall width
Total width measured at the exterior sidewalls of an inflated tire, including the additional width of
labeling, decorations, or protective bands or ribs.