2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE engine oil

Engine oil

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
Diesel engines VW 507 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 listed in ⇒ table..
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.
Engine oil capacities

WARNING
Engine oil can ignite when it touches hot engine parts. This can cause fires, burns, and other
severe injuries.
x Never spill oil on the engine. Oil spilled on a cold engine can also cause a fire when the
engine warms up.
x Always make certain that you screw the cap of the engine oil filler opening back on tightly
after adding oil and that the dipstick has been pushed all the way back into the in the guide
tube. This helps prevent engine oil from leaking onto the hot engine when the engine is
running.
NOTICE
x Do not start the engine if the engine oil level is above range (A). Contact an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Otherwise the catalytic
converter and engine can be damaged!
x When changing or topping off fluids, make sure that you pour the fluids into the correct
reservoirs. Adding the wrong type of operating fluids will cause serious malfunctions and
engine damage.
The engine oil level should never be above range (A). Otherwise oil can be drawn in by the
crankcase ventilation system and enter the atmosphere via the exhaust system.
Engine oil consumption

The engine cooling system is filled at the factory with a mixture of specially conditioned water and at
least 40 percent of Volkswagen engine coolant additive G 13 (TL-VW 774 J). This engine coolant
additive is pink.
This mixture provides antifreeze protection down to -13 °F (-25 °C). It also helps to protect the light
alloy parts in the engine cooling system against corrosion. In addition, the mixture helps prevent
calcium deposits and increases the boiling point of the engine coolant.
To protect the engine, the mixture must always contain at least 40% coolant additive even in warm
weather or climates where antifreeze protection is not needed.
If more antifreeze protection is needed for climate conditions, the percentage of coolant additive can
be increased. However, the coolant additive percentage must never be more than 60%; otherwise,
antifreeze protection is reduced and the ability of the mixture to cool the engine is also reduced.
When adding engine coolant, use a mixture of distilled water and at least 40% coolant additive G 13
or G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) for optimum corrosion protection ⇒ .
Do not mix G 13 with G 12 plus or G 11. Mixing these coolant additives together significantly reduces
corrosion protection ⇒  and can lead to engine damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen
Limited Warranty.
WARNING
Too little antifreeze protection in the engine cooling system can cause engine failure and
severe injuries.
x Always make sure there is enough of the correct coolant additive to provide proper
antifreeze protection at the coldest temperatures that can be expected where the vehicle will
be used.
x At extremely cold temperatures, the coolant could freeze, causing the vehicle to break
down. The heater would also not work, and vehicle occupants could be without protection at
subfreezing temperatures.
NOTICE
Never mix original Volkswagen engine coolant additives with other additives not approved by
Volkswagen. Mixing Volkswagen coolant additives with coolant additives made by other
manufacturers can seriously damage the engine and the engine cooling system.
x If the fluid in the engine coolant reservoir is any color but pink, then G 13 was mixed with a
different engine coolant. If this is the case, the engine coolant must be replaced immediately.
Otherwise serious malfunctions or engine damage can occur!
Engine coolant and engine coolant additives can pollute the environment. Collect leaking
operating fluids and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and
regulations.
.

The catalytic converter provides exhaust gas after-treatment to help reduce pollutants in the exhaust
gas. To help ensure long service life of the exhaust system and gasoline engine catalytic converter:
x Only use unleaded fuel.
x Never completely empty the fuel tank.
x Do not exceed the correct oil level..
x Do not tow the vehicle to start it, but use a jump-start instead..
If you experience misfires, loss of power or the engine is not running smoothly while driving, reduce
speed immediately and have the vehicle checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility. Otherwise, gasoline could reach the exhaust system and get into the
atmosphere. The catalytic converter could also be damaged by overheating!
Under certain engine conditions, you may smell a sulfur odor. This is not an indication of a
malfunctioning emission control system. This depends upon the sulfur content of the diesel fuel.
Diesel particulate filter

When not to tow your vehicle
In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed and must be transported on a flatbed truck or
trailer:
x If transmission fluid has leaked out of the transmission.
x If there is little or no oil in the transmission because of damage to your vehicle, it must be moved
with the drive wheels off the ground.
x If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
x When the vehicle battery is dead, because the steering may remain disabled and it may not be
possible to release the electronic steering column lock.
x If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).
Towing other vehicles
x Obey all legal requirements
x Read and heed all towing information in the owner's manual for the other vehicle.
A vehicle can be towed only if the electronic steering column lock is released. In case of a power
loss or malfunctions of the electrical system, the engine may have to be jump-started in order to
release the electronic steering column lock.
x Push on the cover until the lip has locked into place.
NOTICE
Always make sure the towing eye is screwed all the way into threaded hole so that it is secure.
If not, it could be pulled out while your vehicle is being towed.
Driving tips while towing