2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE hatch

Fig. 26 Opening rear hatch from the outside.

Closing the rear hatch

Fig. 27 Opened rear hatch: Recessed grips for closing.

Driving with an open rear hatch can lead to serious personal injury. If you have to drive with an open rear hatch, make sure that all objects and the hatch itself are properly secured and take appropriate measures to keep toxic exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.
WARNING
Driving with an unlatched or open rear hatch can lead to serious personal injury.
x Never transport objects larger than those that fit completely in the luggage compartment, because the rear hatch cannot be fully closed properly.
x After closing the rear hatch, always pull up on it to make sure that it is properly closed and cannot open suddenly when the vehicle is moving.
x Always stow all objects securely in the luggage compartment. Loose objects can fall out of the luggage compartment and injure others on the road behind you.
x Drive carefully; anticipate what other drivers will do.
x Avoid abrupt or sudden acceleration, steering, or braking, because the unlatched rear hatch can move suddenly.
x Always mark objects sticking out from the luggage compartment clearly for others to see. Obey all applicable legal requirements.
x Never use the rear hatch to “clamp” or “hold” objects that stick out of the luggage compartment.
x Always remove any luggage rack or other rack mounted on the rear hatch (along with any luggage on the rack) before driving with an open rear hatch.
WARNING
Driving with an open rear hatch can cause poisonous carbon monoxide in the engine exhaust to get into the passenger compartment.
x Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness, inattentiveness, poisoning, and loss of consciousness. It can lead to accidents and severe personal injuries.
x Always keep the rear hatch closed while driving to help keep poisonous exhaust fumes from being drawn into the vehicle.
x Never transport objects that are too large to fit completely into the luggage area, because then the rear hatch cannot be fully closed.
x If you absolutely must drive with an open rear hatch, do the following to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning:
– Close all windows and the power sunroof.
– Switch off the climate control system's air recirculation feature.
– Open all air vents in the instrument panel.
– Set the fresh air fan to the highest speed.
NOTICE
The open rear hatch changes the vehicle length and height.
Driving a loaded vehicle

NOTICE
Before folding the rear seat backrest forward, adjust the front seats so that the rear seat's head
restraint or backrest cushion will not touch the front seats.
Luggage compartment cover

Fig. 77 On the rear hatch: Installing and removing the supporting cords.

Fig. 78 In the luggage compartment: Installing and removing the luggage compartment cover.

Storing the luggage compartment cover
x Slide the luggage compartment cover between the rear seat backrest and the side mounts (arrow
(2)).
Installing the luggage compartment cover
x Position the luggage compartment cover on the side brackets.
x Slide the luggage compartment cover forward into the side brackets.
x Ho/+ the supporting straps onto the rear hatch ⇒ fig. 77 (arrows).
WARNING
In a sudden braking or other maneuver, or in a collision, unsecured or improperly secured
objects or animals on the luggage compartment cover can cause serious personal injury.
x Never leave hard, heavy or sharp objects in bags or loose on the luggage compartment
cover.
x Never let animals ride on the luggage compartment cover.
NOTICE
To help prevent damage to the luggage compartment cover, the luggage compartment may
only be loaded to a height at which the luggage compartment cover will not press on the cargo
when the rear hatch is closed.
NOTICE
Things on the luggage compartment cover can damage it.
x The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that
rub against them.
Shopping bag hooks

Fig. 79 In the luggage compartment: Shopping bag hook.

WARNING
Even if empty, portable fuel containers can leak and cause a fire and serious personal
injuries, especially in a crash.
x For your safety, we strongly recommend that you do not travel with a portable fuel
container in your vehicle.
x If, under exceptional circumstances, you must transport a portable fuel container, please
observe the following:
– Never fill a portable fuel container while it is anywhere in or on the vehicle (for
example, in the luggage compartment or on top of the rear hatch). Static electricity can
build up while filling and can ignite fuel vapors, causing a fire.
– Always place a portable fuel container on the ground before filling. Never spill fuel
inside the vehicle or luggage compartment. Fuel vapors are highly flammable.
– Always keep the filler nozzle completely inside the portable container before and
during filling.
– If filling a portable container made of metal, the filler nozzle must always be in contact
with the container. This will help prevent static electricity from discharging and causing a
fire.
– Always observe local and state or provincial laws about the use, storage, and
transportation of portable fuel containers.
– Make certain that the portable fuel container meets industry standards, such as
ANSI/ASTM F852-86.
NOTICE
x Remove fuel spills from the vehicle immediately to help prevent damage to the paint, tires,
and wheel housings.
x Refueling with gasoline when your vehicle has a diesel engine or refueling with diesel fuel
when your vehicle has a gasoline engine can cause very serious and expensive engine and
fuel system damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
x If you put any amount of 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. These fuels contain substances that can severely
damage the fuel system and the engine if the engine is started.
x Vehicles with diesel engines must never be refueled or driven with gasoline, kerosene,
heating oil, or other non-specified fuels that have not been expressly approved for use with the
diesel engine. Other kinds of fuel will cause serious damage to the fuel system and the engine
that is not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
Fuels can pollute the environment. Spilled fuel must be collected and disposed of properly,
following all applicable environmental regulations.
There is no emergency release for the fuel filler flap. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Opening the rear hatch from inside the luggage compartment

Fig. 132 View from luggage compartment: Opening the rear hatch.

The vehicle tool kit is in the luggage compartment in one of several places, such as under the luggage
compartment floor panel.
x Open the rear hatch.
x Lift the floor panel by the handle and hang it on the hook beneath the luggage compartment cover
⇒ fig. 135 (1).
Completely retract the jack after use. Otherwise it will not fit in its compartment and cannot be
stowed safely.
Contents

Fig. 136 Contents of the vehicle tool kit.