2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI Owners Manual

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). 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.
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.

Indicator lights and fuel gauge

Fig. 146 In the instrument cluster: Fuel gauge.

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.
The small arrow next to the gas pump symbol in the fuel gauge shows the side of the vehicle with
the fuel filler flap.
Refueling

Fig. 147 Fuel cap placed on the open fuel filler flap.

x Unscrew the fuel filler cap counterclockwise and remove. Place the cap on the top of the fuel filler
flap while refueling ⇒ fig. 147.
Refueling
The correct fuel grade for your vehicle is listed on a sticker on the inside of the fuel filler flap (arrow).
x The fuel tank is full when the automatic filler nozzle pump switches off the first time ⇒ .
x Do not try to add fuel after the pump stops! Topping off the tank in this way may fill the expansion
space that the tank needs and cause fuel to overflow, for example, if it gets warmer outside.
Closing the fuel filler cap
x Screw the fuel cap clockwise onto the fuel filler neck until you hear it click into place.
x Close the fuel filler flap until you hear it latch shut. The fuel filler flap must be flush with the vehicle
body.
WARNING
Spilled fuel can cause fires, explosions, burns, and other severe injuries.
x Always stop refueling once the pump nozzle switches off so that the tank does not
overflow.
NOTICE
Remove fuel spills from all vehicle surfaces immediately to help prevent damage to the paint,
tires, and wheel housings.
Fuel spills may pollute the environment.
Fuel capacities

Checklist
If you are uncertain in any way, have the work done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed
work. Make sure that you check the following items regularly. The best thing is to check them every
time you refuel:
d Windshield washer fluid level
d Engine oil level
d Engine coolant level
d Brake fluid level
d Tire pressure
d Vehicle lighting necessary for driving safety:
– Turn signals
– Low beams and high beams
– Taillights
– Brake lights
– License plate lights
Information regarding changing light bulbs
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and injuries.
x Please note and follow the points listed in the checklist.

Fuel
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Gasoline
Gasoline additives
The correct fuel grade for your engine is shown on a sticker located on the inside of the fuel filler flap
⇒ fig. 147.
Bad or poor quality fuel reduces operating performance, efficiency and service life of the engine. If you
notice any symptoms like rough engine idle or performance or “bucking,” immediately reduce the
vehicle speed, accelerate slowly, and keep the engine speed in the middle of the rpm range. Avoid
high rpm and rapid acceleration. If these symptoms should appear right after refueling, switch off the
engine. In both cases contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility to have the engine checked.
More information:
x ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance
x Refueling
x Engine control and exhaust system
WARNING
Improper refueling or handling of fuel is dangerous and can cause fire, explosion, and severe
burns.
x Fuel is highly explosive and flammable and can cause severe burns and other injuries.
x Heed applicable safety warnings and obey local fuel handling regulations.
x Always make sure the fuel cap is screwed on all the way. This keeps fuel from spilling out
and from evaporating.
x Failure to shut the engine off while refueling and/or to insert the pump nozzle fully into the
vehicle's filler neck could cause fuel overflow and fuel spray. Fuel spray and overflowing fuel
are dangerous because they can cause fire or serious injury.
x For safety reasons, the engine must be turned off when refueling.
x Never get back into your vehicle while refueling. If in exceptional circumstances you must
get back in your vehicle while refueling, make certain that you close the door and touch metal
to discharge static electricity before touching the filler nozzle again. Static electricity can
cause sparks that can ignite fuel vapors released during refueling.
Gasoline additives

Volkswagen recommends TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. For more information on TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, please go to the official Web site http://www.toptiergas.com.
If quality gasoline with additives that do not contain metal is not available or engine malfunctions
occur, you should add the required additives while refueling ⇒ .
Not all gasoline additives are effective. Using the wrong additives can cause significant and expensive
damage to the engine and the catalytic converter. Never use additives that contain metal. Please note
that metal can be included in some aftermarket gasoline additives that are available to be added to
gasoline during or after refueling to help improve knock resistance or increase the octane rating.
Volkswagen recommends using only additives approved by Volkswagen. Appropriate additives as well
as instructions on how to use them are available from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Do not add any other gasoline additives.
NOTICE
You can damage the engine by using incorrect additives.
x Using incorrect gasoline additives can cause extensive engine damage as well as damage
to the catalytic converter.
x If you must fuel your vehicle with gasoline whose octane rating is too low, only drive with
the engine speed in the middle of the rpm range and with low engine load. Avoid high rpm and
heavy engine load. Otherwise, the engine could be damaged. Refuel your vehicle with gasoline
with the required octane rating as soon as possible.
x Do not use fuel that is labeled at the pump as containing metal. Lead replacement fuel
contains high concentrations of metallic additives. Engine damage could result.
x Fueling your vehicle just one time with leaded fuel or fuel that contains other metallic
additives can affect the performance of the catalytic converter and cause extensive damage to
it.

Preparations for working in the engine compartment
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Warning light
Getting ready to work in the engine compartment
Opening and closing the engine compartment
Always position the vehicle on a firm and level surface before doing any work in the engine
compartment.
The engine compartment of a vehicle is a hazardous area. Never do any work on the engine or in the
engine compartment unless you
x know exactly how to carry out the job,
x have the correct technical information and the proper tools and supplies, and
x are familiar with the necessary safety precautions ⇒ .
If you are uncertain in any way, have the work done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed
work.
More information:
x Exterior views
x Windshield wiper and washer
x Starting and stopping the engine
x Brake fluid
x Checks while refueling
x Engine oil
x Engine coolant
x Vehicle battery
x Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
WARNING
Unintended vehicle movement during maintenance work can cause serious personal injuries.
x Never work under the vehicle unless you have safely secured the vehicle from moving. If
you must work under the vehicle with the wheels on the ground, always make sure that the
vehicle is on level ground, that all 4 wheels are chocked to keep them from moving, and that
the key is not in the ignition.
x If you must work under a vehicle raised on a floor jack, always make sure that the vehicle
is safely supported on safety stands intended for that purpose that are strong enough to
support the weight of the vehicle. The jack supplied with the vehicle is not strong enough for
this purpose and can collapse causing serious personal injury.