2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI check engine

Opening the engine hood
x Before you open the hood, make sure that the windshield wiper arms are resting on the windshield
⇒ .
x Open the driver door and pull the inside hood release lever in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 148.
The engine hood is released from its latch by a spring ⇒ .
x Push the outside hood release lever ⇒ fig. 149 (arrow) and lift the hood all the way up. A gas-filled
strut will hold the hood up.
Closing the engine hood
x Pull the hood down to overcome the resistance of the gas-pressure strut ⇒ .
x Lower the engine hood by hand until it is about 1 ft. (30 cm) above its latch and then let it drop into
place to latch it. Do not push down on it afterwards!
If the hood does not close completely, open it again and close it properly.
When the hood is properly closed, you can see that it fits flush with the other body parts. The indicator
light in the instrument cluster will go out
WARNING
If the hood is not closed properly, it could fly up and block your view while you are driving.
This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
x After closing the engine hood, check that the hood release lever is properly latched into
the hood latch. The engine hood must be flush with the surrounding auto body parts.
x If you ever notice that the hood latch is not properly secured when the vehicle is moving,
stop at once and close it.
x Never let anyone get in the way of the hood when closing it.
NOTICE
x Make sure the windshield wiper arms are resting on the windshield before you open the
hood. Otherwise, the windshield wipers and the hood may be damaged.
x Always put the windshield wiper arms down against the windshield before driving the
vehicle.
NOTICE
Before opening or closing the engine hood, make sure there is enough room to do so, for
example when the vehicle is in a garage.

Engine oil
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Warning and indicator lights
Engine oil specifications
Engine oil capacities
Checking the engine oil level and adding oil
Engine oil consumption
Changing engine oil
More information:
x ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance
x Preparations for working in the engine compartment
x Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
WARNING
Improper handling of engine oil can cause severe burns and other serious injuries.
x Always wear eye protection.
x Engine oil is poisonous and must be stored out of the reach of children.
x Store engine oil only in the closed original container. This also applies to used oil until
disposal.
x To reduce the risk of poisoning, never drain the oil into empty food or beverage
containers that might mislead someone into drinking from them.
x Continuous contact with used engine oil is harmful to your skin. Always protect your skin
by washing thoroughly with soap and water.
x Engine oil becomes extremely hot when the engine is running and can cause severe
burns. Always let the engine cool down to the touch.
Like all other operating fluids, engine oil can pollute the environment. Collect leaked or spilled
operating fluids and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and
regulations.
Engine oil specifications

Engine coolant
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge
Engine coolant specifications
Checking engine coolant level and topping off
Never do any work on the coolant system unless you
x know exactly how to carry out the job,
x have the correct technical information and the proper tools, supplies, and operating fluids, 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 Trailer towing
x Preparations for working in the engine compartment
x Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
WARNING
Engine coolant is poisonous!
x Always keep the coolant in its original container stored in a safe place.
x To reduce the risk of poisoning, never store engine coolant in empty food or beverage
containers or in any other containers that might mislead someone into drinking from them.
x Always keep engine coolant out of reach of children.
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.
Coolant and coolant additives can pollute the environment. Collect leaking operating fluids and
dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Flashes
Temperature
gauge needle
⇒ fig. 152
Possible cause Proper response
(B)
Normal range
Engine coolant level too
low.
Check the engine coolant level after the
engine has cooled down and add engine
coolant if low
If the engine coolant level is correct or the
problem continues after adding coolant, do
not drive any farther. Contact an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
These instructions apply only when the
coolant temperature stays in the normal
range. Stop immediately if the needle goes
into the red warning zone (C).
– Engine coolant system
malfunction.

Vehicle battery
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Warning light
Checking the vehicle battery electrolyte level
Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the vehicle battery
The standard 12 Volt vehicle battery is part of the vehicle electrical system.
Never do any work on the vehicle electrical system unless you
x know exactly how to carry out the job,
x have the correct technical information and the proper tools, 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
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed
work.
Location of the vehicle battery
The 12 Volt vehicle battery is located in the engine compartment.
Explanation of the warnings on the vehicle battery

Symbol Meaning

Vehicle battery
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Warning light
Checking the vehicle battery electrolyte level
Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the vehicle battery
The standard 12 Volt vehicle battery is part of the vehicle electrical system.
Never do any work on the vehicle electrical system unless you
x know exactly how to carry out the job,
x have the correct technical information and the proper tools, 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
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed
work.
Location of the vehicle battery
The 12 Volt vehicle battery is located in the engine compartment.
Explanation of the warnings on the vehicle battery

Symbol Meaning

WARNING
Working on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid
burns, fires, explosions, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS
and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system.
x Before working on the electrical system, always switch off the ignition and all electrical
consumers and disconnect the negative (-) cable from the standard 12 Volt battery.
x When you change a light bulb, always switch off the light first.
x Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries in general.
x Always wear eye protection. Never let battery acid or lead particles come into contact with
your eyes, skin, or clothing.
x Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness.
Always wear protective gloves and eye protection. To reduce your risk of injury, never tilt the
batteries, as this could spill acid through the vents and burn you.
x If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for
several minutes and then get immediate medical attention. If you swallow any battery acid,
get medical attention immediately.
x When disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle electrical system, always disconnect
the negative cable (-) first and then the positive cable (+).
x Always switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting 12 Volt batteries.
Reconnect the plus cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-). Never reverse the polarity of
the connections. This could cause a fire.
x A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the battery is being charged.
x Do not smoke and avoid fires, sparks, and open flames when working. Never create
sparks or electrostatic charges when handling cables and electrical equipment. Never short
circuit the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause serious personal injury.
x Never use or attempt to charge a damaged or frozen battery, or a battery that was frozen
but has thawed. Charging a frozen or thawed battery could cause explosions and chemical
burns! Replace damaged or frozen vehicle batteries immediately. A dead battery can freeze at
temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).
x If the battery has a vent line or tube, make sure that it is properly connected to the battery.
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning
x Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead components,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash
your hands after handling.
NOTICE
x Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an extended period of time as
ultraviolet rays may damage the battery housing.
x If the vehicle is left standing in the cold for a long time, protect the vehicle battery from
freezing. A battery will be permanently damaged by freezing.
Emergency starting and starting the engine with a very weak vehicle battery or after the vehicle
battery has been replaced may change or delete system settings (including time, date, personal
convenience settings, and programming). Check the settings and correct as necessary once the
vehicle battery has built up a sufficient charge.

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
D
Engine control/monitoring system
malfunction (engine Malfunction Indicator
Light - MIL)
Ease off the accelerator. Carefully drive to the
nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Have
engine checked.


Flashes Possible cause Proper response
B Misfire, which can damage the catalytic
converter.
Ease off the accelerator. Carefully drive to the
nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Have
engine checked.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check. They go out after a few seconds.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
As long as the indicator lights x or EPC are on, expect engine malfunctions, increased fuel
consumption, and loss of engine efficiency.
Catalytic converter