2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI service

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.

WARNING
The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially dangerous area and can cause
serious personal injury.
x Always use extreme caution when doing any work in the engine compartment. Always
follow commonly accepted safety practices and use common sense. Never risk personal
injury.
x Never perform any work in the engine compartment unless you know exactly how to carry
out the job and have the correct technical information and the correct tools.
x If you are uncertain about what to do, have the work performed by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified
workshop. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed work.
x We strongly recommend that you always have HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon)
headlights and H7 bulbs replaced by a qualified technician. Serious personal injury may
result from improperly performed work.
x Never open or close the engine hood if steam or coolant is escaping. Hot steam or coolant
can cause serious burns. Always wait until you no longer see or hear steam or coolant
escaping from the engine.
x Always let the engine cool down completely before carefully opening the hood.
x Hot parts of the engine and the exhaust system will burn skin on contact.
x When the engine has cooled down and you are ready to open the hood:
– Firmly apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or
Neutral (manual only).
– Take the vehicle key out of the ignition.
– On vehicles with Keyless Access, make sure that the remote control vehicle key is out
of range of the vehicle and that the vehicle cannot be started by depressing the starter
button
– Always keep children and others away from the engine compartment and never leave
them unsupervised.
x The engine coolant system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never unscrew the
coolant expansion tank cap when the engine is hot. Hot coolant can spray out and cause
severe burns and other serious injuries.
– Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counterclockwise direction while applying
light downward pressure on the top of the cap.
– Always protect your face, hands, and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by
covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
x Never spill fluids on the engine or exhaust system when refilling. Spilling fluids onto hot
parts of the engine or exhaust system can cause a fire.

NOTICE
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.
Fluid leaks and spills are harmful to the environment. Regularly check the ground underneath
your vehicle for this reason. If you find spots of oil or other fluids, have your vehicle checked by your
authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Dispose of leaked operating
fluids properly.
Warning light

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 listed in
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 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

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.