2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HYBRID catalytic converter

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
Fog lights switched on (indicator light on
the headlight switch or the instrument
cluster).




Left or right turn signal.
The indicator light blinks twice as fast if a
turn signal is not working on the vehicle.
Check the turn signals on the vehicle.
 Daytime running lights (DRL) on.
$2,
 High beams switched on or headlight
flashers in use.


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.
WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to
break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.
x Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
x Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, stop
the engine, turn on the emergency flashers, and use other warning devices to warn
approaching traffic.
x Never park the vehicle in areas where the hot catalytic converter and exhaust system can
come into contact with dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, oil, or other material that can catch fire.
x A broken down vehicle presents a high accident risk for itself and others. Switch on
emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle to warn oncoming traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights provide bright, uniform lighting to help you see and be
seen. The light comes from an electric arc between two electrodes in the gas-filled bulb. Over time,
the electrodes can wear down and the gap between them will get wider. The HID lamp’s control unit
then increases the voltage to keep the arc’s brightness constant. However, the commonly called
“Xenon” bulbs will also ultimately burn out. Before they burn out, HID lamps can flicker. A message
will then appear in the MFI. This is your reminder to see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service facility to check the headlights.

WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious personal injury when starting and running the vehicle's engine:
x Never start the engine or let it run in a confined or enclosed area. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide, a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause
unconsciousness and death.
x Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. The vehicle could move
suddenly or some other unexpected event could occur, resulting in property damage or
personal injury.
x Never use starting assist fluids. Starting fluids can explode and can cause a “run-away”
vehicle condition.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter get very hot and can cause fires and
serious personal injury.
x Never park the vehicle where the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite
flammable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.
x Never apply additional undercoating or rust proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter, or heat shields.
Indicator lights

WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. The vehicle could move
suddenly, especially when the vehicle is in gear, resulting in accidents and personal injury.
WARNING
“Starting fluids” can explode and can cause a “run-away” vehicle condition.
x Never use starting assist fluids.
NOTICE
x You can damage the starter or the engine if you try to start the engine when the vehicle is
still moving, or if you try to restart the engine right after switching it off.
x Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle acceleration, and heavy engine loads when the
engine is cold.
x Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle. Unburned fuel can get into
the catalytic converter and damage it. The steering column may also be locked.
Do not let your vehicle warm up while standing; instead, start driving right away after making sure
that you have good visibility through all windows. This will help the engine reach operating
temperature faster and keep down emissions.
Major consumers of electricity are temporarily switched off when the engine is being started.
After starting a cold engine, there may be increased operating noises for a few seconds. This is
normal and harmless.
Stopping the engine

WARNING
Parking improperly can cause serious personal injury.
x Never remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle is moving or rolling to a
stop. The steering wheel will lock and you will not be able to steer or control the vehicle.
x Never park the vehicle where the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite
flammable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.
x Always apply the parking brake when parking your vehicle.
x Improper use of the parking brake can seriously injure you and your passengers.
x Never use the parking brake to slow down the vehicle when it is moving, except in an
emergency. The stopping distance is much longer because only the rear wheels are braked.
Always use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
x Never activate the throttle manually from the engine compartment when the engine is
running and the automatic transmission is in gear. The vehicle will start to move as soon as
the engine speed increases even if the parking brake is on.
x Never leave children or anyone who cannot help themselves behind in the vehicle. They
could release the parking brake and move the gear selector lever or gear shift, which could
cause the vehicle to start moving. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
x Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. The engine can be started and
vehicle systems such as the power windows can be operated, leading to serious personal
injury.
x Never leave children, disabled persons, or anyone who cannot help themselves in the
vehicle. The doors can be locked with the remote control vehicle key, trapping passengers in
the vehicle in an emergency. For example, depending on the time of year, people trapped in
the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.
x Heat build-up in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in
temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures, particularly
in summer. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause unconsciousness and
death, particularly to small children.
NOTICE
x Always be careful when you park in areas with parking barriers or high curbs. These vary in
height and could damage your bumper and related parts if the front of your vehicle hits a
barrier or curb that is too high while you are getting into or out of a parking spot. To help
prevent damage, stop before the tires of your vehicle touch a parking barrier or curb.
x Always be careful when you enter a driveway or drive up or down steep ramps or over
curbs or other obstacles. Parts of the vehicle close to the ground may be damaged (such as
bumper covers, spoilers, and parts of the engine, suspension, and exhaust systems).
Warning and indicator lights

WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter get very hot. They can cause fires and
serious personal injury.
x Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite flammable materials, such as
brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.
NOTICE
x Always be careful when you park in areas with parking barriers or high curbs. These vary in
height and could damage your bumper and related parts if the front of your vehicle hits a
barrier or curb that is too high while you are getting into or out of a parking spot. To help
prevent damage, stop before the tires of your vehicle touch a parking barrier or curb.
x Always be careful when you enter a driveway or drive up or down steep ramps or over
curbs or other obstacles. Parts of the vehicle close to the ground may be damaged (such as
bumper covers, spoilers, and parts of the engine, suspension, and exhaust systems).
About the brakes

Sailing
If the accelerator is not depressed and the lever is in position D, the combustion engine is switched off,
even at higher speeds. The vehicle then decelerates slower than conventional vehicles. This feature
can be used to help reduce fuel consumption when you keep traffic conditions in mind and can
anticipate the vehicle's power requirements. The instrument cluster powermeter shows zero.
Brake energy regeneration (Recuperation/charge)
When the vehicle brakes, the electrical energy is generated by the electric motor, which works as an
alternator and charges the high-voltage battery. The same thing occurs while the vehicle is coasting to
a stop or driving downhill.
Energy regeneration is shown in the instrument cluster display or on the Infotainment System screen.
The combustion engine may be switched off automatically in this situation. The instrument cluster
powermeter registers below zero.
Automatic starting - combustion engine
The combustion engine is started automatically in a number of situations.
x Engine temperature is too low.
x Catalytic converter temperature is too low.
x The high-voltage battery requires recharging.
x High-voltage battery is being charged at high rate when decelerating. The high-voltage battery
cannot absorb any more energy and for this reason the electric motor cannot brake the vehicle. The
combustion engine comes on to help slow the vehicle down (engine brake).
x Engine hood is open.
x Leaving the vehicle when the electric motor is still “live”. The status of the electric motor is not
always obvious, particularly when the combustion engine is not running. The combustion engine will
therefore start if the driver's safety belt is unlatched or the driver's door is opened when the
transmission is in Park (P) or Neutral (N) .
Energy flow display

Fig. 113 Energy flow display. A: Instrument cluster. B: Infotainment System.

Display text Proper response
Press button again to
refuel!

Fuel filler cap not properly closed ò
If the indicator light ò comes on or you see a text message in the instrument cluster display indicating
that the fuel filler cap is not properly closed, stop the vehicle in a safe place and switch off the engine
and the ignition.
Open the fuel filler flap and take the fuel filler cap off the filler neck. Then put the fuel filler cap back on
the filler neck and screw it on clockwise until you clearly hear a clicking sound. Close the fuel filler flap.
After switching on the ignition, the indicator light ò may stay on or the text message may still appear in
the instrument cluster display, even if the fuel filler cap is now properly closed. This is normal and no
reason to take your vehicle in for service.
If, however, the malfunction indicator light x also comes on, drive to your nearest authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and have the fuel system and the
engine checked.
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.
NOTICE
If the fuel tank venting system malfunctions and the fuel tank cannot be properly vented before
refueling:
x Gasoline fumes can escape from the fuel filler neck, resulting in temporary odors.
x The fuel nozzle may shut off during refueling and it will take longer to refuel the vehicle.
Only in this situation can you continue to carefully refuel your vehicle after the fuel nozzle
shuts off.
x See your Authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have
your vehicle checked.
The small arrow next to the gas pump symbol in the fuel gauge shows the side of the vehicle with
the fuel filler flap.

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.