2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE Emergency

WARNING
Uncontrolled or unintentional opening and closing of the convertible top can cause accidents and serious injuries.
x Never open or close the convertible top unless the vehicle is parked and at a safe distance from traffic.
x Do not open or close the convertible top unless you have made sure that nobody is in the way of the luggage compartment lid, the convertible top supports, and other moving parts.
x Make sure the closed convertible top is latched securely.
x If convertible top operation is interrupted:
– The convertible top may not stop moving immediately. Gravity may cause the convertible top to continue moving.
– If you cannot close the convertible top “normally,” use the emergency closing procedure to latch it, if necessary.
– Note the messages in the instrument cluster that indicate if the convertible top has closed and latched correctly.
NOTICE
Frequent opening and closing of the convertible top drains the vehicle battery. To help prevent the battery from draining, leave the engine running if opening and closing the roof frequently.
NOTICE
Always close the convertible top before leaving the vehicle and when it may rain or snow. If the convertible top is open, rain or snow can damage the vehicle interior and can cause extensive damage to the electrical system.
NOTICE
The height of the vehicle changes when the convertible top is opening or closing. When there is not enough room above the vehicle, for example in a garage, the convertible could hit something and be damaged.
x Only open or close the convertible top when there is enough room above the vehicle to do so.
If you park the vehicle with the convertible top open, the passenger compartment can be damaged by rain or snow, and it is also open to unauthorized persons.
x Always close the convertible top before you leave the vehicle.
x If you must leave things in the vehicle when the top is down, you should lock them in the luggage compartment.

WARNING
Uncontrolled or unintentional opening and closing of the convertible top can cause accidents and serious injuries.
x Never open or close the convertible top unless the vehicle is parked and at a safe distance from traffic.
x Do not open or close the convertible top unless you have made sure that nobody is in the way of the luggage compartment lid, the convertible top supports, and other moving parts.
x Make sure the closed convertible top is latched securely.
x If convertible top operation is interrupted:
– The convertible top may not stop moving immediately. Gravity may cause the convertible top to continue moving.
– If you cannot close the convertible top “normally,” use the emergency closing procedure to latch it, if necessary.
– Note the messages in the instrument cluster that indicate if the convertible top has closed and latched correctly.
WARNING
If interruption of the opening or closing process causes the convertible top to come to rest in its forward position, the roof will not be latched.
x If you are unable to get the convertible top to close “normally,” latch the roof using the emergency closing procedure, Emergency closing and opening.
x Watch for a message in the instrument cluster display indicating whether the convertible top has been properly closed.
NOTICE
x Strong radio signals or interference can interfere with convertible top operation. Operation will then stop.
NOTICE
Frequent opening and closing of the convertible top drains the vehicle battery. To help prevent the battery from draining, leave the engine running if opening and closing the roof frequently.
NOTICE
Always close the convertible top before leaving the vehicle and when it may rain or snow. If the convertible top is open, rain or snow can damage the vehicle interior and can cause extensive damage to the electrical system.
NOTICE
The height of the vehicle changes when the convertible top is opening or closing. When there is not enough room above the vehicle, for example in a garage, the convertible could hit something and be damaged.

Removing the convertible top cover
x Press the release buttons on each side of the cover A (1) and lift the convertible top cover at the inner side (arrows).
x Pull the convertible top cover out by the loop in area A (2) (slide your other hand under the cover and lift area (2) up while pulling on the loop, if necessary).
x Pull the left and right sides of the cover out of the retainer B (4).
x Pull the rear area of the convertible top cover B (3) next to the seal above the luggage compartment lid.
x Remove the convertible top cover from the vehicle and fold it up. Clean the cover before folding, if necessary.
x Store the convertible top cover securely in the luggage compartment.
NOTICE
Dirt particles with sharp edges can cause abrasions and damage to the convertible top cover when it is folded.
x Clean the convertible top cover before folding it up.
The convertible top button does not work when the convertible top cover is installed. If the button is pressed anyway, the convertible top indicator light will blink as long as the button is pressed.
Convertible top troubleshooting

Description Possible solution
The convertible top will not open or will not close.
– Check to make sure all the preliminary and technical requirements for convertible top operation are met – If the convertible top still will not operate, use the emergency procedure to close the convertible top, if necessary – Have the system checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
The convertible top stops when opening or closing.
– Check the instrument cluster display for information on what to do ⇒ table
– Pull the button ⇒ fig. 33 to completely close and latch the convertible top. – If the convertible top does not close completely and latch, try to close and latch it using the emergency closing procedure – Get professional help if necessary and have the system checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop.

WARNING
New tires or tires that are old, worn or damaged cannot provide maximum control and braking performance.
x Improper care and handling of tires and wheels can reduce driving safety and cause accidents and severe injuries.
x Install only radial tires of the same make, the same dimensions (tread circumference), and similar tread profile on all 4 wheels.
x New tires tend to be slippery and must be broken in. Always drive with special care for the first 350 miles (560 km) to help reduce the risk of losing control, a collision, and serious personal injuries.
x Check tire inflation pressure regularly when the tires are cold and always maintain the prescribed tire pressure. Low tire pressure can cause tires to get too hot, resulting in tread separation, sudden loss of pressure, and blowouts. Tires with excessively low pressure flex (bend) more, which can cause the tire to overheat and fail suddenly without warning.
x Check tires regularly for wear and damage.
x Never drive with worn or damaged tires (for example, tires with punctures, cuts, cracks, blisters, or bumps). Driving with worn or damaged tires can lead to loss of vehicle control, sudden tire failure including blowouts and sudden deflation, crashes, and serious personal injuries.
x Have worn or damaged tires replaced immediately.
x Never exceed the maximum speed rating or the maximum load rating of the tires on your vehicle.
x The effectiveness of the driver assistance systems and the braking support systems depends on the tire traction.
x If you notice unusual vibration or if the vehicle pulls to one side when driving, always stop as soon as it is safe to do so and check the wheels and tires for damage.
x To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen the bolts on wheels with bolted rim rings.
x Never mount used tires on your vehicle if you are not sure of their past use. Old, used tires and wheels may have damage that cannot be seen that can lead to sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
x Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly, especially at high speeds, causing loss of vehicle control, accidents, and severe personal injuries. Tires that are more than 6 years old can be used only in an emergency and even then only with special care and at low speed.
For technical reasons it is usually not possible to use wheel rims from other vehicles. Even wheel rims from the same model may not fit properly. Check with an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility if necessary.

If you have to mount a tire opposite to its proper direction of rotation, you must drive more carefully, since the tire is no longer being used as designed. This is particularly important on wet roads. You must replace or remount the tire as soon as possible in order to restore the correct direction of rotation.
Rotating tires
To help ensure even wear on all tires, regular tire rotation according to the diagram ⇒ fig. 95 is recommended. In this way all tires can have about the same service life.
Volkswagen recommends that you have your tires rotated by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Tires more than 6 years old
Tires age even if they are not being used. Physical and chemical processes reduce tire strength and performance and cause them to harden and become brittle. Old tires can fail suddenly and without warning.
Volkswagen recommends replacing tires that are 6 years and older. This also applies to tires that look new (including the tire on the compact spare wheel) or that seem to still be usable with tread depth
that has not yet reached the legal minimum depth ⇒ .
The age of each tire can be determined with the manufacturing date that is part of the U.S. DOT tire identification number (TIN), Tire labeling.
Tire storage
Mark tires before removing them to help make sure that the previous location (left, right, front, rear) and rolling direction can be maintained when remounting them. Store tires in a cool, dry and preferably dark place. Do not store tires mounted on wheels standing up.
Tires not mounted on wheels should be covered to help protect them from dirt and stored vertically (sitting on the tread).
WARNING
Aggressive fluids and materials can cause visible and invisible tire damage that can cause tire blowouts.
x Always keep chemicals, oils, grease, fuels, braking fluids and other aggressive substances away from tires.
WARNING
Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly, especially at high speeds, causing loss of vehicle control, accidents, and severe personal injuries.
x Tires that are more than 6 years old can be used only in an emergency and even then only with special care and at low speed.
Always dispose of old tires in accordance with legal requirements.
Wheel rims

Differences between the road tires and the compact spare
The compact spare is different in design from the road tires and must be used only in the event of a
flat tire, only for a brief time, and only when driving with extra caution ⇒ .
Replace it with a tire matching the others on your vehicle as soon as possible.
Please heed the following:
x Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h)!
x Avoid full-throttle acceleration, hard braking and fast cornering!
x Do not use snow chains on the compact spare wheel, Snow chains.
x After installing the compact spare wheel, check the tire pressure as soon as possible, Tire inflation pressure in cold tires, Tire inflation pressure in cold tires.
Check the tire inflation pressure of the compact spare whenever you check the tire pressure of the road wheels, at least once a month. Inflate a compact spare wheel to the cold tire pressure specified for the compact spare on the tire pressure label or on a separate label for the compact spare, if there is one.
WARNING
Improper use of a compact spare wheel can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, and serious personal injury.
x Never use a compact spare wheel if it is damaged or worn down to the wear indicators.
x In some vehicles, the compact spare wheel is smaller than the original tire. A smaller compact spare wheel is identified with a sticker and the words “50 mph” or “80 km/h.” This is the maximum permissible speed when driving with this tire.
x Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) with a compact spare wheel. Avoid full-throttle acceleration, heavy braking, and fast cornering!
x Never drive more than 125 miles (200 km) if a compact spare wheel is installed on the front axle (drive axle).
x Replace the compact spare with a normal wheel and tire as soon as possible. Compact spare tires are designed for brief use only.
x Regularly check the U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) to determine the age of the compact spare wheel, Tire labeling. Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly, especially at higher speeds.
x Tires that are more than 6 years old can only be used in an emergency and then with special care and at lower speeds.
x The compact spare wheel must always be secured with the wheel bolts provided by the factory.
x Never drive using more than one compact spare wheel.
x After installing the compact spare wheel, the tire pressure must be checked as soon as possible, Tire inflation pressure in cold tires, Tire inflation pressure in cold tires.
x Snow chains cannot be used on the compact spare wheel. If you must use snow chains and have a compact spare wheel mounted, move the compact spare wheel to the rear axle if a front tire has to be replaced. The tire taken off the rear axle can then be used to replace the flat front tire. Be sure you do not change the tire's direction of rotation. Install the snow chains on the full-sized road tire.
NOTICE
When the spare wheel or compact spare is being used, the TPMS indicator light can come on
after a couple of minutes ⇒ page 221, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

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, turn on the emergency flashers, stop the engine, and use other warning devices to warn approaching traffic.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Vehicle key positions in the ignition switch

Fig. 114 In the ignition switch: Vehicle key positions.

WARNING
Improper use of vehicle keys can result in serious personal injury.
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. This could result in people being trapped 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 buildup 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.
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.
Leaving the key in the ignition for a long time when the engine is not running will drain the vehicle battery.
Leaving the selector lever for a long period of time in any position other than Park (P) when the ignition is switched off can drain the vehicle battery.
On automatic transmission vehicles, the vehicle key can be removed from the ignition switch only when the transmission is in Park (P). You may have to press the release button on the transmission selector lever to put the lever into Park (P).
Starter button

Fig. 115 In the center console: Starter button for the Keyless Access locking and starting system.