2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE convertible top

Driving with an open luggage compartment lid can lead to serious personal injury. If you have to drive with an open luggage compartment lid, make sure that all objects and the lid itself are properly secured and take appropriate measures to keep toxic exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.
WARNING
Driving with an unlatched or open luggage compartment lid can lead to serious personal injury.
x Never transport objects larger than those that fit completely in the luggage compartment, because the luggage compartment lid cannot be fully closed properly.
x After closing the lid, always pull up on it to make sure that it is properly closed and cannot open suddenly when the vehicle is moving.
x Always stow all objects securely in the luggage compartment. Loose objects can fall out of the luggage compartment and injure others on the road behind you.
x Drive carefully; anticipate what other drivers will do.
x Avoid abrupt or sudden acceleration, steering, or braking, because the unlatched luggage compartment lid can move suddenly.
x Always mark objects sticking out from the luggage compartment clearly for others to see. Obey all applicable legal requirements.
x Never use the luggage compartment lid to “clamp” or “hold” objects that stick out of the luggage compartment.
x Always remove any luggage rack or other rack mounted on the luggage compartment lid (along with any luggage on the rack) before driving with an open luggage compartment lid.
WARNING
Driving with an open luggage compartment lid can cause poisonous carbon monoxide in the engine exhaust to get into the passenger compartment.
x Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness, inattentiveness, poisoning, and loss of consciousness. It can lead to accidents and severe personal injuries.
x Always keep the luggage compartment lid closed while driving to help keep poisonous exhaust fumes from being drawn into the vehicle.
x Never transport objects that are too large to fit completely into the luggage area, because then the luggage compartment lid cannot be fully closed.
x If you absolutely must drive with the convertible top closed and the luggage compartment lid open, do the following to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning:
– Close all windows.
– Switch off the climate control system's air recirculation feature.
– Open all air vents in the instrument panel.
– Set the fresh air fan to the highest speed.
NOTICE
Opening the luggage compartment lid changes the vehicle height.
Driving a loaded vehicle

On hills
Before stopping the engine, turn the steering wheel so that, if the vehicle starts to roll, its front wheels will roll into the curb:
x Facing downhill, turn the front wheels so that they point toward the curb.
x Facing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they point away from the curb.
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter 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).
x 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.
About the brakes

The air conditioner works only when the ignition is switched on. The cooling system for the passenger compartment works only when the engine is running and the fan is on.
The air conditioner is most efficient when the windows and the convertible top are closed. If the vehicle is stationary and the passenger compartment becomes very hot due to sunlight, briefly opening the windows may speed up the cooling process.
Keep the air intake slots in front of the windshield free of ice, snow, and leaves so that the heating and ventilation systems can work properly.
Settings for optimum visibility
When you switch on the cooling system, both the temperature and humidity in the vehicle are reduced. This will help make passengers feel more comfortable and help keep the windows from fogging up.
For manual A/C
x Switch off the air recirculation, Air recirculation.
x Set the fan to the desired speed.
x Turn the temperature knob to the center position.
x Open and adjust all air vents in the instrument panel, Air vents.
x Turn the air distribution knob to the desired setting.
x Push the !

x Compare the vehicle track width with the dimensions of the guide rails in the car wash to help prevent damage to wheel rims and tires!
x Switch off the rain sensor before driving the vehicle through a car wash ⇒ page Error! Bookmark not defined., Rain sensor.
x Make sure there is enough clearance for the height and width of the vehicle.
x To help prevent paint damage to the engine hood, place wiper blades against the windshield after they have dried. Do not let them snap back into place.
x Fold the outside mirrors toward the vehicle body.
x Lock the luggage compartment lid to help prevent unintentional opening in the car wash.
Maintaining and cleaning the convertible top

x Avoid parking under trees that drop a lot of sap or pollen.
x Bird droppings must be removed immediately because they damage the convertible top.
Washing with a power washer

WARNING
Before using the emergency procedure to close the convertible top, park the vehicle as far away from moving traffic as possible. If necessary, switch on the emergency flashers and set up a warning triangle. Obey all applicable legal requirements.
NOTICE
If the vehicle's battery fails or the power windows won't work, the door windows are not lowered when the door is opened or closed. Always close and open the door carefully to help prevent damage to the window, the paint, or the rubber seal.
NOTICE
To help prevent vehicle damage, carefully remove and properly reinstall parts after emergency locking or unlocking.
Manually unlocking and locking the driver door

Fig. 150 Door handle on driver door: Concealed lock cylinder.

Fig. 156 Convertible top emergency closing (2).

x Pull the convertible top down using the emergency handle and turn the handle clockwise until the convertible top latches completely and securely. The X indicator light goes out.
x Turn the screw in the center of the emergency handle counterclockwise to loosen using the Phillips head end of the screwdriver and remove the handle.
x Reinstall the front cover over the emergency lock opening.
x Put the hexagonal socket wrench, emergency handle, and screwdriver back into the vehicle tool kit
⇒ page 389, Vehicle tool kit.
x Drive to an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the convertible top serviced. The bolts that were removed cannot be reused and must be replaced with
new bolts before the top can be opened again ⇒ .
WARNING
The wind generated by driving can open the convertible top if it is not latched. This can cause accidents and serious injuries.
x Never drive if the convertible top is not latched.
CAUTION
To help reduce the risk of personal injury, never touch moving parts when the convertible top is closing.
x Always be careful not to pinch your hands when closing the convertible top manually.
x Always be careful not to pinch yourself or others when pressing the convertible top onto the windshield frame.
NOTICE
To help prevent significant vehicle damage, do not operate the convertible top after performing the emergency closing procedure until the bolts are replaced with correct, new bolts by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Emergency release for the fuel filler flap