2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE hatch

x Make sure that the rear hatch does not touch items on the roof rack when opened.
If a roof rack is installed, fuel consumption increases due to increased air resistance.
Attaching the roof rack base carrier and roof rack

Fig. 91 Attachment points for the base carrier and roof rack.

WARNING
Rear Assist technology cannot overcome the laws of physics and the limits of the system. Careless or unintentional use of Rear Assist may result in accidents and severe injuries.
x Always adjust your speed and driving style to road, traffic, weather, and visibility conditions.
x Always keep an eye on the parking direction and the vehicle surroundings. The front of the vehicle swings out more than the rear of the vehicle.
x Never pay so much attention to the graphics shown on the screen that you fail to notice what is going on around you.
x Always watch for people, especially small children, animals, and objects, because the camera may not always be able to detect them.
x The system may not be able to clearly show everything behind the vehicle.
x Use Rear Assist only when the rear hatch is completely closed.
NOTICE
x The camera shows only two-dimensional images on the screen. Due to the lack of depth of field, it may be difficult or impossible to identify protruding objects or recesses in the road, for example.
x Things like thin rods, fences, posts, and trees may not be detected by the camera and could damage the vehicle.
Applicable only in the United States
Operation

Fig. 126 In the rear hatch: Location of the Rear Assist camera.

2) Examples of optical distortion by the camera:
The Rear Assist camera displays only two-dimensional images. Recesses and protruding objects on the ground or protruding parts on other vehicles are difficult or impossible to identify due to the lack of depth of field.
Objects or another vehicle may seem closer or farther away on the screen than they really are:
– When driving from a level surface onto an upward or downward slope.
– When driving up or down a slope onto a level surface.
– If the rear of the vehicle is heavily loaded.
– When approaching protruding objects. These objects can disappear from the field of view when backing up.
Cleaning the camera lens
Keep the camera lens clean and free of snow and ice:
x Engage the parking brake.
x Switch on the ignition.
x Select the Reverse (R) gear.
x Wet the camera lens with a commercially available alcohol-based glass cleaner and clean with a
dry cloth ⇒ .
x Remove snow with a brush.
x Remove ice with deicer spray ⇒ .
NOTICE
x Never use abrasive cleaning agents to clean the camera lens.
x Never remove snow or ice on the camera lens with warm or hot water. This can damage the camera lens.
Volkswagen recommends practicing parking with Rear Assist in a safe place with little or no traffic or in a parking lot under good visibility and weather conditions in order to familiarize yourself with the system, the orientation lines and the way they work.
Rear Assist does not work when the rear hatch is open.

NOTICE
x Things like trailer draw bars, thin rods, fences, trees, narrow painted vertical poles, posts, or a rear hatch that is opening may not be detected by the Park Distance Control sensors and could damage the vehicle.
x If you continue driving closer to an object that the Park Distance Control has already detected and reported, the object may disappear from the sensor range and may no longer be detected. This is especially true for low or high objects. The system will no longer sound warnings about these objects. Ignoring signals from the Park Distance Control system could result in serious damage to the vehicle.
x The sensors in the bumpers can be damaged or become misaligned in low speed impacts and parking maneuvers. Damaged or misaligned sensors cannot accurately detect or report objects that might be within range of the PDC system.
x To help make sure that the system works properly, always keep the sensors in the bumpers clean and free of snow and ice; do not cover the sensors with stickers or other objects.
x When cleaning the sensors with power washers or steam cleaners, only spray the sensors directly for a very short time, and always keep the washer nozzle at least 4 inches (10 cm) from the sensors.
x Noise from rough roads, cobblestones, other vehicles and the surrounding area, for example, can prevent the Park Distance Control system from accurately detecting and reporting people and objects that may be within range of the sensors.
x Aftermarket components such as bicycle racks can impair the function of the Park Distance Control system.
Volkswagen recommends practicing with the Park Distance Control system in a location or parking space with no traffic in order to become familiar with the system and how it works.
Applicable only in the United States
Park Distance Control (PDC)

Fig. 129 In the front bumper: Park Distance Control system sensors.

WARNING
Even if empty, portable fuel containers can leak and cause a fire and serious personal injuries, especially in a crash.
x For your safety, we strongly recommend that you do not travel with a portable fuel container in your vehicle.
x If, under exceptional circumstances, you must transport a portable fuel container, please observe the following:
– Never fill a portable fuel container while it is anywhere in or on the vehicle (for example, in the luggage compartment or on top of the rear hatch). Static electricity can build up while filling and can ignite fuel vapors, causing a fire.
– Always place a portable fuel container on the ground before filling. Never spill fuel inside the vehicle or luggage compartment. Fuel vapors are highly flammable.
– Always keep the filler nozzle completely inside the portable container before and during filling.
– If filling a portable container made of metal, the filler nozzle must always be in contact with the container. This will help prevent static electricity from discharging and causing a fire.
– Always observe local and state or provincial laws about the use, storage, and transportation of portable fuel containers.
– Make certain that the portable fuel container meets industry standards, such as ANSI/ASTM F852-86.
NOTICE
x Remove fuel spills from the vehicle immediately to help prevent damage to the paint, tires, and wheel housings.
x Refueling with gasoline when your vehicle has a diesel engine or refueling with diesel fuel when your vehicle has a gasoline engine can cause very serious and expensive engine and fuel system damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
x If you put any amount of incorrect fuel in the fuel tank, do not start the engine under any circumstances. Immediately contact the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance. These fuels contain substances that can severely damage the fuel system and the engine if the engine is started.
x Vehicles with diesel engines must never be refueled or driven with gasoline, kerosene, heating oil, or other non-specified fuels that have not been expressly approved for use with the diesel engine. Other kinds of fuel will cause serious damage to the fuel system and the engine that is not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
Fuels can pollute the environment. Spilled fuel must be collected and disposed of properly, following all applicable environmental regulations.
There is no emergency release for the fuel filler flap. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the wet brakes or, in winter, brake discs or pads coated with ice, react slower and need longer stopping distances.
x Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a few careful applications of the brake. Make sure not to endanger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.
CAUTION
Sharp edges under the vehicle can cut exposed skin.
x Always protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings, etc.
NOTICE
x The water temperature must not be more than +140 °F (+60 °C).
x To help prevent damage to the paint, do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
x Do not use insect sponges, abrasive kitchen sponges or similar things to clean the vehicle. These can damage the paint finish.
x Never clean headlights with a dry cloth or sponge. Always use a wet cloth or sponge. For best results use soapy water.
x When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather, do not let water get into the lock cylinders or point the hose at gaps around the doors, hood, or rear hatch. The water could freeze on the locks and seals and make it difficult to open the vehicle!
NOTICE
To help prevent vehicle damage in a car wash:
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, 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 rear hatch to help prevent unintentional opening in the car wash.
Washing with a power washer

Never use a power washer to clean the engine compartment, Cleaning the engine compartment.
WARNING
Improper use of power washers can cause serious invisible permanent damage leading to tire failure and loss of vehicle control. This can cause accidents and severe personal injury.
x Keep sufficient distance between water jet and tires. Never wash tires with a nozzle that sprays the water out in a direct stream regardless of the distance to the tire and even for a very short time.
x Never use “dirt blasters” to clean tires. Even spraying from a relatively long distance for a very short time can do visible or invisible damage to tires.
WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the wet brakes or, in winter, brake discs or pads coated with ice, react slower and need longer stopping distances.
x Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a few careful applications of the brake. Make sure not to endanger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.
NOTICE
x Water temperature should not be more than +140 °F (+60 °C).
x To help prevent damage to the paint, do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
x In order for Park Distance Control to work correctly, the sensors in the rear bumper must be kept clean and clear of snow and ice.
x When using a power washer or steam cleaner, only spray the sensors directly for a short period of time and always keep the nozzle at least 4 inches (10 cm) from the sensor.
x Do not clean icy or snow-covered windows with a power washer.
x When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather, do not let water get into the lock cylinders or point the hose at gaps around the doors, hood, or rear hatch. The water could freeze on the locks and seals and make it difficult to open the vehicle!
Cleaning windows and outside mirrors

Opening the rear hatch from inside the luggage compartment

Fig. 150 View from luggage compartment: Opening the rear hatch.