2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE check engine light

Type of notification Symbol color Explanation
Priority 2 warning message Yellow Symbol flashing or continuously lit – sometimes with acoustic warn-ings. Malfunctions or low operating fluid levels may cause vehicle dam-
age and vehicle breakdown ⇒ . Check malfunction as soon as possible. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance if necessary.
Information text – Information about various vehicle situations.
Odometer displays
The odometer indicates the total distance driven by the vehicle.
The trip odometer (Trip) shows the distance driven since the last time the trip odometer was reset. The last digit indicates 1/10 mile (100 meters).
Outside temperature display
At outside temperatures below about +39 °F (+4 °C), a “snowflake symbol” (icy road warning) appears in the display. The symbol flashes at first, then stays on until the outside temperature rises above
+43 °F (+6 °C) ⇒ .
When the vehicle is not moving or when you are driving at very low speeds, the temperature displayed may be slightly higher than the actual outside temperature.
The measurement range is from -40 °F (-40 °C) to +122 °F (+50 °C).
Compass display (if applicable)
On vehicles equipped with compass display, the current compass direction is indicated in the instru-ment cluster display when the ignition and navigation system are switched on.
Selector lever positions
The selector lever position is shown both on the side of the selector lever and in the instrument cluster display. The respective gear may also be shown in the instrument cluster display in Drive D and Sport Drive S, as well as in Tiptronic® mode.
Gear recommendation
When the vehicle is moving, a fuel economy gear recommendation may appear in the instrument cluster display, Shifting.
Alternative speed display (mph or km/h)
The alternative speed display shows the current vehicle speed in units other than the units shown on the vehicle’s speedometer. For example, if the speedometer shows mph, the alternative speed display shows a digital readout of the current vehicle speed in km/h. This feature can be especially helpful when driving in countries where speed limit signs are posted in units other than those shown on the vehicle’s speedometer.
x Start the engine.
x Press the

Lights up Possible cause Proper response
D
Power steering assist is reduced.
Stop, restart the engine, and drive a short distance. If the yellow warning light does not come on again, you do not need to have the steering system checked. Otherwise, have the steering checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Vehicle battery was disconnected and has been reconnected. Drive a short distance at about 10–12 mph (15–20 km/h).

Flashes Possible cause Proper response
D Electronic steering column lock malfunction.

The fuel filler neck of diesel vehicles is equipped with a misfueling guard ⇒ fig. 136. The misfueling guard helps prevent filling the fuel tank of a diesel vehicle with gasoline, because the guard makes it difficult to insert any type of filler nozzle other than the type commonly used for diesel fuel.
Damaged, worn out, or incorrect nozzles, as well as other means of refueling (portable fuel containers, for example) will generally not open the misfueling guard and fuel from these sources cannot easily flow into the tank. Using these incorrect or non-standard nozzles to refuel your diesel vehicle can cause fuel spills, which can cause fires, explosions, burns, and other severe injuries.
The misfueling guard can generally only be properly opened with a correct nozzle from a standard diesel fuel pump. Under certain circumstances it may be necessary to turn the nozzle back and forth slightly with light pressure to open the misfueling guard. If the misfueling guard cannot be opened this way, see the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and have the fuel system checked.
WARNING
Spilled fuel can cause fires, explosions, burns, and other severe injuries.
x Do not refuel from devices other than correct, undamaged standard diesel fuel pump nozzles.
x Always stop refueling once the pump nozzle switches off so that the tank does not overflow.
NOTICE
x It is your responsibility to put the right fuel in your vehicle and any damage that results from using the wrong fuel is not covered under the Emissions warranties or any other Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
x If you put any amount of the wrong 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.
x If diesel fuel should get on any rubber hose, it must be wiped off immediately. The same applies if diesel fuel gets onto other parts of the vehicle, especially paint, tires, or a plastic part. Wash the contaminated vehicle parts right away with soap and warm water to help prevent leaks and serious damage.
NOTICE
Never force a fuel nozzle in the diesel misfueling guard. Forcing a fuel nozzle in the misfueling guard can damage it so that it can no longer help prevent misfueling.
x If you have problems inserting a diesel fuel nozzle, please check to make sure you are using the right kind of diesel fuel.
x If you must refuel with a non-standard diesel fuel nozzle, an adapter is available from Volkswagen to allow refueling. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance. Only use an adapter approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle.
Fuel capacities

WARNING
High voltage systems in the engine compartment can cause electrical shocks or even electrocution, severe burns, other serious injuries, and even death!
x Never short-circuit the electrical system. Be especially careful when using jumper cables. The vehicle's battery could explode!
x To reduce the risk of electrical shock and personal injury while the engine is running or being started:
– Never touch ignition cables. Never touch other components of the high voltage electronic ignition system.
– Never touch the wiring of the HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) headlights.
x Read and heed the important information and warnings on cleaning the engine compartment, Cleaning the engine compartment.
WARNING
Moving parts in the engine compartment can cause serious personal injury on contact.
x Never reach into the area around or touch the radiator fan. Contact with the blades can cause serious personal injury. Always remember that the radiator fan is temperature-controlled and can come on suddenly even when the engine has been switched off for a while and the key has been removed from the ignition.
x If you have to perform a check or repair when the engine is running, there are more risks from the rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan, etc., and from the high-voltage ignition system. Always use extreme care.
– Always make sure that jewelry, loose clothing and long hair do not get caught in rotating engine parts. Before starting any work remove your jewelry, take off your necktie, tie back and cover your hair, and do not wear clothing that can hang down and get caught in moving engine parts.
– Always use extreme caution if the accelerator pedal has to be depressed to perform a check. The vehicle will start to move even if the parking brake is on.
x Never leave any objects in the engine compartment, for example cleaning rags and tools. Objects left behind can cause malfunctions, engine damage, and even fires.
WARNING
Operating fluids and some materials in the engine compartment can catch fire easily, causing burns and other serious personal injuries!
x Never smoke near the engine compartment.
x Never work next to open flames or sparks.
x Never pour or spill operating fluids or other flammable liquids on the engine. These fluids can ignite on hot engine parts and cause injuries.
x If work on the fuel system or the electrical system is necessary:
– Always disconnect the 12 Volt vehicle battery. Make sure the vehicle is unlocked when you disconnect the battery, or the alarm will go off. Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
– Never work near heaters, water heaters, or other open flames.
x Always have a functional, approved fire extinguisher nearby.

x Open the driver door and pull the inside hood release lever in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 137
A. The engine hood is released from its latch by a spring ⇒ .
x Push the outside hood release lever B (arrow) and lift the hood all the way up.
x Pull the hood support out of its bracket in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 138 A and insert it into the opening in the hood B (arrow).
Closing the engine hood
x Lift the hood slightly ⇒ .
x Take out the hood support and clamp it in place in its bracket A.
x Lower the engine hood by hand until it is about 8 in. (20 cm) above its latch and then let it drop into place to latch it. Do not push down on it afterwards!
If the hood does not close completely, open it again and close it properly.
When the hood is properly closed, you can see that it fits flush with the other body parts. The display in the instrument cluster no longer indicates that the engine hood is open, Display.
WARNING
If the hood is not closed properly, it could fly up and block your view while you are driving. This can lead to a crash and serious personal injuries.
x After closing the engine hood, check that the hood release lever is properly latched into the hood latch. The engine hood must be flush with the surrounding auto body parts.
x If you ever notice that the hood latch is not properly secured when the vehicle is moving, stop at once and close it.
x Never let anyone get in the way of the hood when closing it.
NOTICE
x Make sure the windshield wipers are switched off and the windshield wiper arms are resting on the windshield before you open the hood. Otherwise, the windshield wipers and the hood may be damaged.
x Always put the windshield wiper arms down against the windshield before driving the vehicle.
NOTICE
Before opening or closing the engine hood, make sure there is enough room to do so, for example when the vehicle is in a garage.

The engine coolant temperature warning light is located on the fuel gauge in the instrument cluster, Instrument overview
The following table explains what to do if the engine coolant temperature warning light ¿ does not go out a few seconds after the engine is started or starts flashing while driving.

Flashes Possible cause Proper response
~
Engine coolant temperature too high.
² Stop! Pull off the road and stop as soon as you can do so safely. Stop the engine and let it cool down until the temperature is in the normal range again. Check the engine coolant level and add engine coolant if needed. If the engine coolant level is correct or the problem continues after adding coolant and driving a short distance, do not drive any farther. Contact the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. If the coolant level is correct, the overheating may be caused by a radiator fan fault. Check the fuses and replace as necessary.
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.
Engine coolant system malfunction.
² Stop! Get assistance from an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop.
– – Do not drive at high engine speeds or with heavy engine loads until the engine warms up.
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.
The engine coolant temperature may also be shown in the Volkswagen Information System MFI display, MFI menu (Multi-Function Indicator). On some equipment versions, all symbols and information in the display are shown in red, Displays and warning lights (Basic version). The red color of the letters, numbers, and symbols used in the display does not indicate a malfunction.
The ideal operating temperature of the engine can vary and depends on the driving situation. If the engine coolant temperature should get any warmer than about 198 °F (95 °C) the MFI display will automatically switch to the digital coolant temperature display. If the engine coolant temperature is already being displayed, no change will occur. This, however, is only informational and does not indicate overheating.
If the engine coolant temperature is too high (warmer than 257 °F or 125 °C), the red engine coolant temperature warning light on the fuel gauge in the instrument cluster will flash. An acoustic signal may also sound.

Checking engine coolant level
x When the engine is cold, check the engine coolant level relative to the marking on the side of the
expansion tank ⇒ fig. 141.
x If the coolant level in the tank is below the minimum mark (“min”), add coolant. When the engine is warm, the engine coolant level may be slightly above the upper edge of the marked range.
Adding engine coolant
x Always protect face, hands and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
x Carefully unscrew the cap ⇒ .
x Add only new engine coolant according to Volkswagen specifications (Engine coolant
specifications) ⇒ .
x The engine coolant level must be inside the marks on the side of the reservoir . Do not fill above
the top edge of the filling range! ⇒ 
x Screw the lid tightly.
x Even in an emergency, do not use any other kind of coolant additive if engine coolant meeting Volkswagen specifications ( Engine coolant specifications) is unavailable! Instead, add distilled water
only ⇒ . As soon as possible, have the correct coolant ratio restored using engine coolant that meets Volkswagen specification, Engine coolant specifications.
WARNING
Hot steam and hot engine coolant can cause serious burns.
x Never open the hood if you see steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment. 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. Hot components 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, 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. Under some conditions, the ethylene glycol in engine coolant can catch fire.

WARNING
Working on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, explosions, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system.
x Before working on the electrical system, always switch off the ignition and all electrical consumers and disconnect the negative (-) cable from the standard 12 Volt battery.
x When you change a light bulb, always switch off the light first.
x Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries in general.
x Always wear eye protection. Never let battery acid or lead particles come into contact with your eyes, skin, or clothing.
x Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection. To reduce your risk of injury, never tilt the batteries, as this could spill acid through the vents and burn you.
x If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for several minutes and then get immediate medical attention. If you swallow any battery acid, get medical attention immediately.
x When disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle electrical system, always disconnect the negative cable (-) first and then the positive cable (+).
x Always switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting 12 Volt batteries. Reconnect the plus cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-). Never reverse the polarity of the connections. This could cause a fire.
x A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the battery is being charged.
x Do not smoke and avoid fires, sparks, and open flames when working. Never create sparks or electrostatic charges when handling cables and electrical equipment. Never short circuit the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause serious personal injury.
x Never use or attempt to charge a damaged or frozen battery, or a battery that was frozen but has thawed. Charging a frozen or thawed battery could cause explosions and chemical burns! Replace damaged or frozen vehicle batteries immediately. A dead battery can freeze at temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).
x If the battery has a vent line or tube, make sure that it is properly connected to the battery.
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning
x Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead components, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash your hands after handling.
NOTICE
x Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an extended period of time as ultraviolet rays may damage the battery housing.
x If the vehicle is left standing in the cold for a long time, protect the vehicle battery from freezing. A battery will be permanently damaged by freezing.
Emergency starting and starting the engine with a very weak vehicle battery or after the vehicle battery has been replaced may change or delete system settings (including time, date, personal convenience settings, and programming). Check the settings and correct as necessary once the vehicle battery has built up a sufficient charge.