Get Driving tips -> Driving with an open rear hatch Guide for Volkswagen Beetle 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2019)

WARNING

Heavy loads will influence the way your vehicle handles and increase stopping distances.

Heavy loads that are not properly stowed or secured can cause loss of control and serious

injury.

ꢀ

Secure the load properly to keep it from shifting.

Always remember when transporting heavy objects that a change in the center of gravity

also changes the way your vehicle handles:

–

Always distribute the load as evenly as possible.

Secure heavy objects properly as far forward in the luggage compartment as possible.

Always tie down heavy items securely with suitable straps.

ꢀ

Securely latch the rear seat backrest in the upright position.

Never exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating on the

safety compliance sticker on the left door jamb. Exceeding permissible weight can cause the

vehicle to skid and handle differently.

ꢀ Always adapt your speed and driving to the heavier load and the weight distribution in the

vehicle. Take road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions into account as well.

ꢀ

Always accelerate gently and avoid sudden braking and driving maneuvers.

Always brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.

Stowing luggage

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Always stow all luggage securely in the vehicle

ꢀ

Distribute the load in the vehicle and on the roof as evenly as possible.

Put heavy objects as far forward as possible in the luggage compartment and securely latch the

rear seat backrest in the upright position.

ꢀ

Secure luggage in the luggage compartment.

Have the headlight range adjusted, if necessary.

Check the pressure in all 4 tires when the tires are still cold. Never reduce air pressure in warm

tires to match cold tire inflation pressure. Heed the information on the tire pressure label..

ꢀ Pay especially close attention to your vehicle's Tire Pressure Monitoring System when driving with

a heavy load..

NOTICE

The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that rub

against them.

Please review the information on loading a roof rack.

Driving with an open rear hatch

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Driving with an open rear hatch can lead to serious personal injury. If you have to drive with an open

rear hatch, make sure that all objects and the hatch itself are properly secured and take appropriate

measures to keep toxic exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.

WARNING

Driving with an unlatched or open rear hatch can lead to serious personal injury.

ꢀ

Never transport objects larger than those that fit completely in the luggage compartment,

because the rear hatch cannot be fully closed properly.

After closing the rear hatch, always pull up on it to make sure that it is properly closed

and cannot open suddenly when the vehicle is moving.

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.

ꢀ

Drive carefully; anticipate what other drivers will do.

Avoid abrupt or sudden acceleration, steering, or braking, because the unlatched rear

hatch can move suddenly.

Always mark objects sticking out from the luggage compartment clearly for others to see.

Obey all applicable legal requirements.

Never use the rear hatch to “clamp” or “hold” objects that stick out of the luggage

compartment.

Always remove any luggage rack or other rack mounted on the rear hatch (along with any

ꢀ

luggage on the rack) before driving with an open rear hatch.

WARNING

Driving with an open rear hatch can cause poisonous carbon monoxide in the engine exhaust

to get into the passenger compartment.

ꢀ

Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness, inattentiveness, poisoning, and loss of

consciousness. It can lead to accidents and severe personal injuries.

Always keep the rear hatch closed while driving to help keep poisonous exhaust fumes

from being drawn into the vehicle.

Never transport objects that are too large to fit completely into the luggage area, because

then the rear hatch cannot be fully closed.

ꢀ

ꢀ If you absolutely must drive with an open rear hatch, do the following to reduce the risk of

carbon monoxide poisoning:

–

Close all windows and the power sunroof.

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

The open rear hatch changes the vehicle length and height.

Driving a loaded vehicle

ꢀ Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

For good handling when driving a loaded vehicle, please observe the following:

Driving tips -> Driving with an open rear hatch for Your Volkswagen Beetle 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2019)

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