Get Fuel Guide for Volkswagen Beetle 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2019)

Fuel

ꢀ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Gasoline additives

Diesel fuel

The correct fuel grade for your engine is shown on a sticker located on the inside of the fuel filler flap

⇒ꢀfig. 112.

Bad or poor quality fuel reduces operating performance, efficiency and service life of the engine. If you

notice any symptoms like rough engine idle or performance or “bucking,” immediately reduce the

vehicle speed, accelerate slowly, and keep the engine speed in the middle of the rpm range. Avoid

high rpm and rapid acceleration. If these symptoms should appear right after refueling, switch off the

engine. In both cases contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility to have the engine checked.

More information:

ꢀ

⇒ꢀBooklet Warranty and Maintenance

Refueling.

Engine control and exhaust system.

WARNING

Improper refueling or handling of fuel is dangerous and can cause fire, explosion, and severe

burns.

ꢀ

Fuel is highly explosive and flammable and can cause severe burns and other injuries.

Heed applicable safety warnings and obey local fuel handling regulations.

Always make sure the fuel cap is screwed on all the way. This keeps fuel from spilling out

and from evaporating.

ꢀ Failure to shut the engine off while refueling and/or to insert the pump nozzle fully into the

vehicle's filler neck could cause fuel overflow and fuel spray. Fuel spray and overflowing fuel

are dangerous because they can cause fire or serious injury.

ꢀ

For safety reasons, the engine must be turned off when refueling.

Never get back into your vehicle while refueling. If in exceptional circumstances you must

get back in your vehicle while refueling, make certain that you close the door and touch metal

to discharge static electricity before touching the filler nozzle again. Static electricity can

cause sparks that can ignite fuel vapors released during refueling.

Blends of gasoline and methanol (wood alcohol or methyl alcohol):

ꢀ

Anti-Knock Index (AKI) must be 87 or higher.

Blend must contain no more than 3% methanol.

Blend must contain more than 2% co-solvents.

Blends of gasoline and ethanol (grain alcohol or ethyl alcohol):

ꢀ

Anti-Knock Index (AKI) must be 87 or higher.

Blend must contain no more than 10% ethanol.

Blends of gasoline and MTBE:

ꢀ

Anti-Knock Index (AKI) must be 87 or higher.

Blend must contain no more than 15% MTBE.

Seasonally adjusted gasoline

Many fuels are blended especially for winter or summer conditions. When seasons change,

Volkswagen suggests that you buy fuel at busy stations where the seasonal adjustment is more likely

to be made earlier.

WARNING

Starting fluids can explode and cause a run-away vehicle condition.

ꢀ

Never use starting assist fluids.

Gasoline additives

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

Additives are used to improve the quality of the gasoline.

Fuel quality impacts the operating performance, efficiency and service life of the engine. Therefore,

use high quality gasoline that is already blended by the fuel supplier with suitable gasoline additives

that do not contain metal. The additives provide corrosion protection, clean the fuel system, and

prevent deposits on the engine.

Volkswagen recommends TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. For more information on TOP TIER

Detergent Gasoline, please go to the official Web site

If quality gasoline with additives that do not contain metal is not available or engine malfunctions

occur, you should add the required additives while refueling ⇒ꢀ

Not all gasoline additives are effective. Using the wrong additives can cause significant and expensive

damage to the engine and the catalytic converter. Never use additives that contain metal. Please note

that metal can be included in some aftermarket gasoline additives that are available to be added to

gasoline during or after refueling to help improve knock resistance or increase the octane rating.

Volkswagen recommends using only additives approved by Volkswagen. Appropriate additives as well

as instructions on how to use them are available from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Do not add any other gasoline additives.

NOTICE

You can damage the engine by using incorrect additives.

ꢀ

Using incorrect gasoline additives can cause extensive engine damage as well as damage

to the catalytic converter.

If you must fuel your vehicle with gasoline whose octane rating is too low, only drive with

ꢀ

the engine speed in the middle of the rpm range and with low engine load. Avoid high rpm and

heavy engine load. Otherwise, the engine could be damaged. Refuel your vehicle with gasoline

with the required octane rating as soon as possible.

ꢀ

Do not use fuel that is labeled at the pump as containing metal. Lead replacement fuel

contains high concentrations of metallic additives. Engine damage could result.

Fueling your vehicle just one time with leaded fuel or fuel that contains other metallic

ꢀ

additives can affect the performance of the catalytic converter and cause extensive damage to

it.

Diesel fuel

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

Always use only Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) fuel No. 2 ⇒ꢀ

The ULSD must always meet ASTM D-975 specification ⇒ꢀ

“ULSD” should be clearly marked on the pump. Before filling your vehicle, please always make sure

you are using ULSD. According to Federal regulations ULSD is the only diesel fuel type allowed for

use in your vehicle.

Diesel fuel with concentrations of methyl ester biodiesel higher than 5% (B5), such as B11, B20, or

B100, are strictly prohibited.

ULSD diesel fuel may not be available outside the USA and Canada. Be sure to check availability

before traveling to other countries.

Winter diesel

At temperatures below 20 °F (-7 °C), wax separation in ULSD occurs. Wax may clog the fuel filter or

tank filter and keep the engine from running.

To help prevent the filter from being clogged with wax, the fuel filter in your vehicle is heated with

warm fuel when the engine is running (filter preheating system). Heating the fuel filter makes it

possible to use your vehicle with ULSD down to about -10 °F (-24 °C).

If you expect temperatures below +5 °F (-15 °C) ask your fuel dealer if their ULSD is sufficiently

winterized.

If non-winterized or insufficiently winterized diesel fuel has already thickened to the point that the

engine will not start, move the vehicle to a heated garage or workshop until it has warmed up.

Cold diesel engines normally produce louder noises during winter conditions than during warmer

periods. In addition, the exhaust gases may be light blue in color until the engine has warmed up. The

exhaust gas volume varies depending on the outside temperature.

Do not let your diesel engine idle unnecessarily after a cold start. Driving off slowly will shorten the

warm-up period.

WARNING

Starting fluids can explode and cause a run-away vehicle condition.

ꢀ

Never use starting assist fluids.

NOTICE

ꢀ

The vehicle's diesel engine was designed solely for use with ULSD fuel. For this reason,

never use gasoline, heating oil, or other fuels that have not been expressly approved for use

with the diesel engine. These fuels contain substances that will severely damage the fuel

system and the engine. Such damage will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.

ꢀ

If you put any amount of the 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.

ꢀ

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.

ꢀ The vehicle is designed to run on diesel fuel containing methyl ester biodiesel in

concentrations of 5% or less. Never use methyl ester biodiesel in blend levels higher than 5%

(5% methyl ester blends are sometimes designated or labeled as B5). The properties of methyl

ester biodiesel blends in levels greater than 5% may cause serious damage to the fuel injection

system and to the engine. This could lead to expensive repairs that will not be covered by any

Volkswagen Limited Warranty.

ꢀ

Damage to the engine and fuel system and performance problems caused by using fuels

that are different from those specified above or by using “starting assist fluids” are not the

responsibility of Volkswagen and are not covered under the Emission warranties or any other

Volkswagen Limited Warranty.

Fuel for Your Volkswagen Beetle 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2019)

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