Fuel -> Introduction for Your 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  
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.