Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications for Your Volkswagen Beetle 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2019)

Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications  
Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Break-in period  
Parts and accessories  
Operating fluids and equipment  
CB radio equipment  
Notice about data recorded by vehicle control modules  
Using a mobile phone in a motor vehicle when it is not connected to the vehicle telephone  
antenna - some important things to know  
More information:  
Safety belts.  
Airbag system.  
Roof rack.  
12 Volt sockets.  
Braking, stopping and parking.  
Starting assistance systems.  
Cruise control system (CCS).  
Tire Pressure Monitoring System.  
Preparations for working in the engine compartment.  
Engine oil.  
Engine coolant.  
Vehicle battery.  
Exterior care and cleaning.  
Interior care and cleaning.  
Consumer information.  
⇒ꢀBooklet Radio  
⇒ꢀBooklet Navigation system  
⇒ꢀBooklet Mobile Phone Package  
WARNING  
Inappropriate spare parts and accessories as well as improperly performed work,  
modifications and repairs can cause vehicle damage, accidents and serious personal  
injuries.  
Volkswagen strongly recommends to only use accessories approved by Volkswagen and  
Genuine Volkswagen Parts®. These parts and accessories have been evaluated by  
Volkswagen for their suitability, reliability and safety.  
Have repairs and vehicle modifications performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or  
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized  
Volkswagen Service Facilities have the required tools, diagnostic equipment, repair  
information, and trained personnel to properly replace any airbag in your vehicle and assure  
system effectiveness in a crash.  
Only install parts on the vehicle that are consistent with factory-installed parts with  
respect to design and characteristics.  
Never store, mount, or attach objects, such as cup holders or phone cradles, on or next to  
the airbag module covers or within the airbags deployment zones.  
Only use wheel rim/tire combinations approved by Volkswagen for the respective vehicle  
type.  
Break-in period  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
..  
Note applicable requirements for breaking in new parts.  
Breaking in a new engine  
A new engine must be carefully broken in during the first 1000 miles (1600 kilometers). During the first  
few hours of driving, the engine's internal friction is higher than later when all moving parts have been  
broken in.  
Engine life is influenced by how you drive the vehicle for the first 1000 miles (1600 km). Even  
afterwards, driving at moderate engine speeds, especially when the engine is cold, will tend to reduce  
engine wear and help the engine to last longer and go farther. But do not drive at an excessively low  
engine speed, either. Always downshift if the engine is not running smoothly. For the first 600 miles  
(1000 km):  
Do not use full throttle.  
Don't let the engine speed get above 2/3 of the maximum speed.  
Do not tow a trailer.  
From 600 to 1000 miles (1000 to 1600 km): Speed may gradually be increased to maximum  
permissible road and engine speed.  
New tires and brake pads  
New tires and replacement tires.  
Brakes.  
Breaking in a new engine gently will increase service life and reduce oil consumption.  
Parts and accessories  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
..  
Volkswagen recommends that you consult an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized  
Volkswagen Service Facility before purchasing accessories, spare parts or other equipment. Always  
do so if you want to install additional accessories or replace parts. Your authorized Volkswagen dealer  
or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility can provide information about legal requirements and  
factory-recommended accessories, spare parts, and other equipment.  
WARNING  
Improper vehicle modifications and repairs affect the performance of the airbag system and  
cause malfunctions and severe personal injuries.  
Never store, mount, or attach objects, such as cup holders or phone cradles, on or next to  
the airbag module covers or within the airbag deployment zones.  
Objects on or near the surface where airbags are located can come loose and cause  
serious personal injury if the airbag deploys.  
Operating fluids and equipment  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
..  
Operating fluids and parts that wear out with use (such as timing belts, tires, engine coolants,  
engine oils, spark plugs, and vehicle batteries) are constantly being improved. For this reason, it is  
important to have operating fluids changed and wearing parts replaced by an authorized Volkswagen  
dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized  
Volkswagen Service Facilities are always up-to-date regarding new developments and changes.  
WARNING  
Improper use of operating fluids and equipment can cause accidents, serious personal  
injuries, burns and/or poisoning.  
Always store vehicle care products in a safe place in original containers that are securely  
closed.  
To reduce the risk of poisoning, never use empty food or beverage containers that might  
mislead someone into drinking from them.  
Always keep vehicle care products out of the reach of children.  
Always read and heed all the instructions and all WARNINGS on the package before using  
vehicle care products.  
When using products that give off harmful fumes, always work outdoors or in a well  
ventilated area.  
Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail polish remover or other volatile fluids for  
vehicle care. They are poisonous and highly flammable. They could cause fires and  
explosions!  
NOTICE  
Only refill with suitable operating fluids. When changing or topping off fluids, make sure  
that you pour the fluids into the correct reservoirs. Adding incorrect fluids will cause serious  
malfunctions and engine damage! Under no circumstances should you mix up operating fluids.  
Otherwise serious malfunctions and engine damage can occur!  
Accessories and other things installed in front of the cooling air intakes impair the  
efficiency of the engine coolant. The engine can overheat under high outside temperatures or  
under high engine loads!  
Leaking operating fluids can pollute the environment. Collect leaking operating fluids in suitable  
containers and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and  
regulations.  
CB radio equipment  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
..  
An outside antenna is required for the operation of radio equipment in the vehicle.  
Volkswagen approves the operation of radio equipment in the vehicle under the following conditions:  
Professionally installed outside antenna.  
Maximum transmission power 10 watts.  
Optimal device coverage can only be assured when an outside antenna is properly installed.  
Consult with an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility if you would  
like to use a radio with transmission power higher than 10 watts. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and  
authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with technical possibilities for the installation of  
aftermarket equipment or can advise you where equipment can be professionally installed. Obey legal  
requirements as well as instructions and operational guidelines provided by the equipment  
manufacturer in the operating manuals for the radio equipment.  
WARNING  
Loose or improperly installed radio equipment can be thrown around the passenger  
compartment during sudden driving or braking maneuvers or a crash and cause serious  
personal injuries.  
Always install radio equipment properly and securely outside of the airbag deployment  
zones.  
WARNING  
Using a radio device in the vehicle without connection to an outside antenna can exceed  
electromagnetic radiation thresholds. This also applies if the outside antenna is not installed  
properly.  
Use a CB radio in the vehicle only with a professionally installed and connected outside  
antenna.  
Notice about data recorded by vehicle control modules  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
Your vehicle is not equipped with an Event Data Recorder (EDR).  
..  
EDRs, sometimes called “crash recorders,” are installed by some manufacturers for the express  
purpose of capturing data for retrieval after an accident or crash event.  
Some state laws restrict the retrieval or downloading of data stored by EDRs installed in a vehicle for  
the express purpose of retrieving data after an accident or crash event without the owner's consent.  
Although your vehicle is not equipped with an EDR, it is equipped with a number of electronic control  
modules for various vehicle systems, such as engine management, emission control, airbags, and  
safety belts.  
These electronic control modules also record data during normal vehicle operation for diagnostic and  
repair purposes. Their recording capability is limited to data (no sound is recorded). Only a small  
amount of data is actually recorded over a very limited period of time, or stored when a system fault is  
detected by a control module. Some of the data stored may relate to vehicle speed, direction, or  
braking, as well as restraint system use and performance in the event of a crash. Stored data can only  
be read and downloaded with special equipment.  
Using a mobile phone in a motor vehicle when it is not connected to  
the vehicle telephone antenna - some important things to know  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
..  
Mobile or cellular telephones send and receive radio waves, sometimes called “radiofrequency  
energy” (RF energy), both when they are being used and when they are in standby mode. Current  
scientific literature indicates that radio waves that exceed a certain level can have effects on the  
human body. Limits and guidelines have been established by governmental authorities and  
international committees in an effort to keep the electromagnetic radiation from cellular phones at  
levels that will not cause health problems. However, there is no scientifically based proof that wireless  
phones are absolutely safe.  
Therefore some experts recommend a precautionary approach regarding the use of cellular phones by  
taking measures that lower the personal exposure to electromagnetic fields. When using a cellular  
telephone inside a motor vehicle without a proper connection to an integrated vehicle telephone  
antenna, the personal exposure to electromagnetic fields will be higher than when using the cellular  
telephone while properly connected to an integrated or other outside vehicle telephone antenna.  
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional hands-free system that will permit many of the features  
of compatible Bluetooth® enabled cellular telephones to be used for greater convenience and is  
consistent with the laws of an increasing number of states and localities that prohibit the use of cellular  
telephones without some kind of hands-free device.  
The hands-free system in your vehicle can be used with certain cell phones that are connected by wire  
and hardware connector or via compatible Bluetooth® enabled phones with a cradle that is designed to  
fit your cellular telephone. The special cradle offers several advantages: The phone cradle must be  
safely secured to the base plate. Your phone is firmly attached to the instrument panel and is within  
reach at all times. Placing the phone in its cradle permits it to be charged, but more importantly  
connects the mobile phone to the vehicle's outside antenna. A cellular telephone that is properly  
connected to the integrated or other outside vehicle telephone antenna will lower the personal  
exposure to electromagnetic fields. You should also experience a better quality of service. Although a  
cellular telephone can be used inside your vehicle without a cradle, the phone will not be securely  
attached to the vehicle, will not be charged through the cradle wiring, and more importantly will not be  
connected to the vehicle's integrated telephone antenna. The mobile phone will also not be recharged.  
You might also experience more dropped calls and an overall impaired quality of the connection.  
Therefore we strongly recommend that you use your cellular telephone in your vehicle only when it is  
properly attached to an appropriate cradle mounted on a base plate on the instrument panel.  
Because of the large number and variety of cellular telephones on the market and the frequency with  
which new models are introduced, Volkswagen does not offer cradles for cellular telephones. Please  
check with the manufacturer of the cellular telephone that you plan to use.  
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth® SIG, Inc.  
WARNING  
A mobile phone on the seat, instrument panel or in other places can be thrown around the  
inside of the vehicle during a sudden braking maneuver, a crash or other accident and injure  
vehicle occupants.  
Never place or attach accessories or other objects (such as cup holders, telephone  
brackets, note pads, navigation systems, large, heavy or bulky objects) on the doors, on the  
windshield, over or near the area marked “AIRBAG” on the steering wheel, instrument panel,  
backrests or between these areas and the occupant. Such objects could cause serious injury  
in a collision, especially if an airbag inflates.  
WARNING  
Using a mobile phone or CB radio inside the vehicle without a properly installed and separate  
outside antenna can be dangerous to your health and that of your passengers because the  
electromagnetic radiation energy that cell phones and CB radios emit may be above  
established limits. This also applies if the outside antenna is not installed properly.  
Always keep the mobile phone antenna at least 8 in. (20 cm) away from pacemakers. Heart  
specialists advise that cell phones can adversely affect the way pacemakers work.  
Never carry a mobile phone that is switched on in the breast pocket directly over a  
pacemaker.  
If you suspect there may be interference with a pacemaker or other medical device, switch  
the mobile phone off immediately.