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

Rear hatch  
Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Warning light  
Opening the rear hatch  
Closing the rear hatch  
More information:  
Exterior views.  
Power locking system.  
Transporting.  
Emergency closing and opening.  
WARNING  
Accidents and severe personal injuries can result if you unlock, open, or close the rear hatch  
when someone is in the way.  
Only open or close the rear hatch if no one is in the way.  
Never close the rear hatch by pushing on the rear window with your hand. The rear win-  
dow could break and cause injuries.  
After closing the rear hatch, always make sure that it is properly closed and locked so that  
it cannot open suddenly when the vehicle is moving. The closed rear hatch must be flush  
with the surrounding auto body parts.  
Always keep the rear hatch closed while driving to help keep poisonous exhaust gas from  
being drawn into the vehicle.  
Never open the rear hatch when a luggage rack is installed and loaded. If, for example,  
there are bicycles on a carrier on the rear hatch, it is possible that the rear hatch will be diffi-  
cult to open. An open rear hatch may fall on its own because of the additional weight. If nec-  
essary, prop open the rear hatch. Remove the weight from the luggage rack first.  
Close and lock the rear hatch and all doors when the vehicle is not in use. First, make sure  
that no one is left inside the vehicle.  
Never leave your vehicle unattended or let children play around your vehicle, especially  
when the rear hatch is open. A child could crawl into the vehicle and pull the rear hatch shut,  
becoming trapped and unable to get out. A closed vehicle can become very hot or very cold,  
depending on the season. Particularly in the summer, heat build-up in the passenger and  
luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in temperatures in the vehicle that are  
much higher than the outside temperatures. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can  
cause unconsciousness and death, particularly to small children.  
Never leave children or anyone who cannot help themselves behind in the vehicle. They  
may lock the vehicle with the vehicle key or the power locking button and lock themselves in.  
NOTICE  
Before opening or closing the rear hatch, make sure there is enough room to do so, for exam-  
ple, when the vehicle is in a garage.  
Do not place any objects on the rear spoiler. The rear spoiler could be damaged.  
If the vehicle must be pushed, do not push against the rear spoiler. The rear spoiler and the  
rear hatch could be damaged.  
Warning light  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
.
Lights up Possible cause  
Proper response  
OR  
Stop!  
Open the rear hatch and then close it again.  
Rear hatch open or improperly closed.  
icon ap-  
pears in the  
display  
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.  
If the rear hatch is not closed properly, the . warning light comes on in the instrument cluster or the  
vehicle icon appears in the instrument cluster display showing an open rear hatch.  
Depending on your vehicle's equipment and options, the red warning light or icon may still be dis-  
played even after the ignition is switched off as long as the key has not been taken out of the ignition.  
The icon in the instrument cluster display goes out about 15 seconds after the vehicle has been  
locked.  
WARNING  
If the rear hatch is not closed properly, it may open suddenly when the vehicle is moving and  
cause severe injuries.  
Stop immediately and close the rear hatch.  
Always make sure the rear hatch is securely latched after you close it.  
Opening the rear hatch  
Fig. 25 In the remote control vehicle key: Button to unlock and open the rear hatch.  
Fig. 26 Opening rear hatch from the outside.  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
.
Always remove any item(s) being transported on the rear hatch before opening it ⇒ꢀ  
.
Unlocking with the vehicle key  
Briefly press the button on the remote control vehicle key ⇒ꢀfig. 25 to unlock the rear hatch.  
Press and hold the button on the remote control vehicle key to unlatch the rear hatch. Then  
open the rear hatch using the Volkswagen emblem.  
Opening with the Volkswagen emblem  
Unlock the vehicle or rear hatch, or open a door.  
Using your thumb, press the top of the Volkswagen emblem ⇒ꢀfig. 26 and move the top of the  
emblem down. Grasp the bottom part of the emblem and pull to lift the rear hatch.  
WARNING  
Improper or unsupervised unlocking or opening of the rear hatch can cause severe injuries.  
Never open the rear hatch when someone is in the way.  
If a bicycle or luggage rack is installed on the rear hatch, it may be hard to see that the  
rear hatch is unlatched. An unlatched rear hatch may open suddenly when the vehicle is  
moving.  
At temperatures below +32 °F (0 °C), the rear hatch may be difficult to open after you unlock it.  
Closing the rear hatch  
Fig. 27 Opened rear hatch: Recessed grips for closing.  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
Closing the rear hatch  
.
Grasp one of the recessed grips in the rear hatch trim ⇒ꢀfig. 27 (arrows).  
Pull the rear hatch down and close it securely so that the latch engages.  
Check the rear hatch to make sure it is securely latched.  
Locking the rear hatch  
If you unlock the vehicle with the vehicle key, but do not open either a door or the rear hatch in about  
the next 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically locked again. This feature helps prevent you from  
leaving the vehicle unlocked unintentionally.  
It is only possible to lock the rear hatch when it is securely closed and latched.  
The power locking system also locks the rear hatch.  
If the rear hatch of a locked vehicle is unlocked with the button on the remote control vehicle  
key, it will lock within about 20 seconds after it is closed. The anti-theft alarm system is activated after  
the vehicle is locked.  
A closed but unlocked rear hatch automatically locks at speeds above about 5 mph (10 km/h).  
WARNING  
Improper or unsupervised closing of the rear hatch can cause severe injuries. Never close  
the rear hatch when someone is in the way.  
Never leave your vehicle unattended or let children play around your vehicle, especially  
with the rear hatch left open. A child could crawl into the vehicle and pull the rear hatch shut,  
becoming trapped and unable to get out. A closed vehicle can become very hot or very cold  
depending on the season. Temperatures can quickly reach levels that can cause uncon-  
sciousness or death, particularly to small children.  
Make sure that the remote control vehicle key is not in the luggage compartment before closing  
the rear hatch.