Starting and stopping the engine -> Introduction for Your Volkswagen Beetle 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2019)

Starting and stopping the engine  
Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Indicator lights  
Vehicle key positions in the ignition switch  
Starter button  
Starting the engine  
Stopping the engine  
Electronic immobilizer  
Explanatory notes in this section regarding automatic transmissions also apply to the DSG®  
Direct Shift Gearbox automatic transmission.  
Immobilizer display  
If an unauthorized vehicle key is used or the system malfunctions, Immobilizer active!may  
appear on the instrument cluster display. The engine cannot be started.  
Push-starting and tow-starting  
For technical reasons, never try to push-start or tow-start the vehicle. Jump-start the vehicle instead  
while following proper and safe procedures.  
More information:  
Vehicle key set.  
Shifting gears.  
Braking, stopping and parking.  
Steering.  
Starting assistance systems.  
Refueling.  
Fuel.  
Emergency closing and opening.  
Jump-starting.  
Towing.  
WARNING  
Switching off the engine while the vehicle is moving can make the vehicle harder to stop and  
result in loss of vehicle control, leading to collisions and severe personal injuries.  
Brake and steering assistance systems, the airbag system, safety belt pretensioners, and  
other vehicle safety features only work when the engine is running.  
Switch off the engine only when the vehicle is not moving.  
WARNING  
To reduce the risk of serious personal injury when starting and running the vehicle's engine:  
Never start the engine or let it run in a confined or enclosed area. Engine exhaust contains  
carbon monoxide, a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause  
unconsciousness and death.  
Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. The vehicle could move  
suddenly or some other unexpected event could occur, resulting in property damage or  
personal injury.  
Never use starting assist fluids. Starting fluids can explode and can cause a “run-away”  
vehicle condition.  
WARNING  
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter get very hot.  
They can cause fires and serious personal injury.  
Never park the vehicle where the hot exhaust system or catalytic converter could ignite  
flammable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.  
Never apply additional undercoating or rust proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,  
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter, diesel particulate filter, or heat shields.  
Indicator lights  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
..  
Lights  
up  
Possible cause  
Proper response  
Brake pedal not depressed.  
Apply the brake pedal to start the engine..  
Flashes Possible cause  
The release button in the selector lever  
Proper response  
did not engage. Vehicle movement is  
prevented.  
Engage the selector lever release button..  
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.  
WARNING  
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to  
break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.  
Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.  
Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.  
Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, turn  
on the emergency flashers, stop the engine, and use other warning devices to warn  
approaching traffic.