Get Engine compartment -> Safety notes Guide for Volkswagen California Van Third Generation (2015-2024)

NOTICE

The towing eye must always be screwed fully and securely into the mounting. Otherwise, the towing eye can be torn

out of the mounting when the vehicle is being tow-started or towed.

Safety notes on working in the engine compartment

The engine compartment of a motor vehicle is a hazardous area. You should only carry out work on the engine and in

the engine compartment if you know exactly how to perform the required tasks, are aware of the general safety

procedures and have access to the correct equipment, service fluids and suitable tools. Carrying out work incorrectly

can cause serious injuries. Have all work carried out by a correspondingly qualified workshop if necessary.

Always park the vehicle on a level and stable surface before carrying out any work in the engine compartment.

WARNING

Unintentional vehicle movements during service work can cause serious injury.

● Never work underneath a vehicle if it is not secured against rolling away. If you are working underneath the

vehicle while the wheels are on the ground, the vehicle must be on a level surface, the wheels must be blocked

and the ignition switched off.

● If you intend to work underneath the vehicle, you must use suitable stands to provide support for the vehicle. The

vehicle jack is not sufficient for this task and can fail, which can lead to serious injuries.

● Switch off the start/stop system.

WARNING

The engine/motor compartment of any motor vehicle is a dangerous area. Serious injuries can be sustained here.

● Always work with extreme care and caution and observe the general safety precautions. Never take any personal

risks.

● Never perform any work on the engine and in the engine compartment unless you know exactly how to do so. If

you are uncertain of what to do, have the work carried out by a correspondingly qualified workshop. Serious

injuries can result from work that has not been carried out properly.

● Never open or close the bonnet as long as steam or coolant is escaping. Hot steam or hot coolant can cause

serious burns. Always wait until you can no longer see or hear steam or coolant coming from the engine

compartment.

● Always allow the engine to cool down before opening the bonnet.

● Hot parts of the engine or exhaust system can burn the skin.

● Observe the following points before opening the bonnet when the engine has cooled down:

● Apply the handbrake fully and move the selector lever to positionP or move the gear lever to the neutral

position.

● Switch off the ignition.

● Always keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave children unsupervised.

● The cooling system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never open the cap of the coolant expansion tank

when the engine is hot. Coolant may spray out and cause serious burns and other injuries.

● Turn the cap of the coolant expansion tank slowly and very carefully anticlockwise while exerting slight

downwards pressure on the cap.

● Always protect the face, hands and arms from hot coolant or steam with a large, thick cloth.

● When refilling, do not spill any service fluids onto engine components or onto the exhaust system. The spilt

service fluids can start a fire.

WARNING

There are rotating components in the engine compartment that can cause serious injury.

● Never reach into the radiator fan or into the area of the radiator fan. Touching the rotary blades can result in

serious injuries. The fan is temperature-controlled and could start automatically - even when the ignition is

switched off.

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● If any work has to be performed when the engine is started or is running, there is an additional, potentially fatal,

safety risk from the rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan, etc., and from the high-voltage

ignition system. Always take extreme care.

● Always ensure that no body parts, jewellery, ties, loose items of clothing or long hair get caught up in rotating

engine components. Always remove jewellery and ties before starting work. Tie up long hair and pull clothes in

tightly to avoid them getting caught in engine parts.

● Always take due care and attention when depressing the accelerator. The vehicle could move even if the

handbrake is applied.

● Always ensure you have not left any objects, such as cleaning cloths and tools, in the engine compartment. Any

forgotten items can cause malfunctions, engine damage and fires.

WARNING

Additional insulating materials such as blankets in the engine compartment could disrupt the operation of the

engine, start fires and lead to severe injuries.

● Never cover the engine with blankets or other insulating materials.

WARNING

Service fluids and some materials in the engine compartment are highly flammable and can cause fires and serious

injuries!

● Never smoke in the vicinity of the engine compartment.

● Never work near naked flames or sparks.

● Never spill service fluids onto the engine. They could ignite on hot engine components and hence cause injuries.

● Please note the following when carrying out any work on the fuel system or the electrical system:

● Always disconnect the 12-volt vehicle battery. Ensure that the vehicle is unlocked when the 12-volt vehicle

battery is disconnected as otherwise the anti-theft alarm will be activated.

● Never work in the direct proximity of heating systems, water heaters or any other naked flames.

● Always have a fully functional and tested fire extinguisher to hand.

NOTICE

The use of incorrect service fluids could result in serious malfunctions and engine damage.

● When refilling or replacing service fluids, ensure that you pour the correct service fluids into the correct openings.

Service fluids leaks are harmful to the environment. For this reason, you should regularly check the ground

underneath your vehicle. If there are patches of oil or other fluids on the ground, the vehicle should be

inspected by a correspondingly qualified workshop. Any spilt service fluids must be disposed of properly.

Preparing the vehicle for working in the engine compartment

The following steps should always be carried out in the specified order before working in the engine compartment→

1. Park the vehicle on a level and stable surface.

2. Depress and hold the brake pedal until the engine has stopped.

3. Automatic gearbox: Move the selector lever to positionP (→ Automatic gearbox).

4. Manual gearbox: Move the gear lever into the neutral position (→ Manual gearbox).

5. Apply the handbrake firmly (→ Handbrake).

6. Switch off the ignition (→ Switching off the engine).

7. If necessary, remove the vehicle key from the vehicle and keep it in a separate location so that the vehicle

cannot be started accidentally.

8. Allow the engine to cool sufficiently.

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9. Children and other people should be kept well away from the engine compartment.

10. Ensure that the vehicle cannot roll away unexpectedly.

WARNING

Ignoring the instructions important for personal safety can lead to severe injuries.

● Always follow the actions and observe the generally valid safety precautions.

Opening and closing the bonnet

Fig. 1 In the footwell: Bonnet release lever(illustration).

Fig. 2 On the front edge of the bonnet: Release lever

(illustration).

Opening the bonnet

1. Please ensure that the wiper arms are positioned on the windscreen before opening the bonnet→

2. Pull the release lever in the direction of the arrow→ Fig. 1.

The bonnet is released from the lock carrier catch by spring force→

3. Lift the bonnet using the release lever→ Fig. 2 and open fully.

The gas strut holds the bonnet in the open position.

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Closing the bonnet

1. To close the bonnet, pull it down until it overcomes the pressure of the gas strut→

2. Let the bonnet drop into the catches –do not press it down!

3. If the bonnet has not closed, open it and then close it correctly.

The bonnet is flush with the body parts around it when it is closed properly.

WARNING

If the bonnet is not closed properly, it can open suddenly while you are driving and completely obscure your view of

the road. This can lead to accidents and serious injuries.

● After closing the bonnet, always check whether the catch is properly engaged in the lock carrier. The bonnet must

be flush with the surrounding body panels.

● If you establish while driving that the bonnet is not closed properly, stop immediately and close the bonnet.

● Open or close the bonnet only when there is no-one in its movement path.

NOTICE

Opening and closing the bonnet incorrectly can damage the bonnet or the wiper arms.

● Open the bonnet only when the wiper arms are flush to the windscreen and when they are switched off.

● Always fold the wiper arms back onto the windscreen before driving away.

Display

A symbol on the instrument cluster display indicates if the bonnet is open or is not closed properly→ Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 On the instrument cluster display: the bonnet is

open or not closed properly (illustration).

Do not drive on!

2. If necessary, lift the bonnet and then close it again.

This symbol is also visible when the ignition is switched off and will go out a few seconds after the vehicle has been

locked when all doors are closed.

WARNING

Failure to observe warnings can cause your vehicle to break down in traffic, which can lead to accidents and serious

injuries.

● Never ignore warnings.

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● Stop the vehicle as soon as it is possible and safe to do so.

The symbol can differ depending on the version of the instrument

cluster.

Service fluids and equipment

All service fluids and consumables, e.g. coolant, vehicle batteries and engine oils, are being constantly developed. For

this reason, service fluids and consumables should be replaced by a correspondingly qualified workshop.

WARNING

Unsuitable service fluids and consumables, and the incorrect use of these fluids and consumables, can cause

accidents, serious injuries, burns or poisoning.

● Store service fluids only in the closed original container.

● Never store service fluids in empty food containers, bottles or any other non-original containers as people finding

these containers could drink them.

● Keep children away from all service fluids and consumables.

● Always observe and follow the information and warnings on the service fluid packaging.

● When using products that give off harmful fumes, always work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

● Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other volatile fluids for vehicle care. They are toxic

and highly flammable. They could cause fires and explosions.

NOTICE

● Refill only appropriate service fluids. Do not mix up the service fluids under any circumstances. Failure to observe

this warning can result in serious malfunctions and engine damage.

Leaking service fluids can pollute the environment. Collect any service fluids that escape or are spilled in

suitable containers and dispose of them correctly and with respect for the environment.

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Engine compartment -> Safety notes for Your Volkswagen California Van Third Generation (2015-2024)

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