expressly conforms to quality standard VW Standard 501 14 for optimum performance of the brake system. Check the information on the container for the brake
fluid you want to use to make sure it meets the requirements for your vehicle.
Brake fluid that complies with VW Standard 501 14 can be purchased from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
If this special brake fluid is not available you may – under these circumstances – use another high quality brake fluid that complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4 ⇒ ꢀ.
Please note, however, that not all brake fluids that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4 have the same chemical
composition. Some of these brake fluids can contain chemicals that could, over time, degrade or damage internal parts of the vehicle’s brake system.
Volkswagen therefore recommends that you use brake fluid that expressly complies with VW Standard 501 14 for optimum brake system performance over the
long term.
Brake fluid level
The fluid level in the transparent brake fluid reservoir must always be between the MIN and MAX marking
⇒
ꢀ.
On some vehicles, engine components may partially block the view of the brake fluid reservoir and make it impossible to see the brake fluid level. If you cannot
clearly see the brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir, please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the brake pads wear and the brakes are automatically adjusted.
Changing brake fluid
Brake fluid must be changed according to the service schedule in your ⇒Booklet Warranty and Maintenance,. Have the brake fluid checked by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Refill only with new brake fluid that meets the standards listed above.
WARNING
Brake failure and reduced brake performance can be caused by not having enough brake fluid in the reservoir or by old or incorrect brake fluid.
Check the brake system and brake fluid level regularly.
Always change the brake fluid according to the service schedule in your ⇒Booklet Warranty and Maintenance,.
Hard braking with old brake fluid may cause vapor lock. Vapor lock reduces braking performance, increases stopping distances and can even cause total
brake failure.
Always make sure that only the correct brake fluid is used. Only use brake fluid that expressly conforms to VW Standard 501 14 or, if it is not available, only
use a high-quality brake fluid that conforms to U.S. Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 requirements.
Using another brake fluid, or one that is not of high quality, can impair the function of the brake system and reduce its effectiveness. If the container does
not say that the brake fluid complies with VW Standard 501 14, or U.S. Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4, do not use it.
The brake fluid must be new.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous.
To reduce the risk of poisoning, never use food, beverage or other non-original containers to store brake fluid. Someone might be misled by the original
label on the container, or by the shape of the container, and drink the brake fluid. This could occur even if you relabel the container as brake fluid.
Only store brake fluid in the closed, original container and keep it out of the reach of children.
NOTE
Brake fluid will damage vehicle paint, plastic parts, and tires. Wipe any brake fluid off vehicle paint and other vehicle parts immediately.
Brake fluid can pollute the environment. Brake fluid that has leaked out must be collected and disposed of properly, following all applicable environmental
regulations.
Vehicle battery
Introduction to the subject
In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:
⇒ Warning lightꢀ
⇒ Checking the vehicle battery electrolyte level ꢀ
⇒ Charging, replacing, disconnecting, and connecting the vehicle battery ꢀ
The standard 12 Volt vehicle battery is part of the vehicle electrical system.
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