Get Fuel and emission control system Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

For your safety, we strongly recommend that

you do not travel with a portable fuel container

in your vehicle.

Fuel and emission control

system

If, under exceptional circumstances, you must

transport a portable fuel container, please ob-

serve the following:

Tips on handling fuel

— Never fill a portable fuel container while it is

anywhere in or on the vehicle (for example, in

the luggage compartment or on top of the

trunk lid). Static electricity can build up while

filling and can ignite fuel vapors, causing

a fire.

The fuel filler flap is on the rear passenger side of

the vehicle.

WARNING

Improper refueling or handling of fuel is dangerous

and can cause fire, explosion, and severe burns.

— Always place a portable fuel container on the

ground before filling. Never spill fuel inside

the vehicle or luggage compartment. Fuel va-

pors are highly flammable.

Fuel is highly flammable and explosive; it can

cause severe burns and other severe injuries.

During refueling, the engine and the ignition

must be switched off for safety reasons.

— Always keep the filler nozzle completely in-

side the portable container before and during

filling.

Never use a mobile telephone, CB radio, or oth-

er radio equipment while refueling. The electro-

magnetic radiation can cause sparks that can ig-

nite fuel vapors and cause a fire.

— If filling a portable container made of metal,

the filler nozzle must always be in contact

with the container. This will help prevent

static electricity from discharging and caus-

ing a fire.

Never get back into your vehicle while refueling.

If in exceptional circumstances you must get

back in your vehicle while refueling, make cer-

tain that you close the door and touch metal to

discharge static electricity before touching the

filler nozzle again. This helps avoid the buildup

of static electricity, which can cause sparks that

can ignite fuel vapors released during refueling.

— Always observe local and state or provincial

laws about the use, storage, and transporta-

tion of portable fuel containers.

— Make certain that the portable fuel container

meets industry standards, such as ANSI/

ASTM F852-86.

Always make sure that the fuel filler cap is

screwed on all the way. This helps keep fuel

from spilling out or evaporating.

NOTICE

Failure to shut the engine off while refueling

Remove fuel spills from the vehicle immediately

to help prevent damage to the paint, tires, and

wheel housings.

and/or to insert the pump nozzle all the way in-

to the fuel filler neck can cause fuel to overflow

and to spray out. Fuel spray and overflowing

fuel are dangerous because they can cause fire

and serious personal injury.

Refueling with diesel fuel when your vehicle has

a gasoline engine can cause very serious and ex-

pensive engine and fuel system damage that is

not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.

Never smoke or have an open flame (or sparks,

cigarettes, or other smoldering objects) any-

where in or near your vehicle when refueling or

filling a portable fuel container.

If you put any amount of incorrect fuel in the fuel

tank, do not start the engine under any circum-

stances. Immediately contact the nearest author-

ized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility for assistance. These fuels contain

substances that can severely damage the fuel sys-

tem and the engine if the engine is started.

Follow all safety instructions and procedures

that apply at the service station where you re-

fuel.

Never spill fuel in the vehicle or the luggage

compartment.

Fuels can pollute the environment. Spilled fuel

must be collected and disposed of properly,

following all applicable environmental regulations.

WARNING

Even if empty, portable fuel containers can leak

and cause a fire and serious personal injuries, es-

pecially in a crash.

Tips on handling fuel

221

sticker may also be on the hinge of the fuel filler

flap.

Refueling

— The fuel tank is full when the automatic filler noz-

Introduction

zle pump switches off the first time →

— Do not try to add fuel after the pump stops! Top-

ping off the tank in this way may fill the expan-

sion space that the tank needs and cause fuel to

overflow, for example, if it gets warmer outside.

The fuel filler flap is on the rear passenger side of

the vehicle.

The minimum required fuel grade for your vehicle

→ page 222, Fuel types is listed on a sticker on the

inside of the fuel filler flap.

Closing the fuel filler cap

To check your vehicle's fuel capacity, see

→ page 325, Fuel capacities.

— Screw the fuel cap clockwise onto the fuel filler

neck until you hear it click into place.

— Close the fuel filler flap until you hear it latch

shut. The fuel filler flap must be flush with the ve-

hicle body.

Refueling

WARNING

Spilled fuel can cause fires, explosions, burns, and

other severe injuries.

Always stop refueling once the pump nozzle

switches off so that the tank does not overflow.

NOTICE

Remove fuel spills from all vehicle surfaces immedi-

ately to help prevent damage to the paint, tires, and

wheel housings.

Fuel spills may pollute the environment.

Fig. 150 Rear passenger side of vehicle: Fuel cap

placed on the open fuel filler flap.

Manual release for the fuel filler

flap

Before refueling, always switch off the engine, the

ignition, and all mobile phones, and leave them

switched off until refueling is complete.

There is no emergency release for the fuel filler flap.

Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an au-

thorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Opening the fuel filler cap

The fuel filler flap is on the rear passenger side of

the vehicle.

— Unlock the vehicle from the outside with the ve-

hicle key or press the central locking button in the

Fuel types

driver door

to unlock the vehicle from the in-

Introduction

side → page 90, Doors and power locking system.

— Press on the back part of the fuel filler flap and

fold open.

The minimum required fuel grade for your engine is

shown on a sticker on the inside of the fuel filler flap

→ fig. 150.

— Unscrew the fuel cap counterclockwise and re-

move. Use the slot on the fuel filler flap hinge

→ fig. 150 to hold the cap while refueling.

Bad or poor quality fuel reduces operating perform-

ance, efficiency and service life of the engine. If you

notice any symptoms like rough engine idle or per-

formance or “bucking,” immediately reduce the ve-

hicle speed, accelerate slowly, and keep the engine

speed in the middle of the rpm range. Avoid high

rpm and rapid acceleration. If these symptoms

Refueling

The minimum required fuel grade for your vehicle

→ page 222, Fuel types is listed on a sticker on the

inside of the fuel filler flap → fig. 150 (arrow). This

222

Fuel and emission control system

should appear right after refueling, switch off the

engine. In both cases contact an authorized Volks-

wagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility to have the engine checked.

Regardless of whether unleaded Regular or Premium

grade gasoline is specified for your vehicle, Volkswa-

gen recommends using TOP TIER Detergent Gaso-

line with a minimum octane rating of

87 ((R + M) / 2 Method) / 91 RON for Regular gaso-

line, and 91 ((R + M) / 2 Method) / 95 RON for Premi-

um gasoline. For more information on TOP TIER De-

tergent Gasoline, please go to the official website,

http://www.toptiergas.com.

WARNING

Improper refueling or handling of fuel can cause

fire, explosion, and severe burns.

Fuel is highly explosive and flammable and can

cause severe burns and other injuries.

The gasoline grades most commonly sold in the

United States and Canada have the following octane

ratings, which can usually be found on the filler

pump:

Heed applicable safety warnings and obey local

fuel handling regulations.

Always make sure the fuel cap is screwed on all

the way. This keeps fuel from spilling out and

from evaporating.

— Regular grade: 87 to 90 ((R + M) / 2 Meth-

od) / 91 RON

— Premium grade: 91 to 96 ((R + M) / 2 Meth-

od) / 95 RON

Failure to shut the engine off while refueling

and/or to insert the pump nozzle fully into the

vehicle's filler neck could cause fuel overflow

and fuel spray. Fuel spray and overflowing fuel

are dangerous because they can cause fire or

serious injury.

Unleaded gasoline

Unleaded gasoline is available throughout the USA

and Canada. Volkswagen recommends that you do

not take your vehicle to places where unleaded gas-

oline may not be available.

For safety reasons, the engine must be turned

off when refueling.

Gasoline containing alcohol or MTBE

Never get back into your vehicle while refueling.

You may use unleaded gasoline blended with alcohol

or MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), commonly re-

ferred to as oxygenated fuels, if the blended mixture

meets the following criteria:

If in exceptional circumstances you must get

back in your vehicle while refueling, make cer-

tain that you close the door and touch metal to

discharge static electricity before touching the

filler nozzle again. Static electricity can cause

sparks that can ignite fuel vapors released dur-

ing refueling.

Blends of gasoline and methanol (wood alcohol or

methyl alcohol):

— Anti-Knock Index (AKI) must be 87 or higher.

— Blend must contain no more than 3% methanol.

— Blend must contain more than 2% co-solvents.

Gasoline

Blends of gasoline and ethanol (grain alcohol or eth-

yl alcohol):

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 222.

— Anti-Knock Index (AKI) must be 87 or higher.

— Blend must contain no more than 15% ethanol.

Blends of gasoline and MTBE:

Octane rating

Octane rating indicates a gasoline's ability to resist

engine-damaging “knock” caused by pre-ignition.

Using gasoline that does not meet minimum octane

requirements can affect engine performance, while

the use of poor quality gasoline or gasoline with oc-

tane levels below 87 can also cause engine damage.

— Anti-Knock Index (AKI) must be 87 or higher.

— Blend must contain no more than 15% MTBE.

Seasonally adjusted gasoline

Many fuels are blended especially for winter or

summer conditions. When seasons change, Volkswa-

gen suggests that you buy fuel at busy stations

where the seasonal adjustment is more likely to be

made earlier.

The minimum required gasoline octane rating for

your engine is listed on a label inside of the fuel filler

flap. This rating may be specified according to AKI

(CLC)–also listed as (R + M) / 2 Method–or RON

(ROZ) standards. Golf GTI models: The use of premi-

um fuel with 91 octane ((R + M) / 2 Meth-

od) / RON 95) is recommended to achieve rated

horsepower and torque.

WARNING

Starting fluids can explode and cause a run-away

vehicle condition.

Fuel types

223

Never use starting assist fluids.

Gasoline additives

NOTICE

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 222.

Never use fuel with an octane rating lower than

87 AKI/91 RON. Using lower octane fuel may

cause expensive engine damage.

Additives are used to improve the quality of the gas-

oline.

Never use leaded gasoline! Leaded gasoline will

severely damage your vehicle's catalytic convert-

er.

Fuel quality impacts the operating performance, ef-

ficiency and service life of the engine. Therefore, use

high quality gasoline that is already blended by the

fuel supplier with suitable gasoline additives that do

not contain metal. The additives provide corrosion

protection, clean the fuel system, and help prevent

deposits on the engine.

Methanol-blended fuels that do not meet the cri-

teria listed above may cause corrosion and may

damage plastic and rubber parts in the fuel sys-

tem.

Never use fuels that contain lead or other metals

(check listing on the fuel pump). Even lead re-

placement gasoline (LRP fuels) contain metallic

additives in high concentrations. They can dam-

age the engine.

Volkswagen recommends TOP TIER Detergent Gaso-

line. For more information on TOP TIER Detergent

Gasoline, please go to the official Web site http://

www.toptiergas.com.

If quality gasoline with additives that do not contain

metal is not available or engine malfunctions occur,

you should add the required additives while refuel-

Do not use fuels that fail to meet the criteria

above, or with contents that cannot be identified.

If you cannot tell whether a particular fuel blend

meets the criteria above, ask your service station

or its fuel supplier. If you notice a loss of fuel

economy or drivability and performance problems

using one of these fuel blends, we recommend

that you switch to unblended fuel.

ing →

Not all gasoline additives are effective. Using the

wrong additives can cause significant and expensive

damage to the engine and the catalytic converter.

Never use additives that contain metal. Please note

that metal can be included in some aftermarket gas-

oline additives that are available to be added to gas-

oline during or after refueling to help improve knock

resistance or increase the octane rating.

Using fuels that are different from those specified

above can damage your vehicle's engine and fuel

system and cause performance problems.

Damage to the engine and fuel system and per-

formance problems caused by using fuels that are

different from those specified above or by using

“starting assist fluids” are not the responsibility of

Volkswagen and are not covered under the Emis-

sion warranties or any other Volkswagen Limited

Warranty.

Volkswagen recommends using only additives ap-

proved by Volkswagen. Appropriate additives as well

as instructions on how to use them are available

from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or author-

ized Volkswagen Service Facility. Do not add any

other gasoline additives.

NOTICE

Even a single tank full of leaded fuel can do

major damage to the catalytic converter and

degrade its effectiveness in reducing polluting emis-

sions.

You can damage the engine by using incorrect addi-

tives.

Using incorrect gasoline additives can cause ex-

tensive engine damage as well as damage to the

catalytic converter.

If you notice a loss of fuel economy or driva-

bility and performance problems using one of

these fuel blends, we recommend that you switch to

unblended fuel. Never use fuel line antifreeze of-

fered for gasoline engines.

If you must fuel your vehicle with gasoline whose

octane rating is too low, only drive with the en-

gine speed in the middle of the rpm range and

with low engine load. Avoid high rpm and heavy

engine load. Otherwise, the engine could be dam-

aged. Refuel your vehicle with gasoline with the

required octane rating as soon as possible.

Do not use fuel that is labeled at the pump as

containing metal. Lead replacement fuel contains

high concentrations of metallic additives. Expen-

224

Fuel and emission control system

sive engine and catalytic converter damage could

result.

— Do not tow the vehicle to start it, but use a jump-

start instead → page 233, Jump-starting.

Fueling your vehicle just one time with leaded

fuel or fuel that contains other metallic additives

can affect the performance of the catalytic con-

verter and cause extensive damage to it.

Tips and troubleshooting

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 225.

Engine control and emission

control system

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.

Introduction

Exhaust system malfunction

WARNING

If the yellow Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)

comes on, there is a malfunction in the exhaust sys-

tem that may damage the vehicle:

The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic con-

verter get very hot. This can cause a fire and seri-

ous personal injury.

— Ease off the accelerator.

— Carefully drive to the nearest authorized Volkswa-

gen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Fa-

cility to have engine checked.

Never park where parts of the hot exhaust sys-

tem and catalytic converter could ignite flam-

mable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry

grass, spilled fuel, etc.

Engine control/monitoring system misfire

Never apply additional undercoating or rust-

proofing on or near the exhaust manifold, ex-

haust pipes, catalytic converter, or heat shields.

If the yellow Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) flash-

es, there is a misfire that may damage the vehicle:

— Ease off the accelerator.

WARNING

— Carefully drive to the nearest authorized Volkswa-

gen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Fa-

cility to have engine checked.

California Proposition 65 Warning

Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and

certain vehicle components contain or emit

chemicals known to the State of California to

cause cancer and birth defects and reproductive

harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in ve-

hicles and certain products of component wear

contain or emit chemicals known to the State of

California to cause cancer and birth defects and

reproductive harm.

If the engine misfires or loses power

If you experience misfires, loss of power or the en-

gine is not running smoothly while driving:

— Reduce speed immediately.

— Drive to nearest qualified workshop at medium

engine speeds and low engine loads.

— If these symptoms occur directly after refuelling,

switch off the engine immediately to avoid any

subsequent damage.

Catalytic converter

— Have the vehicle checked by an authorized Volks-

wagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 225.

WARNING

The catalytic converter provides exhaust gas after-

treatment to help reduce pollutants in the exhaust

gas. To help ensure long service life of the exhaust

system and gasoline engine catalytic converter:

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.

— Only use unleaded fuel → page 222, Fuel types.

— Never completely empty the fuel tank.

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.

— Do not exceed the correct oil level → page 246,

Engine oil.

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to

do so.

Engine control and emission control system

225

NOTICE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS

can result in vehicle damage.

As long as the indicator lights

are on,

expect engine malfunctions, increased fuel

consumption, and loss of engine efficiency.

226

Fuel and emission control system

Fuel and emission control system for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

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