General Tune-Up Information

GENERAL INFORMATION

The term "tuning" in this Manual refers to a set of procedures rather than a single individual procedure.

If the current maintenance schedule is strictly followed from the time the vehicle is purchased, with frequent checks of fluid levels and of components subject to increased wear as recommended in this Manual, the engine will remain in good working condition for a long time, and the need for any additional work will be minimal.

More often, however, the engine operates inefficiently due to neglect of regular maintenance. This happens even more often when buying a used vehicle whose owners did not bother with frequent and regular checks and maintenance. In this case, in addition to performing the usual routine maintenance procedures, it will be necessary to tune the engine.

The first step in any tune-up or diagnostic procedure aimed at improving engine performance is checking the cylinder compression. The compression test (refer to the Cylinder Compression Test subsection) helps determine the condition of the internal engine components and should guide the tune-up and repair work. If, for example, the compression test indicates serious internal engine wear, a standard tune-up will not improve engine performance and will be a waste of time and money. Since the compression test is extremely important, it should be performed by a specialist with the specially designed equipment.

The following procedures are most often required to restore the engine to good operating condition.

Minimum Maintenance · Checking all engine-related fluids (refer to the Checking Tire Condition and Pressure subsection) · Checking the condition of all engine compartment hoses (refer to the Checking and Replacing Engine Compartment Hoses, Locating Leaks subsection) · Checking and adjusting the drive belt tension (refer to the Checking Ribbed Drive Belt Condition subsection) · Cleaning, inspecting and checking the battery charge (refer to the Checking Battery Condition, Care and Charging subsection) · Replacing spark plugs or glow plugs (refer to the Checking and Replacing Spark Plugs subsection) · Inspecting high-tension spark plug leads, except direct ignition models · Checking the air filter (refer to the Replacing the Air Filter Element subsection) · Checking the cooling system (refer to the Checking Cooling System Operation subsection)

General Maintenance

All minimum maintenance items listed above, plus... · Checking the ignition or glow plug system · Checking the charging system · Checking the fuel system · Replacing high-tension spark plug leads, except direct ignition models

Monthly Checks

Engine Oil Viscosity Chart

Gasoline Engines A: all-season oils with enhanced friction-reducing properties, specification VW 500 00; B: all-season oils, specification VW 501 01; C: all-season oils, API SF^2) or SG^2); ACEA A2/A3^2). 1) This specification designation must be dated no earlier than 10.91. 2) These engine oils may be used only when the recommended engine oil is not available.

Turbodiesel Engines

C: all-season oils, specification VW 505 00

The engine oil filler cap is located on the cylinder head cover. Each time before opening it, make sure the area around the filler opening is clean.

The oil level must be kept between the two marks, preferably at or near the upper one. If it is not, add oil up to the upper mark. The oil quantity between the MIN and MAX marks is 1 L. Two versions of the oil level dipstick are shown.

The coolant expansion tank (coolant reservoir) is located on the side of the engine compartment. With a cold engine, the coolant level must be between the MIN and MAX marks. With a hot engine, the level may slightly exceed the MAX mark. If necessary, remove the cap and add coolant.