Maintenance (A3 Platform): Maintenance Volkswagen Golf Mk3

Oil Change and Maintenance Service

See Additional Information, Maintenance Schedule for appropriate model year. This is included in owner's manual information.

Emission Control Maintenance Schedule / Vehicle Maintenance Schedule

See Additional Information, Maintenance Schedule for appropriate model year. This is included in owner's manual information.

Fuel filter (Diesel engine), draining

Note. Do not allow diesel fuel to contact coolant hoses. Wipe any diesel fuel off hoses immediately and wash hoses with soap and water.

Scheme 11

1. Remove retaining clip -1-.
2. Remove control valve -2- with fuel lines connected.
3. Loosen drain screw -5- (on bottom of filter) and drain approx. 100cc (1.7 oz.) of fuel.
4. Install control valve -2- with fuel lines connected. Use new O-ring
5. Attach retaining clip -1-.
6. Tighten drain screw -5-.
7. Check fuel system for leaks (visual inspection).
8. Rev engine several times and let idle. Fuel flow through transparent pipe must be free of bubbles.

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF), checking

Conditions for check

1. Vehicle parked on level surface
2. Parking brake applied
3. Selector lever in "P" position
4. Engine idling

When cold, the ATF must be topped up to the 20 °C (68 °F) marking.

Scheme 12

1. Warm ATF up to operating temperature

1. Operating temperature: approx. 60 °C (140 °F).
2. Operating temperature can be reached from cold start after driving approx. 10 km (6.2 mi).

Measure ATF temperature with VAG 1551 Scan Tool (ST).

Scheme 13

1. Connect VAG 1551 as described on «DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) MEMORY, CHECKING WITH VAG 1551 SCAN TOOL (ST)»(ref-203132-S07816865912005103000000) .
2. Press button -1- for "Rapid data transfer" mode.
3. Press buttons -0- and -2- to enter address word 02 for "Transmission Electronics" and press -Q button to confirm input.
4. Press button.
5. Press buttons -0- and -8- to select "Read Measuring Value Block" function 08, and press - Q- button to confirm input.
6. Press buttons -0- and -5- to enter display group number 05, and press -Q- button to confirm input.
7. The ATF temperature (as measured in C) appears in display field 1 NOTE: An accurate reading will be displayed only when measured temperature is above 50 C (122 F).

At a temperature of 50-70 °C

Scheme 14

1. Check ATF level, top up or extract ATF if necessary. Use a non-fluffy cloth to wipe off the dipstick. ATF level must fall between the min. and max. markings. NOTE: Only ATF with the designation DEXRON may be used. Do not use any lubricant additives. Excessive ATF causes malfunctions and must therefore be extracted. ATF can be extracted with VAG 1358 A/2 and VAG 1358 A.
2. On VAG 1551 Press --> button. ATF level too low
3. Add missing quantity of ATF using funnel.
4. With engine running and vehicle stationary, shift through all selector lever positions once.
5. Check ATF level. ATF level varies according to ATF temperature. The min. and max. markings on the ATF dipstick relate to an ATF temperature of 60 °C (140 °F). VAG 1551 Scan Tool (ST) must remain connected for checking Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Memory using the On Board Diagnostic (OBD) program «DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) MEMORY, CHECKING WITH VAG 1551 SCAN TOOL (ST)»(ref-203132-S07816865912005103000000) .

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF), changing

Procedure

1. Extract ATF with VAG 1358 A/2 probe and VAG 1358 A.

1. ATF quantity required: approx. 3 liters (3.2 quarts).

Note. If there is no ATF in the system

1. DO NOT start the engine.
2. DO NOT tow the vehicle.

1. Remove ATF filler pipe from sump.
2. Remove sump and ATF strainer.
3. Clean sump.

Scrupulous cleanliness is essential when performing the following installation work

1. Install new gasket into the new ATF strainer.
2. Fit spacer bushes into the new sump gasket.
3. Install ATF strainer Securing bolt tightening torque: 8 N.m (71 in lb).
4. Install oil sump Securing bolt tightening torque: 12 N.m (9 ft lb).
5. Install ATF filler pipe.
6. Pour in 3 liters (3.2 quarts) of ATF using funnel and extension hose. NOTE: Only ATF with the designation DEXRON may be used. Do not use any lubricant additives. Excessive ATF causes malfunctions and must therefore be extracted again. ATF can be extracted with probe VAG 1358 A/1 and VAG 1358 A.
7. With engine running and vehicle stationary, shift through all selector lever positions once.
8. Check ATF level. Vehicle parked on level surface Parking brake applied Selector lever in "P" position Engine idling Use a non-fluffy cloth for wiping off dipstick.

Note. ATF level varies according to ATF temperature. The min. and max. markings on the ATF dipstick relate to an ATF temperature of 60 °C (140 °F).

When cold, the ATF must be topped up to the 20 °C (68 °F) marking.

Scheme 15

Scheme 16

1. Warm ATF up to operating temperature Operating temperature: approx. 60 °C (140 °F). Operating temperature can be reached from cold start after driving approx. 10 km (6.2 mi).
2. Measure ATF temperature with VAG 1551 Scan Tool (ST).
3. Connect VAG 1551 as described on «DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) MEMORY, CHECKING WITH VAG 1551 SCAN TOOL (ST)»(ref-203132-S07816865912005103000000) .
4. Start engine and run at idle.
5. Press button -1- for "Rapid data transfer" mode.
6. Press buttons -0- and -2- to enter address word 02 for "Transmission Electronics" and press -Q button to confirm input.
7. Press --> button.
8. Press buttons -0- and -8- to select "Read Measuring Value Block" function 08, and press - Q- button to confirm input.
9. Press buttons -0- and -5- to enter display group number 05, and press -Q- button to confirm input. Continued on next page
10. The ATF temperature (as measured in C) appears in display field 1 NOTE: An accurate reading will be displayed only when measured temperature is above 50 °C (122 °F). At a temperature of 50-70 °C
11. On VAG 1551 press -->button. ATF level too low
12. Add missing quantity of AT.
13. With engine running and vehicle stationary, shift through all selector lever positions once.
14. Check ATF level. VAG 1551 Scan Tool (ST) must remain connected for checking Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Memory using the On Board Diagnostic (OBD) program «DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) MEMORY, CHECKING WITH VAG 1551 SCAN TOOL (ST)»(ref-203132-S07816865912005103000000) .

Brake fluid level, checking

Brake fluid, changing

Scheme 17

1. Connect brake filling and bleeding tool VW 1238, VAG 1238/1 or VAG 1238/B to brake reservoir. Use adapter -1-, with seal -2- and connector -3-.
2. Draw off as much brake fluid as possible from the reservoir.
3. Insert brake pedal depressor between drivers seat and brake pedal and tension.
4. Open bleeder screws and allow the appropriate quantity of brake fluid to drain out. The used brake fluid is forced out of the system by pumping in fresh fluid.

BRAKE BLEEDING SEQUENCE & FLUID QUANTITY

Total quantity: 2 liters (2.1 quarts)

1. Remove brake filling and bleeding tool from brake fluid reservoir and remove brake pedal depressor.
2. Check pedal pressure and idle travel at brake pedal. Idle travel: max. 1/3 of pedal travel.

Service Reminder Indicator (SRI) display, resetting

After performing the specified maintenance, reset the Service Reminder Indicator (SRI) (F27) displays according to SERVICE REMINDER INDICATOR (SRI) SPECIFICATION .

SERVICE REMINDER INDICATOR (SRI) SPECIFICATION

To reset the SRI displays

Scheme 18

Scheme 19

1. Switch ignition ON.
2. Press and hold the odometer reset button -arrow- located below speedometer.
3. Switch ignition OFF and release odometer reset button. OEL will now appear in SRI display.
4. Press and hold the lower digital clock reset button -1- or the analog lock reset button -2- until five dashes (- - - - -) appear in display. OEL SRI is now reset for 7500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first Once OEL is reset, the other displays can be reset in the same manner without switching the ignition on and off again.
5. Press odometer reset button to proceed to the IN 01 display (15,000 mile maintenance) and reset using the clock reset button.

If necessary, repeat procedure to reset IN 02 (30,000 mile maintenance) display.

To escape reset mode

1. Switch ignition ON; when display IN 01 appears, switch ignition OFF.