My heater blows out a strange smell...

VW issued a technical bulletin on February 6, 1998, about a strange or musty smell being blown from the heater on early production cars. According to the bulletin, this odor may be caused by residual condensate in and around evaporator mixing with airborne pollutants. This forms the growth of bacteria and or fungi. The dealer can flush the vent system with a product called Airsept, thus killing the bacteria and fungi. The service is performed under the new vehicle limited warranty. The bulletin suggests running the AC in the spring and fall months to reduce the possibility of new bacterial growth.

Can I add the sunglasses case(s) from the '99 to my '98?

Yes, but at a cost. Addition of the sunglasses cases and/or 1999 version clock/thermometer requires the replacement of the entire head liner.

The dash panels are warping in my 1998 NB...

Another symptom of the early run of 1998 NBs. VW has issued a "silent recall" on 1998 NBs to correct the problem--when you take your NB in for its service, the technician should check to see if the car has had any of several factory mandated fixes, including replacement of several dash panels that were prone to warping.

My rear floor mats slide around...

Join the club! When the NB arrives at the dealer for prep the car should have a set of snaps for the rear floor mats, just like for the front mats. For some unknown reason, the majority of dealers don't install the rear snaps. My own dealer claims to have never seen a bag of rear snaps. You can order the snaps through the parts department and install them yourself.

The shift pattern badge fell off the shifter...

Another early production run problem. The solution of choice appears to be 3M double sided tape.

What is the blank switch on the dashboard for?

New Beetles built for European export (and perhaps the GLX with the 1.8 Turbo engine in North America) will have a traction control feature called "ESP"; the switch to activate the ESP goes in the blank spot on the dash.

What billet trim is available?

Just about any part that screws into the NB is available in billet aluminum. TVA sells the amazing billet bud vase, once seen as a custom accessory for a fleet of NBs used for the Oscar ceremony. New Dimensions offers a full line of billet accessories, including sill plates and side signal covers.

What about NB dash kits?

The dash trim kits are made by Superior Dash and are available at their retail web site www.hometownshopping.com. Go to the first site to see the colors and wood grain choices and write the codes down. Then you can go to the second site to actually order. If you tell them that 'David Allen sent me' in the special instructions area, you will get an addition 5% discount.

I want a CD changer for my New Beetle. What are the factory changer options?

You have a few choices:

• You can buy one with your new Beetle. Cost: between $350 and $700, depending on the dealer. The list price on the changer and mounting bracket is $345. Installation is not an issue.
• You can buy your Beetle w/o the CD player and then buy the CD changer from the dealer or an aftermarket source (see below). If you buy from the dealer, they can do the installation for you. If you buy elsewhere, you can do the installation yourself or pay an independent car audio installer to do it for you.

The installation is very simple and shouldn't cost more than 1/2 hour labor at the dealer or an independent car audio installation shop. (about $30-50). Some dealers were reporting a minimum 2 hour installation charge, so ask first.

NOTE: No matter where you buy your CD changer and no matter who installs it, the dealer has to program the existing radio to use the CD changer's mix function. If this isn't done, the mix play function won't work (though everything else should). Some dealers will charge for this and some won't. It is possible for the service department to code the radio for the CD changer even if you don't have it installed--that way the head unit will be ready for when you do install a changer.

If you purhcase the changer from a VW dealer's parts department, expect to bay between $280-$350 for the unit and $35 for the mounting bracket. Some dealers will charge for installation & programming. Unless you buy used or from a deep discount mail order house, the dealer's price is pretty competetive with aftermarket sources. Since they can also do the programming and installation-- and it's a factory unit that's covered under the VW warranty-- this is a pretty attractive option.

Installation is very simple: Locate the plastic box on the left side of the trunk. Pull off the cover and locate the wiring harness for the changer. Cut out the carpet along the marked lines on the underside. Replace the carpet and screw the mounting bracket into the floor. Plug the changer into the harness, then secure the changer to the bracket. If you don't want to cut the carpet, use velcro strips to prevent the unit from sliding around the trunk. Make certain that the two switches on the sides of the changer are set for horizontal or vertical use, depending on how you decide to mount the unit. If you don't set the switches, your disks will skip.You still have to have the dealer program the radio. The VW Service Bulletin on how to install the changer is available online through Carousel Motors.

What non-factory changers will work?

The stock changer is a variation of the Panasonic CX-DP601. Other units will work, but will not be able to access the "mix" function. (Side note: even on the stock unit, mix will mix between songs on a single disk before moving on to the next disk, reportedly to cut down on wear.)

Autotoys markets both a six- and eight-disk changers that meet OEM specs and supposedly work with the mix feature. The six changer sells for $268 and does not require any adapters.

Crutchfield sells a Panasonic changer that requires an additional wiring adapter, total cost just below $300, as do Discount Car Stereo, and Audio Warehouse Express. Audiocorp and Cartunes have been selling the unit for just over $300. Shop around as prices might change at any of these listed retailers.

Can I install a non-stock head unit?

Yes. Several manufacturers have released kits to allow you to install a standard audio head unit in the unique rounded space in the NB dash. Check out the Scosche web page for one example. If you replace the stock unity, you'll probably need to locate the proper VW Car Stereo Connector and European Antenna Adapter.

Can I disable the MSS feature when playing cassettes?

No. The MSS becomes a problem if you play a cassette with pauses or very quite sections as part of the music-- the player thinks that you are at the end of the tape and kicks into fast forward search mode. VWoA is "aware" of the problem, but they have not been able to issue a fix.

Can I use a portable CD player with the stock unit?

Different people have had various levels of success with using a portable CD player's cassette adaptor with the stock radio. The problem is with the MSS feature on the head unit: if the space between songs on the cd is too long, the MSS feature will kick in and try to "fast forward" your adaptor. You can't disable the MSS feature, so ability to use a portable CD player will be on a cd by cd basis.

My driver's seat feels loose...

A few people on the list have had problems with the driver's seat "rocking" in its tracks. If your seat feels loose, take your car into a VW service center--in most cases it should be repaired under warranty. Repair appears to involve replacing the seat track.

Can I add leather seats?

Yes, sort of. Anything for a price. Several shops sell aftermarket leather seat covers for the NB. Expect prices to start at $1000 US.

Can I add heated seats?

At least once company, Check, makes aftermarket heated seats for the New Beetle. This is a complete kit -- pads, switches, everything. They sell to upholsterers and aftermarket trim people. If you call ((800) 927-6787) or e-mail they will send you the name of the shops in your area that does this work.

Can I cover the seats with the side airbags?

Yes, but the seat covers need to have a design that allows side impactairbag deployment.

I want my key remote to work the windows...

Newbug list member Mike Suave has built a device that allows the remote key to perform a number of different functions for the windows:

• Unlock, followed by lock within 3 seconds - windows will roll up until fully closed. A short second "beep" confirms that the rollup command was received.
• Press unlock while windows are rolling up, windows will roll up all the way, they will open slightly (~3/4") for ventilation and the car will relock. A short beep will signal a successful vent and relock. This is very useful on hot days, and helps keep the car's interior cool. (See the note below regarding lock/unlock beeps.)
• Hold key in lock position until windows begin to roll up - rollup will continue without holding key.
• Press unlock twice quickly - unlock both doors (unchanged from normal function).
• Unlock, pause briefly (>.8, <3 seconds), unlock again - both doors will unlock and both windows will roll down.
• Pressing lock or unlock while windows are rolling down stops the window.
• A rain sensor input is provided, and will roll up if rain is sensed and the alarm is on. (Rain sensor not yet available)
• Roll ups will not occur unless the alarm is armed. This prevents rollups from the interior lock/unlock switch and is intended to prevent young children from rolling the windows up by playing with the lock/unlock switch.

The device takes about an hour to install, and is available directly from Mike at his website.

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Information provided in this Frequently Asked Questions list has been gathered off of the newbug mailing list [Now located at topica.com] All questions and answers are copyleft to the individual authors noted in the text; the FAQ can be reproduced in electronic form in whole or part for noncommercial purposes as long as it retains a link back to this original source and it carries this notice. The New Beetle FAQ cannot be reproduced in whole or part for commercial use without written consent of the FAQ organizer.

Caveat lector. Always consult your New Beetle owner's manual and/or your Volkswagen service representative for authoritative advice on the care and feeding of your NB.