The Vanagon Dictionary

Low-range gear setting for off-road driving

• offroad
• drivetrain

Plates used to block off heat riser ports on engine

• engine
• exhaust

Protective plate attached to the front axle to protect the undercarriage during off-roading

• off-roading
• vw

a running gear system designed for heavy loads and off-road use

• suspension
• off-road

A metal plate used to cover a hole in the dashboard if a radio is not installed.

• radio
• dash

Volkswagen's official documents for technical guidance

• volkswagen
• technical

The first official Volkswagen importer for Italy in 1954

• importer
• italy
• volkswagen

Keyless locking and starting system, offering convenience and ease of use

• keyless
• locking
• starting

A device that regulates temperature by turning a fan on or off

• temperature
• control

Camping without access to external power or water sources

• camping
• off-grid

A device used to lift a vehicle off the ground

• floor
• jack

Official notices for vehicle repairs and maintenance

• tsb
• bulletins
• service

The energy consumed by a vehicle's electrical systems when the engine is off

• battery
• load

A type of oil made from chemical compounds, offering superior performance and protection.

• oil
• synthetic

Shut-off and reserve valve located on VWs produced without fuel gauges

• fuel
• valve
• reserve

Function that prevents the vehicle from rolling away accidentally when standing still or setting off

• brake
• safety

Gaps between the piston rings, which must be offset to prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber

• engine
• piston

Wolfsburg Editions are models with a higher level of trim, and are probably intended to stimulate sales late in the model year. In addition trim upgrades, they usually include some options without any extra charge (power mirrors, power door locks, and power windows, etc.) The true Weekender is usually also offered as a Wolfsburg Ed. (It's believed that the Westy Weekender only came as a Wolfsburg Edition.)

In Gerry’s preserved FAQ alignment article, “Camper model” refers to the heavier Vanagon Syncro camper configuration, with separate alignment values from lighter non-camper vehicles. A Gerry discussion on 15 October 2003 about the “official” Syncro alignment specs quotes the chart for 1986–1991 Syncro campers with dual batteries up front; a 1999 thread separately asks about an almost-empty 1986 Syncro. These historical sources show why the exact load and configuration matter, not a current alignment specification. Use service data for the specific vehicle.

• model
• variant