Segment:
        
        
            Compact Car / Hatchback
        
     
    
        
            Target Audience:
        
        
            DIY enthusiasts, independent repair shops, and owners seeking detailed maintenance and repair information.
        
     
    
    
        
            Key Competitors:
        
        
            Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Mazda3
        
     
    
    
        
            Design:
        
        
            Solid build quality, refined interior, practical hatchback design.
        
     
    
        
            Powertrains:
        
        
            Known for reliable and fuel-efficient engines, particularly the 1.8T.
        
     
    
        
            Handling:
        
        
            Good balance of ride comfort and sporty handling, especially in GTI variants.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Engine:
        
        
            1.8L Turbo (AGU/AWP), 2.0L naturally aspirated (APK/AZG/AVH/BBW), 2.8L VR6 (AGM/AAA - less common for 2002 NA models, focus on 1.8T/2.0L)
        
     
    
        
            Engine Management:
        
        
            ECU diagnostics, fuel injection, ignition system, emissions control
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Manual:
        
        
            5-speed (02J), 6-speed (02M - for 1.8T)
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Automatic:
        
        
            4-speed automatic (01M, 01N)
        
     
    
        
            Drivetrain:
        
        
            Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), Haldex All-Wheel Drive (4MOTION - less common for base 2002 models, but applicable for GTI/GLI)
        
     
    
        
            Suspension:
        
        
            Front McPherson strut, rear independent torsion beam (or multi-link for 4MOTION)
        
     
    
        
            Brakes:
        
        
            Front ventilated discs, rear solid discs (or drums on base models), ABS system
        
     
    
        
            Steering:
        
        
            Hydraulic power steering, steering rack
        
     
    
        
            Electrical:
        
        
            12V system, battery, alternator, starter, lighting, body control module (BCM), fuse box diagrams
        
     
    
        
            HVAC:
        
        
            Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (including refrigerant R134a)
        
     
    
        
            Body:
        
        
            Exterior panels, doors, windows, interior trim, body repairs
        
     
    
        
            Body Electrical:
        
        
            Wiper system, power windows, central locking, power mirrors
        
     
    
        
            Safety Systems:
        
        
            Airbag system (SRS), seatbelt pre-tensioners
        
     
    
    
        
            Routine Maintenance:
        
        
            Oil changes, filter replacements, spark plugs, fluid checks, belt inspections
        
     
    
        
            Major Repairs:
        
        
            Engine component removal and installation (e.g., alternator, starter, water pump), clutch replacement
        
     
    
        
            Engine Overhaul:
        
        
            Cylinder head removal/installation, piston and connecting rod service, crankshaft service
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Service:
        
        
            Clutch hydraulic system, transmission fluid changes, manual transmission internal inspection/repair, automatic transmission component replacement
        
     
    
        
            Brake Service:
        
        
            Brake pad and rotor replacement, brake caliper service, bleeding procedure, ABS sensor replacement
        
     
    
        
            Suspension Repair:
        
        
            Strut and shock absorber replacement, control arm bushing replacement, ball joint service
        
     
    
        
            Electrical Troubleshooting:
        
        
            Wiring diagrams, component testing, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and procedures
        
     
    
        
            HVAC Service:
        
        
            Component replacement (compressor, condenser, evaporator), refrigerant system evacuation and recharge, leak detection
        
     
    
        
            Body Repair:
        
        
            Door panel removal, window regulator repair, mirror replacement, minor body panel alignment
        
     
    
        
            Diagnostic Procedures:
        
        
            Step-by-step guides for diagnosing common and uncommon faults across all systems.
        
     
    
    
        
            Depth:
        
        
            Comprehensive, from basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, including electrical diagnostics.
        
     
    
        
            Diagnostic Tools:
        
        
            Information on using OBD-II scanners and specific VW diagnostic tools (e.g., VAG-COM)
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Engine 1.8T:
        
        
            1.8L DOHC 20-valve turbocharged inline-4 (AGU/AWP)
        
     
    
        
            Engine 2.0L:
        
        
            2.0L SOHC 8-valve naturally aspirated inline-4 (APK/AZG/AVH/BBW)
        
     
    
    
        
            1.8T Horsepower:
        
        
            150 hp @ 5700 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
        
            1.8T Torque:
        
        
            162 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
        
            2.0L Horsepower:
        
        
            115 hp @ 5200 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
        
            2.0L Torque:
        
        
            122 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
    
        
            Injection Type:
        
        
            Multi-point fuel injection (MPI) or Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
        
     
    
        
            Fuel Type:
        
        
            Unleaded gasoline (91 octane or higher recommended for 1.8T)
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Manual Transmission:
        
        
            5-speed manual (02J) for 2.0L, 6-speed manual (02M) for 1.8T
        
     
    
    
        
            Automatic Transmission:
        
        
            4-speed automatic (01M, 01N)
        
     
    
    
        
            Clutch:
        
        
            Hydraulically actuated single dry plate clutch
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Fluid Manual:
        
        
            VW G 052 171 A2 (or equivalent GL-4 75W-90)
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Fluid Automatic:
        
        
            VW G 052 162 A2 (or equivalent ATF type)
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Oil Change Interval:
        
        
            Every 5,000 - 7,500 miles or 12 months (whichever comes first), depending on driving conditions and oil used.
        
     
    
        
            Timing Belt Replacement:
        
        
            100,000 miles or 10 years for 1.8T (and some 2.0L engines with interference design), check manual for specific engine code. **Critical:** Failure to replace can cause catastrophic engine damage.
        
     
    
        
            Coolant Flush:
        
        
            Every 30,000 miles or 2 years.
        
     
    
    
        
            Engine Oil:
        
        
            SAE 5W-40 or 5W-30, meeting VW 502.00/505.00 specifications (synthetic recommended).
        
     
    
        
            Coolant:
        
        
            G12 (pink) or G12+ antifreeze (Volkswagen Genuine Coolant).
        
     
    
    
    
        
            Ignition Coils:
        
        
            Coil-on-plug ignition coils are prone to failure, causing misfires. Often replaced as a set.
        
     
    
        
            Mass Air Flow Sensor:
        
        
            Can become dirty or fail, leading to poor idling and performance issues.
        
     
    
        
            Window Regulators:
        
        
            Plastic components within the regulator mechanism can break, causing power windows to fail.
        
     
    
        
            Rear Main Seal:
        
        
            Can leak oil over time, requiring transmission removal for replacement.
        
     
    
        
            ABSorbent Glass Mat Battery:
        
        
            Early Mk4 models may have used conventional batteries; later ones often came with AGM types. Ensure correct replacement type.