This GTI, Golf, and Jetta manual covers the model years 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992, including Golf and Jetta GL, Golf GT, Jetta GLI and Carat, and 16-valve models. This manual is specifically written to cover models built for sale in the U.S. and Canada only.

Volkswagen and most aftermarket parts suppliers specializing in Volkswagens refer to the Jettas, Golfs, and GTIs covered by this manual as the A2 platform. The code "A2" is Volkswagen's internal code for the basic platform shared by all of the cars covered by this manual. When ordering parts, especially body parts, knowing the A2 code may be helpful.

This manual is organized so that, whenever possible when a change has been made within a model year the vehicle identification number (VIN) is given for the first car with this change. The VIN consists of a seventeen-digit code stamped on the car, for example 1 VWDB917XFV000001. Each of these 17 letters and numbers indicates certain facts about the car and its manufacture. For example, the numbers in the 7th and 8th spaces indicate the model. The letter in the 1Oth space indicates model year. The next letter, the 11th, indicates where the car was made ("V" is for U.S.-built cars, "W" is for German-built cars, and "M" is for cars built in Mexico). For parts and service information you will usually need only the last eleven digits of the VIN-in this case the digits 17XFV000001. Your Volkswagen's VIN is found on the left doorjamb and on a plate mounted on the driver's side of the instrument panel padding where the number can be seen through the windshield. The VINs assigned to GTIs, Golfs, and Jettas for the model years 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992 that are covered by this manual are:

Golf, GTI
1985: ...17_F_000001 to ...17_F_999999
1986: ...17_G_000001 to ...17_G_999999
1987: ...17_H_000001 to ...17_H_999999
1988: ...17_J_000001 to ...17_J_999999
1989: ...17_K_000001 to ...17_K_999999
 and: ...1G_K 000001 to ...1G_K_999999
1990: ...1G_L_000001 to ...1G_L_999999
1991: ...IG_M_000001 to ...1G_M_999999
1992: ...1G_N_000001 to ...1G_N_999999

Jetta

1985: ...16_F_000001 to ...16_F_999999
1986: ...16_G_000001 to ...16_G_999999
1987: ...16_H_000001 to ...16_H_999999
1988: ...16_J_000001 to ...16_J_999999
1989: ...16_K_000001 to ...16_K_999999
 and: ...1G_K 000001 to ...1G_K_999999
1990: ...1G_L_000001 to ...1G_L_999999
1991: ...1G_M_000001 to ...1G_M_999999
1992: ...1G_N_000001 to ...1G_N_999999