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Haynes shows you how on YouTube: Volkswagen Polo

VW Polo youtube

Free step-by-step video tutorials for your VW Polo

Do you own a 2002-2005 Volkswagen Polo? Trying to work out how to change the headlight bulbs, air filter or check the fluid levels? Our YouTube channel has all the answers!

Haynes’ Mk4 VW Polo YouTube playlist includes 12 FREE videos that show you:

How to replace the rear light bulbs
How to change the wiper blades
How to replace the air filter
How to replace the starter motor
How to change the coolant
How to check the fluid levels (shown below)
How to replace the headlight bulbs
How to replace the rear shock absorbers
How to replace the front brake pads
How to replace the spark plugs
How to replace the rear shock absorbers
How to change a wheel

The videos are designed to complement our online manual for the VW Polo hatchback with the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines and the 1.4 and 1.9 diesel engines.

VW Polo Haynes manual

Written from hands-on experience gained from the complete strip-down and rebuild of a Volkswagen Polo, Haynes can help you understand, care for and repair your car. We do it ourselves to help you do-it-yourself, and whatever your mechanical ability, the practical step-by-step explanations, linked to over 900 photos, will help you get the job done right. Regular servicing and maintenance of your Volkswagen Polo can help maintain its resale value, save you money, and make it safer to drive.

Get the full online manual here

Here’s the Volkswagen Polo fluid levels video from YouTube:

Buyer’s guide: the Volkswagen Polo Mk IV story

The VW Polo range covered by this manual was introduced to the UK market in January 2002. Using the same new A04 platform as its VW Group sister car, the Skoda Fabia, the car represents a substantial update on the preceding Polo range.

At its launch, the car drew praise for its build quality and 'big-car feel’ – not surprising, since it is nearly as big as a Mk 3 VW Golf. The new Polo Dune 'urban’ model from 2004 combines the practicality of a Polo with the appearance of a 4x4, and features suspension which is raised by 20mm.

The 1.4-litre petrol engines are derived from well-proven units which have appeared in many VW vehicles, but there’s a new 1.2 litre 3-cylinder unit appearing for the first time in the Polo. 

The diesel engines are all familiar units. The 1.9-litre non-turbo SDI diesel has been seen in the Polo before, but the 1.9 litre PD (Pumpe Duse) TDI unit, which also features in other VW models, is new to the Polo. The 1.4-litre 3-cylinder diesel is carried over from the previous range – like its bigger 1.9 litre TDI brother, the 1.4-litre unit features the high-pressure unit injector PD fuel system. 

All the engines are of overhead camshaft design, mounted transversely, with the transmission mounted on the left-hand side. A five-speed manual transmission, four-speed or six speed automatic transmission was available. 

All models have fully independent front suspension, with a new subframe. The rear suspension is semi-independent, with suspension struts, trailing arms and a 'self-steering’ torsion beam axle. The compact rear springs are now mounted separately from the shock absorbers, to minimise intrusion into the rear loadspace. The new speed-sensitive power steering system fitted to all models has an electric hydraulic pump, rather than an engine-driven one. 

A wide range of standard and optional equipment was available within the Polo range to suit most tastes. All models got electric mirrors, tinted glass, four airbags, power steering and ABS as standard, with central locking, electric windows, and air conditioning available further up the range.