background image

TO THE OWNER

Congratulations! We welcome you to the exciting world of motor home travel and camping. You will 

find it convenient and enjoyable to have all the comforts of home and still enjoy the great outdoors       
wherever you choose to go.

Your motor home has been carefully designed, engineered and manufactured to provide dependability 

as well as safety. Before sliding into the driver’s seat, take a few minutes to become familiar with opera-
tions and features. This manual was prepared to aid you in the proper care and operation of the vehicle and 
equipment. We urge you to read it completely. In addition, spend some time with the dealer when you take 
delivery, you will want to learn all you can about your new motor home.

Your new motor home is covered by a factory warranty against defects in material and workmanship. 

This warranty should be validated at once and returned to the factory by your dealer.

Read and understand all instructions and precautions in this manual before operating your new motor 

home. 

About Safety Messages Used in This Manual

Throughout this manual, certain items are labeled Note, Caution, Warning or Danger. These terms alert 

you to precautions that may involved damage to your vehicle or a risk to your personal safety. Read and 
follow them carefully.

.

DANGER indicates a directly hazard-
ous situation which, if not avoided, 
will result in death or serious personal 
injury.

WARNING indicates a potentially 
hazardous situation which, if not 
avoided, could result in death or seri-
ous personal injury.

This SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL is used to draw your attention to issues which could involved 
potential personal injury. This symbol is used throughout this manual and/or on labels affixed 
on or near various equipment in this motor home.

DANGER

WARNING

132000-21-004

May 2003

Summary of Contents for 2004 Itasca Sunstar

Page 1: ...material and workmanship This warranty should be validated at once and returned to the factory by your dealer Read and understand all instructions and precautions in this manual before operating your...

Page 2: ...t of information that could assist in understanding the use or care of a feature item CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which if not avoided could result in damage mainly to equipmen...

Page 3: ...off equipment that prevents filling above this level OWNER S NAME STREET ADDRESS CITY AND STATE OR PROVINCE IN CANADA MOTOR HOME SERIAL NUMBER VEHICLE CHASSIS IDENTIFICATION NO VIN DATE OF DELIVERY T...

Page 4: ......

Page 5: ...warranty The Chassis Cab portion of the vehicle is warranted by Volkswagen of America Inc for 2 years or 24 000 miles The Powertrain is covered for 5 years or 50 000 miles To learn which authorized W...

Page 6: ......

Page 7: ...following components which are covered by the Winnebago Industries rather than the Volkswagen warranty Rear Suspension and axle components including wheel bearings Exhaust system rearward of the catal...

Page 8: ...ded 5 If after the above steps are completed and the repairs are not satisfactory the customer may contact the Service Administration Manager of Winnebago Industries and request a customer relations b...

Page 9: ...siness Law of the State of New York requires you to provide written notice by certified mail return receipt requested to Winnebago Industries or its authorized dealer before making any claim under tha...

Page 10: ...or company vehicle prior to delivery on the date it is first placed in service This Limited New Vehicle warranty is automatically transferred without cost if the ownership of the vehicle changes with...

Page 11: ...mited New Vehicle Warranty For Other Warranty Terms For the remainder of this warranty please consult the terms of the Limited New Vehicle Warranty under the headings Where to Go for Warranty Service...

Page 12: ...Volkswagen or consult them at a Volkswagen dealer You can purchase a subscription to bulletins and receive them as they are issued or you can order individual bulletins Your Volkswagen dealer has a cu...

Page 13: ...le to fail to conform with EPA regulations EVAP Canister and Valves Mass Air Flow Sensor Assembly Three Way Catalytic Converter Engine Control Module and Power Supply Relay Electronic Feedback Control...

Page 14: ...t failure Record of Scheduled Maintenance Winnebago Industries recommends that you keep a record of scheduled maintenance by making sure that the Maintenance Record contained in your Chassis maintenan...

Page 15: ...perform emissions warranty work please call Volkswagen at 1 800 822 8987 Emissions Control System Defects Warranty Warranty for three years 50 000 miles Winnebago Industries Inc Winnebago Industries w...

Page 16: ...Winnebago Industries recommended time allowance for the warranty repair multiplied by the labor rate per hour appropriate for the area where the warranty repair was performed In order to receive reim...

Page 17: ...ve notification automatically If you are concerned that you may not have received notice concerning a particular service action please check with your dealer to determine whether your vehicle is eligi...

Page 18: ......

Page 19: ...der Belts 2 6 Child Restraints 2 7 Mirrors 2 7 Instrument Panel 2 7 Comfort Controls 2 8 Radio Cassette Player 2 8 Auxiliary Start Switch 2 8 SECTION 3 IN CASE OF DRIVING EMERGENCY Hazard Warning Flas...

Page 20: ...8 7 Water Heater By Pass Valve 8 7 LP Gas Furnace 8 8 Roof Air Conditioner 8 8 TV Antenna 8 9 TV Signal Amplifier 8 9 Cable TV Hook Ups 8 10 Sleeping Facilities 8 10 Overhead Front Bunk 8 10 Couch Bed...

Page 21: ...is means you can flip through the manual either forward or backward and know exactly which main section you are looking for just by watching the icons at the top of the page This means less paging bac...

Page 22: ...to relieve stress on yourself your passengers and your vehicle SERVICE AND ASSISTANCE Your dealer will be glad to provide any addi tional information you need as well as answer any questions you migh...

Page 23: ...may open an investigation and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles it may order a recall and remedy campaign However NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems betw...

Page 24: ...economy 9 Rear Axle Wheel Configuration Single or Dual 10 Serial Number This is the serial number assigned to the completed vehicle by Win nebago Industries 11 Vehicle Identification Number VIN This n...

Page 25: ...These features may become HOT while water heater or furnace are in use Refrigerator Service Access Refrigerator Exhaust Vent Roof Air Conditioner Furnace Intake Exhaust Water Heater Service Access Au...

Page 26: ......

Page 27: ...houlder belt whenever possible with the lap belt portion worn low and snug throughout the pregnan cy All moveable or swiveling seats should be placed and locked in forward facing positions while the v...

Page 28: ...They contain carbon monoxide which is an odorless colorless and poisonous gas Do not bring or store LP gas containers gasoline or other flammable liquids inside the vehicle because a fire or explosion...

Page 29: ...LP gas the alarm will make a loud pulsating sound and the red light will come on Pressing the MUTE button will stop the alarm for 60 sec onds If there is no more detectable LP gas the alarm will stay...

Page 30: ...he LP gas alarm is connected direct ly to the auxiliary battery it is always drawing a small amount of current Even though this current draw is slight it could drain the coach battery during storage p...

Page 31: ...s on the vehicle such as radial bias or belted tires as vehicle handling may be affected Replace tires with exact size type and load range Do not attempt to start the vehicle by hot wiring FORMALDEHYD...

Page 32: ...mon oxide CO alarm it will be located on the ceiling in the bedroom area The CO alarm is powered by a 9 volt battery and contains a sensor that is designed to detect toxic carbon monoxide gas fumes re...

Page 33: ...alarm located on the ceiling in the galley area This alarm meets U L Standard 217 and NFPA Standard 74 for operation of smoke detection de vices 1 The smoke alarm should be tested for correct operatio...

Page 34: ...e to use only batteries specified in manual or on unit Test unit after installing a new battery 3 Clean and vacuum the openings on your smoke alarm once a month 4 Do not open the smoke alarm or try to...

Page 35: ...eling Be aware of loose items on tables or countertops or free standing furni ture items that could become dangerous pro jectiles during a sudden stop or evasive manuever 10 Check around your vehicle...

Page 36: ...P When removing the gasoline cap slowly ro tate it only far enough to allow pressure to re lease After any hissing sounds stop continue removing the cap FILLING THE TANK Do not overfill the fuel tank...

Page 37: ...ed without keys make sure they have been removed from the ignition before locking the driver s compartment The entrance door may be opened from out side the vehicle by pulling the door handle out ward...

Page 38: ...ion For additional information on the step see the step manufacturer s operators manual included in your Owners InfoCase When releasing security night lock be sure to retract bolt before opening door...

Page 39: ...and passengers Lap Belts The lap belts must be worn as low as possible and fit snugly across the hip area Always sit erect and well back into the seat To gain full pro tection of the safety belt neve...

Page 40: ...eely with the occupant Seat Belt Care and Cleaning Be careful not to damage the belt webbing and hardware Take care not to pinch them in the seat or doors Inspect the belts and hardware periodically C...

Page 41: ...he regulation label attached to the restraint typically provides this information 4 Review the instructions for installation and use of the restraint Be sure that you under stand them fully and can in...

Page 42: ...cy starting power from the motor home auxiliary battery if the automotive battery is dead The Aux Start switch is located on the lower center dash panel Auxiliary Battery AUX BATT Switch This switch i...

Page 43: ...slowly to a safe off road place Park on a level spot if possible Turn off the engine Set the parking brake Turn on the hazard warning flashers See your Volkswagen Owner s Manual for specific tire cha...

Page 44: ...washer dull grey finish and is 61 6 mm about 2 3 8 long Be sure to use the proper bolt for the wheel you are mounting TIRE CHANGING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Before attempting to change either the front or...

Page 45: ...location on the engine of the vehi cle with the weak battery at a point at least 18 inches from the battery Do not connect to any moving parts THE MAIN SAFETY PRECAUTION IS TO MAKE THE FINAL GROUND CO...

Page 46: ...n the cooling system a hose failure a drive belt breaking water pump failure Also be aware of the following situations which can cause temporary engine overheating climbing a long hill on a hot day id...

Page 47: ...CY overheat Check hose connections and tighten if necessary Make sure there are no broken belts pulleys or hoses before adding any coolant to the radiator For further information in case of overheat i...

Page 48: ......

Page 49: ...d Weight Rating GCWR If trailer towing is not recommended the GCWR will equal the GVWR Your cargo capacity will vary according to the options equipped on your vehicle and your additional equipment and...

Page 50: ...ed corresponding Axle Weight Rating specified on the Vehicle Certifi cation Label Corner Weighing Side to Side Weighing each corner of the coach sepa rately single LF RF front wheels or LR RR rear dua...

Page 51: ...r load your vehicle it is your responsi bility to keep the weight within its stated gross vehicle weight rating ROOF LOADING The roof on most models is capable of carry ing some lightweight articles w...

Page 52: ...djusted for comfortable position and locked in place Mirrors Adjust for maximum visibility from driver s seat TRAVEL TIPS As you travel around the country in your motor home you will pick up useful ad...

Page 53: ...etables newspapers etc that you may need and try to pick them up during your last fuel stop of the day This will prevent leaving a good parking spot once you have arrived at your destination 16 When y...

Page 54: ...ore casts are broadcast by local National Weather Service offices in recorded messages that last from three to five minutes These messages are replayed continually 24 hours a day The record ed message...

Page 55: ...method however is blocking This is done by stacking various lengths of planking blocks into a ramp like formation in a low spot to drive the tire onto thus leveling the coach as shown Wedge a pair of...

Page 56: ...n side the motor home by taking the following steps Ventilate with outside air Partially open one or more windows and a roof vent to circulate out side air through the coach In cold weather this venti...

Page 57: ...nect natural gas to the LP gas system Have the entire LP gas system inspected for possible leaks and missing or damaged parts at each tank filling Also inspect before and after each trip and any time...

Page 58: ...TU input per hour of operation A gallon of LP gas would last 9 2 hours of continuous operation 92 000 BTU s by 10 000 BTU s 9 2 To estimate how long a gallon of LP gas lasts try to deter mine what you...

Page 59: ...on certain roadways or through certain tunnels in the U S To avoid inconve nience check state regulations concerning flam mable gas transportation REGULATOR The pressure regulator is protected from th...

Page 60: ...quid LP gas to vaporize At the same time the demand for LP to produce heat in creases to the point where the system cannot maintain production The only solution to this problem is to reduce the consum...

Page 61: ...decreases as the tank is emptied Nearly twice as many BTU s are avail able from a full tank than one that is one fourth full BTU s Available at 0 F Tank Level BTU s 80 64 000 50 50 400 20 33 000 The...

Page 62: ......

Page 63: ...iary battery is then powered through the converter In addition the following equipment is entire ly dependent on 110 volt current roof air condi tioner refrigerator when placed in AC mode microwave ov...

Page 64: ...nges 110 volt AC current from the auxiliary generator or the shore line into 12 volt DC current for use by 12 volt equipment in the motor home Certain circuits however remain unchanged for use by item...

Page 65: ...motors to battery power in this event The thermal breaker will reset itself after a pe riod of time and the lights and motors will again resume operation from power converter section If the breaker tr...

Page 66: ...will break the circuit by turning off the power to the protected outlets Should this occur unplug all the appliances on that circuit and press the reset button on the GFCI equipped outlet If the GFCI...

Page 67: ...ystem before attempting to start Press the generator starter switch on and hold until generator engine is running then re lease Let the generator engine stabilize and run smoothly before turning appli...

Page 68: ...vehi cles or any other object can deflect the exhaust under or into the vehicle Continuous generator overloading can cause high operating tempera tures that can damage the generator windings Keep the...

Page 69: ...e battery may also be used to start the engine if the chassis battery is dead Refer to Aux Start Switch The house battery is a deep cycle type bat tery specially designed for recreational vehicle use...

Page 70: ...imply an electrical res ervoir not an electrical source As soon as energy is removed from the battery it should be replaced by the engine alternator or the RV converter sys tem If a battery sits unuse...

Page 71: ...uid is added during freezing weather the motor home should be driven several miles to mix water and electro lyte to prevent freezing Fluid level check may be omitted if equipped with maintenance free...

Page 72: ...d which draws off battery surface charge AUX START SWITCH See page 2 8 TRAILER WIRING CONNECTOR Your coach is pre wired for trailer towing lights with a 6 pin socket on the rear bumper The connector p...

Page 73: ...onstant flow from the tank When the faucet is closed the pump automatically shuts off WATER PUMP SWITCH The water pump switch is located on the monitor panel See Section 8 While the switch is in the O...

Page 74: ...chlorine If a shorter time period is desired then a 100 ppm chlorine concentration should be permitted to stand in the system for at least 1 hour 4 Drain and flush with fresh water EXTERNAL WATER SUPP...

Page 75: ...se off muddy boots or bathe your pet outside the coach WASTE WATER SYSTEM HOLDING TANKS The drainage system is self contained and uses two separate holding tanks to contain the waste water until it ca...

Page 76: ...to be carried out with the liquids when the dump valve is opened If the valve is left open the liquids will drain off leaving solids in the tank Should this accidental ly happen disconnect the hose fi...

Page 77: ...mp switch on Open each cold water faucet handle in the coach one at a time until antifreeze solution just begins to flow from the faucet then close When Done Adding RV Antifreeze Turn water pump switc...

Page 78: ...Valve and Water Tank Drain Valve Access in RH Storage Compartment Water Tank Drain Water Tank Drain Closed Water Tank Drain Open HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES HT1 Black Water Holding Tank Toilet Lavatory 16...

Page 79: ...Winterizing Valve Siphon Tube Water Heater Bypass Valve behind Access Panel beneath Bath Lavatory Vanity Hot and Cold Water Line Drains in front of water service center Holding Tank Dump Valves Pull...

Page 80: ......

Page 81: ...ed condens er where it liquefies The liquid then flows to an evaporator where it creates cold temperatures through evaporation LEVELING Always park the vehicle on a level location when operating the r...

Page 82: ...e connected to shoreline pole 1 Place the mode selection button E to the AC position 2 Set the thermostat D to the coldest maxi mum setting Allow to operate at maximum setting for 6 to 8 hours before...

Page 83: ...the range in your home does The range has a Pilot Off position on the oven control which allows the oven pilot to be turned off when traveling or refilling the LP tank The following warning label has...

Page 84: ...ed turn the oven control knob to the PILOT ON position the oven standby pilot will remain lit When the recreational vehicle is not in use or while traveling turn the oven control knob to OFF position...

Page 85: ...olding tanks and LP tank It also contains the water pump power switch and an indicator light to show when the pump switch is on The auxiliary electric generator start stop switch and hourmeter are als...

Page 86: ...contains Green good or adequate charge Yellow marginal charge Red battery needs charging before use Water Heater Switch Be sure the water heater is filled with water before pressing this switch To fil...

Page 87: ...and pump 2 Open a faucet in the motor home to relieve water pressure 3 Pull the handle of the P T valve straight out and allow water to flow until it stops 4 Let the handle of the P T valve snap shut...

Page 88: ...After about 30 seconds the furnace burner will light 5 The furnace will now cycle off and on auto matically as the thermostat demands just like a household furnace NOTE If heat does not come out of t...

Page 89: ...ection about 13 turns or un til some resistance to turning is noted Antenna is now in operating position Turn amplifier power switch ON to receive TV signal Rotating Antenna Make sure antenna is in th...

Page 90: ...e the antenna for best picture Then turn off the amplifier pow er switch If the antenna amplifier is working properly the TV picture will now be degraded snowy When you turn the switch back on the pic...

Page 91: ...shions in their original locations Presto Bed Shrock Bed To Convert Couch to Bed Pull the front edge of the couch seat upward and outward from the wall while gently pushing downward on the backrest un...

Page 92: ...tissue in the RV toilet These will not disintegrate sufficiently and will often cling to the sides of the holding tank Toilet tissue made specifi cally for use in RV toilets and holding tanks is avail...

Page 93: ...en the tension simply wrap the lower end of the guide cords on each side of the shade a few turns around the spools at the lower corners of the shades To loosen the tension unwrap the guide cords from...

Page 94: ...EATURES 8 14 Carefully remove the clock from the socket by rotating to the left counterclockwise as shown After replacing the battery simply place the clock back into the socket with 12 at the 10 o cl...

Page 95: ...face is hot or using hot water Do not use strong soaps or detergents for washing the motor home Always use a mild soap in warm water a commercially prepared product for cleaning automotive finishes or...

Page 96: ...InfoCase It includes detailed information on cleaning soils and removing stains from the fine carpet in your coach Upholstery Some fabrics used in this motor home may contain fire retardant and light...

Page 97: ...y be cleaned with a mild solution of water and isopro pyl rubbing alcohol or a mild soap solution Do not use solvents or abrasive cleaning products TABLES AND COUNTERTOPS Work surfaces are covered wit...

Page 98: ...raphite to ensure trouble free operation and to protect against freeze up VEHICLE MAINTENANCE See also Safety Precautions Section 1 of this manual CHASSIS SERVICE MAINTENANCE Consult the appropriate s...

Page 99: ...ir pressure is an im portant factor which contributes directly to the life of the tire Low air pressure results in tire overloading and abnormal wear and also affects handling and fuel economy Obtain...

Page 100: ...ing the equivalent European load index rating Tire sizes and load ranges are molded into the sidewall of each tire Rotation DO NOT rotate rear tires to the front There is insufficient clearance to mou...

Page 101: ...es to roll at an angle and wear unevenly It may also cause the vehicle to pull to the right or left Have your dealer inspect your vehicle s suspen sion and steering components periodically for misalig...

Page 102: ...S All exterior lights should be checked for prop er operation each time the vehicle is prepared for a trip Any bulbs which fail to light should be checked and replaced when necessary with a new bulb o...

Page 103: ...r additional fuse replacement information AWNING INSTALLATION NOTE See your Winnebago or Itasca dealer for installation of awnings Your dealer s service department has information showing locations of...

Page 104: ......

Page 105: ...ewage tank first so the following waste water can rinse any waste solids from the dump outlet and sewer hose C Close dump valves and refit the dust cap onto the drain outlet 2 Level the motor home and...

Page 106: ...nstall water heater drain plug and close P T relief valve 14 Pour about one cup of non toxic RV anti freeze into the kitchen sink drain bathroom sink drain and shower drain This prevents any holding t...

Page 107: ...ce thermostat switch on the bottom of the thermostat to OFF 25 Turn auxiliary battery Aux Batt switch off If your coach does not have an Aux Batt switch disconnect all chassis and auxiliary battery ca...

Page 108: ...re all lights and electrical components operate 14 Check tires for proper cold inflation pres sure 15 After washing accumulated winter grime from the vehicle it is important to carefully inspect the s...

Page 109: ...cle 2 1 Blocking 4 6 Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 5 Brake Shift Interlock 2 3 Breaker Converter Overload 6 3 Cable TV Hook Up 8 10 Campsite Set Up 4 6 Carbon Monoxide Alarm 1 6 Carbon Monoxide Warning 1 5...

Page 110: ...Circuit Interrupter 6 4 H Hazard Warning Flasher 3 1 Hazard Warning Lights 2 3 Holding Tank Capacities 7 6 Holding Tank Dump Valves 7 7 Holding Tanks Dumping 7 3 Hood Fan and Light Switches 8 5 Hood...

Page 111: ...1 S Safe Use of the LP Gas System 5 1 Safety Defects Reporting 0 3 Seat Belts 2 5 Seats 2 5 Selecting LP Fuel Types 5 2 Service and Assistance 0 2 Severe Weather Information 4 4 Sewer Hook Ups 7 4 Sho...

Page 112: ...Valves 7 4 Water Line Drains 7 7 Water Pump Switch 7 1 Water Pump Switch 8 6 Water System Drain Valve Locations 7 6 Water System Winterization Valve 7 4 Water System Fresh 7 1 Water Tank Drain 7 6 Wax...

Page 113: ..._________________________________________________________________ Phone _______________________________________________________________________ INSURANCE POLICY Company _______________________________...

Page 114: ...MAINTENANCE RECORD Date Odometer Mileage Description of Service Cost...

Page 115: ...FUEL OIL RECORD Date Odometer Mileage Fuel Gal Oil Qts MPG Cost Date Odometer Mileage Fuel Gals Oil Qts MPG Cost...

Page 116: ...FUEL OIL RECORD Date Odometer Mileage Fuel Gal Oil Qts MPG Cost Date Odometer Mileage Fuel Gals Oil Qts MPG Cost...

Reviews: