Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

fish8

what engine do you have? Tdi? Just curious.

chmeeee

That is correct. Gotta love the diesel, I am at 732 miles on the tank of fuel right now.

vocus

I was going to get the TDI engine when I bought my car. Once I drove the 1.8T, however, I was hooked.

I get like 320 miles per tank, which is about 3-4 days for me, since I commute about 70 miles a day...

fish8

I have about 330 miles and my light is not on yet.

Anakin

Vocus: Your friend couldn't figure out all the controls?!

This car doesn't have any more controls than any other car with modest options.

Let's see... there's the radio, there's the HVAC controls... there's the window switches... and this little knob must move the mirrors.

Does he drive a stripped down model or something? I'm scratching my head over that one.

deaner14

Any thoughts on putting a 2002 TDI in neutral during long downhills?

8u6hfd

you'll be using the brakes anyway....though it's something I don't do, because in case I need to hit the throttle afterwards, I don't have to shift.

deaner14

And I forgot -- it's against the law......here anyway

vocus

I have a 1.8T though. Also, I had a loaner 2.slow, and got about the same mileage as my 1.8T, because I drive it hard trying to get the power I am used to.

vocus

He just said he couldn't figure out the mirror controls. He thought the button was for heat only, not the actual mirror control. He had a 1997 Sentra, a rental 2002 Focus recently, and now a 2000 ECHO.

anonymous02

"Any thoughts on putting a 2002 TDI in neutral during long downhills"

Yeah. Why? It saves your brakes from overheating by letting engine compression do the braking.

hoodornament

Anyone have this black rubbery substance peeling away from the area where the drivers side power windows/locks are located? This substance seems to cover black plastic underneath. Its nice to the touch, but my car is less than a year old, hate to see what it looks like 3 years from now. THis material is also starting to peel away from the manual AC/Heat control area ...

Thanks

vocus

I have heard of several people with that complaint about the stuff peeling away. It hasn't happend in my car yet though. Won't VW fix it? Is it still under warranty?

ashutoshsm

Peeling trim - another integral part of the great VW ownership experience!

On a serious note, is this where you place your elbow/arm etc? Is this a 'wear' area where something (perhaps shutting the door) rubs against it? Or pressing the dash control buttons?

hoodornament

Dont know about the warranty , but I would assume its a wear and tear item that wouldnt be covered. And yes, this is an area that gets touched all the time. Goto your driver power window button area, the whole black area surrounding this switchgear (not the buttons themselves) is covered in a black rubbery substance (same material also found on places in the center stack).

Its really small little areas right now, but once it starts peeling away, its just grows. I would feel like a putz complaining about something like this .... the VW interior is so nice though that little things like this I notice ..
Oh well, thanks anyway

hoodornament

"Mine went to Goodyear for the 20K service. Got a tire rotation and oil change for $31... "

What about all of the other items on the 20k scheduled maintenance list (dont have it handy). Did you skip these, do yourself, etc ??
BTW I have a Passat, but the engine/powertrain (1.8t) are pretty identical,

Thanks in advance

Anakin

Do you live in an area that gets really hot?

Just wondering. I live in the very mild Pacific Northwest, and I have no signs of this kind of thing after a year. I wondered if high temperatures might cause it.

bpeebles

(deaner14) What is your reasoning to put in neutral during long downhills?

If I may assume to increase MPG... you are mistaken. The engine computer does not inject any fuel during decelleraion.... Thus, as has already been mentioned, you are only wearing your brakes more by doing this. In reality, you would be using MORE fuel because the engine must now receive fuel to keep itself idling.

All modern Fuel-injected engine programs do not inject fuel during while in decelleration mode.
Some even "turn on" the alternator during decelleration to improve engine-braking. (they also "turn off" the alternator during acceleration)

Basically, any reasonable "trick" to improve MPG/performance has already been programmed into the ECU. (within the federal emissions laws)

blueguydotcom

Thus, as has already been mentioned, you are only wearing your brakes more by doing this. In reality, you would be using MORE fuel because the engine must now receive fuel to keep itself idling.

Why would you be braking? Heading to my old place, there is a long slope on the freeway and I'd glide from 85 MPH for about a mile and a half. By the time I reached the slight upslope traffic was always tangled and I'd slide into gear and keep going at about 65. I only did this for about a month and noticed my mileage was increasing - then I moved. If your engine is turning 800 RPM v. 4000 RPM that's gonna impact your efficiency.

All modern Fuel-injected engine programs do not inject fuel during while in decelleration mode.
Some even "turn on" the alternator during decelleration to improve engine-braking. (they also "turn off" the alternator during acceleration)

I think all of us with the 1.8T will atest to the annoying fact that the car does not decellerate at all. If I'm doing 80 and lift off the throttle with the car in gear I'll maintain that speed for an insane amount of time. To the point that I'm forced to use my brakes to slow as the turbo seems to negate normal engine slow-down properties. Driving an NA car I know you can lift off the throttle and slow, but this isn't so from my experience with turbos.

anonymous02

Had me LOL on that one.

I used to use this big downhill area to set my speed records in my Civic DX. I think I got her up to 130 on that long downhill. That is where I take every car when I want to try out the top speed.

Wheee!

vocus

If the trim was peeling back in a car that you have owned for less than a year, I don't think that's complaining. I think that needs to be resolved. I have heard of this happening to older Jettas as well, in the Maintenance & Repair forum.

justin

my power windows switches are black, but i don't have anything surrounding them at all. it is switches, and then gray stuff that matches the rest of the car.

i have seen Cabrios with peeling inside door handles though. of course it is a warranty repair.

kyleknicks

my gf had the same problem, the rubber trim on the side of the center armrest was peeling.. took it in and they replaced the center stack... the only problem is.. her interior is black and the stack they put in was gray... can we say.. not very bright these vw service people... they had to replace it again. they did say that we probably cleaned it with some product thats not made for the trim.. well.. whatever it was, it was a VW product that they gave us for free when we took delivery of the car.. but they did replace it afterall..

vocus

I took my car in a couple of months ago, for the last time, for a rattle. They told me not to put armor-all on the dash, because it wasn't good for it. Surprise! I didn't, THEY did! I told them that as well. Dummies. I have never used Armor-All because I hate that fake shine, the glare from it gets on my nerves when driving in the sun.

blueguydotcom

In the 30-40 days I'd zip down that slope on the freeway and even if I'm over there now for some reason, I usually slip the car out of gear and just coast for over a mile. No need to touch the brakes, gas or anything else...the car just zips along usually increasing speed from 80-85 up into the 90s.

nixer

I've seen numerous posts regarding tires and wheels here and I am looking for some feedback from Jetta owners on tire wear and air pressure. I have a 2002 GLI with the 17 inch rims and stock Michelin MXM4 225/45/17 tires. The gas door states to inflate the front at 29, the rear at 26 if you are going under 100mph. Over a 100, 33 in the front and 30 in the rear. Since I don't plan on going over a 100, the last set of numbers doesn't mean much to me. The dealer told me to keep 32 PSI in all tires. Another GLI owner said he was told 35. The sidewall rating states not to inflate over 51 so overinflation is not a problem. Anyone had long term experience with how their tires wore and at what pressure they maintained them?
Thanks.

anonymous02

You'll get a nicer ride, and it won't beat on your car so much.

bpeebles

(blueguydotcom) Do not confuse lack of engine braking for fuel being injected.

If you have an AUTOMATIC tranny... this is most likely the main reason for lack of engine braking.

Even with manual tranny, the emissions programming tends to reduce engine braking. The ECU can open the throttle (IAC) to allow more air to bleed past the TB. Electronically-controlled valvetrains can also be altered by the ECU. (Still the ECU does not inject any fuel at this time.) The ECU controls ALL!

As you surmise... the turbo has some amount of bearing on this phenomina too.

Do not forget that your 1.8T is a PUNY motor and cannot provide much engine braking anyway. Even my 4.7L OHC V8 hemi does not have very much engine-braking. (but the BORLA exhaust sounds great 8-)

vocus

I have an automatic 1.8T, and it has engine braking. You can feel it when you take your foot off the pedal. And Blueguy has a stick shift, so you know.

vocus

Have the same tires as you have, and get them set to VW specs. Ride is fine, handling is great.

welst10

I was looking thru VW.com. Everything is still 2002 (while 2003 models are already in showrooms). To me, this shows a lack of attention to details. no wonder so many complaints about vw quality and service.

Anakin

Yeah, obviously the website is directly related to manufacturing and each and every dealership's management practices. :P

blueguydotcom

I have a manual 1.8T and I owned a 2.5L (or 2.4...hmm) Stanza for 6 years. As soon as I lifted off the gas that car would slow down. In fact every NA car I've ever owned/driven seemed to have far more engine braking than I've experienced with a 1.8T or WRX at freeway speeds (80+).

BTW, just for kicks (and because I was bored with some time off from work) I drove an 03 Max SE and 03 Altima 3.5SE. The Max was an automatic (bummer) and it was spirited and uber-luxurious but a little to wobbly for me tastes. The 03 Altima 3.5SEwas not horrendous inside (not VW standards but not unlivable) and that 5 speed was notchy but the engine and indie suspension felt like butter. Insanely fun car to drive, though the steering is overboosted.

justin

this morning. in a 2002 Jetta GL loaner. 1800 miles on it. i tell you what, there IS a difference between the 2.0 in the Jetta and the 2.0 in the Cabrio. i don't care what anyone says. this car i am driving today, isn't much slower than my turbo. and it is a 4 speed auto. in fact, the steering feels way lighter, so this car feels way more tossable than mine does. it doesn't feel as "tank-ish" as mine does though...mine feels like a baby-Benz to me. don't get me wrong, going up hills, this car doesn't push me back in my seat when it downshifts like mine does, but for $15k, with all the standard stuff, there isn't a reason to buy a Civic or Corolla. This car is perfect. I now know what Mom is getting..:) i won't tell her it only has 115hp. see if she really even notices.

i am totally confused as to why all of the Cab's i have tested have been soooooo lethargic and unresponsive....

fish8

As you know, I have the 2.0 with a manual. Of course I would like a 1.8t more....but my 2.0 is fine in most circumstances. Is your loaner a 2003 or '02?

Off topic a little: Has anyone experienced a buzzing or "rattle" in the mid speakers on the rear doors. It seems that mine are rattling more and more. I can push on them and the noise goes away for a couple of seconds, but comes right back. It sounds like a wire is loose or something.

fish8

Sorry...I just saw where you said it was a 2002...

vocus

You must be on crack or something. I have driven several 2.0 models, and the only one that felt a little peppy to me was the New Beetle. The rest of the cars (Golf and Jetta) felt underpowered and weighed down. Granted, the GL is a nice model. But have mommy spend the extra money and get the turbo with the ASR (it's $1600 for the 1.8T on the 2003 GL models now). The 1.8T is one of Ward's "10 Best Engines in the World", and supposedly more reliable than the 2.slow. I would think that to be reason enough to get the 1.8T.

fish8

Man...I HATE when that is said: 2.slow...I think that is so stupid.

vocus

Sorry, that's my VWVortex lingo coming through. They always say that on there.

fish8

I know...I see on there all the time. No big deal!! It just gets my goat!!

justin

the rattle in the rear speakers is actually the top of the door. i am almost certain. the black part that runs across the top can "give" when you touch it. it makes a "clicking" noise. mine did it for a month or so, then just stopped. nothing really too annoying though. but, as a project, when you hear that noise, instead of pressing the speaker, tap on, and press, the top part (near where the door handle is). see if it stops.

Voc - the crack is beside the point, haha, kidding. i am not kidding when i tell you, this car is much peppier than any of the several Cabrios I drove. i would THINK the Cab would be lighter, with no metal roof and all. one of the wonders of the world i guess...

Mom wouldn't have a turbo. She had bad experiences with them in the 80's, and refuses. As you all know, Mom's don't really change their thinking, no matter how "off" it is....:)

fish8

Thanks for the post....Are you saying that the seals on top of the doors are making that noise? I am about 95% sure that it is the actual speakers that are making the rattle noise. I do occasionally hear the noise coming from the seals on the front drivers door, but the noises are different. I thought I read someone saying the noise from the speakers is a loose wire or something.

I am bringing my car in sat for the 5K service, but they won't look at rattles on Sat. It is to much of a hassle to bring my car in during the week unless they provide a loaner and I don't want to fight that fight.

anonymous02

"...In fact every NA car I've ever owned/driven seemed to have far more engine braking than I've experienced with a 1.8T or WRX at freeway speeds (80+). "

Maybe that is because when "engine braking" in a turbo, the extra air going out the exhaust isn't just going out an exhaust, but also pushing a turbo, which in turn pushes more air back into the engine, which, in turn needs more fuel to mix properly.

justin

not saying the TOP of the door, where the door meets the body of the car. i am saying, the top of the door panel, where it is black (just below the glass window).

but again, you could have a speaker issue too. i am just saying that you should check the other panel, just in case.

and you are 100% right - rattles are not worth the fight. especially since they come and go. i am convinced that dealers cause rattles. i am a little afraid of what my dash might do with them replacing switches....:(

fish8

I totally agree about dealers causing rattles. It is funny though.....my rattles seem to come and go. I thnk it may depend on the tempature outside.

I will try pushing above the rear door handle and maybe that will alleviate the rattle.

vocus

I had loud cracking in my front door panels. They even replaced both of them, to no avail. They then put "stoppers" in the panels, and no more problems. This might help the rear panels in your car, Fish.

I have another rattle in the back now, around the rear headrest area. The center dash vent in my car, on the right, broke as well. The part came in, and they are going to replace it when I make the appointment.

I refuse to leave the dealer without a loaner, so it isn't a fight for me. I am going to tell them they can either be nice and gimme one, or I can call VW customer service and make them gimme one. Whichever way they wanna play it.

vocus

The rattles in the car will be much worse when it's cold outside, because plastic parts retract. They expand when it's hotter, and you don't hear as much.

Anakin

I heard a squeak/rattle this morning. Turns out it was just the Band Aid tin I keep in the glove box. LOL.

I test drove a 2.0 wagon about a year ago, and it felt pretty good at around-town speeds. I think if you're the kind of person who accelerates at a leisurely pace in general, you probably wouldn't notice much difference between the 2.0 and 1.8T

If you like some oomph in your car, then you're definitely going to note the difference.

fish8

I hope that's not the case, but I have thought about that. I am not sure if they can get much worse. I will be forced to bring my car in if in fact they do get worse. Matbe I'm in denial!!!

vocus

You got a good Jetta, and so did alot of people on here. I have NEVER heard of people having as many rattles in their car as mine has and has had. And I know at least 100 people who have new Jettas (from here, and 2 car clubs I am in). I just got a bad car, that's all. My luck.