Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and earlier

protege_fan

Are you putting any winter tires on your car?

98jettavr6

The Jetta is generally a good product. Granted, it has some design/quality issues, but no more than any other vehicle. That said, I probably would not buy another - just sold my '98 last month - especially the Jetta IV. The Jetta III was the highest evolution of the species, I believe VW will never top that design.

vocus

Nope. The reason I was sliding was because the left front tire has less tread than the right front one. I had a spare on the right side that was smaller, for about 1500 miles (it was full-size, but 16 and not 17"), so that probably caused it. I have 27K now, so I will need tires probably in another 10-15K. Not bad for 17s, but I also do all highway driving.

We usually get 2 snows a year in MD, so it's not worth it to have winter tires. I also have no place to store them. I just stay home and work from home in the snow, so it's cool.

protege_fan

Oh I see...I wasn't sure how much snow you guys got there. Drive safely then!!

vocus

It snowed a whole 3 inches here on 1/18/02, and that was the last snow (before today) that we got. It's not worth the investment to me.

I was sliding quite a bit though. What I am going to do is have the tires rotated, the ones on the back are worn evenly. That should help, until I need new tires.

I wonder if Michelin (I have Pilot Sports on the car from the factory) would do anything to help me, since one tire wore quicker than any of the others? The car is aligned too, I had it checked. I don't get it...

vocus

I remember why now. I had a nail in that tire, they plugged it for me at a local gas station. They did NOT, however, put the proper amount of air back into the tire. I drove around on 15lbs. of pressure for about 2 weeks before realizing. I was surprised, because the car didn't pull or anything like another car I had did when one tire was dramatically low (maybe because they are so wide). So I just have to replace all the tires soon.

justin

they say we have about 6-7 inches, but i would LOVE to know where they are measuring that. i am in Falls Church for work. nothing even on the roads. and in old town Alex, we had 4 inches according to the snow plow guy coming through my neighborhood this morning. i was like, "and why are you here??" waste of my homeowners association dues....but he said he has to come by anytime it snows. go figure.

my car is fine. probably because i have thinner smaller tires. they slice through the rain and snow, instead of ride ON it. i saw my yellow light flash at me a few times. no biggie. i tell ya, there are tons of Miatas out here doing it. that 50/50 weight dist must really help in that car!!

orangelebaron

Has anyone had problems with newer Jetta windows falling down? How about front bumper cover getting pulled off when backing from a curb stop? Have these design flaws been fixed yet? Are the latest Jettas more reliable than 99/00?

Anakin

The window regs thing has been issued a recall.

As for the bumper cover, I find it best not to pull my car forward until the wheels hit the curb stop. :P

anonymous02

What is ASR again?

vocus

It's traction control. Called Anti-Slip Control by VW. It also includes EDL (electronic differential lock).

anonymous02

(but what does the "R" stand for?)

blueguydotcom

r = regulator, i believe. anti-slip regulator. or some such acronym nonsense.

chmeeee

The window problem has been covered by an extended warranty, i.e. they dont fix it until it breaks, but when it does its free even after the warranty expires. As for the bumper, thats not really a design flaw, just watch where you park. Its not a long car, so you shouldn't have to pull all the way up to the curb.

chmeeee

I was pulled over today driving through the Ted Williams Tunnel. The state cop told me that I couldn't be in there (commecial vehicles only). I explained to him that I have a sticker that allows me access. He looked kind of confused, then went around the car and looked at the sticker. He came back and said I was all set, and then asked me how I liked the Diesel. I was rather surprised he knew it was diesel, so we talked about that for a minute. He said it was a nice car.

I think that might be the first time I have been pulled over by a FRIENDLY cop.

blueguydotcom

The window problem has been covered by an extended warranty, i.e. they dont fix it until it breaks, but when it does its free even after the warranty expires.

Um, they fixed mine the windows were not broken. I took my car in for an AC problem a few weeks ago and the service guy asked if I'd like my window clips fixed. I let them figuring they already had the car, so fix everything.

A week later my coils went out and I brought my car in to a different VW dealer. Before entering my info into the computer that service manager also asked if I wanted the new clips.

So if it's a fix-when-broken issue both VW dealers I've seen recently are breaking the rules.

ckpickup

I didn't see a response the first time I posted this so I'll try again.
My folks just bought a 2000 Jetta TDI and we're wondering what it takes to change the stereo.
It has the cassette with the alarm built in to it and we want to change it for an aftermarket CD player but I am concerned about what happens to the security system.
Has anybody done this?

chmeeee

I really have no idea, not having done it before, but I know plenty of people have installed aftermarket stereo setups in current genereation Volkswagens, so it should not be all that big of an issue.

I would advise that you take a look here, somebody should be able to answer your question much better than I have.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeroforum?id=12

fish8

It sounds as though the dealer are being proactive.......I guess that's a good thing.

justin

i am taking mine in Monday morning for them to replace the engine temp control sensor and coolant reservoir. i will ask about replacing my window clips - see what they say

justin

i called them, and they said they will do all the stuff at once. new window kits and the engine sensor thingy. maybe after my coil issues get fixed up, i might be in the clear!

maybe....i hate to ask what else could go wrong.

anonymous02

(whispering: ... ... Have you checked your brakes lately?)

vocus

Good point. Have them check the brakes, just to be safe. I had mine checked at 25K, and have 80/90% on front and back.

vocus

It's Anti-Slip Regulation. Sorry, my fault.

All I know is that it helps we accelerate without sliding sideways on glare ice. That's good enough for me.

justin

why? i only have 16k miles - brakes work great so far. should i be worried? i really don't use them, they probably look new!

chmeeee

You don't use them? Do you use your bumpers to stop, or what? Hehe.

The brakes should be fine at this point by all rationality though, I wouldn't worry, although it can't hurt to check anyways.

vocus

I think VW changed the brake pad material for the 02 models. My co-worker has an 00 GLX and his wheels are ALWAYS black dirty. He also said he replaced his rear brakes at 30K miles. My car has 27K now, no problems with the brakes, and my wheels are never dirty.

I will ask the dealer to check them again at the 30K service though.

justin

and this one seems fine too, brake wise. it has brake dust for sure, but that is part of the European car experience. i don't care. washes off with a hose.

vocus

Maybe the wheels' design makes the difference then (I have the 17s). My wheels are never dirty from brake dust, that I can see. Not like some Jettas on the road anyway.

mike4719

Hey does anybody know the performance of a 2002 Jetta GLS 2 Liter. I want to know what the car does 0-60 mph in. I've had a few arguments about it and not sure who is right. If you could please tell me and if you found it on a website tell me the website. Please help if you can. Thanks

blueguydotcom

mike, there's a reason people call the 2.0 the 2.slow. It's got enough guts to move but you're looking at 0-60 in the 9-10 second range. Once it's moving the torquey, though wildly underpowered powerplant can keep the car cruising along with authority.

vocus

With a stick, expect about 10 seconds to 60mph. Add a second or two with automatic. I know the 2.0 has enough power to spin the wheels a little upon acceleration, even with an automatic. Also, be warned that 2.0s have a history of oil burning. That's what prompted me to get the turbo instead. That, and 180hp.

Also, in my experience with loaner cars, the 2.0 with automatic gets about the same fuel economy (25ish) as the 1.8T with Tiptronic automatic. And you get 65hp more and ~70 more lb./ft. of torque.

chmeeee

If you don't feel the need for the turbo, then go for the TDI! The acceleration is about the same timewise, but feels faster. The economy will be about double, which willmake you happy. The hp is lower than the 2.0, but the torque is actually greater.

jmess

A friend has a TDI 5speed and he has grow really tired of getting dusted off by every Honda on the planet. Life is too short to have to waste so much of it in a slow car.

venus537

i hear that when the next generation jetta comes out the TDI will be bumped to 138hp or something like that. these cars are going to be SWEET. no more beam axle, roomier back seat and other good stuff.

tvmountain

You probably don't need studs. I've lived in MT
my whole life and have had two sets which I thought were the biggest waste of $$. I drive
in the winter almost daily to the ski area here
which has a pretty gnarly winding dirt road and
I think the Michelin Metric x's were the best tires I've ever had. Do you know what an assuro
fulda carat tire is? I have inheritted a set on
my newest car and I've never heard of them.

vocus

Have to disagree with you, bud. Published times on VW's website shows the TDI as 2-4 seconds slower (between manual and auto gearboxes) than the 2.0 engine. The TDI is a LOT more fuel efficient though. I was going to get the TDI, because I always seem to drive ~100 miles daily. What changed my mind was one ride in the 1.8T.

nomadnyc

We recently bought a 2.0 GLS for fiance. We have 3 bimmers in the family (86, 89, 02). When I was doing research for the Jetta I noticed many people reffered to the car as a "mini-bmw", "junior bimmer", etc. Suprisingly most of these references was in the way the car drove. I confess that I was very sceptical about this being a long time bimmer fan. Since we bought the Jetta, I agree with those references. The car drives and handles very nicely. I think you will be very pleased as well.

One word of advice, the Jetta is not in the same class as bimmer (especially a five series). It is unfair to keep comparing the two cars (My bimmer does/has this). Take the car for what it is and you will be very pleased.

Oh, and if in budget, get the leather. It will help the feeling of a "junior bimmer". Good luck

vocus

The reason we only have the 90hp 1.9 TDI in the US now is because of the crappy diesel fuel offered here. The diesel fuel than the Euro TDIs (called the PD TDI) run off of is alot more advanced, but also more expensive, than the diesel fuel we use. What's keeping the improved fuel from coming is the price increase, which the truckers' unions all seem to be against. That will change in 2006, however, when new emissions standards for diesel fueled cars will go in effect, and then we will get the PD TDI engines with the awesome power and torque along with great fuel economy.

Also, there is rumor of the new VW SUV (Touraeg) being offered with a diesel V-10 good for 500 or so lb./ft. of torque. Awesome!

vocus

I will need new tires soon enough, as I drive alot anyway. I think 30-35K miles on 17" performance-type tires is pretty good mileage (their treadwear rating is 300). I will just save my cash and get some regular tires instead of snows.

My car actually has pretty good traction on ice, as I found out yesterday morning. I live on a small street, and a plow can't fit up here. So I thought I wouldn't make it over the ice tracks in the street, but I was surprised. The car started sliding a little, but the ASR kicked right in and I was on my way. Kinda funny watching my neighbor in his 00 Sentra SE, spinning and spinning over the same area that I took right off from...

tvmountain

I'm on my 4th VW now they are great in the snow.
One thing you may want to try siping your tires
if you continue to have alot of snow.

vocus

I was just looking around on TireRack, and I think I have decided which tires I want when mine need replacing. They are called Sumitomo HTR+. The are $99 each in the size my car takes (225/45WR17), and have great ratings on TireRack as well. Their ratings are pretty good as well.

blueguydotcom

Since the last time my car's been in the shop it's exhibited some odd behavior. quite frequently the interior lights will not come on when I get into the car. Just as I notice this (usually while sitting in pitch black inside the car) the lights will flicker on. Odd.

Several times this week I've unlocked the car with my fob, gotten in, left the door open and begun to hook in my phone to the handsfree stuff (mic, charger, etc). While going about this the doors will suddenly lock and the alarm will sound!

Today I had to fit a ladder in the back of my car. I unlocked the car, lowered the backseat and realized I needed to move the passenger seat forward. I shut the rear passenger door, reached for the front passenger door but before I could open it the car locked itself! What the blazes is going on here?

protege_fan

Is there a little "button" that is pushed in when the door is opened/closed? It is usually on the door jamb. It's kind of like how a fridge door/light operates.

I know that in my car, the car automatically locks itself if you use the fob to unlock the car, but don't open a door.

The reason I ask about the button is that I know that the one on my car gets frozen in the winter and even if the door is open, it will seem like it is closed.

Aynway, something to check out.

vocus

The sensor in the driver's door is bad. Someone in this forum had the same problem awhile back, I remember reading about it. I don't remember the name of it, but it's the sensor that has something to do with the alarm and interior lights, in the driver's door. Get that fixed, and you will be set.

vocus

The Jetta locks itself when you don't get in for 30 seconds, like the Protege did (mine did too), but it wouldn't do that unless you don't open the doors at all. There is a bad sensor causing it (see the post before this one).

vocus

Regarding the tire brand name I posted above (Sumitoto), anyone ever heard of them? I never have, and the only reasons I would go with them is their price, and the ratings that were on TireRack.com about them. Thanks for anyone's help.

blueguydotcom

It's not happening with just the driver's door. I mentioned I had the passenger door open and then then went for the rear passenger door too.

Last night the light thing happened with someone getting into the passenger's side too. She opened the door, and hopped in, but the front interior lights (dome light) never came on; however the back ones did! I reached up and checked my light switch and it was in the right position to come on. Argh.

I guess I better take it to VW because this self-locking, alarm going off randomly, once-in-awhile no interior lights thing is for the birds.

vocus

Actually, the 4-door Golf is really a 5-door and the model is GLS, not GTS. Just bugging you. I like the Golf more because it's cheaper MSRP and you hardly see them next to the amount of times you see the Jetta.

I saw a nice used Jetta GLS VR6 with 15,777 miles on it for $17,400. God, I can practically get a brand new one for that though. But this one was loaded with Luxury Pkg. and automatic, but no leather (thank god, because I hate it anyway). I would rather have a new one though, because VW cuts the powertrain warranty in half (just like Hyundai does) on used cars still within their warranty.

venus537

it sounds like VW messed up your electrical system when you had your car serviced. and that is for the birds.