Today's kids aren't big into cars like we were in our youth.
Um, that's ludicrous. Look around orange country, san diego county and it's gobs and gobs of pimply faces riding in tricked out hondas, toyotas and VWs. Most of the modding world's run by the cash from people 16-25 - kids who live to modify their cars.
So, I still think that dad should look for a good used, safe and reliable car. Some of you have mentioned good ones to look at and use the saving for school expenses. You can never have enough money when going to college. I never had enough, and I had a part-time job. When the son graduates, then it might be fun for his dad to give him a new car for work well done in school. He will appreciate it more then, I garrantee!!!
I agree wholeheartedly there. I worked 30 hours a week in undergrad (UCSD), took a full load of courses and bot a car my senior year after living like a monk for 3.
I agree with your views partially. I think the child should have the cheapest mode of transportation possible right now while in school, not a brand new 2003 Jetta. He should then, upon graduation and finding a job, get what he wants. I don't see how parents spend 1000s of $ buying kids brand new cars when they're under 21 in some cases. I just don't get it. I didn't even have a license until I was 19, and had to bust my butt to get my own car.
I dropped off my Jetta this am for it's 10k service. I asked if they would wash the car while they had it and they said they would try. I will be VERY impressed if they get around to washing it.
It's probably somewhat different around the country. I live 1/2 mile from a HS in a middle to upper middle class neighborhood. The parking lot is peppered with a few BMWs, Mercedes, Mustangs, and other expensive cars. It would be hard to find a "Mod" car in that parking lot. Most of the cars are banged-up used cars. I think the kids are occupied with other things. There is so much more to do today. My days in HS featured older cars with, I guess you could use the word mod. The cars were raked, big rear tires, glass packs, headers, 4 deuces, etc. The engines pumped out 400+ horses and alot of noise. There were alot of speed shops around, also. Just a few of them are left. My brother worked in one of shops and also worked in the pit area of a track. He had one of those mod cars. It didn't run smooth until it was up around 100mph. I just don't see that flavor around here any more, and I live in the Chicago area. Have you seen the movie "American Graffiti"? That's the way it was, bobby sock and all. So, that's what I experienced in my youth. MY first car was a 19xx Olds 442. A stock drag racer. That's what society was back then with cars. That was my youth.
I think parents in more urban, higher income areas have more disposable income, and therefore purchase more expensive cars for their children to drive.
Yes, no doubt, but doesn't it cost a pretty penny to fully modify a stock car too? My daughter walked the 1/2 mile to school and didn't want a car. Many of her friends had cars. But, she was never big on material things anyway. Lucky me, right? Just wait, you better start saving now if you plan on having a family in the future. :-> ;-)
Mods do cost money. I bought some sport springs for my car, only to find out that it's recommended to get sport shocks as well. It would have cost me about $600 plus labor to lower the car 1.5". Forget that! I re-sold the sport springs and am calling it a day. Besides, it's better to keep the car stock because I use it as my daily commuter.
You're taking your limited view of the world and assuming the rest of the nation matches it. I'm sorry but there's a reason SEMA's show is a huge event now. Aftermarket appearance and performance parts for cars, according to SEMA, reached $26 billion last year. It grew 4% last year...that's during a recession!
The current and last gen Honda Civic Si Ford's SVT Focus VW's ever more powerful 1.8T and VR6 Mazda's MPS series of tuner cars Infiniti's R-Spec division (aftermarket parts) Toyota's TRD Lexus' L-Tune Nissan's Nismo parts
Are all directly related to the influence of the tuner crowd. Read up on it. Your area may not be doing it (doubtful), but it's extremely popular and highly profitable. Additionally, the mods may be undetectable. I know people with chipped VW's...you can't see it but you know it's there when a Jetta explodes away from a light. Most people would never detect my swaybar...they think it's part of the car. A catback exhaust, straight pipe, and a myriad of other mods to a car will not even be noted by people.
and yes it's expensive and that's why kids who work parttime and live with their parents are a huge part of the tuner crowd. Also you tend to see more modding in certain segments of society...I fear treading there as i know i'll get nuked by the administrator for some sort of TOS violation. Needless to say parents in some cultures inside the US are willing to go into mad debt to make sure their kids are driving the dopest rides.
Well, I picked up my car and they weren't "able" to wash my car. But, they did manage to add a couple (4) grease spots to the interior of my car. Now that's customer service.....also, I guess they park the cars on a gravel/dirt road after and before they are taken into the service bay. So, my floorboard had lots of nice dirt and sand. I will seriously reconsider bringing my car to the dealer again.
I hope you plan to go back and throw a it about it. And a good tip: Alot of people buy cars on Saturday morning/afternoon. A good fit around 1-2pm, while the new/prospective customers are touring the dealership, and you will be in control.
You want them to wash your car? All they do is use one of those brushes on it, and that is swirl city for your paint. My service advisor knew never to have them wash my car.
I guess I'm just really anal also about my cars, so I'm not like everyone else.
And I spent about $7,000 on modifications to my GTI VR6. There is plenty of ways to spend money, I assure you that.
You're right, they don't really care how they wash the car. But leaving grease stains and dirt/rocks/sand on the inside of the car is just carelessness.
I am VERY anal about my car, but my car is absolutely FILTHY!!! I thought they would atleast get most of the dirt off. I bought my car at this dealer and they obviously wash the cars before the customer takes delivery. So, I figured it was safe.
I tried using all 3 grades (87, 89, and 93) in my 02 Jetta since I have had it (31.7K miles now). I find that 89 provides the best economy and price. I used 87, but it ran out too quickly. And 93 runs about the same level as 89 does, only it's 10-15 cents more a gallon.
As for the 1.8T, use Premium. It's not about consumption, but performance and not having to reduce timing on your engine for a lower octane. It's worth the extra two bucks, and it's "required" by VW.
If the owner's manual specifies premium, what not use it? Sure it's more expensive, but what is VW telling us? Granted, most of you are very knowledgeable about cars, but where does that put us common folk? You guys can go through the manual and determine what areas you will and what you won't follow. That's fine. Please be my guest, just let us know and give us a reason. I'm game!
Guess what, my Jetta recorded its first 1,000 miles today and not one complaint. Not one rock, rattle or role, maybe a little role, and a sway will take care of that. Without a doubt, it needs a sway bar. The role situation would be a mild complaint. It hasn't coughed, not even once. It just purrs so sweetly. So, what can I expect over the next 1,000 miles? My ear is on the road.
No, 91+ is premium fuel. Here on the East coast, 89 is 'mid grade', and 93 is premium. I have seen gas stations (larger ones, albeit) sell 91 and 92 octane fuel though. I know in higher altitudes, fuel octanes are a little lower for some reason.
I've got 230 miles on the car and I've got the driver's door rattle ghost visiting me. And a little tiny dash ghost too. I'm hoping I will become immune to the sounds.
Has anyone put the splash guards on? Is it an easy do-it-yourself job, or is it a dealer-install thing?
I can't help you with the rattles because my 2003 Jetta hasn't revealed any ghosts yet. But good luck with the cure. Once you discover what caused them, please let this forum know, for those of us with newer models. Have you tried duct tape? Just kidding. :-)
Splash guards? I had the dealer install them for me because it is a real pain to do it on your own. The fronts can be installed without removing the tires/wheels because the tires can be turned at an angle. The rear tires have to be removed because of the limited space between the tire and the wheel opening. I did it once sometime ago and it was a big task. It can be done though, if you don't mind jacking up the car twice enough to remove the tires. There are after market guards you can get that just snap on the edge of the wheel opening, but not sure how well they stay attached, though. Yes, I paid the dealer price but it was done and over with. Sometimes I'll pay for the convenience to avoid the hassle and loss of time. But everyone has to decide where that frustration point is. It was just worth it to me. Good luck...On this forum, someone will come up with a good idea, I guarantee!
Thanks, again....I'm in the South...New Orleans area...I used 89 octane today as you suggested. I have not had any trouble since buying my car; it has 600 miles and I like it very much!
The 1.8T has knock sensors so you're unlikely to cause engine damage running regular.
Car and Driver had an article a few months back about running different grades of fuel in vehicles that recommend regular and premium. Their conclusion: Running premium in a car designed for regular just wastes money. Running regular in a car designed for premium reduces maximum engine power by about the same % amount as the cost savings.
Section 3.3 of the 2002 Jetta owner's manual, pages 4-10. It says basically that premium unleaded fuel is recommended for the 115hp, 200hp, 174hp, and 180hp engines for maximum performance, but regular fuel is ok for these engines.
I ran all grades of fuel, and there is no power or MPG loss with 89 vs. 93, in my car.
Exactly, the knock sensors in the engine will compensate for the fuel if there is a problem.
I know someone with an Echo who ran premium gas all the time, and it ended up causing carbon build-up in the engine, costing him $150 to get it cleaned out. The car only needs 87. So running a higher octane than recommended is not only a waste of cash, but it can actually cost you in the long run.
I had the dash and door panel rattles as well. My dashboard clips were broken, and that cured the dash rattle. With the door panels, I don't remember what they did. I think they put stoppers, or something like that, in between the door (inside) and door panel. Whatever they did, it stopped my problems. That was at around 12K, and it's still quiet at 31.8K.
"I know someone with an Echo who ran premium gas all the time, and it ended up causing carbon build-up in the engine, costing him $150 to get it cleaned out. The car only needs 87. So running a higher octane than recommended is not only a waste of cash, but it can actually cost you in the long run. "
Yes, it's the compression ratio (and timing) which determines what octane you need to use. Using premium in an engine designed for regular isn't good, and vice versa.
Why make the engine detune and pull back for using mid grade fuel? For the extra 2 bucks (isn't it more like 1 buck difference), just use premium. Think about it this way, you'll get the pleasure of picking up the "PREMIUM!" gas handle pump.
I'm reading my VW manual and it states that when placing heavy items in the luggage compartment, place them as close to the rear axle as possible. Where is that in my trunk? What space in my trunk? Thanks!
This was the BIGGEST reason I did not purchase the 1.8T. I knew I could not afford to feed it what it HAS to have.
Whoa, hold up. you're claiming you couldn't afford an extra 10-20 cents a gallon or at most $3 extra a fill up? Even assuming a weekly fill up we're talking about $150 a year extra. If that's the case, you shouldn't be buying ANY expensive brand new car.
I think people just have some mental block to paying $2.00 a gallon v. $1.80. Rather than looking at the actual numbers they freak and say "i'm not paying for premium!" It's not that big of a difference! Especially over the course of say 52 fill ups a year. 52 weeks X 14 gallons X $1.80 = $1310.40. 52 weeks X 14 gallons X $2 = $1456. In the scheme of things it's not that great of a difference.
Sorry, just tired of the rather empty premium fuel debate. i'm a frugal guy (everyone i know will atest to that) but when it comes to buying major equipment, I tend not to cheap out on the device or its maintenance.
If $150 is the difference between buying a car or not, look into buying a good used car or better yet, wait one more month before buying, sock away $150 dollars and then buy the car guilt free (for at least year 1).
You're taking your limited view of the world and assuming the rest of the nation matches it. I'm sorry but there's a reason SEMA's show is a huge event now.
I didn't imply that I viewed the "REST" of the nation was short on "Modding", just what I see around here in the Chicago area. I don't look at one market and assume that all the other markets are the same. My mind isn't that small. Based on your empirical view, your data supports your opinion, and that's find. Without supporting data about this area can you say there is more than what I see or what I understand to see. Yes, there is "Modding" around here, just not that much. A kid in this neighborhood spent alot of cash money on modding his Ford Taurus. My guess most of the cash went on the sound system, cause I could always hear him coming and going. Yes, there is more than I know about, like you said, it can easily be more than what meets the eye. Let me use the word, a "mod"erate amout of modding. Like I said, I live 1/2 mile from a big suburban HS where there is alot of money. Occasionally, I get caught in their exodus and since I have to wait for the cop to clear the parking lot, I look at the cars and make mental notes of the cars leaving. My eye likes to look at cars and I see what I see.
put premium in a VW? can't bring myself to do it. i use mid-grade. this is a car that competes in a class with Kia's/Hyundai's! not using premium - it is pretentious and wasteful.
seriously, i wonder if people realize that the oil companies and car companies bank on us, consumers, buying more expensive gas. think about countries that only have one type of gas - they still have VW's driving around just fine
I can understand your mentality about spending an extra $2 when filling up. I think I will change to premium fuel next time I fill up.
See, I work near DC but live in Baltimore (35 miles difference). I drive a heckuva lot (32K almost on my 02, which I got 11/01). Prices in DC are a LOT higher than Baltimore, so I save $ right there by always fueling in MD. So I guess the extra $2 wouldn't hurt. It just seemed like I was spending so much more when I used premium all the time.
I have noticed, when flooring my car, that it would drop '1' and '2' at 6700rpm, even though my redline is 6500rpm. I also noticed a very harsh shift between 3 and 4 at low speeds.
Well, I hooked up with someone from Vortex who has a VAG, and he used it today to set the tranny to "factory settings". He also found 2 DTCs (cyl 2 misfire), but that's a different issue.
Anyway, the tranny shifts a LOT smoother from 3 to 4 now, and drops the gears at redline. I don't know how beneficial this could be, but I figure I would share it anyway.
Justin, are even serious about that Kia remark? I don't want to start that whole Jetta economy car or luxury car discussion again, but you could buy two Kia Rios with the money you need to buy a Jetta. {shudders at the thought of buying a Kia Rio)
---------------------------------------------- put premium in a VW? can't bring myself to do it. i use mid-grade. this is a car that competes in a class with Kia's/Hyundai's! not using premium - it is pretentious and wasteful. --------------------------------------------------
The higher the octane level in gasoline, the more slowly it burns. I can get 400 miles from one tank of gas in a VR6 using 93 octane. I would use 94 if it was available in my area, and it certainly wouldn't be to impress anyone. I save money and reduce emissions using premium gas. How is that wasteful?
get my facts straight? what part didn't you understand? of course VW competes with Hyundai. can't get any clearer than that statement. and are you trying to say that the 1.8T is not used in other countries? of course it is. it is just that Americans (myself included in a lot of ways) are into buying more expensive things, based on what the big companies and media say. i like nice things, and will pay money for them, but not gas. you pour it in the car, and it burns it. i can't wear it, live in it, drive it, or eat it.
chmeee:
come on now. did i say that a KIA RIO COMPETES WITH A VW JETTA? where did i say that? again, Hyundai/Kia are indeed competitors with VW. not saying I would buy a loaded Optima over a base Passat either, but someone out there would...;)
SNTX:
you must be driving the new VR6. my VR6 (1999 New Jetta) was "rough" and "sputtery" when i used high octane. that is great that the new ones are getting 400 miles on a tankful! i did try high octane when i got my first new Jetta, buying into the whole "more expensive gas is better" idea. i just noticed that it made the car not behave as "smoothly" as good old 87. i use 89 in the 1.8T because i think the engine must be more advanced (5 valves per cylinder vs. 2 valves per cylinder in my VR6), but i have a feeling 87 would be just fine too.
also - to anyone out there - my cars engine light came on today, acting very familiar (no power, shaking violently). i assumed it was a coil. i turned it off, re-started it, and it was FINE. what gives?
My VR6 is a 12 valve (2000 Jetta). I do drive very conservatively though. I think having the trip computer to keep an eye on things helps me to control my usage as well. Gas mileage was the only thing that made me hesitate when deciding to get the VR6, but I have been pleasantly suprised by the results I have gotten. That being said when my foot gets heavy (I have to let her run enery once in awhile) The VR6 can get thirsty very easily.
yep, the old style VR6 LOVES to run, and drink. but i thought it was worth it i actually have not driven a new VR6. i assume it is going to feel even better!
I haven't driven the GLI yet so I can only imagine. The day I took delivery of my car (I bought it used from the local stealership) They had a platinum grey GLI in the showroom. I often kick myself for not buying it instead (it was "only" 5000 more). I did sit in it though and made a vroom vroom noise. The only thing I didn't like about it was the 4 spoke stearing wheel. I am thinking this may have been an odd example of one though because it also had leather seats, and from what I have heard they are supposed to come with a 3 spoke wheel and cloth. Oh well it was still a sweet car. A GLI will almost certainly be my next car.
To me the saying penny wise and pound foolish comes to mind..if the owner's manual recommends premiumn (higher octane) it is for a reason..beleive me they don't like printing that, knowing how people feel about fuel economy and expense. Nobody says "oh good, it needs premium, now I can spend more on every fill up". Rather you know have a performance car engine that requires the higher octane..I had a 99 V6 cougar that ran on reg. unleaded (in the owner's manual) and when I would fill up at the gas stations when it was brand new, people would comment that if it was their car they would put better gas in it..why? different type of engines require different levels of fuel..I have been forunate in that most of my cars I buy lately are new, but that would one of the first questions I would ask an orginal owner is what kind of gas they put in the tank, and if they didn't do what was recommended by the factory, something as simple as fuel, I would take that as a sign that they cut corners in other areas of maintaining the car and pass on buying their headache.
Comments
Um, that's ludicrous. Look around orange country, san diego county and it's gobs and gobs of pimply faces riding in tricked out hondas, toyotas and VWs. Most of the modding world's run by the cash from people 16-25 - kids who live to modify their cars.
So, I still think that dad should look for a good used, safe and reliable car. Some of you have mentioned good ones to look at and use the saving for school expenses. You can never have enough money when going to college. I never had enough, and I had a part-time job. When the son graduates, then it might be fun for his dad to give him a new car for work well done in school. He will appreciate it more then, I garrantee!!!
I agree wholeheartedly there. I worked 30 hours a week in undergrad (UCSD), took a full load of courses and bot a car my senior year after living like a monk for 3.
bot? Man, I'm working on a CRM project that involves a bot (virtual rep) and it's starting to pop into my mind EVERYWHERE. Sorry about that.
bot in dork = bought.
Um, that's ludicrous....
It's probably somewhat different around the country. I live 1/2 mile from a HS in a middle to upper middle class neighborhood. The parking lot is peppered with a few BMWs, Mercedes, Mustangs, and other expensive cars. It would be hard to find a "Mod" car in that parking lot. Most of the cars are banged-up used cars. I think the kids are occupied with other things. There is so much more to do today. My days in HS featured older cars with, I guess you could use the word mod. The cars were raked, big rear tires, glass packs, headers, 4 deuces, etc. The engines pumped out 400+ horses and alot of noise. There were alot of speed shops around, also. Just a few of them are left. My brother worked in one of shops and also worked in the pit area of a track. He had one of those mod cars. It didn't run smooth until it was up around 100mph. I just don't see that flavor around here any more, and I live in the Chicago area. Have you seen the movie "American Graffiti"? That's the way it was, bobby sock and all. So, that's what I experienced in my youth. MY first car was a 19xx Olds 442. A stock drag racer. That's what society was back then with cars.
That was my youth.
The current and last gen Honda Civic Si
Ford's SVT Focus
VW's ever more powerful 1.8T and VR6
Mazda's MPS series of tuner cars
Infiniti's R-Spec division (aftermarket parts)
Toyota's TRD
Lexus' L-Tune
Nissan's Nismo parts
Are all directly related to the influence of the tuner crowd. Read up on it. Your area may not be doing it (doubtful), but it's extremely popular and highly profitable. Additionally, the mods may be undetectable. I know people with chipped VW's...you can't see it but you know it's there when a Jetta explodes away from a light. Most people would never detect my swaybar...they think it's part of the car. A catback exhaust, straight pipe, and a myriad of other mods to a car will not even be noted by people.
and yes it's expensive and that's why kids who work parttime and live with their parents are a huge part of the tuner crowd. Also you tend to see more modding in certain segments of society...I fear treading there as i know i'll get nuked by the administrator for some sort of TOS violation. Needless to say parents in some cultures inside the US are willing to go into mad debt to make sure their kids are driving the dopest rides.
I guess I'm just really anal also about my cars, so I'm not like everyone else.
And I spent about $7,000 on modifications to my GTI VR6. There is plenty of ways to spend money, I assure you that.
As for the 1.8T, use Premium. It's not about consumption, but performance and not having to reduce timing on your engine for a lower octane. It's worth the extra two bucks, and it's "required" by VW.
Guess what, my Jetta recorded its first 1,000 miles today and not one complaint. Not one rock, rattle or role, maybe a little role, and a sway will take care of that. Without a doubt, it needs a sway bar. The role situation would be a mild complaint. It hasn't coughed, not even once. It just purrs so sweetly. So, what can I expect over the next 1,000 miles? My ear is on the road.
Has anyone put the splash guards on? Is it an easy do-it-yourself job, or is it a dealer-install thing?
Splash guards? I had the dealer install them for me because it is a real pain to do it on your own. The fronts can be installed without removing the tires/wheels because the tires can be turned at an angle. The rear tires have to be removed because of the limited space between the tire and the wheel opening. I did it once sometime ago and it was a big task. It can be done though, if you don't mind jacking up the car twice enough to remove the tires. There are after market guards you can get that just snap on the edge of the wheel opening, but not sure how well they stay attached, though. Yes, I paid the dealer price but it was done and over with. Sometimes I'll pay for the convenience to avoid the hassle and loss of time. But everyone has to decide where that frustration point is. It was just worth it to me. Good luck...On this forum, someone will come up with a good idea, I guarantee!
My VR6 recommended premium,and I always used it. I had to use it because of my chip and advanced timing, air/fuel mixtures.
The 1.8T REQUIRES premium, not recommends like on the VR6.
My younger sister has a 2.0 Beetle, I'm pretty sure I didn't read anything about using premium fuel.
And furthermore, with the 180 HP 1.8T models, you need to use premium. Some people have gotten away with mid-grade on the 150 HP 1.8Ts.
- Anthony
Car and Driver had an article a few months back about running different grades of fuel in vehicles that recommend regular and premium. Their conclusion: Running premium in a car designed for regular just wastes money. Running regular in a car designed for premium reduces maximum engine power by about the same % amount as the cost savings.
I do what the owner's manual says.
- Mark
I ran all grades of fuel, and there is no power or MPG loss with 89 vs. 93, in my car.
I know someone with an Echo who ran premium gas all the time, and it ended up causing carbon build-up in the engine, costing him $150 to get it cleaned out. The car only needs 87. So running a higher octane than recommended is not only a waste of cash, but it can actually cost you in the long run.
Yes, it's the compression ratio (and timing) which determines what octane you need to use. Using premium in an engine designed for regular isn't good, and vice versa.
Why make the engine detune and pull back for using mid grade fuel? For the extra 2 bucks (isn't it more like 1 buck difference), just use premium. Think about it this way, you'll get the pleasure of picking up the "PREMIUM!" gas handle pump.
Whoa, hold up. you're claiming you couldn't afford an extra 10-20 cents a gallon or at most $3 extra a fill up? Even assuming a weekly fill up we're talking about $150 a year extra. If that's the case, you shouldn't be buying ANY expensive brand new car.
I think people just have some mental block to paying $2.00 a gallon v. $1.80. Rather than looking at the actual numbers they freak and say "i'm not paying for premium!" It's not that big of a difference! Especially over the course of say 52 fill ups a year. 52 weeks X 14 gallons X $1.80 = $1310.40. 52 weeks X 14 gallons X $2 = $1456. In the scheme of things it's not that great of a difference.
Sorry, just tired of the rather empty premium fuel debate. i'm a frugal guy (everyone i know will atest to that) but when it comes to buying major equipment, I tend not to cheap out on the device or its maintenance.
If $150 is the difference between buying a car or not, look into buying a good used car or better yet, wait one more month before buying, sock away $150 dollars and then buy the car guilt free (for at least year 1).
I didn't imply that I viewed the "REST" of the nation was short on "Modding", just what I see around here in the Chicago area. I don't look at one market and assume that all the other markets are the same. My mind isn't that small. Based on your empirical view, your data supports your opinion, and that's find. Without supporting data about this area can you say there is more than what I see or what I understand to see. Yes, there is "Modding" around here, just not that much. A kid in this neighborhood spent alot of cash money on modding his Ford Taurus. My guess most of the cash went on the sound system, cause I could always hear him coming and going. Yes, there is more than I know about, like you said, it can easily be more than what meets the eye. Let me use the word, a "mod"erate amout of modding. Like I said, I live 1/2 mile from a big suburban HS where there is alot of money. Occasionally, I get caught in their exodus and since I have to wait for the cop to clear the parking lot, I look at the cars and make mental notes of the cars leaving. My eye likes to look at cars and I see what I see.
Now, isn't this fun???
seriously, i wonder if people realize that the oil companies and car companies bank on us, consumers, buying more expensive gas. think about countries that only have one type of gas - they still have VW's driving around just fine
And even if so, it shouldn't make a difference about what octane level to use.
Other countries have different cars and differently tuned motors FOR those other countries.
Do what you want, but get your facts straight first.
See, I work near DC but live in Baltimore (35 miles difference). I drive a heckuva lot (32K almost on my 02, which I got 11/01). Prices in DC are a LOT higher than Baltimore, so I save $ right there by always fueling in MD. So I guess the extra $2 wouldn't hurt. It just seemed like I was spending so much more when I used premium all the time.
Well, I hooked up with someone from Vortex who has a VAG, and he used it today to set the tranny to "factory settings". He also found 2 DTCs (cyl 2 misfire), but that's a different issue.
Anyway, the tranny shifts a LOT smoother from 3 to 4 now, and drops the gears at redline. I don't know how beneficial this could be, but I figure I would share it anyway.
put premium in a VW? can't bring myself to do it. i use mid-grade. this is a car that competes in a class with Kia's/Hyundai's! not using premium - it is pretentious and wasteful.
--------------------------------------------------
The higher the octane level in gasoline, the more slowly it burns. I can get 400 miles from one tank of gas in a VR6 using 93 octane. I would use 94 if it was available in my area, and it certainly wouldn't be to impress anyone. I save money and reduce emissions using premium gas. How is that wasteful?
get my facts straight? what part didn't you understand? of course VW competes with Hyundai. can't get any clearer than that statement. and are you trying to say that the 1.8T is not used in other countries? of course it is. it is just that Americans (myself included in a lot of ways) are into buying more expensive things, based on what the big companies and media say. i like nice things, and will pay money for them, but not gas. you pour it in the car, and it burns it. i can't wear it, live in it, drive it, or eat it.
chmeee:
come on now. did i say that a KIA RIO COMPETES WITH A VW JETTA? where did i say that? again, Hyundai/Kia are indeed competitors with VW. not saying I would buy a loaded Optima over a base Passat either, but someone out there would...;)
SNTX:
you must be driving the new VR6. my VR6 (1999 New Jetta) was "rough" and "sputtery" when i used high octane. that is great that the new ones are getting 400 miles on a tankful! i did try high octane when i got my first new Jetta, buying into the whole "more expensive gas is better" idea. i just noticed that it made the car not behave as "smoothly" as good old 87. i use 89 in the 1.8T because i think the engine must be more advanced (5 valves per cylinder vs. 2 valves per cylinder in my VR6), but i have a feeling 87 would be just fine too.
also - to anyone out there - my cars engine light came on today, acting very familiar (no power, shaking violently). i assumed it was a coil. i turned it off, re-started it, and it was FINE. what gives?