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The '03 manual states that 5w-40 HAS to be used, and 5w-30 can ONLY be used to top off. That's a pretty significant change in verbage for the same engine.
My local Napa Auto Parts told me that Mobil1 doesn't even come in 0w-40 (which is obviously does). So my search for oil continues.
$58 for an oil change? How did VW rationalize that???
-Craig
-Craig
An R Version of several VWs, including the Passat W8, may be coming. (To the USA, who knows . . .)
Source (cannot post full link):
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk
Since I have had bad luck posting long links on this forum, here is a one paragraph quote from the article (Pat Host – I think that is OK?):
“The spokesman confirmed that following on from the R32, an R-badged W8-engined Passat and a Bora V6 would appear. The Passat is likely to be badged R40 to signify its 4.0-litre unit, although a bi-turbo would be ad-ded to put power into the region of a BMW M5-rivalling 400bhp. The Bora will take the 3.2 engine from the Golf R32.”
Cheers,
- Ray
Who, while certainly enjoying a stock W8, would probably at least test drive such a beast . . .
For instance, they overfilled my oil (mark is above 2nd bend). I bought the car back to the dealership for them to drain. Since I had to drive the car there, the some of the oil was in the engine itself and when they checked it, it read to the tippy top of the full mark.
He said "It's not overfilled. I always check it after I fill it." So I asked him how much he put in. "4.2 quarts. It's what VW mandates." Then he went on to say "...but I didn't wait a few hours for all the old oil to drain, so that's why it's reading a little high." And "...any excess oil will burn off within 1,000 miles."
Since then, I found out there is a TSB that all 1.8Ts should be filled with only 3.9 quarts since all the old oil isn't drained in the time allowed to perform an oil change (I guess .3 is still in the engine itself).
Don't trust what they say. Get 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinions.
-Craig
Craig, what happens when the oil is overfilled?
Looking at the manual, oil should be measured after running for a few minutes. If that's really the case, then I'm ok (barely). I'm still not comfortable with it being above the 2nd bend when cold.
I'm still looking for a place in eastern MA that sells Mobil1 0w-40 or Valvoline SynPower 5w-40 to do my own oil changes. The dealer is only going to see warranty/challenging routine maintenance from now on.
-Craig
Now I need to find a good company to get a new windshield. My boyfriend had his Jeep windshield done and the molding never fit right again. It literally falls off inside when it's hot and curls up on the outside.
I'm afraid to let one of those traveling windshield companies touch my car. The VW is so tightly made (a good thing) that I am afraid to change the windshield in fear that it will never be the same once they take out the original.
Although most companies have a policy saying their work is guaranteed, I still feel unsure about the long term reliability.
Is this a job for VW service, or should I allow a yellow pages company do the job?
Any experiences you would like to share are appreciated.
I live in central NJ near PA if anyone knows of a reputable company to fix my windshield.
Have car....will travel
Thanks
I also found SynPower 5w-40 at http://www.oil-store.com. If I order 4 cases at a time, the price comes out to be $4.70/quart including shipping.
As for Passat oil changes. As with all cars, after running the engine, some oil is in the engine itself and doesn't drain unless you wait a few hours. Since not many people wait, there is oil left inside after putting the oil filter and drain plug back on.
The capacity of the 1.8T is 4.2 quarts. But putting in 4.2 will be an overfill since there's oil already there. A VW TSB states to put in 3.9 quarts to account for this.
I believe this is why so many dealerships are overfilling - they don't read/keep track of TSBs and "go by the book" (4.2 quarts).
-Craig
I have been changing my own oil for over 40 years and once you get the drain plug out and the oil starts to drip, there shouldn't be 1/3 quart still in the engine.
We really like the Passat wagon, but I'm trying to get away with saving a few bucks. I'm just a little nervous about the reliability of the Passat. I've owned Hondas in the past and they've been quite reliable. I've heard good things about the Passat's reliability - I just wanted to hear what you guys (and gals) thought.
Thanks in advance for any insights.
I haven't changed oil in a car (yet), but just considering the physics of this, it doesn't seem likely.
-Craig
I would much rather do this than have them messing around with the whole windshield.
Use synthetic oil, and don't drive like a maniac -you will be fine.
I took my car to a local glass shop to try and do the repair thing, but I was told that it was already fixed once. I don't know if that's true or not (I'm not the professional), but either way it couldn't be done again.
Crisscross-
I think I have to agree with you on the concept of experience being better with a repair shop rather then the dealer. I just figured I would be assured of getting OEM from the dealer, but I don't know how much it matters. Now I just have to find someone I feel comfortable using.
Thanks to you both
If I change my own oil what effect does that have re warranty on a 2003 glx Only 2000 miles as of now.
I have always in the past changed it myself not really a/c money but knowing its done correctly
bowink
Any huge Reliability differences between 1999/2000 models ?
Consumer reports shows that the 1999 is less than average while the 2000 is average or better, but they're so Japanese-centric.
The 2000s had less problems too, but not as bad as the 99s.
The 2001.5 and onwards have most of the bugs ironed out.
At least that is what I have been able to discern from the different sites. Others may disagree.
Brake drum scratches
Transmission "fishing" at the 40-55MPH range
Potential Oil sludging problems
The Transmission problem is supposed to be fixed for the 2003 models, and is reprogrammable for the 2002s.
The sludging is now covered under Toyota Warranty.
No idea on the brake drum issues.
However, these are typical .0 release problems which should also be resolved over time.
As I told cardosino, the current revs of the Passats have had the majority of the show-stopping bugs resolved - so it should be pretty reliable.
The only show-stopped I still see every now and then are related to electricals.
Hope this helps.
Thanks in advance!
(1) I am gonna change my own oil from now on - I took it to the dealer for the first oil change, and they dropped the oil cap and broke it, and when I noticed it and called them on it, they charged it back to VW under warranty.
(2) If you want to rent a Passat, Fly into Frankfurt - they have plenty available, and you can get it on the autobahn and really check it out.
(3)If you never kick in the turbo on the 1.8 it will last as long as the V6. A naturally aspirated (no turbo) engine will always last longer than a turbo. This is a well known fact.
(4) I have a friend that has a '99 1.8T with 80K miles on it. He drives the crap out of it (just about wound the engine up to 9K rpms the other day trying to race a WRX) and the thing runs like a champ. He's one of the reasons I bought my GLX. If his car can take the pounding he dishes, mine will last 300K.
(5) The fuel milage issues on the V6 have to be a result of the tiptronic - My GLX stick gets 30 Hwy, 27 city, and it only has 6500 miles on it.
actually, it's the 98's (ist year of new design) that are to be avoided. There are a couple of issues like control arms that seems to occur more often with 99's than say 00's but the 1.8t is rated above average by consumer reports.
Never read consumer reports until I was stuck at the airport recently, but when they say the Passat is average, they are actually referring to the model in general over the years. Reliability varies by year and 1.8t or v6. The 1.8t's are recommended fro 99 and up. Not as consistent as Toyota or Honda but it doesn't mean the passat is unreliable.
Thanks
Automatic climate control works with either heating or cooling. All of them are that way.
I can't understand how people compare the [non-permissible content removed] imports to the sophisticated Passat. If you have to nit pick, then you probably don't belong in the Passat and all you want is basic transportation...ie. Camry/Honda. Ok, if you want to compare reliability, then fine, but there is no comparing in driving comfort or the excitability factor of driving the Passat. When you drive the Passat you will always feel excited about going somewhere. In the Camry/Honda type vehicles, there is nothing exciting about the drive unless you hit a patch of ice and go twirling around out of control.............
Had some electrical problems covered under warranty. On various nights, have to keep the defroster on as the window fogs up consistently
Then...at 30k, had to replace all tires and rear brakes. Around the same mileage, noticed a burning odor emanating from the engine compartment. First tech visit Dx: leaking gasket covers, which were replaced. 2nd visit: same Dx and fix. 3rd visit: same Dx and fix. Still experiencing the same burning odor. Although covered under powertrain warranty, I am totally disenchanted with this vehicle. Anyone else have similar problems with this year ? I was told by a 2000 1.8 owner that the 2000 V6 engine was problematic.
But you're right. It's too soon to tell. My 2002 has just over 6,000 problem free miles. I bow to Germany every morning.
As for windshields. Doesn't insurance cover windshield repairs? They do here in MA. It should matter how much any charges. Just select the most convenient location.
-Craig
my point is that the posts on vortex that are complaints have shifted from the earlier years to later years. No matter how good the quality and reliability there are always people complaining.
So I'm just saying to milong that I do visit vortex and clubb5 and he/she may have visited during a spate of 99 problem posts, because I haven't noticed significantly more problems with the 99 compared to later years. Obviously i have a 99:)
The best predictive measure of reliability is one we'll never see (unless some hacker gets into VW's computers)- that's the manufacturer's warranty claims records. We can glean some information from insurance industry sources, DOT recall and service advisories and from Consumer Reports. While CU’s reader survey stats might be questioned for the randomness of the sample, they usually are good enough to rely on for buying decisions. I’m not aware of any instance where they have gotten it really wrong in judging the reliability of any particular model.
I remember thumbing through one of the yearly CR releases which breaks down a car's reliability on certain components, and remember that the newer models have a higher rating than the initial 98 batches. I don't recall too much what the stats for the '99s were.
CAW, maybe the use of the words "TONS" was not an accurate one to use!
I don't put much stock in JD Power surveys becuase cars usually exhibit their true personalities AFTER the 90 day honeymoon period - much like the President and Congress after an election! :O
Outside of CR, I rely on my dealer's service manager to tell me how reliable the Passats are - and she tells me that they are very reliable.
If this helps at all ...
JD Power's Initial Quality Survey does work only on the 90-day cycle. However, JD Power also has a mid-term quality survey that covers 1-3 years, and a long-term survey that covers 4-5 years. Personally, I still like the CR numbers better because they are more exactly in specific categories while the JD Power surveys seem to rely on a sheer count of any type of problem across a small set of broad categories.
Nevertheless, if you are interested, you can go to www.jdpower.com and look up the mid-term Passat ratings. The mid-term ratings seem to be, with a top score of 5.0:
1999 - 2.67
2000 - 4.00
2001 - 3.00
Take them for what you think they may be worth, up to you. Please note that JD Power's overall number is based on a scale of all vehicles -- it is actually possible to have fewer problems per 100 vehicles but a lower score (if the improvement has failed to match the overall average improvement of vehicles).