Volkswagen Passat Maintenance and Repair

golfmill

I have a 2006 Passat and there are two problems. One is the vibration between 59 and 63 MPH . It stops above and below that speed . Also I have and orange peel effect in the paint about 2 x 4 right above my wheel well. Is this something that is common? Any feedback would be great.

mrjette

I managed to really scrape up the alloy wheels on a granite curb. Any suggestions on how to buff out the scratches and restore the finish?

Mr_Shiftright

You have to have it done professionally but they can do a really good job.

mrjette

Thanks. I was afraid of that. The style of wheel that came on my car has the metal protruding out further than the tires. So, it is the wheel that takes the brunt of each "curbal misjudgement'. Aggravating.

Mr_Shiftright

Lots of people do it. It's hard not to get some curb rash now and then. Your local tire place may know where to send the wheel.

americanyon

Hello,

I just bought an '06 Passat 2.0T. I don't know if this how the key fob suppose to work. When I press the key fob to stop the engine. If I don't pull the key out immediately, I have to push the key back to position 2 in order to pull they key fob out. The manual says I can pull the key fob out even in position 1. Is there a problem with my car? I keep reading the manual over and over and my key fob is not doing what the manual says it shoud be doing. Help!!

David

jdhebert23

Check your map pockets. Mine rattles also, and it's usually when I have a set of keys, pocket change, other metallic objects or hard objects (credit-card sizeds casino membership cards, etc.). I usually try to keep my map pockets empty so the speakers wont rattle. I can usually hear the rattle over the music, no matter how loud it is. It's a nuisance, but I finally discovered it.

pier

I have Michelin tires too. The original came with Goodyear Eagles which, in my experience, are of poor quality. I had the dealer swap them out.

Vibration felt from the steering means your front tires are unbalanced. Vibration felt through the seat indicates that your rear tires are unbalanced.

pier

Your dealer should have briefed you properly during the hand-off. Go back and get him to do a proper job. This is an expensive piece of equipment - the least he could do is spend some time with you.

pier

Do you have the 16" or the the 17" wheel? I just got mine in the 16" and am starting to think about getting the larger diameter.

pier

You have a harmonic vibration - a difficult one to solve.

Check that the front rotors are not warped.
Check your alignment (even if it does not pull to any side).
Have your tires roadforce balanced when hot.
Check the steering rack settings.
Check that your driveshafts are not unbalanced.

cllaw

Hi All:

Just bought a brand new Passat 2006 a few weeks back, the car is ok and it is a really sharp car that make people turn their head everytime I drive it around.

Just got a question that I'm not sure if other 06 Passat owner experience the same thing and I will appreciate if someone can post their experience on the forum as well.

I notice that the car take extra long cracking time when I start it up in the morning or after a long period of idle. I got a feeling that i might fail to start at some point specially the winter is coming soon and the weather is getting colder..... Some people say it is due to the anti teft system that lock the engie after you shut it down for a long period of time but I didn't find it on the menu.

I just wondering if any experience the same thing or it just that I'm over caution.

Thanks :confuse:

Alex

grantk

I have the same problem with my abs module. Do you have the instructions for removing the module or should I have a mechanic remove and install it.

angrydriver

I just had a talk with the dealer ship's service department.They say that since volkwagen's district service manager came,and test drove the car with me,and he is saying these vibrations are normal.And there is nothing they can do about this.What should i do next can anyone tell me.They dealship is refussing to spend more time on this.Also last week end i went on the highy with this car,at high speeds,i get vibrations from the gas paddle,and the aread around it,where my foot rests.Seondly,any one has noticed that the suspension on this car is harder/stiffer,?or it is it only my car?.even small undulations on the road are amplified inside,for example pavement joints things like that.On some conrete pavements the car bounces.In my opnion this car is full of vibrations,i dont know if vibrations are normal with german cars as compared to american cars.Can anyone tellme how german cars differ,in terms of smoth ride,as apposed to american cars.Do we have to live with these annoying vibrations???? :mad:

alman08

did all these vibrations occur when you test drove the car before you bought it? can you test drive another car to see if they do the same?

angrydriver

No i test drove 2 cars
none of them has vibrations as mine.
but the dealship is not accepting this.
don;t know how far i can go like this:mad:

usman2

I have a 1999 VW Passat V6 2.8. I am getting tired of this car as its going to the dealership every month. The recent problem I am having is weird one and tried searching on the web but to no avail.

When I turn on my ignition, I see no lights except for the airbag light. And obiviously the car does not start. My stereo works (even when the key is not inserted) but the Air conditioner does not turn on.

There are national holidays in this country and dealership will open in a weeks time .... any solutions .... ????

Any ideas guys ?
VW Dealership here in saudi are blood sucking animals. Recently I had to purchase the alternator for 950 USD .... I just checked the web and its around 350 USD. :mad:

jefferyg

Angry,

I've been out of pocket for a few days. So sorry to hear you're still having all these problems with your Passat. I've been driving ours every day for the past three days and it's still doing great. The compass is still not calibrating correctly, but that's minor. I believe you may need to take your car to a dealer of the particular brand of tires you have. They may be better suited to diagnosing your vibration problem than the VW dealer is.

alman08

and you said the district service mgr test drove the cars with you and told you they're all the same?? sounds like a :lemon: to me... time to file?
i might agree with the poster who said to take it to a tire shop, however, think about it... shouldn't VW dealer be responsible for it? contact BBB and i'm sure they will be more than happy to assist you. good luck.

mard940

the gas cap was left off and the 2001 passat was driven around for awhile when the MIL light came on. would someone please let me in on the procedure to turn off the MIL light without bringing it to the dealers

thanks

angrydriver

What is a BBB?Can you let me know more details on these lemon laws?

thanks
amit

altair4

IIRC, the MIL will reset itself after a certain number of start/stop cycles. The car has to reach operating temperature for the cycle to count.

alman08

BBB - Better Business Bureau, you can file your case with them. (www.bbb.com)

Lemon Laws, each state has its own and you can check with your state govt.

Normally I would think BBB should have been the first place to go, however, in your case, I will do both now since your dealer didn't seem to want to take care of your problem.

People pay so much for cars now a day and these dealers/manufactures are trying to get away with murders... :mad:

good luck :shades:

mard940

thanks !!!
you save me a weekend project

pier

Has anyone else noted what appears to be a poor fitting of the bottom of the dashboard trim (faux carbon fiber) just below the fuel and temperature gauge extending all the way to the pop-out change tray? The finish is so loose that when pressed with my index finger, it bends very easily.

I was about to complain about it to my Service Manager when I noticed the same effect on all the models (both 2.0T and VE) on the same dealer lot.

Has anyone noticed it or brought it to VWoA's attention? Am I being too critical?

kgould

hi

My problems didn't turn out to be condensation. I eventually removed the plastic covers under the bonnet(very simple to do by removing the rubber beading) and saw that the battery was swimming in a pool of water. Due to time constraints I haven't been able to remove the battery but i suspect that there is a drain hole underneath which is blocked up by all the leaves and dirt which comes down from the window. This seems a very bad design flaw by VW as once this compartment fills up it just pours down the air-inlet directly into the passenger footwell. What compounded my problem is that our driveway is on a slight slope and we park the car nose upwards, which forces the water to run back towards the car. Once I take the battery out and have a decent look around I will reply again.

pier

I am not quite pleased with my Passat's faux carbon fiber dashboard trim and would like to replace it with another finish.

I know that a faux wood trim is available as an option # however, I note that European Highline models have a brushed aluminum finish which is far more appealing look if you have the lighter trim.

Does anyone know if there is a US supplier who sells such an item? Or can anyone suggest any other alternative. B6 Passat options are scarce right now.

altair4

There are actually two drains in the cowl area. One directly under the battery and theother under the brake fluid reservoir (IIRC).

Agreed that it's a poor design, further aggravated by the complete lack of mention in the owner's manual that these even exist, let alone a recommendation to clear them.

I'd jump on this pretty quickly. If the water's deep enough, it's possible for the brake systme to ingest water and could hydrolock the engine (per at least one recent commend here on Edmunds in this forum or another Passat one).

8aa2ym

Call this place: http://autoecu.com/Products/partDetail.asp?partID=3136

john109

please give advise on how to locate & change fuel filter on my 1997 passat tdi

thanks in anticipation

angrydriver

Yeah I agree with you,those dash trims are really cheap
i asked my dealer to re fix it,but they declined saying that,they all come the same,volkswagen is bad in customer service.sucks

angrydriver

Hi
I raised the same issue with my dealer ship.the district service manager,declined to fix,saying,those dash trims are loose or loosely pasted,for noise reduction,beats me???
what noise reduction they goona achiev.I still feel,that this years model is damn cheap,as if,they were rushing.
they it is 80% assembeled in Germany,i read on some forum,that german workers are lazier due some kind of unions?don;t know?Also,when i bought the car it had a wrong tyre on it.yeah a wrong tyre,i am going to call volkswagen soon

cllaw

Agree with you... Just bought my Passat a few weeks back and the Passat letter start falling apart and I have to put it back on myself :mad: My car is in shop already for unusual vibration on the brake and prolong start up. For all my fellow passat owner. Please do the Free winter check up before it get cold. You don't want the car die on you when you need it the most

angrydriver

anyone has a free coupon for the winter check,
i never recived one

fish8

Anyone can get one if you have internet access.......

www.vw.com

angrydriver

where on vw.com,what section,what link?

can you tell me plzz

thanks

fish8

http://www.vw.com/spweb/pages/spweb/serv_offer.jsp

usmj1

FYI - Brought car (3500 miles) to dealership to re-install tire pressure sensor that came off when snow tires installed by non-VW installer and to turn off check engine light. Invoice revealed that VW service also performed 3 updates recommended by VW.
1. TSB C550503 unknown; 2. TSB C370503 - transmission fluid lines are not leaking fluid at this time; 3. The B9 update - the coolant hose retaining clip located by the electric fan was removed and re-installed after being rotated to face the opposite direction. CEL was computer fault; new sensor needed, tire installer has agreed to pay. Maybe best to have tires changed at dealership.

peelers2

I have a '05 Passat TDI. I had the first oil change (synthetic) at 6080 miles. The sticker on the window suggested the next oil change at 9K+ miles. I have just over 10K miles right now. Not having called the dealership yet, I am under the impression one can go atleast 10K miles b/w oil changes using synthetic oil. The car was serviced at the dealership. Does anyone have a suggestion. Thanks so much.

fish8

Read your maintenance guide and go by that. Most dealers recommend 3K miles between oil changes. They just want to dip into your wallet.

altair4

If I were you, I'd read the owner's manual very carefully. I'd use the recommended oil at the recommended oil change interval. I'd also pay attention to any verbage about "severe" use versus "normal" use. And I'd follow those recommendations like they were a religious text.

Make sure you save all of your oil change receipts, for as long as you own the car. Make sure they have the mileage included, and the grade of oil (that special VW diesel spec).

peelers2

Thanks to you and "fish8" for responding to my situation. I drive alot - about 100 miles/DAY! So, too many oil changes certainly cannot hurt. Thanks.

altair4

Is your driving mostly highway? You may be one of the few people who actually fits into the "normal" use category!

cosmo

I believe your owner's manual recommends oil changes at 5,000 miles, 10,000 miles, and every 10,000 miles thereafter. The full maintenance schedule for the Passat TDI is available in the VW of America and Canada website.

angrydriver

I have been feeling more vibrations and getting more road feeb back from this 06 passsat which i bought recently.
any one wants to contribute there expiriences on this.
no one seems to talk about this,does thise means that my car is only having vibrations.?are german cars more vibrative,or as the service manager says,german cars will give you more road feedback????Road feedback,means,unconfortable ride,is the suspesion right for this vehicle???can any one tell p[lzzz???

bbooze

I have not seen anyone bring up this issue.

I just purchased a 2006 Passat 2.0T. One thing I noticed during the test drive (tested two cars) was that there is a hesitation when first pressing the accelerator. Since it happened on both cars I tested, I figured it was just a quirk w/ the Passat, but since I have not seen anyone else mention it, I'm wondering if it is a specific issue with the car I purchased.

Any thoughts?

bbooze

I have not noticed any vibration in mine. In fact, I've been impressed with how smooth the drive is.

That's my experience so far.

rizzuto1

Both of the fog lamps on my 02 Passat are cracked. I asked my dealer for an estimate on repairing them (since just the glass is broken). Unfortunately, VW always has to replace entire units on their cars, not just the one piece needing to be fixed. So, with parts and labor, my estimate came to about $250 to replace both lamps. My car is just under it's 50k bumper-to-bumper warranty, so I'm not sure if these are covered under that or not - the dealer didn't tell me.

tamaraster

I have a similar bizarre electrical problem from time to time, where my car won't start. In my case, closing the visor (that is, folding the driver's viser up against the roof) fixes it. I know that sounds crazy and impossible, but it's true. Try it.

altair4

You have that homelink thingie in your visor, don't you?