VW Jetta TDI

rsat61

I have a 2002 Jetta TDI that has the same problem- mine started after I did some service on the vehicle but I have not found the cause yet- I have posted in other places so if I find out anything I will let you know and hope you will do the same
Thanks :sick:

boobearzoo

I just got a 2005 1/2 Jetta and it is awesome! I needed a decent amount of trunk space and I traded in a Hyundai santa fe and fit EVERYTHING in the new Jetta. I am extremely happy with everything they have added and changed. It is fun and so far 42 MPG brand new! I have gotten so many compliments on it already

jenna82

I recently bought an 01 jetta 1.8t. The air conditioner stopped working after 2 weeks of owning it and it just went out again after 3 months. HELP!! Does anybody know what could be causing this...I was told the first time it was a fuse but now I am getting concerned....When I bought it there was 53,000 miles on it....ALSO, the check engine light comes on every other day and yet, nobody seems to know whats wrong with it ANY ADVICE would be greatly appreciated!!!!

kjella

Because I have a 200 mile commute 4x / week, I am looking at a more fuel efficient car. I was thinking about a Hyundai Elantra or a Toyota Corolla or possibly a Ford Focus. However, today I took a Jetta TDI for a test drive and found that for the way I drive the trip computer indicated that I was getting between 40 and 55 mpg. That would cut my annual commuting costs by $2000/yr. However, from what I read in this forum, the maintenance costs are high and may eat up the fuel savings. So before I take the Jetta TDI plunge, what are the annual maintenance costs I should expect? Will the extra cost be worth it?

gagrice

If you are worried about repair costs, buy the extended warranty. Normal maintenance such as oil changes are less than most gas counterparts. The Jetta TDI is a great commuter car. I have not driven the 2006 yet. Are you looking at new or used?

PS
Welcome to the Forum.

falconone

I would either get ann extended warranty as you most probably will get to know your service advisor quite well. If you want reliable inexpensive transportation, you can't go wrong with the Elantra. You have a 100,000 mile power train warranty and they have proven to be quite reliable. The next car I would suggest is the Corolla. The Corolla has a better ride and the gas mileage will be a little better too. Don't forget that diesel is about $0.20 more than regular these days.

gagrice

Don't forget that diesel is about $0.20 more than regular these days.

I would like to see it at 20 cents over. I just filled the Passat and paid $2.999 for BP ULSD. The truck stop near me was $3.079. Regular is running about $2.65 per gallon. Something is going on because it does not cost as much to refine diesel as unleaded gas. A month ago when I filled up ULSD was $2.50 a gallon. That does make cars like the Corolla, Civic & Elantra look better. They still are not as much fun to drive and don't have the highway passing power of the TDI.

falconone

Some people will forego driving pleasure for the sake of saving money. I can't believe the disparity as the price for diesel makes no sense at all. It is currently priced around $2.70 in the NE. As far as power is concerned, the Corolla will sprint to 60 MPH faster than the TDI. Lastly, but more importantly, it will be on the service bay lift a lot less too.

gagrice

it will be on the service bay lift a lot less too.

That is important if it is your sole source of transportation. You will not hear me encouraging anyone to buy a VW TDI unless they are committed to the diesel technology. I also would not suggest a hybrid to anyone that is not sold on the idea. Best way to lose a friend is by giving poor advice. Right now the safest advice is the Elantra or most any Hyundai with that great warranty. I really like my TDI after 4500 miles. I will miss it when it gets to 7500 and I sell it. I may buy a Jetta TDI for an errand car.

falconone

What a waste! Buy a car for 7500 miles an sell it. You definitely are not practicing what you preach.

gagrice

That is what I bought it for. To see how I liked the VW TDI then make a few bucks on it. Does that sound unreasonable? It is an old family tradition. My uncle bought cars back East and drove them to CA and sold them in the years following WW2. If you have not heard, the Passat TDI is in very high demand in CA. It has to be used with 7500 miles to be legal. If you hadn't noticed many people are doing that with the Prius. Not everyone that buys a Prius wants to keep it.

falconone

Oh... now I understand. I forgot the you can't buy those cars in CA. Now it all makes sense. So folks will pay a premium for a oil burner and then pay a premium for the fuel that it runs on. Makes sense!! Thanks for the clarification. I guess they come from the same egg. You know.. The Prius buyers that paid 3k over sticker. Idiots!

xrktsci

Where do you pick up an MAF for $100?

xrktsci

Where do I pick up an MAF sensor for $100?

kjella

I am looking at a new 2005 Jetta. The one I test drove had the package 1 extras (moon roof and some other stuff) I do not need. I like the onboard computer readout (compass, outside air temp, mpg, etc) which is standard for 2005 but will require buying a package 2 in order to get it on the 2006. According to the dealer, all Jettas, even those for the German market are made in Mexico. He said that this was a first for the 2005 model and hence there was a more stringent QA applied to the car in order to satisfy the German market. Don't know it that is hype or not. My cousin in Norway who used to drive in European rallies recommended the Jetta with the Elantra a second choice. The cost difference as I have priced the cars is $23.1K for the Jetta and about $16K for the Elantra. That is about the cost of 2 years of gas based on my current Windstar mileage.
By the way, here in the Milwaukee area, diesel yesterday was at 2.38/gal whereas regular was 2.45/gal.

gagrice

Your diesel is a better deal than here in CA. Ours was $2.99 yesterday regular $2.68. There is a power play going on between the refineries and the CA government. I can tell CA is losing the battle. I have not driven an Elantra. I know the VW TDI is fun to drive and has the kind of power that is useful out on the highway. Cruising at low RPMs is the strong suit of the TDI. The Elantra will not get high 40s to 50 MPG that is common with the Jetta. Have fun looking.

falconone

If diesel fuel is cheaper, then it is easier to decide. The Elantra is a great commuter car but quite boring. It has proven to be quite reliable. I rented one not too long ago and it is quiet and comfortable, but little else. Just good basic transportation. The Jetta is a fun car to drive and has a nice refined German feel to it. It is NO comparison to the Elantra. If you are willing to pay for the extended warranty to have piece of mind, then go for the TDI. There is a BIG difference in price between the two. The Elantra can be had for dealer cost if you are good at negotiating. Not so, for the VW. If you value handling and driving pleasure, you will not like the Elantra. Drive both, back to back and decide. Also keep in mind that there is over a $7k spread between the cars.

sebring95

Where do I pick up an MAF sensor for $100?

Impex Parts

Looks like they're out of the OEM part, it's usually around $100. I've been running the Pierburg for about two years without problems. I've heard dealers should sell them for $100 (VW supposedly changed the list price, but some VW dealers still try to get $300....).

hersheytx1

For the first time in forever I am seeing Deisel running less then Regular gas.
Just paid 2.19. Reg was 2.24.
This is Dallas, Tx

grier

I want to buy a used 5 speed TDI.

I'd like to know what year Jetta's give the least trouble.

I've read through all this info but can't really tell.

I'm staying away from the Pumpe Duse since it is brand new and sensitive to hard to find oil. I drove an 04 at the dealers and the acceleration is great, but it had 53K miles on it and not much warrenty left. THat many miles and still running good could be a good sign.

Would the 99-03's be more reliable

Any help would be appreciated.

thanks jim

wai

Only in USA Diesel is more expensive than regular gas. In Hong Kong, Diesel is only US$3.92/G compare to $6.22/G for regular gas.

townline

would like to know the position of the relays in the relay panel.

bpeebles

It seems that 2003 (the last year before pumpe duse) has been the best. Most of the earlier kinks of the A4 body-style were fixed by then. (falling windows, coolant-migration...etc )

veggiefuel

Hi Everyone,

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area where I spotted diesel at $3.13/gallon today! It was only about $1.79 a little over a year ago! I don't feel as badly about it after reading the post about the Hong Kong fuel prices. I have 22,500 trouble-free miles on my GLS 5-speed wagon. I have consistently gotten 49MPG. I love this car, and have no regrets about the purchase. I bought one of the last ones available in California. In the long run, I am hoping for a less expensive alternative fuel. As soon as the car is out of warranty, I would like to convert it to run on SVO (straight vegetable oil). Does anyone out there have any personal experience or opinions about this?

hooohooo

Does anyone know if there will be a jetta TDI 4motion available next year? I heard from one volkswagen dealer that that might be on their lots not too far in the future, but he might have just been talking out of his a@#$.

boobearzoo

I agree that the Jetta is fun. I bought one 3 weeks ago after spending a ton of money on gas in my Hyundai Santa Fe. The only reason I even considered this car was the HUGE trunk. It fit all my stuff PLUS! I am getting about 42 MPG average and it only has 1000 miles on it. So far no major complaints ! It does jave a knock in the front end which it goes in monday for. It is bery comfy to drive. I had a Golf 1.8T a few years ago but there was not enough room in the back for me.

edmund2460

I believe diesel prices per gal. come down in the summer months closer to the price of regular and go up during the winter months. Probably due to what the refinery is making (no heating oil during summer)

bsitton

I have a 1998 TDI Jetta that is also doing this. I havn't noticed any difference in fuel mileage ( around 46) but the power doesn't seem to be there. What have you found out?

usmcwithtdi

I just took a trip to Lexington KY from Virginia and experienced trouble going over mountians. The car would lose speed and RPMs going up mountians on the interstate. The speed would drop by as much as 20mph. It would not switch up gears on my Automatic transmission. Going downhill though, it had absolutely no problem. At random times the RPMs would spike and then it would shift up gears. What could be the problem?

jhohman

We have been driving our Jetta TDI for a little over two years, it runs great. We live the in "frozen tundra" of Northern Wisconsin and never have starting problems. We get from 32 to 48 mpg (automatic transmission). I once found a web site that had videos on how to change oil, fuel filters, clean snow screen, etc, and now am ready to tackle these projects but cannot find the files online. Any ideas? I am interested in the system that draws the oil up rather than getting under the car. Please help

jhohman

Mobil 1 has a grade of synthetic for diesel engings that is rated CH-4. Printed on the lable it states the oil is for diesel engines. Here in the North Central states is sells at Fleet Farm for $40.00 for six quarts.

bpeebles

You are thinking of the "Greater Cincinnati Area TDI Club" website located here
http://www.cincitdi.com/richc/

jhohman

Thanks, exactly what I was looking for.

seistron

I just purchased a new 2006 Jetta TDI. The fuel guage registered 1/2 tank after 400 miles. I thought I was getting great mileage until I drove the next 200 miles. Then I was near empty. It seems like VW bought the sending units from GM. My old Suburban would go 300 miles on 1/4 tank and 150 miles on the remaining 3/4 tank. My Toyota Tundra gauge is very accurate. Maybe VW has a fix for this? What did the dealer do for you?

valkyrie99

I am thinking of buying a 2006 TDI. I have never owned a diesel before so is there anything I should know before I take the plunge. I have read several postings and the 2002's seem to be crap. The 2006 is supposed to be totally redesigned but are the problems with the wiring harness, buying gas at truck stops inherent to all TDI's or were these problems fixed.

sandman52

Contemplating a new TDI.
Tried out the '04 Jetta last year, and found the rear seat a bit to tight for our needs, so was thinking Passat may be the way to go, but have heard the new model Jetta is quite a bit roomier than the old.
Just got a dealer quote of 26,000 on a decked out 05 Passat GLX TDI wagon with a list of 31,000. But am wondering if the lesser MPG of the Passat is worth the extra room, and even if there is that much more room compared to new larger Jetta?
Also wondering why VW has decided not to offer either the TDI, or the wagon in the Passat line in 06, and if that will have any effect on the value of the current ones??
Any one out there who had some of the same thoughts in making their decision, have any insight they'd care to share?
Thanks!
sandman 52

sandman52

Just realized the quote I received from the dealer wasn't for a TDI, since the GLX doesn't offer the TDI, so that part of my post obviously is incorrect, but still would like to hear from those who have made the decision between the two vehicles, and why they made the choice they did.
Thanks again! :confuse:

pat

You are welcome to create a Jetta TDI vs Passat TDI on our Sedans Comparisons board - I'm thinking that's a better bet than making duplicate posts in both single-vehicle topics. I can post a link int both discussions to the new place after you create it.

sandman52

Pat,
I'm new to the forum, so wasn't aware of the Sedans Comparison board however I think I might have more potential readers (and answers to the questions posed) in the individual Jetta & Passat boards, than in the comparisson board, also my questions aren't limited to sedans..... if that's OK with you.
Thanks

pat

These are sedans topics in which you are posting, and you and all of our members will be better served by your creating a discussion for this. It's not a good thing to sidetrack individually dedicated discussions with other vehicles.

So please follow the link I gave you and set it up.

If you have other questions, feel free to email me - just click on my name to get my email address.

Thanks!

seistron

Just a brief message about the 2006 Jetta TDI. I ordered the base TDI because in the 2005 brochure, it had almost everything I needed. The 2005.5 had heated seats, rain sensing wipers, compass and all the good stuff. When I got my 2006 last week, they deleted these items on the base unit, but it came with alloy wheels. I was real dissapointed that I didn't get the items in the 2005.5 models, but I guess that is the way it is when you order a car. So far I like the car, but I am concerned that VW doesn't have a clue about what they are selling. When I first ordered the car in June, they told me an August delivery. When I called the last week in July, they told me an October deleivery. Then in mid July, they told me first week in September. Last week they called me and told me to come pick up the car. The dealer showed me all the correspondence from VW. I know he wasn't lying. I just hope that if I have a problem, VW will have a clue.

tdidawg

We looked at both the Jetta and the Passat wagon TDIs before we bought last fall. We have three teens and put them in the back seat of both cars for comparrison. The Passat has a bit more leg room but the shoulder room difference is minute. The extra $5k for the Passat wasn't with the few inches.

TDIdawg

sandman52

Thanks!

bpeebles

What you describe is considerd by many folks to be "normal" fuel-guage operation.
In fact, you "fit the mold" alomost perfectly of comparing an Aisian vehicle to a German one... Yours is a common observance of the difference in philosophy about how a fuel-guage should register.

When the tank is over 1/2 full, it really does not matter how precice the readings are....as the tank approaches empty, the meter becomes much more accuarte because that is when it becomes important about SPECIFICALLY how much fuel is left in the tank. Also the shape of the fueltank has some bearing on how the meter behaves.

Dont expect a "fix" for this non-problem to be forthcoming.... instead get used to a more accurate fuel-guage where it counts.

Your 600 miles on a new TDI is commendable... what do you have to complain about?

Starting this summer, my TDI seems to have finally broken-in, I registerd over 56 MPG on 2 consecutiuve tankfulls during a road trip. (Verrmont -to- Pittsburgh on one tank...with fuel to spare)

seistron

I guess I have been driving Japanese cars for too long. They (Toyota and Lexus) seem to be very accurate. My Mercedes 320 CLK was also accurate. I guess 1/2 of a tank isn't really half a tank, but empty is empty. Good German logic (yuk, yuk). I'm not complaining about it too much, just a little disturbed. If this is all I have to complain about, I've got it made. Back in 1993, I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. The dash fell off after 500 miles. Now that was something to complain about.

sebring95

In my experien (across domestic, german, japanese) the fuel guages all seem to drop faster on the bottom half. Seems logical since it's not hard to start-out on Full and burn the entire first half of the tank. When you burn the entire second half of the tank, you're walking to the station. Plus most guages have a couple gallon reserve when it hits empty. My new Odyssey is actually about the wosrt I've encounted, as it takes only 17 gallons when the light has been on for 30-40 miles. It holds 21 gallons.

conismo

I will disagree with the 2002's being crap. I have an 01 auto tdi and an 02 man. Both have been great. They both have 70,000 miles on them. The automatic seems to need the recommended major services (timing belt) sooner, probably due to the transmission. You will find oil changes to cost more as you pretty much have to use synthetic only, but you only need one every 7 to 10,000 miles. As for the fuel, I get mine in town almost always, but have noticed differences between brands. Shell seems to get the most mileage. I avg around 600 miles a tank for city driving and around 750 on a highway run. I also use the "hidden" overflow tank which holds another 1.5 gallons to get around 18 gallons in it.

cdstraw

I completed a work assignment in Pittsburgh, PA and headed back to Baltimore, MD. Decided to do an economy run back home. Stopped at the first gas station on the Penn Turnpike and filled up with diesel. Got back on the road, moved into the right hand lane and set the cruise control at 60 MPH.

When I arrived at my home gas station I filled up again. Put 3.5 gallons in and had traveled 212 miles. This equates to 60 miles per gallon.

Vehicle: 2005 (A4) Jetta GLS TDI, manual transmission. Just over 5,000 miles on the engine.

Kirstie_H

A reporter would like to hear from consumers who, thanks to rising fuel prices, have newfound interest in hybrids and other fuel-efficient vehicles. If you have a story to share, please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com with your daytime contact info, city/state of residence and the make/model in question no later than Monday, August 29, 2005.

valkyrie99

I also have heard that Jetta's have wiring harness problems, does anyone have info on this. Is this a problem or something that is blown out of proportion. The other thing I would like to know is how good the heat for the cab is. I live in Ottawa, Ontario and the temp here can get to -30C so I don't want to be freezing in the wintertime for a half hour before it gets warm in the cab. Like I said before, I have never owned a diesel or a VW before so I am doing a lot of research before I sink $30,000 CDN into buying one.