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Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
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I found Shell Rotella-T 5W-40 at Wal-mart on my first try. It's expensive because it's mostly synthetic oil, I paid $14/gallon plus $4 for another quart. Yeah, outrageous. Regular 5W-30 at $7 would be fine but this one is still under warranty and I don't want a $10 savings to give VW an excuse to void her car's warranty. And the filter was about $6 at the same wall mart, putting my supplies cost at $25 already. .
About the car. The filter is on tight and I didn't have the right size oil-filter wrench (socket adapter). The oil pan plug takes a DIN 8 hex key. The rock shield allows just barely enough room for the plug to accept a standard hex key and turn it. Because it does allow movement, I never thought of removing the rock shield. I was going to look for a #8 hex key/socket adapter, thought that might make the task a bit easier. Anyone know what does the dealer do? They might pump out the oil, not even mess with the pan plug at all. Seems I'm going to get oil all over the bottom of that rock shield when it gushes out.
She's probably gonna get socked for $60+ to have the oil changed at the dealer next week.
I would love to hear from someone else who has experience, especially impe1595. You can send email to the address (after removing all spaces, translating at/dot) chris lott at spam cop dot net. Thanks!
Manual or Tiptronic tranny?
-Fred
I still do my own oil changes on my Toyota Highlander and my old hunk-a-junk Isuzu 4X4 because they are so high off the ground that I don't even need a jack. But I have given up changing oil on the NBC because it is such a hassle - I tried to do it at the first change (5K) but I am to old and out of shape; I got down at the front of the car to survey the situation and after feeling around for filter and plug placement, my body turned into one giant 245 lb charlie horse.
At nearly 15K miles, no problems so far. I am getting about 28.5 MPG in mixed (but mostly hwy) driving, and on a recent trip back to Georgia from Maryland I averaged a bit over 30 MPG driving in the rain where I had to keep my speed down to about 65.
My wife complains that it has no oomph but she drives solely in automatic mode. I tried to explain the +/- shifting capability but she just gives me those looks so I have given up. Other than that, she really likes the NBC.
Impe1595
NBC 2.0 Auto Black
I had read other posts concerning the easily stripped threads of the aluminum oil pan, so I thought I would try to install Fram's Sure Drain oil plug to avoid stripping the threads and make the oil changes a bit easier. Fram's catalog doesn't list a Sure Drain plug for the 2005 New Beetle. Other companies also make plugs to ease changing the oil, but I'm not sure if anyone makes a plug specifically for the new beetle.
The first problem that I encountered was that the oil plug is nearly inaccessible due to the aluminum skid/rock plate underneath the engine. There was certainly not enough room to install a Sure Drain plug, so I removed the skid plate. I needed three different types of tools to remove the plate: an M8 "triple square" driver, a T-25 Torx driver and a 16mm socket. With the car on ramps, I managed to access all the fasteners with minimal difficulty and removed the skid plate.
To remove the oil plug, I needed an 8mm Allen wrench. The plug was definitely easier to access after the plate was removed. Fram's SD-2 M14X1.5 Sure Drain plug fit the threads of the oil pan, but one of the oil pan bolts holding the pan to the engine block prevented the Sure Drain plug from snugging down. I removed the oil pan bolt with a 5mm Allen wrench and replaced it with a more low profile bolt that allowed the Sure Drain plug to be tighted all the way down.
At this point, the only other problem was that the rock/skid plate didn't allow enough room to use the quick connect hose to drain the oil. I used an electric jig saw with a metal cutting blade to extend the opening by about 2"X2" in the aluminum rock/skid plate around the oil plug. I smoothed the edges of the opening with a Dremel grinder and then touched up the raw metal with black paint. Now, there's plenty of room to connect the hose and hopefully I won't have to worry about stripping the aluminum oil pan threads by repeatedly removing the entire oil plug at each oil change.
The oil filter was accessible with one of the oil filter sockets that fit onto a 3/8" drive ratchet, but the original filter was extremely tight and difficult to remove. I finally broke it loose by using a oil filter wrench, but it wasn't easy. I installed a new filter without difficulty, but tried to avoid over-tightening it.
I really can't recommend any of the above modifications to anyone owning a new beetle since the procedure probably violates the warranty and I don't know anyone other than myself who would do all of the above just to change his own oil. It would seem that Volkswagen didn't have the shade-tree mechanic in mind when they designed the oil plug for this car, but, hey, that's ok. Changing one's own oil probably caused the flooding in New Orleans, the war in Iraq, and global warming. Any comments welcome.
Hillybilly3
I was wondering what your experience has been.
I just bought a 2004 NBConvertible with all the accoutrements but I am very disappointed in the gas mileage. I have a turbo and while most of my driving is city driving, I am barely getting 16 mpg. What is your experience
I wish I had bought a Japanese car instead.
I just happened on your originalr March 2005 post so I don't know if you are still checking in - but if you are - I have a 2004 NB Convertible Turbo - Auto/Tiptronic Baby Blue and I am barely getting 16 miles per gallon city driving. I have never let it get to the red zone but I am barely getting 200 to the tank. I am so disgusted I could cry. I did not buy it new. I bought it from my boss' best friend who had bought it for his wife on Mothers Day 2004 and then 6 months later she decided she wanted a mercedes Clk convertible so this car was for sale and I wanted to get rid of my 95 Mercedes E320 as it was starting to cost way too much to repair and maintain. So needless to say I was surprised to find that this car is doing so poorly on gas. I got better mileage with my Mercedes.
I am disgusted because I can't imagine there is anything they can do to remedy the problem. I am so disappointed in the car but other than the mileage I like the car. I owned a Super Beetle Convertible in 1973 and had it for 14 years. It didn't get great mileage either but gas was very cheap by today['s standards.
Hope you see this post
I saw your post about gas mileage and for those comparing the turbo with the standard engine, my 05 NBC without the turbo and with manual transmission gets a bit better than 30mpg with mostly highway driving, but some city driving. I will admit that I seldom get caught in stop-and-go traffic jams. I probably drive slower than most drivers. I burn the 92 octane and have found that I get a bit better mileage with it than the 89. I can drive about 400 miles before hitting the red zone of the fuel guage. At least for 2005, VW advertised the turbo model and the standard model as getting about the same mileage per gallon, if I remember correctly. I'm not sure why your NBC is getting such poor mileage per gallon. I chose not to buy a turbo because I figured it was just one more thing to break down on an already complicated automobile.
Thank you again for responding.
It sound like b/s to me but I will give it a try.
Buy several bottles of Chevron Techron fuel injection cleaner. (WalMart sells it for about $ 5.70/bottle. Use one bottle with about 7 or 8 gallons of gas (instructions say up to 12 gallons). Then drive the car until tank is nearly empty. Put in 7 more gallons of fuel, pour another bottle of Techron in the gas tank and repeat.
This stuff is great! I have used it successfully in my car when I noticed drop in power and gas mileage. It cleanes the fuel injectors and cleans carbon deposits from valves and tops of pistons. What have you got to lose? The investment is about $ 12.
On top of that, I would experiment with diferent brands of fuel. I found that my car runs really good on BP/Amoco premium. I get better performance and mileage. Whatever you do , stick with brand name gas. Those other places may have better prices, but you never know what additives they may use in the fuel. If they use too much ethanol, for example, this may really mess up you car's performance and mileage, as it causes fouling of the injectors and poisons the O2 sensors.l
I picke up my NB tomorrow and I am very excited about this feature. But I have no idea what is needed to hook my ipod up to my new car?
The car feels like it is riding with no shocks or springs. Any slight bump in the road feels like an NYC pothole and the car bangs and rattles like a farm tractor.
As one would expect the dealer says they can't reproduce the problem.
Anyone else have this problem? I have no objection to a firm ride, this is lack of proper ride control.
I took the car out on the highway. All windows up and top up. Set the car to cruise control at 65 mph and only got 20 miles to the gallon. I am so disgusted I can't wait to sell it. Other than it being a great looking car, I am unimpressed. I agree with the other person who wrote it and who complained about their radio. I had to take the Bass all the way off so it won't vibrate in the doors. I don't know what status Monsoon has but it has no status with me.
I found the car to handle very well on the open road. It felt very solid and stable. However, there is a vibration that you can feel right through the steering wheel which drives me crazy. This is one overpriced vehicle for all of its problems and I understand the electrical system is also a problem too.
Very unhappy catlady 44
Gee, I have not had that problem yet, but I think it is awful that this would happen. I am starting to regret buying this car because they seem to be replete with all kinds of problems. I have a 2004 Turbo GLS Convertible and I am barely getting 14 miles to the gallon city driving = 20 highway. I complained to VW and they called me yesterday. They are sending me back to the dealer with their head of the service department so he can watch how I drive for an hour and then put it back on the computer. Do you happen to have the turbo and what kind of mileage are you getting. I only have 7500 miles on my car and I am getting ready to put it up for sale.
empi
I'm looking into buying an 06 Beetle convertible with an automatic transmission. I'd love to hear pros/cons from anyone that already owns one.
Thanks!
Then the driver's window electronics does not work, open the door and it comes down a little bit, close the door and it is supposed to go back, but not on this one. Took it in to the dealer and they could not duplicate it and sent me home. It happend as soon as I got home, drove it back and they said hum... looks like you need another electronic switch replaced they will call me when it gets in...
Now the remote switch works only sometime.....
I called VW customer service, waste of time. They "will follow up with the dealer as an advocate".
We know that they are at least in the 2005 new beetle. The weight sensor causes the airbag system to be active only if the passenger is, I believe, greater than 80 lbs. (ie., a child can sit in front and the airbag won't deploy in a sudden impact)
So far the engine is fine - but everything else around it is falling apart. I've had the car only 4 months and I'm the only one who drives it. I'm waiting to see what falls apart next......
Good luck.
i purchased a 2006 bug convertible that i absolutely love however, i have no idea how to get the hook up for my ipod. it comes with an auxillary outlet to hook it up, but when i asked apple about the part they told me i have to get the wire from my dealer, then when i went to the dealer they told me apple supplies me with it. can somebody help because i really want to use my ipod in my car.
My apology for posting this in the New Beetle Convert topic.
Thanks.
Mine's a 1.8 Turbo with automatic and (crossing fingers) I haven't had a moment's trouble with it. As to the oil and coolant issues... well, I'm just here to hand out pillows, serve drinks and make sure everyone's comfortable -- I have no idea what kind of oil the service department puts in it and am coolant-clueless. But I CAN send you to the Jetta Forum, where you'll get a lot more knowledgeable answers than mine:
Volkswagen Jetta 2005 and Earlier
MODERATOR
Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review
Good luck!
I hear that the auto transmission is a little sluggish...that has been the least of my problems. The standard transmission gives the car a very sporty feel. :shades:
I guess I'm still in the newly wed stages with my car but I am absolutely in love with my 2006 NBC.
Happy driving!