Yellowing headlights?

Question 1
Yellowing headlights?...  I own a 2005 Volkswagen Passat, I'm having trouble with the plastic covering the headlights, it's become opaque and yellowed, and the only way i can see when I drive at night is using the high beams.

Any way I can clean them or something? Ive tried soap, windex, pledge all kinds of de-greasers and car cleaners but nothing's worked.
any suggestions?

Answers
1)   chrome polish, or other abrasive polish

run to autozone, or wally world and grab some with a micro fiber cloth, they do make refinish kits, but its not abrasive enough for my taste

just dab a little bit of polish on the cloth and us some elbow grease in circular motions - Jessy

2)   There are products sold for that purpose called Headlight restoration kits, headlight repair kits and other similar names.

There are different types.

some you have to wet sand the cover with a very fine grit sand paper, then apply the rubbing compound, and buff with a buffer.

It will only slightly improve it, just replace it if you can. - AL M

3)   its called defogging your headlights.

Just buy some Nail polish remover with NON-ACETONE.

Very easy, use water and nail polish remover for better results

There are many ways where you can defog headlights but sometimes some methods can damage your paint on your car. Use Nail polish remover for easy cleaning.

http://www.mx6.com/forums/2g-faq-appearance/142636-headlight-cleaning-sanding-vs-polishing.html - vermaizcool

4)   DON'T REPLACE THEM!!!!!!!!!!
all you need is find someone that does car detail and have them polish the lights. what they will do it is sand them down with an 800 grit sand paper to get the yellow followed with a 1000 grit and finally 2000 grit. once that is done they use rubbing compound with a buffer pad, and finish with swirl remover and a finishing pad. and presto the light look like new. That is the whole process if you live in near 90620 or 92648 i could do it for you, but that IS the best way. - adrian

5)   Just get some Meguiars plastic polish and away you go , will clean off the yellow garbage real quick - Barking_Dog

6)   have you tried the walliworld kit in the automotive section??? - veedub514

7)   Follow this DIY guide. I just did it on my GTI and they are crystal clear:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2485084 - eten_23


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Question 2
Is hard to learn stick on a jetta?...  I am really thinking of getting a vw jetta manual 5 speed and i've had some practice on an Toyota and I was wondering of the jettas are hard to learn on or if there quite easy to learn on I am thinking about getting an 2000 12v jetta also any tips will help

Answers
1)   all sticks are about the same... - Chrys

2)   it's not hard, its just following a pattern, plus using a clutch, which would be smoother in a new car - Hannah

3)   No - Pickles

4)   On the contrary man, its easier than most cars.

VWs have a very easy, smooth clutch. Lower to the ground than most cars. - JanM

5)   chrys sez it...most the same gas pedal,,clutch,,,shifter.....some clutches harder/softer,,,,some engage fast/some slow......take ur time,,,practice in a quiet place.[big parking lot or back road - pedro7of9

6)   i learned how to drive stick on a 93 jetta and have had vws ever since i have a 6 speed gti now but vowlkswagens are a perfect car to learn on its all about learning where the clutch catches and basically just practicing - RJ


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Question 3
how to make my passat 1.8t accelerate faster?...  i want it to be under 200$

Answers
1)   put a v8 in it - Anthony

2)   Nothing under $200 is going to help your car accelerate fast enough for you to notice the difference.

If you did some simple research, you would have already found this out. - Vipassana

3)   1.8too slow - adrian

4)   get your flywheel lightened if its a stick otherwize your screwed - musicmanchuck4

5)   for about 500 dollars you can get a ReFlash for your ECM you will get around 27hp and 30+tq

try goapr.com
giac.com - veedub514


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Question 4
what kind of battery do I need for my 1999 VW Jetta?...  I need to replace a battery for my car, because it wont hold a charge. I know there a bunch of different types but im not quite sure what to get. I need to get it tonight and the only play open is Wallmart, I know they don’t carry the best stuff, but it’s a beater car anyways. so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answers
1)   You'll need a car battery.

More specifically, one that's 12V, and with the highest cold cranking amps possible. - Dude

2)   MT-47
Mega-Tron - 75 Months - 590 CCA - ShinigamiJ

3)   I bought a Walmart (Everstart) battery for my 2005 Mustang because I was broke at the time. It was only about 60 bucks. I have heard that Autozone carries good batteries but they will be around $80 to $110. The Walmart battery is working well after a few months. I heard that they only last about 3 years or so. That is all I need at this time. - rf39again

4)   There is nothing wrong with a Walmart battery; most of the batteries on the market today (if its mass market, regional or national brand) are made by a small number of companies; Delco, Exide Technologies, GCB, Johnson Controls, etc.

So, regardless of the brand: (i,e., the Die Hard (Sears), Costco (Johnson Controls (western US), Willard, Prestolite, Exide (Exide Technologies), VW (replacements mostly Delco USA), etc., you purchase a battery by correct size and CCA or reserve capacity and warranty. Battery warranties aren't worth much; buy on the basis of the "free replacement period", not months. Batteries are pro-rata warranties, so if it fails outside of the free replacement period, you don't get much value for it. Some companies will only give you the period you didn't receive coverage for, so for example, if the battery you have fails at 4 years, and its a five year battery.. you pay 80% of a new battery, but your warranty on the "NEW REPLACEMENT" is only one year (the year you didn't get on the original battery).

Buy the best Walmart battery you can get and you should be fine.
As long as it fits, I think its a BCA number 35? for your vehicle. (BCA is Battery Council of America) size number.

Wish you well, best wishes always, A car nut. - a car nut


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Question 5
My 1970 Beetle Sedan starts the shake at 35mph. What could be causing this?...  The steering is very loose. This is what I think is causing the shaking because the steering wheel starts to shake and therefore the car shakes. But that part of the steering is to blame for the shaking?

Answers
1)   check your tire balance its almost definatly the cause
if your tires are unballanced it will shake, with a car that old you probably lost a weight on the rim. - Joshua

2)   your steering bushings are out or tie rod. - dark choco

3)   The answers you've received so far are possible causes for your issue; indeed, the most common cause is wheel balance/bent rim.
Poor steering linkage is not likely to cause shake, though it will cause play in the steering. Bushings are possible cause, but if its not the wheel balance, bent rim or defective tyre (ply seperation can cause shake too, but usually it noted at lower speeds as well), then the steering dampner or steering dampner bushing in the steering linkage might also be the cause.

Most Beetle owners aren't aware that the steering linkage has a steering dampner on it. Basically, the steering dampner acts as shock to take out the vibrations that can occur in the steering/suspension as it drives along the road. The dampner will often get soft or wear so that it can no longer dampen the movement in the steering linkage/suspension. My guess is that this is very likely the cause of your problem (if the wheel balance/ rim or tyre isn't it).

Good luck, a car nut. - a car nut


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