Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Are VW BEETLES good cars ?

Question 1
Are VW BEETLES good cars ?...  Do they last long ? do they run good ? they fall apart easily ?

Answers
1)   i asked this same question on here awhile ago when i was considering one and got nothing but good comments about them.. but i didnt go through with buying it so i cant give you a personal oppinion - shaelurr

2)   Yes!! They are very dependable. Great on gas. Last long when proper care is taken. I would suggest one. I love mine - chelsea

3)   Nothing but trouble. - Earl

4)   You also should compare car insurance quotes for cars before buying one, for example here - carinsurance.deep-ice.com - Brandon


____________ powerd by Yahoo!Answers______________

Question 2
2001 VW cabrio insurance help :)?...  I am getting a 2001 VW cabrio next month. I am 19, never had a ticket, have my young drivers certificate, my G license, I live in downtown Toronto, and I was wondering approximately how much car insurance would be a month?

Answers
1)   I have met similiar kind of problem before, here   www.Autoinsurancepro.info   is the resource that I feel helpful.. - LINDA S

2)   hello ,

Are you looking for site for cheap car insurance?

Here is the cheapest site .

http://MyFreeAutoQuotes.Info


Just create an account and get more than 30% discount on your insurance now.

Hope I'll help - Katie Davidson

3)   Help yourself - you can check your quotes in internet, for example here - autoinsurance.maclenet.com - Greg


____________ powerd by Yahoo!Answers______________

Question 3
wHY dO peOPLE saY VW BEETLE'S are "NOTHING BUT TROUBLE"?...  I hear this line a lot and was wondering what exactly makes the nothing but trouble ????????















*and fOR thOSE oF yOU annoyed bY my tyPING GET oVER iT

Answers
1)   do you mean the old Beetles or the New Beetles? either way, they're both garbage.

the New Beetles have reliability issues because they're made by Volkswagen, it's as simple as that. in addition to this, the New Beetles have higher costs for labor during repairs due to the cramped engine compartment, which makes it extremely difficult for mechanics to reach certain components.

for the old Bugs, they can be somewhat reliable, but you need to know how to work on cars(which I doubt you do). any classic car is going to have some issues when driven daily, and the Beetle is no exception. any old Bug you can find will be at least 32 years old, and a lot of things can happen to a car during that time. in addition to that, there's the fact that the heater doesn't work at all. VW could never properly sort out the issues with the heaters in their air-cooled cars, and it's a pain in the butt to drive an old Bug during the winter. trust me. - Biff

2)   volkswagons are well known for oil leaks and electrical problems. - mdk68gto, ase certified m tech

3)   It depends on whether you're referring to the original Beetle, or the New Beetle. The original is a nice and simplistic car which doesn't have a lot of things that can break down - and replacement parts are not costly. Most issues are superficial - i.e. new fenders and such as the little bug is getting a bit old.

The New Beetle was a bit of a problem child within the Volkswagen Group and as with all Volkswagens - they're great when the run, but expensive when they need fixing. VW had some troubled years where they got lazy with quality and the New Bug was a victim of this mentality.

Many problems have been reported with the 'New Beetle' - most of them electrical.Most common problems are with the ECU, alternator, electric windows (motors), central locking, etc. Later models got upgraded plastics because in earlier models bits kept falling off (2000-2005).

In conclusion: if you want a reliable Volkswagen, buy an Audi. - Ivo V


____________ powerd by Yahoo!Answers______________

Question 4
How do you open the engine compartment on a 1974 karmann ghia?...  Found the lever for the trunk, but not the engine compartment.

Answers
1)   It may just have a handle and button on the outside. That is how the old bugs were. - doane_nut

2)   on the left side door post (b-pillar) there should be a lever about a few inches from the bottom pull it out. go back to the decklid and press the button then lift the lid. it should stay up because it has springs, but they might not be there from a previous owner (PO). - Air-Cooled ACVW

3)   should have cable on driver side door post,and the engine compartment lever is out back just above the license plate - KAM


____________ powerd by Yahoo!Answers______________

Question 5
Changing xenon passenger headlight on a 2006 VW passat, what are my options?...  The passenger headlight went out in my passat and the dealership wants around $500! It's a xenon bulb and apparently they need to remove the bumper to change it...do I have any options or do I have to pony up the $500 to the dealership??

Answers
1)   Although that bulb is around $200,you DO NOT have to remove the bumper to change it!!! Call around to other shops and see what they charge. - BalloonRich

2)   Take it to someone thats not a dealer but still expect to pay a lot of money. Its not a simple $10 dollar bulb in the bi-xenon headlamps that come on the cars now. It also may be the igniter that has gone bad and not the bulb. Go to the parts department and ask how much the bulb costs then go to the service department and find out how much the labor is. It should only take at most 1 hour of repair time to fix it. (probably not even 30 mins) - Srt-4-Life

3)   Your car does not come with bi xenons. Its just a regular d1s xenon bulb. You can buy bulbs from these guys http://www.carhidkits.com/hid-bulbs-410/ and put the bulb in your self. The installation is not hard and if you need help you can always hop on the forums for help - Jon


____________ powerd by Yahoo!Answers______________

Saturday, August 14, 2010

are VW jettas good cars?

Question 1
are VW jettas good cars?...  
btw whats a head gasket failure and how serious is it?

Answers
1)   they are prone to head-gasket failure, so no. - Max W

2)   Krapennugen. - Theneelster

3)   Jettas are excellent cars. Even better if it's a 5 speed. They recover great from accidents. Owning one won't kill your pocket as far as insurance is concerned. They have excellent locking sytems, and are all around solid cars.
As far as head gasket issues, that will happen if you don't take care of it properly. If you're gonna buy a used one ask if the Head Gasket has been changed, and have it looked at buy a good mechanic. It doesnt take much to change it. - Law

4)   NO! Save money! They leak oil like a siv and have alot of electrical problems as well as head gaskets. Law has one a the very few that make it as long as his jetta has. And im sure he puts a lot of money into maintaing it. Jetta's = Farfromgood. Most of time with the jetta's when the head gasket go's bad, you have to repace the head its self. another two grand plus! Dont buy it. - Jason


___________________________________________________

Question 2
Can someone tell me where to buy 1973 VW tires?...  I'm fixing up my old VW super beetle and I need tires but I can't seem to find any for a cheep price. I'm not looking for brand new tires, but some that are in good shape. the tire size is 165R15 thank you :)

Answers
1)   Get them while there hot.
On several sites, the size is either unavailable or in stock for now, but will be discontinued.
Good Luck
PS, you can post your question on VW forums for additional help. - Max Cruise

2)   Yeah, less and less manufacture are making that size and to find them at a discount will be tougher. If your local tires shop does not have them then check online.

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/searchTiresByVehicleAndSize.do?v=002458|1973&r=CALINT|pc|90008&ar=80&rd=15&cs=165

$60 each - Kenny

3)   http://www.jbugs.com/category/VWT1.html

enjoy! - Travis

4)   by the way that spell tires i guewss you are in US, all I can suggest is that you go to a large tyre retailer and se if they can help, they can always order them in. - Pete


___________________________________________________

Question 3
are 2003 new beetle gls tdi hatchbacks good in snow?...  Hi i'm from a place where it snows pretty bad sometimes. so i'm wondering if these cars are built with front wheel drive or anything like that that deals good in the snow. thanks for the help. 10 points for the best and most accurate answer.
http://reno.craigslist.org/ctd/1822520366.html <br /> pics of the car

Answers
1)   They do pretty good. I have a 2002 turbo new beetle. Remember that the car only has 4 inches of ground clearance so to some degree you are working with physics. As long as I keep my tires and brakes in good condition I feel pretty confident in most of the bad weather we have had in the 8 years I have had the car. I will say that it does not do as well as my Jetta did, but it also isn't as heavy of a car. There have been handful of times when I wasn't able to leave due to the depth of snow and had to call someone with a larger, heavier vehicle for a ride. Unless you live in the mountains I think you'll be ok. - wyllow

2)   It depends on where you get the car. Cars built in Alaska are perfect for know, but when my sister brought hers down to Texas it literally melted. My mom has the same car, but it didn't melt because it was built in Texas. So it depends on where you buy it. - Jackie Chan

3)   Yes, the new beetle is good in snow because it has the engine weight over the drive wheels, and is front wheel drive.
The old beetle was good because it was rear engine and rear wheel drive, which is only slightly better. - Motorhead

4)   They are terrible in snow ,like most other modern cars. The problem is the ultra wide profile wheels and tyres that are fitted to most cars. The front wheel drive configuration is better than rear wheel drive but not as good as 4 wheel or all wheel drive. (Take a look at a rally car spec) I had a front wheel drive Skoda in UK this last winter (it is based on the VW Golf/Rabbit/Beetle) I bought a set of steel wheels and fitted M&S (Mud and slush) tyres. The transformation was out of this world. It would go uphill in the snow and more importantly downhill and stop ! So the suggestion is if you get a Beetle, source out a couple of steel wheel and fit M&S (you can get cheap ones) have them in the garage and fit them to the front if we get snow.Don't forget the Beetle has a five stud fitting so a steel wheel from a base model Golf or Skoda Octavia will fit. - L G


___________________________________________________

Question 4
2002 VW Jetta GLS 2.0 passenger side vanity light wont go off?...  any ideas? I have the fuse pulled right now to prevent my battery from dying, but the fuse for the vanity light (above the visor, should turn on when mirror cover is slid) is also the fuse for all overhead lights and the key remote lock.

Answers
1)   The sliding cover must contact a switch of some description, the switch would seem to be faulty. Its really a case of a good DIY person or Auto electrician taking a look at it. - L G

2)   There are a few common possiblities: one, the switch contact in the sliding cover is broken (as the other person wrote), two, less common and sometimes seen, the wiring to the visor has broken or cracked insulation and allows the wiring to continue to complete a circuit, thus keeping the light on all the time. I've seen this one a couple of times where the visor was flipped up and down a lot over its lifetime. Since the visor is only sold as assembly, the easiest thing to do is to remove the sunvisor (easy to do), follow the wiring that hangs down from the headliner and disconnect it at the coupling plug (easy to do) tape the end up to prevent the extremely remote possibly of it breaking the plastic and grounding out. Also with you leaving a little excess tape after taping the end, you use the excess tape hanging from the end to tape the wiring to the headliner making it easier to find when you replace the visor. Now, you can put the fuse back in and make the other items work without worry about draining the battery.

You can go to pick a part or some other salvage or breakers yard and buy a used sunvisor for very little money if you feel the need to replace it. Most places will give you a 30 exchange replacement policy or refund if the part you buy isn't any good. - a car nut

3)   Gee; I don't look for the fusebox(breaker box) in a house just because a light stays on. I look for the light switch as being at fault.
You should be looking for the same thing. Where it is, I cannot say b'cause I am not that vain. I know I am pretty. - Comic Canuck


___________________________________________________

Question 5
What year or model is this Volkswagen GTI?...  I have seen a VW GTI around my town and it looks like it is around the year 2000-2004 but it has 4 doors. I really like this look but I can't find any. What model and year is this? Please Help

Answers
1)   Try looking up the VW Golf it has the option to have 4 doors - Luke

2)   Many Golf GTI's built from 1999 were in fact not really GTI. They were badged that way by VW in UK and were actually only a 2.0 litre GL. The proper and correct model did arrive eventually and was Turbo charged. If you take a peek at www.autotrader.co.uk you single out the Golf models, identify various things like engine size and trim and equipment and of course get a flavour of the "asking price" - L G

3)   it would be a mk4 mark fours are made from 1999 to aorund 2004 or 2005 - James


___________________________________________________

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Is a Volkswagen Jetta a good car?

Question 1
Is a Volkswagen Jetta a good car?...  I'm thinking of buying a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta.

It's in good condition from what I can see.
Has around 90,000 miles.
And is selling for 4200.

I really wanted a 2003 Nissan Altima but I keep finding sold ones or 2002s which have all those recalls. I've only ever had one car before (98 Nissan Sentra) and it was a good car which is why i wanted to go with Nissans again (the Altima's body looks so much better at the year range I'm going for). A dealer friend of my moms just has this Jetta and it's been so long since I've been looking for a car. The body looks similar in pictures and I like the interior.

I just want to know if they are good cars. I did a little research, not many complaints on the car but I don't know much about cars and how to pick good ones out. Also the price is pretty low compared to other cars I'm finding in that year range so that was a little suspect.

Opinions? (you know, that are relevant to what I'm asking)

Answers
1)   any Volkswagen is a good car, jettas aren't the most attractive car, but german engineering is amazing. i would get the jetta, but its all a preference of what you like - Justin

2)   Volkswagen is a good brand and Jetta is a good model. Go for it if you don't mind its look because many people don't like it. Many friends of mine who own Jetta from 1998 model to latest model, no one has any complaint so far. - Cheater_not

3)   It's an 8 yr old car with a 100K miles(near enough), so there is only one answer- Did the previous owners take care of it and is it in good condition, have it inspected if you are not sure by a shop other than the one selling it.

Me I latched onto a 2003 GLI with 126,000 miles 3 years ago and it has been nothing but stellar for me. No one in town wanted it and I stole it for 8,000 bucks. Everyone was afraid of the miles.

Run a CarFax on it too!

ASE Cert Auto Tech since 1978 - sci

4)   My wife and I have owned many cars . Fords, Mazdas, and others.
We bought our 1st VW years ago and because of its economy, attention to safety and all-around reliability, we have stayed with the VW brand.
In 2005 we purchased a Jetta. It has over 90,000 dependable miles on it. If it ever wears out, we will get another one.
Of course, I cannot guarantee that the Jetta you are considering will be as great as ours, odds are that if it was even partially well-taken care of, it should be a good car for you.
I suggest that any car, Nissan included, you have a good mechanic check it out. Try to get the owner's manual and any service records [like oil change history,etc.].
Another important item to check is the engine's timing belt. Most manufacturers have these belts on their 4 cylinder engines. So have it inspected right away. If its worn or has cracks in it, replace it . Only costs a few hundred $ , as opposed to spending $1000's on a ruined engine [if the belt breaks, that is]. Typically, most mechanics say replace them at abt. 80k. - fenton


___________________________________________________

Question 2
Adding oil to my 06 vw gti? PLEASE HELP.?...  My 2006 vw gti 2.0 is running very low on oil (i am due for an oil change and am going to get one within the next couple of days). the oil that i have in my house is Castrol Syntec w10-40, is it safe to add that oil and use it for the next day or two before i get the oil changed?
went with a friend bought a quart of 5w40 and added it, i have an appointment tomorrow to get it changed to castrol syntec 5w-40. thanks for the help guys.

Answers
1)   Not the best of Solutions but it is better than no oil at all. - dadseimaj

2)   Sure. It's better to have any kind of oil in than none at all. It will be fine. But then get the oil change so that you'll have the right type of oil in your engine. Hope this helps - bobo

3)   NO DO NOT ADD THE OIL. GET IT CHANGED NOW. the type of oil you use depends on what you had in the last oil change. if you had 5w-40 (which is standard on the GTi) then you cannot put 10w-30. ten weight thirty is much different oil than five weight forty. do not add it. just get it changed. this can lead to engine failure. another tip, if your car is over 60k miles, do not use synthetic oil. valvoline has great oil. use the blend. the chemicals in syntheic can destroy your engine if it has over 60k miles. by destroy i mean reduce engine life. - Mardinh

4)   Either check your VW owners handbook or phone your local VW main dealership....you do have to be pretty careful with the oil you put in performance cars. - dutchdelight


___________________________________________________

Question 3
2001 Volkswagen Passat, help?...  I just got my license plates for it and I tried putting them on and did the front one with no trouble. The back one doesn't seem to have screws on it, though. There are only two and they won't turn. My parents think the only way to do it is to take apart the trunk. Any idea how I can get my back license plate on?
The back has what looks like two screws, but they aren't because when you try to turn them, the screwdriver only tears at it, and they won't turn.

Answers
1)   screw new holes - Nickster

2)   I'm confused. You say the back one doesn't have screws, and then there are two that wont turn. Is it stuck on and the screws are dummies ? - L G

3)   Try spraying some wd-40 or liquid wrench on them. It might take a little muscle - sheed

4)   just pull hard on old plate and see what is under there when it comes off, maybe you can put bigger screws in or even pop rivets, - Pete


___________________________________________________

Question 4
What kind of brakes do Volkswagens have?...  I had a 2006 Jetta and want to know if it had disk brakes or drum brakes. The dealer told me that all
2011 Volkswagens are going to be drum brakes. Is this bad?
All the models up to 2010 have disk brakes; I know that. I am asking if the 2011 models and going forward are changing to drum brakes? This is what I was told from a VW salesman. Does anyone know about this? I know you can't even get leather inside anymore and that there is a plant making the cars in Chatanooga,Tennessee here in America. It seems like the Volkswagen name isn't even really German anymore. I mean, my 2006 model was built in Mexico anyway.

Answers
1)   Take the wheels off and look. You can see the difference in disk and drum. If you don't know the difference, you shouldn't be worried. Just don't break the brakes. - straight-shooter

2)   It has disc brakes all the way around. - Ray

3)   2011 Jettas: S & SE models have rear drum brakes.

SEL gets rear disc brakes.

TDI gets rear disc brakes

the upcoming GLI gets rear disc brakes. - cant_think_of_1

4)   The factory in Tennessee is not making cars yet. VW says next year.
They will not be making the Jetta there. It will be a mid-sized car, similar in size to the Passat. Yet to be named.
Yes , VW builds the Jetta and New Beetle in Mexico. These days , it doesnt seem to matter what country a car is built in. I mean, even some of the American icon Dodge Ram pickup trucks are made in Mexico. The Ford Focus ? Mexican built. Even GM has factories there. Honda builds cars in Canada and Ohio. Toyota builds its pickup truck in Texas. M.Benz makes cars in Alabama. BMW builds cars in S.Carolina. Buick is the # 1 selling mid-size car in China! [not sure if they are assembled there, tho ].
We own and love our 2005 Jetta. 90k miles and not a single problem. Who cares if it was assembled in Mexico? As long as the quality is there.
VW still builds the Passat, Golf, GTI, and CC in Germany. Sure , my 2006 GTI and Jetta were built in different countries, but both have the same quality and reliabilty .
You also asked if drum brakes were 'bad'. No they are not bad. Most small cars and even some larger cars, including some pickup trucks have drum brakes in the rear.
Mostly, its a cost issue. It costs less to make a car with drums. So the car-maker can sell the car for a little less. Most manufacturers that put drum brakes on cars put them on the rear; the fronts are disc.
And while its true that discs perform a bit better in wet conditions, the average person cannot tell the difference in stopping distances. Disc brakes do perform better as far as brake fade goes, tho.
But the average motorist does not engage in repeated stops from high speeds.
Years from now I may be in the market for a new car. Based on our Jetta's great reliability, we will get another one. Even if it comes with rear drum brakes...... - fenton


___________________________________________________

Question 5
why is may VW over heating?!?!?1?...  i have a 1997 Volts wagon Pissat and it keeps over heating, i have replace the thermostat and the radiator. my water pump has been checked and is working fine. if i drive my car for aver an hour it overheats, unless i have my AC on than it over heats withing minutes. in need help i have no idea what it could be!

Answers
1)   An overheating engine is a serious matter.
I'm glad you acted quickly and had it taken care of. Or thought you had it taken care of.
Did you drive your Passat for very long after the overheating problem surfaced? Because if you drove it while it was overheating , the cylinder head could have cracked. Or the cyl. head gasket could be warped from the extreme temperatures.
Those are the two main things that could be still causing the problem. There could be others.
Also, who replaced the parts for you? If it was a VW dealer or a shop that knows VWs, they should stand behind their work. They should have checked the cyl. head and gasket for you.
However, if you had someone unfamiliar with VWs do the work, perhaps they did not do the job right. Maybe something was overlooked. As with most modern cars, VW included, those doing the work must follow certain proceedures.
Any way , thats my thoughts on the matter. Hope you get it solved soon. - fenton

2)   Hate to be the bearer of bad news but you have a blown head gasket. That will cost a grand at least.

What engine do you have? Need that info for a more specific answer.

ASE Cert Auto Tech, VW since 1976, 2003 GLI - sci

3)   guess you have had rad cooloing fan checked out ? other than that, it sounds cylinder head or gasket problem, sorry to say, - Pete

4)   sounds like a blown head gasket it could e the source of all your problems. - James


___________________________________________________

Saturday, August 7, 2010

are VW Jettas reliable cars still when they reach 100,000+ miles?

Question 1
are VW Jettas reliable cars still when they reach 100,000+ miles?...  im on the hunt for my first car & i really want a used Honda Civic & i know how good they still are when they reach 100,000+ miles. but i also am interested in buying a used 2005 VW Jetta. are these cars still reliable after they have reached 100,000 miles like a Civic is?
thankyouuu!

Answers
1)   Yes, almost all cars today will go way over 100k miles. German cars are better than American cars, but not as good as Japanese cars. - Mr. Smartypants

2)   Can you be more specific? Year, and what engine? - Nocturnal! - JD

3)   Cars are good to 200K + these days with proper maintenance. Honda Civics are great first cars.
There are virtually maintenance free and what cost you do have are very little. I drove mine HARD. I forgot to put oil in it. You name it. Never had a problem...well until an 18 wheeler ran over it. Still it was almost at a 140k. It was great in any weather. Parts are dirt cheap. Great on gas. Honda are very solid which is great. Unlike a Mazda or Toyota.

The Jetta is good. A Jetta TDI even better. The TDI holds its value very well. However they are German and will cost a bit more for maintenance/ parts and probably require more. - adragon999

4)   really depends on the engine. If its a 4 cylinder or VR6 it will last well over 100,000 miles with all the schedule maintaince kept up. If its the turbo version you will have some extra money in keeping it running well over 100k miles. - Matt

5)   Yes I think so I own a 2000 Jetta TDI with 167,000 miles on it and just drove it to Florida towing a trailer. we have owned it since 2003 other than having the mass air senser go bad 2 times I have not had any other problems with it. it even has the original clutch. - J.R.


___________________________________________________

Question 2
Volkswagen Polo or Ford Fiesta?...  In a couple of weeks I'll be getting my first car and i've narrowed my choices down to either getting the new Ford Fiesta or a new Volkswagen Polo. Which one would you say is the better car and for what reasons? (Im talking about the most recent models, from the dealerships.)

Answers
1)   Without a doubt it has to be the Polo. Better built, durable, reliable and much less of a hit on depreciation. - marco999

2)   I don't honestly think anyone could say that one car was beter than the other if we're talking about the brand new, current ones.
Personally I think the Fiesta looks better, is likely to be better equipped for the same money and will be just as reliable. - EvelynThe ModifiedDog.

3)   Ford Fiesta - MaxR *loves* Wes Bentley

4)   Polo is just hard hitting. You want to look the stuff in your car right? Go for the Polo. Ford is too common. - Eskimo Bob

5)   Well the press rate the VW highest. At the moment Ford pricing is expensive. There is rumour that Fords are considering dropping many car prices. If you buy before that then your car value will drop like a stone afterwards. Be very careful if you opt for the Ford. - L G


___________________________________________________

Question 3
What is wrong with my diesel v reg polo?...  Hi

I have just had a new altenator put in my v reg [1999?] polo. The mechanic also replaced two belts... not sure which ones they were. I think one ofthem had something to do with the altenator and the other I THINK was to do with the power steering. Anyway, I had a test drive in it and I could still smell a LITTLE bit of burning. Could that be because it has new belts? It is not smelling of burning badly but I can smell it.

Also, while I am driving, the light still flashes on the dash board now and again. I am not sure what light that is... it looks like a spiral going sideways. As soon as I break it goes off again. And another new thing has happened now, which never happened before I brought it into the garage... the airbag light popped back on while driving and would only turn off when i turned the car off. This 'airbag light' usually only lights when i turn the car on [it is a diesel car] and turns off and stays off. It has never happened before that it suddenly comes on while driving. I am so frustarted I just spend a lot of money on getting it fixed :(

If anyone knows of a good mechanic in the Herts Beds and Bucks area please let me know SIgh

Answers
1)   the one dash lite is brake system (0) ,[wheel with binders]. usually means low fluid in reservoir. if had burnt wire,will smell a while. a bit vauge in descriptions but weak grounds make electrical gremlins. smell can be oil leak or belt tensioner locking up [most common] - yowzah

2)   The Spiral symbol is to do with the ignition system, usually comes on to show the glow plugs are Warming before you start the car. If the light is on when you drive, you need to have a diagnostics test done to find the cause of this.

The air bag light is also to show you there is a fault, most commonly on VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group) cars this is caused by the metal contact ring behind the steering wheel, again this will show on the diagnostics test.

If the Lights have come on since the garage did work on the car i would take it back to them and get them to look into the cause, as they maybe responsible for the fault that has caused these fault lights. - Alan

3)   Okay. Alternator belt and power steering are on all cars( gas or diesel) mind you, I did not know VW had power steering.

So, is there "any reason" you cannot go back and ask the mechanic who just did the work?
Yeah, you can.

Now the spiral light comes to mind (rear window defroster is coming on) Flick the switch on and then off that controls the rear window defroster. That "should" fix that. We can always hope.

However it might be tied in electrically to the air bag light. In this case "electrical" it goes to the dealership workshop. I would rather have them fix it because they are suppose to know or have the manuals or have multiple mechanics that all together they can figure it out.
More money, yes. But at least they don't have a guessing game with you..
The smell probably comes from the defroster wires, it is possible.

The alternator only? Usually the battery goes at the same time (because it has been undercharged for so long) and possibly the starter(because of the undercharged battery).
It is an 11 year old car. You got to expect some repair expenses. All cars are designed to wear out. Fortunately those parts can be got at Wal~Mart. or as rebuilds. I got my battery at Costco for $35 for 1000 amps WalMart wanted $150 for 850Amp. The higher the amps the better. It just has to fit under the hood (measuring tape) and the posts got to be on the right side because the cables are not long enough if it is backwards.

I learned to fix my own - first the gas pots and then the diesels. You buy tools once and use them 1000 times. Same goes for repair and maintenance manuals. I hang onto repair manuals even if I sold the car. It is mine and who knows, I may buy another one.

The airbag situation I have not looked into yet and would prefer to leave that crap alone.

Certain things you cannot do on a diesel(such as diesel fuel injection pump timing -because it requires special measuring tools and timed within a "hair") OK, fine.
But overhaul the motor, pull the head, change timing belts,change starter, change "V" belts you can do. I have taken apart CVJ's and reassembled them, pulled disc brakes done them and everything else bodywork wise; and even figured out the shorts in the fusebox.(but that is on older units)

The newer they are the harder they are to fix on the road with a piece of tin foil and duct tape. You basically have to take the car in.. They "all" are making it that way. - It just struck me like lightning

4)   Go back to the mechanic and let him see the problem, be polite and hope they will sort the matter out. - L G


___________________________________________________

Question 4
Turn signal in a beetle stopped working?...  My turn signals just stopped working, I checked the fuses and they were good. My hazard lights work sporadically what could be the problem?

Answers
1)   Check your bulb and fuses before spending money at a garage - JBL

2)   It might be the stalk that is your problem.I don't know about Beetles,if it is old then it may have lost contact inside the stalk.Do the other functions work on the stalk?Turn the hazards on and get down under the steering column and listen for that clicking noise the indicators make.If you can hear it,find that resistor and see if all the wires are connected.Sometimes a fuse can burn out in a spot you can't see,so if you have the fuse diagram,swap them around to make sure.Remember to use a fuse of the correct amps. - hartatac

3)   If the fuses are ok , the most likely thing is the indicator relay . This is situated behind the dash , next to the speedometer. if its a 70s bug its only 3 wires , change one at a time . - chris

4)   THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH POPS OUT AND CAN BE REPLACED. THE TURN SIGNALS ROUTE THROUGH IT. - mchaz60


___________________________________________________

Question 5
How do you replace a passenger window in a 2001 VW Jetta?...  

Answers
1)   Take it to a body shop and spare yourself the unnecessary headache. - Limar

2)   did it just fell down into the door and break ? if so VW had a recall on this problem and changed mine free . call VW with your vin (not a dealer VW itself) and see if it is covered - J.R.

3)   This link shows you how to take your door a part. You should be about to take it from there...

http://jettajunkie.com/vw-jetta/showthread.php/diy-mkiv-door-locks-explained-fixes-1895.html - Michael


___________________________________________________

Friday, August 6, 2010

are jetta TDI's fast?

Question 1
are jetta TDI's fast?...  the specs say only 100 HP. but does the turbo have lots of power?
does anyone have anyone have 1/4 mile times of all cars? or 0-60 times?

Answers
1)   No - Integra Type R

2)   the older ones like that are slow as hell. 0-60 is going to be about 15 seconds, the 1/4 mile time is probably somewhere close to 20 seconds. people usually buy TDI's because of their fuel-efficiency, not their performance.

if you get one from 2008 or newer, they're decent but not really fast. the new ones go from 0-60 in about 8 seconds. that's pretty quick for a diesel, but it's nothing like a GTI. - Skag Baron™

3)   check out tdiclub.com oh wait a little dieselburner getting 40 mpg while blowing away the competition with 700 dollars worth of bolt ons.....shhhhhhhhh !!!! dont tell everyone torque makes us go not horsepower - scott c

4)   no not fast. but my 14 mpg tahoe would crush youre little pos - dan d

5)   No diesel is particularly fast on a 0-60 compared to it's petrol equivalent, as that's not what they ar about. It's all about torque and in gear acceleration (30-100). - vavavoom

6)   I don't know that. But then again, I drive farther than a quarter of a mile. Like 160 times farther each day. Can you go fast enough to get a speeding ticket? Yes.

If you want a car for drag racing-then buy an alcohol burning supercharged drag racer. Oh yeah, and about a dozen extra engines as they are good for 1 run of 1/4 mile. And do all your racing on a certified race-track. - It just struck me like lightning

7)   100hp so you're talking about the 1.9L PDs, 04-06, here in the US. Figure a 0-60 in the mid 9s range. - Richard R


___________________________________________________

Question 2
Do you think VW drivers just tool around laughing at all the folks bopping each other because they just...?...  ...spotted a "red one", or a "gray one", etc?

(This question is inspired by hauling around high school football players who pound the snot outta each other, then pretend it didn't hurt when they got whacked!)
Yeah, the thought of that alone makes me want to trade in the Subie for a VW!

Answers
1)   I know I would. - Handsomestranger

2)   My wife gets mad whenever that commercial comes on because according to her one can only play Punchbuggy when one spots a Beetle. - CAB

3)   I second what CAB said. - angus5

4)   I drive a beetle and that is probably my favorite thing about driving around town! - miss.marky

5)   I had a friend who used to sort of play hide and seek with his; and he would inch around a corner in our college town and see how the people he knew would react when he saw them whack the other person. LOL. - Brandon


___________________________________________________

Question 3
Volkswagen Polo or Ford Fiesta?...  In a couple of weeks I'll be getting my first car and i've narrowed my choices down to either getting the new Ford Fiesta or a new Volkswagen Polo. Which one would you say is the better car and for what reasons? (Im talking about the most recent models, from the dealerships.)

Answers
1)   Without a doubt it has to be the Polo. Better built, durable, reliable and much less of a hit on depreciation. - marco999

2)   I don't honestly think anyone could say that one car was beter than the other if we're talking about the brand new, current ones.
Personally I think the Fiesta looks better, is likely to be better equipped for the same money and will be just as reliable. - EvelynThe ModifiedDog.

3)   Ford Fiesta - MaxR *loves* Wes Bentley

4)   Polo is just hard hitting. You want to look the stuff in your car right? Go for the Polo. Ford is too common. - Eskimo Bob


___________________________________________________

Question 4
2010 GTI or 2010 Speed 3?...  Thinking about buying a new toy now for awhile and i cant decide. I wanna buy either of the 2 listed but don't know which would be a better fit to mod out or more reasonable, or better yet cheaper to mod in the long run? which vehicle do any of you guys support more and why?

Answers
1)   Consumer Reports says the GTI - pickmefirstplz

2)   No idea what this Speed 3 is? Can tell you that the '10 GTi is fab....a massive improvement on the (already great) previous mark!

Hope you're not in a big hurry if you want the GTi? My boyfriend has just taken delivery of his new '10 GTi and it took 7months from order to it being delivered....VW are blaming parts but we have been told that they put the UK on a fairly low priority because of the pound sterling. Also do know that VW are restricting dealership allocations more tightly than with any of the other previous GTi's.

The car is great though, well worth the wait! Of course as with any performance car they aren't cheap to run/insure but let's face it you can't have it all ways can you?! - dutchdelight

3)   I have driven both and can honestly say that they are pretty close depending on what you are looking for in a vehicle. If you want interior refinement and intuitive German engineering, the GTI is the clear winner with its very upscale look and feel both inside and out. If you want a car for raw acceleration and boy-racer looks (love-it-or-hate-it styling), the Mazdaspeed3 is the way to go.

Reliability wise, VW's have not been known for their reliability and cost much more to fix when something does go wrong. Mazda, being Japanese, has a better track record (although they had a couple of off years as well). That being said though, from what I can tell, the VW is built better from the start, and just feels better.

But if I were to go out and buy one today, I would get the Mazdaspeed3 (even if it does grin at you every time you look at it! )

The GTI may be more refined, but the MS3 is an absolute BLAST to drive!

Hope this helps! - NTT5418

4)   GTi, why ? Cause its the original, the one & only & the King of hot hatches ! - mr VR6


___________________________________________________

Question 5
Is it ok to remove the front and rear Volkswagen Phaeton W12's VW badge in exchange for Bentley badge?...  Does that break the law if i remove the front and rear volkswagen Phaeton w12's VW badge in exchange for Bentley badge?

Answers
1)   No but why? the Phaeton is a really cool car and as rare as the Bentley. Rock your V-Dub pride. Keep it on. Plus they're drastically different in appearance so no ones going to be fooled... - jwc

2)   I wouldn't do it. You're Phaeton is an awesome car. Why would you want to ruin it by trying to be something you're not?

Keep that VW badge. - MaskedAud

3)   Once the car is yours, you can take a cutting torch to it. But putting a Bentley badge is only gonna fool air heads. Won't fool the insurance company, or the cops....that is why they ask for your reg. papers. - It just struck me like lightning

4)   Well it might depend on where you get the Bentley Badges (grin).

No laws are broken. We used to swap Chevy and Ford emblems all the time. - ca_surveyor


___________________________________________________

Monday, August 2, 2010

Does Volkswagen still produce the "Karmenghia" two seater sports car?

Question 1
Does Volkswagen still produce the "Karmenghia" two seater sports car?...  

Answers
1)   no - kelly

2)   NO Went out of production many many years ago - Timbo is here

3)   It went out when the air cooled engine stopped being made for the Beetle, Van, Station wagen, - It just struck me like lightning

4)   It's Kharmann Ghia, and no, they've not been made since the mid 1970's. - Jason Jason


___________________________________________________

Question 2
How many miles is a 1999 VW Jetta good for?...  I'm looking at getting a 1999 VW Jetta. How many miles is the car supposed to be good for?

Answers
1)   depends on how driven;i.e. many short miles or long road miles long road miles are better as well as how it was maintained if followed recommendation in owners manual should be good for least 200,000 miles. - gary o

2)   if it was maintained right it could last to 250,000 miles - mike

3)   I can take any brand of car and burn up the engine within the first 50 miles or can drag them out to last 500K. Depends on the driver and their maintenance and driving habits. - It just struck me like lightning


___________________________________________________

Question 3
How long will a volkswagen passat last?...  It already has over 128,000 on it?
It is in good condition!
What is the average that it lasts?
What problems will it have?

Answers
1)   see http://tinyurl.com/269vl32
i hope it will help you keep using http://answers.yahoo.com - Devid Hjk

2)   I have a passat that isn't that old, and a friend of mine had a slightly older one. He told me to get rid of it when it is about 10 years old/160k miles--he could see major work coming up. That's just his experience though, I don't think it applies to everyone. - wayfaroutthere

3)   Just like any car as long as you keep up with maintenance and don't abuse it it will last you for a lifetime.
At 128k i would make sure that the timing belt has been done. I would also make sure that you have the stock water pump (has plastic impellers) upgraded to a new one with metal impellers. - canucme3


___________________________________________________

Question 4
mechanism of cars engine?...  cars engine

Answers
1)   mechanism of - Count Chocula

2)   I'm guessing you want to know how an engine works?

follow this link and all will be explained.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine1.htm - THE OFFENDER

3)   Is there a question buried in that sentence? You may want to expand just trifle - ca_surveyor


___________________________________________________

Question 5
In a 2006 Volkswagon Passat, what do the + and - symbols mean in the "drive" gear mean?...  I read the book, but I don;t know anything about cars so I didn't understand. Also, there is a "sport" gear. Which makes my car go faster? Usually the + symbol is used to shift the drive gear to the right to make your car go faster... does that apply here?

Answers
1)   you have a dsg ( dubble clutch ) atuo transmition, if you put the shifter to the side when its in D you can manually select the gears, and the dsg shifts gears faster than you can blink :) - Gjermund Danielsen

2)   One is for manual transmission, and the other is for semi-auto - Andrew

3)   "Sport" locks you out of 6th gear AND your upshifts occur later in the rev range for more spirited performance.

In Drive. you can slide it to the +/- position, aka Tiptronic (2006 Passat doesn't have DSG) position. From there you can decide when you upshift (+) and downshift (-). The MFA screen will also change, from the PRND to 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Also, when the roads are slippery, at a stop, you can shift to 2nd gear AND the car will start from 2nd gear. - cant_think_of_1


___________________________________________________