Winter Problems / Faults, Anyone else?

[tjdixon]

I've noticed a couple of things recently, just wondered if others are having any issues in this cold weather?

My problems have been;

1. Oil Pressure low, the car had been sat all day in about -3, went to start it in the evening and it came up with oil pressure low so wouldn't start, started a couple of minutes later and ran fine, checked the oil which was within the allowable limits but on the lower end so topped it up.

2. Lumpy tick over when initially started again after being left all day. the car run fine again.

3. Bit of an annoying thing but the windows stick when frozen (don't drop when unlocked) it doesn't seem to have caused any problems but is annoying when you want to get in!

4. Another thing which isn't winter related, should the window washers have a warning light when they get low? All my previous VAG cars have but this one seems to let the water run out (not because its frozen, it's happened during the summer too)

The car is an 09 TDI 140 with 34k on the clock, serviced at 18k - could it just be that it needs a service soon? i'm assuming it'll happen in the next couple of months / 2k miles.....

Thanks

Tom

[trix]

4. Another thing which isn't winter related, should the window washers have a warning light when they get low? All my previous VAG cars have but this one seems to let the water run out (not because its frozen, it's happened during the summer too)

only if you've got the winter pack fitted

S

[Ryy]

Got the window washers stuck up a few times, but I'm not the first and won't be the last!

Annoying sign now telling me to top the wash fluid up! Good, but annoying as I don't want to drive to a dealer to pick me some up in this weather, or wait from some to be delivered!

[Chungster]

you dont need me to tell you the cops will throw the book at you if you caused a crashed due to dirty windscreen and a lazyness to go get some screenwash to fill it up with and clear the screen with.

IMO it's even MORE important to keep it topped up in this weather as you will use lots of it.

I suppose if you did crash yours, you can then repaint it and turn it into a Studie R

[Ryy]

It's still firing now and I have some Halfords at home just in case. To be honest, I guarantee there are people out there where it has frozen up. Do they get the book thrown at them as well? Or just me?

[Andy-GTI]

It's still firing now and I have some Halfords at home just in case. To be honest, I guarantee there are people out there where it has frozen up. Do they get the book thrown at them as well? Or just me?

If you have a serious accident and the cops deem the lack of visibility to be a contributing factor and you have no screen wash you will be in a world of sh1t.

Ignorance is not a defense.

[Chungster]

Tis true..just a shame if something did happen to your car due to my reasons above.

Anyway back On Topic

Thought the oil light on dash relates to level not pressure?
Had the frozen window couple of items but carry enough de icer in the boot to make sure I can get in eventually.

[Ryy]

It's still firing now and I have some Halfords at home just in case. To be honest, I guarantee there are people out there where it has frozen up. Do they get the book thrown at them as well? Or just me?

If you have a serious accident and the cops deem the lack of visibility to be a contributing factor and you have no screen wash you will be in a world of sh1t.

Ignorance is not a defense.

I think in a "serious accident" the washing bottle would be bloody obliterated to find out. Besides it's "yellow" not "red" and has only come on 2 days ago. My nearest dealer is over 15 miles away. I will go or just put this halfords stuff in. Point here is that the stuff VW sold it me with has frozen up on more than one occasion. IF the coppers did find anything, it's that whatever it was sold with FREEZES UP!

[Andy-GTI]

Its in the highway code, keyword here is MUST

"windscreens and windows MUST be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision"

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTr ... /DG_069871" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ryy]

But seriously, where did I say mine is obstructed?

My screen is just fine. So again, where did I say it was obstructed.

[stuaz]

Calm down Ryy, just a point being made that the windscreen needs to be clean. Wasn't really a direct stab at you...

Back on topic!!

[Ryy]

And I'm making a point to. Also, where did I disagree about cops.

Andy "GTI". Re-lax.

[RW1]

Zip - all!

Back on topic please.

C.

[skyblues11]

VW certainly does not help me to keep my windscreen clear. i have noticed that the wipers are so low, the heat from the vents that warm the windscreen, doesn't warm the blades.

this is really annoying because the de-icer goes solid on the blades whilst on the move, and then horribly scrapes the glass if i use it.

nowadays, i just don;t use it. once i cleared the de-icer with a squeegie, i clean the glass with a microfibre. Not ideal, but what could i do?

only after a while i would try it again, hoping the warm air from the engine would have melted the blades.

the heater takes forever to warm up too, and you have to drive it to warm the engine.

[Ryy]

I think the foot heating blower is pretty useless also.

You can put the normal direct blowers on and it'll take your face off. You can put the windscreen ones and you can get a heavy "shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhgggggggghhhhhhhhgggggg" noise as it's pushing loads of air through, but turn it to your feet and nothing. I haven't had a full mess round there, but I can only feel it coming out of the steering column, which if that's right, is poor and sluggish at best at pushing air.

Having said that, the car (after 5 mins) is warm, the seat has started (or is) warmed and everything bar my feet are getting the heat I'm asking for. Usually, after 5 mins from a cold start I find it's warm enough to turn the AC off.

[Andy-GTI]

i have noticed that the wipers are so low, the heat from the vents that warm the windscreen, doesn't warm the blades.

You actually expect the internal de-mister vents (yes thats all they are) to heat the windscreen enough so that it can give out enough radiant heat to warm the wiper blades??

Are you really serious? What cars have you had previously that have been able to do that?

and you have to drive it to warm the engine.

You also seem surprised by this?

Of course you do.

The engine is under no load when idling and as such is burning hardly any fuel, hence there is not a lot of heat generated.

This also means your oil takes ages to get up to temp and increases engine wear. . . .



Some of you really need to appreciate that they are just relatively basic cars, and have some more realistic expectations on how they will perform in these conditions.

[robmx]

Lol @ the above

I think the only problem I've had that's been 100% caused by the weather is blowing the fuse on the headlight washers as they were stuck down with ice. Kind of wish you could deactivate the headlight washers when you know there is a good chance they are going to get stuck.

[Danne]

Me 2

[Andy-GTI]

Lol @ the above

I think the only problem I've had that's been 100% caused by the weather is blowing the fuse on the headlight washers as they were stuck down with ice. Kind of wish you could deactivate the headlight washers when you know there is a good chance they are going to get stuck.

Just turn the lights off while you do it

[Ryy]

Where safe of course. Don't do it driving along in the dark!