VW question for all you VWers out there...

Le Pirate · March 08, 2011, 08:09:34 AM

I've got an 07 rabbit that I'm about to undertake a 3500 mile trip with. It has just slightly under 100k on the odometer, so I want to do a little maintenance before I leave.

Right now, I plan on doing the oil change a little early, having the transmission oil checked (5 spd...and I'm not sure how to do it myself), and having the brakes flushed (been about 2 years anyways).

I'm not sure about the v-belt/ribbed belt though. According to the maint. manual it always just says "check and adjust." It looks great...looks like brand new...but I keep thinking that at 100k, thats when you usually replace one

anyone have any ideas? It's not the dreaded timing belt that the 2.0 turbos have...I have the 2.5 which has a timing chain which I've been told by the service tech doesn't need touched (he said they'd do it when I asked last time I was there, but it wasn't needed).

anything else I should check before a long trip like that?

Tires should be good to go...lots of tread. Brakes were good last time I checked them (couple months ago). I just don't want to miss anything when I'm going to be 2000 miles from home

Oldfisti · March 08, 2011, 08:33:38 AM

All that driving generates a lot of heat. Check the cooling system thoroughly. Inspect the hoses and radiator well. A flush and refill would be good insurance as it's about time anyway. New tranny fluid is not necessary but I would if it were me. Does the clutch have any provivions for adjustment? Also, make sure the wheel bearings are greased and happy.

Heath · March 08, 2011, 08:35:26 AM

Check your windshield wiper fluid. I know you're thinking DUH. Last year we drove from Sacramento to San Diego. Windshield wiper fluid was the only thing I forgot to check. We hit a bug storm half way down. I hit the button and was in for a surprise lol.

Howie · March 08, 2011, 08:36:39 AM

Same as any car, except you should use VW spec oil. The best you can do if you are taking the car to a shop is have the tech do a general look see while doing the oil change. Brake pads worn? Any suspension/steering/drive axle parts worn or any boots torn? Transmission fluid is checked by removing a plug in the side of the transmission and sticking your finger in (sound like fun?). If you need to tell the tech how to do that go to another shop. At 100K I would think about a belt change just for peace of mind.

Oldfisti · March 08, 2011, 08:40:31 AM

Quote from: howie on March 08, 2011, 08:36:39 AM
Same as any car, except you should use VW spec oil. The best you can do if you are taking the car to a shop is have the tech do a general look see while doing the oil change. Brake pads worn? Any suspension/steering/drive axle parts worn or any boots torn? Transmission fluid is checked by removing a plug in the side of the transmission and sticking your finger in (sound like fun?). If you need to tell the tech how to do that go to another shop. At 100K I would think about a belt change just for peace of mind.

Le Pirate · March 08, 2011, 09:10:32 AM

Quote from: howie on March 08, 2011, 08:36:39 AM
At 100K I would think about a belt change just for peace of mind.

I was thinking along the same lines. I'm going to take it in to have the belt changed if I decide to do so. I generally do all my own maintenance at home, but I'm somewhat lazy

and changing the belts on this car look like a pain...I can't even fit my hand down the side of the engine where the belts are.

I've been looking around, and it seems like there are conflicting stories about the belts on the 2.5L engine. Some places say leave them till they look bad. Somepeople say 100k. I've been told by a VW mechanic at a dealership that he's seen them go 200K or more

If it isn't going to cost me $500 in labor...I'll have them done when I get the brakes flushed. I'm on a somewhat tight budget as this trip was not planned (funeral).

on a side note--it amazes me that I can drive from Texas to Canada and back...and pay for 1 night hotel each way...and some prevenative maintenance at a dealership...and it still won't cost as much as a round trip air ticket

Bladecutter · March 08, 2011, 09:52:32 AM

Quote from: Le Pirate on March 08, 2011, 09:10:32 AM
on a side note--it amazes me that I can drive from Texas to Canada and back...and pay for 1 night hotel each way...and some prevenative maintenance at a dealership...and it still won't cost as much as a round trip air ticket

Not to mention that you won't get anally probed and publically humiliated.
Well, not unless you pay extra for it on a side street somewhere dimly lit, with individuals of questionable moral character...

BC.

Le Pirate · March 08, 2011, 11:06:39 AM

well....

I will be driving through Oklahoma

live2ride · March 09, 2011, 12:55:57 PM

on my turbo, i had my water pump fail at 80k. so when i replaced that, i also replaced the timing belt. the timing belt on the turbos is supposed to be 105k.
my v6 passat has 186k on the original timing chain.

trans fluid is supposed to be lifetime. but at 140k miles, i replaced that. http://www.1stvwparts.com/ if you plan to do the work yourself and want cheap OEM parts.

definitely check your brake pads.

for oil, stay with vw spec oil. only one i know of is mobil 1 0w-40. i hear lots of stories of sludge from using others.

when's the last time you had your coolant flushed? make sure you use distilled water and once again vw spec coolant (its pink, do not mix with other colors).

make sure your spare tire is good. last thing you want is a useless spare tire. also pick up a $5 tire repair kit. if you pick up a nail, replace with spare and fix at next service area, and drive on the fixed tire instead of the spare (assuming you have a donut). $5 is a small investment in case you get 2 nails during your trip (assuming at different times. nails in 2 tires simultaneously...well just sucks)

make sure u top off on the windshield wiper fluid and u have good wipers

in all reality, 3500 miles is nothing for a car OR a bike for that matter nowadays. sounds like you like to be prepared so you should be in good shape.

enjoy the drive

lethe · March 11, 2011, 04:27:13 PM

Quote from: vincheung on March 11, 2011, 04:23:12 PM
Mobil 1 - 0w-40 and 5w-40 - ive never seen it

The Mobil 1 5w40 is pretty easy to find.
Want a hard one, the latest VW diesel spec oil

lethe · March 11, 2011, 04:43:45 PM

The dealer has the Castrol and they aren't overcharging for it actually.

live2ride · March 11, 2011, 04:45:57 PM

sir, you are correct.
i have a 2001.5 passat and a timing belt. oops? i guess lucky, although i'll keep holding my breath until i order a new set from ECS and the weather gets warm enough to work on it...

thanks for making me double check! i wonder why i thought it was a chain all this time

0w-40 mobil 1 i purchase at pepboys/advance auto/autozone. autozone is rarely stocked though. pep boys is my go to as they usually have them on pallets
walmart definitely never stocks vw spec oil

News:

VW question for all you VWers out there...