GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: jf111 on 02 February 2021, 22:46
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Having only had my Golf TCR since March and being in lockdown working from home, I've really only done the odd short journey here and there interspersed with a few more 'spirited' drives. However, I'm barely at 6000 miles and probably 1500 of those were not done by me! I feel like I've not really explored the car properly, either in terms of actually driving it, or messing about with stuff in the cockpit.
I was wondering if anyone had anything interesting they found in the car settings, buttons I might not have found yet, menus that aren't obvious, DSG or drivemode settings, etc? Not just the TCR either but any MK7.5
I know you can look in the manual for this type of thing, but it's not the same as being told what to do :grin:
Thanks
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I'm not all that adventurous so once I found a setup that was okay I don't mess with it. I have it in individual with the soundaktor on the minimum and DCC in comfort (it takes the potholes a bit easier that way). 99% of the time it is in D and after having changed the paddles to something more tactile and better looking than standard, I find even that hasn't encouraged me to put it in M so I may revert to oem again.
I'm not interested in any of the fancy gadgets so can't be arsed to investigate further, in fact having had two cars now with ACC, I still haven't tried it and have no idea how it works!
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I like a gadget :laugh:
Although I can't really think of anything clever I've setup on my Mk7.5.
Maybe the only things are:
1) Setting left mirror dip (v useful)
2) Making sure manoveur braking is turned on (saved me from a couple of prangs)
3) Setting ACC distance to the closest one (otherwise people decide to get into the gap that you leave... which makes your car brake and open the gap up... repeat ad infinitum)
4) In the drive mode profile, setup up individual mode to set engine noise to eco (which mainly turns off the soundaktor) and then whatever other settings you like. Use individual as your main daily profile.
5) Play around with and find your happy place in the AID views setup.
6) Turn up the front assist (collision detection) by one notch from standard. You'll get more alerts about pending doom but I'd sooner that than crash.
Add to that, learn how to update the satnav maps.
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One I came across completely by accident - when you have the navigation displayed in the instrument cluster hitting the OK button on the wheel changes the display between nav widescreen and small gauges and normal size gauges and smaller nav. Pointless but fun :wink:
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Add to that, learn how to update the satnav maps.
Hmmm, that's one I've been putting off but I really must tackle it soon.
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You can use the native sat nav guidance in the active info display, and have Google maps traffic data on the MIB screen at the same time.
Admittedly not a huge deal, but I do sometimes find it useful.
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I’m with Watts.
But if you like fiddling there’s plenty to fiddle with.
Just press things and see what happens!
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I’m with Watts.
But if you like fiddling there’s plenty to fiddle with.
Just press things and see what happens!
I’m with @Watts too. Never used nor tried ACC in my car.
I have my car in individual mode and haven’t altered l settings since I initially set them to my preferences.
I drive in ‘D’ most of the time, but I do use the flappy paddles though.
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Yeah, sorry jf111, we’re not much help at times! :grin:
Funnily enough it was this thread that finally made me fully ‘appreciate’ the Bauhaus simplicity of the mk8 cabin.
There are probably thousands of things to fiddle with on the mk8 but it’s such a faff to find them I can’t be bothered to go looking. So long as I can switch off lane assist as soon as I fire it up then that’ll do me.
Yes I’m old, yes I’m boring and yes I’ll sit in the corner and shut up now... :whistle:
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Yes I’m old, yes I’m boring and yes I’ll sit in the corner and shut up now... :whistle:
Speak for yourself (no matter how appropriate) :whistle: :grin:
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So long as I can switch off lane assist as soon as I fire it up then that’ll do me.
I don't think it's that straightforward on the Mk8?
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Speak for yourself (no matter how appropriate) :whistle: :grin:
:grin: :grin:So long as I can switch off lane assist as soon as I fire it up then that’ll do me.
I don't think it's that straightforward on the Mk8?
Yeah, it’s not too bad.
Excuse my excellent use of technical terms but basically you press a black haptic thingy under the centre air vents, a screen comes up on the radio, then you press a few more things and hey presto!
A bloody nuisance you can’t just switch it off permanently but Brussels has decreed we are all incompetent.
Takes just about the right amount of time for the steering wheel to warm up and for my bum to warm the fuzzy felt seat to prod things to switch it out. Very clever these German engineers.
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It can't be that hard, Mrs G managed to work out how to do it on my test drive.
She's about as technically apt as... Well, someone not apt at all.
As for turning on the heated steering wheel, that's dead easy. You'll do it maybe half a dozen times for every five miles you travel.
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Setup we connect, good easy feature available on an app for your phone
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Bit like Watts, once set, thats me done, so once added the radio logos, set up the We-Connect and done the individual settings its down to just driving the TCR, which similar to what was mentioned above, having only done 6800 miles feel still in the honeymoon period of getting to know at 15 months of driving (probably about 4000 miles less than would normally have done)
Having had MK 7 through GTD and R, never use the ACC, and its nothing to do with its capability as works great, its just its usefulness to me, just as easy to drive the car the old fashioned way, so a redundant feature that would not option if needed to. Having said that, the radar and safety aspect of the tech is nice to have there passively working away.
Things that like are the MK 7.5 media unit and switches, all very easy to change temp and turn heated seats on and off, and the navigation in the display, which is set permanently, so as said, cars set up, and no fiddling, just drive.
Do have everything in Sport except the sound which is on ECO, and only time that changes if go on long run where select normal or comfort, but for the local runs its sport all the way, which with the MK 7.5 is readily done with the DSG set up (in my MK 7 the sport setting was way too long on gears, so rarely used and was using paddles a lot more)
You would think after 2 x MK 7 and now MK 7.5 that be bored of the marque, but its actually opposite, having been part of the evolution, appreciate it all the more, and with the added MK 7.5 bits, and extra grunt and styling of the TCR feel like struck gold in GTI driving.
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Turning off ACC is just one button on the wheel, don’t need to bother with the menus.
I love driving in full M mode a lot, either using the paddles or the shifter, I’d miss that in the 8.
One thing going to do is I’ve found an ECU map S1 to take it to 365hp that will do nicely thank you 😁
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Used ACC a couple of times on near empty motorways and it’s ok, but near empty motorways are not common in the UK.
I changed the infotainment screen on mine to show a clock when it’s turned off and I still mess about with the settings for a bit of fun but that’s it.
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I use ACC because the motorways aren't empty, in fact I use it regardless of motorway traffic volumes.
Its perfectly suited for the task unless you want to speed, get speeding tickets or weave around.
As a road warrior, I don't want any of those things and its very good at sensible speeds, spacing etc
Leaves me feeling much calmer when i get to my (business) destinations.
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+1 On ACC
On our delightful motorways, set it to 70ish and let it do its thing, set it to 1 or 2 from a distance perspective (stops the car getting bullied :embarrassed:) as soon as you see the car symbol prepare to overtake as this will stop it slowing down unduly.
Arrive relaxed, safe and well!
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ACC absolutely indispensable for queues through 50 zones with average speed cameras. Takes a little bit of getting used to, and a huge amount of trust, but it works very well and could save your license. Only reservation is that it uses the brakes a lot more than I would. The flashing brake lights must irritate some following drivers, but at least it’s a reminder to them about what’s going on.
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Only reservation is that it uses the brakes a lot more than I would. The flashing brake lights must irritate some following drivers, but at least it’s a reminder to them about what’s going on.
It throttles back before resorting to the brakes, just like you probably do. Air resistance is capable of dropping your speed for minor adjustments and when approaching slighlty slower traffic it starts to slow a long time before it gets to the set distance. Which is ok for normal driving, its only when it meets something doing thirty and you are bowling along at seventy and either cannot overtake or can't be ars3d that it will actually brake...or you come across a jam doing 5mph.
Its pretty clever...
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Hmm, not the feeling I get from the car Fred. I hope you’re right, but you do see a lot of flashing brake lights in these situations. Not too easy to check.
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Obviously it depends on what the car in front is doing.... if you are at the set distance behind them and they take their foot off of the gas or drive up a hill and don't accelerate up it, your car will need to take braking action.
It will only deceralate approaching something slower, once you hit the spacing distance it will definitely brake if the one in front slows.
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and as you approach a slower moving vehicle if you indicate to pull out and the car senses you are changing lane it won't throttle back... very clever indeed.
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Obviously it depends on what the car in front is doing.... if you are at the set distance behind them and they take their foot off of the gas or drive up a hill and don't accelerate up it, your car will need to take braking action.
It will only deceralate approaching something slower, once you hit the spacing distance it will definitely brake if the one in front slows.
Yes, agree with that, but it is possible to anticipate a lot of the “lack of anticipation” of others, which I always try to do. ACC needs a degree of AI!
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and as you approach a slower moving vehicle if you indicate to pull out and the car senses you are changing lane it won't throttle back... very clever indeed.
Yes, I want to say that feature was from the improved ACC on the Mk7.5 (along with anti-undertaking) vs the Mk7.
On the Mk8 it goes even further using the lane assist sensors to detect traffic to the rear and offside as well...
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Setup we connect, good easy feature available on an app for your phone
I have we connect.
What exactly does it do? Seems very boring to me. I’m obviously missing something/lots
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and as you approach a slower moving vehicle if you indicate to pull out and the car senses you are changing lane it won't throttle back... very clever indeed.
Yes, I want to say that feature was from the improved ACC on the Mk7.5 (along with anti-undertaking) vs the Mk7.
On the Mk8 it goes even further using the lane assist sensors to detect traffic to the rear and offside as well...
I use all the time and find it very smooth, it does detect offside traffic on motorway and will prevent undertaking unless you need to and put a bit of throttle down. Not sure detecting traffic behind helps a great deal, if someone is going to rear end you not much you can do lol, going to happen no matter what!
I like the jam feature when stuck in traffic, braking and moving off for you. If stopped for longer than about 2 seconds it requires a slight input on the throttle to start moving off again, this is a safety feature. I like that you can engage the ACC while sat at traffic light and adjust the speed it will go to, just tap throttle and away it goes. With emergency braking as well it has saved me a couple of times as it's reaction was quicker then mine.
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Setup we connect, good easy feature available on an app for your phone
I have we connect.
What exactly does it do? Seems very boring to me. I’m obviously missing something/lots
Can flash lights, sound horn, unlock and lock the car. Gives all your drive stats history, books your servicing, lets you know if boot, bonnet or window are open. Will also tell you if someone breaks in to your car! It's free and worth just 5 mins setting up even if you don't use most of the time just for the fact that you'll know if you are parked shopping (If we are allowed to soon lol) and some one tries their luck, you can rush back!
To use the unlocking service you need to prove your ID by hitting the button you do a video call with someone and they take over your phones camera to take pic of driving licence and once verified they will unlock the app properly.
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Setup we connect, good easy feature available on an app for your phone
I have we connect.
What exactly does it do? Seems very boring to me. I’m obviously missing something/lots
Can flash lights, sound horn, unlock and lock the car. Gives all your drive stats history, books your servicing, lets you know if boot, bonnet or window are open. Will also tell you if someone breaks in to your car! It's free and worth just 5 mins setting up even if you don't use most of the time just for the fact that you'll know if you are parked shopping (If we are allowed to soon lol) and some one tries their luck, you can rush back!
To use the unlocking service you need to prove your ID by hitting the button you do a video call with someone and they take over your phones camera to take pic of driving licence and once verified they will unlock the app properly.
Now, i thought the same as exonian, now having read your reply i feel I'm missing something here. Ive just started the app, it shows my car but it says im a guest user. I am the second owner, i wonder if its still registered at vw under the original owner?
I also dont have access to any features, it just shows my car.
Update as i was typing, what i said above is right, i clicked a bit more and its registered to the previous owner, i now need to input a code on the infotainment system, once done vw will also email the previous owner to make sure this is correct.
Ill do it tomorrow, ill keep you posted.
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Launch Control
At a stop, put the car into sport mode with traction off. Left foot on the brake and get the rpm up to about 3K and it activates launch control :wink:
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Setup we connect, good easy feature available on an app for your phone
I have we connect.
What exactly does it do? Seems very boring to me. I’m obviously missing something/lots
Can flash lights, sound horn, unlock and lock the car. Gives all your drive stats history, books your servicing, lets you know if boot, bonnet or window are open. Will also tell you if someone breaks in to your car! It's free and worth just 5 mins setting up even if you don't use most of the time just for the fact that you'll know if you are parked shopping (If we are allowed to soon lol) and some one tries their luck, you can rush back!
To use the unlocking service you need to prove your ID by hitting the button you do a video call with someone and they take over your phones camera to take pic of driving licence and once verified they will unlock the app properly.
Now, i thought the same as exonian, now having read your reply i feel I'm missing something here. Ive just started the app, it shows my car but it says im a guest user. I am the second owner, i wonder if its still registered at vw under the original owner?
I also dont have access to any features, it just shows my car.
Update as i was typing, what i said above is right, i clicked a bit more and its registered to the previous owner, i now need to input a code on the infotainment system, once done vw will also email the previous owner to make sure this is correct.
Ill do it tomorrow, ill keep you posted.
I was second owner after VW too. Follow the instructions, ie input your details, VIN of your car and go to infotainment system, it will switch you over right away while emailing previous owner, it doesn't need their permission. This will give you access to everything except locking and unlocking the doors.
To do the next stage you need to click video id. It take you to a two way video call with someone, had pretty lady for mine :-) and she asked some questions. Have your driving licence ready. They then activate the rear camera for you and you ut licence in the box and they take a pic, then the back and then you have to move it so they can see the hologram. After that is done takes about 30 seconds and they confirm ID and that's it. Couple mins later I could lock and unlock car. DOesn;t happen instantly but it works.
Had fun with the horn lights function and every trip I do comes up on screen, doesn't track you but gives MPG mileage etc. If you use the built in SatNav you can also save destinations and you can send where you want to go to your car before you get in. You can also get a health check report amongst other things.
I think most important thing is the remote alarm system giving you a notification if the alarm has been triggered, thankfully not had that feature confirmed yet lol
Also put in your preferred VW dealer and it should pair you up and book you in for service as required as the app tell you how many days or miles until next service. I've not had the checked yet as service due in 30 days!
If someone else drives the car too you can set up alerts if they go above a certain speed or in to a certain area.
I think that's about it really. Was quite quick to set up and I did it at 11 at night except for the ID bit so don't worry about that email previous owner message.
It also need you care to be connected to your phone via WLAN hotspot rather than just cable link or Bluetooth. When it is you get weather, news and other things on the infotainment screen.
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Do you need a data plug from VW to use the we connect features? Bit confused sorry!
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Do you need a data plug from VW to use the we connect features? Bit confused sorry!
Just need to download the WeConnect app and follow the instructions.
You have to set your phone as a mobile hot-spot or if close to your wifi you could use that too. Follow the instructions and you should be set.
Ive just done mine and im all logged in and finally registered to me. I did try the video chat with VW to be able to lock the car etc from the mobile but nobody connected, I'll try that again during the working week.
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Do you need a data plug from VW to use the we connect features? Bit confused sorry!
Not at all. I did mine at 11 at night and took 5 mins. Had to wait till office hours to do the ID bit.
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2 years in and just messed about with the hazard flashing on We Connect👍😄
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2 years in and I have no idea what We connect is.
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Something to do with Sega isn't it?
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Now that’s a blast from the past!
I’ve just looked back through this thread- I’ve got a better understanding if We connect. I now understand it a bit better.
Does nothing useful and it’s probably a big security risk.
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Ah, I've found the old bastard's corner. Pint of bitter and a discussion about how great it was back then?
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:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Actually I just googled “ car” because reading this thread I briefly forgot what a car is actually for.
I also like the idea of a “ health check “. Does it check your cholesterol as you drive? :grin:
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Ah, I've found the old bastard's corner. Pint of bitter and a discussion about how great it was back then?
Sounds good to me! Any pork scratchings?
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Ah, I've found the old bastard's corner. Pint of bitter and a discussion about how great it was back then?
Sounds good to me! Any pork scratchings?
Do i get to choose which one in the hope that the young lady on the cardboard backing reveals a piece of her flesh through my choice?
I'll have a pint of mild with that please.
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Meanwhile, back in the real World ;-)
Does anyone know how to stop aircon from automatically turning on whenever I press the recirculating air button? I've been through all the menus but can't find a way to do this.
I realise it's no great hardship to subsequently turn off the aircon, but if there's a setting to do it for me, all the better.
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Unfortunately I don't think you can, I suspect it's to keep the humidity in check and stop the windows fogging up.
So VW don't get sued when some sentient potato careens off an overpass, because they smelt a fart 2 hours ago.
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I think you're correct. I understand the logic as to why VW would have done this, but I'd like the option to switch to recycle when following stinking, billowing diesels (an epidemic here) without the aircon automatically switching on.
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I keep air on on all the time. Could have problems keeping off all winter and then firing up in spring, think it’s probably better to keep it ticking over, any thoughts?
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Definitely switching it off can cause it problems. Just leave it on, it's designed to be left on, it's not the ninety eighties (except in my pub fantasy above)
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Only problem using air con is that it leaves like a film on the windscreen,which it a ball-ache to clean off.
Did all I could not to use it in my MK 5 because of it,having a sunroof helped when it was red hot,heater full pelt when it was iced up.
Can’t be doing with smeared glass,spoils a clean car.
Yes,I am that sad.
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You can always clean the glass! You're probably causing more issues by not using the air con.
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Only problem using air con is that it leaves like a film on the windscreen,which it a ball-ache to clean off.
Did all I could not to use it in my MK 5 because of it,having a sunroof helped when it was red hot,heater full pelt when it was iced up.
Can’t be doing with smeared glass,spoils a clean car.
Yes,I am that sad.
You can always clean the glass! You're probably causing more issues by not using the air con.
I keep my air con on all year round. Not had any problems with a film being left on the windscreen.
IMO using the air con all the time helps keep the air con system ‘healthy’. Also, I find the dehumidifying effect of the air con combined with keeping the inside surface of the windows clean helps to reduce / minimise condensation issues that many seem to experience during the colder months.
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Possibly,but when I sold my MK 5,it still worked fine,despite the little use it had.
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Since I replaced the compressor in my old Golf I just have air con/climate on permanently.
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Can of worms opened up on here now!
I’ve always been very much a fan of air-con, after electric door mirrors I think it’s the best invention ever for car interiors!
There tends to be a film on any interior glass after a while if left uncleaned. I’m not a fan of chemicals on glass and find wiping down with a damp cloth regularly then drying with another microfibre keeps it film and smear free. Those cloths you can get for shower screens are really good for this.
The alternative to air-con is having windows open which means those f*****g horrid plastic things people hang off their side window apertures :sick: and dreadful oppressive drumming if the rears are open.
What surprises me most is that Splashalot doesn’t run air-con all the time whilst living in a country where you can fry eggs on the top of your dashboard in February!
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I've also found if the inside of the windscreen doesn't get the occasional clean, it gets film on it regardless of whether the climate control gets regular use or not.
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Might have to start using my air con,i’ve no sunroof on this car and I don’t like opening the windows too often cause it can leave grit lines on the glass.
Wow-even I think that sounds bad!
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Might have to start using my air con,i’ve no sunroof on this car and I don’t like opening the windows too often cause it can leave grit lines on the glass.
Wow-even I think that sounds bad!
Convert eh! Lol I have found having on all the time it de-mists quicker and does seem cleaner. If turning off for long periods it’s a bit like not using a tap for a long time. The water sits and bugs build up like legionella. Where I work all taps on site have to be run for at least 2 mins every day, so I’m areas that aren’t used much people have to go run them and then they are bug tested every month. We still get Legionella now and again and have to disinfect but point is if you don’t run it will build up and give you and unhealthy interior when you do fire up after long winter and warm spring. Perfect conditions for big building.
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I picked up on tip years ago regarding those small plastic dehumidifiers you can buy from B+M,Poundland etc.
You can place them in your front and rear door pockets and they work a treat-ideal if your cars stood for a while.
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I picked up on tip years ago regarding those small plastic dehumidifiers you can buy from B+M,Poundland etc.
You can place them in your front and rear door pockets and they work a treat-ideal if your cars stood for a while.
What do they do exactly, and how much do they help?
My GTi has this weird rapid steaming up issue that I'm not sure if anyone else has?. When I first get in the car and start it the windscreen will literally fully steam up in 10 seconds unless I'm really fast at pressing the MAX demist button. Then it'll fade away completely in about 20 seconds
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It's a slight leak in the heater matrix, it let's in moisture which comes out for a while.
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Lordie,
They absorb moisture,like those silica gel sachets in boxes of trainers,but obviously these tubs are bigger.
After a couple of wks you can see water in the bottom,you’ll be surprised how much water they draw out,once they get going.
I read that Mk5s steamed up easily before I bought mine,discovered this tip and never had a problem.
Just remember to change them once the crystals have all dissolved,good for a couple of months-69p each,the missus informs me.
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Lordie's problem isn't caused by that though, the moisture is in the system itself.
Feel free to try the dehumidifier first though but i think it won't help
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.....What surprises me most is that Splashalot doesn’t run air-con all the time whilst living in a country where you can fry eggs on the top of your dashboard in February!
:grin:
I'm in Tasmania, which is close to Southern UK climate. Next stop south from here is the Antarctic. :wink: Having said that, we do still get a smattering of high 30c days in Summer - just not this one. I do use aircon, but only on the warmer days. Most of the time it's off. Probably use it less than 10% of my driving time, I'd guess.
Sorry about the can of worms thing - wasn't my intention. :shocked:
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If you have an excess amount of moisture in your car also check that your rear speakers aren't leaking - I'm on my second mk7 - both bought at around 3 years old and <20k miles on the clock and both of them have had leaking rear speakers.
Changing the pollen filter can also make a big difference to the windscreen steaming up as soon as you start the car - though in certain weather conditions its to be expected.
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Cool, thank you for the replies :cool:
Any way to stop the moisture in the heater matrix or is it just one of those things that happens?. Never had it on other cars but every car I've owned often has condensation on the inside which causes a tiny bit of ice on the inside annoyingly
Are the rear speakers difficult to check? or would it be obvious and see water coming out?
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Are the rear speakers difficult to check? or would it be obvious and see water coming out?
If the speaker seals fail, water will find its way into the foot wells and the carpets will be damp. Check your floor mats and the carpet under the floor mats - front and back, as the speaker seals in the front doors can also fail.
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Are the rear speakers difficult to check? or would it be obvious and see water coming out?
If the speaker seals fail, water will find its way into the foot wells and the carpets will be damp. Check your floor mats and the carpet under the floor mats - front and back, as the speaker seals in the front doors can also fail.
As above really - when you open the door if you see water sitting on the plastic 'step' thats hidden when the door is closed its a pretty good sign. Pull the rubber seal back a bit and see if it looks damp between the folds of the seal and between the seal and the car - should be bone dry. You can often see a water mark running down from inside the door card if its been like that for a while.
Acid test is to pour some water down the (closed!) window. If you see any water emerging from inside the door card the seal is goosed.
Not only does the seal itself fail - and its quite obvious when it has - but it seems that the rivets holding the speakers in cause the speaker plastic to crack and these cracks also allow water through.
Proper repair is to replace the speaker - but I just sealed them up with some low modulus silicone and this worked well on my last car.