Lowering and Adaptive Cruise

[BigD]

Afternoon,

I have recently ordered a GTI on the Austin wheels. I had planned to put winters on the Austins and get VWR 19s and lower the car. I think they need a drop on aftermarket wheels.

I have tried searching the tinternet on the topic but I haven't had any joy.

The reason I ask the question is that the workshop manual for Audis with adaptive cruise state a recalibration (6hrs labour) is required if an spring is changed for an OEM replacement.

Does anyone have any info on the Golf or access to the workshop manual?

Thanks in advance.

Regards

Dave

[Jimble]

Are you sure you're not confusing adaptive cruise with adaptive chassis control or dynamic chassis control as it's now called? I can't see the cruise needing calibrating if you change a spring? The chassis control on the other hand would make an element of sense, however i'm sure some people on here have lowered their cars with no problems with the chassis control.

[topher]

I'm sure i heard something about this. Any changes to the geometry can apparently cause havoc with the adaptive cruise (not sure how true that is) but the special alignment gear and gauges aren't at every dealership. That being said I'm sure at least one of the Mk7 Rs we've put springs/coilovers on had ACC and we just tracked it the usual way with no reported issues.

[monkeyhanger]

Are you sure you're not confusing adaptive cruise with adaptive chassis control or dynamic chassis control as it's now called? I can't see the cruise needing calibrating if you change a spring? The chassis control on the other hand would make an element of sense, however i'm sure some people on here have lowered their cars with no problems with the chassis control.

Is it not to do with recalibration of the radar sensor for perfect alignment on the new lowered stance? Imperfect alignment may well mean that you get lots of false alarms, or worse, it doesn't pick up anything much. Finding it hard to believe that it's a 6 hour job to adjust alignment to have a perfect response window at a certain distance.

[Jimble]

Are you sure you're not confusing adaptive cruise with adaptive chassis control or dynamic chassis control as it's now called? I can't see the cruise needing calibrating if you change a spring? The chassis control on the other hand would make an element of sense, however i'm sure some people on here have lowered their cars with no problems with the chassis control.

Is it not to do with recalibration of the radar sensor for perfect alignment on the new lowered stance? Imperfect alignment may well mean that you get lots of false alarms, or worse, it doesn't pick up anything much. Finding it hard to believe that it's a 6 hour job to adjust alignment to have a perfect response window at a certain distance.

Maybe, i know Wigit has lowered his R and i don't recall him reporting any issues?

[monkeyhanger]

Are you sure you're not confusing adaptive cruise with adaptive chassis control or dynamic chassis control as it's now called? I can't see the cruise needing calibrating if you change a spring? The chassis control on the other hand would make an element of sense, however i'm sure some people on here have lowered their cars with no problems with the chassis control.

Is it not to do with recalibration of the radar sensor for perfect alignment on the new lowered stance? Imperfect alignment may well mean that you get lots of false alarms, or worse, it doesn't pick up anything much. Finding it hard to believe that it's a 6 hour job to adjust alignment to have a perfect response window at a certain distance.

Maybe, i know Wigit has lowered his R and i don't recall him reporting any issues?

Still....6 hours labour for what is assumed to be an alignment. 5 hours scratching their heads and polishing their spanners, 1/2 hour tea break and then that Eureka! moment when they realise what they need to do in the last 30 mins? 

Or maybe they need the bumper off to do it all properly?

[kenny.c]

Ive been lowered for many months now and had no problems with the ACC.....Active cruise works perfectly and I get the odd false "alarm" from the city brake thing....but no more than I used to get before lowering.

Ken

[monkeyhanger]

Ive been lowered for many months now and had no problems with the ACC.....Active cruise works perfectly and I get the odd false "alarm" from the city brake thing....but no more than I used to get before lowering.

Ken

As long as the front and back are lowered by the same amount so the beam isn't biased upwards or downwards, it shouldn't make a difference (that's what common sense tells me anyway), but maybe this hefty VW labour charge is for a "just in case" check scenario?

[kenny.c]

Fair point...The Eibach's we have fitted keep the car at a very similar angle to OEM.

Ken

[BigD]

There is a few threads on the Audi forums, I just thought the same may apply to the Golf.

It was a mate who had a steering wheel alignment issue on a B8 RS4 that informed me of it. It was in for 2 days under warranty for recalibration (so as not to push the technician for time).

A bit of digging at the time showed the recalibration requirement for changing a spring. The workshop manual details what parts (when changed) require recalibration.

This applies for a new screen (4hrs) if you have the all singing and dancing cameras, and also wing mirrors if you have lane assist (the one that steers the car)!