Picked up my first Golf today

[neksmerj]

I am now officially a Golf owner, and I'm celebrating with a glass of medicine. It's a 2.0 litre Comfortline auto. Colour silver/grey.

The first thing I noticed was a lot of road noise. Out on the highway, I removed the roof rack. That made a big difference, but there's still a lot of noise coming up from the road.

I think the car is fitted with average tyres, dunno what they are right now.

Q1. Are there std size tyres that run quietly, and don't cost an arm and a leg?

Q2. To the right of the steering wheel, there are two roller thumb wheels, one dims the dashboard lights, what does the other one do? Adjusting it doesn't seem to do anything?

I'm in your hands.

Ken

[Brendan_A]

Q2. It adjust your headlights. When you have a full load in the back you can lower your beam.

[jessv3]

Have you owned a European car before? if your comparing to a Japanese or aussie car it will always be more noisey, but the trade off is better handling

[neksmerj]

Well I'll be buggered. Thanks Brendan, Didn't know you could dip the lights, what will they think of next.
Jess, had a few foreign cars in the past, Volvo 244, BMW 318i and a Porsche 911T. These were all softer rides than the Golf.

The car I just stepped out of was a Commodore VT. Very smooth comfortable ride.

Would still like an answer to my question re tyres.

Thanks fellas,

Ken

[TomC]

had a few foreign cars in the past... Porsche 911T... all softer rides than the Golf.

As in, a 911 Turbo? I cannot see how that could have possibly been more forgiving than a Golf? But, I have never been in one so I'd have to take your word for it

Would still like an answer to my question re tyres.

What model/tyre specs are you wanting help with? There are a number of tyre threads regarding mk5 Golf's, try these...

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f15/mk5-tyres-30442-2.html

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f15/my-mkv-gti-tyre-shopping-price-experience-38120.html

There are a few more threads also. Just use the custom Google search bar at top of page.

[neksmerj]

I'm still exploring my new Golf. A couple more questions if I may.

Q1. Is it possible to change the clock format from 24 hour time to 12 hour time?

Q2. I'm convinced my speedo is way out, travelling at 60 everyone wants to pass me with a slow coach look.
I read somewhere where it was possible to reconfigure some part of the dash board panel to read speed. Please link me to the post.

Ken

[TomC]

I'm still exploring my new Golf. A couple more questions if I may.

Q1. Is it possible to change the clock format from 24 hour time to 12 hour time?

Q2. I'm convinced my speedo is way out, travelling at 60 everyone wants to pass me with a slow coach look.
I read somewhere where it was possible to reconfigure some part of the dash board panel to read speed. Please link me to the post.

Ken

Again, without wanting to sound rude, you can search the forums for answers to both these questions via the google search bar up top. There have been threads (the speedo one on numerous occasions) about both of these.

[jessv3]

I'm still exploring my new Golf. A couple more questions if I may.

Q1. Is it possible to change the clock format from 24 hour time to 12 hour time?

Ken

What year model is your golf? Is it a full height or half height MDF?

If its a half height then the bad news is you cant change it, not easily anyway, i have a half height MDF in my 06 GTI and loath 24hr time, and unfortunately I have had to live with it. The only fix which I came across was via the VAG COM to change the cars setting to "Canadian time" but I would like keep my temperate in celsius thanks.

If its a Full height MDF (usually cars newer then 07) its much easier and should be in your convenience menu using your indicator stalk.

[poyta]

Try the Falken 912's - got a set on my car - very affordable, extremely good tread wear and super quiet. Not as sticky as some but unless you're doing track work they are more than good enough.

[neksmerj]

Hi Jess,

My Golf is a 2006 2.0 FSI Comfortline auto. MDF? Medium density fibreboard in a Golf? I'm sure you mean something else, however I'm ignorant. Just got the car.

Poyta, thanks for the tyre tip, I'll look them up.

Ken

[jazd]

Hi Jess,

My Golf is a 2006 2.0 FSI Comfortline auto. MDF? Medium density fibreboard in a Golf? I'm sure you mean something else, however I'm ignorant. Just got the car.

Poyta, thanks for the tyre tip, I'll look them up.

Ken

Multi function display. The red display between the gauges on the dash.

E.g. half height:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f14/vw-gti-2004-question-31884.html#post357639

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f15/retrofit-full-height-mfd-possible-52216-2.html#post637221

full height:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f14/vw-gti-2004-question-31884.html#post357586

[jessv3]

Hi Jess,

My Golf is a 2006 2.0 FSI Comfortline auto. MDF? Medium density fibreboard in a Golf? I'm sure you mean something else, however I'm ignorant. Just got the car.

Poyta, thanks for the tyre tip, I'll look them up.

Ken

If its an 06 model then its probably a half MFD (sorry not MDF) multi function display, the big red screen in the middle of the dash, check the links Jazd posted up for confirmation.

Having a half MFD is quite restrictive, you also cant access features like come home head lights and wiper sensitivity unless you have a VAG COM (dealer job).

[neksmerj]

Thanks Jess,

Some more questions:- (2006 Golf 2.0 FSI Comfortline)

Q1. If I disconnect the battery to clean the terminals, will I get into trouble with radio security codes etc. Dunno what the code is.
Q2. Looks like I'll need a new battery very soon. Current battery is a VARTA 12V 70Ah 340A DIN. Is an exact replacement available.

Couldn't find an exact match on the VARTA web site. If yes, where and how much will I probably be up for?

Ken

[neksmerj]

Struth, when it rains, it pours.

Just jumped in the car, put the key in the ignition, and it won't turn.

What's going on? Would it have anything to do with the battery being down?

Can turn the headlights on, but they switch off automatically after a few seconds. Hope I haven't bought a lemon!!!

Ken

[stickshift3000]

Just jumped in the car, put the key in the ignition, and it won't turn.

What's going on?

Do you mean the key won't physically turn, or the engine won't turn over?

If it's the former, it will be the steering lock, just take pressure off the steering wheel as you turn the key.

And yes, a dud battery will stop the engine from turning over.