If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed, registering will remove the in post advertisements. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
This means you should apply for your renewal now to avoid any disruptions to your membership whilst the renewal process is taking place! NOTE: If you have an auto renewing subscription this will happen automatically.
The Mk4s and 8L A3s don't have this feature, but the manual does say to do this as it places unnecessary load on the engine when it starts if the clutch is engaged (albeit in neutral).
would be surprised if it can be bypassed or switched off... surely VW see it as a safety feature and would not tamper with it.
It is surprising what VW see as safety features. In the grand scheme of things, how many people have been killed or injured because the vehicle was started in gear. I mean, it is simply not possible to start the engine (ANY ENGINE) with the starter motor when it is in gear. Ok, so it will bunny hop but that is enough of a clue for even the dumbest driver (apologies) to realise that the car is in gear.
Contrast this with the situation where you cannot remove power from lighter/accessory sockets without getting under the bonnet and physically disconnecting the battery or trying to work out which fuse to pull out, or deadlocking someone in by default rather than having to do something extra to deadlock the car, or providing an emergency tailgate/barn door release from the inside. I mean, tackle genuine safety issues rather than create issues and then try and convince everyone that it is a MUST HAVE feature.
I am waiting for the feature that automatically turns the wheels to the kerb after parking. NO, THAT'S NOT A SUGGESTION, but if any manufacturer implements it, I will need to be paid a royalty as this is now clearly posted before ANY manufacturer has done this.
What next? Will drivers have to have the car in gear before they can remove the ignition key?
I really must stop doing this.
Putting the foil lined hat on for a moment, those cynics amongst us know that the way you control a crowd is to get them all doing the same thing (either something physical or chanting). Now they are so pre-occupied with the activity or action that they can be easily convinced to do anything :^)
It is surprising what VW see as safety features. In the grand scheme of things, how many people have been killed or injured because the vehicle was started in gear. I mean, it is simply not possible to start the engine (ANY ENGINE) with the starter motor when it is in gear. Ok, so it will bunny hop but that is enough of a clue for even the dumbest driver (apologies) to realise that the car is in gear.
You'd be surprised. A close friend of mine was working on his car in the garage. He leaned into the car through the open driver's window and turned on the car... he didn't realise it was in gear and the car went straight through the garage wall into the living room, sending his father flying.... His father was sitting on a couch against the wall the car went through. He was more shaken up than hurt. But yeah... there is definite potential for injury to happen.
Whether that potential is worth enforcing it the way that is done in modern cars is another thing...
You'd be surprised. A close friend of mine was working on his car in the garage. He leaned into the car through the open driver's window and turned on the car... he didn't realise it was in gear and the car went straight through the garage wall into the living room, sending his father flying.... His father was sitting on a couch against the wall the car went through. He was more shaken up than hurt. But yeah... there is definite potential for injury to happen.
Whether that potential is worth enforcing it the way that is done in modern cars is another thing...
Ok, so use the other sensor that tells you the car is in neutral or in gear. But to insist that the clutch is depressed no matter what is a bit much.
But then, it is unlikely VW will do anything anyway so we have to learn to live with it.
This feature has been on various cars for years. An extended family member had one of the first Hyundai Excels in the (early?) 90s and that had the feature too. Of course, cars not having "MFDs" back then meant if you didn't know you had to press the clutch, it just wouldn't start...
I found the Excel one as well when I went for a test drive many years ago.
It's been a habit of mine pretty much since I started driving, so I've not had any issue with it. The only time I've ever thought it would be useful not to have it is when the car's been parked in the sun for a long time and I want to let the aircon cool the car before getting inside.
GTI | Carbon | Man | 5 door | Leather | 18" Detroit | Bluetooth | MDI | Bi-Xenon
I asked to have it disabled but at this point it can not be turned off.
I find it annoying of a morning cause I can't just lean in and start the car and let it idle for a few mins while I take the bins out or whatever.
I asked to have it disabled but at this point it can not be turned off.
I find it annoying of a morning cause I can't just lean in and start the car and let it idle for a few mins while I take the bins out or whatever.
Bingo!!!! You are on the money right there Brendan......
The only time I've ever thought it would be useful not to have it is when the car's been parked in the sun for a long time and I want to let the aircon cool the car before getting inside.
I think in the European models (no doubt an option) there is actually an auxiliary motor that uses petrol rather than battery power to turn on the aircon (cool or heat) prior to you getting in it. I read it somewhere in the manual when I got mine and got excited before getting back in my car and realising there was black plastic where the button was meant to be...
I also hate the feature being discussed. What if you have the thing up on stands/jacks and you want to just reach in the window to kick it over. Not an option.
I am just a hater of not being given a choice. If you're a muppet and you need someone to force you to put the clutch in, then no dramas, but if you have some semblance of cerebral activity then you should be allowed to operate the thing like a normal car. Same goes with the traction control. If I turn the thing off, I want to be able to exceed the limits as decided by the computer. For anyone with an R, you'll no doubt know the frustration when you have the thing planted over a bit of a crest and it unweights and suddenly Mr Computer thinks you're about to self destruct and cuts the power. fffffaaaarrrkkkk!!
And just when you think it can't get any worse, Lambos and M Division cars are becoming auto only and Porsche changes to electronic steering. Someone build me a time machine.
I personally like having to tease the clutch about it's weight, lack of education, lack of drive, lack of decent job or girlfriend and how it is simply a waste of space.
Well, it does tell me to depress the clutch.
Audi S3. Sold
Golf R. Sold
Citroen DS3 Dsport. Sold
2016 Skoda Octavia RS Wagon.
Does it blow anyone else's mind that the only gearbox offered in Nth America for the R is a manual?? Do any yanks actually know what a clutch pedal is?
Mind you, at the price they're getting it for i bet there are a few people willing to have some driving lessons! Lucky buggers.
yeah well that's not really saying much. i guess what i meant was, if you were going to take only one gearbox, i would bet my left nut that the DSG would be a far more popular option. guess it just shows that they're stretched for production and the US is just getting what's left over. which in itself is interesting.
Tweet
Comment