Mk7 Golf TSI & TDI - Observations and Questions

[veew]

I test drove the 3 not long after ordering my car, just to confirm I had made the right decision. The steering wheel only needs to be turned a small amount (~10-20*) before the engine restarts. The steering wheel is heavy and unassisted when the engine is off, once the engine restarts the steering effort reduces signficantly.

[Dutch77]

I test drove the 3 not long after ordering my car, just to confirm I had made the right decision. The steering wheel only needs to be turned a small amount (~10-20*) before the engine restarts. The steering wheel is heavy and unassisted when the engine is off, once the engine restarts the steering effort reduces signficantly.

I haven't driven the new 3 yet but will probably do so next time the CX5 is in for service; sounds like it is calibrated similarly to the CX5 then - stop/start does not activate when I'm paused to turn across traffic as I've almost always got the wheel partially turned.

[flight]

For those who believe as I do, my suggested solution is to implement the VCDS tweak that I describe in the following link (it makes driving the mkVII Golf a lot more enjoyable):

It seems to me that a way to satisfy all comers would be for the Mk7 Golf stop/start system to default to "off" when the car is started. Then, those who wish to use it could turn it on and those who don't want it don't need to do anything. This would put it in the same category as, for example, cruise control.

Is there a VCDS tweak that would do this, as compared with a total disablement of the stop/start system?

[tonymy01]

I would think an MFD default/tick option would be best. Let the end user decide yay or nay (and maybe a post start option like you said, but post start things become an annoyance that generally you wouldn't bother doing, e.g i had an external Bluetooth device in my old car and often would not fire it up because it would become a chore).

[lambertia]

It seems to me that a way to satisfy all comers would be for the Mk7 Golf stop/start system to default to "off" when the car is started.

I would prefer it to just remember the last setting.

[DV52]

It seems to me that a way to satisfy all comers would be for the Mk7 Golf stop/start system to default to "off" when the car is started. Then, those who wish to use it could turn it on and those who don't want it don't need to do anything. This would put it in the same category as, for example, cruise control.

Is there a VCDS tweak that would do this, as compared with a total disablement of the stop/start system?

flight: I've been looking at ways to defeat/delay/postpone/modify Bluemotion (what a silly name) since I first got my Golf almost 12 months ago. Your suggestion sounds like a good solution, but based on my reading of a lot of net-stuff, I don't beleive that there is a VCDS tweak to do it. I would be ecstatic if anyone can prove me wrong becauae I would be the second person to implement the tweak!

My optimal solution is fairly close to your suggestion and it also satisfies "tonymy01's" proposal. If the Golf could simply remember the state of the SS switch when the ignition was turned off, that would suffice for me! Doesn't sound like a difficult thing to do because the "auto-hold" button (just next to the SS switch on the center console) does this very thing (i.e. it remembers the previous switch state). But alas it is not so!


Lambertia: oops, you got in before I finished my post - Great minds think alike!!

[Jimi]

It seems to me that a way to satisfy all comers would be for the Mk7 Golf stop/start system to default to "off" when the car is started. Then, those who wish to use it could turn it on and those who don't want it don't need to do anything. This would put it in the same category as, for example, cruise control.

Is there a VCDS tweak that would do this, as compared with a total disablement of the stop/start system?

My understanding is that stop-start really only exists to help these cars sneak under EU emissions regulations by reducing fuel use. For the feature to be considered part of the car's standard setup (and therefore to be included when testing the emissions), it needs to be on as a default.

So that's why, as much of a nuisance as it is, it'll never be default-off.

[DV52]

My understanding is that stop-start really only exists to help these cars sneak under EU emissions regulations by reducing fuel use. For the feature to be considered part of the car's standard setup (and therefore to be included when testing the emissions), it needs to be on as a default.

So that's why, as much of a nuisance as it is, it'll never be default-off.

Jimi: I've had a few chats with a guy on the UK mk7 forum and he also said that the SS function resets only because of the CO2gr/km legislation. He claimed that if the good Burghers in Germany didn't design it this way, the Europeans would pay more each year for taxes (don't quite understand why).

My understaning is that the USA Golf doesn't have this functionality (someone could confirm if this is the case). Guess it's all a matter of whether VW is prepared to customise their vehicles for a particular country (probably sales volume dependant).

[Dutch77]

Jimi: I've had a few chats with a guy on the UK mk7 forum and he also said that the SS function resets only because of the CO2gr/km legislation. He claimed that if the good Burghers in Germany didn't design it this way, the Europeans would pay more each year for taxes (don't quite understand why).

In Europe they partly pay road/rego taxes based on this measurement.. eg. UK: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables.

[flight]

My understaning is that the USA Golf doesn't have this functionality (someone could confirm if this is the case). Guess it's all a matter of whether VW is prepared to customise their vehicles for a particular country (probably sales volume dependant).

This is indeed an interesting discussion, with some good ideas emerging, albeit we have no way of implementing them....yet. I agree that the optimum would be a default to the last position, then we could all have our choice. Is this something that the good folks at Ross-Tech might be able to solve?

[DV52]

In Europe they partly pay road/rego taxes based on this measurement.. eg. UK: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables.

Dutch77: Thanks for the clarification. It now makes sense (for SS button in Europe).

Still believe that it's not appropriate in Australia.

Just had a thought - Perhaps VW have been given advanced notice of one of Mr Abott's enlightened new schemes for emission abatement (and additional revenue) for Australia. That is, The PM's secret scheme might be to replace the current carbon tax with another tax (let's call it a "monetry contribution") whereby rego revenue is taken away from the States and then charged on the basis of how much the car pollutes. All us Golf drivers would pay less. Brilliant - what am I compaining about?

[adhock]

All this talk of BlueMotion SS, and how it might impact on the battery and starter motor. I have noted the stonking huge battery in our TDI wagon. Massive, and attributed the size as likely maybe due to extra capacity for start/stop technology. Comment?

BTW, I agree with many who prefer it off in traffic. Pain in the nether portions in peak hour freeway use, and I do wonder about battery load, since I can see the lights dim and brighten after dark a bit.

[Dutch77]

Any wear and tear is non-existent/negligible. VW have had been using the tech in cars for 20 years and will have covered any issues many times over and engineered the components for it.

Turn it off because it's annoying though, just not because of unfounded wear claims.

Incidentally I found a blurb on the Mazda system I referenced yesterday: "Some implementations do not use a starter motor, eliminating concerns of starter motor wear. Mazda i-stop used in their Mazda3/Axela line (in Europe and JDM) uses combustion to restart their engine by sensing the position of the piston in the cylinder. They claim quieter and quicker engine restart within 0.35 seconds."

[boardie_19]

Park Assist 2 - How do you use the reverse function (90o)?

Hi,

I have the Park Assist 2 feature as per the Driver Assistance Package on my golf and want to know how to use the reverse parking feature and if anyone has used this and how accurate it is?

I haven't been game to give it a try... mainly because i have no idea how to tell the car where and how i wish to park. Have tried the parellel function... that's pretty good... although i did have a parking inspector tell me that legally i needed to leave a bigger gap between the car in front of me and behind me (i had no idea a rule like this ever existed) and you would think the vehicle would be designed to meeting ADR and road rules.

Any info would be great.

Cheers

[Eaglehawk]

Are you talking about the 90 degree parking?

Have you tried hitting the parking button to cycle through the different modes? (I'm assuming it will be the same as my Passat's Park Assist 2)