[tiggyguy]

I am a newbie to the forum. My membership was approved couple of days ago. Delighted to be here.

I got the outgoing VW Tiguan delivered on 25th Jan 2025. Coming from a Innova Crysta Diesel Automatic, the only issue that I am grappling with in the Tiguan is the performance of the Aircon. Heat trapped in the cabin when parked under the sun during the day is unbearably high. With return to office, getting a basement parking is a touch or miss on most days and the car must be parked in open space if the parking gets full. The first few weeks, I simply couldn’t fathom with the cooling efficiency of the aircon. The car would take a couple of hours to let go of the trapped heat.
On the date of delivery, the dealership pushed the accessories package down my throat. It came with the following for some Rs. 28k. More later on my purchase experience and why/how I ended up buying the VW Tiguan.
1. USB CHARGER and C TYPE CABLE | Part No. 000051446CT
2. All weather floor mats (Rear) | Part No. 5NA061512 82V
3. All weather floor mats (Front) | Part No. 5NC061502 82V
4. Mud Flap (Rear) | Part No. 5NA075101
5. Mud Flap (Front) | Part No. 5NA075111
6. Tiguan PA Car Cover | Part No. 5NC061205PACOV
7. Magnetic Sunblinds | Part No. 5NL064365PASUN
8. Door draught deflector front, Smoke Grey | Part Number: 5NA-072-193-HU3

The magnetic sunblinds come in 4 pieces (2 for the rear windows and the 2 for the rear quarter panel). I use them to reject some heat.

I also used the Door draught deflector (aka rainguard, wind deflector, door visor) and close the glass leaving 5 mm or so open for the hot air to escape.

The amount of heat trapped continued to be bothering.

Searching through the forum, I bumped into the VCDS coding thread and got in touch with Dr. CodemyVAG in early March. The tweak on the aircon settings improved the cooling a bit, let's say 10-15%. I used to set at 22ºC to get a comfortable cabin temperature and now it's between 24-25º. Don’t catch me here for the math. I kept comparing this to the cooling efficiency of the Innova Crysta, only with the front aircon turned on and simply couldn’t accept the aircon performance from a vehicle in this segment.

Next, I explored heat-rejecting film on the panoramic sunroof and got the ASWF Excel IRP 45 (45% light transmission and 53% heat rejection) installed. I can say this has largely reduced the heating. My installer suggested to go for ASWF Excel IRP 70 (76% light transmission & 44% heat rejection) for the windshield. Out from a covered parking lot and 15-20 mins driving with the sun in front of me, the dashboard was absorbing so much heat that one could not touch the surface. Again the Innova Crysta comparison. Toyota had got the heat rejecting windshields right and the dashboard has never gotten heated. I am sceptical about the enforcement of regulations on heat rejecting films on windshields. We never know when the cops pick up this topic and start enforcing and hence haven’t done the windshield films yet.

ChatGPT suggested the below AC Boost Trick:
• When you get in, open all doors/windows for 30 seconds to vent trapped hot air.
• Then close everything and blast AC at “LO” with recirculation OFF for the first few minutes.
• Once the cabin is cooling, switch to recirculation ON.

Tiguan has a feature wherein, I press and hold the unlock button on the key fob, all the window glasses roll down and the sunroof lifts up. I do this when walking towards the car and is in my line of sight. This lets some heat out. I then do the AC Boost Trick above.
In spite of all the above, my trousers get damp out of sweat in 20-30 mins. Is the seat cover real leather or something synthetic that doesn’t breathe? I am thinking of using a cotton towel in such circumstances, but concerned about spoiling the aesthetics.

My friend in Chennai who owns a Tiguan too says that he has faced no such issues and that the aircon works just fine.

With that lengthy background:
Q1. What is the recommendation on heat rejecting films for the windshield
Q2. Any other Tiguan owner observing the same issue?
Q3. Anything wrong with the Aircon performance? I always use it with recirculation on. Anyway to check if its performing as designed?

[Raz]

Originally Posted by tiggyguy

With that lengthy background:
Q1. What is the recommendation on heat rejecting films for the windshield
Q2. Any other Tiguan owner observing the same issue?
Q3. Anything wrong with the Aircon performance? I always use it with recirculation on. Anyway to check if its performing as designed?

Hi I am fellow Tiguan owner from Bangalore who recently shifted to Chennai. A lot of times, I have parked my Tiguan under the hot sun and I have not faced the same issues that you have mentioned. The AC works really well in Chennai' hot and humid climate. Nor have I observed excessive heat trapped in the cabin. In fact, Tiguan has heat resistant glass and it works perfectly well.

[silver_bullet24]

Originally Posted by serenedrives

Hello BHPians, I recently bought a Tiguan. Thanks to the amazing Team BHP community for detailed official reviews and ownership experiences - it definitely helped me in my car buying journey.

Excellent buy...this car was my final choice in January 2024, until I realised it was not E20 compliant. Hence, I eventually purchased a VW Virtus GT. Good to see the car has subsequently been updated to E20 compliance. Wishing you safe travels.

Originally Posted by SilverSmoke

Auto Hold should be used only for steep inclines. It brings brake pads closer to disc compared to default position - though coming closer doesn't do any bad, it's just repeated engagements will wear off pads especially the fronts at around 30K KMs.

For DSG, always depress brake paddle with much force - as it disengages the clutch sufficiently. Also, it would be nicer to shift to N if halted for more than 15 seconds - as clutch is never totally off in D mode.

Thanks for this advice. Most car sales persons are not aware about this.

[Sri_In]

Originally Posted by tiggyguy

I am a newbie to the forum. My membership was approved couple of days ago. Delighted to be here.
========
Q3. Anything wrong with the Aircon performance? I always use it with recirculation on. Anyway to check if its performing as designed?

I faced similar issues in Delhi. Last year I bought a windscreen shade and use it everytime the car is parked under the sun and I also cover the steering with a cloth.
Second, like you said, roll down all windows before entering the car. After getting in, I close the windows of front passenger & rear seat behind driver and turn on the AC. This helps release a lot of hot air.

With all this, the car cools in about 5-10mins.
P.S: my car AC is always in LO mode. I just adjust the air speed whenever required.

[RJo_KRM]

I have a Dec 22 manufactured Tiguan, I'd faced similar issue with the AC during the summer of 2023 in Bangalore, However, the vehicle had developed a noise from the steering column later that year, which was resolved by running a software upgrade at the ASC. Interestingly on delivery of the car post the S update, I found the AC cooling to better but I had to wait till the next summer to really test it out. During the summer of 24 I noticed a considerable improvement in the cooling when compared to that of 23, the cabin cooled quite quickly even when parked under the sun, the cooling effectiveness was same on a trip to Kerala around then. I rarely dip the AC to "LO" nowadays. You should probably get the issue checked at the ASC.

Originally Posted by tiggyguy

I am a newbie to the forum. My membership was approved couple of days ago. Delighted to be here.
=======
Q3. Anything wrong with the Aircon performance? I always use it with recirculation on. Anyway to check if it's performing as designed?

[AWD_4X4]

Tiguan Stealth Edition: Transformation Journey Begins!

Hey everyone!

I have always been a huge fan of the VW Tiguan because of its timeless design and incredible handling. However, I was never a fan of the chrome garnishing all over the car – it felt a bit overdone to me. Since we never got the R-line trim in India, I decided to embark on a project to transform my Tiguan '24 into an R-line!

I started by dechroming the car, which included the roof rails(Satin Black), alloys(Gloss Black), front grills(Satin Black), and body color match for front/rear bumper and side skirts.

I absolutely love the new look! Sharing some images of the before and after transformation. I am eagerly waiting for the front and rear VW Badges to arrive, which will complete the stealth look. Next up, I am planning to get the R-line body kits, steering and body badges. Stay tuned!

Would love to hear any feedback/recommendations.

[shashi792]

I love your efforts on the black edition. IMO, looks ike something is needed on the grill to break the monotonicity. Probably an R-line emblem. E.g., https://images.app.goo.gl/y8Gh3R1NG5YfZ7Yp8

[adi_petrolhead]

Originally Posted by AWD_4X4

Would love to hear any feedback/recommendations.

I would stop the transformation right at this point. The car looks perfect now with the black bits. If you add R-Line badges on the exterior, it'll look immature. Where the R-Line really matters is the interior. The full black + alcantara (suede) interiors with logos on the cluster and infotainment as well. If you can't change the interior to R-Line, just leave it as is now, as I already mentioned it's looking perfect at the moment.

[Air_Kerala]

Took my Tiguan out for a late night spin. Was easy on the pedals and she delivered an indicated 17.6 kmpl, which is the highest I have seen in my year and change of ownership. Apologies for the blurry pic. Peace

[troika]

Originally Posted by Air_Kerala

Attachment 2769962

Took my Tiguan out for a late night spin. Was easy on the pedals and she delivered an indicated 17.6 kmpl, which is the highest I have seen in my year and change of ownership. Apologies for the blurry pic. Peace

Hi, just noticed on the pic you posted that you’ve got your set point for the tyre pressure at 33psi, want to know if you have changed it to 33 or it came at 33 at the time of delivery. I haven’t been able to change the set point on my car. Mine is set at 36psi.

[SamGG]

Originally Posted by troika

Hi, just noticed on the pic you posted that you’ve got your set point for the tyre pressure at 33psi, want to know if you have changed it to 33 or it came at 33 at the time of delivery. I haven’t been able to change the set point on my car. Mine is set at 36psi.

Hey, the infotainment screen's tire pressure menu has a comfort setting. If you pick that, it'll set the pressure to 33 psi.

[troika]

Originally Posted by SamGG

Hey, the infotainment screen's tire pressure menu has a comfort setting. If you pick that, it'll set the pressure to 33 psi.

Mine doesn’t have a comfort setting. It has only two settings, ‘ standard’ and ‘loaded’. I guess VW introduced the comfort setting in the tpms later. Bought mine in Feb 2022.

[troika]

Hi , has anyone bought a new battery for the Tiguan from VW. If yes, how much was the cost and was it a Varta or Exide? I will need to replace mine soon as the voltage is dropping below 12.2 after switching off the ignition, sometimes after short runs. I also once got a notification for ‘low 12v battery , charge by driving’ .