Team-BHP - VW Polo - Maintenance and Service cost and dos/don'ts

Please check the below post. A very similar incident with a vento owner. Also, there are 2 technical bulletins that VW issued on the a/c cooling issue that you can find in this post.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post2666663

Quote:

Originally Posted by bottle (Post 2789805)

Oh could be then, its parked in an area where lot of leaves keep falling on the car.

I always use the a/c in recirculation mode only, I find the fresh air mode only lets in the fumes from traffic outside and never use it. I rather lower the windows once in a way when I'm in clear air

This certainly is very specific only to the polo. I have left my Vento unattended for days with the handbrake engaged when I'm on business travel and never had a problem with wheels locking up. Having said that this issue has been reported by many earlier polo owner's on the forum. Any idea if this issue is still reported recently?

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.nk (Post 2790233)

This seems specific to the Polo. The Service manager told me a 'modified' rear brake has been installed in my car. Lets see how it holds up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.nk (Post 2790215)

My Polo (Feb 2012 TDI Highline) had a wheel lock after it was left with the handbrake engaged,for 3 days. The car was perfectly alright on my way to office(5km), when i was returning i'd parked for an hour after driving 3 kms from my office,later the car wouldn't budge. I called the VW helpline at 11.45pm and by 2.15 my car was on a flat-bed.

The cause was either wrong way of engaging the handbrake or leaving the car with the handbrake for too long. Car was serviced and returned in 5 days from VW! First experience with VW Palace Cross, and they get a thumbs up from me. It took them 2 days to get the warranty approval, but in the end they did a good job.

I have left a car for six months, with the handbrake on. I would consider it a bad mistake not to apply the brake. I sometimes don't take my Polo out for a week.

There is no wrong way of applying a hanbrake* although it could be applied a bit too firmly. Still, should cope with it.

My Swift brakes always stuck after getting wet, but nothing a little acceleration wouldn't overcome. It was a bit worrying the first time: I thought I'd run over something or someone.

It really shocks me what cow excrement comes out of the mouths of so-called engineers. It also shocks me that warranty approcal took more than half an hour, let alone two days. It's under warranty; fix it. Right?

*Sorry. there is: one is not supposed to click-click-click the ratchet, but that's not relevant to this.

Guys, I bought a used Polo 1.2 Petrol Highline and got the car on 24th May. The car is exactly one year old and 24.5k kms used.

Now, I need to do:

• VAS features enabled (Auto-lock, Auto-unlock, Audible feedback, etc.)
• Check Gearbox Mounting, Engine Mounting if they need to be replaced.
• Brake Pads Check (its is written on 15k invoice "Brake pads need change after 7000 kms")
• AC Check
• Minor rear seat noise.

The car is with 2+2 years extended warranty+RSA and under prepaid maintenance plan of VW for 3 years/45k kms.

How should I go about it?

Also, what is the recommended tyres air pressure for petrol highline (185/60/R15)? Could not find any information.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom (Post 2790022)

Surprised it took as long as ten days. Did you get your paintwork issue sorted. by the way?

Yeah the haze marks that were there went off after they polished with rubbing compound. There is still one area they missed but I lost patience and didn't bother going back again

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.nk (Post 2790215)

The cause was either wrong way of engaging the handbrake or leaving the car with the handbrake for too long. Car was serviced and returned in 5 days from VW! First experience with VW Palace Cross, and they get a thumbs up from me. It took them 2 days to get the warranty approval, but in the end they did a good job.

Wish there was some root cause done for this handbrake problem. I have poured buckets of water over the rear wheels during detailing sessions with handbrake on and never had a problem. So I doubt if its any of whatever excuses the service people are giving.

Can you let us know what parts were replaced or what service was done ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mukeshgoel (Post 2790753)

How should I go about it?

Also, what is the recommended tyres air pressure for petrol highline (185/60/R15)? Could not find any information.

Call up the closest VW service center and make an appointment. They should have the vehicle details and service history in their database and do the needful.

Tyre pressure I think its 32psi but I use 28 since I prefer the softer ride

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom (Post 2790465)

I have left a car for six months, with the handbrake on. I would consider it a bad mistake not to apply the brake. I sometimes don't take my Polo out for a week.

A case of bad luck then i guess :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom (Post 2790465)

There is no wrong way of applying a hanbrake* although it could be applied a bit too firmly. Still, should cope with it.

It really shocks me what cow excrement comes out of the mouths of so-called engineers. It also shocks me that warranty approcal took more than half an hour, let alone two days. It's under warranty; fix it. Right?

The SA's explanation was:

1. The handbrake is to be engaged slowly, so that you hear click-click noise for 5 times. I don't do this. I press the button (generally used to release the handbrake) and pull it up as far as i can. This lead to the springs expanding more than what they should, and resulted in damage.

2. The water which collected at the time of washing the car formed a thick paste with the brake dust accumulated in the drum and led to the brake jam.

Initially i thought this was bull-crap, however Polo wheel lock up is a common issue even on the forum, so i didn't bother to get into the details.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bottle (Post 2790770)

I wish they come up with a proper solution. Our Octy has been abused by drivers for 6 years now. Never gave up on us like this.

Only the rear brake shoes were replaced and he told me that the brake lining was checked. I don't see labour charged for lining inspection so i assume its not done.

Congtaulations on your new Polo...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mukeshgoel (Post 2790753)

Now, I need to do:

• VAS features enabled (Auto-lock, Auto-unlock, Audible feedback, etc.)

Serves no purpose except to annoy other people :)

Quote:

• Minor rear seat noise.

Is this like a sort of creaking noise when driving over uneven ground? I am wondering if this is the source of the noise I get in my Polo. I had thought it was my karma: I had the only Swift that didn't rattle, so I got the only Polo that did!

Quote:

Also, what is the recommended tyres air pressure for petrol highline (185/60/R15)? Could not find any information.

There is a label with the recommended tyre pressures inside the fuel-filler cover. Funny place to put it! I had to look in the manual to find out. Sorry, I don't remember the numbers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.nk (Post 2790860)

It is bull-crap. As alluded to above, the "correct" way to apply the handbrake is to push the button, pull up the lever, then release the button.

If you take his advice, and then go with the car having worn ratchet teeth, it will be, "Oh, Sir: you are applying the handbrake the wrong way..." And, in that case, it would be right!

It is understood that it is unlikely that engineers received any better driving instruction than anyone else, but it is not understandable that they are trained/educated so badly at their jobs, and those jobs should not include bs-ing the customer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom (Post 2790919)

The SA went as far as giving me a demo on the "correct" way to engage the handbrake. I was surprised i was doing it wrong all these days and considered myself lucky that nothing ever happened to the other cars i drive regularly.

I wonder then, what actually went wrong with the rear brakes that lead to the wheel lock.

Quote:

Originally Posted by prashant316 (Post 2798444)

this car needs a change of brake pad every 7000kms?:Shockked:

Isnt that a little ancient? I dont even remember the last time i had brake pads changed on my car.

Is it specifically for polo or is it for all the VWs?

Also, can anyone help on the reason why it needs changing to often?

No, in my car's case particularly, they estimated that the brake pads will need replacement at 22k (15k+7k). They did not replace them at 15k.

But till 24.5k they are doing fine.

Otherwise also, VW, recommends brake pads change at 30k and if you have taken the maintenance package, they do change it at 30k (or give a new set to you if older pads still have some life left).

Hi I own a polo tdi 1.2 and it's a year old and was due for service and I had clocked only 4700 kms. So I booked an appointment on June 1 at VW TVS Mount road. After reading the service do and donts I had opted for Oil change and all the filters change. I had specifically told them not to do wheel allignment and wheel balancing. I get a call after three days stating that the car is ready and that the bill ,Amount is 12,000 ( labour charges was Rs.3000). I asked him for a breakup and the SA tells me that he has done wheel allignment and that it costs Rs.1300/. I had mentioned to the SA and told him to write it down in the job card to not to do wheel allignment and wheel balancing. S I told him that I won't be paying for the same and after he consulting with his manager informs me that he will take the labour of Rs.750 and that I will have to pay Rs.600 for the weights. I strictly tell him that I will not pay.

So an hour later he calls me that the car is ready and he has adjusted the amount and I can pay after deducting Rs.1300/.
So I along with my better half set out to Tvs mount road and sit in the lounge for about an hour waiting for the car and after making the payment. So finally the SA informs me that the car is ready and I told my wife to go around the car and have a through look for any scratches and dents as I was not happy with the cars being handled by unexperienced young boys at the VW TVS Mount road.

So I go check the interiors and it was a mess, dusty and the seats and door panels dirty and I immediately told the SA to clear this mess and told him to atleast vacuum and give it and in the mean while my wife found a big scratch and the paint had peeled (size of a 2 rupees coin) on the left side of the rear bumper:Shockked: and immediately tell the SA that scratch was not there when I left the car and sees the job card and he takes the original and vanishes and after 10 mins he comes back with a fresh marking on the job card and argues with me that this was there when I left it. He says he will touch up the scratch.
Since I do the detailing and cleaning of the car, I exactly know where the scratches are and he told me that there are CCTVs everywhere and we can find out, so I agreed and told him that I can wait and we will have a look at the CCTV. Again he vanishes for about 10 mins and comes back. Meanwhile I refused to take delivery of the car and told him that the car is not in the condition I gave it in for service, told him to sort it out and a strict no for touch up. Meanwhile he consults with his manager and comes back and tells me that he will rectify it and drop the car off at my place tomorrow and I told him strictly that I will pick the car up and they should not drop the car at my place. Meanwhile I wrote in the satisfaction note that I have not taken delivery of the
Car because of the scratch, etc etc.
We spend our hard earned money and buy a car and spend so much time and taking care of it and some fellow who is untrained manhandles the car and bangs it somewhere, is highly unacceptable.
I was so disappointed with the TVS VW service centre and I must tell you all that they lack training, knowledge and commitment. They don't know how to take care of the car and more over VW must take efforts to open more service centres.

I am waiting to see what they have done.

Gokul