Newbie- basic Q's on me new motor!

[Zoot]

Thanks @SuperV8 for that.

Ok so mine's a 150hp. Anyway, just had first proper 100m drive today.. & fits me like a glove: I honestly think 184 hp might be unwarranted for the b-roads & 55mph max Aroads around me here, which is 95% of my driving.

If the engine is surely the same between the 150 & 184hp 2.0 tdi's.. how is the extra 34hp made? Some sort of tweaking the engine- mapping or something?

 

[Zoot]

Few more Q's of I may.

I'm having kittens about putting petrol in my mk3 Leon tdi. Having never owned a diesel before.

I've put diesel in once so far, & noticed a satisfyingly snug fit putting the fuel nozzle in. Is there any system in place that prevents the smaller diameter petrol nozzles from being inserted though-?

I think petrol cars thesedays, generally also have a very snug fit of the petrol pump nozzle.. physically preventing the larger diameter diesel ones from being inserted, although not my golf4 that just died: big 2" fuel hole anything could go into.

Thanks Z

 

[SuperV8]

Thanks @SuperV8 for that.

Ok so mine's a 150hp. Anyway, just had first proper 100m drive today.. & fits me like a glove: I honestly think 184 hp might be unwarranted for the b-roads & 55mph max Aroads around me here, which is 95% of my driving.

If the engine is surely the same between the 150 & 184hp 2.0 tdi's.. how is the extra 34hp made? Some sort of tweaking the engine- mapping or something?

There are mechanical differences, mainly the turbo is bigger on the 184.
In the real world you'll probably only notice at higher speeds, though I haven't driven the 150.

 

[Zoot]

Well no idiocy so far, twice put diesel in without being a numpty & reaching for the green nozzle..

Chaps, could I ask: is there any way to tap into data on the fuel level, more accurately than visually in the dash?

The digital fuel level incrimental indicator.. isn't a patch on a simple analogue fuel level dial I'm so used to in my golf4. So I get a bit jittery when I suddenly see it's gone down one 'bar'. And have no idea if on a single bar (should I get that low) & it suddenly goes to none.. if that means the car has run out. Or if there's still a bit in reserve at this point.

Thanks, Zoot

 

[Zoot]

Another question too!

I have alot of situations of 2 cars squeezing by each other on single lanes out here. Can I manually open window & tuck my wing mirror in? Or can this be done electrically?

 

[Walone]

Another question too!

I have alot of situations of 2 cars squeezing by each other on single lanes out here. Can I manually open window & tuck my wing mirror in? Or can this be done electrically?

If you have electric folding mirrors you can fold them in using the position on the adjuster knob.

 

[Walone]

Well no idiocy so far, twice put diesel in without being a numpty & reaching for the green nozzle..

Chaps, could I ask: is there any way to tap into data on the fuel level, more accurately than visually in the dash?

The digital fuel level incrimental indicator.. isn't a patch on a simple analogue fuel level dial I'm so used to in my golf4. So I get a bit jittery when I suddenly see it's gone down one 'bar'. And have no idea if on a single bar (should I get that low) & it suddenly goes to none.. if that means the car has run out. Or if there's still a bit in reserve at this point.

Thanks, Zoot

When it goes down from 2 bars to 1 bar the reserve warning comes on, I believe about 6 liters left in tank.

 

[Zoot]

When it goes down from 2 bars to 1 bar the reserve warning comes on, I believe about 6 liters left in tank.

Thanks Walone. So unless I'm mistaken that's about 60miles left, even so (if 6 litres = approx 1.5 gallons). My golf was 12 miles when it touched the start of the red.

Regarding the wing mirrors folding in, I have obviously adjusted them for my driving position, using the round electric toggle; now there is a symbol just forward of this, looks like a door window kinda diagram.. is this what you're referring to, to fold them in electrically?

 

[SRGTD]

Regarding the wing mirrors folding in, I have obviously adjusted them for my driving position, using the round electric toggle; now there is a symbol just forward of this, looks like a door window kinda diagram.. is this what you're referring to, to fold them in electrically?

The symbol circled on the picture below (top left) is the electrically folding door mirrors position on the adjuster knob. The symbol at top right in the picture is for door mirror heating.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

^^^^ Sounds like that's the one; I have something similar on my Ateca.

Isn't there a relevant diagram and instructions in your Owners Handbook? :-k. :-k

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

 

[Zoot]

The symbol circled on the picture below (top left) is the electrically folding door mirrors position on the adjuster knob. The symbol at top right in the picture is for door mirror heating.

View attachment 51481

That's great! Yup that's what I have, although the knob doesn't have the white indicator mark.. so I guess I just fiddle it up leftwards. Will try tmrw.

Very useful thanks indeed SRGTD.

 

[Zoot]

^^^^ Sounds like that's the one; I have something similar on my Ateca.

Isn't there a relevant diagram and instructions in your Owners Handbook? :-k. :-k

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

There's no mention of wing mirrors at all in the huge manual you see.

Self explanatory by just fiddling with it tho, I guess in retrospect.

---

I'm trying to figure out this interesting kick-down accelerator thing: the manual again sheds little light, so will figure it out by just useage I guess. I've noticed though there's a nice 'sudden' acceleration, which happens sometimes, & just came across this kick-down mention in the manual without explanation other than 'it does it'.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

'Kickdown' is the feature on an Automatic gearbox to allow you to change down a gear or two for rapid acceleration. It's activated by quickly pressing, or 'kicking', the accelerator pedal towards full throttle.

Personally, on the DSG in a VAG car, I prefer to think ahead and use the tiptronic / manual function of the gearlever or paddle shift on the steering wheel.

Make sense?

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

 

[BillyCool]

I've scanned through your Q's. Apologies if I answer anything you already know.

I have a 2014 ST FR (estate version) 184 bhp CUPA. 156,000 miles.

Things that seem fairly common:

• Heater matrix
• Thermostat housing (made of plastic) & thermostat
• Rear shocks

Other things that I've had done:

• Glow plugs
• Glow plug relay
• Battery
• Cam cover (made of plastic) - oil leak
• Oil cooler and oil filter housing (made of plastic) - blocked cooler and small oil leak.
• Changed wing mirror indicators for dynamic ones - much brighter and easier to see.
• O2 sensor

The car is on 156,000 miles and is in pretty decent condition. I change the oil and filter every 5,000 to 6,000 miles and it appreciates it. Use low SAPS oil. Still drives and pulls quite well.

The main 184 differences that I am aware of:

1. Bigger turbo
2. Bigger brakes
3. Stronger clutch
4. Independent rear suspension

I do like the extra grunt of the 184 and it has previously been chipped to 220. The 150 is good. Enough power and good fuel economy.

The fuel tank is only 50 litres. When the fuel gauge gets to 2 bars, they are white. When it drops to one bar it suddenly turns red and you get an audible tone. That can freak you out a bit. You still easily have 40 miles left at that point. You should be able to scroll through the options on the speedo screen to see refuel quantity and fuel range if that helps.

One thing you can do is see how healthy (or tired) your DPF is. I use VAG DPF and a Carista OBD dongle to keep an eye on it. Mine regens every 60 miles now and I'm pretty sure it will need some TLC soon.

The car is still on it's original clutch and exhaust.

As yours is an FR I assume it's LED lights? It only has one reversing light and it isn't LED., You can swap that out for an LED and it really helps. You can also use Carista to tweak things on the car if you are that way inclined.

Hope you have fun with it.

 

[SuperV8]

Chaps, could I ask: is there any way to tap into data on the fuel level, more accurately than visually in the dash?

The digital fuel level incrimental indicator.. isn't a patch on a simple analogue fuel level dial I'm so used to in my golf4. So I get a bit jittery when I suddenly see it's gone down one 'bar'. And have no idea if on a single bar (should I get that low) & it suddenly goes to none.. if that means the car has run out. Or if there's still a bit in reserve at this point.

Thanks, Zoot

You can switch your dash to show RANGE - so estimated mileage based on your remaining fuel, might help while you get used to the car.

 

[Zoot]

I've scanned through your Q's. Apologies if I answer anything you already know.

I have a 2014 ST FR (estate version) 184 bhp CUPA. 156,000 miles.

Things that seem fairly common:

• Heater matrix
• Thermostat housing (made of plastic) & thermostat
• Rear shocks

Other things that I've had done:

• Glow plugs
• Glow plug relay
• Battery
• Cam cover (made of plastic) - oil leak
• Oil cooler and oil filter housing (made of plastic) - blocked cooler and small oil leak.
• Changed wing mirror indicators for dynamic ones - much brighter and easier to see.
• O2 sensor

The car is on 156,000 miles and is in pretty decent condition. I change the oil and filter every 5,000 to 6,000 miles and it appreciates it. Use low SAPS oil. Still drives and pulls quite well.

The main 184 differences that I am aware of:

1. Bigger turbo
2. Bigger brakes
3. Stronger clutch
4. Independent rear suspension

I do like the extra grunt of the 184 and it has previously been chipped to 220. The 150 is good. Enough power and good fuel economy.

The fuel tank is only 50 litres. When the fuel gauge gets to 2 bars, they are white. When it drops to one bar it suddenly turns red and you get an audible tone. That can freak you out a bit. You still easily have 40 miles left at that point. You should be able to scroll through the options on the speedo screen to see refuel quantity and fuel range if that helps.

One thing you can do is see how healthy (or tired) your DPF is. I use VAG DPF and a Carista OBD dongle to keep an eye on it. Mine regens every 60 miles now and I'm pretty sure it will need some TLC soon.

The car is still on it's original clutch and exhaust.

As yours is an FR I assume it's LED lights? It only has one reversing light and it isn't LED., You can swap that out for an LED and it really helps. You can also use Carista to tweak things on the car if you are that way inclined.

Hope you have fun with it.

Hi BillyC..

very grateful for that reply- I'll go through it with a toothpick (why do 'mericuns say 'toothcomb'?? Wtf is a toothcomb!! sigh.. I digress). Must say I'm amazed how it drives, so having fun already "A seat? This?" I keep saying: it reminds me more of an audi TT, than a tin can ibiza hire car from many years ago.

Yup noticed the reverse light's not bright enough, so that'll be my no.1 tweak. Excellent. And I can show the range too? What a relief: I'm quite the lazy refueller, & also out here rural west wales I'm 12m from only 1 fuel stn too. The idea of keeping a can of fuel in boot.. well that seems dangerous nowadays frankly should you get rear-shunted, & probably a bit niffy too.

Much appreciated. Zoot

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

^^^^ I thought was only EV drivers who'd get range anxiety. :-k. :-k

Still, being TDI you're probably good for 450+ miles on a full tank.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

 

[SuperV8]

^^^^ I thought was only EV drivers who'd get range anxiety. :-k. :-k

Still, being TDI you're probably good for 450+ miles on a full tank.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

Haha - my 184 shows 650+ range when I top up.

 

[Glosphil]

Haha - my 184 shows 650+ range when I top up.

I would hope so! My 1.4TSi shows over 500.

 

[Zoot]

^^^^ I thought was only EV drivers who'd get range anxiety. :-k. :-k

Still, being TDI you're probably good for 450+ miles on a full tank.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

I've tried looking in the dash display 'pages' with regard to more detailed fuel gauge info.. but nothing in there, I don't think, as to remaining fuel range/ miles left. I really need this, or anxiety will persist with the digital bars.