Top 10 things every Passat owner needs to know/do...

[CKerian]

I am new to Passat's so I am hearing some key things after digging through various threads. Hoping some of you could post your top 10 things that HAVE to be done or you will be sorry! I'll start with what I have learned and maybe you can clarify some of this.

1. Use synthetic oil. seafoam is your friend. Also...

2. after heavy driving let your car sit for a minute.

3. punch out the water drains under the battery and brake reservoir.

4. do the timing belt regularly.

5. use the correct VW collant.

6. if you use an x type of air filter do ____

7. if you change the oil don't drain the transmission by accident.

8. when changing your oil filter wrap it in a plastic grocery bag as you unscrew it.

9.

10.

[scotts13]

9. Don't top up fluids (coolant, power steering, etc.) without checking you're using the right ones. It's not as easy as you think...

[AndreasPassat]

10. Use the proper specified oils under the hood! (for example: Don't use regular power steering fluid or you'll be sorry)

[StuHuck]

11) An investment in Ross-Tech VAGCOM is good idea.

[AndreasPassat]

12. Be a member of this club! Cause sooner or later, your gonna need us, whether for advice or help.

[TurboBoost66]

Clear out the leaves once a year. Clean out pcv systen yearly.

[Twista]

drive it like you stole it.....

[scotts13]

drive it like you stole it.....

To codify that a bit... If given the opportunity to do so safely, DO get into the throttle, and DO head towards triple digit speeds - at least once. I had a Toyota Camry before coming back to VW; it sort of lost interest in the world around 75 MPH and became downright dangerous. OTOH, my 2004 GLS 1.8T isn't really happy until it gets OVER 75. If you drive these like granny cars, you have no idea what they are, even completely stock.

Fortunately, a friend of mine is facilities manager at a racetrack...

[CKerian]

My car loves nothing better than heading up Deer Creek or Coal Creek canyons here in CO. It's a completely different animal than city of highway driving. LOVE it. Driving machine for sure.

[Gene 1.8T]

Know how to do a boost leak test.

[gostivar]

Use 93 octane and don't be cheap to save a few bucks

[GLInick]

Toyota Camry

@scott, not trying to get up on your grill or anything, but the sheer mention of this car sickens me to no end (and it doesn't help when the auto reviews clump it in the same category with passats). Aaah, there, I got it out of my system now ... rant over.

[Twista]

To codify that a bit... If given the opportunity to do so safely, DO get into the throttle, and DO head towards triple digit speeds - at least once. I had a Toyota Camry before coming back to VW; it sort of lost interest in the world around 75 MPH and became downright dangerous. OTOH, my 2004 GLS 1.8T isn't really happy until it gets OVER 75. If you drive these like granny cars, you have no idea what they are, even completely stock.

Fortunately, a friend of mine is facilities manager at a racetrack...

My owners manual says redline 5-10 times a day, and always promote brand recognition on trunk lid.

[walkthenrun]

When your battery goes dead and electronics go whacky after recharge, remember to reset ccm by disconnecting battery.

and have deep pockets...

[scotts13]

@scott, not trying to get up on your grill or anything, but the sheer mention of this car sickens me to no end (and it doesn't help when the auto reviews clump it in the same category with passats). Aaah, there, I got it out of my system now ... rant over.

(Heh) My one and only Japanese car, in the middle of a lifetime of european imports, and you have to bust me on it? Yeah... I'm not proud either.

[gostivar]

Try to buy OEM parts only

[nolesfan]

To codify that a bit... If given the opportunity to do so safely, DO get into the throttle, and DO head towards triple digit speeds - at least once. I had a Toyota Camry before coming back to VW; it sort of lost interest in the world around 75 MPH and became downright dangerous. OTOH, my 2004 GLS 1.8T isn't really happy until it gets OVER 75. If you drive these like granny cars, you have no idea what they are, even completely stock.

Fortunately, a friend of mine is facilities manager at a racetrack...

While true, I can't believe who actually posted this Oddly, my car is tuned and I rarely red line it and more rarely get over (or even close to) 80 MPH. I wonder if I should consider this, especially since some of my "friends" here give me crap for taking care of my car. I suppose my nickname Captain Slow does fit. I'll have to give it the Clarkson treatment I suppose. Who knows, maybe it'll clear up some of the hesitation/stumbling it gets while accelerating up to 80 in top gear... Could be just carbon build up.

[Mtech]

Tell passengers that it will be their last free ride if they slam the doors shut.

[Matt98B5]

Tell passengers that it will be their last free ride if they slam the doors shut.

A few years ago, that's what did my passenger door clips in: dropped roommate off, he slammed the door shut while the window was half way down, window fell into the door. All 4 of my front door clips have since been replaced (after breaking) with the pink Audi clips.

[2k21.8T]

Tell passengers that it will be their last free ride if they slam the doors shut.

This pisses me off to no end. It's not a 1984 GMC 2500 Sierra classic that was made out of steel. (yes I have one)

Matt

[Dstenersen]

Tell passengers that it will be their last free ride if they slam the doors shut.

SOOOO Irritating, My girlfriend does this because her family had some bad cars that the doors wouldnt shut all the way

[CKerian]

sighh... my kids do it all the time. It's not my Cougar!

[Matt98B5]

sighh... my kids do it all the time. It's not my Cougar!

It really doesn't make sense - the doors have a nice solid thunk when closing with the windows rolled up, but when they are down, the door rattles and I'm always afraid something in it will break (namely the clips...).

To the OP:
Don't drive without a belly pan - it helps some with the aerodynamics, but also keeps the front wheel well liners in place at highway speeds, and the stock one offers a small amount of protection to the oil pan. If you live in an area with lots of potholes, consider a Thor or other beefed up skid plate. I don't have one, since the roads are pretty good where I live, but I would definitely consider one if I needed to replace mine, just as extra insurance.

Try to read things on here periodically, even if there are issues you haven't dealt with (yet) because the problems others are having now have a good chance of showing up on your car at some time or another.

[1.8dubt]

Stash as many window regulators as you can.

[VAGguy]

Buy an extra car.

[Matt98B5]

Buy an extra car.

[scotts13]

Buy an extra car.

Don't laugh. I'm a single guy; when I bought my 2004 I intended to get rid of the 2000. But I kept it for three additional years, as it was SO convenient to have a spare Passat around. The reasons why are left as an exercise for the alert reader.

[VAGguy]

I bought a mk3 as a daily to keep usage down on my B5.5. Dead reliable.

[Paladin Rider]

Had an 97 Golf... after 300,000kms it clicked over back to 0. Stupid reliable.

[Nussbaum]

Have a spare ignition control module on hand. From a place like German Auto Parts, so you don't have to pay dealer prices in an emergency.

Don't start the car and immediately turn it off when it is cold, or the next start will be rough, with a check engine light. Drive it or warm it up for a few minutes.