first of ..congrats on your purchase :thumbup: welcome to the club!
il try to answer some of your questions..i too have a 99 GLS 1.8T

5. Does my passat have foldable side mirrors? There is an option for "power folding mirrors" next to the controls for the left/right mirrors, but when I switch to it, nothing happens? Am I suppose to do something else besides switch to it?!

the power folding mirrors dont work for me either. the left and right adjusters and heating function works.. not positive but i was reading the manual and it says foldable mirrors are an option for the GLX model only not the GLS.

6. Are my doors suppose to lock automatically when the engine starts (because it doesn't), or do I have to lock it manually with the power locks?

my doors lock automatically when A) you unlock it from the outside w/ the keyfob..and not enter the car for about 30 secs. it relocks itself..B) when you start the engine and ur inside the car, the locking feature kicks in when it senses you traveling in a speed in excess of 10-15mph. (thats what i read in the manual and i noticed it happen)

8. I know I'm supposed to get the oil changed every 3000 miles (I read that it requires synthetic oil, but I'm going to bring it to the dealer anyhow), is there anything else I need to change/check regularly?!

since you have a 1.8T, there is a wealth of information here dealing w/ OCI and everything that has to do with oil changes. but since you dont know the full oil change history, i would suggest doing an Auto RX treatment, go to the website autorx.com...then switch to full on synthetic and try to stick within vw 502.0 oil requirements, as many members here have. if you bring your own oil, you mite pay less $$ to get ur oil changed at the stealership. but if u DIY change your own oil, make sure to stick w/ OEM oil filters by Mann or Mahle, also the Puralator L40316, Wix 51333, or Napa Gold 1333 have good member reviews as well. things that normally fail or mite fail and that you need to get checked out around your mileage....timing belt/tensioner/waterpump/thermostat/ABS Sensor/Outer TRE's/Control Arms/CV Boots/joints....to name a few. and also since your nearing 80k...check vw's maintenance schedule (http://www.vw.com/spweb/pages/spweb/serv_maint_part.jsp) has a full list of what you need to get checked out.

10. Does the 6 disc cd chanage accecpt mp3 cds??!

do you mean audio cds converted to WAV format and burned on CDR's or just cdrs w/ actual mp3 format songs burned on it? well to answer that, you need an aftermarket HU to be able to decode and play back MP3 cds, so you cant play mp3 cds on ur cd changer. but you can play AUDIO cds obviously. if you want to play mp3's cds or mp3s in general try to invest in an aftermarket HU, or one of those 20GB Phatnoise Phatbox, and if you have an ipod, either itrip or those ipod adapters.

11. I can turn the key in the door to the left and hold it to get all the windows down, but is there a way to do it with the remote? I tried pressing unlock and holding it, but nothing happens.!

No you cant use your remote for that. strictly for locking, unlocking, panic, and trunk opening. if you want to control your windows through a remote, you would need to invest in one of those alientech window controllers.




*fellow PW members.. if any info i posted above is lacking ..feel free to correct or add anything i missed



lastly congrats again dior_addict...and HAPPY DUBBING :thumbup:

 

1. I bought the car used from a VW dealer (Circle Imports, Long Beach) for $10398.99(before fees/taxes/etc) w/ 79,995 miles on the odometer. Did I overpay/get ripped off?

i paid $8999(before fees/taxes/etc) @ 81,000 miles for my 99 b5 and i think i paid to much (compaired to private party prices)

2. I also bought an extended 2 year/24,000 mile "total protection plan" that is supposed to cover nearly everything if anything fails. Did I make a good decision in purchasing it, or was it just wasted money?

i have something similar and have found it to be a complete waist of money

4. I read many threads about how important the timing belt is and that people should get them replaced at regular intervals. The timing belt is covered under the total service plan I purchased, but how would I "get" a replacement of it? Will it have to break first, or do I just bring it to the dealership after XXXXX miles?

it will have to break and even then it will be the biggest pain in the ass to get them to cover it.. i would get something wrote up and signed by someone important at the dealer sayin they will cover it if it breaks..

you mise pay out and have it done before it breaks if it hasnt already been changed from previous owners.. your gettin to dangerous milage on the first timingbelt

5. Does my passat have foldable side mirrors? There is an option for "power folding mirrors" next to the controls for the left/right mirrors, but when I switch to it, nothing happens? Am I suppose to do something else besides switch to it?

they fold in.. but not automaticly.. you have to reach out and pull them in yourself. the switch your talking about is probley for the heated mirrors

6. Are my doors suppose to lock automatically when the engine starts (because it doesn't), or do I have to lock it manually with the power locks?

not sure on that one.. mine lock at like 15mph.. and then unlock automaticly when the key is removed from the ignition.

7. Is it "normal" for the car to jerk slightly each time I let go of the accelerator?

no

8. I know I'm supposed to get the oil changed every 3000 miles (I read that it requires synthetic oil, but I'm going to bring it to the dealer anyhow), is there anything else I need to change/check regularly?

make sure you are using vw 502.00 approved oils and its recommended to switch to a larger oil filter also.. oil can be changed every 5k

9. The car isn't a CPO (due to it being over 75,000 miles and XX years old), but because I bought it from a VW dealer and they said everything is running smoothly, is there anything I should worry about?

control arms, timing belt, sludge

11. I can turn the key in the door to the left and hold it to get all the windows down, but is there a way to do it with the remote? I tried pressing unlock and holding it, but nothing happens.

all the windows will go up or down with the key in the door.. but they wont do it from the remote

 

sick vipernoved....within 2minutes of posting oke: haha

 

lol when i started typin there was no responses.. :hmmm:

 

seems like some questions where answered, so i'll just answer the rest.

Hey there everyone. I've been reading this forum for the past few days to get myself familiarized with my new 1999 Passt 1.8T GLS. Now, I know absolutely nothing about cars, so excuse me if these questions/concerns are bit too "noobish".

1. I bought the car used from a VW dealer (Circle Imports, Long Beach) for $10398.99(before fees/taxes/etc) w/ 79,995 miles on the odometer. Did I overpay/get ripped off?

well, that is pretty high. i bought a cpo 2000 passat 1.8t gls in 2003 for 13.7k. came with 2yr/24k warranty also, and free roadside assistance for 2 years.

2. I also bought an extended 2 year/24,000 mile "total protection plan" that is supposed to cover nearly everything if anything fails. Did I make a good decision in purchasing it, or was it just wasted money?

depends on the specifics of the plan. and also, if it requires you to provide maintenance records for the car, which you don't have (at least not all of them)

3. I didn't ask/check for the maintenance record (I said I was new ), but I carfaxed it when I came home and around every 3,000-6,000 miles, the car was "serviced" at a "service facility" (am i correct in assuming this was at a VW dealership?) that also included many lubed oil and filter changes. However, the car was had a "new owner reported" at 63, 581 and was last serviced at 63,672. After that, there was no more service logs until the vehicle was offered for sale at the dealership on 8/10/06. Do I have anything to worry about? Will getting a maintenace report from the dealership show me anything new?

well, that just means that whoever bought it at 63k didn't have it serviced at the dealer. whether or not it's been maintained properly, only the last owner knows. btw, at 80k, i'd suggest you do the timing belt, all other belts, tensioners, and water pump ASAP. actually, i recommend every 60k, so 80k is past overdue (don't listen to vw who says every 105k)

4. I read many threads about how important the timing belt is and that people should get them replaced at regular intervals. The timing belt is covered under the total service plan I purchased, but how would I "get" a replacement of it? Will it have to break first, or do I just bring it to the dealership after XXXXX miles?

read #3 above. also, make sure that it doesn't say something like "must have all maintenance done" or something like that. unless you got a service plan, the extended warranty won't cover the timing belt unless it fails. even if it's covered under warranty, chances are you might have to fight for it, and you'd be out of a car for 2-4 weeks. and when all's said and done, the car probably won't be the same as it was before the tb break.

11. I can turn the key in the door to the left and hold it to get all the windows down, but is there a way to do it with the remote? I tried pressing unlock and holding it, but nothing happens.

you need to install something like the alientech controller to get the remote to open/close the windows. on the newer cars (b6 passat, mkv jetta/gti/rabbit), then you don't need a separate controller.

 

Let me just say that I WISH I would have bought an extended warranty of some sort. It will DEFINATELY come in handy. Especially when you have to buy a new ABS Module, or a new ECU, etc.

 

oops...looks like viper already got some of the answers. oh well, the more the merrier!

 

Not trying to steal the thread but I tried googling "Auto RX treatment" but I don't know what I am looking for.

 

Not trying to steal the thread but I tried googling "Auto RX treatment" but I don't know what I am looking for.

heres the website url http://www.auto-rx.com/index.html

and heres one of the many old threads on autorx

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180620&highlight=autorx



get er done :thumbup:

 

Do you just do it twice than go back to synthetic?

 

Thanks a bunch for the quick replies guys.
It seems that I may have overpaid a tad for the car. Oh well. That's what I get for not doing research first.

@vwblackb5
5. That's good to know. As vipernoved mentioned below, that function was probably for heated mirrors. Should've read the manual more. How much force does it require to snap in? I tried to do it manually last night, and it didn't budge. Or maybe I was just afraid I was going to snap it.

6. I will check the autolock feature next time I'm driving. Maybe I don't notice it because my doors are always unlocked when I park/turn off the engine, and I just assume it was never locked during the whole ride.

8. I will check out the oil and timing belt asap, but shouldn't most of the things on the vw:maintenance site already have been checked out at the dealership? :icon_eek:

@ vipernoved
2. That's not good to hear. But it's giving me peace of mind for the time being, knowing that my car has hefty milage under it's belt.

4. Thanks for the warning. I'll get the belt checked out asap.

7. It's not? :icon_eek: Crap. It feels like once I let go of the accelerator, you can "feel" it slow down inside the car, and it "feels" like a jerking motion, but I'm not too sure if the physical car itself jerks. :\

9. check, check and check

@D.Passat00

1. I suspected so.

2. Alright. I'm goin to read all the fine print tonight.

3. I'll get everything checked out soon. Should I bring it back to the dealer (they just sold me the car 4 days ago) or to someone else? I don't know any mechanics, nor know any vw knowledable ones.

Thanks again everyone! :thumbup:

 

Do you just do it twice than go back to synthetic?

you gotta read...PICKLE!! the Auto RX website alone has all the directions..and if you need more info..SEARCH KEYWORD - AUTORX

Less than 100k miles : 1 treatment 2 phases, (Clean Phase, Rinse Phase) then back to Synthetic you GO! sludge FREE

More than 100k miles : 2 treatments 4 phases, (Clean, Rinse, Clean, Rinse) then back to synthetic you GO!

 

8. I will check out the oil and timing belt asap, but shouldn't most of the things on the vw:maintenance site already have been checked out at the dealership? :icon_eek:

i wouldn't make that assumption. their goal is to make money. they check it in so far as the items that are more visible so that they can sell it.

 

you gotta read...PICKLE!! the Auto RX website alone has all the directions..and if you need more info..SEARCH KEYWORD - AUTORX

Less than 100k miles : 1 treatment 2 phases, (Clean Phase, Rinse Phase) then back to Synthetic you GO! sludge FREE

More than 100k miles : 2 treatments 4 phases, (Clean, Rinse, Clean, Rinse) then back to synthetic you GO!

Ah I read the one that had Two Applications but said to continue using it afterwards... =(

 

you can use motul e-tech 8100. it contains esters, which is an ingredient in auto-rx

 

I don't know any mechanics, nor know any vw knowledable ones.

to be honest w/ you, i knew nothing about VW prior to owning my first b5 (99 1.8T) but i joined up, and read and read and read. there is a wealth of information in these forums. its more organized than any vw ones ud find out there. just keep searching and reading, pretty soon you'll be a bonified DIY guy. and you'll realize how much $$ you would be saving. the feeling of satisfaction you get after doing your own work on your car imho is Priceless!


heres a push in the right direction :thumbup:

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182326

 

Ok, so my check engine light stayed on after ignition on sunday night after work.

Is it safe to wait until Wednesday (only time i'm free) to bring it back to the dealer and get it checked out?

I hope it's nothing serious. Bah! Warrenty better cover whatever needs fixing. :banghead:

 

:banghead:

^^ Why my next car will NOT be a volkswagen.

If you JUST bought the damn thing, you should be covered. Go in when you can, but they may not be happy w/ you driving for a few days with a CEL (check engine light).

 

Hey there everyone. I've been reading this forum for the past few days to get myself familiarized with my new 1999 Passt 1.8T GLS. Now, I know absolutely nothing about cars, so excuse me if these questions/concerns are bit too "noobish".

1. I bought the car used from a VW dealer (Circle Imports, Long Beach) for $10398.99(before fees/taxes/etc) w/ 79,995 miles on the odometer. Did I overpay/get ripped off?

2. I also bought an extended 2 year/24,000 mile "total protection plan" that is supposed to cover nearly everything if anything fails. Did I make a good decision in purchasing it, or was it just wasted money?

3. I didn't ask/check for the maintenance record (I said I was new ), but I carfaxed it when I came home and around every 3,000-6,000 miles, the car was "serviced" at a "service facility" (am i correct in assuming this was at a VW dealership?) that also included many lubed oil and filter changes. However, the car was had a "new owner reported" at 63, 581 and was last serviced at 63,672. After that, there was no more service logs until the vehicle was offered for sale at the dealership on 8/10/06. Do I have anything to worry about? Will getting a maintenace report from the dealership show me anything new?

4. I read many threads about how important the timing belt is and that people should get them replaced at regular intervals. The timing belt is covered under the total service plan I purchased, but how would I "get" a replacement of it? Will it have to break first, or do I just bring it to the dealership after XXXXX miles?

5. Does my passat have foldable side mirrors? There is an option for "power folding mirrors" next to the controls for the left/right mirrors, but when I switch to it, nothing happens? Am I suppose to do something else besides switch to it?

6. Are my doors suppose to lock automatically when the engine starts (because it doesn't), or do I have to lock it manually with the power locks?

7. Is it "normal" for the car to jerk slightly each time I let go of the accelerator?

8. I know I'm supposed to get the oil changed every 3000 miles (I read that it requires synthetic oil, but I'm going to bring it to the dealer anyhow), is there anything else I need to change/check regularly?

9. The car isn't a CPO (due to it being over 75,000 miles and XX years old), but because I bought it from a VW dealer and they said everything is running smoothly, is there anything I should worry about?

10. Does the 6 disc cd chanage accecpt mp3 cds?

11. I can turn the key in the door to the left and hold it to get all the windows down, but is there a way to do it with the remote? I tried pressing unlock and holding it, but nothing happens.

That's all the questions I have for now. I know it's long, but I'm new and eager to learn. Thanks to anything who can answer any/all of my questions.
Hooray for German cars!

1) That seems a bit high, but did the protection plan from #2 get rolled into that price or is that just the price of the car?

2) See above, but probably not a bad idea.

3) When we say get a maintenance report we're looking for things like regular oil changes, 10k-20k-30k-etc service, any noticed problems being reported/corrected ASAP, etc. The CarFax report has little to play into this. Check with the dealer, most of the time they can pull that information from their systems for you.

4) Get it checked and get it replaced ASAP. Search the forums and you'll find lots on this subject.

5) No idea

6) No idea

7) NO

8) VW502 approved oil at 5k intervals with large filter. Search the forums and you'll find lots on this subject

9) OCI/sludge, timing belt, water pump.

10) No

11) There are some hacks in VAGCOM for it.

 

Ok, so my check engine light stayed on after ignition on sunday night after work.

Is it safe to wait until Wednesday (only time i'm free) to bring it back to the dealer and get it checked out?

I hope it's nothing serious. Bah! Warrenty better cover whatever needs fixing. :banghead:

Welcome to the wonderful world of VW ownership.

CEL means just that, check it out, don't wait.

 

10)Maybe instead of replacing the factory head unit, look into replacing the factory changer. A cheap mp3 changer is just a little more than a decent head unit. A reputable shop should be able to find a reasonably priced mp3 changer for you and the adapter to use it with the VW wiring.
This way you retain the ability to scan the car with VAGCOM without having to pull the radio out EVERY time.
I am going back to a stock head unit myself..well sort of

2/4 VW has a pretty decent repuatation in Canada for honouring their warranties; the US is another story.
I'd look into the warranty.....and get it in writing that when that belt breaks that they are going to repair all bent valves and pay for all the labour to have the head serviced.
Also...VW's manual says every 5(?) years does it not? Why havn't THEY done it if THEY recommend it!

You may be in for some $$ in repiars. Aaah life with german cars, as much as you enjoy them you spend time working to maintain them, but I'll never drive anything else!!!

Be happy that you didn't buy a 1998 1.8T with the self destructing turbocharger :beer:

 

Ok, so my check engine light stayed on after ignition on sunday night after work.

Is it safe to wait until Wednesday (only time i'm free) to bring it back to the dealer and get it checked out?

I hope it's nothing serious. Bah! Warrenty better cover whatever needs fixing. :banghead:

check the fabric coated vaccuum hose that runs from the intake manifold towards the left side of the engine(passenger side) and ducks down under the intake (to the diverter valve). this hose passes beneath a hard pipe that gets a lot of heat cycle and dry rots the hose.

mine was broken and i didn't see anything wrong, neither did the shop i took it to and paid a hundred bucks for diagnostics. then one day, i'm cleaning the engine plastics and see a frayed end of a hose, grab it and it's not connected. looking around more, i see the stump hooked onto the manifold and voila. i replace with a piece of rubber hose from (anywhere!!) autozone and within a few startups (i think it's 5 to reset a CEL) no light and no trouble for 2+ years since.

check all vaccuum hoses, there is a writeup in the info forum.

 

Thanks everyone so far for being helpful to this new owner.

Firstly, yes, I now realized that I overpaid for the car (it was 10398.99 before service plan/tax/etc).

Secondly, I recently fill up the tank with 91 unleaded fuel, and my car wouldn't start! :crazy: It was weird. But now everyone is working fine. (anyone want to take a shot at what happened?)

Thirdly, I took the car to autozone and ran the vag-com. Error code p1136 came up, which after searching the forums, leads me to believe one of the many hoses is either cracked/loose/disconnected. Made an appointment with the dealer for friday, in which case I asked is it still safe to drive, and they responded to "As long as the light isn't blinking; new york and back". :hmmm:

I am REALLY bad when it comes to car and changing any engine components and couldn't identify anythign under the hood. I tried looking at all the hoses and they all seemed to be at least secured.

Hopefully everything is still covered under dealership warranty, as I haven't even drove 400 miles yet, and the light came on!

So this is what owning a German car is like. It's a love-hate relationship. :bowdown:

 

Secondly, I recently fill up the tank with 91 unleaded fuel, and my car wouldn't start! :crazy: It was weird. But now everyone is working fine. (anyone want to take a shot at what happened?)

how low on gas were you? maybe ran the pump dry?

 

It was low, but didn't hit the two red lines yet. I had to restart the engine about 4/5 times before it would start up again. Hope this doesn't happen everytime I refuel.