[PaulQ]

I have an '08 T2 and this issue may be unique to this new version of the Touareg. This is incredibly annoying to me. Maybe I am nuts but it’s really bothering me. I am hoping someone can help. Here's the deal...

Let's say I am driving at 30 MPH on city streets. When I apply the brake, I "feel" what I would describe as periodic engine braking occurring simultaneously. I also experience this periodically in all sorts of driving situations when I am not accelerating. In other words, the truck doesn't always just coast freely. This "feeling" doesn't really slow the truck, it's just a feeling like some sort of resistance is taking place. I have also described it as a “hum” but it’s only slightly audible.

I am in DRIVE with the A/C running (usually at “medium”). I have 800 miles now but it’s been happening since I picked up the truck. Oh - no, the parking brake is not on and the differential is not locked.

When I took my truck in to have the CD changer installed, I tried to describe this to the tech. They ultimately said it is probably one or more of the various pumps. It was also suggested that it may be the A/C compressor but I haven’t been able to determine that it truly the case.

What I would like to know is this… for those of you that are T2 owners, does your truck coast smoothly and quietly during and around the time you are braking like most cars?

I am becoming so frustrated with this that I am considering going to another VW dealer in a friend’s car to test drive another T2 and see what it does. I need to figure out if this is just something a T2 does or mine is screwed up.


Again, there have been so many changes in the 2008 model so it may be unique to this new design. Unfortunately, they just came out so I don’t know how many owners are out there yet. I’d like to get some direction before I take it back to VW and give it up for the week or more they seem to need to fix a T2.

If anyone has any insight, I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much for you time.


:anger:

 

[ania]

I noticed that too on our T2. When I drive slow and apply the brake slowly it feels like there is some kind of resistance. Can't tell what it is either, but I can definitelly feel it? It does not happen when I hit the brake harder.

 

[PaulQ]

There is a bit more of a discussion on this going on at VWvortex.com but what I've learned is that it is probably normal. It is related to the engine downshifting. It sounds like yours fits that explanation.

I'm not so sure in my case. Mine is not consistent. I've only had this truck a short time so maybe I just need to get used to it.

 

[dploy]

I have noticed in my T2 (1000k miles) that there seems to be an intelligent dynamic braking applied when, and only when, the brake is engaged while coasting on a decline (no matter how slight).

This would make sense. If I listen carefully, I can hear the gears kicking in and slowing the vehicle - thus feeling like resistance.


Are you experiencing this on flat pavement?

 

[PaulQ]

Are you experiencing this on flat pavement?

Yes. On flat pavement. Phoenix has very few substantial hills.

I think I understand what you are describing but that's not what happens.

If I remember it right, I think it happens periodically when I'm not even applying the brake.

 

[dploy]

That is weird Paul. I am not experiencing this issue. But I believe you are experiencing something...

Can I ask what you were driving before the T2 and for how long? Reason I ask is that the car I traded in I have for 5 years and it makes me very sensitive to the way the T2 differs. I will also say the the T2 seems to coast less freely that my wife's Murano. But I think that is due to weight...?

Can you reproduce the effect? If so, take the service Mgr on quick test.

 

[PaulQ]

Thanks dploy!

Believe it or not, prior to this, I had a Murano for 3 years. That CVT really had a smooth ride. I have recently realized that I do need to get used to a regular transmission.

I am also getting used to the weight. I didn't really notice it on the test drive but I really love this truck otherwise.

Yes, it is reproduceable. Right now, I have decided to give it a few hundred more miles to see if breaking in will change things. If not, it's back to the dealer (unless someone tells me differently on here).

I should mention that I *did* take it in and ask about it. They had the truck for several days and ultimately said that whatever it was is normal and probably related to various pumps. That wasn't the only reason it was in, though.

 

[AZBob]

It's just the ramification of the transmission downshifting/engine braking, and the four-wheel drive transfer cases parasitic drag.

In a "normal" 2-wheel drive vehicle, the vehicle will coast quite nicely. The Touareg, and most AWD vehicles, actually slow down going downhill unless the hill is quite steep. It has nothing to do with electronics, it's just the parasitic drag of the transfer cases. I've gotten so used to in my Touareg, that when I drive with people in their cars, it feels to me like they're accelerating when they're coasting.

If your mileage is about average (~14-15mpg), then there's nothing wrong.