you should definitely sell. This vehicle is not for you.
Have you considered a taxi service?

 

lmaof



funny, but true. So....you buy a $60,000 plus car then complain??

too funny...

 

New owner of a Golf TDI, I'll tell you the diesel doesn't like the cold at all compared to my 2004 V8. I recommend moving to warmer temperatures to take full advantage of your investment.

 

- Not possible to have a motor block heater (is it standard for any TDI ?);
Modern diesels like this generally don't need 'em

- No way to disable all those annoying audible alarms caused by the build-up of snow or calcium on the park control system sensors.
It happens on every vehicle equipped with them. Hit the button on the dash to turn 'em off

- Build-up of snow or ice inside the large area of the wheel rims that make unbalanced the wheel.
Have the same issue with every vehicle I own that has large opening on wheels... this is not a Touareg problem. I live in Colorado.

- Inefficient de-frosting of both front and rear windshield under very cold weather conditions
Never had that issue. I've always had good response time from my defrosters.

- Low tire pressure alarm during cold weather (the computer should take into account the outside temperature prior to enable this alarm).
There's not a tire pressure monitoring system around that does that. Cold air does what it does with tires --- again... not a Touareg problem

- Delay before you get the "heated steering wheel" screen when you hit the Climate infotainment button the first time. I don't understand why it takes one minute to boot when you hit that button…
Really?

- Erratic behavior of the keyless door handles as soon as there a little bit of dirt on them
Never experienced that problem

- And the worst: no way to lock the door and let your car heating up once the motor is running. Actually there is a way: using the emergency hardware key trapped inside the electronic remote key but it is quite complicated first to get that key and secondly to remove that cover on the door handle every time you want to let your motor heating with the doors locked…)
If you locked your key in the car... you'd be on here complaining that the car should have prevented the doors from being locked.

I'm thinking you should have purchased a horse.

 

I'm thinking you should have purchased a horse.

Then he'd have to deal with the hypothermia the horse will have at -38 degrees Celcius.

 

- Low tire pressure alarm during cold weather (the computer should take into account the outside temperature prior to enable this alarm).
There's not a tire pressure monitoring system around that does that. Cold air does what it does with tires --- again... not a Touareg problem

again....a no brainer. The car is doing exactly what it is designed to do...warn you of low tire pressures. You need to add air to the tires...yup....really. the colder it gets the more air you have to add. remember high school physics...?? i suspect morning glory should just buy a 1990 ford tempo

 

Larger rims= less sidewall = more snow gets in the open rim.

Colder temps. = longer engine warm up time, but turn your heat on max/defrost and the electric heater will kick in and warm the cabin faster. Set the heated seat on max… Owner’s manual states that idling to warm up the TDI does not work that way... It must be driven.

As a driver that is responsible you should coordinate the weather forecast with your tire pressures... There is ~1 psi change for every 10 degrees F... The tpms warning is there in case your tire is going flat. This is a safety warning as you don’t want the tire to come off the rim and you also don’t want the vehicle to slide around from underinflated tires.

Use the key fob to unlock the door before you leave the house and to open the tailgate if needed.

 

The tire inflation is important safety factor. If system warns you that it is low, it requires inflation, not adjustment of the reading. Every 10 degrees drop in temperature causes tire pressure to drop 1 psi.
I had block heaters on my 4-5 previous vehicles. Never used them on any one of them. They assist in vehicle start, but my TDI starts nicely without them. Lowest tested temperature was -28F. BTW, TDI has heaters built-in for many critical sub-systems and they are activated automatically.
Park sensors work exactly the same on all vehicles I've personally drove. Yes, it might be annoying, but how come that you cannot disable parking assistance system?
When it gets that cold there will be some insufficient windows defrosting in any vehicle no matter what. Especially if you have a Lady right after shower with wet hair sitting next to you or otherwise a couple of buddies just out of the pub.
My infotainment system also does not boot momentarily and it takes a bit longer when the temps below freezing. I cannot say about steering wheel heater "boot" time - I don't have it - but this is one of the functions of the Infotainment System menu, is it not?.
True - you cannot lock your Touareg when engine is running, but this is an another precaution so you won't lock your keys inside and be left running around in -38F waiting for locksmith to open a door for you (and surely wreck it).
Cannot say anything about erratic door behavior either - others with Exec package might chime in.
I am just curious, what did you drive before - assuming that it was something doing all of the things which Touareg is not capable of doing?

 

I just want to clarify here my initial post: I am very satisfied of what I bought. Just wanted to share some annoying things...maybe my mood is because of this cold weather after all (still -31 right now...)

 

- Delay before you get the "heated steering wheel" screen when you hit the Climate infotainment button the first time. I don't understand why it takes one minute to boot when you hit that button…
Really?

- Errag

I second this. I like to let the electric heater and defrost do some work for a couple minutes before I leave in the morning. I hate waiting for this screen!

 

@Conservative: I had a Durango 2004 and an Infinity EX35 2008. Let clarify about the key thing: my Touareg have the keyless start option. With my Infinity I was able to start the engine with the button, get out the car and lock the door with the electronic remote key. I can't to this with the T-reg. Not big deal if you do not have any valuable object in the car.

 

I just hope this is not one of those psychology professor and students looking for forum reaction like happened earlier on this forum......


First off all, block heater is available in Europe and installed to all TDI's going to Nordic Countries so it's the pathetic dealer who is faling here...

Second of all, modern diesels doesn't produce much waste heat as by-product (used to hear the interior) like energy wasting gasoline engine does so fastest way the screw up the modern diesel is to start it cold morning and leave it idling while waiting it to warm up and bitch when it doesn't warm up.

Fastest way to warm it up is start it, turh the heat knob to HI, set fan to second (no use to blow cold air until it really warms up) and just drive off gently without starting a race right away

This person should have bought gasser instead diesel. Whats next? He fills up with summer grade and it clouds and he gets stuck when pump can't suck the syrup through and again it's cars fault?

 

My T1 gasser is running outside to warm up as I type, but it's only minus 2C here and the UK has come to a standstill yet again after a mere 3 inches of snow!

I think you're allowed to bitch as there are plenty of stupid design flaws in the Touareg that Fritz and Heidi in the design department haven't thought through, but that's been the same the since day 1 and will be the same when the T4 is launched too!! As you say, it doesn't mean we don't like the car itself.

My fat wheels can vibrate with mud lodged in them but it's still an off-roader - I just drive faster so centrifugal force can sort it out.

 

I got a fix.... if it is cold, go out to the car and start it 5 minutes before you are due to leave for work... I seem to remember having to actually warm my car (back in the good old days) for 5 mins before driving it on a cold morning. Are you in that much of a rush you can't start the car and duck back inside to grab your coffee. Unless of course you have a car security issue.

I get it... hell... WTF live in such a cold place... move to Australia. Problem solved. And you can get a new Treg with Air Suspension too... a problem a lot of US Forum members have be complaining about not having access too.

 

Your lucky you did not get ductwork like mine that heated the glove box noy my feet! Got that fixed though. My Lexus won't let me lock the keys in the car either. I have questioned the defroster on some rainy days not winter though as much.

 

By the way you can lock the car with engine running. Had key in ignition with engine running on my '04 V8. Wife tosses purse containing second key fob into back seat and closes door. When purse lands, something bumps key fob and all doors lock. Engine running, doors locked, and no way to enter other than locksmith. Be careful what you wish for...

 

By the way you can lock the car with engine running. Had key in ignition with engine running on my '04 V8.

On 2006 with keyless start:

With engine on and key on your pocket (as always, of course), step out of car. Hit the lock button on the key fob. Car is locked. Go check mail, buy an ice cream, whatever. Come back, pull handle on door, get back in. :wave:



Note: this does not work with the regular pushbutton on the door handles. Maybe it works with the actual metal key? Don't know. But it does work with the remote.

 

Welcome to the Touareg forum, Morning Glory!

Seems like most responses have been defensive. I appreciate your observations, but my T1 has an "old-fashioned" key, lacks the heated steering wheel, and I never mess much with that multi-function display. But it is nice to know when the remaining gas gets below 75 miles-to-empty.

I am surprised no one suggested you switch over your tires to nitrogen. My guess is you have a progressive tire dealership somewhere nearby that will change you over to nitrogen. With its larger molecules, it is less susceptible to tire pressure changes.

I like the Treg because it drives smooth and handles well. Still figuring out which button does what.

My V6 started fine after sitting outside all night in minus 17 degrees Farenheit. Wind chill was minus 35F.

Anyway, you forgot something: the power windows freeze shut, both after a "de-road-salt" power wash or a freezing rain.

 

If you have $60K for a car you usually have a garage for it...-31C outside today and +21C inside my garage this morning

That said the heated seats, heated steering wheel, electic aux heater (to warm things up early), auto climate control AND the worlds best AWD system make the Touareg the absolute best winter car EVER for me.

 

This is my first winter with my new 2012 Touareg (TDI Executive).
And winter is kind of hard where I lived in Northern Quebec (it was -38 C when I woke up this morning).
So far I am not convinced the Touareg designer had any concerns about winter facts and figures when they designed the T-reg:
- Not possible to have a motor block heater (is it standard for any TDI ?);
- No way to disable all those annoying audible alarms caused by the build-up of snow or calcium on the park control system sensors.
- Build-up of snow or ice inside the large area of the wheel rims that make unbalanced the wheel.
- Inefficient de-frosting of both front and rear windshield under very cold weather conditions
- Low tire pressure alarm during cold weather (the computer should take into account the outside temperature prior to enable this alarm).
- Delay before you get the "heated steering wheel" screen when you hit the Climate infotainment button the first time. I don't understand why it takes one minute to boot when you hit that button…
- Erratic behavior of the keyless door handles as soon as there a little bit of dirt on them
- And the worst: no way to lock the door and let your car heating up once the motor is running. Actually there is a way: using the emergency hardware key trapped inside the electronic remote key but it is quite complicated first to get that key and secondly to remove that cover on the door handle every time you want to let your motor heating with the doors locked&#133

I believe that the Touareg has been a very good winter but have only owned it a year. So far it handles the cold weather very well so not sure why a block heater would be needed.

The snow on the wheels is a common problem with the larger wheels. It was really bad on the Audi allroad. I changed out the 20s for 18s with winter tires and so far not had the issue but the worst snow fall so far has been 10". Some people have been known to spray PAM on the inside of the wheel to prevent the snow from sticking.

I have had no issue with defroster but I do clean the inside windows frequently to prevent film build up.

Tire pressure again no issue even -0 F. I adjust tire pressure if needed monthly. I am impressed with the accuracy of the TPMS.

Inforcenter delay: I was very frustrated with this also until I learned from Ross Tech that it wakes up when the doors are unlocked. I started using the key fob from a distance away to unlock and generally the info center is ready to go by the time the car is started. Also the heated steering wheel button should be on the column not part of the info center.

The reason the car won't lock when running is I am sure VW would get tired of all the calls to unlock the car. That being said maybe there is a way via VAG-COM to over ride this for those of us that want to take the risk of locking the key in the car.

The Touareg has grown on us over the past year and we are very pleased with it. It's not perfect but what car is.

 

Inefficient de-frosting of both front and rear windshield under very cold weather conditions

In the original Touaregs (2004-2009), there was a very nifty power management module which constantly monitored the electric loads on the battery and alternator. If the PMM detected that power consumption was going to deplete the battery, it started to turn off systems, starting with the less important and going down the line. I think the list was in the manual? There certainly should be a post somewhere in this site about it.

I always thought it is a very nifty piece of equipment. I'd rather have the steering wheel heating turned off than get stranded by the side of the road.

Delay before you get the "heated steering wheel" screen when you hit the Climate infotainment button the first time. I don't understand why it takes one minute to boot when you hit that button…

On the original Touaregs, there is a direct access button for this function right on the steering wheel. Furthermore, the "on" or "off" status is preserved across start cycles, so you can turn it on in November and not turn it off unly March, if you feel like it.

:dance:

 

Whoa, It was my first post in this forum and just find out it's dangerous to post anti-VW comment. Lot of defensive answers. Looks like only VW reps here. Anyway I do enjoy my Treg despite of these minor winter issues, despite of these many visits to my dealer to reset the check engine and airbags lights, despite of the Adblue pump they replaced at 1500km, that radiator leak caused by a bad welding at the factory (this happened at 8000km), etc.

 

Man,

This was a warm CT welcome! You’ve succeeded to gain popularity posting just once – that’s an achievement! If many answers felt defensive, they were such because we love our Touaregs and want to help a fellow Touareger to do the same in full. Sounds like you don’t have to be convinced. I agree, when it is so cold outside (-38F) that the air feels burning, one feels a bit down. I hope you’ve found some information posted in reply to your post useful.

Again, welcome to the CT!

 

that radiator leak caused by a bad welding at the factory (this happened at 8000km), etc.

Could there be some left over coolant being pulled into the cabin that is causing the challenge with defrosting? Doesn't take much moisture in cold temps. Was this an issue before the radiator leak?

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by morning_glory
that radiator leak caused by a bad welding at the factory (this happened at 8000km), etc.

Could there be some left over coolant being pulled into the cabin that is causing the challenge with defrosting? Doesn't take much moisture in cold temps. Was this an issue before the radiator leak?
____________________

This happened during a very nice thanksgiving weekend (Canadian thanksgiving being second Monday of October). On my way to our local Costco I got the low coolant alarm. Once at the parking I looked to the coolant expansion tank and the level was actually low but not that much. When I came back to my touareg after shopping I saw that big puddle of coolant below it. I called the volkswagen roadside assistance who, by the way, were very cooperative and gave a very good service. Towing was on site 20 minutes after the call I made. On next Tuesday the dealer confirmed it was a manufacturing defect. He said it was the second time he've seen such thing happened, the first time was a Passat.
I was not lucky that day I guess...

 

Just to clarify about the key issue, my touareg starts with the push button as long as the key is detected inside the cabin. I don't know if it's standard but I have this feature. So when the motor is running, you can't lock your door while the key is inside since you need the key in your when you lock. So that's the thing I found a little bit stupid.

 

Just to clarify about the key issue, my touareg starts with the push button as long as the key is detected inside the cabin. I don't know if it's standard but I have this feature. So when the motor is running, you can't lock your door while the key is inside since you need the key in your when you lock. So that's the thing I found a little bit stupid.

Sit in your Touareg with key fob in hand and start it by using the push button start. Then get out of the vehicle with the key fob still in hand and use the key fob to lock your doors.

I just now tried it and the doors lock with the motor running.
.

 

The whole problem is: you pay 60 grand for a trouble free auto. looks like it doesn't happen here. I'm in Dallas TX where the winters are mile and my brakes squeal for the first few miles and they tell me this is normal. Hummmm.

 

Is it just me, or are many of the T3 owners coming on here lately a bunch of crankoids or on PMS? :razz:

 

Hah! Too funny