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VW Jetta TDI

4744 messages,  Last post on Apr 25, 2013 at 10:12 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Jetta, Biodiesel, Diesel, Sedan

Messages Page 461 of 475

#4598 of 4744 Advice on Tires for a 2009 VW Jetta TDI Wagon by kooler

Oct 19, 2011 (5:45 pm)

Hey-
I purchased this 2009 Jetta TDI Sportwagen. The car only has 1800 miles on it and has the original Michelin radial tires. Last winter the tires were all over the road even when the road was cold. When we had snow, it was too dangerous to drive the car. Since winter tires with spikes are illegal (from what I was told at Costco Tire Center) does anybody have some good recommendations on tires that would be considered "all season?" I looked at the Michelin winter tires at Costco. The technology sounds like it would be better then what is on the car, the sales guy said you change the winter tires back to the other tires every spring.
 
Does anybody have any suggestions on a good tire for this car and one that I could leave on year round?
 
Also, does is Tire Rack.com a good company? Do they ship the tires to you and you find a place to install the tires? Is that how it works?
 
thanks for any help regarding getting some good tires that can perform during "normal" driving and all seasons.

#4599 of 4744 Re: Advice on Tires for a 2009 VW Jetta TDI Wagon [kooler] by ruking1

Oct 19, 2011 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: kooler (Oct 19, 2011 5:45 pm)
The Michelin's that come oem with the JSW are probably some of the best rated tires for an all season. I would have absolutely no issues replacing with Michelin MVX-4's.
 
However, nothing substitutes for winter snows. To expect an all seasons tire to perform like dedicated snows is an unrealistic expectation It can also be unsafe. Dedicated Michelin winter snows are probably some of the best rated winter tires also.

#4600 of 4744 Re: Advice on Tires for a 2009 VW Jetta TDI Wagon [kooler] by barryob5

Oct 19, 2011 (5:56 pm)

Replying to: kooler (Oct 19, 2011 5:45 pm)
I also have a 2009 VW Jetta Wagon with the Michelin MXV tires. I have not experienced the problems you mentioned, but I'm in Florida.
 
Having lived in the Northeast for many years, I can tell you that having 4 snow tires on a car makes a world of difference. I owned a Mercedes CLK convertible that was terrible in the snow. When I put on 4 snows, it handled the snow like a Jeep! The difference was incredible. Of course, you have the expense of buying the extra tires, but you're not putting miles on the summer tires when you have the snows on. Many tire dealers up north offer free changeover and free storage, but that takes some homework.
 
My brother in law is the CFO of a major tire chain, and he has nothing but good things to say about Tire Rack. They are a well respected company. I believe that you can find what installation stores they have in your area right on their website. What I'd do is get the Tire Rack price, then bring it to your local tire stores and see if they'll match it.

#4601 of 4744 Re: Advice on Tires for a 2009 VW Jetta TDI Wagon [barryob5] by gagrice

Oct 19, 2011 (8:38 pm)

Replying to: barryob5 (Oct 19, 2011 5:56 pm)
My 2005 VW Passat TDI Wagon came with Michelin MX something in 17" size. We bought it in Portland Oregon and drove back during the winter. Hit Ice, snow and rain. I thought the tires handled the conditions very well. I was spending half the year driving on ice & snow in the Arctic so maybe I was not the best judge of how they handled. My only complaint was the rough ride on 17" tires that small. I also disabled the ESC. I don't like electronics driving for me.

#4602 of 4744 Re: Advice on Tires for a 2009 VW Jetta TDI Wagon [barryob5] by longo2

Oct 19, 2011 (9:07 pm)

Replying to: barryob5 (Oct 19, 2011 5:56 pm)
I can say that the TireRack sould be part of any tire buying decision, the website is full of excellent info and reviews even down to owners specific vehicles. This way you don't have to read reviews about how some tire works great in the winter and then find out that the owner has them on an AWD vehicle.
But the one thing that TireRAck has that a lot of shops don't, is the Hunter Roadforce ballancing system for tires that you get shipped on rims (best bet, you never get a bad tire this way)
When you get your order they are well packaged mounted, ballanced and include a complete new set of wheel bolts.
 
I drive in horrible winter conditions for months every year (live in Canada, we know snow) but my 2006 Jetta with 4 General Altimax Arctics on 15" steel rims will bulldoze a lot of snow and hang on to snow packed roads very well. It's just very deep powder that causes things to go bad.
 
The VW Jetta TDI's are not the best winter vehicle out there that's for sure, ( too little clearance underneath the oil pan and kind of cold blooded)
 
I have used TireRAck for 3 different sets of 4 mounted winter tires on steel wheels, all General Altimax Arctics.

#4603 of 4744 Re: Advice on Tires for a 2009 VW Jetta TDI Wagon [longo2] by gagrice

Oct 19, 2011 (9:26 pm)

Replying to: longo2 (Oct 19, 2011 9:07 pm)
Longo, what was the name of that outfit you got the risers for your Jetta? I am thinking of retiring the Lexus to a family member and buying a Golf or Beetle TDI. I would love to get it an inch or so higher.
 
PS
The Tire rack is the best source of information on tires.

#4604 of 4744 Re: Advice on Tires for a 2009 VW Jetta TDI Wagon [kooler] by chuckycheese

Oct 20, 2011 (3:07 pm)

Replying to: kooler (Oct 19, 2011 5:45 pm)
I have had Bridgestone Blizzaks (4) on my 2000 TDI, '06 TDI, & my wife's '03 Volvo S60 (FWD). Tire Rack is an excellent choice to review your options. There is no substitute for 4 winter tires (my opinion). I live in PA.

#4605 of 4744 Re: Advice on Tires for a 2009 VW Jetta TDI Wagon [gagrice] by longo2

Oct 20, 2011 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Oct 19, 2011 9:26 pm)
Hi gagrice, here's the phone number to order those "Mr. Gasket" spacers for the Jetta front springs...1-800-345-4545 they were $5.95 a couple of years ago but $7.95 now...'price creep'....so what else is new?
 
BTW, you still have the link to order that really nice front hood deflector for the Jetta?
 
Thanks for checking...

#4606 of 4744 hairstyle of drivers who raise the suspension / to TDI or not to TDI by elias

Oct 22, 2011 (5:09 am)

before I traded my 4th VW TDI (120k miles), I considered upgrading/replacing the suspension, probably with some aftermarket/slight-drop & properly tuned/variable-rate-spring aftermarket setup.
  
Raising a suspension does not fit the definition of 'upgrade' in my dictionary but it does fit the definition of 'mullet'. Don't do it, gagrice!
 
imho raising the suspension is a downgrade and i'd like to reiterate my recommendation to leave the cars center of gravity where it is , or lower it, but don't raise it.
 
If one needs ground clearance that badly maybe better choices are a VW Tig sans mullet,
 or a pickup-truck avec mullet.
 
VW diesels are nice but compromising other aspects of driving just to continue with diesel was not worth it to me. the failure rate on the new TDI fuel systems seems also not worth it to me.

#4607 of 4744 Re: hairstyle of drivers who raise the suspension / to TDI or not to TDI [elias] by gagrice

Oct 22, 2011 (5:32 am)

Replying to: elias (Oct 22, 2011 5:09 am)
You are probably right on raising the Golf or Jetta. It is just to low for my tastes. The Tiguan is a good height for getting in and out of comfortably. Unfortunately it does not get good enough mileage to justify the price. I currently own a Nissan Frontier that I enjoy driving. A 22 year old LS400 that just will not break. I drive it just because it is there. And our Sequoia that we take on trips. None average over 17 MPG. I suppose an older diesel SUV that will run on just about anything would be better. I could import an older Land Cruiser diesel from Canada. I really cannot financially justify any vehicle purchase.
 
Is there any consensus on why the TDI fuel systems are failing. Are people getting low grade high sulfur diesel? Could it be the winter blends are causing the problems?

Messages Page 461 of 475

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