Team-BHP - VW Polo - Maintenance and Service cost and dos/don'ts

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Originally Posted by 21Archer84 (Post 2975166)

I seriously doubt if it's a design defect. As I've faced this situation once with my Fabia recently after Dusshera.

As I had to travel to Hyd to celebrate, got the car washed and left it parked for almost a week. Came back only to notice that the car doesn't move. Got it fixed with help of a local mechanic. He said it is common with cars having Drum breaks. I noticed that a hard patch of brake pad was sticking to the Drum, almost appearing as a weld. Something to do with water, braking heat and Vaccum created upon locking with parking brakes.

I know that this issue is common to cars with drum brakes,but all the cars we've owned so far have had drum brakes and never have we faced this problem. I did my research, and most members who experienced this problem were able to break the lock with engine power or a mechanic would use a hammer to break the lock. In my case the car wouldn't budge for both and had to be taken to the workshop.

I wonder why the Polo is so different!

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Originally Posted by shashank.nk (Post 2975459)

I wonder why the Polo is so different!

It is the composition of the material used in the pad that makes it different.

Different companies use different composition, which makes the pad softer / harder / offer more grip / offer less grip / wear-out faster / lasts longer... etc.

Is it the Indian climate that is different or is this problem evident across the world? - Will be interesting to know.

It is just a matter of understanding to manage the hand brake, of the car we own. As far as Polo is concerned, I personally do not mind this issue since braking ability of the car is superb. :thumbs up

For long term (more than a few days) storage of cars it is recommended that handbrakes/parking brakes are not applied. Instead tyre stoppers are recommended. Even putting the car in a low gear (in MT) is a better idea than handbrakes.

I never thought of that. I park on a slope, but I don't have to. Cause for a rethink maybe.

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Instead tyre stoppers are recommended.

An added advantage would be being able to call out to the wife, just before leaving the drive, "Chocks Away!" I really like that idea :D

I lost the character "A" from the Volkswagen lettering at the rear bumper.Suspect it fell off by itself since the car was securely parked at home and at office. And there is no visible marks of someone having used a tool to pry it off .

Anyone had a previous experience with the badge lettering falling off ? Any idea of what VW is charging for the complete set ? I am looking at options of getting a spare "A" from any fellow t-bhpians who have removed their lettering or by chance have spares with them.

Any leads on how to ensure the rest of the lettering do not fall off ?

Might be an apportunity to take away the rest of the word!

Do the letters feel firm? Is there any play at all if you try to move them?

Otherwise, why not make a warranty issue of this and get the dealer to replace? It may be a small issue, but that doesn't mean it should not be covered.

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Originally Posted by AvonA7 (Post 2945480)

Parts Details, SNo. 4, engine oil 04 ltr - varies with VW showroom :(
The car is same so the engine oil capacity should be same.

Thanks for sharing.

I get my car serviced by B.U. Bhandari at Pune. Must tell you, extremely satisfied by the service and the attitude of the staff. Been there 4 times now (for minor repairs and a full service).

Just to tell you, when they changed engine oil, they did put some of the remaining engine oil (of the 4 liters they charged) in a container for me to be used later for top-ups. Now, this is really honest! At Maruti, I had my water bottles and other stuff gone missing while I gave my car for service, leave alone giving me back the extra engine oil!

VW rocks! B.U. Bhandari Pune rocks even better!!!http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images...humbs%20up.gif

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Originally Posted by kutts (Post 2979464)

I wonder if they would sell only the A badging to you, the whole set is pretty expensive mind you!

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Originally Posted by 599gto (Post 2990828)

I wonder if they would sell only the A badging to you, the whole set is pretty expensive mind you!

A very helpful T-BHPian helped me out by sending the "A" badging clap:

An VW Trivandrum was kind enough to put it back on using 3M tape without any charges. The full set would have cost 1200/-.

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Originally Posted by kutts (Post 2991646)

A very helpful T-BHPian helped me out by sending the "A" badging clap:

An VW Trivandrum was kind enough to put it back on using 3M tape without any charges. The full set would have cost 1200/-.

Lucky you man! But thats exactly what TeamBHP is all about, we are a team!clap: applause to the donor!

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Originally Posted by volkman10 (Post 2995552)

Seen this car @ the VW serice center. Seen a Polo with airbags deployed!

Attachment 1029207

Cheers!

How was the front end of this car? What caused deployment of airbags? What happened to the people traveling in this car?

I think answers to these questions will give all polo users some tips and/or assurance.

Personally, I prey, Airbag is one equipment in the car that I should never need to use.

(Thank goodness the Ganesh didn't deploy ;) )

This is very strange: was there external damage to the car? Had the car been in an accident?

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Personally, I prey, Airbag is one equipment in the car that I should never need to use.

Me too, because I know from someone who has been through it that it is no fun being smashed in the face by that thing. However, it beats being smashed in the face by the wheel or dashboard. Seat belt is assumed, as always. Of course.

As I write this, I recall seeing in the manual that the wheel should be positioned so that it is towards the chest, not the face, and be at least ten inches away. This is something we should be careful of. Check the book itself: do nottake this as an actual quote!

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Originally Posted by volkman10 (Post 2995552)

Seen this car @ the VW serice center. Seen a Polo with airbags deployed!

Something doesn't look right there! I mean for a car that has been in an accident or crash (presumably!) serious enough for the air bags to deploy, it looks pretty neat from the inside.

Buddy can you post some details of the exterior. Did you happen to get any?

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Originally Posted by Omtoatom (Post 2995856)

Buddy can you post some details of the exterior. Did you happen to get any?

Was in a hurry hence couldn't get more info on this. No much of frontal impact, but the bonnet could not be closed.

Cheers!