Volkswagen Golf Maintenance Guides - Common Volkswagen Golf Repair Questions Answered
The Golf is a compact car from the German manufacturer Volkswagen. Its first conception came way back in 1974, and nowadays it is still a staple on our roads. The Volkswagen Golf is praised for being well-rounded and giving drivers a comfortable ride.
Volkswagen Golf Tyre Pressure
What is the recommended tyre pressure of a Volkswagen Golf?
To find the optimum tyre pressure for your Volkswagen Golf, it is best to consult your car’s manual as the value varies slightly depending on the year of the model.
The driver’s door has a tyre placard stick in the interior which lists the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle.
However, the minimum tyre pressure for the 2019 Volkswagen golf is 38psi, which is equal to 260 kPa and 2.6 bar.
How to check a Volkswagen Golf tyre pressure?
The easiest way to check your tyre pressure regularly, is to purchase a small hand-held pressure gauge. You can also measure your tyre pressure at a garage station.
What should I do once I see a tyre pressure warning?
Your tyre pressure warning light turning amber, combined with a deflating tyre is a nudge to check your tyre pressure levels immediately.
The warning light could be an indication that you have a serious or slow puncture; in this incident take your car to a garage promptly.
How do I reset a Volkswagen Golf tyre pressure light?
To turn off the tyre pressure light go through to your infotainment system and select:
Car > Setup > Tires> Set> Confirm
You are asked to confirm that your tires are properly inflated, which you should have done before resetting the light.
If you have an older VW model without an infotainment system, then the TPMS reset button should be inside your glove box.
Hold the button in for about two seconds until you hear an audible beep.
When resetting the tyre pressure light in a VW, you are also resetting the sensors that is why it is important for your tyres pressure to be correct before resetting the light.
So that if you have a pressure-related issue again, your can send you out a warning again via the tyre pressure warning light.
Volkswagen Golf Warning Lights
What do the warning lights mean on a Volkswagen Golf?
Volkswagen golf warning lights on your dash follow a traffic light colour system. Green ensures that the system is working correctly or is in use. Yellow is an indication that something isn’t working properly, and you should get it checked out. Red tells you that there is a serious and potentially dangerous problem. Halt driving as soon as possible and seek help.
When you turn your ignition key to engine on, these lights will go out. If they remain on, then it’s an indication of a problem and the traffic light system applies.
Volkswagen golf lights that you must pay special attention to include:
Ignition
The ignition warning light coming on whilst driving indicates a malfunction. It may be that the alternator is not charging the battery, or it could be another issue that a professional will be able to diagnose.
Oil Pressure Warning
This light may stay on when you start the vehicle or come on whilst you are driving. If this happens, switch the engine off and check the engine oil levels. Top up if necessary and if the light remains on seek professional assistance from a trained mechanic.
Brake System Warning
If the red brake system warning light(looks like an exclamation mark in a circle with brackets on either outer side) stays on after releasing your parking break, it can mean that brake fluid is low, or your automatic braking system isn’t working properly. You should not risk driving once this light comes on as it is one of the most important safety features of the Volkswagen Golf.
What does a Volkswagen Golf engine warning light mean?
There are a range of issues that could be triggering your engine warning light. It can be anything from a faulty oxygen sensor or worn spark plugs to a catalytic converter related issue. If your engine warning light comes on, the safest thing to do is to have the issue identified and fixed by a trained mechanic.
How to reset a Volkswagen Golf oil warning light?
Turn the ignition to run (one position before starting engine).
Access the settings menu:
a) Use the windshield wiper lever toggle switch or
b) Use the buttons on the right-hand side of the multi-function steering wheel
Settings> Service> Reset> Confirm.
Turn the ignition off and then start the engine to verify the indicator has been reset.
Volkswagen Golf Service Intervals
When are Volkswagen Golf service intervals?
Volkswagen recommend that your car should go in for a minor service every 30,000 miles, alongside your yearly MOT service.
Regular servicing between annual MOT’s will ensure that your car is working correctly and that any potential issues are dealt with early on to prevent further damage.
At around 30,000 miles a brake fluid change and rear brake pads may need replacing and will do then onwards every two/three years.
At 40,000 miles it is likely that your cambelt will need a change (every 4/5 years), front brake pad and disc replacement along with an oil and filter change.
At 60,000 miles and every 60,000 from that point onward your front and rear brake pads will require replacement.
Volkswagen Golf Common Problems
What are common Volkswagen Golf gearbox problems?
A gearbox problem that has been extremely common with Volkswagen Golfs, concerns those vehicles that were built between 2003 and 2016.
It concerns the DQ200 Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) and fails by the means of a complete loss of drive with the inability to choose gears. Thus, causing the EPC light to stay illuminated as well as a continual flashing of the gear symbols on the dashboard.
Are clutch problems common on a Volkswagen Golf?
Owners of Volkswagen Golf’s manufactured between August 2008 and September 2009 have reported similar clutch problems. in some rare occasions, the clutch has opened unexpectantly prohibiting the car from driving.
What causes a Volkswagen Golf clutch to shudder?
Clutch shudder is also known as clutch shatter, it is a vibration or stutter when the clutch is released. It can be one of the most difficult clutch problems to diagnose and subsequently repair.
There are several issues that may be causing the clutch chatter. Your Volkswagen Golf clutch may be shuddering because of a warped flywheel caused by excessive heat build-up, this may have to be resurfaced or replaced.
Clutch shudder may also be related to the disc, pressure plate distortion or a damaged release bearing. Your best bet to get the problem resolved, is visiting a garage for a professional diagnosis and repair of your vehicle.
The Rear Boot of my Volkswagen Golf is not locking properly?
This has been reported to be a common problem with the Volkswagen Golf. We advise that you try spraying some WD40 in the locking actuator to try and fix the problem.
If you still have no luck after that, the next step is resetting the remote. The instructions for which are in the car manual and if that too fails, contact a trained professional.
Volkswagen Golf Oil
What is the oil capacity for a Volkswagen Golf?
The oil capacity of your Golf varies slightly depending on the exact model and manufacture year of your car, although the oil capacity for most Volkswagen Golf’s sits between 3 and 4 litres.
For an exact capacity volume for your vehicle, we recommend that you refer to your car manual.
What to do if a Volkswagen Golf leaks oil?
Oil leaks are a problem that must be dealt with efficiently to nip any further damage in the bud.
An oil leak that is left unchecked by a professional can eventually get on to the vehicle’s rubber hoses or seals causing them to wear down prematurely.
You can check if you are suffering from an oil leak by checking your oil dipstick for a level drop. Consult a local garage through Who Can Fix My Car for oil leak repair.
Volkswagen Golf Battery
What are the signs that I need a new battery?
There are several signs that your battery is dying and will require replacement.
A slow starting engine is usually the final sign before your battery gives up entirely. Earlier signs that are imperative to spot range from dim lights, corroded connectors and a misshapen battery case to a bad smell. Batteries normally last around 3 years, it is better to pre-empt any failure by getting your battery tested when it reaches around three years old.
What to do if a Volkswagen Golf battery dies?
If the battery in your Volkswagen Golf dies, you will need to consult a garage about a battery replacement quickly.
A mechanic will be able to come out to a location best for you and replace the battery to get you back out on the road!
Common Volkswagen Golf Questions
Why is my Volkswagen Golf door leaking?
A regularly reported problem with the Golf is leaks around and in the doors. You may have noticed that there is water on the floor at the foot-wells. These cars are known for having a build-up of water trapped inside the door which you can sometimes hear if you open and close the door quickly. The drainage is poor on these parts causing the water to build up.
Let the door dry out and check the drainage to resolve this issue, if it cannot be fixed at home contact a reliable garage via Who Can Fix My Car.