Red GTI

This only happens when I pull into microcenter. Then again, microcenter's parking lot has been the only place so far that I've turned into an incline at a slightly faster than normal speed. Hopefully, a cupkit upgrade will get rid of it.

I just found a really good PDF article about some common and not so common ways to up that MPG number. Here are some of the things that I didn't know about:

- Above 55 mph, each 1 mph increase in vehicle speed decreases fuel economy by
0.1 mpg
- Worn tires provide better fuel economy than new tires, up to 7% better fuel economy.
- Tires make biggest difference in mpg below around 50 mph; aerodynamics is the
most important factor over around 50 mph.

Check out the rest of the article from the link below.

Links: MPG Secrets

Kelly from MJM just informed me that the Revo SPS Select Pluses were backordered! They ordered 100 units and 80 were already reserved. These things sell quick! I emailed Wolf and he said he had one for sale. Hopefully he'll have time this weekend.

I ordered the SPS Select Plus from them this weekend but I haven't received any confirmation. They should've sent it yesterday. I've called them and emailed their sales department. Hopefully I will get an answer today. If Wolf from HW Parts Tuning has time this Sunday, I will take my car to get the reflash.

My GTI has had a minor alignment problem since around 2k miles. At least I think it's an alignment problem. My steering wheel is off about .5 inches to the left. I don't feel any kind of biased pull when I let go of the wheel at low or high speeds. I do have a lifetime alignment deal with Firestone so at least it won't cost me that much money to fix. A few other people are having this problem too.

Well another dude with a GTI, let's call him Alf, told me that the SPS unit did not come with the reflash software. Reading the product description for the SPS really misled me to believe that it did. Oh well lesson learned. How embarassing.

I ordered my Revo unit last night from MJM Autohaus in San Antonio. It costs $325. Not bad considering APR and GIAC are charging $500-$600 for just the flash. With the SPS, I get to select timing and boost settings and can reflash my ECU back to stock without going back to the dealer. This is definitely the best bang for the buck.

Links: MJM Autohaus -- Revo Technik

At mile 618, I was on my way to meet a friend for lunch. It was drizzling slightly. I was on a stoplight on Chimney Rock and Memorial. The light turns green, I press on the gas and surprise! My car isn't shifting to the next gear! I'm stuck on 1st going about 20mph. I took action by pulling into the next parking lot I could find which turned out to be right behind Duchesne Academy's housing for teachers.

Here is what was happening as far as I could tell:
1. The DSG would not shift beyond 1st gear.
2. I couldn't shift in reverse.
3. The PNRDS lights were flashing.

I tried to "reset" the car by leaving it off for 5 minutes then turning it back on but that didn't help. I had to call my salesman and he arranged a flatbed tow truck for me. We took it to Archer VW. They had it for 1 full day. They said the problem was with the DSG electronics not being calibrated properly. They calibrated it and test drove it for 15 miles 3 times. They said this was what the VW tech told them to do. I am now at a little over 7500 miles and haven't had any problems so far. Oh and guess what the dealer gave me for a loaner car. A Dodge Neon! Hurray for cheap dealerships.

Links: DSG FAQ -- Cheap Dealership

I've decided to change my own oil for this car. I've heard horror stories of VW dealerships putting in regular dino oil on their turbo cars when the manual specifically states synthetic. Besides, I didn't feel like paying $60 for them to change it.

I bought the Matra T40057 Oil Filter Housing drain tool, 10-pack OEM oil filters, 10 replacement Oil drain plugs and washers online. I bought some Mobil 1 0w40 synthetic oil (VW 502.00) from Wal-Mart at a little over $5 a quart. I needed 6 quarts, 5 to change the oil and 1 in case my engine decides to burn some in between oil changes. After buying all this, I realized that the rumors about Euro cars being expensive to maintain were true after all.

At mile 4914, I changed the oil. Word of advice, maintain pristine maintenance records. Keep all your receipts. This is in case your car needs warranty service and the dealer tech tries to deny you that service because of lack of documentation.

Links: Matra T40057 -- OEM filters and drain plugs -- Oil Change DIY

My wife bought this for me for my birthday. This device does nothing but make a whooshing sound whenever the throttle plate closes on the incoming pressurized air. On a DSG tranny, this usually happens when I let off the gas after boosted acceleration. On manual trannies, the whooshing sound goes off whenever you shift gears.

The install was a pain in the ass because I didn't have the right tools. My 4mm socket kept falling off because it wasn't magnetic and it didn't fit correctly on the wrench. Also, I basically had to install this thing twice because I put the electronic actuator in backwards the first time. I guess paying close attention to detail is the main point of this presentation.

Links: Installing the valve (PDF) -- Forge Motorsports

I first took notice of this car early March when I saw a United Grey coming down Westheimer. This car looked beautiful. Xenon headlights, 17" multi-spoked rims and an aggressive stance made it stand apart. That's hard to do on Westheimer, in front of the Galleria, where BMWs and Benzes are a dime a dozen. I test drove a black magic one a couple of weeks later at Clearlake VW with the DSG transmission and, like everyone else before me, was instantly hooked.

I set myself to work, dealing with about 15 dealers located in and around Houston. In the end, I had Demontrond VW and Garlyn Shelton Imports fighting for my business. I felt that both salesmen were willing to do anything to get my money but I finally chose Garlyn Shelton. They had great financing for me(3.9%) and they offered me $400 over my trade-in's KBB value. Even though they were located in Bryan, TX the salesman was willing to drive down to Houston, pick up my car from another dealership and deliver it to me where ever I wanted!

I finally met my Tornado Red GTI at a Starbucks on Woodway and Augusta. It was definitely a moment to remember, seeing my car pull into the parking lot and the patrons inside wondering what was going on. It had 38 miles on the odometer and it looked, felt and smelled great.

Some points:
1. There is no such thing as a port of Houston fee. They tried to charge me $350+ for this. I have nothing against salespeople making a profit but they should call it what it is.
2. The vehicle sales tax rate in Texas is different from regular sales tax which is 8.25%. As of this writing, it is 6.25%.
3. With the exception of the test drive, try not to step into a dealership while negotiating for your car. Do everything over the phone or through email. You will save some time, gas and a lot of frustration.

Links: Garlyn Shelton Imports -- Volkswagen of America -- GolfMkv.Com Forums