New Polo problems - Register

[Rubbadub]

Try a different VW dealership.

[Antu_R]

I own a 2010 Golf R DSG which my partner will tell anyone who asks, I LOVE THAT CAR. Because of my enthusiastic passion and her being quite impressionable she has taken a liking to the VW brand. So this evening we took a 2012 MY13 Polo GTI for a test drive. This particular car has <5000km on it. All was going fine until the current owner hopped out of the drivers seat to allow my partner to have a drive herself. While out of the car, he thought he'd demonstrate the feature of the key fob that when pressed and held on lock, it closes all the windows and sunroof. That feature worked fine but when she got into the car, started it and drove down the road, the dash display came up with the message, "Safety Lock" with a little flashing spanner next to it, and the car would not change up past second gear, even when selecting manual mode and attempting to shift with the gear shift lever. I asked her to pull over and when she did the message took up the entire screen rather than just the top line and included the message, "refer to owners manual". I asked her to turn off the car then restart it. Surprise, surprise, the message went away and then it shifted gears without a problem.
Knowing how many DSG issues and engine troubles Polo's AND Golf's have had, I'm concerned that there might be a problem with the gearbox or engine. I didn't get the opportunity to check the owners manual as we were pressed for time, so I apologise if the issue lies with the fact that the owner was messing around with the key fob. He assured us that this is the first time that has ever happened but we're not yet convinced.
If anyone else has been through the same issue, please let me know what the outcome was, either serious or quick fix, or even better no real issue at all.

I definitely don't want my partner to buy a lemon.

Thanks in advance.

[nomadx38]

Not sure if this will help much but in mine it displays the "safety lock" message after i pull my key out of the ignition reminding me to lock my steering column.

Not sure if its the same message though. It not shifting past second is quite concerning though, if its still under warrantee i would be looking at a new mechatronics unit...

[MrDeathLad]

Not sure if this will help much but in mine it displays the "safety lock" message after i pull my key out of the ignition reminding me to lock my steering column.

thats the "check deadlock" message for the steering column. not sure on the "safety lock" message.

[alexaescht]

Not sure if this will help much but in mine it displays the "safety lock" message after i pull my key out of the ignition reminding me to lock my steering column.

Not sure if its the same message though. It not shifting past second is quite concerning though, if its still under warrantee i would be looking at a new mechatronics unit...

No I doubt it's the gearbox that's at fault.
The ECU has picked up a fault (whether it be real or not) and has put the car into 'limp mode' which only allows you to go a certain speed, meaning you can get to a garage without damaging your engine too much.

[alexaescht]

thats the "check deadlock" message for the steering column. not sure on the "safety lock" message.

Mine comes up with 'CHECK SAFELOCK' when the ignition is turned off. I think it's to remind you not to leave anyone in the car and lock the door with the key, because they wouldn't be able to get out.

[MrDeathLad]

Mine comes up with 'CHECK SAFELOCK' when the ignition is turned off. I think it's to remind you not to leave anyone in the car and lock the door with the key, because they wouldn't be able to get out.

Perhaps due to difference in model year 11 v 12.5? (not a problem and off topic but interesting to know)

[alexaescht]

Perhaps due to difference in model year 11 v 12.5? (not a problem and off topic but interesting to know)

Yeah I'm not sure really. Wasn't like that when it was new, it only started appearing after a service at VW so they must have done a update of some sort.

[Vdubboys81]

#5 - it's a problem with I'm sure more than a few Polos. It's the seat height. When it is all the way to the floor, it squeaks. Pull it up one full pull of the seat height handle and it will stop. Thought about telling VW, but Paul Wakeling VW is pretty useless. Have brought it in for various things and they either ignore what I've said or told me that they can't find a problem, even though there is one. Good luck

[gavs]

I definitely don't want my partner to buy a lemon.

Thanks in advance.

Antu_R, unfortunately you will buy one as I am yet to come accross a GTI that has absolutely no issues. Not just on here either, I have made contact with other owners randomly in the street etc and they have all had some issue either with oil consumption, soot, dodgy dsg, squeaky seats, rattles etc. Don't be dismayed however as the 118TSI golf has just as many of the same issues.

First question you need to ask is this. Why is someone already offloading the car after only a few months of ownership?

Secondly, more specific to the problem, where was the spanner flashing? Was it intermittent with the gear selected, where the 'P' is displyed in this image?