Bought a multivan and I have some silly questions.

[UpperCaseH]

I recently decided to buy a family van that will fit wife + kid + dog + stroller + bags + probable future kids. There was really only one option as far as I was concerned, but the wife objected to a bay window kombi (like I learned to drive in) so I've ended up with a '13 Multivan tdi 340 comfortline. This is by far the newest car I've ever owned. My most recent one was a 2002 outback (ok) and before that a selection of '80s and 90's commodores and geminis (mostly very not ok).

The Multivan's great. I drove for 5 hours straight yesterday and didn't end up sore like I normally would. I fed the baby while parked, changed a nappy without opening any doors, and it's just generally exactly what I wanted - a comfy air-conditioned room that I can move around. Fuel consumption looks amazing for such a large vehicle, so far.

Silly question time:

The transmission in this thing is a "DQ 500", right?

The handbook says there should be an MFD option for "freewheel", but it's not present in the settings menu. I'm probably looking in the wrong place or doing something else wrong, but I can't find it at all.

Are there any options out there for an awning that don't involve already having roof racks installed?

I only have one key. Do I need to get to a dealer for a second key, or can I go to (eg) Volkspower?

I'm in Melbourne's south east. Can anyone recommend a reliable place to get the van serviced?

I want a better (factory) head unit. I can probably install this myself but I'm worried about steering wheel control integration (never had steering wheel controls for anything before), and I read that I might need to alter some computer codes to get a new head working. I'm very familiar with general computer/network/IT stuff, but car computers are a bit of a mystery to me. What equipment would I need to do this myself? Or is it one of those "leave it to someone who knows what they're doing" things?

Sorry for the dumb questions, the car stuff I know I learned from helping my dad maintain a old kombi and none of it applies any more.

[syncro91]

I recently decided to buy a family van that will fit it all
The Multivan's great. I drove for 5 hours straight yesterday and didn't end up sore like I normally would. I fed the baby while parked, changed a nappy without opening any doors, and it's just generally exactly what I wanted - a comfy air-conditioned room that I can move around. Fuel consumption looks amazing for such a large car

Are there any options out there for an awning that don't involve already having roof racks installed?
.

Congrats on your first Multivan. They say once you have one you can't go back, and certainly not to a Gemini

Regarding the Awning, yes we have developed a solution with a proper wind out Awning that is the same or virtually the same as what is on the factory California camper. It is the Dometic and is 2.6m long available in grey/Anthracite or white housing.

It is operated by the winder and has the smallest housing of all awnings.

We have developed a system using the factory brackets that will not involve any invasive work and does not require roof racks

Will have a photo for you soon.

Mark



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[Sunny43.5]

Welcome to the Forum sounds like you picked a good van for the family needs .I can't help with all your questions but will offer some observations . The awning could be handled a variety of ways depending on how elaborate you want it to be , in our T5 I used whats called sail track alloy product which you can attach to the existing mounting points on the roof . Ours was a custom made shade that would just slide into the track and then a couple of poles to hold it out from the van , we used to camp out for a few days Moto Cross riding and I had side walls that I could zip onto the roof part and then make the whole thing fully enclosed for those wet cold nights . There are some whole units that others on here have used which I think they leave atttached to the roof mounts , if you wait I am sure others will gladly share
their ideas on that one .
Spare key would be a good idea not sure if aftermarket ones could be used , that would depend on how upto date the key cutters would be on the codes . The head unit should not be an issue if you went aftermarket but the purists would scorn on that one , I am a fan of aftermarket as they have so many functions standard that it puts factory at any level to shame [my opinion ] With most aftermarket NO coding is required they even hook up to the sterring wheel controls without fuss , you may find VW top spec models may requre some coding depending on what your current one has . I believe if you want Bluetooth functions on some VW models you need to purchase a separete module and recode the van , someone can make that one clearer if I'm wrong .
As for changing the codes there are some software and cables available from Ross Tech designed for VW that you would need a laptop to use , I have thought about purchasing that but as I have become good friends with a local VW / german car service centre the manager he will do any changes for me free of charge . DQ500 is the better of the DSG transmissions that VW made from all reports quite good , just remember to have it seviced every 60thousand kays and make sure they change the filter . Look forward to hearing how the family enjoys their new ride .

[Brientim]

There is a very good VW specialist in Thomastown, my really where you are but I do recommend them. I live in the outer west and take my vehicles there.

VW Service, Volkswagen Service, VW Restorations, Melbourne, Thomastown

[karra]

I have also just jumped on the multivan bandwagon and are loving it! I have taken mine to Volkscare in Boronia and was really happy with the guy there. Had a full service after I bought my van, charged me $650 I think for full fluid and filter change. I also had an issue the other day where my van randomly went into limp mode so I took it back and he ran a diagnostic, took it for a drive and re ran the diagnostic, couldn't find a fault and haven't had it happen again thankfully but no charge when he could have. Seems like a nice bloke, I figured he would know what to do with correct oils and such as it seems like these are a bit particular with what they use. Good luck!

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[MY12Multivan]

Karra - with regard to the likp mode experience you mentioned, we had the same thing. At first the warranty people thought it was some controller on the turbo and replaced it but then it died for them on the trest run. It has just cost me $800 for two hoses that go into the turbo... they looked almost new on the outside, but the inside was collapsing and causing the EMS to shut everything down until it cooled down. Not saying this is your issue, but just a heads up....

[UpperCaseH]

Thanks for all the info! I'll check out Volkscare in Boronia - not too far away from me. I looked at their website. Have they been there for a while? "Boris at the volkswagen place" rings a bell for some reason.

I think I might have phrased my question about the transmission badly. It was: Is the transmission in this van the DQ500? I can't find anything online that confirms one way or another apart from vaguely along the lines of "it was fitted to some vans from X year". If it could be something else, how would I tell?

[aSimpleLife]

Volkscare in Boronia are great. I moved to them from my local mechanic and I get a better job for maybe a little bit less.
I think Boris been around the area for decades and always with VW.

You said it's close - but just in case - these 2 have also had good feedback here on the forum;
VolkService – Braeside – highly recommended on google – and from someone I know
Dandy Volks in Dandenong - "Max is a good no nonsense mechanic does a good job and does not bull**** you or do unnecessary work"

[aSimpleLife]

With the new head unit I paid my auto elec to put it in - very glad I didn't do it myself - but if I had my time again I would try to use a specialist who is familiar with VW/T5's - but I got a great price online so had to sort the installing out for myself.
I have just posted a brief update about it here on another thread.

[aSimpleLife]

Limp mode can be many things - but you should be in good hands diagnosing with Boris.
First time for me was the Catalytic converter I think.
The second time it was a wire in the engine bay behind the turbo that was apparently stretched tight out of the factory and had worn - that was an intermittent problem initially too.