Flawed review of VW Passat Alltrack

[Marakai]

Full iPod® integration (via the USB port) allows customers to connect using their original iPod cables, conveniently making operation possible via the head unit.

Don't quite understand: if this is a critical feature for you, shouldn't you have bought the Hyundai?

Also, nyc, not sure if I misunderstood you: the iPhone can stream audio via the USB port, a number of devices make use of that, from the various docks with speakers to this crappy gadget we have for our ancient Mitsubishi which allows you to plug in your iPhone and it will take the streamed audio and it sends it to the car radio receiver.

[Hillbilly]

Don't quite understand: if this is a critical feature for you, shouldn't you have bought the Hyundai?

Also, nyc, not sure if I misunderstood you: the iPhone can stream audio via the USB port, a number of devices make use of that, from the various docks with speakers to this crappy gadget we have for our ancient Mitsubishi which allows you to plug in your iPhone and it will take the streamed audio and it sends it to the car radio receiver.

It all boils down to the hardware you are attaching it to. As I said lots of store bought stereos have it as do some inbuilt car sets.

VW in their wisdom have chosen to do it a different way.

Deal with it or buy something else.

I bought the vehicle for lots of reasons other than the Stereo and the fact I had to spend $9 on a cable to run my music isnt even in the ballpark.
Incidentally it is a pain in the a***e to connect it in the glovebox and far easier to stick 5000 tracks on a 32gig SD card and stick it in the slot in the RNS510. Along with the 20 gig of music on the HDD
I havent used it more than 3 times I dont think and if it wasnt there wouldnt worry me.

[SnowMotion]

One thing occurred to me whilst reading the comments on the review about the start stop system of the motor and some drivers lift their foot off the pedal a moment before the light changes to ensure the motor is ready to go when the light turns green. It sounds very similar approach to how I use the DSG.
In Europe, particularly Germany, the lights go from Red to Yellow to Green, thus allowing the driver to be ready to depart on a green light. It really sounds like these engines and DSG gear box are designed around this traffic management system.

[Hillbilly]

One thing occurred to me whilst reading the comments on the review about the start stop system of the motor and some drivers lift their foot off the pedal a moment before the light changes to ensure the motor is ready to go when the light turns green. It sounds very similar approach to how I use the DSG.
In Europe, particularly Germany, the lights go from Red to Yellow to Green, thus allowing the driver to be ready to depart on a green light. It really sounds like these engines and DSG gear box are designed around this traffic management system.

Possibly but all it requires is a bit of that very uncommon thing "Common Sense," to make it easier both on you and the car.

Personally I wonder at the wisdom of turning off a very hot engine and leaving it with no coolant circulating through engine and especially the turbo. Lots of people like to spool down a turbo with the oil running through it till it cools off a bit. It has been known for oil to boil if this is not done. Maybe VW have a magic formula to prevent this.

I had a turbo timer on my Cruiser that allowed about 45 secs for the above.

[brenno]

Don't quite understand: if this is a critical feature for you, shouldn't you have bought the Hyundai?

Not sure where I said it was a critical feature ha!

I was just pointing out that it is possible to stream audio over USB via the standard cable supplied. If an old commercial Hyundai can do it, I don't think it can exactly be viewed as a luxury

Anyway it's interesting to note VAG has responded to the criticism and some MQB platform cars seem to have a universal port.

[Marakai]

In Europe, particularly Germany, the lights go from Red to Yellow to Green, thus allowing the driver to be ready to depart on a green light. It really sounds like these engines and DSG gear box are designed around this traffic management system.

From first hand experience that is most certainly a difference. Becomes even more distinct with a manual:

Red light - neutral, foot off clutch, engine stop
Yellow- foot on clutch, first gear
Green - off clutch, start moving again.

It becomes second nature.

[Marakai]

Personally I wonder at the wisdom of turning off a very hot engine and leaving it with no coolant circulating through engine and especially the turbo. Lots of people like to spool down a turbo with the oil running through it till it cools off a bit. It has been known for oil to boil if this is not done. Maybe VW have a magic formula to prevent this.

I would certainly expect German engineering to account for that. That being said, the Audi manual from my rental A4 TDI 2 years ago explicity recommended an idle period before shutdown if engine is hot, so...

Does the turbo actually stop that quickly during S/S? Or does it essentially continue to wind for what is most often the entire S/S phase?

[Marakai]

I was just pointing out that it is possible to stream audio over USB via the standard cable supplied. If an old commercial Hyundai can do it, I don't think it can exactly be viewed as a luxury

Fair enough, I can see where you're coming from.

[Cossor]

Possibly but all it requires is a bit of that very uncommon thing "Common Sense," to make it easier both on you and the car.

Personally I wonder at the wisdom of turning off a very hot engine and leaving it with no coolant circulating through engine and especially the turbo. Lots of people like to spool down a turbo with the oil running through it till it cools off a bit. It has been known for oil to boil if this is not done. Maybe VW have a magic formula to prevent this.

I had a turbo timer on my Cruiser that allowed about 45 secs for the above.

From an older thread regarding Diesel? Golf, it appears with motor turned off, a pump continues to ensure cooling oil? coolant? circulates for benefit of the turbo.

[Hillbilly]

From an older thread regarding Diesel? Golf, it appears with motor turned off, a pump continues to ensure cooling oil? coolant? circulates for benefit of the turbo.

Well it must be a very quiet pump because it seems nothing is going in the Passat when it stops. Would be interested to know for sure.