Brake drying thing

**mk4gtiturbo** · 01-05-2009,02:32 PM

How can I tell if my Passat has that auto brake drying thing? The reason for asking is I have noticed a drop in fuel economy when driving in the rain. My journey to work in the dry I regularly get over 50mpg but when it is wet I struggle to get 45. I'm trying to work out why.

**Quatrelle** · 01-05-2009,05:33 PM

Theoretically your fuel consumption should improve in the rain due to the amount of moisture in the air.

**Cylon2007** · 01-05-2009,07:09 PM

As an aside, the brake drying only activates when the wipers are on, I recently Rainx'd all the windows so when you are at 70 on a motorway and it's lashing doiwn you don't need the wipers on. While it isn't dangerous there is a noticable lag when hitting the brakes compared to when the wipers are active. Hmmm do I continue with rainx or just use the wipers?

**johnloaderuk** · 01-05-2009,08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Cylon2007

As an aside, the brake drying only activates when the wipers are on, I recently Rainx'd all the windows so when you are at 70 on a motorway and it's lashing doiwn you don't need the wipers on. While it isn't dangerous there is a noticable lag when hitting the brakes compared to when the wipers are active. Hmmm do I continue with rainx or just use the wipers?

Surely any lag is dangerous, no matter how brief, could be life or serious injury/death so wipers for me.

My last Passat B5.5 had a buttock clenching delay if it had been drive for 100 miles in the rain without using the brakes at all, or very little. I eventually used to brake deliberately every 10 miles or so to minimise this effect and dry them off a bit.

**jonsey24** · 01-05-2009,09:32 PM

Im assuming you wouldnt feel the breaks dabbing the discs dry when you were moving?

**Cylon2007** · 02-05-2009,01:59 AM

Originally Posted by jonsey24

Im assuming you wouldnt feel the breaks dabbing the discs dry when you were moving?

no you don't

**STEWY L** · 02-05-2009,08:24 AM

Originally Posted by mk4gtiturbo

How can I tell if my Passat has that auto brake drying thing? The reason for asking is I have noticed a drop in fuel economy when driving in the rain. My journey to work in the dry I regularly get over 50mpg but when it is wet I struggle to get 45. I'm trying to work out why.

i would have thought that it would have been listed in your "options list"
on the sticker in the boot or in the handbook?
the codes are available on here somewhere,
regards,
stewy.

**mk4gtiturbo** · 02-05-2009,09:51 AM

Originally Posted by STEWY L

i would have thought that it would have been listed in your "options list"
on the sticker in the boot or in the handbook?
the codes are available on here somewhere,
regards,
stewy.

Does that mean it was on option and not standard equipment?

Mine doesn't appear to have any options other than black magic paint (Or whatever it's called now) and the DSG gearbox

**Spudrig** · 02-05-2009,06:16 PM

Originally Posted by mk4gtiturbo

Does that mean it was on option and not standard equipment?

Mine doesn't appear to have any options other than black magic paint (Or whatever it's called now) and the DSG gearbox

Its a standard feature. I saw a big poster in my dealership when I was getting the car. It's probably not standard across the range (i.e Fox and Polo) but the Passat definitely has it.

**Quatrelle** · 02-05-2009,07:41 PM

I'm sure it must be a worthwhile fitting, but it's strange how we all managed without it before.

Discs, by their very nature, are self-drying to a remarkable degree.

IF it worries you, just rest your foot gently on the brake pedal for a second, at the same time look in your rear-view mirror and watch the tailgater behind sliding off the road