New Owner's Manual ... and a few gripes

[terrytg41]

I'm wading through the Owners Manual and find a number of 'could do better Volkswagen' sections. I'll start with the worst section of the entire manual........ the 'Volkswagen Information System'. This is a complete abortion, they mix up all the options (in what they call the Combi instrument panel) of both Midline and Highline (with or without MFSW). I'm sorry I find it a complete mess. Only having the Midline I seem to have Outside temp, then clicking Trip button down, Driving time (2 options 1,2) Current Fuel consumption in mpg (we're talking UK here), Average mpg (1,2), Fuel range, Distance travelled (1,2), Average speed (1,2) and Speed Warning (set mine 70mph for now, but easily changed without knowing it). Don't get dig speed display or oil temp as shown in the manual page 28.

They would have made a far better job seperating Mid and Highline display instructions, ok a few extra pages but they sure take up a lot of room repeating the (yes, neccesary I know) safety warnings.

I find the heating system is a similar but less confusing issue again they combine the Air Con and 2 Zone versions. (becoming the Climatic and Climatronic in the manual)

While I'm griping the English Language manual should have been produce for both Left AND Right hand drive. I borrowed an older version of the manual before collecting the car, this had seperate books (debatable whether easier than one big book) and shows a big lhd pull out illustration and a single page rhd one. The audio manual seems to be directed to UK.

A pity the glasses stowage can only hold just that and not in a glasses case. Also some of the stowage areas could do with a bit of felt to stop noisy keys etc producing a cacophony of noise. Gonna get something for this.

My Anti-theft wheel bolt adapter just has a letter stamped on the end, is that correct?

Despite all this I really like the car and am glad I bought the SE version (122 tsi) not the very basic one shown in figs 48 & 49 on page 76 - must be only available as export !

[HHGTTG]

I'm wading through the Owners Manual and find a number of 'could do better Volkswagen' sections. I'll start with the worst section of the entire manual........ the 'Volkswagen Information System'. This is a complete abortion, they mix up all the options (in what they call the Combi instrument panel) of both Midline and Highline (with or without MFSW). I'm sorry I find it a complete mess. Only having the Midline I seem to have Outside temp, then clicking Trip button down, Driving time (2 options 1,2) Current Fuel consumption in mpg (we're talking UK here), Average mpg (1,2), Fuel range, Distance travelled (1,2), Average speed (1,2) and Speed Warning (set mine 70mph for now, but easily changed without knowing it). Don't get dig speed display or oil temp as shown in the manual page 28.

They would have made a far better job seperating Mid and Highline display instructions, ok a few extra pages but they sure take up a lot of room repeating the (yes, neccesary I know) safety warnings.

I find the heating system is a similar but less confusing issue again they combine the Air Con and 2 Zone versions. (becoming the Climatic and Climatronic in the manual)

While I'm griping the English Language manual should have been produce for both Left AND Right hand drive. I borrowed an older version of the manual before collecting the car, this had seperate books (debatable whether easier than one big book) and shows a big lhd pull out illustration and a single page rhd one. The audio manual seems to be directed to UK.

A pity the glasses stowage can only hold just that and not in a glasses case. Also some of the stowage areas could do with a bit of felt to stop noisy keys etc producing a cacophony of noise. Gonna get something for this.

My Anti-theft wheel bolt adapter just has a letter stamped on the end, is that correct?

Despite all this I really like the car and am glad I bought the SE version (122 tsi) not the very basic one shown in figs 48 & 49 on page 76 - must be only available as export !

Two people from Bromley, then. Did you get yours from Beadles, that glass and metal palace on Bromley Hill?

I find your comments about the manual valid in some respects but haven't really thought about the failings as much as you obviously have. I do find that the instructions are usually over descriptive and convoluted and the actuality is easier i.e hands-on with a bit of reading is usually the solution to find out how things work

The overhead storage facility is little more than useless and I never found a use for it in my previous MK5. Similarly the small pull down storage bin to the right of the steering wheel and below the light's switch is somewhat smaller than before largely as a result of replacing the simple friction catch with an over engineered plastic latch which intrudes a lot into the space.

[terrytg41]

Yes I'll look for a Reflex SE when I'm about, mines Tornado Red.

p.s. Good job I copy/pasted in Word as this forum always logs me out when I'm pondering composing a thread.

[CJ_SX]

I agree about the manual, particularly the fact that it does not clearly indicate items that may be options. Also don't like the fact it tries to include all country variations in the one publication.

I spend 30 minutes yesterday in the car trying to work out how to get the settings menu up using the windscreen wiper stalk, only to give up. I can only conclude that the various menus mentioned are only available with an option, and not on my 'standard' SE build where I only appear to have basic MFD options.

The manual does NOT make this clear at all........

[percymon]

Of all the cars I've owned this is by far the worst owners manual by a long way. I think there is as much print used for safety warnings as there is instruction, the layout is a disaster and the distiction between options confusing. I can't comment on the mkIV and V manuals but the mkIII manual was clear , descriptive and logical.

The next worst manual I've had was for a mercedes which was still quite easy to follow but rather long at over 500 pages (not including audio systems, service or warranty supplements)!!

[terrytg41]

I've stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest here, I really feel like writing to them about this - maybe I'll get a free Polo ? then maybe they more likely will ignore it.
By the way check page 45 'Locking vehicle after airbags deployed' :-
..... 'the entire vehicle is unlocked if the airbags are activated during an accident. Depending the level of damage, the vehicle can be unlocked after an accident as follows' .... then they show how to LOCK vehicle ???? what's that all about. Surely after an accident you want the doors open ????
Also page 55 Opening the tailgate : - last section before 25,435th safety warning mentions (after opening the tailgate) ' Jack up the vehicle' ...eh!!
I must say that my manual is the latest English 11.2009 version
Art nr 102.5R1.GO6..20

[McFroyce44]

The previous owner lost the manual for my car (Mk5 Golf GTi) so I don't have one to gripe about. Have looked online for a pdf version but can't find one and am too tight to buy one from VAG

Can anyone help?

[percymon]

The previous owner lost the manual for my car (Mk5 Golf GTi) so I don't have one to gripe about. Have looked online for a pdf version but can't find one and am too tight to buy one from VAG

Can anyone help?

eBay or a scrap yard ?

[McFroyce44]

Too tight for the prices on ebay; willtry scrapyard

Many thanks

[slowhand]

The manual could be half the size or contain twice the information if they didn't have the safety information warning at the start of every flamming section.