What to check for before warranty ends?

[FastMitch]

The Tiguan is going for its last service before the warranty ends in 4 weeks time.

Can anyone with knowledge of what commonly fails on a Tiguan at the 5 year / 35k km range, outline what should be checked before the warranty ends in 4 weeks?

[DV52]

@FastMitch:wow- that's 7K km per year - is this car only driven by church on Sundays?

My suggestion is that in the next 4xweeks - you make a SCAN of the car using a good diagnostic device and let the car itself tell you if it's healthy. The information is sitting in computer memory in the car and it just needs to be asked the question.

Of course, you will need access to a diagnostic device for this purpose. If you don't own a diagnostic device, this forum has a "pimping service" that unites consenting members that have a diagnostic device with other forum members that require the service - see THIS

Don

[Lucas_R]

In addition to Don's suggestion above of scanning the cars electronics for anything it isn't happy with, id say from a mechanical perspective your main concerns would be:

- waterpump/thermostat assembly. These religiously only last about 4-5 years before they start leaking. The cost of having a new one fitted is between $1.5-2k, so if yours is leaking then its definitely worth getting it replaced under warranty.

- If you have any creaking or groaning in the front suspension (normally noticeable going in/out of slow speed driveways and going over speedbumps) then your strut tops and strut bearings on the front suspension will be needing to be replaced.

- Check the filter screen for the Haldex pump. This little filter screen is not usually removed and cleaned by VW when the Haldex is serviced, but it gets clogged up and kills the Haldex pump. The Haldex pump is what sends power to the rear wheels when needed and is located where the rear differential is.

- DSG mechatronic issues which plagued many Tiguans. Assuming that your car is a newer 2019-2020 model this may not apply, but this issue plagued a lot of 2017-2018 models. Gearbox in emergency mode Tiguan 2017

[FastMitch]

@FastMitch:wow- that's 7K km per year - is this car only driven by church on Sundays?

..you make a SCAN of the car using a good diagnostic device
Don

Just the shops for groceries and school drop offs

Thanks for the scanning suggestion, I will look to buy an OBD2 scanner this weekend.
Is there any brand / model you would recommend?

:
- waterpump/thermostat assembly. These religiously only last about 4-5 years before they start leaking. The cost of having a new one fitted is between $1.5-2k, so if yours is leaking then its definitely worth getting it replaced under warranty.

- If you have any creaking or groaning in the front suspension (normally noticeable going in/out of slow speed driveways and going over speedbumps) then your strut tops and strut bearings on the front suspension will be needing to be replaced.

- Check the filter screen for the Haldex pump. This little filter screen is not usually removed and cleaned by VW when the Haldex is serviced, but it gets clogged up and kills the Haldex pump. The Haldex pump is what sends power to the rear wheels when needed and is located where the rear differential is.

- DSG mechatronic issues which plagued many Tiguans. Assuming that your car is a newer 2019-2020 model this may not apply, but this issue plagued a lot of 2017-2018 models. Gearbox in emergency mode Tiguan 2017

Thanks Lucas, your recommendations are spot on and exactly what I was looking for

- waterpump/thermostat assembly
As its near its time for leaking (4-5 yrs), is there something I can say to VW that it needs to be checked as its leaking now?
Do you know where its located so I can see if its leaking myself?

- If you have any creaking or groaning in the front suspension
I noticed this over the last 12 months when turning into my driveway that is overly creaks.
Are the 'strut tops and strut bearings' covered under warranty?
Do I just tell them its warn?
Getting my tyres changed tomorrow, when its up on the hoist can I see it to take a photo?

- Check the filter screen for the Haldex pump
Do I just tell them it needs to be checked at the next service?

- DSG mechatronic issues which plagued many Tiguans
Unfortunately, I have already had mine fail and replaced at the 25k km mark

[Lucas_R]

Waterpump is at the front of the engine on the drivers side, underneath the inlet manifold and next to (well, behind) the alternator. Best way to check if its leaking is to jack the car up, take off the plastic undertray under the engine and look for pink chalky residue running down the front of the engine and onto the sump. Will be pretty obvious if it has been leaking. The pink chalky residue is the pink coolant after it has evaporated.

Strut tops and strut bearings cannot be easily seen or inspected without removing them unfortunately.These parts may well be deemed "wear and tear" just like brake pads and tyres and not covered under warranty. Although it will probably vary from one dealer to another whether they acknowledge its a fault or not.

Haldex filter. As far am i am aware, VW will not check or clean this filter. All the independend VW service specialists do check and clean it though, as they are well known to clog up and cost you a new Haldex pump. If you are taking the car to VW for servicing then I guess all you can do is ask and see if they will do it. I would want photo evidence though if it was me which I doubt VW will do for you. MIght be best to do it yourself.

[DV52]

Just the shops for groceries and school drop offs

Thanks for the scanning suggestion, I will look to buy an OBD2 scanner this weekend.
Is there any brand / model you would recommend?

Hmm..... OK - buying an "OBD2 scanner" is a good idea IMO if you plan to keep this (mint condition) car because it serves both your short term need (i.e. the warranty end-time check) and the longer-term imperative for future DIY maintenance!

There are a number of "front-runner" diagnostic devices from which to choose and I don't have a specific recommendation because I don't know how you value stuff (IMO, purchases of any type are seldom price-based; they are mostly value-based)

You can buy very inexpensive diagnostic devices that will just read error-codes. IMO, these are worth exactly what is paid - which isn't much!! Or you can buy more useful devices like Carista, OBDeleven, VCDS, or VCP which are more expensive. Each of these device has its own good points and disadvantages. I've used the last three and for personal reasons - my weapon of choice these days tends to be either VCDS, or OBDeleven. Don't get me wrong, VCP is also an excellent tool - but I can't justify the subscription cost and I really don't need the "special" facilities that VCP provides. Other folk here have also reported good things about Carista - but I can't comment

If I was starting again and I had my current understanding of the competitive market for third-party diagnostic devices - I would probably choose OBDeleven as an enthusiast-user (meaning a non-professional user) because OBD11 has a more modern architecture and it has better kept pace with changes in the newer protection protocols that infects the latest VAG fleet of cars. Your Tiggy doesn't have these latest protection protocols - which is a good thing!!

But again, my hypothesis is just my personal opinion and I probably view stuff like engineering quality, future-proofing, pricing structure and overall bang-for-bucks very different to the way the you value these aspects in the purchasing decision.

The better way to make your decision is through research - maybe search the forum (perhaps THIS) and of course, Mr Google is your friend!

Don

[petemac110]

Or you can buy more useful devices like Carista, OBDeleven, VCDS, or VCP which are more expensive. Each of these device has its own good points and disadvantages. I've used the last three and for personal reasons - my weapon of choice these days tends to be either VCDS, or OBDeleven. Don't get me wrong, VCP is also an excellent tool - but I can't justify the subscription cost and I really don't need the "special" facilities that VCP provides. Other folk here have also reported good things about Carista - but I can't comment

If I was starting again and I had my current understanding of the competitive market for third-party diagnostic devices - I would probably choose OBDeleven as an enthusiast-user (meaning a non-professional user) because OBD11 has a more modern architecture and it has better kept pace with changes in the newer protection protocols that infects the latest VAG fleet of cars. Your Tiggy doesn't have these latest protection protocols - which is a good thing!!

Don't forget the Carscanner ELM app - it's interface is certainly not as pretty as OBDeleven but I find it is equally as powerful. Scanning and clearing codes, short and long coding functionality, service setting, viewing and logging data, SFD. You can get up and running with this for a donation of about $10 to get lifetime access to the "pro" version, and a $50 Veepeak BLE+ OBDII bluetooth module.

[FastMitch]

Hmm..... OK - buying an "OBD2 scanner" is a good idea IMO if you plan to keep this (mint condition) car because it serves both your short term need (i.e. the warranty end-time check) and the longer-term imperative for future DIY maintenance!

Don't forget the Carscanner ELM app - it's interface is certainly not as pretty as OBDeleven but I find it is equally as powerful. Scanning and clearing codes, short and long coding functionality, service setting, viewing and logging data, SFD. You can get up and running with this for a donation of about $10 to get lifetime access to the "pro" version, and a $50 Veepeak BLE+ OBDII bluetooth module.

Do you know difference between Carscanner Pro vs non-Pro?

In the Carscanner ELM app, do you know how to:
- Screen nag deactivation
- Deactivation of auto stop/start

Is this OBD2 adaptor good to get?
Veepeak Mini Bluetooth OBD II Scanner Adapter

[petemac110]

Do you know difference between Carscanner Pro vs non-Pro?

In the Carscanner ELM app, do you know how to:
- Screen nag deactivation
- Deactivation of auto stop/start

Is this OBD2 adaptor good to get?
Veepeak Mini Bluetooth OBD II Scanner Adapter

Both of those tasks can be undertaken via one-click-style coding, or long coding. Instructions for long coding can be found all over the internet, including the VDCS forums. I do note that some late model VWs lock-out the ability to code-out certain features such as start-stop regardless of which tool you use, but I don't know how to tell whether your model will be fine or not.

I wouldn't get that adaptor - this is the one: Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+ Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner Car OBD-II Diagnostic Scan Tool Check Engine Light Code Reader for iOS & Android : Amazon.com.au: Automotive