VW 'Climatic' airconditioning not semi-auto anymore?

Elessar

I've noticed that 2011 models of VW cars no longer have temperature numbers displayed on the temp control with the standard "climatic" system.

This is advertised as being semi-auto in that it will maintain the temp selected, while leaving the air speed and direction manual. However 2011 models I've noticed don't have the temp numbers to "select" (only LO and HI) so it looks as if it's a fully manual system?

Can anyone confirm/deny this? Does it still maintain the selected temp on the knob or is it a cheap manual system now?

colm_mcm

Isn't climatronic the better one?

Elessar

Yes but I'm talking about the standard "climatic" version.

colm_mcm

http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12974

Elessar

Yeah I read that but nothing is conclusive it seems. I've sent a mail to VW asking for confirmation. Does anyone else here have a 2011 VW? How do you find the system works?

If they have changed it back to a regular manual system (while still advertising it as semi-auto) that sort of underhanded cheapness would sway my decision to buy a new Golf next week.

pajo1981

Just because there are no numbers printed on the dial doesn't mean it's not thermostatic.

Also, how mental do you have to be to mail a car manufacturer about something like this :pac:

Elessar

As mental as me

Someone who soon might drop a lot of money on one of their cars! I want to be certain of what I'm getting!

pajo1981

Does it actually say " maintain the temp selected" on the brochure?

If so, then there is no way it's not thermostatic. I just can't imagine a huge player like VW making fraudulent claims on there brochures!

ed: in any case go for the climatronic. The standard controls make the car look a little .. cheap?

Elessar

I would but that would require ordering from the factory - about 3 month wait. My own cars nct and tax is up very soon which would require €300 at min to keep it on the road until then, dead money.

Reports from the US suggest vw may well have downgraded the their standard setup!

pajo1981

Sounds like you're just itchin' to get a new motor.

If I were you I'd order the actual car you want for jan '12.

fletch

As far as I know, there are 3 different types of air con
Manual Air Conditioning - Temperature dial won't have numbers on it and system will just blast out the heat depending on the position of the dial
Climatic - Temperature dial will have numbers indicating the temperature that the system will try and maintain in the cabin. The system has sensors to measure the actual cabin temperature and will pump out cold or hot air in order to keep the correct temperature.
Climatronic - Full automatic climate control, dial in the temperature you want and the system will control fan speed and which fans to direct air from in order to get the cabin to the desired temperature.

I did read a few Skoda forums where people were sold cars based on the demonstrator having Climatic but a spec change in MY12 dropped the spec to Manual Air Conditioning

lomb

Id second the idea of ordering for Jan 12. And getting the climatronic option, its actually more desirable than any other option I think.

colm_mcm

I see where the op is coming from. Thermostatically controlled heat is.really handy, and if something is being sold as that and not actually it, itd hack me off no end

Elessar

Confirmed by vw. It's fully manual now. I'll post up the email later.

I am in a bit of a conundrum now! I could wait until January and order climatronic but that would mean putting over 300 euro into my own car to keep it on the road with tax and nct. Plus it would cost me an extra 1000 euro or so as i won't be offered as good a trade in on my car (incl cost of climatronic).

Or I could buy a std highline model next week and live with the manual aircon and get a better price/trade in and start saving on running costs.

Opinions?

lomb

There is no saving on running costs with new cars. That 300 euros your not thinking of spending costs 3500 because your new car would be a year older on resale. Id spend the 300 and order what you want. Out of interest which engine are you looking at?

Elessar

lomb wrote: »

There is no saving on running costs with new cars. That 300 euros your not thinking of spending costs 3500 because your new car would be a year older on resale. Id spend the 300 and order what you want. Out of interest which engine are you looking at?

That's a good point. I don't know if I really want climatronic... I guess since I've had climate control on my current car for 4 years I'm just used to it. But on reflection it can be a pain sometimes.

I'm looking at the 1.2 tsi 105bhp. I was surprised such a small engine could have so much torque, more than enough for me and decent on the mpg aswell.

pajo1981

The money you spend now on your current car (including depreciation) is nothing compared to what you'll lose on a brand new car.

It never costs more not buying a new car.

Also, VW add more kit to their cars' standard list with each year.

joolsveer

Elessar wrote: »

That's a good point. I don't know if I really want climatronic... I guess since I've had climate control on my current car for 4 years I'm just used to it. But on reflection it can be a pain sometimes.

I'm looking at the 1.2 tsi 105bhp. I was surprised such a small engine could have so much torque, more than enough for me and decent on the mpg aswell.

I wouldn't buy a new car without climate control. My last car had manual a/c and it was a pain to get a comfortable temperature. It's much better to dial in 20 degrees!

Nissan doctor

And I thought the geekyness of the VAG heads couldn't get any worse:eek:



Seriously, the exact way that the climate control works will effect your decision on buying the car or not??

lomb

What colour are you going for?
Ive read the figures for the 1.2tsi are no where near the paper figures quoted for mpg. More like mid thirties than late forties I think. The tdi also gives much lower figures Ive heard but best has on a VAG forum.
Climatic might be rereleased shortly again so maybe hold fire?

Elessar

Metallic grey. I've heard a few conflicting reports on fuel economy. Seems motoring journalists who put their foot down get the worst economy. Regardless I know official figures are never accurate but even if I got 30mpg urban it'll still be a hell of a lot better than the 20mpg I'm getting now.

I have to admit it's tempting to buy now, I'm coming around to the manual air con. I'll be going to a few dealers tomorrow for prices. Either way you can't win as if I wait ill be paying more but better resale and if I buy now ill get a better price but worse resale.

Eric Cartman

pajo1981 wrote: »

The money you spend now on your current car (including depreciation) is nothing compared to what you'll lose on a brand new car.

It never costs more not buying a new car.

Also, VW add more kit to their cars' standard list with each year.

unless you like cruise control, climate control or probably rear seatbelts next year...

mickdw

Nissan doctor wrote: »

And I thought the geekyness of the VAG heads couldn't get any worse:eek:



Seriously, the exact way that the climate control works will effect your decision on buying the car or not??

Ah now, there are serious differences in AC systems and the point here is that vw have downgraded the standard spec too.
The system in my car that displays a temperature figure selected works very well. I seldom if ever have to adjust it. It controls the direction of airflow & the fan speed automatically and is smart enough to not have the fan going flat out blowing cold air in my face on a cold morning until engine can supply some heat. The windows are clear 100% of the time too without selecting anything. Compare this to a basic AC system that just allows you to select hot / cold and with no intelligence built in and there really is a very big difference.

Its a bit silly to say this is VAG heads being geekish when any fool car see one system is clearly advantageous not to mention the fact that all car makers offer varying levels of climate control based on price/spec.

Eric Cartman

Nissan doctor wrote: »

And I thought the geekyness of the VAG heads couldn't get any worse:eek:



Seriously, the exact way that the climate control works will effect your decision on buying the car or not??

if people didnt care it wouldnt be an option on cars.

my kia had fully automatic climate , my isuzu has manual aircon and it annoys the sh*t out of me , id kill for climate back as it was so handy , set to 18 degrees and leave it

Nissan doctor

I didn't say there weren't differences, or that one type isn't better then another, or even that VW have changed its basic spec, but surely if you want a Golf, you are going to buy a Golf and the type of climate control it comes with as standard isn't going to change your desicion surely?



And on a light hearted note about VW geeks and their options...I had a Mk4 golf GTI in the other day that had a VW branded bottle opener set into a specially made little holder in the center storage area....I mean, someone paid money to have that in their car:eek::D

SomeDude

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I had a Mk4 golf GTI in the other day that had a VW branded bottle opener set into a specially made little holder in the center storage area....I mean, someone paid money to have that in their car:eek::D

No, it was standard.

whippet

buy a skoda and get it all as standard ......

Nissan doctor

SomeDude wrote: »

No, it was standard.

I've never seen one before I have to say....and why the hell would you need that in a car? Do many people entertain guests in their Golfs?

EPM

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I've never seen one before I have to say....and why the hell would you need that in a car? Do many people entertain guests in their Golfs?

Last new nissan my father bought had golfing extras as an option...I drive a VAG, it's quite obvious I'm not a fanboy but as much as I hate to say you are scraping here dude:p

EPM

whippet wrote: »

buy a skoda and get it all as standard ......

And a warranty card...

Nissan doctor

EPM wrote: »

Last new nissan my father bought had golfing extras as an option...I drive a VAG, it's quite obvious I'm not a fanboy but as much as I hate to say you are scraping here dude:p

I didn't say that VAG where the only ones to try to sell rediculous extras, but this thread is about a Golf. Most dealers especially VAG, BMW, Merc are filled with insanly priced keyrings, clothes and other random non car related rubbish.

Nissan don't have golfing stuff on their normal options lists, I'd imagine that was something to do with them supporting the Irish open or whatever it was a while back.


Anywho, off topic methinks.

On the topic of climate control or not, I can't imagine it would be a deciding factor in buying a car you like. I personally have never found the AC controls that far away from the drivers seat. Its like auto wipers, auto headlights, electronic handbrakes etc, I'm surprised people aren't complaining that they still have to use the steering wheel.

pajo1981

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I personally have never found the AC controls that far away from the drivers seat. Its like auto wipers, auto headlights, electronic handbrakes etc

The point is not that they don't fall to hand, it's that it's annoying to have to continually set them. Likewise with wipers. Not so much with auto-lights, though.

Nissan doctor

pajo1981 wrote: »

The point is not that they don't fall to hand, it's that it's annoying to have to continually set them. Likewise with wipers. Not so much with auto-lights, though.

Its annoying to have to set the wipers??? Come on ffs.

Would people who think like this not be better saving their 20odd grand and getting a taxi to work instead? Then they wouldn't have to worry about any of the inconviences of driving:rolleyes:

pajo1981

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Its annoying to have to set the wipers??? Come on ffs.

Would people who think like this not be better saving their 20odd grand and getting a taxi to work instead? Then they wouldn't have to worry about any of the inconviences of driving:rolleyes:

Yes, constantly changing from slow intermittent, to fast intermittent, to continuous and back again depending on the rain, particularly on a long journey, is a a pain.

Your taxi point is not valid, btw.

Nissan doctor

pajo1981 wrote: »

Yes, constantly changing from slow intermittent, to fast intermittent, to continuous and back again depending on the rain, particularly on a long journey, is a a pain.

Your taxi point is not valid, btw.

So you find using the accelerator and brake annoying too? Constantly having to speed up and slow down using 2 different controls:eek::rolleyes:

And the taxi thing wasn't a point, it was a sarchastic comment.


I guess for every person who enjoys driving a car there are 2 more who see it as nothing more then a chore they have to endure to get where they are going.

pajo1981

Nissan doctor wrote: »

So you find using the accelerator and brake annoying too? Constantly having to speed up and slow down using 2 different controls:eek::rolleyes:

And the taxi thing wasn't a point, it was a sarchastic comment.


I guess for every person who enjoys driving a car there are 2 more who see it as nothing more then a chore they have to endure to get where they are going.

What does using the brake and accelerator have to do with setting the wiper rate?

What does enjoying driving have to do with setting the wiper rate?

Auto-wipers are handy, what's your problem?

Nissan doctor

pajo1981 wrote: »

What does using the brake and accelerator have to do with setting the wiper rate?

What does enjoying driving have to do with setting the wiper rate?

Auto-wipers are handy, what's your problem?

I don't have a problem with these auto functions, but to say setting wipers is annoying is just sillyness imo.

All these automated basic functions are not for people who would go for a drive solely for the pleasure of driving the car, not going somewhere.


Each to their own I guess.

pajo1981

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I don't have a problem with these auto functions, but to say setting wipers is annoying is just sillyness imo.

All these automated basic functions are not for people who would go for a drive solely for the pleasure of driving the car, not going somewhere.


Each to their own I guess.

So setting the wiper rate is a part of the pleasure of driving?

I'm not talking about just switching the thing on or off, but the constant adjusting of it...

savagecabbages

I've manual AC on my current car. Its better than no AC but I hate constantly having to adjust it... The next car I but WILL have full climate control, so i'll be disregarding anything which doesn't when I start looking...

So yes the type of aircon really does have an influence on what type of car people buy.

Rob32

Do you also find turning the lights on at home inconvienent? It must also be very annoying to change channel on the tv because all of your favourite shows arent on the same channel.

savagecabbages

No. I don't watch television.

If I did, changing the channel on a television wouldn't annoy me as I wouldn't have to take my eyes off the road while driving a car to do so.
Thanks for your contribution.

johnmcdnl

savagecabbages wrote: »

I've manual AC on my current car. Its better than no AC but I hate constantly having to adjust it... The next car I but WILL have full climate control, so i'll be disregarding anything which doesn't when I start looking...

So yes the type of aircon really does have an influence on what type of car people buy.

checklist before buying a new car

[ ] fuel efficiency
[ ] good engine reliability from other people's experience
[ ] size of boot
[ ] space in the back seat for kids
[ ] whether I have to adjust the air conditioning dial myself

seriously like... how much effort does it take to turn the dial to hot if the windows are frosted up... and on a hot day let the window down a wee bit.....

it might be at the top of your checklist of things but I'd say most other drivers wouldn't really be too worried about it when there a lot more pressing things I'd be worried about when getting a new car

savagecabbages

Yes seriously.

Your checklist vs. my checklist

I want climate control. You might not. Fair enough.
Someone else might want a big boot, or space for kids. I've no problem with someone else wanting something different for their car. I took issue with the notion that the type of AC will have absolutely no bearing on someones choice of car.

Rob32

savagecabbages wrote: »

Yes seriously.

Your checklist vs. my checklist

I want climate control. You might not. Fair enough.
Someone else might want a big boot, or space for kids. I've no problem with someone else wanting something different for their car. I took issue with the notion that the type of AC will have absolutely no bearing on someones choice of car.

Why would it? Id prefer to know i wont be horribly disabled/disfigured in a crash than be safe in the knowledge ill be kept at a steady 20degrees while it happens. Plus in my opinion Air Con in this country isnt really necessairy anyway.

savagecabbages wrote: »

No. I don't watch television.

If I did, changing the channel on a television wouldn't annoy me as I wouldn't have to take my eyes off the road while driving a car to do so.
Thanks for your contribution.

If you need to take your eyes off the road to turn your wiper/lights on your licencse should be revokedas your clearly not intelligent enough to drive, do you also need to look at the gearstick so you know where to move it to?

pajo1981

Rob32 wrote: »

Do you also find turning the lights on at home inconvienent? It must also be very annoying to change channel on the tv because all of your favourite shows arent on the same channel.

Hmm, own a shít car do we?

Tell me, do you use a remote control to change the channels on your TV, or are you too lazy to get up a press the buttons on the STB?

pajo1981

johnmcdnl wrote: »

seriously like... how much effort does it take to turn the dial to hot if the windows are frosted up... and on a hot day let the window down a wee bit.....

That's not the point of thermostatic CC.

Giving out to someone because they want a bit of luxury in THEIR new car is pathetic and reeks of jealousy.

-Chris-

Rob32 wrote: »

If you need to take your eyes off the road to turn your wiper/lights on your licencse should be revokedas your clearly not intelligent enough to drive

Rob, you're new to the forums and so maybe don't know where the line is drawn. This would be considered personal abuse in this forum.
Please read the Charter for this forum before posting again.

Rob32

pajo1981 wrote: »

Hmm, own a shít car do we?

Tell me, do you use a remote control to change the channels on your TV, or are you too lazy to get up a press the buttons on the STB?

Actually i own a R32 Nissan Skyline, a Toyota Corolla with air con which i never use and an 01 nissan primera with no air con. 3 quite reliable comfortable cars. And the skyline and corolla are somewhat unique givin that their jap imports and not seen around alot with the spec they have, i thought id be an individual rather than jump on the VAG bandwagon

And i use my remote of course which is still perfectly revevant to my point seeing as you dont have to get out of the car to turn the wipers on, as a matter of interest when the sensors for you auto wipers/lights fail will you just pull over and ring the AA??

Rob32

-Chris- wrote: »

Rob, you're new to the forums and so maybe don't know where the line is drawn. This would be considered personal abuse in this forum.
Please read the Charter for this forum before posting again.

I apologise chris, however no abuse was intended i was simply making a point that the working of wipers and lights isnt a very difficult task.

pajo1981

Rob32 wrote: »

...as a matter of interest when the sensors for you auto wipers/lights fail will you just pull over and ring the AA??

I wouldn't expect them too fail, and if they did I would just use the manual over-ride.

Look, for all you ranting and rambling, you are still wrong. Like a television remote, auto-rate wipers are convenient and worth having.

pajo1981

Rob32 wrote: »

I apologise chris, however no abuse was intended i was simply making a point that the working of wipers and lights isnt a very difficult task.

No-one is disputing that it's not a difficult task. Getting up off the couch to change the channel is not a difficult task, but you still use a remote.