Know your GTi: Electronic immobilizer.

While for some vehicles, you need to install an additional immobilizer to prevent break-ins and thefts, the Golf GTi mk5 comes with a built-in electronic one. There is a chip in the ignition key which automatically deactivates the immobilizer when inserted into the ignition lock. Vice versa, when removed, it is activated automatically.

Therefore the engine can only be started using a genuine VW key with the correct code. Any unauthorized keys used, the display in the combi-instrument will show 'SAFE' or 'Immobilizer active!'. And the vehicle can then not be used.

So, don't worry so much about thefts. I think what you should worry more is just vandalism. There are a lot of blind cows whose vehicle does not have a 'stopper' and will slam straight into yours when parked next to your car. Or the usual, smashing of windows for burglary. My advise is, park where vehicles are supposed to be parked. And park somewhere bright. And make friends with the security guard so that he keeps an eye out for you ;)

Know your GTi: F.A. Wagen soon-to-be a 4s dealer.

For those of you who own a VW car, you can soon send your beloved for its periodical service at F.A. Wagen Sdn Bhd (owned by Federal Auto). You can google the map via this address:

Lot 7, Jalan 222, Section 51A,
46100 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Phone: +603-7960 0801
Fax: +603-7960 0802

I haven't been there before, so I won't know if the dealer/service centre is any good. But when I do, I'll share my experience here. Or if you've been there, do share your experience with me. Thanks in advance.

Know your GTi: Comes with its own bottle opener?

I've got the car for 6 months now and I've been reading the manual from cover to cover. And, to my surprise I realized that the Mk 5 should come with a bottle opener. I'm only guessing that it looks like the above. Why am I guessing, you say? Because it's not in my car (!!!).

Itulah akibatnya membeli kereta dari dealer-dealer yang bogus (that's the consequences of purchasing from bogus dealers). Which in my case is VW Cars, which at that point was still one of the authorized dealers of VW Group Malaysia (not anymore now). Well, I'm definitely writing a love letter to VGM cause... the bottle opener looks kinda nice and I want it back. As with many other manufacturers, these kind of complains usually get sweep under the carpet and they push the blame to one another. Well, let see what happens this time. Cause I really want my bottle opener (!!!).

Know your GTi: Fuel consumption.

Obviously Ron 95 is out of the question.

So that leaves us with VPower and Ron 97.

A full 55l tank of VPower gives me about 560km on very careful driving (no hard acceleration, most of the time nothing over 100km/h). Funny thing is, VPower seemed to give a lot more boost when used in the City or Vios or even MyVi compared to the GTi. Somehow, it felt a little sluggish during pick up and the so-called extra power which I felt before seemed insignificant in the GTi. A friend of mine told me that VPower acts as a booster to vehicles with less than 1.6 or 1.8cc but makes no difference to a 2.0 (more over a turbocharged one). Hmm. I don't know how true this is, can anyone clarify? But the lag in power pick up is quite apparent until you hit a certain rpm of course then the GTi's natural instinct just takes over ;)

Ron 97 was surprisingly efficient with a more equal distribution of power during the entire acceleration process. More over, what was really neat is I could milk a cool 600km on a full tank! Again, that is if I am extra careful with my pedal force at all times. 600km is equivalent to me traveling from home to work and back for approximately 2 weeks (minus a day or two).

After the first week of good behavior, I still have about half a tank (300km) to go. But here's my real confession. I never did reach the 600 mark because I simply couldn't stay 'good' for two whole weeks. I couldn't resist the temptation of an open road at 2am getting to know some 'friendly' fellow drivers. But if I did, I'm pretty sure 600 can be achieved. Well, until I can truly stay off the metal for fourteen days, I'm pretty happy with a 560km mark.

Know your GTi #8.

Beanie can do this!?

Know your GTi #7.

Hate it when your side mirrors fog up on rainy days? No fear, just turn the dial to the heating function on the side mirror control. But remember to 'turn' it off as it does consume a bit of fuel to warm up the mirrors ;)

Drive safe this Raya and see you guys when I get back from Modor.

Know your GTi #6.

The GTi unlike many other cars, only have ONE reverse light which is on the left side (found out from my greatest embarassment which I won't divulge here). So, what happened to the right buttock? It's the FOG light. I was also trying to figure out, how to turn on the fog light, and you can do so by pulling out the dial (as shown on top) and turn it towards the 'headlamp' sign. If you don't pull it out, you'll not be able to turn on the fog lights (front and back). A lot of people thought fog lights are a waste of material in Malaysia (haze yea, but fog?), but I beg to differ. I think these fog lights are great for days raining cats and dogs, bulls and frogs. You see, a lot of drivers turn on their hazard lights during heavy downpours (which you really shouldn't do), just so to 'increase visibility' for vehicles at the back. But hey, with a fog light like this:

He must be blind not to see you a mile a way. (And if that's the case, what on earth is he doing behind wheels?!).

Know your GTi #4.

If you look at your steering wheel, you'll realize that on the left hand is the volume adjustment buttons but none for channel change. I was really surprised that the GTi did not come with channel change buttons on the steering wheel, till I discovered that if you press the 'menu' button on the right side of your steering wheel while the vehicle is moving, it doesn't go into the menu. Instead it goes into the radio station channels and you can then pick the stations by pressing the up and down button! It's kinda neat because you can surf a lot more channels than the ones you've already preset on your player.

Know your GTi #3.

This isn't a unique feature to the GTi as I think it's standard for ALL vehicles (last I checked).

In the midst of our daily business, we forget things. So the next time you drive into the gas station to refuel and you forgot which side your fuel tank flap is on, look at the petrol icon shown on your meter (refer to green square above). The triangle pointing either direction from the side of the icon shows you which side the flap is on. A lot of people don't know that (!), so they end up driving into the wrong side and drag the hose all the way to the other side, over their vehicle, to fill up. DON'T DO THAT. You don't want any unnecessary showers, do you? Especially not this kind.

After speaking with a few car enthusiasts and day-to-day drivers, we think this is the discovery of the millennium. Really.

Know your GTi #2.

Once you have refuelled full tank, press the up arrow button (refer to right yellow circle below) on your multi-function steering wheel till you see the 'range in km' on the combi-instrument display (refer to left yellow circle). It is basically calculated from the your fuel tank content versus current fuel consumption. This is so you know how far more your vehicle can go before needing to refuel again. I think this is a standard feature in most Vdub vehicles, but then again, I'm not 100% sure.

Useful level: 10/10 - This is because 1)It tells me on a full tank, how far my vehicle can go. The Golf GTi states 570km on a full 55l engine, which is about 10.4km/l (obviously you can't beat the Japs on fuel consumption but hey, you've got to look at the ROF (Return on Fun) instead, you know). On the long run, I'm able to gauge my vehicle's fuel consumption behavior as well as my own driving habit. When the numbers start to fall, then I know I have to be niceR on the road. And 2)After two times of nearly stalling on the North-South highway for over-gauging my vehicle's ability to 'drag on for a few more kilometres' before refuelling at the next petrol station, this obviously comes super handy.

We'll have more GTi tips and insider's knowledge from time to time. Follow us to get wired ;)

Know your GTi #1.

I think it's shocking to know that most drivers do not know why it is so crucial to adjust the height of their steering wheel of their vehicle. The example shown below is from the Golf GTi (obviously our market version will be a right-hand drive). There is a lever below the steering wheel which when opened and pushed below will release the steering wheel's lock (refer to red arrow). Of which then, the steering wheel's height can be adjusted freely. Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn't be adjusting the height according to your shoulder's height but should be adjusted to Xcm from your chest. For the Golf GTi, the recommended optimum distance is 25cm from the driver's breast bone. This is to ensure when airbags are inflated in the event of an accident, the driver is fully protected.

Also, when adjusting the steering wheel, ensure that the surface is pointing towards your chest and not face (refer to yellow arrow). This is very important during the inflation of airbags. This is one time, you don't want something to blow up on your face. Literally.

So check with your manufacturer to find out what is the optimum distance between you and your steering wheel so that you know you're well-protected.

Photo from www.kereta.info

We'll have more GTi tips and insider's knowledge from time to time. Follow us to get wired ;)