2009 2010 VW Jetta TDI buying checklist, guide, and reviews page 2  

For page 1, click here:  2009-2010 clean diesel Jetta checklist page 1.  This is page 2

More ordering info and stuff to know:

Note for Canadian buyers: the TDI is available in different trim levels than in the US.  The US TDI is based off the SE trim level with a few more things.  Canadian TDI are available in trendline (base w/cloth seats) comfortline (midlevel, similar to SE but with cloth seats), and highline (similar to SEL, N/A in US TDI).  The differences in trim are the leather interior, stereo, the sportwagen is available with the multifunction steering wheel in the highline trim and standard or non availability of the panoramic sunroof.

In Canada there is no rear 115V outlet in the rear of Golf wagons.  US Jetta wagons do have these.  Canadian wagons do not come with bluetooth either by you can add it.  See 1000q: bluetooth FAQ for details.

Below: 2010 VW Jetta walkaround.

 

Delivery inspection

 After leaving the dealer, tell all drivers to only put diesel in the fuel tank!   Some dealers will fill up your fuel tank as a favor, make sure they put diesel in it! The car keys will get passed to a few people like the car washer or tech when it's in for service so it's not necessarily the salesperson's or mechanic's fault. I suggest a note taped to the "gas cap" while it's at the dealer. If someone accidentally puts gasoline in it, stop as soon as safety allows and tow it to a mechanic! The owner's manual should say to only use Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD). Over 99.5% of retail pump diesel sold in the continental US is ULSD and the rest is diluted down. You will still find non ULSD in Mexico, maybe Alaska, or at biodiesel stations/blends. A maximum of 5% biodiesel is recommended by VW. The law says that all retail pumps must have ULSD by Dec 2010. Even stations which still don't have the ULSD sticker on the pump will almost certainly have ULSD. Some new cars are damaged at the dealer or during transit. It happens. Carefully inspect your new car for dents, scratches, misaligned panels, haloing or spiderwebbing of the paint (see 1000q: polishing your paint for more details and pictures), or other damage. This is not acceptable on a brand new car. Don't let the happy ether from new car delivery interfere with overlooking possible defects or damage. A professional detailing will remove any rail dust, sea salt/sand, or road detritus accumulated during transport.  Waxing the car will only coat over these paint impurities and seal them in. Look through the detailing index linked above or see below in non-priority items for more detailing tips.

Very minor and consistent orange peel (a slight/wavy texturing of the paint surface) can be normal.  Inconsistency across panels indicates bad paint and possibly damage cover ups.  Pictured above right are thumbnails (click to enlarge) of orange peel from glossycar. com.  The first one shows severe orange peel and then the repair.  I would not accept delivery on that car and I even doubt the picture is really of a new car due to the severity of the orange peel.  The second shows a brand new car with heavier than normal orange peel.  This would probably be considered normal by some dealers but can be corrected with a very light wetsanding and polish that can be done by any detailer.  The paint finish on a new car should be clear of swirl marks and other defects.  

Don't worry about waxing your new car.  New cars from the factory are baked in an oven after painting and they had plenty of time during delivery in case you feel you want to wait before waxing.  Body repair or body shop paint needs to cure for at least a month before waxing because it's slightly different and can't be baked in an oven or else the interior and all the plastics on the car would melt.  High quality body shops can do a better paint job than the factory, so don't worry that they don't bake the paint.  Some owners have reported moisture spots which are trapped under the clearcoat.  It's visible only at certain angles and can be removed with a hairdryer on low heat.  If it doesn't come back that's it.  If it does, immediately report it to the dealer.

There have been a few questions about how to break in the new engine, just follow the recommendations in your owner's handbook.  Don't listen to the salesperson!  Some general tips about engine break in and busting myths can be seen here: 1000q: engine break in and busting break in myths.

It's normal for the speedometer to read slightly higher than actual speed.  German cars tend to have fast speedometers to account for build variations and so that they don't read lower than actual speed.   See 1000q: speedometer fix for the repair.  The odometer reading should be correct and is a separate display from the speedometer for warranty and maintenance purposes.  Most report that the 2009 and newer fuel economy meter are accurate.  Even still, the best way to calculate fuel economy is to fill the tank all the way, drive, and then fill the tank all the way at the same exact pump.  Different pumps may shut off at slightly different points which can change your calculated fuel economy.  If the mpg meter is inaccurate, you can adjust it using the procedure here: 1000q: fuel economy gauge adjustment.

Double check your insurance coverage.  Some insurance setups may incorrectly see your car as a gasser.  Remember that your car has 3 sets of airbags and may have optional rear lower side airbags.  It also has an immobilizer anti theft, anti theft alarm, shoulder harness seat belts, ABS, and stability control, so see if insurance discounts apply.

Make sure the dealer removes the front suspension blockers.  These are black or orange bumpers that lock the springs for shipment.  It's on the delivery checklist but the box often gets checked off even though they didn't do it and you paid for delivery inspection.  If the front rides hard and high or you hear a noise from the front, check for the bumpers.  This is what they look like before removal (on right) and after being mangled from driving around (orange, on left) because the dealer didn't remove them.  It can dislodge the shock boot and cause clunking in the struts.

You must use 507.00 VW spec engine oil.  Because this is a new spec oil, you must order it from an online supplier or from the dealer.  DO NOT trust the dealer to comply with this requirement, even under their 3 years/36,000 mile free maintenance program!  Dealer techs are busy and often make mistakes!  Especially in states which did not have previous generations of TDI due to emissions, the number of TDI coming through the dealer garage is small compared to the number of gassers and many dealers have made this mistake in the past!  Always check with the exact tech working on your car which oil he is using.  

VW 507.00 engine oil is also needed because it's very low ash.  Too much ash can result in less lifespan of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) system.  See 1000q: DPF FAQ for more on the clean diesel system.   Until there is further evidence and testing for oils other than 507.00 VW spec, I strongly suggest sticking to the owner's manual suggestion.  Not using this spec oil may give the dealer grounds to not honor warranty claims on the engine.  Don't let them tell you that another oil is OK to use because it's you who has to prove any problem down the road, not them!  Some common oils that are VW 507.00 spec are Castrol SLX Professional LL03, Motul specific VW 507.00, Total Quartz Ineo 5w30 507.00, and Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30.  

To the right is the TSB which lists engine oils approved by VW - right click, save as or click to view (scroll down to the bottom for 507 oils).  The part numbers for 5w-30 507.00 engine oil are:
VW# g v52 195 a1 (gv52195a1) for .5 liter 
VW# g vw 052 195 m2 (gvw052195 m2) for 1 liter
VW# gvw 052 195 m4 (gvw052195 m4)for 5 liters 

 

If you want a new diesel station wagon, your only choice is the 2009 or 2010 VW Jetta TDI.  The only other years for TDI wagons were 1996-1997 and 2004-2005 Passat, and 2002-2005 Jetta.  Cargo space in the sportwagen with seats up is 33 cubic ft, 67 cubic ft with seats down + a roof rack.  See 1000q: wagon TDI buying guide for info on the wagons. This page focuses on the sedans.

All transmissions (DSG and manual) are now 6 forward speeds, 1 reverse.  Older transmissions on 5th generation Jetta TDI were 5 speed on the manual.  None come with paddle shifters on the steering wheel but it is possible to swap a steering wheel with paddle shifters onto a DSG car, see the above link.

Pictured below is the multifunction display plus (MFD+) for 2010.  The main difference is the position of the clock and white instead of red display.  The wagons and Golf are similar except the instruments are in pods.  See 1000q: 2009-2010 changes to see the 2009 model.

2010 Jetta TDI sedan get 9w3 bluetooth.  This has outgoing phone call capability, phone book download, and voice control.  2010 Jetta sportwagen TDI get 9w2 bluetooth in the US.  This is talk only, no phonebook.  See 1000q: VW 9w2 and 9w3 Bluetooth FAQ for more details and how to activate the phone book in the Jetta sedans.  Canadian wagons do not get any bluetooth in any trim.  Because of the number of complaints VW Canada may be willing to negotiate the price for adding the bluetooth module to make it work.  If you add it, make sure they add 9w3 because it has additional features.

Major Options are rear side airbags, Media Device Integration for ipod, 17" alloy wheels, RNS510 GPS navigation system, sunroof on the sedan, panoramic sunroof on the sportwagen.  The TDI is equipped similar to the mid level gasoline Jetta, the SE (S is base and SEL is highline option model).  Unfortunately, you can't order SEL or Jetta GLI equipment on a TDI.  You cannot get a power memory driver's seat, dual zone climatronic (auto climate control), leather seating, or HID headlights on a 2009 2010 TDI.

Minor options are equipped at the port or dealer and include rubber floor mats, carpet floor mats, mud flaps, roof racks, front or rear spoilers, etc.

Vinyl (leatherette) seats are standard on the TDI (Canada has cloth seats standard, leather on highline trim).  No 2009 TDI is available with leather seating in the US or power seats although gas 2009 Jettas and the older 2005.5-2006 Jetta TDI may have it optioned.  Since many dealer ads are calling the vinyl interior leather, I want to repeat that no 2009 TDI has leather from the factory.  The advantage of vinyl seats (leatherette) is lower cost and greater durability.  Leatherette will not dry and crack the same way leather can but in the author's opinion, it feels like rubber.  The advantage of leather is a higher quality feel.  The disadvantage of leather is that it should be kept out of strong sunlight to prevent drying out and should be regularly cleaned and conditioned to keep soft.  In the end, unless you are sitting naked on the seats you probably wouldn't notice the difference unless someone told you it was vinyl.  If you do want leather seats on your 2009, any leather seat from another 5th generation Jetta or Golf is direct swappable and they all have side airbags.  Make sure to check airbag system compatibility before swapping seats!  Other options are the plaid sport seats from the GLI/GTI or sport seats from the R32 Golf.

The 2010 have the RCD510 premium 8 touchscreen radio and come with standard MDI (iPod control and display) under the center armrest.  2009 have the premium 7 radio which does not come and cannot use MDI.  See 1000q: VW ipod, aux in, and mp3 cable adapter compatibility for your iPod options. 

 

For 2009 sedan and wagon:
Direct bolt-on OEM HID headlights from the GTI/GLI can be purchased for $1300 from sites such as ecstuning or tmtuning.  My personal choice is the Hella Dynabeam for $1100.  It's not the OEM HIDs but is made by the same manufacturer (Hella) and is high quality.  It also turns 15o into turns and costs a little less than OEM.  You can also purchase used HID housings online.  Do not attempt to use the stock non-HID housings with a "xenon light kit from ebay".  HID bulbs must be matched to their projector and housing to prevent dangerous glare and blinding oncoming traffic.  See 1000q: HID swap for detailed installation instructions

All Jettas come with head curtain, front, and side airbags.  Lower rear side airbags are the only optional airbags.  ABS, stability and yaw control are standard.

VW Jetta Color samples and Color codes

(campanella white pictured above in demo, some very early build cars are campanella white LR9A, later cars are candy white LB9A) 
platinum grey LD7X---------graphite blue LC5F w/tinted windows (metallic and darker than grey)

salsa red LA3H w/optional 17" avington wheels----laser blue LC5J (2009 and TDI cup exclusive color) w/standard (on the sedan) 16" bioline wheels

 reflex silver LA7W w/tinted windows---------------uni black (non metallic) L041
 

Non priority items, other VW quirks, dealer computer setup, and misc things to know about the 2009 or 2010 VW TDI

Power modifications
I would wait until the warranty expires and power tuning matures for this engine before trying it on my own car.  Because of more sophisticated engine management and the totally new emissions control system, the  greatest power modification available right now for the 2.0L TDI CBEA and CJAA engine is chip tuning.  Early chip tuning is producing an estimated 160 hp and 290 lb-ft torque.  The 2010s have different engine management vs. the 2009s so they require a new tune.

After you shut off the engine or are stopped at a light: if you hear the engine fan running AND you smell something overheating at the tailpipe, this is the diesel particulate filter (DPF) burning off accumulated soot.  If the DPF doesn't get hot enough during a highway run or normal driving, it injects some fuel to burn off trapped particulates.  If you shut off the engine in the middle of a filter regeneration cycle you may notice some odor while it burns off.  It appears that it does a hot regen cycle about once every 450-600 miles depending on use.  More information can be found in the DPF FAQ for Audi and Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

Current and recent recalls:
Oxygen sensor and computer reflash.

Make sure to tell all drivers of your car to only put diesel in the fuel tank!   If someone accidentally puts gasoline in it, stop as soon as safety allows and tow it to a mechanic!  The owner's manual should say to only use Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).  Check the pumps for the ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) sticker.  About 99.5% of all retail pump diesel sold in the US is ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) but you may find a rare pump that isn't.  Even if the sticker on the fuel pump doesn't say it's ULSD, all major refineries in the US/Canada have been making pretty much only ULSD and are required to make only ULSD by 6/1/2010, so if the pump doesn't say ULSD it's almost certainly ULSD or diluted enough so that it shouldn't cause any serious problems.  After 12/01/10, by law, you can only find non ULSD for cars in Mexico/South America.  California has been only ULSD or years.

Some dealers will fill up your fuel tank as a favor, make sure they put diesel in it!  The car keys will get passed to a few people like the car washer or tech when it's in for service so it's not necessarily the salesperson's or mechanic's fault.  I suggest a note taped to the "gas cap" while it's at the dealer.

If you hold the key in the door to unlock or lock, it will open or close all the windows and sunroof.  If you enable comfort windows, it will also let you do it with the remote key fob.  A demo is below....

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