When to Change and Fit Winter Tyres to your car?

When should you change to winter tyres?

The advice for fitting and using winter tyres is that they perform best when the temperature is below 7C. This would normally correspond with around October/November in the UK so a suggested idea is to change to fit your winter tyres when the clocks change at the end of October.

So far this year the temperature during October has been much higher than average so I am currently still using the summer tyres on my VW Golf. Another reason for using the summer tyres for as long as possible is that they are on the original alloy wheels but the winter tyres are fitted to tatty steel wheels so the car looks much worse when using them!



When to Change and Fit Winter Tyres to your car? Winter tyres fitted on steel rims

What is CCM Module in the VW Golf? CCM Part Number 1C0 959 799B

The CCM in a VW Golf is the abbreviation for the Central Convenience module of the Golf. This module is located beneath the steering wheel and can be accessed by removing the trim under the dash and steering wheel. The part number for the Golf CCM is 1C0 959 799B

CCM location in VW Golf

Photo of a CCM module from a VW Golf - Part 1C0 959 799B

The CCM controls various "convenience" functions within the car such as the doors, remote central locking and if the CCM module is replaced or changed then the keys will need to be reprogrammed to still open the car remotely. The keys will still work to open the car via the door lock.



What is CCM Module in the VW Golf?

VW Golf Water Leaking in from Rear Door

After a very heavy shower of rain overnight when I came to use my VW Golf Mk4 this morning I found that there was a pool of water that had leaked in from the rear passenger door.

So far I've not managed to find the source of the water leak coming in the door but I'm assuming from the position that one of the seals around the roof/door frame has failed and needs replacement. Once I find the reason I'll post up the info.



VW Golf Water Leaking in from Rear Door



VW Golf rear door water Leaking in

Alloys or Steel Wheels for Winter Tyres?

My Golf has a set of both summer and winter tyres. The winter tyres are on old steel wheels but the summer tyres are fitted on the original VW alloys.

Obviously the winter tyres are very handy over the colder months giving much improved grip but the appearance is much less attractive than the alloy wheels on the summer tyres.

VW Golf MK4 MOT Test Pass - Do you get a reminder for an MOT?

When is an MOT due?

In the UK every vehicle over 3 years old has to have an annual test of roadworthyness known as the MOT - for Ministry of Transport - despite that name not having existed since the 1970s!

How early can you get an MOT test done?

My VW Golf TDI was due it's MOT on 31 October 2014 but you can take the car for the MOT test up to one month beforehand and still get the MOT dated from the expiry - so effectively you are getting 13 months MOT on the car.

Despite having 246,000 miles the car sailed through the MOT with no advisories and now has another 12 months before the MOT is due again. We had replaced the front suspension earlier in the year due to the spring failing so this is one item that would have failed if not fixed.


Do you get a reminder for an MOT

Do you get a reminder for an MOT?

No, unlike car tax (vehicle excise duty) when you are sent a reminder that it is due there is no reminder set for your MOT so it is useful to mark it in your calendar or set a reminder on your phone for around a month beforehand. You can then get the MOT done along with any required repairs before the MOT expires.



How early can you get an MOT test done?

VW Golf MK4 Wheel Arch Rusting - Rust on Front Wings - Corrosion Warranty

Rust Through Paint on VW Golf Front Wings

Although the VW Golf MK4 is a very reliable car one common area that is prone to rust are the front wheel arches. Due to the construction and use of padding behind the arch liner water can collect which rusts the wheel arch from the inside as the foam rubs. If you are looking to buy a VW Golf MK4 then this check for rust is a good way to negotiate on price if the front wing is rusting.

Rust corrosion VW Golf Front wings

Corrosion warranty claim for VW Golf Front wings rusting

The VW Golf has a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty so some of the later cars are still covered. However unlike the claim I had with my VW Passat for rust on the tailgate VW rufused to accept the claim for the Golf wheel arch, saying that it wasn't a manufacturing defect as it was mechanical fault - the fact the fault was caused by VW poor design didn't seem to cut any ice.

This can show as bubbles of rust on the surface of the wheel arch which has come from the inside. It is possible to remove the rust and repair the section but it will invariably come back so I found the best option was to replace the wheel arch & wing completely. The cost was also very favourable as it only came to £250 for a brand new wing including spraying.



VW Golf MK4 Wheel Arch Rusting

Removing & Replacing VW Golf Mk4 Bonnet/Hood

How to remove & replace the bonnet on a VW Golf Mk4

More photos to follow shortly.

Requirements:

Tools required 13mm spanner/socket, point tool to unclip bonnet support

Second person to help lift bonnet off car and support during hinge removal

Steps:

Remove sound deadening material - remove clips around edge
Unclip and remove washer jets
Unhook bonnet support strut
Remove hinges holding bonnet to car (2 person job)
Lift off bonnet from car
Lift new bonnet into place and secure hinges (2 person job)

Removing & Replacing VW Golf Mk4 Bonnet