Throttle?

[NeilB]

I've recently bought a 2001 1.4 16v (75bhp). Should I expect the engine to rev to around 2500-3000 rpm (not in gear) after only the first 1/2 inch or so of movement on the throttle pedal?
Although the free-revving engine is appreciated, smooth throttle control when moving slowly in traffic etc can be tricky.
Any comments welcome, before I fork out money to ask VW to check out the throttle potentiometer etc.

[JWC]

That actually sounds about right to me. See if you can progressively rev from idle, 800rpm to about 4000. 4000 should be about 3/4 to one in. The throttle is responsive. Just to check, depress the accelerator down to about 3000 in 1st, then use your left foot to touch the brakes, the engine should return to idle at once without removing your foot. Its drive by wire, so its unusual for there to be a fault as its dual redundancy, but not impossible.

[mikegti]

I found the throttle to be incredibly sensitive when first driving this car, it was a complete contrast to my old car where I had to almost stamp on the gas to get it going (and that was a 1.6i fiesta).

Even now when going slowly in traffic it can be very jerky when coming off the throttle completely, the same thing happens over evil speed bumps in 1st when my foot gets bounced off the pedal (may also have something to do with my stiffer suspension)

I think its just something to practice with, to be honest!

[carmadaaron]

yeah, takes sum gettin used to..
at first i found my old polo very responsive...

this was also to show how punchy it seems with my mates 2.0 diesel carina

if u floor it in neutral it shuld hit the around 3000rpm - 400rpm straight away!

[Rhodey]

Maybe your jus a crap driver??????

[NeilB]

Thanks guys. You've put my mind at rest here. I think it's just something to get used to. Makes a real change from the old 1.6 engine in my previous polo. I thought I might get the 'you're a crap driver' response as well!!!

[Rhodey]

lol someone had to!

[JWC]

Well I didn't want to say it, but stamping on the throttle in neutral is not a good idea. My old bug would red-line with about 1/4 inch. Good job I never tried the other 2 inch in neutral.

[CalvinGTI]

Anyone else Not ever bother to use there accelerator in traffic?

I seem to just use my clutch these days haha, the car picks up all the time without even pressing the accelerator! In traffice i can normally go through my gears and get to around 40mph odd quite easily.

Anyone else's car behave like this? (mines got 17"s as well so thought they would have 'demanded' some acceleration, but it appears not)

Calâ„¢

[JWC]

Anyone else Not ever bother to use there accelerator in traffic?

I seem to just use my clutch these days haha, the car picks up all the time without even pressing the accelerator! In traffice i can normally go through my gears and get to around 40mph odd quite easily.

Anyone else's car behave like this? (mines got 17"s as well so thought they would have 'demanded' some acceleration, but it appears not)

Calâ„¢

Well it will do, there is a feedback loop that tries to keep the engine at 850RPM, regardless of torque loading. I use that in traffic, but I try to avoid sliding the clutch at anything above about 1000RPM at any time. As you load the car up, it fiddles the timing to keep it idling at 850, and if that isn't enough then it opens the throttle a bit. This is all designed to allow it to compensate for A/C and heavy electrical accessories. But you won't harm it by using it in traffic. You may temporarily confuse the computers adaptive settings though. As it gets used to the engine requiring a different setting at idle.

Happy motoring.

[CalvinGTI]

ahh i see, learn something every day

Cheers JWC

Calâ„¢