Just had a weeks holiday in Wales as the heat rose I seemed to think the car did not run as well as earlier in the week when the temperatures were lower, the engine seemed noisier and there seemed to be brake fade as well. Maybe the climate control working full stretch had something to do with it. It has cooled down in East Yorks. again today only 20c instead of the 28c from Wednesday onwards and it seems to be back to normal today. Anyone else noticed this, or is it my imagination.

I would add that the 1000 miles plus we did during the week was a pleasure, no tiredness at all, even coming home over seven hours of continuous driving with only a 20 minute stop in Derbyshire. Well done Yeti

The a/c compressor running hard has quite a noticeable impact on the 1.2 TSI engine at low rpm, presumably because the alternator is trying to generate more electrical power. 

Warmer air effects a planes ability to take off so i would imagine it will have some impact on an engines ability to breathe properly as the air is less dense.

Although the behaviour probably isn't exactly comparable.

 

I have always superficially thought all my cars haven't behaved as well when it gets near 30C but that it was also my imagination.

I guess we both agree that something isn't the same when it gets as hot, whatever that be.

 

Glad you had a nice holiday.

I seem to recall turbocharged cars tend to perfom better when the air is cooler and therefore more dense.

 

I ran a 1.2 TSi Yeti for around 10K miles and found a noticeable effect on the car's peformance when the AC was running / cooling. This is less evident with my current 110 TDi.

I know one thing, my steering wheel was extremely hot when I got in the car after work today, I think I will be looking out my old sunshade for tomorrow.

Come down to our place for a real test. Scorching sun at 40C plus, went a round trip of about 100kms around with only sand seen up to where you can see (not on sand though). Yeti ride was quite comfortable though wish the visor was broader to give a proper shade to eyes. The full sunroof seems to make the a/c run at higher speed. It's another two months and we will get to 30s and then 25-30.

I was just thinking about this the other day. Lately we have been consistently having days in the 35C range and I am quite sure that the Yeti has lost a bit of its punch. This is especially noticeable in low-end torque, it doesn't pull quite as well as it did during the winter and spring at more normal temperatures. It is indeed a well-documented fact, as the high temperature affects both the air density (less air -> less fuel able to burn), as well as -if I recall my Uni thermodynamics correctly- the thermodynamic efficiency of the engine as the temperature difference between ambient and the engine is lower. Not sure how much the latter effect is noticeable, but the former is what also affects turbo cars at high altitudes.

Obviously, a turbo engine prefers colder denser air to produce the engines full performance but I cant knock mine in any way in respect of performance in hot weather but then it is highly uprated including the intercooler. Last summer it did 11 countries/6,000 miles in just over five weeks and it didnt miss a beat - a lot of that was in ambient temperatures of between 32 and 42 degrees and included full driving days with long inclines!! A/C is the best ive ever had in any vehicle but in extreme temperatures Im pretty sure it does work harder on cars with the Panoramic sunroof option installed.

 

Re Brake fade - if the brake system is healthy (ie pads not glazed and fluid is in good condition) then its time to either slow down or do a pad and fluid upgrade. Ive had my setup smoking in the extreme on the Austrian passes but performance was unaffected!

The pad and fluid upgrade has been on my to-do list since you first suggested it sometime in the past Yeti_Man (as slowing down is not really an option...), brake feel and power are my main niggles with the car from the first day I got it. I am just a little concerned about potential warranty issues, but as I will be taking the Yeti in for an oil change tomorrow I'll ask and see what my options are.

The pad and fluid upgrade has been on my to-do list since you first suggested it sometime in the past Yeti_Man (as slowing down is not really an option...), brake feel and power are my main niggles with the car from the first day I got it. I am just a little concerned about potential warranty issues, but as I will be taking the Yeti in for an oil change tomorrow I'll ask and see what my options are.

Brake feel is a weakness through out most of the VAG cars imo. Ive done about four brake upgrades on this platform from 312mm VRS setup to the 345mm S3 setup and it doesnt improve. The only time it has improved (and is now brilliant) is with the Porsche upgrade - pedal feel via the four pot monoblock calipers using differently sized pistons is exceptional. If you dont want to spend a fortune and keep it looking OE id recommend 312mm VRS disks with ATE blue fluid and a decent aftermarket pad - my preference is for the Ferodo DS2500 but some on here dislike them due to lack of approval rating. This setup offers far far better fade resistance, better bite from cold (surprisingly) and simply get better the hotter they get.

If you dont want to spend a fortune and keep it looking OE id recommend 312mm VRS disks with ATE blue fluid and a decent aftermarket pad - my preference is for the Ferodo DS2500 but some on here dislike them due to lack of approval rating. This setup offers far far better fade resistance, better bite from cold (surprisingly) and simply get better the hotter they get.

I feel we're going a bit off-topic - apologies to all. Bigger disks would also be in my shopping list, but I am afraid that I am quite limited by the fact that my Yeti runs on 16" alloys, so not much room for play with. Plus I'm not sure how the warranty will fare once I start doing all this. Again, I guess I'll have a talk with the service people tomorrow and see how much wiggle room I can get. Thanks for all the suggestions Yeti_Man, I will definitely consult with you before proceeding with any brake mods!

I feel we're going a bit off-topic - apologies to all. Bigger disks would also be in my shopping list, but I am afraid that I am quite limited by the fact that my Yeti runs on 16" alloys, so not much room for play with. Plus I'm not sure how the warranty will fare once I start doing all this. Again, I guess I'll have a talk with the service people tomorrow and see how much wiggle room I can get. Thanks for all the suggestions Yeti_Man, I will definitely consult with you before proceeding with any brake mods!

It's fine going slightly off my original topic as the info on the brakes is useful to read. This is what forums are about everybody chipping in ideas and ways of improvement

I feel we're going a bit off-topic - apologies to all. Bigger disks would also be in my shopping list, but I am afraid that I am quite limited by the fact that my Yeti runs on 16" alloys, so not much room for play with. Plus I'm not sure how the warranty will fare once I start doing all this. Again, I guess I'll have a talk with the service people tomorrow and see how much wiggle room I can get. Thanks for all the suggestions Yeti_Man, I will definitely consult with you before proceeding with any brake mods!

312mm brakes fit just fine with 16" wheels. Yeti_Man had and I have 312mm brakes and use 16" winter wheels.

My Skoda dealer fitted them without question, and Skoda insurance were happy as it made the car safer. :happy;

312mm brakes fit just fine with 16" wheels. Yeti_Man had and I have 312mm brakes and use 16" winter wheels.

My Skoda dealer fitted them without question, and Skoda insurance were happy as it made the car safer. :happy;

Wow, that's fantastic news! I was quite sure that it wasn't a possibility!

 

Earlier today I took the Yeti in for an oil change but unfortunately didn't have time to discuss the brake upgrade issue, but will definitely be doing so soon. Could you give me an idea of total cost for disks, pads and fluid? I realise that the UK and Greek markets are not directly comparable, but it would still help to have a ballpark figure in mind. Also, have you and / or Yeti_Man also fitted high-pressure brake lines?

 

Back to the heat issue - this morning I set off quite early with an ambient temperature around 23 degrees, and the difference in low-end torque compared to high noon at 35-37C was quite noticeable.

Edited 10 July, 201313 yr by gcp

Photos of my outside temperature gauges last evening. note the time. It's not fake!!

Still found Yeti to be doing fine. Perhaps our spec is a bit stronger.

Wow, that's fantastic news! I was quite sure that it wasn't a possibility!

 

Earlier today I took the Yeti in for an oil change but unfortunately didn't have time to discuss the brake upgrade issue, but will definitely be doing so soon. Could you give me an idea of total cost for disks, pads and fluid? I realise that the UK and Greek markets are not directly comparable, but it would still help to have a ballpark figure in mind. Also, have you and / or Yeti_Man also fitted high-pressure brake lines?

 

Back to the heat issue - this morning I set off quite early with an ambient temperature around 23 degrees, and the difference in low-end torque compared to high noon at 35-37C was quite noticeable.

Im afraid my 312mm setup doesnt fit under 16" alloys/winters - the standard caliper over 312mm disks will however - just. You should be able to see my brake upgrade details in my sig - it notes HEL braided lines also. Over here you're probably looking at £250 for the disks, pads and fluid. Ive allowed £100 for the pads in that but you can spend anywhere from £40 - £200 on pads alone tbh. As I mentioned earlier, for that setup, Id favour DS2500's and they are around £140 iirc.

 

Back to the heat issue - you'd also benefit from an S3 intercooler!

Im afraid my 312mm setup doesnt fit under 16" alloys/winters - the standard caliper over 312mm disks will however - just. You should be able to see my brake upgrade details in my sig - it notes HEL braided lines also. Over here you're probably looking at £250 for the disks, pads and fluid. Ive allowed £100 for the pads in that but you can spend anywhere from £40 - £200 on pads alone tbh. As I mentioned earlier, for that setup, Id favour DS2500's and they are around £140 iirc.

 

Back to the heat issue - you'd also benefit from an S3 intercooler!

...and that's how it begins! And once I have the uprated brakes, a little more power won't hurt (the remap is already on the cards), and then the intercooler will make more sense, which will then make a big turbo upgrade easier, which will need better breathing, which...

Hang on, this is starting to look alot like your sig Yeti_Man! :-D Once I start I am really prone to going down that road as well, the warranty is the only thing that's holding me back!

...and that's how it begins! And once I have the uprated brakes, a little more power won't hurt (the remap is already on the cards), and then the intercooler will make more sense, which will then make a big turbo upgrade easier, which will need better breathing, which...

Hang on, this is starting to look alot like your sig Yeti_Man! :-D Once I start I am really prone to going down that road as well, the warranty is the only thing that's holding me back!

...whats a warranty?!   Mine went out the window at 7,000 miles.

...whats a warranty?!   Mine went out the window at 7,000 miles.

Yeah, but think how big the grin is that replaced it!

...and that grins lasted longer than the warranty would have anyway!!

And I'm glad you fitted those huge brakes

Despite modern hi-tech air conditioning, Annie is being affected by the hot weather - she's going around with her windows rolled down!

 

Especially for CFB:  This was our best today, above the Chiltern snowline.  We're nearer the sun up here, of course :sun:

 

Especially for CFB:  This was our best today, above the Chiltern snowline.  We're nearer the sun up here, of course :sun:

Better put sun block on your wings Icarus.