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Beetle as a daily drive
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 11:38 am
by Schpleegz
Hi all,
I would like to get your views on something I have never been sure of.
How possible is it for me to use a beetle as a daily drive which will include sitting in bumper to bumper traffic for at least 30 mins of a 45mins journey?
The assumption would be that all the necessary cooling tin is in place and the oil cooler in perfect working condition.
Thanks.
Re: Beetle as a daily drive
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 11:45 am
by Merlin
Schpleegz wrote:Hi all,
I would like to get your views on something I have never been sure of.
How possible is it for me to use a beetle as a daily drive which will include sitting in bumper to bumper traffic for at least 30 mins of a 45mins journey?
The assumption would be that all the necessary cooling tin is in place and the oil cooler in perfect working condition.
Thanks.
Beetles have been in daily use for the past 69 years. I think that you'll be alright.
Re: Beetle as a daily drive
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 11:56 am
by Schpleegz
I never doubt the reliability of the beetle. I am more concerned around the overheating aspect as traffic is 100 times worse than it was 30years ago and so I always felt a beetle was never designed to sit in traffic.
The last thing I want to do is damage my beetle by causing it to run a lot hotter than it should be be by sitting in traffic.
Re: Beetle as a daily drive
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 12:04 pm
by Tony Z
if you are unsure, then do the following
ensure all the cooling tin and rubbers are in place
lift the top of the engine lid to allow hot air to escape
you should be fine
Re: Beetle as a daily drive
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 12:35 pm
by Dawie
The aircooled beetle engine's cooling system is totally independent of vehicle speed. (Unlike a watercooled car, where forward motion helps move air through the radiator.) Overheating in traffic is a "watercooled-specific" phenomenon.
Industrial aircooled vw engines can operate at max load while sitting in one place.
A beetle engine is overcooled while sitting still in traffic, as it then operates at zero load.
Re: Beetle as a daily drive
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 12:41 pm
by Schpleegz
Awesome...
Thanks guys. Your info and advice has put a smile on my face.
I was stressing about getting to work but at least I know the beetle is an option now.
Can anyone suggest a place to take the beetle to in Jhb who I can trust to identify if all the tin and rubbers are in place.
I've looked at a few diagrams but I'd rather be sure.
Thanks