It seems most of the posts on VWVortex are concerned with ways to increase power and drive faster. But is everybody happy with the stock brakes? On my Jetta SEL the brakes are fine for normal slowing/stopping from moderate speeds. But occasionally when I really need to stop aggressively I find the pedal gets spongy and keeps sinking, not giving the expected stopping power. I am used to the brake pedal getting firmer the more I press, but on this Jetta it's almost the opposite. Even after 5000 miles I am sometimes challenged to coordinate the brake depression with stopping distance. Does anyone else feel the same way? There was a magazine review (don't recall where I read it) that mentioned something about a soft brake pedal, but I didn't think much of it until recently. I guess its time for a visit to the dealer.
2015 Jetta Brakes are Mediocre
SandCastle
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It seems most of the posts on VWVortex are concerned with ways to increase power and drive faster. But is everybody happy with the stock brakes? On my Jetta SEL the brakes are fine for normal slowing/stopping from moderate speeds. But occasionally when I really need to stop aggressively I find the pedal gets spongy and keeps sinking, not giving the expected stopping power. I am used to the brake pedal getting firmer the more I press, but on this Jetta it's almost the opposite. Even after 5000 miles I am sometimes challenged to coordinate the brake depression with stopping distance. Does anyone else feel the same way? There was a magazine review (don't recall where I read it) that mentioned something about a soft brake pedal, but I didn't think much of it until recently. I guess its time for a visit to the dealer.
Interested?
Which in regards will make your car stop quicker in theory and I'd say in reality also. Since I have this mod on the gli.
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My Mk4's upgraded brakes have the best pedal feel of nearly anything I've driven, so I was pretty disappointed in my GLI's pedal too. I changed the VCDS setting that everyone else mentioned from 1 to 2 (or 3 to 2; I don't remember which way is more aggressive) and just installed StopTech Street Performance pads and the pedal feels great now. Not as good as my Mk4, but much better.
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I cant seem to find a walk through of the vcds brake mod, can anyone help?
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I had a similar issue. I pressed the brake before starting the car and heard and heard sustained hissing from my brake pedal. Then the brakes felt like mush and stopping distance increased dramatically.
The dealer replaced the vacuum booster. The brakes were much more consistent after that.
The dealer replaced the vacuum booster. The brakes were much more consistent after that.
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It's in this thread.
I think his issue is just the softened pedal feel VW went to to "Americanize" the Jetta, rather than an actual problem like you had.
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Dont have this issue with my ECS stage 3 BBK in front and cross drilled and slotted rotors in the rear on my GLI!
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Yours only stops better because your wallet is so much lighter nowDont have this issue with my ECS stage 3 BBK in front and cross drilled and slotted rotors in the rear on my GLI!
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The stock system should deliver consistent braking performance. OP wouldn't know what the European brakes feel like in comparison to the Americanized brakes.
The brakes shouldn't feel spongier when they're applied aggressively (unless you're cooking them). Maybe, under aggressive use, the vacuum/hydraulic power braking system gets overwhelmed.
After the dealer replaced my vacuum booster and bled the system, the pedal wasn't spongy. It felt firmer, more consistent, in all uses.
Performing first brake job on 2010 Jetta TDI/ ~85Kmi. Pleased with brakes and overall drive ability. Amazed by brake durability, and even more amazed by small amount of front pad/disk wear. As retired engineer and car/truck DIY guy, my online research suggests possible design consideration.
First, a Jetta TDI is known for good economy as commuter car. Pads/rotors are cheaper than driveshafts/ transmissions/engines. Keeping braking forces low on front drive car probably does not hurt long term durability and may also greatly simplify ABS programming algorithm, as the number of factors involved is very complex with many compromises. So a gentle driving style should accentuate front/rear wear difference, whereas an aggressive driving style should make wear rates more comparable. Obviously, brake pad compounds and disk alloys are also factors.
So, the overall situation may be comparable to down shifting a transmission/engine vs braking. On long downhill it makes sense to downshift and avoid over heating the brakes, but as standard practice it can have alternate consequences ($$$). Hopefully in hard braking or emergency situations the VW ABS algorithm will take full advantage of full traction available to all four tires.
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