VW Phaeton fault codes that show up when the car is fine*

*The Phaeton has been running flawlessly.  Every feature works, with the exception of the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).  The flat tire light is on constantly, despite the fact that all the tires are properly inflated. I've been told by Phaeton owners both before and after my purchase to ignore this common problem.  Even after shelling out $1,300 to repair the problem, there is a high likelihood that the light would erroneously come back on.

Today, I had the Phaeton's oil changed and tires rotated.  The local independent was kind enough to plug in the diagnostic tool and print out for me the readout.  Here are the findings.  Again, I have noticed zero faults with the car, with the exception of the TPMS.

The following systems had no fault codes:

• Engine
• Transmission
• ABS brakes
• Locking and starting system
• Seat memory- passenger
• HVAC
• Airbags
• Steering wheel
• Instruments
• CAN gateway
• Left light
• Level control
• Seat memory- driver
• Navigation
• Right light
• Central convenience
• Sound system
• Wipers
• Battery charger
• Telematics

Here are the parts that contained fault codes:

• Control head: supply voltage terminal, lower limit exceeded intermittently
• Central electrical: intervention load management
• Sunroof: signal to sunroof, intermittent motor for wind deflector, sunroof shade motor
• TPMS: no signal and initialization not successful

I suspect that new batteries will correct some of the faults.  Am also considering paying $75 to have the TPMS warning light turned off.

Hoarding Ford Crown Vics

Am trying to work this into a Hooniverse post.  Telstar Logistics took this picture at CHP's West Sacramento yard last weekend.

Romney and his Super PAC bought $16m in negative ads in Florida

That's right.  In barely a week, the Romney pack has bought over 12,000 TV ads in Florida in anticipation of tomorrow's primary.  He is destroying his opponent Newt Gingrich.  But what is the long term effect?  How can Floridians remember anything positive about Romney in November if all they remember is this?

BTW, Newt and his billionaire casino magnate backer have only been able to spend $4m in Florida.

After Florida, we have another 46 state contests to go!

Phaeton versus tree at "highway speeds"

The driver's only injury was a femur fracture.

Van Halen (with David Lee Roth) coming out with new album

It's been 28 years since their last album together.

Occupy Oakland destroys 1906 scale model of City Hall

That just ain't right.

Occupy Oakland yesterday

The protests, and the City of Oakland's action/inaction, are getting ridiculous.  Mayor Quan is possibly the most inept mayor in recent Oakland history, and that's saying a lot.

Another video here.

Saleen S7

Saw a Saleen on the road yesterday.  Took me about five seconds to process what it was.  It's pretty big and imposing, for such a low car.

Also, I'm planning on going to Irvine's Cars & Coffee in early or mid April.  So if any of yous want to meet up, that would be great.

26 Honda Accords ad

Kyrgyzstan prisoners sew lips together

Meanwhile, in Kyrgyzstan,

Foie gras loco moco at Animal (LA)

Foie gras, SPAM, Niman Ranch hamburger patty, quail egg, Sriracha infused gravy.  Menu here.

2011 sales figures for American cars sold in Japan

Photo source.

Jeep: 3,154
Ford: 3,469
Chevrolet: 1,268
Cadillac: 1,392
Dodge: 1,106
Chrysler: 611
GMC: 117
Hummer: 159
Pontiac: 12
Buick: 11
Saturn: 1
Total: 11,300

For comparison's sake, Porsche sold 12,978 Cayennes in the United States in 2011.

Heidfeld has a job!

Rebellion Racing (FIA World Endurance Championship) has hired Heidfeld.  He will race in Sebring, Spa, and Le Mans.

Has anyone here been to Sebring?  How are the track, facilities, and town?

Australian PM whisked away in a Holden

Protestors surround the PM outside a restaurant.  Mayhem ensues.  Shoe is lost.  This was apparently over some insensitive remarks made by opposition leader Tony Abbott.  Perhaps our Australian friends can shed some more light on the controversial statement (and why the PM's car is always white).

1963 Corvair Testudo by Bertone

Inspired by Stipistop.

Audi 100 Coupe S and Audi A7

Via Jalopnik Opposite Lock

North Korean news lady

She's just a nice, old lady.  'Tis all.

The clip is in Mandarin and Korean, but is worth watching even if you don't understand it.  Here is an English description. 

H/t to rchen.

As Newt surges, Obama is more likely to be re-elected

This is why Republicans are worried.  As Newt pummels presumptive front runner Romney, Obama's chances of winning in November rise.  Newt is so disliked by the general electorate, and especially by women, that he stands almost no chance of winning any swing state.

David Coulthard flying in zero gravity

An Idiot Abroad-- Trans-Siberian

Is this guy for real?

2012 VW Eos hardtop convertible

It's the only convertible with a sunroof function.  The roof has 470 parts.  *Gulp*

Newt Gingrich Plymouth Prowler

Ugh.

Price limit at gas pumps

I thought it was an urban legend-- That in order to mitigate credit card fraud, gas pumps shut off at $75.  This one shut off at $74 this morning.  The Popemobile needed another couple of gallons for a fill-up.

After 2 1/2 months of ownership, the car gets about 15 mpg (6.4 km per liter) in the city and 22 (9.4) on the highway.  It is best at a constant 70 mph.  It is worst in the streets of San Francisco.

Audi Quattro Moby Dick ad

This reminds me.  Moby Dick has gone unread in my Kindle for almost a year now.

Emeryville

"TAG McLaren" motorcycle

Almost forgot.  Saw this at Red Rock Canyon's parking lot outside Vegas.

Carspotting: Bradley GT II

I was doing my husbandly duties this morning at 7 when I went to get an oil change for my wife's car.  In exchange for my act of kindness, I saw this gullwinged VW kit car parked on the side of the road.  This will complement the GT I saw in Nevada.  Time for another Hooniverse post, me thinks.

Wet California:

Dry Nevada:

Public Enemy and Anthrax: Bring the Noise

Citroen 2CV factory video

This was shot at a Portuguese factory in 1990.

Via Flavio Gomes.

Bentley Continental R mule/test vehicle

H/t to Jagvar.

Wide Berth

Volvo military truck, before and after

Before:

Source.

After:

Source.

Native American revenge

Karma is a bi&ch.  Through tricks, smallpox, and violence, Native Americans lost everything.  In addition to all the land and bounty, millions of Americans suffer from diabetes (due in part to the proliferation of high fructose maize syrup), lung cancer (tobacco), and billions of dollars are lost at soul-sucking Indian casinos.  Now, Native Americans are getting into the arguably usurious unsecured loan business.  Just check out the 234% rate.  And a $500 "fee" on a $1,000 loan!

Mystery car

I'm writing a piece about this vehicle on Hooniverse.

I've modified the right column of Tamerlane's Thoughts.  As you can see, I've posted links to my latest Hooniverse articles.  Today's post is about a Fisker Karma I saw in Sin City.

VW Phaeton, sans W12 engine

Via PanEuropean at VW Vortex.

Diecast collector Ozmac interview

Tamerlane's Thoughts commenter and diecast collector Ozmac was recently interviewed by Scale143.com.  Check out his wonderful life story and incredible car collection!

Carspotting: Unimog van conversion

Spotted this on the Las Vegas Strip Saturday night.

Specs here.

Las Vegas Weekend

1. David Spade is bigger than Jacque Villeneuve.
2. Celine Dion is a freak of nature.

Kim Jong Un documentary

This blog is taking the long weekend off.  Here's an hour long documentary for your viewing pleasure.  I have only seen snippets but it looks like the Young One's official ride is an S-class Mercedes.  If you find something interesting, feel free to share it in the comments! 

Also, check out this North Korean expert's minute-by-minute analysis of the movie.

Over 100 years of Chicago Auto Show pictures!

This is the mother lode, ladies and germs.  Pictures from every single Chicago Auto Show.  The following is just a small sampling from the 1985 show.  It was someone's job to sift through boxes of old photographs, scan them, and caption them.