Water Retention

I have noticed when I back out of my (flat) driveway after a rainy night and to some degree after going through a car wash that I leave a trail of water on the driveway. I guess the car is holding significant water (rainy night) somewhere that releases as I back out (no inside leaks). I would assume it is not a good thing for a car to sit all night holding water somewhere (ok now jokes about getting up in the middle of the night!). I mention this only because I don't recall any of my other cars (most VW products) doing this. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Perhaps a "so what issue".

I have seen water collected under the trunk lid in the flat areas surrounding the weather stripping, and a little in the door areas, again outside the weather stripping. Water won't get into the trunk or car because it will just run off. It's a pain if you are detail oriented like me after a car wash but other than that no long term issues.

I don't know how much you think significant is, but I haven't seen anything that was abnormal to other sedans I have owned. So I am not concerned and this is my first VW.

Every one of my cars has done this. I wouldn't worry.

-J

...unless it is significantly more than what they ^^ said, I wouldn't worry about it.

How about having someone walk alongside your car as you move it in the driveway? They may be able to see something to help you solve the problem

Does the 12' Passat have that plastic shield/guard on the bottom of the fuel tank? If so, there may be a little water collecting on it and then when you move the vehicle it drains out the holes or off the ends and gives you that trail of water you are seeing. Just guessing as I've not had a close look at a Passat.

Next time you finish at the car wash and pull out go look and see where the water is coming from.

There's no plastic shield under the fuel tank. There is under the engine, and under the fuel lines.

-J

compu_85 said:

There's no plastic shield under the fuel tank. There is under the engine, and under the fuel lines.

-J

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I was able to chec out a 12 Passat gasser. It does have a plastic sheild on the right side of the fuel tank. Is the tdi different?

There's a heat shield between the tank and the exhaust, but there is nothing on the bottom of the tank, just like my Mk4.

-J

Do you have a sun roof?