Your Volkswagen’s engine oil is paramount to its performance and longevity. Without regular oil changes, you’ll soon run into low power, poor fuel economy, strange noises, overheating and more. When that service interval flashes up, it’s time to book an appointment with a local, trusted VW specialist.
In this blog post, we’ll explain the importance of getting regular oil changes for your Volkswagen and how to go about doing that.
Volkswagen oil changes: what’s so important?
The oil in your VW’s engine is one of its most critical fluids. It circulates through the metal, lubricating the inside and preventing friction. Your engine utilises hundreds of metal components, each spinning or reciprocating (moving up and down) hundreds or thousands of times per minute. Without the oil, friction would heat these parts, eventually causing your engine to seize and stop working.
Oil has a few other great qualities, too. For example, it absorbs impurities and small particulates, keeping them away from the engine’s sensitive components. The oil filter catches most of these, which are disposed of at the next oil change.
Today’s oil is also ‘multi-grade’. It contains additives that keep it as runny and ‘thin’ as possible when it’s cold, making your engine easier to start on a chilly day. The oil we use nowadays is generally far purer than the crude oil used in the past, too.
In other words, oil is the lifeblood of your VW engine (or any engine, for that matter). But, like all things mechanical, it soon gets past its best. That’s when your service light or interval notification will warn you that it’s time for an oil change.
What happens in a Volkswagen oil change?
During a 0 expect something like the following procedure:
- Make a pre-arranged appointment once your service light comes on or you notice strange symptoms from your engine.
- Arrive before the appointment to give the technicians time to check you in.
- A technician may take some initial photos and record your VW’s mileage.
- They’ll drive the car onto the two- or four-post hydraulic ramp, turn the engine off, release the bonnet catch and open the oil cap. This helps with airflow through the system and improves oil drainage.
- Next, it’s time to lift the car into the air.
- Using a hand tool, they’ll open the sump plug. When the engine isn’t running, the oil sits in the sump, so this action makes the oil drain out into a pan they place below it.
- Once the oil flow from the sump has reduced, they’ll bring the car back down to near the floor and reach in to remove the oil filter, replacing it with a new one.
- The car goes back up, and once the oil flow has stopped completely, the technician will replace the sump plug, torquing it to the required level.
- And then they drop the car down again, fill the engine with the recommended type and quantity of oil and turn the car on for a few seconds. They’re listening for the sound of the oil rushing through the engine, a clear sign that everything’s gone to plan.
- After this, they’ll back your car out into a pick-up parking spot and give you a call to let you know it’s ready.
How to get a Volkswagen oil change
Getting a Volkswagen service is vital if you drive any VW, especially a newer model. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t have to be carried out by a VW dealer – your warranty will remain perfectly intact, provided you get the work carried out by a certified professional. However, whoever does the work must complete the oil change per Volkswagen’s instructions and record it as such – otherwise, you might run into problems.
The best way to get a Volkswagen oil change is to look for trusted local Volkswagen specialists, like Sunset VW. This way, you’ll know you’re working with a knowledgeable garage dedicated to your type of car without necessarily paying dealership prices. Don’t hesitate to call them and get quotes for your oil change, and check they have access to Volkswagen’s online service portal – the modern equivalent of your service book – as this is a vital sign that they know what they’re doing.
Once you find a place you’re happy with, book your car in at a time that suits you.
Book an oil change appointment with Sunset VW in Derby
At Sunset VW, we always strive to provide an approachable yet professional approach to car servicing and maintenance. Our committed team holds many Volkswagen qualifications, including the master technician certification. Booking your VW, Skoda, Audi or Seat in for an oil change here means it receives the best possible attention, an authorised online service portal update, and a service carried out to VW’s requirements (meaning your warranty remains intact).
For more information on who we are and how we can help with a Volkswagen oil change, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We’re available on 01332 346 688 from 8:00 to 5:30 on weekdays. Otherwise, please email us at info@sunset-derby.co.uk or complete the web form below. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.