As a Volkswagen owner, you likely know the quality of the vehicle you’re driving. These models are some of the best options for reliability, comfort and fuel economy. However, like all other cars, they need regular servicing to stay in fantastic condition.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the top five Volkswagen servicing tips you need to know. With this knowledge in mind, you can confidently head to your next oil change or full service.
Schedule regular oil changes
Regular oil changes are one of the most critical aspects of maintaining your VW. The oil’s job is to lubricate and clean the metal parts of your engine. It also plays a role in temperature management. As a result, keeping it topped up is essential, but so are the regular oil and filter changes indicated in your service schedule. Without changing the oil, engine components get hotter and wear out sooner. You also end up with slime gunking up the internal passageways, which reduces your car’s power and fuel efficiency.
Service schedules vary widely from car to car, often depending on the age. Modern vehicles tend to require more regular changes thanks to the ‘thinner’ oils we use today. You’ll likely need to head to the garage every 3,000 to 9,000 miles. This interval is shown by the service indicator light, your owner’s manual and documentation, and your mechanic might also set you up with personalised reminders.
Go with genuine VW parts
When something warps, cracks or otherwise breaks, you need a new part. While there are many options, we recommend sticking with genuine VW parts. When you go to a parts store, you’ll likely encounter a mix of OE (original engineering) and non-OE offerings. These are produced by aftermarket companies and designed to fit as many vehicles as possible. Avoid non-OE components if possible. Even certain OE choices sometimes don’t fit properly.
In contrast, purchasing a part directly from VW ensures it fits. It was literally made for your car (or vice versa, in some cases). Rest assured that you’ll get the best component for the job. Although it might cost more, your car will be safer, with higher resale value and less potential impact on your warranty.
Keep an eye on your tyres
It’s cliché but true: the tyres are your point of contact with the road. Looking after them is one of the most important things you can do for your car. Every week, use a tyre pressure gauge to check the air pressures on each corner manually. If necessary, use an inflator to pump them back up to the recommended psi level, which you’ll find in your owner’s manual and on a sticker on the driver’s doorframe.
Also, keep an eye on the tread – the ‘grip pattern’. It should appear consistent across the depth of the tyre. If you notice bare areas (in strips or patches), it signals a problem with something in the tyre, wheel or suspension system. Of course, keep an eye out for any punctures, too. If you do find a screw or a piece of glass in the tyre’s tread, a mechanic will likely patch it for you. However, most other tyre damage unfortunately requires a new tyre.
It’s best to simultaneously replace both tyres across a driven axle because otherwise, the gearbox has to drive them at slightly different speeds.
Get servicing from a trusted garage
Trust is the name of the game in the automotive world. Whoever works on your VW should be a trusted and reliable individual conducting a service or repair on behalf of a garage with which you have a longstanding relationship. These relationships are crucial, leaving you with peace of mind and without any unexpected costs, upsetting conversations or fraudulent work.
We recommend finding a garage you trust and taking your VW to them whenever it needs servicing or repair work instead of simply trying to find the cheapest quote. It’s worth it.
Keep up with those Volkswagen service parts
A Volkswagen service isn’t simply an oil change. Alongside checks all around, underneath and inside your vehicle, it may also include the following:
- Air filter changes. The air filter removes particulates like dirt and pollen from the air entering the engine. Replacing it regularly prevents it from clogging.
- Cabin filter changes. The cabin filter prevents air particulates from entering your car’s interior through the fans. Regular replacements keep it working efficiently.
- Under-bonnet fluid top-ups. These usually include your washer fluid, coolant, power steering fluid (if applicable) and brake fluid. A technician will add the correct and relevant liquid as required.
- Diagnostics. Diagnostics refers to electronic fault determination. Mechanics attach your car to their onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) machine and check for any underlying problems.
- Brake services. Usually an optional extra, brake servicing involves disassembling and cleaning the brakes before putting them back together. It can be an effective way to prolong their lifespan.
- Fuel filter replacement. The fuel filter does what it says on the tin, removing any potentially damaging particulates from the fuel before it enters the engine. It doesn’t usually need replacing often, but a mechanic will advise you if it’s time.
You should also double-check that your Volkswagen service has a tracking (alignment) check. If this is found to be out of alignment, get it adjusted to protect your tyres, steering components and overall road safety.
How can Sunset VW help?
Sunset VW is here to help. We’ve been servicing Derby and the surrounding area for four decades, helping people with their Beetles, Golfs, motorhomes, Polos, Tourans, Sciroccos, Tiguans, Touaregs and everything in between.
For us, an oil change isn’t simply a rushed, one-off job. We take pride in our work and take care of your car. To us, you’re like family, and we’ll always ensure that any work we carry out is completed to the highest of standards, ending up at the most cost-effective price on the market.
Everyone, from our friendly receptionists to our tried-and-tested master technicians, welcomes you to drop in or schedule a Volkswagen service when the time comes. In the meantime, drive safe and we’ll see you soon.